The Bomb Maker's Son

Parker Stern #3

by Robert Rotstein

A fugitive from justice shows up on Parker Stern’s doorstep, seeking representation. Ian Holzner—better known as the Playa Delta Bomber—is about to be arrested for allegedly planting a bomb that killed four people in 1975. Parker turns down the case, until the revelation of a startling secret from Parker’s estranged mother all but forces him, against his better judgment, to change his mind. As media attention swirls around the reemerged Playa Delta Bomber, a bomb explodes and other violent acts occur. Is Holzner the mastermind behind these new attacks? At great personal risk, Parker tries to uncover the truth, all while discovering long-hidden, painful realities about his family and his own past.

Genres: Mystery

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2015

About the author

Robert Rotstein is an entertainment attorney with over thirty years experience in the industry. He’s represented all of the major motion picture studios and many well-known writers, producers, directors, and musicians. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Member:

International Thriller Writers
Mystery Writers of America

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Rotstein’s third legal thriller packs another punch that is sure to keep the reader flipping pages late into the night. Mixing the best from legal and courtroom sub-genres, Rotstein pulls the reader into yet another battle that has deep-rooted implications for many involved. Parker Stern has been able to cobble together a decent legal career, after years as a child actor and being subjected to a horrible early life in a cult, alongside his vapid mother. When he arrives home one day, his mother awaits him with major news; she wants him to defend a long-time friend of hers who has been on the lam for almost forty years. Accused of bombing a government building in 1975, Ian Holzner admits that while he had revolutionary leanings, he is innocent of this crime. Wanting to clear his name once and for all, Ian has come in from the cold and will accept no one other than Parker as his defence attorney. Why? It would seem that Ian is Parker’s elusive father, a man about whom Parker has only heard fairly tales since he was young. As this is a capital crime, Parker will need to enlist the assistance of a seasoned lawyer. This also means that he’ll be working alongside his former love interest, Lovely Diamond. As they begin trying to piece together the information from decades ago, they realise the deck is stacked against them. The judge is none other than the one who presided over the trial of one of the other conspirators that fingered Ian for the crimes, the original documentation was ruined in a fire from the early 1980s, and many of the witnesses are unwilling to help Ian. As legal proceedings begin and Parker is able to secure house arrest for his client, a bombing at the courthouse brings back memories of 1975, with a note from a revolutionary group demanding Ian’s release. Could his underground organisation be resurrected to wreak havoc yet again? While trying to juggle legal matters, his relationship with Lovely, and an apparent half-family about which he knew nothing, Parker Stern is hit with news that some of the abuse he suffered at the hands of the Church of the Sanctified Assembly might finally see the light of day. There is surely no time to rest for Parker, as the life of his father literally hangs in the balance. A stunning novel by Rotstein that pulls together all that the series reader has learned to date. Highly recommended for those who have followed the series, as well as legal thriller enthusiasts. I’d suggest reading the previous two novels to have the full impact.

Rotstein’s writing style is a clever mix of legal arguments and personal development shaped into a well-paced narrative that intrigues the reader. The story is yet another unique legal situation with the added bonus of allowing the series reader to see just how Parker will react to another round of devastating news. The lingering mentions of Lovely and the Church of the Sanctified Assembly provide ongoing issues for the protagonist, but there is always a new and troublesome situation with which Parker cannot fully divorce himself. Parker Stern remains a strong character, exhibiting a great legal mind, though it has been quashed by bad luck over the past number of years, something the series fan will know already. His early years as a child film actor and more recent debilitating stage fright in the courtroom play a role in the story yet again, though their place is firmly in the rear view mirror, permitting some character growth. Rotstein pushes the ‘new-found’ father angle quite well, particularly since it is impossible for Stern to ignore it with Ian so close to him at all times. This struggle is one that comes to the surface throughout and the reader may see glimpses of Stern’s trying to digest the news and place it in some semblance of order in his mind. Stern uses his strongest legal maneuvers to keep the reader entertained, working not only against time but the lack of interest many have to save Ian Holzner. There are a handful of other characters who shape the story, including the aforementioned Ian Holzner, whose renegade past and anti-government sentiment make him an interesting character as the narrative advances. There are strong legal, political, and personal characters scattered throughout, all of whom play integral roles to shape the story in ways that could not have been predicted, adding flavour to an already intense plot. The story of this book is anything but simple with its foundation decades in the past, yet Rotstein makes it easy to switch between eras and get a sense of the mindset of those who lived in the early 1970s and the passion they possessed. The reader must buckle down to take part in this fast-paced thriller, which touches on a number of legal and personal issues simultaneously without pausing to permit synthesising. I can see a great deal of interest coming from these books by those who enjoy the theme and hope more books in the series emerge in the years to come.

Kudos, Mr. Rotstein, for a great series. I am addicted and count myself as lucky for stumbling upon your recent standalone novel for introducing me to this series.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[Maggie Heim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unable to put it down! Fast paced and very enjoyable. I loved the courtroom scenes.

[Al Menaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good, full criminal trial, lots of action. I didn't love the ending and the good guys get bailed out too often, but riveting action, well paced.

[James Hockenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bomb Maker’s Son, by Robert Rotstein: Another “Parker Stern” novel. In this book, Stern confronts a shadowy past while a fugitive from justice, Ian Holzer the “Playa Delta bomber,” approaches him seeking representation.
The plot takes off from there in a slick and engrossing law and disorder thriller. Is Hotzler the mastermind behind subsequent bombings? At great personal risk Parker struggles to find the truth both about the bombings and himself. Rotstein is making a name for himself with these Hollywood legal thrillers. Join the growing list of people who consume these great reads. The Bomb Maker’s Son is the place to start your journey.

[Jack Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Precictable

Poor read but I slugged thru it. I crossed this offer off my reading list. Sad to say it was too predictable and a poor story.

JM

[Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying and timely for 2025 political issues in today’s world.

[Schuyler Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Bomb Maker’s Son” is another Parker Stern mystery from a series by Robert Rotstein about an attorney who has a self-confidence problem when appearing in court. It’s an interesting story full of despicable and disturbed people. The author seems to have a following that likes his material but I’m on the fence because I’d like more riveting action to carry me along, and the characters, for the most part, are too radical to be likeable. But I hasten to add that the writing is engrossing.

Stern’s mother, the leader of a cultish church that promotes active terrorism, wants him to represent an alleged bomber who, in 1975, was accused of planting a bomb that killed four people and who, apparently, wants to turn himself in. It turns out that the bomber is Stern’s father. Although Stern is the protagonist of the story, and the leading figure at the trial proceedings, it is his father, Ian Holzner, who gets most of the attention and provides the intrigue behind the plot. When another bomb that goes off during the trial is also attributed to Holzner, things get testy between both the trial principals, the members of the cult, and Stern’s fragmented family. It’s a somewhat confusing and dubious situation that isn’t crystal clear to me.

The writer is an intelligent writer and well-known entertainment attorney. His career is filled with notable accomplishments and famous clients. His C.V. is most impressive. Being a fan of courtroom tactics, I find Rotstein to be among the best of the chroniclers of legal action. I don’t, however, feel a great surge of excitement as I read the other aspects of his story. It is almost a recitation of strange beliefs and subversive activities that lacks real emotion. I’d call it indifferent and not explosive…excuse the pun, but that’s just me.

If you want good courtroom action, flawless writing, and 70s radical history, you will probably enjoy this book but you might look for rousing, slam-bang action elsewhere. I would urge Rotstein to produce an autobiography. His career, as presented in his biography, might make for a very interesting read.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker Stern, former child actor, is an attorney who takes selective cases and also co-owns a coffee shop. His mother, head of a radicalized sect, urges him to take the case of Ian Holzner, who zealously set off bombs in the 1970s. Parker turns her down until she reveals Holzner is his father. Holzner is turning himself in after being on the run for forty years. This bombing is one he says he did not commit. His co-conspirators are turning on him and his brother knows a secret. Parker must try to weave between the lies and the secrets to defend his father.

This book was a good mystery/legal thriller. The plot was full of twists and turns all the way. I didn't expect the twist in the next to last chapter or in the last one.

I received this book in an author giveaway. This opinion is my own and not influenced by anyone.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Parker Stern legal thriller series. I enjoyed the first two, but this one really knocked my socks off. The courtroom scenes were compelling. I felt as if I were really getting the inside scoop on how capital murder lawyers think during a trial. Just loved it! Also, the portrayal of aging activists was fascinating. I liked too how their earlier activism came to bedevil their children's lives. Highly recommended.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am still trying to decide how I feel about this book. I really did not like the defendant and his cause, and I feel justice was certainly not served. My rating is 3 stars because I like the series and the main character, Parker, not because I liked the plot.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a John Grisham novel but not as good. An interesting but not quite believable read about A 1960/70s radical protester and bomber who has a change of heart in 2014 and decides to stop running from the law. And why did the co-defense lawyer have to be a former porn movie star (really??)

[Debra Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first couple of chapters got my attention, the. It kind of slowed down (hence the long read time). The last 1/4 of the book was very captivating. I picked this book randomly off the shelf for my book club-will see how everyone else liked it.

[Lynn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read with a gratifying number of red herrings.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good legal thriller/mystery. It was actually much better than I expected. Although looking back I should have figured out the mystery, I did not. Itnwas a fun surprise at the end.

[Beverly Berger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great Book

The relationship that formed between father and son, was very
Interesting. Fast paced book and a good read, highly recommend.

[Jancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This maybe the weakest of the Parker Stern mysteries but it still was a really good read. A lot of questions about Parker's past were answered. All in all I give it a big thumbs up.