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Probable Cause
Murders masquerading as suicide embroil Carmel, California, police detective James Dewitt in a dangerous game involving the man Dewitt blames for his wife's death and bringing his past back to haunt him
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
124 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Ridley Pearson
186 books2,101 followersRidley Pearson is the author of more than fifty novels, including the New York Times bestseller Killer Weekend; the Lou Boldt crime series; and many books for young readers, including the award-winning children's novels Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, which he cowrote with Dave Barry. Pearson lives with his wife and two daughters, dividing their time between Missouri and Idaho.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
Also writes Chris Klick mysteries as Wendell McCall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 14, 2013
I was bored by this popular Ridley Pearson novel. I know, I know, I'm going against the tide of opinion here. A lot of comments say it was "exciting", "fast-paced", "chilling" - to me, it was none of that.
James Dewitt, formerly a forensic criminalist, has suffered a horrendous loss - his wife and one of his daughters was murdered by a defendant on trial for arson in the Monterey County Courthouse. Now a detective sergeant working for the city of Carmel, he and his remaining teenage daughter, Emmy, have begun a new life. Despite the new title and responsibilities, Dewitt is familiar with police work and feels comfortable with dead bodies and crime scenes. It's a good thing, too, because the first suspicious death he is called out to turns out to be a politically tricky one. The dead man, found in his car asphyxiated by auto exhaust, is none other than the husband of an outspoken Republican State Representative, Jessica Joyce Osbourne. Looking at the car and the man, Dewitt finds himself doubting this is a suicide. When he reports his suspicion to Clarence Hindeman, Carmel's Chief of Police, he discovers himself in the middle of a political tug-of-war between those who want the cause of death to be declared suicide and his own opinion of a murder having been committed. Discovering his 14-year-old daughter Emmy nude at a teen party has him wondering if he is able to handle either situation at home or work, but fortunately he meets Clare O'Daly, lab technician, who has something magical about her. Is it possible he can start a new relationship?
To me, this was phoned-in fiction, written like a painting-by-numbers kit. Every aspect about it was a quick sidewalk artist sketch. Meh.
James Dewitt, formerly a forensic criminalist, has suffered a horrendous loss - his wife and one of his daughters was murdered by a defendant on trial for arson in the Monterey County Courthouse. Now a detective sergeant working for the city of Carmel, he and his remaining teenage daughter, Emmy, have begun a new life. Despite the new title and responsibilities, Dewitt is familiar with police work and feels comfortable with dead bodies and crime scenes. It's a good thing, too, because the first suspicious death he is called out to turns out to be a politically tricky one. The dead man, found in his car asphyxiated by auto exhaust, is none other than the husband of an outspoken Republican State Representative, Jessica Joyce Osbourne. Looking at the car and the man, Dewitt finds himself doubting this is a suicide. When he reports his suspicion to Clarence Hindeman, Carmel's Chief of Police, he discovers himself in the middle of a political tug-of-war between those who want the cause of death to be declared suicide and his own opinion of a murder having been committed. Discovering his 14-year-old daughter Emmy nude at a teen party has him wondering if he is able to handle either situation at home or work, but fortunately he meets Clare O'Daly, lab technician, who has something magical about her. Is it possible he can start a new relationship?
To me, this was phoned-in fiction, written like a painting-by-numbers kit. Every aspect about it was a quick sidewalk artist sketch. Meh.
January 11, 2016
Liked the characters. Enjoyed the premise of the mystery and its development. Couldn't get past the myriad errors on the law and criminal procedure. Really a 3.5 star.
February 4, 2016
Was not terribly impressed with this story. A bit disappointing since the first book I picked up by Pearson was pretty damn good. I'm hoping this was just a fluke.
April 12, 2023
I’m a fan of good courtroom drama, and this includes plenty of it.
James Dewitt is a new detective on the Carmel, California police force as the book begins. Five months earlier, he was a forensics investigator, and while testifying in a court proceeding, the defendant escaped the cop who guarded him and attacked Dewitt’s wife and daughter. The wife died; the daughter lies in a coma in the early chapters of the book. That’s when he determined to change jobs and join the police force.
He hadn’t been on the job long before the fateful call came in. It looks like there’s been a suicide, and the young man is the son of a Republican state legislator. But because of his forensics background, Dewitt isn’t so sure this is a cut-and-dry suicide. Granted, the victim was in his car, windows up, exhaust leaking through the door panels from a hose that runs from the tailpipe into the vehicle. But there are other details around the car that make suicide less likely.
Then more suicides happen in town, and Dewitt is sure these are homicides. How he proves that will be part of why you will read this if you do.
The subplots are outstanding. Every day, Dewitt visits the hospital where his comatose daughter lies. And when he gets too close to a killer, the little girl is part of the story. The other subplot involves his older daughter, Emmy, who battles PTSD-like nightmares and struggles to get past her mother’s brutal death. You see how the father and daughter develop a unity and love they might never have achieved in any other circumstance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and there are suspenseful sections that will glue you to your book player.
James Dewitt is a new detective on the Carmel, California police force as the book begins. Five months earlier, he was a forensics investigator, and while testifying in a court proceeding, the defendant escaped the cop who guarded him and attacked Dewitt’s wife and daughter. The wife died; the daughter lies in a coma in the early chapters of the book. That’s when he determined to change jobs and join the police force.
He hadn’t been on the job long before the fateful call came in. It looks like there’s been a suicide, and the young man is the son of a Republican state legislator. But because of his forensics background, Dewitt isn’t so sure this is a cut-and-dry suicide. Granted, the victim was in his car, windows up, exhaust leaking through the door panels from a hose that runs from the tailpipe into the vehicle. But there are other details around the car that make suicide less likely.
Then more suicides happen in town, and Dewitt is sure these are homicides. How he proves that will be part of why you will read this if you do.
The subplots are outstanding. Every day, Dewitt visits the hospital where his comatose daughter lies. And when he gets too close to a killer, the little girl is part of the story. The other subplot involves his older daughter, Emmy, who battles PTSD-like nightmares and struggles to get past her mother’s brutal death. You see how the father and daughter develop a unity and love they might never have achieved in any other circumstance.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and there are suspenseful sections that will glue you to your book player.
November 11, 2021
This is an older Pearson book. It’s a good one. The action starts on page one when the main character, James Dewitt’s family is attacked in a courtroom, with his wife ending up dead and one of his daughters in a coma. Trying to change his life after that incident, he leaves his work as a Forensic Investigator and becomes a detective in Carmel. Suddenly dead bodies are being found and it’s up to Dewitt to decide if they are suicides or homicides. What he finds is more than he’d bargained for. This book has it all, great characterization, lots of actions and the absolute creepiest of bad guys. Pearson does his research well, and as always, makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the action. Was this a page turner? Well, I finished it in one day if that tells you anything
August 12, 2022
James Dewitt just finished testifying at a trial and was approaching his wife and two daughters at the back of the courtroom when the defendant attacks. His wife is killed, one daughter is injured and kept in a coma, the other is in shock. With that as a beginning and a serial killer in the main storyline, I remained breathless and tense much of the time. Great read!
November 29, 2019
I basically liked the book, however, I had to skip over the part where it describes how he "trapped" cats - I am unable to read explicit torture of animals. So no, I did not really enjoy those parts at all, and I think I gave this book too many stars, 3 would have been more appropriate.
July 5, 2020
I found Ridley Pearson's Probable Cause an enjoyable read with a strong protagonist in James Dewitt. The plot was solid and the characters, while fairly stock, moved the action along nicely. A few of the transitions, to my mind, could have been more developed, but all in all, worth the time.
August 14, 2024
I loved this. I just wish it was the start of a series instead of a standalone. Dewitt is one of that rare breed--a beta hero! Pearson does such a great job with his characters, beautifully bringing them to life. So glad I discovered this author.
July 16, 2018
Ridley writes a good thriller and this one is no exception.
May 28, 2019
Great read. Give it a try. You won’t be dissatisfied
I enjoyed this book. Very good character development, the ending was well written and does not leave the reader hanging.
I enjoyed this book. Very good character development, the ending was well written and does not leave the reader hanging.
June 12, 2019
The best laid plans.............
An awesome page turner with characters that will make your skin crawl
A never ending battle between good and evil!
An awesome page turner with characters that will make your skin crawl
A never ending battle between good and evil!
September 10, 2019
Likable main character and good character interaction. A good story from a dependable author.
December 30, 2020
Not for me. Ugly treatment of animals.
The author kills off the protagonist's dog and then has some creep torture and kill cats and throw their bodies to his own dog. That's as far as I got in the book. Sick.
The author kills off the protagonist's dog and then has some creep torture and kill cats and throw their bodies to his own dog. That's as far as I got in the book. Sick.
December 31, 2020
Forensics, detective work, and psychology; all very well written.
This is one of the author's earlier works, but even with all the forensic improvements still a good and exciting read.
This is one of the author's earlier works, but even with all the forensic improvements still a good and exciting read.
March 8, 2021
Enjoyed reading. Interesting profile of murders. Liked that it stuck with the story line and didn’t have a lot of added added side story lines going on.
June 9, 2021
Intricate, woven plot-some is off scale but still drew me in.
June 15, 2021
My first time reading a book by this author, and it will not the last either. The novel was an easy read filled with a couple of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages.
December 21, 2021
Not my favorite Pearson, but still really good mystery - set in Carmel, CA.
October 31, 2022
This was a good story with several twists which I enjoyed.
July 6, 2023
Another page turner!
Okay, I'm a Ridley Pearson fan. The characters are well placed , the story well paced.
In short , a good read!
Okay, I'm a Ridley Pearson fan. The characters are well placed , the story well paced.
In short , a good read!
November 11, 2023
Ridley Pearson is a master. What a roller coaster ride!
June 28, 2024
Excellent mystery. LOVE Mr. Pearson's writing style and descriptive language.
September 30, 2025
Tremendous!
**** 4 Stars.
**** 4 Stars.
Read
November 30, 2009At first I was so hooked with the book. Then as I started to reach the middle part I started to get a little bored, not because the book was not interesting, but because it became a pretty tense book to read. I would sit down to read the book and just feel really tense reading it and not enjoying it for all its worth. But looking back on these moments, I feel these reader moments are exemplary of a great author. Ridley Pearson made me feel as if I was in the story. In the end it was a pretty story tale ending with a couple of great books. This book probably could be really solid if it was 300 pages and not 400 mabye even 250 pages. Overall a great mystery book if your looking for one.
June 20, 2010
4.25 Stars. The book opens with James Dewitt testifying as a forensic investigator. Big drama happens after court that changes Dewitt's life forever. He becomes a detective in the Carmel Police force and is called to a scene of an apparent suicide, but his forensic training tells him this is no suicide. The victim is the son of a popular female politician. Shortly thereafter Dewitt is called to a similar scene. There are many twists and turns, some courtroom drama that goes a bit over the top at times, a pretty wild climax. I really liked the characters, and the story is well-told and keeps you turning pages. Highly entertaining.
March 19, 2015
The book opens with James Dewitt testifying as a forensic investigator. Big drama happens after court (his wife is murdered by the defendant and his youngest daughter in left in a coma) that changes Dewitt's life forever. He becomes a detective in the Carmel Police force and is called to a scene of an apparent suicide, but his forensic training tells him this is no suicide. It is a back-and-forth fight to catch this madman with enough evidence to convict him.
April 23, 2015
Well worth the cause to read
Pearson captures the reader and doesn't let go. This psychological thriller pulls the reader into his web and holds him there, twisting and turning, but not wanting to escape. Detective James DeWitt finds himself pitted against a a brilliant, though insane, adversary and must go beyond his own limits to survive. Well written and exciting to the very end!
Pearson captures the reader and doesn't let go. This psychological thriller pulls the reader into his web and holds him there, twisting and turning, but not wanting to escape. Detective James DeWitt finds himself pitted against a a brilliant, though insane, adversary and must go beyond his own limits to survive. Well written and exciting to the very end!
March 25, 2015
I really enjoyed this book and you will too
What I enjoyed most about this book was the fact that it was totally about the investigation and not about the life of the killer and his crimes, at least not until they got close to catching him. I would definitely recommend this book to all those who enjoy good crime novels.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the fact that it was totally about the investigation and not about the life of the killer and his crimes, at least not until they got close to catching him. I would definitely recommend this book to all those who enjoy good crime novels.
February 11, 2011
James Dewitt loses his wife and his youngest daughter is in a coma at the beginning of the book. He changes his life drastically becoming a police detective instead of a forensic investigator. He uses his knowledge to help solve a series of apparent suicides.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews