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Patchwork Pieces
When Lawrence Juste QC, gentleman and liar, originally championed the case of the boy who reminded him of himself, he couldn’t have known precisely how much like him the boy would turn out to be. Or that the boy’s past was already as entangled in murder and betrayal as his own.
Now the wheel has turned full circle. The past is the present, the betrayed are the betrayers and only the ultimate sacrifice can save both Juste and the boy. The only question ultimately remaining, as the patchwork completes:
Who will be sacrificed?
Patchwork Pieces is the final book in the Patchwork People trilogy of murder, mystery and lethal romance.
Now the wheel has turned full circle. The past is the present, the betrayed are the betrayers and only the ultimate sacrifice can save both Juste and the boy. The only question ultimately remaining, as the patchwork completes:
Who will be sacrificed?
Patchwork Pieces is the final book in the Patchwork People trilogy of murder, mystery and lethal romance.
- GenresThriller
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2015
10 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
D.B. Martin
13 books210 followersDebrah Martin writes adult fiction as Debrah Martin/ D.B. Martin and a Young Adult teen detective series under the pen name Lily Stuart. Debrah’s novels examine real people in real – but unexpected – situations, and the way their life transforms because of them. Her work has been described variously as intriguing, poignant, irreverent, quirky and page-turning.
D.B. Martin also writes as Debrah Martin.
You can find more about her work on http://www.debrahmartin.co.uk
You can also follow her on @StorytellerDeb or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DebrahMartin...
D.B. Martin also writes as Debrah Martin.
You can find more about her work on http://www.debrahmartin.co.uk
You can also follow her on @StorytellerDeb or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DebrahMartin...
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 12, 2023
This is a review of all three books in the Patchwork People trilogy.
To start let me say that the trilogy is darker than the darkest night. It would make a gripping film noir (shot in black and white). Having, as a teacher, come across families like the Juss(es) the characters and plot are entirely credible as are the locations.
The twists and turns in the narrative are frequently both surprising and shocking. Lawrence Juste QC is both narrator and central character. It is around him and a 10 year old boy called Danny, whom Juste defends against a charge of manslaughter, that the tale revolves.
Of course there are numerous other characters, each with their own stories to tell. I would advise keeping a crib sheet to help identify each character as they appear.
Lawrence Juste starts life as one member of a large dysfunctional family, is sent to a care home where he is treated brutally but manufactures an escape and changes his name to Lawrence Juste. Years later his past begins to catch up with him.
It’s not a trilogy that can be skim read but, despite all the red herrings and twists in the plot, the author gathers it all together to give the reader a thrilling climax.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
To start let me say that the trilogy is darker than the darkest night. It would make a gripping film noir (shot in black and white). Having, as a teacher, come across families like the Juss(es) the characters and plot are entirely credible as are the locations.
The twists and turns in the narrative are frequently both surprising and shocking. Lawrence Juste QC is both narrator and central character. It is around him and a 10 year old boy called Danny, whom Juste defends against a charge of manslaughter, that the tale revolves.
Of course there are numerous other characters, each with their own stories to tell. I would advise keeping a crib sheet to help identify each character as they appear.
Lawrence Juste starts life as one member of a large dysfunctional family, is sent to a care home where he is treated brutally but manufactures an escape and changes his name to Lawrence Juste. Years later his past begins to catch up with him.
It’s not a trilogy that can be skim read but, despite all the red herrings and twists in the plot, the author gathers it all together to give the reader a thrilling climax.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
June 13, 2017
Tying Things Together
This three book series is great. This final book ties things up nicely. Everything is not always as it appears to n be. Nice ending with a unexpected twist.
This three book series is great. This final book ties things up nicely. Everything is not always as it appears to n be. Nice ending with a unexpected twist.
May 18, 2015
"Pieces" winds up the "Patchwork" series quite satisfyingly
In “Patchwork Pieces,” author D.B. Martin slickly draws the three-volume “Patchwork” series to a close. “Pieces” is a great read and an excellent piece of writing.
To recap, the overall story is about one Lawrence Juste, a distinguished member of the British bar, who is apparently on his way to the Queen’s Bench. His life has been nicely charted and is ably assisted by his wife of 10 years, Margaret, the supposedly perfect legal wife. Juste’s life is just cruising along toward the bench when a series of events and a case draws him back to the family he had abandoned and to the people of his childhood. Juste was quite adept at compartmentalizing his life, segmenting his past from his present and, hopefully, from his future.
Well, it doesn’t quite work out that way and in the first book of the series, “Patchwork Man,” we watch the carefully constructed façade of Lawrence Juste crumble under the masterful strokes of the word picture painted by Martin, an excellent author who is truly a cut above average. Martin keeps you on the edge of your seat as the page-turner spins by in your eBook reader.
In the second book of the series, the deconstruction of Juste continues to the point where old Lawrence Juste has seemlingy disappeared, leaving the real Kenny Juss at the mercy of the currents of events that swirls around him. Is he guilty? Is he innocent? Was he connected with a murder? And, who is this Jaggers he worries about so much – we actually know who Jaggers is, and his connection with now-Lawrence/Kenny but the people in the novel don’t know the relationship? Indeed, even the carefully constructed façade of Margaret comes apart as does their life together as the second book “Patchwork People.” It does leave you with a huge question: who was Margaret and is she reaching from the grave or maybe, just maybe she’s alive or is she? That’s a question for “Patchwork People” where Martin brings the many plots and subplots together, weaving a story that is like a tapestry. At one time, tapestries were used as we use television or social media today, to depict major life or historical events and documents them (for example, the Bayeaux Tapestry, among others).
Martin is an incredibly gifted author who has the rare ability to take the many plot seeds she has planted and weave seamlessly into an incredibly entertaining yarn that just keeps you enthralled until you find all of the secret passages she has led you up and down. As a reader, you are pulled along as you eagerly wait to see just where the passages lead.
For example, in “Pieces,” we see the totally deconstructed Juste/Juss come back together as a different character – no fair telling you who it is – in a satisfying twist. Indeed, the whole transaction is handled so smoothly that you don’t know what is happening until after it has happened. It is very fair to say that you will be surprised at this particular twist, as well as a few other twists that the author has sprinkled throughout the work. The interesting thing is twists not used wholesale. Instead, the twists are finely constructed, much like the pieces of a puzzle, fitting together as they help the novel speed its way to the end.
“Patchwork Pieces” is a very satisfying summation to a solid three-volume series. D.B. Martin is a very smart author who knows her way around a sentence. Her writing is smooth and controlled. Yet, you never know it. “Pieces” is almost an organic outgrowth of the preceding volumes. The fact is that you can actually see the author grow with each piece of the series. D.B. Martin, also an author of teen stories, is a master writer in every sense of the word. From her solid ability to carefully plan and execute a plot to her ability to create very real characters, characters for whom you feel real empathy is extraordinary.
If it sounds as if I enjoyed this series, I did. I can hardly wait until I see her next work.
In “Patchwork Pieces,” author D.B. Martin slickly draws the three-volume “Patchwork” series to a close. “Pieces” is a great read and an excellent piece of writing.
To recap, the overall story is about one Lawrence Juste, a distinguished member of the British bar, who is apparently on his way to the Queen’s Bench. His life has been nicely charted and is ably assisted by his wife of 10 years, Margaret, the supposedly perfect legal wife. Juste’s life is just cruising along toward the bench when a series of events and a case draws him back to the family he had abandoned and to the people of his childhood. Juste was quite adept at compartmentalizing his life, segmenting his past from his present and, hopefully, from his future.
Well, it doesn’t quite work out that way and in the first book of the series, “Patchwork Man,” we watch the carefully constructed façade of Lawrence Juste crumble under the masterful strokes of the word picture painted by Martin, an excellent author who is truly a cut above average. Martin keeps you on the edge of your seat as the page-turner spins by in your eBook reader.
In the second book of the series, the deconstruction of Juste continues to the point where old Lawrence Juste has seemlingy disappeared, leaving the real Kenny Juss at the mercy of the currents of events that swirls around him. Is he guilty? Is he innocent? Was he connected with a murder? And, who is this Jaggers he worries about so much – we actually know who Jaggers is, and his connection with now-Lawrence/Kenny but the people in the novel don’t know the relationship? Indeed, even the carefully constructed façade of Margaret comes apart as does their life together as the second book “Patchwork People.” It does leave you with a huge question: who was Margaret and is she reaching from the grave or maybe, just maybe she’s alive or is she? That’s a question for “Patchwork People” where Martin brings the many plots and subplots together, weaving a story that is like a tapestry. At one time, tapestries were used as we use television or social media today, to depict major life or historical events and documents them (for example, the Bayeaux Tapestry, among others).
Martin is an incredibly gifted author who has the rare ability to take the many plot seeds she has planted and weave seamlessly into an incredibly entertaining yarn that just keeps you enthralled until you find all of the secret passages she has led you up and down. As a reader, you are pulled along as you eagerly wait to see just where the passages lead.
For example, in “Pieces,” we see the totally deconstructed Juste/Juss come back together as a different character – no fair telling you who it is – in a satisfying twist. Indeed, the whole transaction is handled so smoothly that you don’t know what is happening until after it has happened. It is very fair to say that you will be surprised at this particular twist, as well as a few other twists that the author has sprinkled throughout the work. The interesting thing is twists not used wholesale. Instead, the twists are finely constructed, much like the pieces of a puzzle, fitting together as they help the novel speed its way to the end.
“Patchwork Pieces” is a very satisfying summation to a solid three-volume series. D.B. Martin is a very smart author who knows her way around a sentence. Her writing is smooth and controlled. Yet, you never know it. “Pieces” is almost an organic outgrowth of the preceding volumes. The fact is that you can actually see the author grow with each piece of the series. D.B. Martin, also an author of teen stories, is a master writer in every sense of the word. From her solid ability to carefully plan and execute a plot to her ability to create very real characters, characters for whom you feel real empathy is extraordinary.
If it sounds as if I enjoyed this series, I did. I can hardly wait until I see her next work.
April 21, 2015
There are very few books in a series that can be read out of sequence and you instantly find yourself caught up on what is going on – this is one of those books. Though it is definitely worth reading the other two books in the series to gain a full appreciation as to how well thought out the plot for this series is.
The characters in this third instalment are as well written as in the previous books, they are really well rounded, with flaws and times when their decisions, words, thoughts and actions grate on the reader. This is one of the best things about D.B. Martin’s writing as the characters come across as being real instead of idealised shells that can be projected upon.
As a thriller, this books is excellent, it combines tension with a fluid writing style that doesn’t jolt, or leave the reader feeling that they have missed something, or even that an integral part of the plot has been left out to keep the reader in the dark. These books are not light reading in any respect, with shocking revelations and hard to take moments that leave readers breathless.
Set in London, this book offers a stark contrast to American crime books and has a gritty edge to it that keeps it grounded in realism. The attention to detail that D.B. Martin pays to her characters and the surroundings is truly impressive and is one of the great strengths in her books, helping to grip the reader, and Patchwork Pieces is no exception to this.
This book is a great read and something that will delight fans of crime, thriller and suspense books. The Patchwork series is a great and unique offering to the genre that stands up to being read and re-read over and over again.
The characters in this third instalment are as well written as in the previous books, they are really well rounded, with flaws and times when their decisions, words, thoughts and actions grate on the reader. This is one of the best things about D.B. Martin’s writing as the characters come across as being real instead of idealised shells that can be projected upon.
As a thriller, this books is excellent, it combines tension with a fluid writing style that doesn’t jolt, or leave the reader feeling that they have missed something, or even that an integral part of the plot has been left out to keep the reader in the dark. These books are not light reading in any respect, with shocking revelations and hard to take moments that leave readers breathless.
Set in London, this book offers a stark contrast to American crime books and has a gritty edge to it that keeps it grounded in realism. The attention to detail that D.B. Martin pays to her characters and the surroundings is truly impressive and is one of the great strengths in her books, helping to grip the reader, and Patchwork Pieces is no exception to this.
This book is a great read and something that will delight fans of crime, thriller and suspense books. The Patchwork series is a great and unique offering to the genre that stands up to being read and re-read over and over again.
April 30, 2015
I received this book for the purpose of a fair review.
Overview: Lawrence just can’t seem to catch a break. Every time he turns around, Jaggers is poking holes in the ship that makes up Lawrence’s reputation. Does Jaggers really think that Lawrence believes that a payoff will save anyone? At least Margaret is helping Lawrence and Danny, isn’t she?
Likes: Lawrence showed what a father will do to protect his child. Win, may not have wanted to admit it, but I’d like to think that he was proud of his little brother.
Heather seemed to care for Lawrence past what she claimed. I just wish that she could have learned the truth about Margaret.
Margaret was just a good woman. It was a shame about her fate.
Dislikes: The wicked got what they deserved, I just wished that they could have felt the pain that they visited upon others.
And Ella needs to learn that it ain’t where you’re born, or who you are born to, that makes you an upstanding citizen; it’s who you chose to grow up to be.
Conclusion: This as a satisfying and excellent conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. Bring these books into your library.
Overview: Lawrence just can’t seem to catch a break. Every time he turns around, Jaggers is poking holes in the ship that makes up Lawrence’s reputation. Does Jaggers really think that Lawrence believes that a payoff will save anyone? At least Margaret is helping Lawrence and Danny, isn’t she?
Likes: Lawrence showed what a father will do to protect his child. Win, may not have wanted to admit it, but I’d like to think that he was proud of his little brother.
Heather seemed to care for Lawrence past what she claimed. I just wish that she could have learned the truth about Margaret.
Margaret was just a good woman. It was a shame about her fate.
Dislikes: The wicked got what they deserved, I just wished that they could have felt the pain that they visited upon others.
And Ella needs to learn that it ain’t where you’re born, or who you are born to, that makes you an upstanding citizen; it’s who you chose to grow up to be.
Conclusion: This as a satisfying and excellent conclusion to a wonderful trilogy. Bring these books into your library.
July 12, 2015
Patchwork Pieces
This was a terrific ending to the trilogy! So many twists and turns, it really kept me guessing. The characters were brilliantly written and I already miss being a part of their lives. If there can't be a fourth book, then I certainly can't wait for another book by this author.
This was a terrific ending to the trilogy! So many twists and turns, it really kept me guessing. The characters were brilliantly written and I already miss being a part of their lives. If there can't be a fourth book, then I certainly can't wait for another book by this author.
September 22, 2016
received this book through Goodreads giveaway
what ever you were thinking when you pick up this book, I guarantee you will take a ride on a roller coaster. This story is, twisty, blackmail, murder, betrayal. I was nervous reading this. Be prepared
what ever you were thinking when you pick up this book, I guarantee you will take a ride on a roller coaster. This story is, twisty, blackmail, murder, betrayal. I was nervous reading this. Be prepared
July 18, 2015
A trilogy
The three of these were an interesting read. Don're read the first one unless you are going to read the following
The three of these were an interesting read. Don're read the first one unless you are going to read the following
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews