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Barbara Holloway #8
The Unbidden Truth
- This is Kate Wilhelm's second original hardcover title for Mira Books.
- Desperate Measures (Mira Books, 6/02) achieved a fantastic NSR of 67%
- Widely regarded as one of today's best writers, Kate is the bestselling author of over 40 novels, including legal and psychological thrillers and many science-fiction classics.
- Her character Barbara Holloway appears in many of her novels and has established a huge fan following.
- Kate Wilhelm has won numerous awards, including the Nebula Award (three times) for short fiction, the Hugo Award, the Prix Apollo, the Jupiter Award and the Locus Award.
- Kate was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in July 2003.
- Desperate Measures (Mira Books, 6/02) achieved a fantastic NSR of 67%
- Widely regarded as one of today's best writers, Kate is the bestselling author of over 40 novels, including legal and psychological thrillers and many science-fiction classics.
- Her character Barbara Holloway appears in many of her novels and has established a huge fan following.
- Kate Wilhelm has won numerous awards, including the Nebula Award (three times) for short fiction, the Hugo Award, the Prix Apollo, the Jupiter Award and the Locus Award.
- Kate was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in July 2003.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
43 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Kate Wilhelm
275 books442 followersKate Wilhelm’s first short story, “The Pint-Sized Genie” was published in Fantastic Stories in 1956. Her first novel, MORE BITTER THAN DEATH, a mystery, was published in 1963. Over the span of her career, her writing has crossed over the genres of science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy and magical realism, psychological suspense, mimetic, comic, and family sagas, a multimedia stage production, and radio plays. She returned to writing mysteries in 1990 with the acclaimed Charlie Meiklejohn and Constance Leidl Mysteries and the Barbara Holloway series of legal thrillers.
Wilhelm’s works have been adapted for television and movies in numerous countries; her novels and stories have been translated to more than a dozen languages. She has contributed to Quark, Orbit, Magazine of Fantasy and ScienceFiction, Locus, Amazing Stories, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Fantastic, Omni, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Redbook, and Cosmopolitan.
Kate Wilhelm is the widow of acclaimed science fiction author and editor, Damon Knight (1922-2002), with whom she founded the Clarion Writers’ Workshop and the Milford Writers’ Conference, described in her 2005 non-fiction work, STORYTELLER. They lectured together at universities across three continents; Kate has continued to offer interviews, talks, and monthly workshops.
Kate Wilhelm has received two Hugo awards, three Nebulas, as well as Jupiter, Locus, Spotted Owl, Prix Apollo, Kristen Lohman awards, among others. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2009, Kate was the recipient of one of the first Solstice Awards presented by the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) in recognition of her contributions to the field of science fiction.
Kate’s highly popular Barbara Holloway mysteries, set in Eugene, Oregon, opened with Death Qualified in 1990. Mirror, Mirror, released in 2017, is the series’ 14th novel.
Wilhelm’s works have been adapted for television and movies in numerous countries; her novels and stories have been translated to more than a dozen languages. She has contributed to Quark, Orbit, Magazine of Fantasy and ScienceFiction, Locus, Amazing Stories, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Fantastic, Omni, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Redbook, and Cosmopolitan.
Kate Wilhelm is the widow of acclaimed science fiction author and editor, Damon Knight (1922-2002), with whom she founded the Clarion Writers’ Workshop and the Milford Writers’ Conference, described in her 2005 non-fiction work, STORYTELLER. They lectured together at universities across three continents; Kate has continued to offer interviews, talks, and monthly workshops.
Kate Wilhelm has received two Hugo awards, three Nebulas, as well as Jupiter, Locus, Spotted Owl, Prix Apollo, Kristen Lohman awards, among others. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2009, Kate was the recipient of one of the first Solstice Awards presented by the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) in recognition of her contributions to the field of science fiction.
Kate’s highly popular Barbara Holloway mysteries, set in Eugene, Oregon, opened with Death Qualified in 1990. Mirror, Mirror, released in 2017, is the series’ 14th novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
August 19, 2022
3.5 stars
December 1, 2016
3.5 stars
I'll round up because I liked the MC. This is my first book by this author and overall I liked it. I liked the plot points. It felt a little clinical, but I think it worked for the MC and for this particular story. Since this book is the 8th book in a series, I look forward to reading more of them, to see if that style is more 'author-style' or more character trait.
This was a little predictable, but the story was unique. I'll have to see what's available on overdrive.
I'll round up because I liked the MC. This is my first book by this author and overall I liked it. I liked the plot points. It felt a little clinical, but I think it worked for the MC and for this particular story. Since this book is the 8th book in a series, I look forward to reading more of them, to see if that style is more 'author-style' or more character trait.
This was a little predictable, but the story was unique. I'll have to see what's available on overdrive.
September 2, 2017
Kate Wilhelm writes great courtroom procedural. And she writes about some unusual life situations. This book did not disappoint, however it took so long before the courtroom scenes began that I thought maybe there might not be any in this book. Barbara takes a case of a woman who has lived many years with amnesia about her life prior to age eight. She is charged with murder, and as Barbara delves into the facts another situation comes to her attention that has nothing to do with what she is charged with, but bears on her past life. As things unfold both Barbara's and her client's lives are threatened. There are some interesting twists I didn't see coming. As usual a great book from Wilhelm. And the audio is well done by Anna fields.
October 21, 2016
Although this is a series mystery, coming in with no foreknowledge didn't detract from the characters or the story. Attorney Barbara Holloway is hired by a mysterious benefactor to represent a young piano player accused of murder. The girl, Carol, remembers nothing of her past before she was sent to foster care at 9. But she does know that despite the fact that the guy tried groping her, she didn't kill him. Barbara believes her. There is something about the girl that shouts trauma but this isn't it. So if Carol didn't do it, who did, and why? As the story progresses it becomes readily apparent that Carol's past is much more critical than anyone could have believed and few things have happened by coincidence. Barbara and her team are sharp, funny and dedicated. Entertaining. I would read more in the series if I had the opportunity.
May 10, 2017
Barbara Holloway defends a client with amnesia and who had been convicted of murder. Barbara’s job was to prove that the woman had been set up. After someone tried to bomb Barbara’s office, she knew that everyone involved with proving the innocence of the client life was in danger.
The Unbidden Truth was well written with the twists and turns readers expect from a great crime thriller. Anna Fields did a good job in storytelling.
The Unbidden Truth was well written with the twists and turns readers expect from a great crime thriller. Anna Fields did a good job in storytelling.
November 28, 2020
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
The juggled pieces did not fit well for me but I do like how the author uses different situations in each book.
Currently on Audible Plus
The juggled pieces did not fit well for me but I do like how the author uses different situations in each book.
November 30, 2017
The book was good and well plotted for the most part. When it was over I realized that there was never any reason given for Cary/Caroline to be both the victim of a car bombing in her early life and the suspect in a murder trial for someone in the family who had planned that bombing. Was it just a coincidence? Otherwise I liked the book.
I found the audiobook a bit annoying because Anne Fields tried to make her voice masculine by making it deep and fruity and avuncular. Every man sounded like he had the same affect to me. I wished she had just read it straight instead of doing the voices. On the other hand, her accents were quite good. The characters with Spanish accents stood out distinctly.
In a way, it is the scourge of an audiobook to be an art form that makes vocal a book that was intended to be read. Every time she read a sentence with expression, and then the adverbs that were put there to describe the speech, it made no sense. For instance, "'Why are you there?' she said softly", has to be read softly, and then you are told it is pronounced softly. That isn't Anne Fields fault. It might be a way to detect that the author uses too many adverbs.
I found the audiobook a bit annoying because Anne Fields tried to make her voice masculine by making it deep and fruity and avuncular. Every man sounded like he had the same affect to me. I wished she had just read it straight instead of doing the voices. On the other hand, her accents were quite good. The characters with Spanish accents stood out distinctly.
In a way, it is the scourge of an audiobook to be an art form that makes vocal a book that was intended to be read. Every time she read a sentence with expression, and then the adverbs that were put there to describe the speech, it made no sense. For instance, "'Why are you there?' she said softly", has to be read softly, and then you are told it is pronounced softly. That isn't Anne Fields fault. It might be a way to detect that the author uses too many adverbs.
August 21, 2013
I enjoyed this book. I think it started out slow but got more engrossing. Man is murdered and woman with amnesia is put on trial for the crime. She starts to remember her past during the trial and it becomes a centerpiece to the crime. The main character is her lawyer, Barbara who works to defend and protect her client. Somewhat predictable in the overall scheme but the details were well developed.
October 11, 2021
Kate Wilhelm writes an engrossing legal novel/mystery. Her characters are engaging, and the mystery is intricate enough to keep the reader guessing for at least three quarters of the way through the book. I like this series very much and have not been disappointed with any of the books in the series.
January 14, 2020
Barbara Holloway is retained by an older woman who insists on anonymity. She is paying for the defense of a young woman arrested for murder, and she says she represents a group of benefactors in the community.
The defendant is Carol Fredricks. She was a pianist at a local lounge attached to a motel, who was frequently bothered by one of the owners. The owner, Joe Wenzel, made unwelcome advances and she rebuffed him. When he was found dead in his motel room, witnesses said they'd seen someone who looked like Fredricks go into his room.
Barbara begins by listening to Carol and agrees with the client that she is unusually talented. She then speaks to Carol about her past, trying to discover some connection with Wenzel.
It is here that Barbara discovers something odd. Carol was a foster child most of her life. She tells Barbara that her parents were killed in a car accident when she was eight and there were no other relatives to take her. As she had been in the car with her parents, Carole was badly injured and spent a great deal of time in the hospital. She was taken from the hospital to her new foster parents, where she lived until she was old enough to leave home.
Carole can't remember anything from before she was eight. Different people have different explanations for this memory loss, ranging from some kind of mental block to her faking it. Barbara latches on the situation like a dog with a bone. She believes something in Carole's past will reveal some connection to the present.
Most of the book is devoted to sussing out the past, which does turn out to be surprising. It is only when the court case begins that we have much of an idea about how the defense will be handled. It appears that much is against her.
It's absorbing enough to keep reading, therefore a good airplane book. I had some doubts about Wilhelm's knowledge about some things, like about playing the piano. It's true that some people can play by ear remarkably well. But when the client in this case said Carole just needed a year with a special teacher to work on technique, and then she would be world-class, I had doubts. I am a pianist myself, classical, not world-class. I do know that although one might have the ability to play by ear, one doesn't develop the strength in one's fingers overnight.
Despite doubts of this type I enjoyed the story well enough.
The defendant is Carol Fredricks. She was a pianist at a local lounge attached to a motel, who was frequently bothered by one of the owners. The owner, Joe Wenzel, made unwelcome advances and she rebuffed him. When he was found dead in his motel room, witnesses said they'd seen someone who looked like Fredricks go into his room.
Barbara begins by listening to Carol and agrees with the client that she is unusually talented. She then speaks to Carol about her past, trying to discover some connection with Wenzel.
It is here that Barbara discovers something odd. Carol was a foster child most of her life. She tells Barbara that her parents were killed in a car accident when she was eight and there were no other relatives to take her. As she had been in the car with her parents, Carole was badly injured and spent a great deal of time in the hospital. She was taken from the hospital to her new foster parents, where she lived until she was old enough to leave home.
Carole can't remember anything from before she was eight. Different people have different explanations for this memory loss, ranging from some kind of mental block to her faking it. Barbara latches on the situation like a dog with a bone. She believes something in Carole's past will reveal some connection to the present.
Most of the book is devoted to sussing out the past, which does turn out to be surprising. It is only when the court case begins that we have much of an idea about how the defense will be handled. It appears that much is against her.
It's absorbing enough to keep reading, therefore a good airplane book. I had some doubts about Wilhelm's knowledge about some things, like about playing the piano. It's true that some people can play by ear remarkably well. But when the client in this case said Carole just needed a year with a special teacher to work on technique, and then she would be world-class, I had doubts. I am a pianist myself, classical, not world-class. I do know that although one might have the ability to play by ear, one doesn't develop the strength in one's fingers overnight.
Despite doubts of this type I enjoyed the story well enough.
April 10, 2018
Barbara's client this time out is a young woman who doesn't remember her life before she was 8 1/2 years old and recovering from a fiery car crash in the hospital. Since graduation from high school she has been traveling the country, waiting tables or playing piano in bars while she searches for her past. In Eugene, while playing piano in a motel dining room, she is accused of murdering the part-owner of the motel. But Barbara believes she has been framed and that, because she is an itinerant worker, no one looked for other candidates for the murder. The victim has an even more sketchy background than the police had realized. But the prosecutor insists that his unsavory past has nothing to do with his murder. Soon, the past comes rushing to meet the present and Barbara's client finds herself in mortal danger while trying to defend herself against a second degree murder charge that looks less and less likely as each day of the trial proceeds. When first her own office and then her father's house are wired for explosion, Barbara knows she must not only get her client off but prove the case against the murder victim's family at the same time.
December 6, 2019
Once again, Attorney Barbara Holloway is asked to handle a case that goes into all kinds of twists and turns, and this one too, goes back several years. Of the books of this series that I've read, a few span many years. But she has these uncanny gut feelings that allows her to see the parts of the case connect like no other. Sure, it's way out there... I've never met an attorney that would go to these lengths for her client, but I was never accused of murder either.
Another enjoyable nitty-gritty, fly by the seat of your pants, drama that was full of twists.
Another enjoyable nitty-gritty, fly by the seat of your pants, drama that was full of twists.
April 4, 2018
This book was given to me and is the only book in the series that I've read.
The protagonist's dad kept trying to push his daughter, Barbara, a defense attorney, and Darren together. Barbara was NOT receptive but Darren was. There must have been 'history' between these two, which I had no knowledge of since I hadn't read previous books in this series.
The trial dragged out a long time but all mysteries were finally resolved.
The protagonist's dad kept trying to push his daughter, Barbara, a defense attorney, and Darren together. Barbara was NOT receptive but Darren was. There must have been 'history' between these two, which I had no knowledge of since I hadn't read previous books in this series.
The trial dragged out a long time but all mysteries were finally resolved.
December 2, 2018
I wasn’t thrilled with the previous book in the series and put these aside. But I missed Barbara Halloway. This book did not disappoint. It is chock full of crazy, seemingly unrelated clues. Plus a victim who had been brainwashed as a child and doesn’t know who she is. Certainly kept me turning pages. I do have a question for you other readers, though. Who was Ramon? And H. L. Blount? As far as I can tell, those loose ends were never tied up.
June 27, 2020
Barbara Holloway is hired to defend Carol Fredricks on a murder charge but the more she digs into her client the more questions there are. It is obvious to Barbara that Carol is being framed but is it because she is a person who travels from place to place or is there more to it. Follow Barbara as she tries to find the answers. While Barbara is searching for answers, so is Carol. Is the dreams she has been having actual memories or is she truly crazy. The answers will surprise you
April 22, 2020
Compelling
I only knew of Kate wilhelm as a science fiction author – I had read her wonderful book where late the sweet birds sing
Barbara Holloway novels or a cross between a good detective novel and a John Grisham piece – they are very well written and I will be going back in and reading more of them
I only knew of Kate wilhelm as a science fiction author – I had read her wonderful book where late the sweet birds sing
Barbara Holloway novels or a cross between a good detective novel and a John Grisham piece – they are very well written and I will be going back in and reading more of them
November 8, 2022
kept me hooked. the reader’s male voices were hard to believe at first but after an hour I wasn’t hearing them as much anymore. enjoyed the court room questions, even if it seemed redundant at times, it seemed authentic and the role of the wig saleswoman was very funny. interesting amnesia, childhood trauma, father daughter law team themes
October 26, 2017
This was my first Kate Wilhelm/Barbara Holloway book. The starting was slow, and it also took me a while to understand the relationship between the characters and their roles. The book became more interesting about mid-way, but the end was somewhat predictable.
September 27, 2019
i like this book because i like mystery books and crime thrillers and this book made me super happy.
the middle part of this book and near the end is super good . if you like crime thrillers than this is the book for you .
the middle part of this book and near the end is super good . if you like crime thrillers than this is the book for you .
May 5, 2020
At times in this series it seems that this criminal defense attorney spends more time investigating and getting personally involved with her client than she does in the courtroom. But that okay, because Wilhelm makes it work brilliantly.
September 1, 2023
Love the twists & turns of this series. In reality, the deep pockets to pay for the crew of investigators & guards isn’t available to most defense attorneys so som suspension of belief is always necessary. But Barbara Holloway rocks!!!
November 5, 2023
A young orphaned pianist is called homeless even though she moves from one apartment to another. She is accused of killing a man who is the part owner of the motel where she is working. By some amazing coincidence, the mystery of the current murder ties into the mystery of the pianist's past.
January 16, 2018
it was ok
March 20, 2018
Fantastic read!
After reading this, I fully intend on reading more by Kate Wilhelm! What a smart, well-written book! It was truly a fantastic book!
After reading this, I fully intend on reading more by Kate Wilhelm! What a smart, well-written book! It was truly a fantastic book!
August 9, 2018
Investigation, suspense, courtroom drama, great characters. Who could ask for more?
August 15, 2018
Entertaining.
September 10, 2018
Great
This is a grew book a .marvelous story and very well written. Loved it. Can not say enough about the book.
This is a grew book a .marvelous story and very well written. Loved it. Can not say enough about the book.
December 31, 2018
Excellent! A complicated plot but believable and well developed. As always in Wilhelm's books, the characters were believably flawed and I cared immensely about them.
January 9, 2019
just ok....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews