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Samantha Kincaid #1
Judgment Calls
After three years on the job in Portland's Drug and Vice Division, Deputy DA Samantha Kincaid gets what she her first case with the Major Crimes Team. Kendra Martin, a 13-year-old runaway, has been found drugged, viciously assaulted, and left for dead in the Columbia River Gorge. Despite pressures to kick the case to assault, Samantha goes for attempted murder. Unfortunately the girl's story isn't gelling. Then again, neither is the alibi of the suspect she ID'd, a low-life who insists he's innocent. One thing is certain. Kendra knows the streets better than Vice-and Samantha's following her down every last one of them to crack the case.
But the road to the truth is more dangerous than Samantha dreamed, leading to an earlier death-penalty conviction, a teenage prostitution ring, and threats to Samantha's own life. When the possibility of a serial killer enters the fray, it sends Samantha's trial into a tailspin, and tests her judgment-in both her professional and personal life-to the very death.
But the road to the truth is more dangerous than Samantha dreamed, leading to an earlier death-penalty conviction, a teenage prostitution ring, and threats to Samantha's own life. When the possibility of a serial killer enters the fray, it sends Samantha's trial into a tailspin, and tests her judgment-in both her professional and personal life-to the very death.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
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About the author
Alafair Burke
60 books5,638 followersAlafair Burke is the New York Times, Edgar-nominated author of fourteen crime novels, including The Ex, The Wife, The Better Sister, and the forthcoming Find Me. She is also the co-author of several novels with Mary Higgins Clark. A graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon, Alafair is now a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
February 15, 2012
After reading and enjoying Alafair Burke's Long Gone last year, I was intrigued to sample some of her earlier novels.
First up is the first entry featuring district attorney Samantha Kincaid, Judgement Calls. As I've said elsewhere, it feels like legal thrillers are a dime a dozen these days, so it's going to take something really interesting or a good twist to make a new one stand out.
And while Kincaid is an interesting character and one I'd like to spend more time with, I can't say that Calls is really plowing much new ground. Kincaid is brought in by two detectives to pursue justice in a case where a young girl has allegedly been sexually assaulted. One problem is the girl makes extra money by turning tricks. However, Kincaid quickly uncovers there's something more to the story than meets the eye and before you know it, there's a web of intrigue and suspicion being weaved.
The novel has its moments, but there are several moments that Kincaid takes us out of the story by getting too caught up in explaining legal details that don't necessarily have the greatest impact on the story. It feels like Burke wants to show off her knowledge rather have the knowledge come organically from the story.
First up is the first entry featuring district attorney Samantha Kincaid, Judgement Calls. As I've said elsewhere, it feels like legal thrillers are a dime a dozen these days, so it's going to take something really interesting or a good twist to make a new one stand out.
And while Kincaid is an interesting character and one I'd like to spend more time with, I can't say that Calls is really plowing much new ground. Kincaid is brought in by two detectives to pursue justice in a case where a young girl has allegedly been sexually assaulted. One problem is the girl makes extra money by turning tricks. However, Kincaid quickly uncovers there's something more to the story than meets the eye and before you know it, there's a web of intrigue and suspicion being weaved.
The novel has its moments, but there are several moments that Kincaid takes us out of the story by getting too caught up in explaining legal details that don't necessarily have the greatest impact on the story. It feels like Burke wants to show off her knowledge rather have the knowledge come organically from the story.
July 16, 2017
Judgement Calls by Alafair Burke is the first book in the Samantha Kincaid series. Assistant DA Samantha Kincaid becomes involved in a case when a 13 year old prostitute is found having been left for dead after being brutally beaten and assaulted. Samantha is a very capable and likeable character, but I found the start of the book a bit tedious and difficult to get interested in. It picked up towards the end and I enjoyed it overall.
July 29, 2016
Alafair Burke has another series about a detective in NYC (Ellie Hatcher) that I like well enough. Not ground-breaking but enjoyable. This is the first book in her previous series about an ADA in Portland. If you really like legal procedurals, you might like this book. As a bonus, the heroine is likable and all of the legal descriptions seem accurate-which makes sense as Burke was previously a prosecutor in the Northwest and is now a law professor at Hofstra. She's also the daughter of mystery novelist James Lee Burke.
But if, like me, you find detailed descriptions of trial preparation and the rules of evidence a little tedious and the heroine pleasant but lacking in any kind of dramatic tension, you might find yourself pushing to get thru a chapter, and suddenly realize this is miles from anything on the list of books you have to read before you die, and decide your leisure reading time could be better spend elsewhere.
This was Burke's first book (or one of her first) so she has improved. This series may have improved as it went along.
But if, like me, you find detailed descriptions of trial preparation and the rules of evidence a little tedious and the heroine pleasant but lacking in any kind of dramatic tension, you might find yourself pushing to get thru a chapter, and suddenly realize this is miles from anything on the list of books you have to read before you die, and decide your leisure reading time could be better spend elsewhere.
This was Burke's first book (or one of her first) so she has improved. This series may have improved as it went along.
April 3, 2013
Judgment Calls by Alafair Burke was published in 2003 but it slipped right by me. I don't know how I miss these books. I was subscribing to Publisher's Weekly in those days so it puzzles me that I didn't read a book of this quality, a mystery that has back cover testimonials from Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Linda Fairstein, and Lee Child.
Well, I've read it now and I'm ever so glad I happened on it at last. The author, a former assistant district attorney in Portland, Oregon, has written a courtroom drama with a more realistic trial than any other I can recall reading. Which isn't easy to do and still keep your reader from falling asleep.
The story starts out with our heroine, Samantha Kincaid, also a deputy district attorney in Portland, being approached by a couple of detectives who want her to take over a case that one of the big shot attorneys in the office intends to let drift. A 13-year old occasional prostitute with an incipient heroin addiction is kidnapped, badly beaten, raped, and left for dead. She lies at first about the prostitution and heroin habit but eventually admits she was out looking for a "date" to pay for the drug. She is very young, has a stable home, and is not as hardened as many girls on the street.
She is able to make a quick and definite identification of one of the two men who hurt her. She also positively identifies his car. Although it is the wrong color she insists that this is without question the car in which she was attacked.
Kincaid puts the case together, finding a fingerprint of the suspect on the girl's purse, and discovering that the car was repainted and reupholstered two days after the attack. But a series of detailed letters to the Portland newspaper spins the trial into a hot political issue and the police department comes under investigation for this and another, possibly related, case. Kincaid is taken off the case and it's handed over to the attorney who originally showed so little interest in it.
Complicating everything else is the reheating of a relationship between Kincaid and a cop working on the case, a relationship that started in high school and has been on and off, mostly off, since then. Can she trust this guy, or has he leaked information to a witness to get a conviction?
The story is based on the serial murderer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, who killed at least eight women between 1990 and when he was arrested in 1995. Judgment Calls is the first in a series of mysteries featuring Samantha Kincaid.
Alafair Burke is now a professor of law at Hofstra University. She is the daughter of James Lee Burke.
Well, I've read it now and I'm ever so glad I happened on it at last. The author, a former assistant district attorney in Portland, Oregon, has written a courtroom drama with a more realistic trial than any other I can recall reading. Which isn't easy to do and still keep your reader from falling asleep.
The story starts out with our heroine, Samantha Kincaid, also a deputy district attorney in Portland, being approached by a couple of detectives who want her to take over a case that one of the big shot attorneys in the office intends to let drift. A 13-year old occasional prostitute with an incipient heroin addiction is kidnapped, badly beaten, raped, and left for dead. She lies at first about the prostitution and heroin habit but eventually admits she was out looking for a "date" to pay for the drug. She is very young, has a stable home, and is not as hardened as many girls on the street.
She is able to make a quick and definite identification of one of the two men who hurt her. She also positively identifies his car. Although it is the wrong color she insists that this is without question the car in which she was attacked.
Kincaid puts the case together, finding a fingerprint of the suspect on the girl's purse, and discovering that the car was repainted and reupholstered two days after the attack. But a series of detailed letters to the Portland newspaper spins the trial into a hot political issue and the police department comes under investigation for this and another, possibly related, case. Kincaid is taken off the case and it's handed over to the attorney who originally showed so little interest in it.
Complicating everything else is the reheating of a relationship between Kincaid and a cop working on the case, a relationship that started in high school and has been on and off, mostly off, since then. Can she trust this guy, or has he leaked information to a witness to get a conviction?
The story is based on the serial murderer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, who killed at least eight women between 1990 and when he was arrested in 1995. Judgment Calls is the first in a series of mysteries featuring Samantha Kincaid.
Alafair Burke is now a professor of law at Hofstra University. She is the daughter of James Lee Burke.
March 29, 2018
Alafair Burke is a New Favorite - I really like this Series. A Good read - entertaining :)
February 7, 2010
This is the second Samantha Kincaid title I've read. She's a likeable DA with bulldog detective skills. At the same time, she's a savvy lawyer who knows how to play the office politics. One thing I like is how the legal issues/points are explained without seeming intrusive to the narrative. I'm not a lawyer so that's helpful to me. This story uses a couple of twists I didn't see coming. It's set in Portland, Oregon, that has its own peculiarities.
February 10, 2018
3.5 stars. Portland Oregon Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid takes a case where a 13 year old girl is beaten and raped. At the time, the girl was high on heroin and turning tricks to pay for it but both the cops and Samantha hear the truth in her story. The story takes us through the process to get evidence ready for trial and the actual courtroom drama.
In this first of a series book from 2003, it's pretty obvious the book is written by a former district attorney and professor of law. The legalities were all described in technical detail and got a bit tedious. The trial was well depicted and the courtroom action was realistic. Samantha is dedicated to her job and works long hours to the detriment of her social life.
The story picked up toward the end. I had seen oddities in someone's behavior but didn't add 2 + 2 when I should have. The clues were there. I'm going to read the next book in this series and hope for a few less legal details.
In this first of a series book from 2003, it's pretty obvious the book is written by a former district attorney and professor of law. The legalities were all described in technical detail and got a bit tedious. The trial was well depicted and the courtroom action was realistic. Samantha is dedicated to her job and works long hours to the detriment of her social life.
The story picked up toward the end. I had seen oddities in someone's behavior but didn't add 2 + 2 when I should have. The clues were there. I'm going to read the next book in this series and hope for a few less legal details.
June 5, 2011
One more in a long line of novels featuring a female PI/cop/lawyer...this is the first of a series, and the author's first novel. It possesses all the necessary elements: a smart, savvy protagonist(ess)....a semi-hunky love interest/foil.....a corrupt DA...some honest cops....and less-than -brilliant criminals. Ms Burke drew on her own experience in the legal profession, here.....the characters seem more 'believable" as a result.
We have here a teenage prostitution ring....an earlier death-penalty case that is "on the rocks"since those incarcerated for the crime could well be "innocent" of the crime.....several degrees of Bad Guys, from the seriously psychotic to the merely confused....and DAs playing both ends against the middle.
The book dragged in spots due to over explanation of the trial process/police procedure....but Ms Burke (daughter of James Lee) at least kept the "lectures" in the character's voice...less hectoring. Alafair has her Daddy's gift for dialogue and fast pacing....i look forward to reading her other offerings.
As I said, this is the first of a series featuring Samantha Kincaid...there is another series starring Ellie Hatcher, which joys I have yet to sample...Books like this are my idea of "fluff" and I recommend it to anyone who likes sassy, smart women in somewhat tough situations....anyone who likes the work of Sue Grafton and Laura Lippmann. Ms Burke is one writer to keep an eye on
3 Stars (***)
We have here a teenage prostitution ring....an earlier death-penalty case that is "on the rocks"since those incarcerated for the crime could well be "innocent" of the crime.....several degrees of Bad Guys, from the seriously psychotic to the merely confused....and DAs playing both ends against the middle.
The book dragged in spots due to over explanation of the trial process/police procedure....but Ms Burke (daughter of James Lee) at least kept the "lectures" in the character's voice...less hectoring. Alafair has her Daddy's gift for dialogue and fast pacing....i look forward to reading her other offerings.
As I said, this is the first of a series featuring Samantha Kincaid...there is another series starring Ellie Hatcher, which joys I have yet to sample...Books like this are my idea of "fluff" and I recommend it to anyone who likes sassy, smart women in somewhat tough situations....anyone who likes the work of Sue Grafton and Laura Lippmann. Ms Burke is one writer to keep an eye on
3 Stars (***)
July 1, 2020
The first in a series featuring a junior DA who takes the plunge with her first big case.
Part courtroom drama, part procedural investigation. Very well informed and detailed description of what an American district attorney actually does, how a criminal case is prosecuted and evidence gathered, the legal aspects of getting a warrant, grand juries and the like.
Some aspects of the plot are rather less successful - like Samantha Kincaid's conflict with her superiors and workmates, and the stereotype 'going it alone' plotline. On the plus side, there's a splendid 'didn't see that coming' moment and genuinely relevant comment about the perceived 'value' of a victim.
Easy reading, and good enough to encourage me to move onto the next in the series.
7/10
Part courtroom drama, part procedural investigation. Very well informed and detailed description of what an American district attorney actually does, how a criminal case is prosecuted and evidence gathered, the legal aspects of getting a warrant, grand juries and the like.
Some aspects of the plot are rather less successful - like Samantha Kincaid's conflict with her superiors and workmates, and the stereotype 'going it alone' plotline. On the plus side, there's a splendid 'didn't see that coming' moment and genuinely relevant comment about the perceived 'value' of a victim.
Easy reading, and good enough to encourage me to move onto the next in the series.
7/10
September 17, 2014
A rich, compelling story about a girl's rights with a seedy background of dirty secrets. Samantha usually handles all the drug cases and those related to drugs especially since it was her job when she was back in New York. Drugs leads to hustlers and other petty crimes. But she also works with vice to catch the other monsters lurking the streets.
"But while I may have lost the prestige of a federal prosecutor's office, I had developed a niche as a part of the vice section of DVD, prosecuting the monsters who lure, coerce, and force women into prostitution. The less-experienced DVD attorneys shied away from those cases because they were hard to prove, hard to win, and hard to take. The career prosecutors who handled the major felony person crimes didn't want them because they were viewed as less important than murders and other violent offenses. But I felt more rewarded by those cases than I'd ever felt prosecuting even complex federal drug conspiracies. Today, however, my plate was full of drug charges. No surprise, the grand jury returned indictments on all four of the cases I presented. Most drug cases are pretty much the same. The only variation tends to be in the type and degree of stupidity involved."
I'm positive I gained some serious knowledge of how the court room works and the pace it takes to bring a case to trail. What an eye opener this book was. I believe Alafair Burke and Linda Fairstein rock being advocates for women! Two detectives bring the case to Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. At first it looked like a murder of a young girl but she was barely alive when the cops arrived after teens found her body in the park. Now it's a case of assault and rape. The detectives think there is an angle to go after and senior DDA in the major crimes unit just wants to pass it off to general.
"The general felony trial unit is a dumping ground for cases that aren't seen as serious. The trial DDAs often have extremely limited time to spend on them, and the over whelming majority plead out to reduced charges and stipulated sentences during a fast-paced court calendar referred to as 'morning call.' It's the criminal justice system's ugly side. Tim O'Donnell was a senior DDA in the major crimes unit. If he bumped a Major Crimes Team case down to general, he knew it was gone."
Samantha Kincaid walked the reader through every step of the crime scene, the detectives working the case and up till it arrived on her door step and then she went the extra mile to fight the fight....
"Yeah, well, O'Donnell's mind's not an easy one to change, and I think there's another way to go here because of a vice angle. The victim's a thirteen-year-old prostitute named Kendra Martin. Unlike most of 'em, she doesn't try to look any older. Wears schoolgirl outfits like that one girl used to wear on MTV before she got implants and started running around naked. What's her name? My daughter likes her. Anyway, she looks her age, is my point. Turns out her injuries weren't as bad as they first looked, so the MCT guys know it'll be hard to get attempted murder to stick. But they kept working the case, even after they realized that they could've handed it off to precinct detectives. This case is under their skin."
So, these two paragraphs have me all bristled because no woman, teenager or child should suffer from a beating and a rape despite the circumstances such as being a prostitute. Makes my blood boil that some cases are just deemed un-winable across our nation. Something stinks and Samantha decides to take the case and to go for attempted murder. As the case builds: clues are added up and witnesses are gathered... a sinister direction is revealed. An old murder is brought back with new information shedding light that this attempted murder case is similar to a murder that locked up the current prisoners of the crime... committed years ago. Now there are letters being sent to the newspaper office of a killer claiming he has committed these two crimes and much more. He, the Long Hauler, gives very detailed information of what was found at each crime scene. Is there a serial killer taking all the credit now? Will Kendra's rapists get released based off circumstantial evidence? The trial is a bust in a matter of days, but Samantha, undaunted, goes another direction to plead her advocacy in Kendra's case of rape until all the seams are unraveled. Samantha is caught up between greed, a sex scandal, murder and dirty secrets that threaten all who follow its path to the truth.
If you are looking for a smart read with witty lines and down to earth characters, pick up this title. Fair warning: the details of the case are harsh and made me sad. Crimes against women need to be stopped and punishments need to be greater. I'm sure Alafair Burke used her expertise and cases from her career as a deputy district attorney in Portland to create such a brilliant first novel in the Kincaid series. I'm excited to get the next two books and then I'll send Ms. Alafair Burke a personal note asking for more of Ms. Kincaid
"But while I may have lost the prestige of a federal prosecutor's office, I had developed a niche as a part of the vice section of DVD, prosecuting the monsters who lure, coerce, and force women into prostitution. The less-experienced DVD attorneys shied away from those cases because they were hard to prove, hard to win, and hard to take. The career prosecutors who handled the major felony person crimes didn't want them because they were viewed as less important than murders and other violent offenses. But I felt more rewarded by those cases than I'd ever felt prosecuting even complex federal drug conspiracies. Today, however, my plate was full of drug charges. No surprise, the grand jury returned indictments on all four of the cases I presented. Most drug cases are pretty much the same. The only variation tends to be in the type and degree of stupidity involved."
I'm positive I gained some serious knowledge of how the court room works and the pace it takes to bring a case to trail. What an eye opener this book was. I believe Alafair Burke and Linda Fairstein rock being advocates for women! Two detectives bring the case to Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. At first it looked like a murder of a young girl but she was barely alive when the cops arrived after teens found her body in the park. Now it's a case of assault and rape. The detectives think there is an angle to go after and senior DDA in the major crimes unit just wants to pass it off to general.
"The general felony trial unit is a dumping ground for cases that aren't seen as serious. The trial DDAs often have extremely limited time to spend on them, and the over whelming majority plead out to reduced charges and stipulated sentences during a fast-paced court calendar referred to as 'morning call.' It's the criminal justice system's ugly side. Tim O'Donnell was a senior DDA in the major crimes unit. If he bumped a Major Crimes Team case down to general, he knew it was gone."
Samantha Kincaid walked the reader through every step of the crime scene, the detectives working the case and up till it arrived on her door step and then she went the extra mile to fight the fight....
"Yeah, well, O'Donnell's mind's not an easy one to change, and I think there's another way to go here because of a vice angle. The victim's a thirteen-year-old prostitute named Kendra Martin. Unlike most of 'em, she doesn't try to look any older. Wears schoolgirl outfits like that one girl used to wear on MTV before she got implants and started running around naked. What's her name? My daughter likes her. Anyway, she looks her age, is my point. Turns out her injuries weren't as bad as they first looked, so the MCT guys know it'll be hard to get attempted murder to stick. But they kept working the case, even after they realized that they could've handed it off to precinct detectives. This case is under their skin."
So, these two paragraphs have me all bristled because no woman, teenager or child should suffer from a beating and a rape despite the circumstances such as being a prostitute. Makes my blood boil that some cases are just deemed un-winable across our nation. Something stinks and Samantha decides to take the case and to go for attempted murder. As the case builds: clues are added up and witnesses are gathered... a sinister direction is revealed. An old murder is brought back with new information shedding light that this attempted murder case is similar to a murder that locked up the current prisoners of the crime... committed years ago. Now there are letters being sent to the newspaper office of a killer claiming he has committed these two crimes and much more. He, the Long Hauler, gives very detailed information of what was found at each crime scene. Is there a serial killer taking all the credit now? Will Kendra's rapists get released based off circumstantial evidence? The trial is a bust in a matter of days, but Samantha, undaunted, goes another direction to plead her advocacy in Kendra's case of rape until all the seams are unraveled. Samantha is caught up between greed, a sex scandal, murder and dirty secrets that threaten all who follow its path to the truth.
If you are looking for a smart read with witty lines and down to earth characters, pick up this title. Fair warning: the details of the case are harsh and made me sad. Crimes against women need to be stopped and punishments need to be greater. I'm sure Alafair Burke used her expertise and cases from her career as a deputy district attorney in Portland to create such a brilliant first novel in the Kincaid series. I'm excited to get the next two books and then I'll send Ms. Alafair Burke a personal note asking for more of Ms. Kincaid
March 30, 2010
[audiobook:]
The story got a little bogged down from time to time with technicalities of the legal system, but overall it was an enjoyable mystery. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Unfortunately, my enjoyment was definitely hindered by the narrator, Betty Bobbit. The Australian accent that kept creeping in was really distracting. She did little to differentiate between most people's voices, and the result was that it was often hard to tell who was speaking. Also, she had a tendency to use tones of voice that weren't in keeping with what was going on in the story (like sounding angry when there was nothing in the text to indicate a character's anger). I'm crossing my fingers in the hope that someone else narrates the next book in the series.
The story got a little bogged down from time to time with technicalities of the legal system, but overall it was an enjoyable mystery. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
Unfortunately, my enjoyment was definitely hindered by the narrator, Betty Bobbit. The Australian accent that kept creeping in was really distracting. She did little to differentiate between most people's voices, and the result was that it was often hard to tell who was speaking. Also, she had a tendency to use tones of voice that weren't in keeping with what was going on in the story (like sounding angry when there was nothing in the text to indicate a character's anger). I'm crossing my fingers in the hope that someone else narrates the next book in the series.
June 4, 2013
I love Alafair Burke! She hooks me and then I can't stand it until I've finished the book and I know the whole story!! This one was perhaps a tad more grisly than I prefer (Everyone knows I'm such a wuss!), but well written and her characters are all so well defined! I feel as if I'm the protagonist, dealing directly with the other characters myself!!
November 11, 2017
If you like legal thrillers or Law and Order this might be a good one. For me there was a lot of court room action and very little else. Kincaid is likeable enough but I don't think I'll keep reading this series.
April 20, 2013
Easy entertaining read ... one of those books I could not wait to get back to ... this was her first in the Kincaid series so I am looking forward to the next book.
May 1, 2016
I didn't particularly like it. Am afraid the apple fell very far from the tree.
January 8, 2020
Alafair Burke’s bloodline is strong and this first novel is proof that she is well on her way to being a fine writer as well. The novel is well-plotted, has twists and turns and offers an interesting cast of characters. The writing is, in my opinion, a bit stark, and the development of her lead character, Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid of Portland Oregon lacks depth. That said, I see much to recommend in her early appearance and look forward to seeing her prosecute her next case.
I did not feel the setting was developed effectively. I admit to thinking about the world of New Orleans that her father has created in his series. I do, however, look forward to reading her other novels.
I did not feel the setting was developed effectively. I admit to thinking about the world of New Orleans that her father has created in his series. I do, however, look forward to reading her other novels.
March 21, 2017
This was a good read, the plot was believable, with a lot of twists and turns. Alafair has created very interesting characters, some are really deplorable, but then they're suppose to be.
Samantha is a strong willed, single minded, over achiever, who has a picture in her mind of the perfect life she has planned for herself. Her high school sweetheart Chuck, would not change to fit into that picture, so she left him behind, maybe to her own detriment. Samantha finds herself back in Portland, where she grew up, divorced and working as a Deputy District Attorney for Multnomah County. She is good at her job, because she puts everything in to it, leaving nothing to put toward a personal relationship. Chuck is back in her life but she still sees him as an underachiever.
Samantha is a strong willed, single minded, over achiever, who has a picture in her mind of the perfect life she has planned for herself. Her high school sweetheart Chuck, would not change to fit into that picture, so she left him behind, maybe to her own detriment. Samantha finds herself back in Portland, where she grew up, divorced and working as a Deputy District Attorney for Multnomah County. She is good at her job, because she puts everything in to it, leaving nothing to put toward a personal relationship. Chuck is back in her life but she still sees him as an underachiever.
February 11, 2020
Just my opinion, I found this book a bit wordy. I did enjoy the book and the story. I only read it because I read James Lee Burke.
September 20, 2017
I have this problem. When I discover a new author, I typically set out to read their books in chronological order. Okay, not typically. Almost always. Alafair Burke is the latest in this practice.
The benefits is often you read series in order (can you imagine not doing that, it gives me shakes thinking of doing otherwise), but you also can see the growth of the author as a writer. The disadvantages of doing this is that most authors would tell you their debut novel isn't the best representation of their work. They've improved. They've grown as a writer. So if you don't like a debut, it doesn't mean you wouldn't like their work after they've shaped their craft more.
I don't have any idea how Burke has changed as a writer since 2003's Judgment Calls, but it does feel like the work of a budding writer. It's good. It's fine. But it feels like a warm up.
Burke has a done a nice job setting up our protagonist and even our male lead. They're suitable characters and easy to be around. The problem with the them--and also the rest--is that they feel like someone you know telling you about their rather typical day. The plot even more so. It doesn't feel like it ever gets off the ground. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's a four on a amp that turns up to ten, not eleven. The subplot reads muddled and unimportant until it's suddenly very important and that feels uneven. When the tension ratchets to high levels near the end, it jolts and pops the ears and doesn't fit with the building action.
The writing is fine. Which is why I wonder how Burke has grown since this debut (and I'll likely find out, she's definitely talented enough to return to her work), but Judgment was more like a quick lunch with a colleague that is telling your her can-you-believe-how-mean-the-boss-was-today story. You listen, you empathize, you go back to your day, mostly unaffected.
I wonder if, in the future, with a writer as prolific as Burke, if sometimes it might be better to jump in the middle of a bibliography once a writer has gotten a career rolling. Then you find their talent matured and brisk and at full power, up to eleven. I could easily see Burke fitting into that mold. Judgment, though, probably doesn't.
Recommended for established fans of Burke, readers of legal thrillers who like a slower pace of action, and those who enjoy a capable if not completely realized female lead.
The benefits is often you read series in order (can you imagine not doing that, it gives me shakes thinking of doing otherwise), but you also can see the growth of the author as a writer. The disadvantages of doing this is that most authors would tell you their debut novel isn't the best representation of their work. They've improved. They've grown as a writer. So if you don't like a debut, it doesn't mean you wouldn't like their work after they've shaped their craft more.
I don't have any idea how Burke has changed as a writer since 2003's Judgment Calls, but it does feel like the work of a budding writer. It's good. It's fine. But it feels like a warm up.
Burke has a done a nice job setting up our protagonist and even our male lead. They're suitable characters and easy to be around. The problem with the them--and also the rest--is that they feel like someone you know telling you about their rather typical day. The plot even more so. It doesn't feel like it ever gets off the ground. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's a four on a amp that turns up to ten, not eleven. The subplot reads muddled and unimportant until it's suddenly very important and that feels uneven. When the tension ratchets to high levels near the end, it jolts and pops the ears and doesn't fit with the building action.
The writing is fine. Which is why I wonder how Burke has grown since this debut (and I'll likely find out, she's definitely talented enough to return to her work), but Judgment was more like a quick lunch with a colleague that is telling your her can-you-believe-how-mean-the-boss-was-today story. You listen, you empathize, you go back to your day, mostly unaffected.
I wonder if, in the future, with a writer as prolific as Burke, if sometimes it might be better to jump in the middle of a bibliography once a writer has gotten a career rolling. Then you find their talent matured and brisk and at full power, up to eleven. I could easily see Burke fitting into that mold. Judgment, though, probably doesn't.
Recommended for established fans of Burke, readers of legal thrillers who like a slower pace of action, and those who enjoy a capable if not completely realized female lead.
June 6, 2023
Ok
Since this was her debut book and the fact that I know she improved over the years I am giving it three stars. I really did not connect with the story.
Since this was her debut book and the fact that I know she improved over the years I am giving it three stars. I really did not connect with the story.
August 1, 2012
After reading Alafair Burke's second book, Missing Justice, I thought I would try the first one. Even though this book contained some interesting moments, it seems super heavy on the technicalities of the justice system. Yes, ADAs go up and down stairs and ride elevators to get to their bosses' offices and the cafeteria. Yes, they sometimes have clandestine meetings with police officers, but probably not as often as writers of detective novels would have us believe. How often young, attractive ADAs have affairs with cute detectives--well, that I don't know.
Most of us who read detective novels have watched enough L&O to know that these things happen and that there are technical issues to be resolved in the course of prosecuting a perp for a crime. However, this technical description can drag down a plot to the point at which a reader is ready to give up on the book. This plot finally got going about a third of the way through. After that, it sort of dipped and resurfaced several times.
The denoument was definitely a shocker. In fact, it was the most gripping part of the book. However, I never got straight how much Chuck, the cute detective, had to do with the prosecution of the two people who were in prison for a crime that someone else probably committed.
Most of us who read detective novels have watched enough L&O to know that these things happen and that there are technical issues to be resolved in the course of prosecuting a perp for a crime. However, this technical description can drag down a plot to the point at which a reader is ready to give up on the book. This plot finally got going about a third of the way through. After that, it sort of dipped and resurfaced several times.
The denoument was definitely a shocker. In fact, it was the most gripping part of the book. However, I never got straight how much Chuck, the cute detective, had to do with the prosecution of the two people who were in prison for a crime that someone else probably committed.
August 3, 2016
I was excited to read Burke, as I had just begun reading her father's work. I am listening to this, and I don't think I'll finish it. At times, it reads like a textbook about legal procedure in Multnomah county. Burke goes on about all this in a dry way: telling not showing, in a dull manner. One can "tell" about things in an engaging way. The main character is a bit two-dimensional in the beginning, too. I wish I could say better things, as I like the idea of a female assistant DA taking on a difficult case--I do want to find out what's going to happen regarding the terrible crime that's been committed. I just don't know if I can stick with the classroom lesson....(Later) I have decided not to finish this book. The interaction between the main character and her best friend was "girly" and cliched, all about a former high school boyfriend of Sam's. Gee, I wonder if they'll end up sleeping together again, which never works out?
October 15, 2020
I almost couldn't make it through this book because of several things. First, the over-explaining of all things related to Portland. Maybe it's because I live here but it felt like there was way too much detailed description of Portland neighborhoods, highways, etc. that felt very distracting to me. Perhaps if I didn't live here it would be different but I don't think so. Second, the secondary story of the romance between the main character and the cop left a lot to be desired. I get it that these folks are in their late 20s but it just felt very superficial and half-baked. And third, the ending. I won't spoil it for everyone, but it didn't feel believable to me at all. I won't give this book a 1 star, but it's more of a 1.5 than a 2, that's for sure. Won't be reading anymore of these.
November 26, 2014
I love James Lee's "Dave Robicheaux" novels and now have been thoroughly entertained with his daughter's character Samantha Kincaid...in this one, a Portland, OR DA breaks up children's sex ring operation in her pursuit of justice...a good one for a snowy winter weekend!
Read
February 5, 2018i wasn't totally drawn into this book. the protagonist was interesting and the case was interesting, but it just didn't absorb me. maybe there was neither enough humor nor angst.
October 4, 2025
Samantha Kincaid quickly won my admiration, despite her questionable choice to mix work and romance with a cop. As a deputy district attorney in Portland, Samantha excels at prosecuting complex sex crimes cases, earning her colleagues’ trust to tackle the toughest ones. That’s how she enters the world of thirteen-year-old Kendra Martin.
Kendra, supporting a growing heroin addiction through prostitution, operates without a pimp but risks falling under one’s control. When Samantha meets her, Kendra lies barely conscious in a hospital bed, left for dead by abductors and rapists in a remote area outside Portland. Her first assailant, unable to perform, blamed Kendra and viciously assaulted her with a stick, leaving splinters in her vaginal and colorectal cavities. Medical experts confirm she would have died without swift rescue.
The case proves challenging. Can Samantha convince a jury to see past Kendra’s prostitution and recognize the horror inflicted on a young girl? She bets she can win. Her opponent, defense attorney Lisa Lopez, initially appears unremarkable but transforms the case with a brilliant strategy. Lopez’s enigmatic, sometimes lighthearted defense evolves into a formidable force, shifting the trial’s momentum.
Samantha’s intellect captivates me. Cerebral yet approachable, she enjoys a corn dog without hesitation but stays mindful of her health. Critics call her an ice queen, but her instant rapport with Kendra disproves that. Their connection, sincere and evident in Kendra’s response, reveals a warmth no ice queen could muster.
Courtroom drama enthralls me, and this book delivers, keeping my earbuds in and my focus sharp. Yet, I read with sorrow, reflecting on how society devalues women and girls. Kendra, at thirteen, shouldn’t face prostitution or survive such a merciless assault. Like the disproportionate suffering of women and children in war, our world feels like a battleground where girls, their sisters, and mothers must constantly guard their safety.
Kendra, though not blameless, deserves far better than the brutality she endured. Society’s collective shrug toward such stories chills me. This book earns four stars for its gripping courtroom intrigue and stellar writing. I’m eager for the next in the series.
Kendra, supporting a growing heroin addiction through prostitution, operates without a pimp but risks falling under one’s control. When Samantha meets her, Kendra lies barely conscious in a hospital bed, left for dead by abductors and rapists in a remote area outside Portland. Her first assailant, unable to perform, blamed Kendra and viciously assaulted her with a stick, leaving splinters in her vaginal and colorectal cavities. Medical experts confirm she would have died without swift rescue.
The case proves challenging. Can Samantha convince a jury to see past Kendra’s prostitution and recognize the horror inflicted on a young girl? She bets she can win. Her opponent, defense attorney Lisa Lopez, initially appears unremarkable but transforms the case with a brilliant strategy. Lopez’s enigmatic, sometimes lighthearted defense evolves into a formidable force, shifting the trial’s momentum.
Samantha’s intellect captivates me. Cerebral yet approachable, she enjoys a corn dog without hesitation but stays mindful of her health. Critics call her an ice queen, but her instant rapport with Kendra disproves that. Their connection, sincere and evident in Kendra’s response, reveals a warmth no ice queen could muster.
Courtroom drama enthralls me, and this book delivers, keeping my earbuds in and my focus sharp. Yet, I read with sorrow, reflecting on how society devalues women and girls. Kendra, at thirteen, shouldn’t face prostitution or survive such a merciless assault. Like the disproportionate suffering of women and children in war, our world feels like a battleground where girls, their sisters, and mothers must constantly guard their safety.
Kendra, though not blameless, deserves far better than the brutality she endured. Society’s collective shrug toward such stories chills me. This book earns four stars for its gripping courtroom intrigue and stellar writing. I’m eager for the next in the series.
November 30, 2021
Judgment Calls by Alafair Burke
Portland's Deputy D. A. Samantha (Sam, Sammie) Kincaid is offered a case. Kendra Martin, a 13 y/o prostitute was assaulted, raped, and left for dead in the Portland outskirts. The suspect is Franklin (Frank) R. Derringer. As Sam collects her evidence it seems that it's a shut and close case. However, she's outmaneuvered by the public defender, Lisa Lopez. Not only does Ms. Lopez gets away with countering all the evidence Sam has, but she also connects the case to the murder of Jamie Zimmerman, a 16 y/o prostitute who was murdered by the same M. O. Dan Marino, a reporter from the Oregonian gets a letter with someone named The Long-Hauler who claims responsibility for not only the assault on Kendra, but also the murder of Jamie. The Long Hauler also claims responsibility for three other unsolved murders with the same M. O.
The State of Oregon had convicted and sentenced to death Margaret Landry for the Jamie murder - so the case goes all the way up to the Governor - and starts a conversation on the death penalty itself.
After several investigations, Sam not only discovers who the real killers are, but also who in the D. A department has been helping the real killers.
Narrated from the first person point of view, the book is an easy fast read. I had issues with the large number of secondary characters who are never fully developed and who I had trouble keeping straight. The first-person point of view did not help. I also had trouble with the legal nomenclature and the use of initials for the different legal identities.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
Portland's Deputy D. A. Samantha (Sam, Sammie) Kincaid is offered a case. Kendra Martin, a 13 y/o prostitute was assaulted, raped, and left for dead in the Portland outskirts. The suspect is Franklin (Frank) R. Derringer. As Sam collects her evidence it seems that it's a shut and close case. However, she's outmaneuvered by the public defender, Lisa Lopez. Not only does Ms. Lopez gets away with countering all the evidence Sam has, but she also connects the case to the murder of Jamie Zimmerman, a 16 y/o prostitute who was murdered by the same M. O. Dan Marino, a reporter from the Oregonian gets a letter with someone named The Long-Hauler who claims responsibility for not only the assault on Kendra, but also the murder of Jamie. The Long Hauler also claims responsibility for three other unsolved murders with the same M. O.
The State of Oregon had convicted and sentenced to death Margaret Landry for the Jamie murder - so the case goes all the way up to the Governor - and starts a conversation on the death penalty itself.
After several investigations, Sam not only discovers who the real killers are, but also who in the D. A department has been helping the real killers.
Narrated from the first person point of view, the book is an easy fast read. I had issues with the large number of secondary characters who are never fully developed and who I had trouble keeping straight. The first-person point of view did not help. I also had trouble with the legal nomenclature and the use of initials for the different legal identities.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.
June 6, 2023
another example showing the law as practiced has Little to do with justice.
"let justice roll as A drop of water & righteousness aS a mighty stream" -- ""King quoted the scripture that says “Until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream,” he was referring to something much bigger than what one police officer or one prosecutor does. And it was something much more audacious than what happens in a court room""
The realism of Ms Burkes characters' good, and evil always captured me. Most prosecutor's offices i have been exposed to are highly political, if not secretarial/treasuries for the judges sheriff's etc. Her writing belies that phenomenon well (inter dept foobar like when staking out her coworker's house in 212 or a similar motif in this book ). I would think it would be hard to stage set a novel where someone had played a real life cast member.
-- "All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely Players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His Acts being seven ages" ---
i am not so sure on how the prosecuting and the investigative arms really cooperate. Law and order tv aside it seems as though life in the east and life in the western (us) have little in common.. oft times wonder if states courts have eclipsed federal (but i digress). I knew a criminal lawyer {ky he has sinced passed, but had entanglements with federal prosecutors himself} who said he'd like to spend his last $1000 to take out a half page ad saying `this judge that judge and the other judge are all taking bribes`. A topic Ms Burke handled rather deftly in another of her books sic "212"
"let justice roll as A drop of water & righteousness aS a mighty stream" -- ""King quoted the scripture that says “Until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream,” he was referring to something much bigger than what one police officer or one prosecutor does. And it was something much more audacious than what happens in a court room""
The realism of Ms Burkes characters' good, and evil always captured me. Most prosecutor's offices i have been exposed to are highly political, if not secretarial/treasuries for the judges sheriff's etc. Her writing belies that phenomenon well (inter dept foobar like when staking out her coworker's house in 212 or a similar motif in this book ). I would think it would be hard to stage set a novel where someone had played a real life cast member.
-- "All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely Players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His Acts being seven ages" ---
i am not so sure on how the prosecuting and the investigative arms really cooperate. Law and order tv aside it seems as though life in the east and life in the western (us) have little in common.. oft times wonder if states courts have eclipsed federal (but i digress). I knew a criminal lawyer {ky he has sinced passed, but had entanglements with federal prosecutors himself} who said he'd like to spend his last $1000 to take out a half page ad saying `this judge that judge and the other judge are all taking bribes`. A topic Ms Burke handled rather deftly in another of her books sic "212"
May 15, 2017
I really enjoy Alafair Burke's novels, especially her Ellie Hatcher series. I'm happy that I found another series of hers to enjoy!
Samantha Kincaid walks into her office on a Monday morning and a cop is waiting for her to take on a case. The case is of a 13 year old girl that has been beaten and left for dead. The young girl is a prostitute with a heroin addiction so the leading DA on the case wants to quickly drop and dismiss the case. Samantha takes on a case and is quickly lead on a deep investigation that may be linked to other murders.
I liked Samantha and I liked how the author simplified all of the court jargon. It made it easier to understand what was going in the courtroom. However, like other reviewers have mentioned, it made for a bit of a boring read since everything was explained. The biggest negative for me was the length and a lot of things could of been removed.
Overall, a very likeable main character and a great courtroom drama mystery.
Samantha Kincaid walks into her office on a Monday morning and a cop is waiting for her to take on a case. The case is of a 13 year old girl that has been beaten and left for dead. The young girl is a prostitute with a heroin addiction so the leading DA on the case wants to quickly drop and dismiss the case. Samantha takes on a case and is quickly lead on a deep investigation that may be linked to other murders.
I liked Samantha and I liked how the author simplified all of the court jargon. It made it easier to understand what was going in the courtroom. However, like other reviewers have mentioned, it made for a bit of a boring read since everything was explained. The biggest negative for me was the length and a lot of things could of been removed.
Overall, a very likeable main character and a great courtroom drama mystery.
May 8, 2020
Through lots of twists and turns, Deputy DA Samantha Kincaid attempts to prosecute a repeat offender for a brutal sexual attack on a 13 yr-old girl. While the violence is described during the case, this is largely a high stakes legal chess game with Sam trying to work out tactical responses to other players’ moves. Alafair Burke is a new author for me and I’ll be checking out more of her work. I liked the character of Sam - she is honest and smart, realistic without being too jaded. I also appreciated Sam’s commentary to us explaining, usually wryly, the reasoning behind the police, court, and defendants’ actions. 🎧 While her voice seems markedly older than Sam’s, Betty Bobbitt provides a thoroughly enjoyable performance, with occasional chuckles to highlight wry observations or gentle humour in the story.
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