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Playing with Fire: A Legal Thriller
Brooklyn crime boss Carmine Cimoli has been accused of burning down his over-insured warehouse, and District Attorney Rhonda Battle is out for blood. Thwarted in a previous attempt to bring charges for other nefarious crimes, Ms. Battle is determined to put the crime boss behind bars, and this time she has what looks like an airtight case. Claiming he has been framed, Carmine hires the blue blood, Harvard-educated attorney Harrison Fletcher, Jr. who was recently fired from his position as Assistant DA for refusing to compromise his ethics, to help him prove his innocence. Assisted by his beautiful wife and a scruffy, alcohol-loving detective, Harry sets out to discover who set the fire and why. As what really happened that June night becomes clear, evidence begins to disappear. With the defense’s case starting to crumble, Harry devises a way to prove Carmine’s innocence. But will the plan work?
- GenresThriller
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2015
45 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 27, 2020
The best part about this book: the title is a PUN.
I've always had a very skeptical approach towards legal thrillers because it's a very fine line between boring and page-turning. And to be fair, the only exposure to legal thrillers I've had is John Grisham. This book maintains that fine line by being fairly on the page-turning side. The book is quite slow-moving at the start, but picks up the accelerated pace that can only be associated with a thriller, at around 55% of the book. To the point that I read the last 40% of the book in one sitting. Also, the book is infused with heavy New York (?) slang that I, as an Indian, took a fair amount of time to get used to, and get past. I overcame that in a while.
The plot is well-structured, albeit predictable. However, the predictability of it did not take anything away from the reading as the unfolding of the climactic events was done in tremendously thrilling and suitable chronology. In order to not reveal the suspense prematurely, the author uses a different character for perspective without making said character seem for-the-sake-of-mystery-reveal.
It is interspersed with fair amount of courtroom and investigative scenes with appropriate plot-time given to characters. And oh, the characters! They are so lovable and extremely well-written. Collaboration between the most non-bed-fellows is displayed in the book with no judgement passed for anyone's life choices and decisions. Women in law are generally portrayed as mind-numbingly dumb, but this book is a good break.
There is no romance-induced-foolishness in the book. I mean, a romance does not have to be successful only if it is falling apart, right? A very loving marriage is featured, and all ingratiating romance tropes are religiously avoided.
This book was a solid 3-stars for me before I reached the last 25% of the book. The ending was really redeeming. I would highly recommend.
I've always had a very skeptical approach towards legal thrillers because it's a very fine line between boring and page-turning. And to be fair, the only exposure to legal thrillers I've had is John Grisham. This book maintains that fine line by being fairly on the page-turning side. The book is quite slow-moving at the start, but picks up the accelerated pace that can only be associated with a thriller, at around 55% of the book. To the point that I read the last 40% of the book in one sitting. Also, the book is infused with heavy New York (?) slang that I, as an Indian, took a fair amount of time to get used to, and get past. I overcame that in a while.
The plot is well-structured, albeit predictable. However, the predictability of it did not take anything away from the reading as the unfolding of the climactic events was done in tremendously thrilling and suitable chronology. In order to not reveal the suspense prematurely, the author uses a different character for perspective without making said character seem for-the-sake-of-mystery-reveal.
It is interspersed with fair amount of courtroom and investigative scenes with appropriate plot-time given to characters. And oh, the characters! They are so lovable and extremely well-written. Collaboration between the most non-bed-fellows is displayed in the book with no judgement passed for anyone's life choices and decisions. Women in law are generally portrayed as mind-numbingly dumb, but this book is a good break.
There is no romance-induced-foolishness in the book. I mean, a romance does not have to be successful only if it is falling apart, right? A very loving marriage is featured, and all ingratiating romance tropes are religiously avoided.
This book was a solid 3-stars for me before I reached the last 25% of the book. The ending was really redeeming. I would highly recommend.
December 9, 2015
Excellent story, must be read.
You'll be laughing out loud at the end. Very interesting plot. District attorney and ex-assistant district attorney now has his own practice with his beautiful wife as secretary. He's now the lawyer for Brooklyn crime boss. He's being accused of burning down his warehouse. Real page turner, hope author is looking down and enjoying himself.
You'll be laughing out loud at the end. Very interesting plot. District attorney and ex-assistant district attorney now has his own practice with his beautiful wife as secretary. He's now the lawyer for Brooklyn crime boss. He's being accused of burning down his warehouse. Real page turner, hope author is looking down and enjoying himself.
October 8, 2015
A great read...suspenseful, witty and smart.
January 21, 2020
Excellent engrossing read for our times
Excellent legal mystery reading. Could see it all , a very skilled author. Widow did author proud by sharing his skilled writing with us all.
Excellent legal mystery reading. Could see it all , a very skilled author. Widow did author proud by sharing his skilled writing with us all.
November 25, 2020
Twists and turns
The book was suspenseful. I may have to read the backend again. Confusing and fast moving. Mr. Adams knows how to keep you interested.
The book was suspenseful. I may have to read the backend again. Confusing and fast moving. Mr. Adams knows how to keep you interested.
February 23, 2025
Another great book.
I really liked this one Thanks to the man who wrote it for doing so And thanks to his family for getting it published. A really good time reading it.
I really liked this one Thanks to the man who wrote it for doing so And thanks to his family for getting it published. A really good time reading it.
March 19, 2016
I'm a legal novel buff, and for a one-time (deceased) novelist, it was fun enough in its way. Nothing special and more than a bit far-fetched, but fun nonetheless.
Though most of the defense characters were likable, none of them quite made it from the developmental stage. They were as one-dimensional at the end, as were at the beginning and throughout.
Further in addition to the story being at least somewhat unbelievable, it was all too predictable.
But, it was fun. And, I'm glad his widow decided to Kindle it.
Though most of the defense characters were likable, none of them quite made it from the developmental stage. They were as one-dimensional at the end, as were at the beginning and throughout.
Further in addition to the story being at least somewhat unbelievable, it was all too predictable.
But, it was fun. And, I'm glad his widow decided to Kindle it.
September 23, 2016
R.I.P Mr Adams, We hardly knew ya !
I have probably read several posthumously published Authors, but none have caused me to feel the loss as much as this, "First and Only" Novel by James Taylor Adams. What a loss for Fans of Legal Fiction such as myself. My Thanks to his Widow, the Publisher, and All who believed in J.T.'s Book, and fought to get it published. NOTE: Even though it's a once only experience, I urge you to Read This Book ! The story line is unique, and the writing superb.
,
I have probably read several posthumously published Authors, but none have caused me to feel the loss as much as this, "First and Only" Novel by James Taylor Adams. What a loss for Fans of Legal Fiction such as myself. My Thanks to his Widow, the Publisher, and All who believed in J.T.'s Book, and fought to get it published. NOTE: Even though it's a once only experience, I urge you to Read This Book ! The story line is unique, and the writing superb.
,
June 3, 2016
Funny and Sad
This is a wonderfully written book that should have been published years ago. It is the best of courtroom drama and gangster humor. The characters are loveable. The saddest part of this book is the author did not live to see the publication and is not here to write a sequel.
This is a wonderfully written book that should have been published years ago. It is the best of courtroom drama and gangster humor. The characters are loveable. The saddest part of this book is the author did not live to see the publication and is not here to write a sequel.
December 17, 2015
Most entertaining
The plot contains wonderful twists throughout. Clean, unembellished writing. Any procedural mystery fan should enjoy. Characters are well constructed and interesting.
The plot contains wonderful twists throughout. Clean, unembellished writing. Any procedural mystery fan should enjoy. Characters are well constructed and interesting.
November 10, 2015
Twists
Good read. Strong plot and interesting characters. Several courtroom scenes. Seems pretty authentic. I suggest it as pleasurable read. Fun.
Good read. Strong plot and interesting characters. Several courtroom scenes. Seems pretty authentic. I suggest it as pleasurable read. Fun.
November 2, 2016
Incredibly witty with great characters, this book reads very quickly. It is well written and anyone that loves legal thrillers should read this book. Enjoy and recommend.
January 9, 2017
Wow. Where do I begin. I cannot find enough praise for this book. The author did a fantastic job keeping me on the edge of my seat. Unbelievable. Fantastic. Incredible. Need more by this author.
October 6, 2015
Funny, clever and irreverent...my kind of book!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews