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Unacceptable Behavior
An old crime and an overly ambitious district attorney bring two college friends back together. One is a white police officer and the other a Native American attorney. The officer is involved in the arrest of a juvenile Native American but, when he sees that the District Attorney is going to railroad the young man to help jump start his political career, he calls his old college friend. The young man arrested is the son of a suspect in a serial murder case that has never been solved. Prejudice in the community, and sloppy police work when the boy’s father was originally arrested, has made solving the crime impossible. The friendship, though never in doubt, is strained at times, but provides the salvation for the attorney when the case takes an unexpected twist, and a witness comes forward that no one knew existed.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2011
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15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 23, 2015
When three boys in an Arizona mining town are arrested for armed robbery, the local DA decides this will be his springboard to a higher political calling. I find it sad that in small towns, the history of its inhabitants can cloud real justice for the victims who simply happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time like young Ray.
One lone cop takes the kid's side and convinces a well-respected attorney and former college roommate to return to the town and reservation he left years ago to defend the boy. Jessica Strong allows the reader to make their own decisions on the opinions of the locals toward those who live on the nearby reservation. What is extremely clear in the story is that Ray is not being judged for himself, but for the hideous serial murders his father has been accused of committing.
The boy has a mother who has clearly been beaten to the ground by the locals as she tries valiantly to stand beside her son and ultimately her husband as the trial begins. This is a book about the egos of numerous characters too bigoted and arrogant to be able to even look for the truth, much less see it.
The plots and subplots of this book move you quickly from one page to the next; in a page-turner that equals any of the modern courtroom dramas that have hit the best seller lists. It reminds us all that we have witnessed justice and injustice as the collective personalities of the characters each move within their distinctive realms of opinion and jealousy.
It's a story that will entertain and engage you in the ultimate battle of cross-purposes, driven by each character's beliefs and personal goals.
One lone cop takes the kid's side and convinces a well-respected attorney and former college roommate to return to the town and reservation he left years ago to defend the boy. Jessica Strong allows the reader to make their own decisions on the opinions of the locals toward those who live on the nearby reservation. What is extremely clear in the story is that Ray is not being judged for himself, but for the hideous serial murders his father has been accused of committing.
The boy has a mother who has clearly been beaten to the ground by the locals as she tries valiantly to stand beside her son and ultimately her husband as the trial begins. This is a book about the egos of numerous characters too bigoted and arrogant to be able to even look for the truth, much less see it.
The plots and subplots of this book move you quickly from one page to the next; in a page-turner that equals any of the modern courtroom dramas that have hit the best seller lists. It reminds us all that we have witnessed justice and injustice as the collective personalities of the characters each move within their distinctive realms of opinion and jealousy.
It's a story that will entertain and engage you in the ultimate battle of cross-purposes, driven by each character's beliefs and personal goals.
May 1, 2015
Free book for honest review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Universe Arizona is a small mining town on the edge of the Apache Reservation. Its a little town with BIG secrets . . . . .
The story opens with 3 young teenage boys being arrested with armed robbery. One of those boys is Ray Heard, who happens to be the son of Kevin Heard. Kevin was accused of killing women. Many believed Kevin did not commit this crime. Before Kevin could have a fair trail he disappeared. Leaving behind a wife and his young son Ray. As the story unfolds of what actually happened during this robbery it leads a few to believe that maybe the other boys are using Ray as their scapegoat.
Luke Bowen is a police officer and one that would like to have answers. Not only answers with the 3 boys but for Kevin. Luke has always felt that Kevin was innocent and there is no better time to investigate then now. He calls in the help of his best friend, Peter. Ray's future is depending on dad's future. Peter decides to come home maybe lay to rest some of his ghost. Has Peter and Luke get deeper and deeper into the case of the missing girls more and more secrets come to surface. The clock is running out for Ray and they must find answers soon.
Is Kevin innocent ?? Why is the other 2 boys trying to pin the robbery on Ray? Will Kevin's past ruin Ray's future . . . . . Only the secrets within this novel will you find the answers.
I can sum this novel up in one 3 letter word - WOW !! I didn't feel I was reading a book but actually watching a movie ! The secrets this little town holds is believable. Each character brought into the story pacts a punch and leaves you wanting more !!
5 WOWSERS stars :)
Wende
Universe Arizona is a small mining town on the edge of the Apache Reservation. Its a little town with BIG secrets . . . . .
The story opens with 3 young teenage boys being arrested with armed robbery. One of those boys is Ray Heard, who happens to be the son of Kevin Heard. Kevin was accused of killing women. Many believed Kevin did not commit this crime. Before Kevin could have a fair trail he disappeared. Leaving behind a wife and his young son Ray. As the story unfolds of what actually happened during this robbery it leads a few to believe that maybe the other boys are using Ray as their scapegoat.
Luke Bowen is a police officer and one that would like to have answers. Not only answers with the 3 boys but for Kevin. Luke has always felt that Kevin was innocent and there is no better time to investigate then now. He calls in the help of his best friend, Peter. Ray's future is depending on dad's future. Peter decides to come home maybe lay to rest some of his ghost. Has Peter and Luke get deeper and deeper into the case of the missing girls more and more secrets come to surface. The clock is running out for Ray and they must find answers soon.
Is Kevin innocent ?? Why is the other 2 boys trying to pin the robbery on Ray? Will Kevin's past ruin Ray's future . . . . . Only the secrets within this novel will you find the answers.
I can sum this novel up in one 3 letter word - WOW !! I didn't feel I was reading a book but actually watching a movie ! The secrets this little town holds is believable. Each character brought into the story pacts a punch and leaves you wanting more !!
5 WOWSERS stars :)
Wende
June 22, 2015
A courtroom drama / police procedural featuring a clash of powerful egos, a search for justice , and a last-minute intervention in a trial set in the town of Universe, Arizona. A teen, Raymond Heard, commits a minor offence. The ambitious district prosecutor wants to indict him for armed robbery in revenge for his failure to find and prosecute the boy's father, wanted for murder and now in hiding - but was there a cover up? Why did he flee? A high-flying attorney takes the defence as a favour for a friend on the police force, Sergeant Luke Bowen, who wants to see justice done, both past and present. Now, can they solve the father's apparent crime in time to save Raymond from becoming a victim of injustice?
Unacceptable Behaviour starts slowly, with a fair bit of backstory dropped into the first few chapters, which seemed a clunky introduction to the main characters, but once the narrative starts to flow, there's no looking back. The tension mounts and the pace of the plot is finely balanced. The clash of egos in the courtroom is very well done, as is the background investigation into the related crime by the boy's father. There's a sensitively handled subplot involving members of the nearby Apache community.
10% of the way in I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this book, but I quickly changed my mind. The denouement was totally satisfying, with all the loose ends wrapped up, and some unexpected plot twists as the court case comes to a head. I thank the author for a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Unacceptable Behaviour starts slowly, with a fair bit of backstory dropped into the first few chapters, which seemed a clunky introduction to the main characters, but once the narrative starts to flow, there's no looking back. The tension mounts and the pace of the plot is finely balanced. The clash of egos in the courtroom is very well done, as is the background investigation into the related crime by the boy's father. There's a sensitively handled subplot involving members of the nearby Apache community.
10% of the way in I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this book, but I quickly changed my mind. The denouement was totally satisfying, with all the loose ends wrapped up, and some unexpected plot twists as the court case comes to a head. I thank the author for a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2015
*A Copy of this Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*
This has all the elements to keep you turning pages from start to finish. The writing, both the telling of the story and the story itself, are five star material so you may ask ,”Why has Derek only given it four?”
The answer is that to award the full five stars available I need to be drawn in to the story, identify with at least one character and really care what is going to happen next.
Unfortunately this was not the case. For me too much time was spent setting the scene and making sure you knew that an attempt was being made to railroad an innocent and promote a career.
That said, it was well worth four stars and I recommend it.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
This has all the elements to keep you turning pages from start to finish. The writing, both the telling of the story and the story itself, are five star material so you may ask ,”Why has Derek only given it four?”
The answer is that to award the full five stars available I need to be drawn in to the story, identify with at least one character and really care what is going to happen next.
Unfortunately this was not the case. For me too much time was spent setting the scene and making sure you knew that an attempt was being made to railroad an innocent and promote a career.
That said, it was well worth four stars and I recommend it.
Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
November 8, 2015
Practice
Makes perfect. Beginning is not well done or else badly edited. Towards the end mute was allowed to stand for moot! Once the trial started, the suspense and pace were masterful.
Makes perfect. Beginning is not well done or else badly edited. Towards the end mute was allowed to stand for moot! Once the trial started, the suspense and pace were masterful.
September 23, 2015
Likeable
The characters were very intense. The story flowed easily. I think the author has written a good story & follows up with the same characters.
The characters were very intense. The story flowed easily. I think the author has written a good story & follows up with the same characters.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews