What do you think?
Rate this book
Samantha Kincaid #2
Missing Justice
In the second entry in this "sharp, new crime series," the search for a missing judge leads Samantha Kincaid into Portland politics and a labyrinth of crime, corruption, and cover-ups
" (Publishers Weekly)"
Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid is back at work after an attempt on her life and a promotion into the Major Crimes Unit. When the husband of Portland, Oregon, city judge Clarissa Easterbrook reports her missing and Samantha is called out on the case, she assumes her only job is to make the district attorney look good until the judge turns up. When the police discover evidence of foul play, however, Samantha finds herself unearthing secrets that Clarissa had wanted to stay hidden, the lingering personal tolls of a crime that occurred decades ago. And when those secrets lead to the discovery of corruption at the highest levels of the city's power structure, Samantha realizes that her quest for justice could cost her not only her job but her life.
In the skillfully plotted, highly suspenseful follow-up to her acclaimed debut, "Judgment Calls," Alafair Burke once again demonstrates that "she's got what it takes" (Michael Connelly). With its irreverent heroine and seamless blend of squad rooms, street scenes, and courtroom drama, Missing Justice confirms Burke's place among the genre's most talented and exciting newcomers.
" (Publishers Weekly)"
Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid is back at work after an attempt on her life and a promotion into the Major Crimes Unit. When the husband of Portland, Oregon, city judge Clarissa Easterbrook reports her missing and Samantha is called out on the case, she assumes her only job is to make the district attorney look good until the judge turns up. When the police discover evidence of foul play, however, Samantha finds herself unearthing secrets that Clarissa had wanted to stay hidden, the lingering personal tolls of a crime that occurred decades ago. And when those secrets lead to the discovery of corruption at the highest levels of the city's power structure, Samantha realizes that her quest for justice could cost her not only her job but her life.
In the skillfully plotted, highly suspenseful follow-up to her acclaimed debut, "Judgment Calls," Alafair Burke once again demonstrates that "she's got what it takes" (Michael Connelly). With its irreverent heroine and seamless blend of squad rooms, street scenes, and courtroom drama, Missing Justice confirms Burke's place among the genre's most talented and exciting newcomers.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2004
About the author
Alafair Burke
54 books5,832 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
November 10, 2014
I'll start with some mitigation as to why I only awarded this one star - it's my standard rating if I abandon a book before completion. I listened to this on audiobook and my chief problem with it was that the whole thing felt way to 'girly' for me. I like my crime fiction more hard boiled than this - much more hard boiled! To me it felt too much like an (American) episode of Midsummer Murders, the BBC series that's guaranteed to either send me to sleep or drive me to the wine rack. How much of this was down to the reader I don't know. Somewhat, I think. But I knew early doors that this was not for me. Pity, as I'm a major fan of her dad's work - I'd go as far to say he's my all time favourite crime fiction writer. Oh well, I've just picked up the latest JLB novel, so lets get to something much more to my tastes.
March 19, 2013
Interesting story - #2 in the Samantha Kincaid series. Enough tension and investigative detail to keep me turning pages, despite some confusion among multiple characters and story lines. My approach in reading mysteries like this is simply to go along with the flow, not obsess about what I am not understanding, and hope that It all comes together in the end, which this story did.
I read Missing Justice before its predecessor Judgment Calls and, unfortunately, too much is revealed about the prior book. I would highly recommend, if you are interested in Burke and her Samantha Kincaid series, that you read them in order.
There is one aspect of the story I find difficult to believe. Kincaid is an assistant DA, and she has a locked down case, and yet she pursues the possibility that the man she is prepared to convict may be innocent. That just doesn't happen! It should, but it doesn't. Once prosecutors have a conviction in their line of fire, they can almost never be diverted. If new evidence arises, they will more often than not ignore it and even hide it from the defense attorney. I wrote about this issue of prosecutorial misconduct in my novel A Good Conviction.
I read Missing Justice before its predecessor Judgment Calls and, unfortunately, too much is revealed about the prior book. I would highly recommend, if you are interested in Burke and her Samantha Kincaid series, that you read them in order.
There is one aspect of the story I find difficult to believe. Kincaid is an assistant DA, and she has a locked down case, and yet she pursues the possibility that the man she is prepared to convict may be innocent. That just doesn't happen! It should, but it doesn't. Once prosecutors have a conviction in their line of fire, they can almost never be diverted. If new evidence arises, they will more often than not ignore it and even hide it from the defense attorney. I wrote about this issue of prosecutorial misconduct in my novel A Good Conviction.
February 13, 2018
A good 3.5 stars. Since her boss is out of town, Deputy DA Samantha Kincaid visits the home of a prominent surgeon who has reported his wife, an administrative judge, missing. Things don't look good when the leashed dog is found running loose and one shoe in the middle of the road. Sure enough, the judge's body is found. In one of her cases, a man facing eviction has been sending her threatening letters and a search turns up evidence in his home. Samantha will try the case but she has some doubts about the man's guilt.
I liked this book better than the first one. Less legalese. I like Samantha Kincaid because of her dedication to the job. She is a unique prosecutor who fights for the right outcome. I've noticed she is confrontational which is a good thing in her profession but she needs work to be a team player. At this point, I'm not impressed with Chuck, Samantha's love interest in this series. I've read thousands of mysteries and I had a suspicion where this one was going but that didn't matter to my enjoyment of the book.
I liked this book better than the first one. Less legalese. I like Samantha Kincaid because of her dedication to the job. She is a unique prosecutor who fights for the right outcome. I've noticed she is confrontational which is a good thing in her profession but she needs work to be a team player. At this point, I'm not impressed with Chuck, Samantha's love interest in this series. I've read thousands of mysteries and I had a suspicion where this one was going but that didn't matter to my enjoyment of the book.
June 4, 2010
Samantha Kincaid is a Deputy District Attorney with the Major Crimes Unit in Portland, Oregon, having recently moved up from a position in the Vice squad. She is assigned to the homicide of an administrative law judge named Clarissa Easterbrook. It appears to be a random killing that occurred while she was walking the family dog. But as Sam becomes more involved with the case, she finds that there is more to the situation than meets the eye, including the possibility that Clarissa was cheating on her husband. Easterbrook led a charmed life, with her devoted doctor husband Townsend and her loyal friend, Susan Kerr, supporting her totally. In her role as judge, she had the opportunity to do well for other people. So why was she willing to jeopardize it all for a man who doesn't seem worthy of her?
The prime suspect is a poor black man named Melville Jackson who had a grudge against Clarissa because of how she ruled against him in a family situation. The evidence against him is strong, with the murder weapon found in his home and a pile of threatening letters that he wrote to complain about the judge's verdict. Although he seems to have the most motive, it feels to Samantha as though he is being set up. Looking more deeply into Clarissa's life just complicates things further, as some of her rulings on an urban growth boundary are questionable. But how would a judgment on land usage lead to the death of a minor judge?
Having served as a deputy district attorney herself, Burke presented a completely credible view of the position that Samantha occupied and the kinds of situations she would face professionally and politically. That whole aspect of the book was the most interesting to me as a reader, learning about the job of a deputy DA and how they interacted with other law enforcement officials.
Burke has done a superb job in the development of the lead character, who is imperfect and sometimes shows a real lack of judgment. With the support of an excellent boss, she's learning the ropes. Although she has a cop boyfriend, she really tries to avoid involving him in the investigation, even though he rightfully should be doing more. I liked the fact that she made time to do things with her best girlfriend as well. Although the book wasn't comedic, Sam did exhibit a sharp sense of humor. The plot was nicely complex, but unfortunately, the perpetrator seemed very obvious to me.
MISSING JUSTICE is the second book in the Kincaid series. I'm off to find JUDGMENT CALLS, the first, as this is a series that I want to follow. It is unique in that it blends the best of the legal thriller and police procedural genres in one package. Recommended.
The prime suspect is a poor black man named Melville Jackson who had a grudge against Clarissa because of how she ruled against him in a family situation. The evidence against him is strong, with the murder weapon found in his home and a pile of threatening letters that he wrote to complain about the judge's verdict. Although he seems to have the most motive, it feels to Samantha as though he is being set up. Looking more deeply into Clarissa's life just complicates things further, as some of her rulings on an urban growth boundary are questionable. But how would a judgment on land usage lead to the death of a minor judge?
Having served as a deputy district attorney herself, Burke presented a completely credible view of the position that Samantha occupied and the kinds of situations she would face professionally and politically. That whole aspect of the book was the most interesting to me as a reader, learning about the job of a deputy DA and how they interacted with other law enforcement officials.
Burke has done a superb job in the development of the lead character, who is imperfect and sometimes shows a real lack of judgment. With the support of an excellent boss, she's learning the ropes. Although she has a cop boyfriend, she really tries to avoid involving him in the investigation, even though he rightfully should be doing more. I liked the fact that she made time to do things with her best girlfriend as well. Although the book wasn't comedic, Sam did exhibit a sharp sense of humor. The plot was nicely complex, but unfortunately, the perpetrator seemed very obvious to me.
MISSING JUSTICE is the second book in the Kincaid series. I'm off to find JUDGMENT CALLS, the first, as this is a series that I want to follow. It is unique in that it blends the best of the legal thriller and police procedural genres in one package. Recommended.
July 5, 2010
Author's sophomore effort: complex entertaining plot : A+
And so we have here Alafair's second book, "Missing Justice". We agree that whether or not she got published through dad's (James Lee Burke) connections matters not, as this high achiever (Stanford Law School grad, former ADA in Portland OR) obviously herself has what it takes to write a fascinating story. Moreover, the novel is so laced with real life, one learns a lot about workplace issues as a prosecutor, rural land space versus urban growth debates, and the relationship between the cops and the DA's office.
Recently promoted to the Major Crimes Unit, leading lady (and like the author) Portland Assistant DA Samantha Kincaid catches a first case reeling with publicity (and duplicity) when it turns out the missing person turned murder victim, Clarissa Easterbrook, was a sitting local judge of some import in the civil community. It soon enough turns out a black man who had been threatening the judge (due to possibly losing custody of his kids) did the deed, confirmed by plenty of physical evidence. The police get a quick close and the courtroom scenes become little more than a precursor to a plea bargain. But Kincaid smells a rat when too many coincidences start to point to some sort of conspiracy involving land use, permits granted or denied, and unusually generous contributions to a hospital wing her ex-doc husband is trying to fund and build as a legacy. When an affair of the heart between Easterbrook and a small-time politico adds to Kincaid's doubts, our ADA begins plying these nefarious leads into a full-blown alternative to the solution that surfaced so quickly and easily. After many entertaining twists and turns, the truth starts to come out.
This story is well-conceived and well-written, and Kincaid is a very believable and likable character. In our minds, the only thing preventing a fifth star was perhaps a little too much axe-grinding wrought by our ambitious protagonist over the men, including her dad, who are trying to steer or control her life. We are familiar with the difficulties of a woman in supposedly "male turf", and felt that Burke's treatment, while subtle enough, was just overdone by quantity. Other than that, we have no difficulty recommending this fine novel; we'll look for her first to catch up on the earlier Kincaid, as well as await her adventure number three due out soon. Like father, like daughter ?!?!
And so we have here Alafair's second book, "Missing Justice". We agree that whether or not she got published through dad's (James Lee Burke) connections matters not, as this high achiever (Stanford Law School grad, former ADA in Portland OR) obviously herself has what it takes to write a fascinating story. Moreover, the novel is so laced with real life, one learns a lot about workplace issues as a prosecutor, rural land space versus urban growth debates, and the relationship between the cops and the DA's office.
Recently promoted to the Major Crimes Unit, leading lady (and like the author) Portland Assistant DA Samantha Kincaid catches a first case reeling with publicity (and duplicity) when it turns out the missing person turned murder victim, Clarissa Easterbrook, was a sitting local judge of some import in the civil community. It soon enough turns out a black man who had been threatening the judge (due to possibly losing custody of his kids) did the deed, confirmed by plenty of physical evidence. The police get a quick close and the courtroom scenes become little more than a precursor to a plea bargain. But Kincaid smells a rat when too many coincidences start to point to some sort of conspiracy involving land use, permits granted or denied, and unusually generous contributions to a hospital wing her ex-doc husband is trying to fund and build as a legacy. When an affair of the heart between Easterbrook and a small-time politico adds to Kincaid's doubts, our ADA begins plying these nefarious leads into a full-blown alternative to the solution that surfaced so quickly and easily. After many entertaining twists and turns, the truth starts to come out.
This story is well-conceived and well-written, and Kincaid is a very believable and likable character. In our minds, the only thing preventing a fifth star was perhaps a little too much axe-grinding wrought by our ambitious protagonist over the men, including her dad, who are trying to steer or control her life. We are familiar with the difficulties of a woman in supposedly "male turf", and felt that Burke's treatment, while subtle enough, was just overdone by quantity. Other than that, we have no difficulty recommending this fine novel; we'll look for her first to catch up on the earlier Kincaid, as well as await her adventure number three due out soon. Like father, like daughter ?!?!
March 11, 2013
A good murder-mystery. Alifair Burke is a totally different kind of writer than her father and it makes no sense to compare the two. He is the premier action-adventure author in America (easily the best author in America) and she writes adventures where the mind must figure out what is happening, and she is very good at that. Two different writers using two different approaches. He is fantastic, she is good. This story has to do with the murder of a judge who is caught up in corruption. Of course Samantha figures it out and nails the bad people. Enjoy.
June 21, 2012
Not a fan of this series. The characters are cardboard cut-outs and the story line is formulaic. Every time I think Sam has a light bulb moment, she goes home. The next morning she goes to work and we're left hanging. The romance with Chuck is annoying and boring. Enough said.
November 4, 2012
I didn't realize Alafair was anyone other than a character in her father's books, so when I happened upon this book, I couldn't resist buying it. After the first few pages, I almost put it back on the shelf. But, I'm glad I stuck with it. It seemed as if Ms. Burke went through some growing pains for a chapter or two before growing comfortable with her innate writing style.
Or maybe I just got used to it. Whatever the case may be, I ended up really enjoying the storyline, the pace, and the dry sense of humor that finally seemed to come naturally!
Or maybe I just got used to it. Whatever the case may be, I ended up really enjoying the storyline, the pace, and the dry sense of humor that finally seemed to come naturally!
November 8, 2009
I like this lady. She writes a good story and doesn't throw so many plots in there you can't follow any of them. Some writers just fill up the pages with plot after plot until you need a roadmap to navigate all of them. I have now read three of Alafair's and in her own way she is as good as her father, James Lee.
December 11, 2012
Maybe it was the timing but I had a hard time really getting into the book. The story should have been engrossing but I just couldn't get myself there. I also find the author's need to add detail detracts from her story when so many of her details about things are wrong.
June 28, 2010
I thought this one held together pretty well. I keep feeling like though Chuck is going to turn out to be a bad guy....
Read
November 22, 2018Couldn't get into this one, so going to stop this series for now.
August 10, 2017
A mystery that keeps you guessing.
February 28, 2022
Good story but too much rambling and technicalities.
June 26, 2017
An enjoyable read with a fair amount of legal jargon and a very strong story. I appreciated the struggles Samantha faces to succeed in her new position, to be taken seriously as a woman in a male dominated office and to stand up against her dad, her bosses and the police officers she works with as Assistant DA.
Read
December 26, 2019While this book seemed to be a bit long-winded at times, the author really laid out the plot and had all the details put together to make for an interesting read. What initially appears to be a cut and dried case turns out to be so much more. With an unbelievable ending, this story is worth a read! 7 out of 10.
February 17, 2022
I have enjoyed every alafair Burke book thus far. This one was a little heavy on legal ease but a good read nonetheless. I enjoy her strong female characters who always have a bit of spunk and a sense of humor. Highly recommend if u like intelligent female detectives who don’t take crap from anyone!
December 18, 2024
Missing Justice by Alafair Burke is the second book of the Samantha Kincaid mystery series set in contemporary Portland. Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid is on the Portland Police Bureau Major Crimes Team. It's a refreshing role for a protagonist: she's not a police detective or a private investigator, but she works closely with the police to ensure they have a case (adequate evidence and probable cause) they can bring to court.
It took most attorneys five to seven years of good work and shameless ass kissing to get into MCU, and I’d done it in less than three with my pride largely intact.
It’s hard enough for a woman barely out of her twenties to be taken seriously as a prosecutor. If cops and colleagues start to look at you as dating prey, you’re toast.
“Kincaid.” The butch phone answer is one of the small but very cool perks of being a prosecutor.
Judge Clarissa Easterbrook goes missing. Because she's a judge, and her husband a prominent medical doctor, the police are immediately involved in the missing person case. No brush-off "wait 24 or 48 hours" like the general public receives.
By 7 A.M. the next morning, I was watching my first Major Crimes Unit case unfold on television. Nothing like an attractive, professional, missing white woman to satisfy the hunger of the viewing masses.
If the husband didn’t do her, she’s less likely to be dead.” The bizarre mathematics of murder in a world where most violence against women is inflicted by husbands and lovers.
Interesting. Dogs out walking in the rain don’t usually come home with body paint.
Loutrell was a timid bureaucrat who was more concerned about straying beyond his authority than finding Clarissa Easterbrook.
When Clarissa's body is found, evidence rather tidily points to a convenient suspect. Samantha would like to buy into closing the case, but "what if?". She digs into records, and finds sufficient reason to suspect a setup (she's right).
their lives would never be the same again. These days, that concept is overused, as we all say that the crumbling of two towers changed the world forever
The kind of change I’m talking about can be claimed only by the families of the three thousand people trapped inside. It’s the kind of change that causes every other second of life—the birth of a child, a broken leg, the car breaking down at the side of the road—to be cataloged in the memory in one of two ways: before or after that defining moment in time.
Fast paced, interesting story, spunky protagonist. Nice balance of forensic evidence, personal relationships, courtroom scenes. Definitely a series to pursue.
“Careful, Ray. Not all of us can afford those Hugo Boss suits you strut around in.”
four hours at a desk after two weeks on the beach had me yearning to get out.
Clean clothes and a lack of BO is about all you need to meet minimum standards for the courthouse crowd.
No way was I going to join the kiss-ups who leave notes on the board detailing their precise location. That’s what pagers were for.
I was surprised when a maid answered Susan Kerr’s front door. Definitely not a Portland thing. This woman had real money.
Walters had been a prosecutor for nearly two decades, put more men on death row than any other DA in the state, and, as far as I could tell, never had cause to doubt that she was smarter and quicker than anyone else in a room.
Running is my therapy. No matter what the problem, a run always helps me see life in perspective.
When you choose to, you can say what you mean and still be very charming.” When I choose to. For now, I chose to ignore the backhanded part of the compliment. But if he didn’t get to the point soon, that voluntary charm of mine was going on strike.
You’ve got to stop butting heads, or you’re in for a world of hurt.” People feel perfectly free to lecture me about butting heads, but who scolds the buttheads? Maybe Lesh could bend the will of jerks like Coakley through charm and personality, but I’ve found those kind of people will run me over if I don’t stand up for myself. I still loved Lesh, but until he walked a mile in my Ferragamos, he didn’t have a clue as to what my job was like.
If I had boy parts, he never would have called my power move a little scene. It would be a fast ball, a line drive, an outside shot, or some other ridiculous sports analogy that I don’t understand.
Despite what people think, the odds of getting swiped off the street by a total stranger are so slim it would be irresponsible for the police to assume that scenario without at least looking into the possibility that something about the victim got her killed.”
Grace knew about some of the run-ins I’d had with coworkers in the office, all of whom happened to be my superiors. She says I have a problem with authority. I say my only problem is that the assholes are the ones who get promoted.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Russell Frist,” I said, deepening my voice into the best Frist boom I could muster. “Resident weight-lifting crew-cut-wearing stud muffin.”
I like people who are hard to sum up. They make life interesting.
If only I could learn to get the actual work completed as efficiently and neatly as I could list it.
If the public had any clue what was walking around out there with the rest of us, they’d lose any remaining faith in the criminal justice system’s sentencing priorities.
I ignored the rhetorical question because, like most rhetorical questions, it was stupid. My stare must have told him I wasn’t buying it.
My ex-husband hadn’t aged. It was probably a deal with the devil.
Portland’s one of those towns that shuts down at 10 P.M.
confidence is the ultimate accessory.
“Luck.” Johnson didn’t know me well enough yet to know that I think luck is for whiners.
Cops love to f--- with lawyers, even when they’re prosecutors, and, as much as Walker loves me, I am still a prosecutor.
You don’t know from waiting until you’ve spent time in a courthouse.
See, that thing about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth isn’t quite right. Witnesses are only allowed to provide the truth when it’s been specifically requested.
TV crews were back. Asked to comment on the anticipated motion to quash, I said I was not going to address matters that had not yet been brought to court. It sounded more civilized than, “You mean that coward’s motion to squirm out of testifying? No comment.”
If I had a dollar for every time a pissed-off man told me I was being emotional, I wouldn’t have to deal with angry men any more. Apparently rage is only an emotion when combined with estrogen.
I had no respect for a guy who was more worried about his own political future than the murder of a woman he’d been sleeping with.
I gave him the gist: I’d persuaded the defense attorney to raise a stink about a bribe the victim was taking, and now I’d been tossed off the case.
People don’t realize that a criminal case is rarely built on a single piece of evidence, relying instead on tens and hundreds of clues in context, each by itself insignificant. Too many helpful witnesses show up late in the game, because they didn’t want to bother the police with insignificant information.
What I needed was access to LEXIS/NEXIS. From what I could remember, NEXIS’s public records database included corporate filing information from all fifty states. Unfortunately, Duncan never saw fit to include the service in the office’s budget. If we needed legal research, we did it the old-fashioned way.
Then I remembered that the computer research sites all give free passwords to law students and judicial clerks. It’s the legal profession’s equivalent to a dealer handing out drugs on the playground. Once the kids are hooked on an easy fix, they’ll pay anything for more.
need to look at some public records that are hard to get after business hours. Do you think it would be OK if I used your password?” She didn’t need to think about it long. “What the hell? It’s not like it costs the city anything, and I hardly use it anyway.”
Having grown up in Portland, I know the place can be incestuous. People joke that it’s more like a big room than a small city.
I had risked a complete waste of time by driving up without calling ahead, but I knew from experience that surprise confrontations were my best chance of getting information from the uncooperative.
I left him then, wondering if I’d ever get over the fact that a man who loved me as much as he knew how to love another person had thrown it all away for someone who hadn’t even mattered./i
It took most attorneys five to seven years of good work and shameless ass kissing to get into MCU, and I’d done it in less than three with my pride largely intact.
It’s hard enough for a woman barely out of her twenties to be taken seriously as a prosecutor. If cops and colleagues start to look at you as dating prey, you’re toast.
“Kincaid.” The butch phone answer is one of the small but very cool perks of being a prosecutor.
Judge Clarissa Easterbrook goes missing. Because she's a judge, and her husband a prominent medical doctor, the police are immediately involved in the missing person case. No brush-off "wait 24 or 48 hours" like the general public receives.
By 7 A.M. the next morning, I was watching my first Major Crimes Unit case unfold on television. Nothing like an attractive, professional, missing white woman to satisfy the hunger of the viewing masses.
If the husband didn’t do her, she’s less likely to be dead.” The bizarre mathematics of murder in a world where most violence against women is inflicted by husbands and lovers.
Interesting. Dogs out walking in the rain don’t usually come home with body paint.
Loutrell was a timid bureaucrat who was more concerned about straying beyond his authority than finding Clarissa Easterbrook.
When Clarissa's body is found, evidence rather tidily points to a convenient suspect. Samantha would like to buy into closing the case, but "what if?". She digs into records, and finds sufficient reason to suspect a setup (she's right).
their lives would never be the same again. These days, that concept is overused, as we all say that the crumbling of two towers changed the world forever
The kind of change I’m talking about can be claimed only by the families of the three thousand people trapped inside. It’s the kind of change that causes every other second of life—the birth of a child, a broken leg, the car breaking down at the side of the road—to be cataloged in the memory in one of two ways: before or after that defining moment in time.
Fast paced, interesting story, spunky protagonist. Nice balance of forensic evidence, personal relationships, courtroom scenes. Definitely a series to pursue.
“Careful, Ray. Not all of us can afford those Hugo Boss suits you strut around in.”
four hours at a desk after two weeks on the beach had me yearning to get out.
Clean clothes and a lack of BO is about all you need to meet minimum standards for the courthouse crowd.
No way was I going to join the kiss-ups who leave notes on the board detailing their precise location. That’s what pagers were for.
I was surprised when a maid answered Susan Kerr’s front door. Definitely not a Portland thing. This woman had real money.
Walters had been a prosecutor for nearly two decades, put more men on death row than any other DA in the state, and, as far as I could tell, never had cause to doubt that she was smarter and quicker than anyone else in a room.
Running is my therapy. No matter what the problem, a run always helps me see life in perspective.
When you choose to, you can say what you mean and still be very charming.” When I choose to. For now, I chose to ignore the backhanded part of the compliment. But if he didn’t get to the point soon, that voluntary charm of mine was going on strike.
You’ve got to stop butting heads, or you’re in for a world of hurt.” People feel perfectly free to lecture me about butting heads, but who scolds the buttheads? Maybe Lesh could bend the will of jerks like Coakley through charm and personality, but I’ve found those kind of people will run me over if I don’t stand up for myself. I still loved Lesh, but until he walked a mile in my Ferragamos, he didn’t have a clue as to what my job was like.
If I had boy parts, he never would have called my power move a little scene. It would be a fast ball, a line drive, an outside shot, or some other ridiculous sports analogy that I don’t understand.
Despite what people think, the odds of getting swiped off the street by a total stranger are so slim it would be irresponsible for the police to assume that scenario without at least looking into the possibility that something about the victim got her killed.”
Grace knew about some of the run-ins I’d had with coworkers in the office, all of whom happened to be my superiors. She says I have a problem with authority. I say my only problem is that the assholes are the ones who get promoted.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Russell Frist,” I said, deepening my voice into the best Frist boom I could muster. “Resident weight-lifting crew-cut-wearing stud muffin.”
I like people who are hard to sum up. They make life interesting.
If only I could learn to get the actual work completed as efficiently and neatly as I could list it.
If the public had any clue what was walking around out there with the rest of us, they’d lose any remaining faith in the criminal justice system’s sentencing priorities.
I ignored the rhetorical question because, like most rhetorical questions, it was stupid. My stare must have told him I wasn’t buying it.
My ex-husband hadn’t aged. It was probably a deal with the devil.
Portland’s one of those towns that shuts down at 10 P.M.
confidence is the ultimate accessory.
“Luck.” Johnson didn’t know me well enough yet to know that I think luck is for whiners.
Cops love to f--- with lawyers, even when they’re prosecutors, and, as much as Walker loves me, I am still a prosecutor.
You don’t know from waiting until you’ve spent time in a courthouse.
See, that thing about the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth isn’t quite right. Witnesses are only allowed to provide the truth when it’s been specifically requested.
TV crews were back. Asked to comment on the anticipated motion to quash, I said I was not going to address matters that had not yet been brought to court. It sounded more civilized than, “You mean that coward’s motion to squirm out of testifying? No comment.”
If I had a dollar for every time a pissed-off man told me I was being emotional, I wouldn’t have to deal with angry men any more. Apparently rage is only an emotion when combined with estrogen.
I had no respect for a guy who was more worried about his own political future than the murder of a woman he’d been sleeping with.
I gave him the gist: I’d persuaded the defense attorney to raise a stink about a bribe the victim was taking, and now I’d been tossed off the case.
People don’t realize that a criminal case is rarely built on a single piece of evidence, relying instead on tens and hundreds of clues in context, each by itself insignificant. Too many helpful witnesses show up late in the game, because they didn’t want to bother the police with insignificant information.
What I needed was access to LEXIS/NEXIS. From what I could remember, NEXIS’s public records database included corporate filing information from all fifty states. Unfortunately, Duncan never saw fit to include the service in the office’s budget. If we needed legal research, we did it the old-fashioned way.
Then I remembered that the computer research sites all give free passwords to law students and judicial clerks. It’s the legal profession’s equivalent to a dealer handing out drugs on the playground. Once the kids are hooked on an easy fix, they’ll pay anything for more.
need to look at some public records that are hard to get after business hours. Do you think it would be OK if I used your password?” She didn’t need to think about it long. “What the hell? It’s not like it costs the city anything, and I hardly use it anyway.”
Having grown up in Portland, I know the place can be incestuous. People joke that it’s more like a big room than a small city.
I had risked a complete waste of time by driving up without calling ahead, but I knew from experience that surprise confrontations were my best chance of getting information from the uncooperative.
I left him then, wondering if I’d ever get over the fact that a man who loved me as much as he knew how to love another person had thrown it all away for someone who hadn’t even mattered./i
December 8, 2007
Missing Justice is the second novel in Alafair Burke's Samantha Kincaid series. This book finds Deputy District Attorney Samantha promoted to the Major Crimes Division of the Portland District Attorney's office and investigating her first major murder case: the murder of Clarissa Easterbrook. Clarissa Easterbrook is an administrative law judge in Portland and her husband is the attending surgeon at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Everything seems to be in the bag when Melvin Jackson is found with the murder weapon and access to the body dump site. Jackson had also been harassing Judge Easterbrook because he was about to be evicted from his public housing and would lose his children because of it. Thus, motive. The District Attorney and the Portland Police Bureau's Major Crimes Team are delirious to have this case in the bag, but Samantha isn't quite so sure. The defense for Melvin Jackson posed some questions Sam couldn't answer, questions that motivated her to start poking around a little more. When that poking brings her ex-husband onto the scene, all hell starts to break lose.
Alafair Burke is truly a master of female protagonists. I love how spunky Samantha Kincaid is. There are a lot of Sam's characteristics that I can identify with, but I am in awe of her gumption. And she sure needs it as she's surrounded by so much testosterone. Along with all that spunk is a down-to-earth gal who finds herself in some rather embarrassing predicaments as well.
Burke's characters are among the best in crime fiction, especially her females. Sam (like Ellie Hatcher) doesn't always have her hair perfect; she doesn't always make the best choices; and sometimes she doesn't say the right things. But she's intelligent; she's resourceful; she's hardworking and dedicated - and she has a dog. Burke shows how the everyday woman can be just as great a protagonist as a superhero or someone overcoming a huge life hurdle.
The Samantha Kincaid series is written in first person and it works well. First person brings the reader closer to the character who is narrating, and Samantha is a character you want to know intimately.
The plot of this novel is completely engaging. The constant mystery of "who dunnit" keeps you engaged and turning the pages. Alafair doesn't include players who are fluff. If they're there, it's for a reason. So as the reader you're constantly trying to figure out how each character comes into play in the whole scheme of things.
Alafair had me snowed on this ending. I was waiting for another character to turn out to be the culprit and I was so off base, I was on another ball field! - Did I mention her use of sports analogies?
And finally, I have to add that Alafair Burke has the best sense of humor. I have a hard time with crime fiction that doesn't include any humor. Crime fiction lends itself to being very dark. When an author can lift some of that darkness with humor, he/she has the potential for a great work of art. Missing Justice is exactly that - a great work of art!
Everything seems to be in the bag when Melvin Jackson is found with the murder weapon and access to the body dump site. Jackson had also been harassing Judge Easterbrook because he was about to be evicted from his public housing and would lose his children because of it. Thus, motive. The District Attorney and the Portland Police Bureau's Major Crimes Team are delirious to have this case in the bag, but Samantha isn't quite so sure. The defense for Melvin Jackson posed some questions Sam couldn't answer, questions that motivated her to start poking around a little more. When that poking brings her ex-husband onto the scene, all hell starts to break lose.
Alafair Burke is truly a master of female protagonists. I love how spunky Samantha Kincaid is. There are a lot of Sam's characteristics that I can identify with, but I am in awe of her gumption. And she sure needs it as she's surrounded by so much testosterone. Along with all that spunk is a down-to-earth gal who finds herself in some rather embarrassing predicaments as well.
Burke's characters are among the best in crime fiction, especially her females. Sam (like Ellie Hatcher) doesn't always have her hair perfect; she doesn't always make the best choices; and sometimes she doesn't say the right things. But she's intelligent; she's resourceful; she's hardworking and dedicated - and she has a dog. Burke shows how the everyday woman can be just as great a protagonist as a superhero or someone overcoming a huge life hurdle.
The Samantha Kincaid series is written in first person and it works well. First person brings the reader closer to the character who is narrating, and Samantha is a character you want to know intimately.
The plot of this novel is completely engaging. The constant mystery of "who dunnit" keeps you engaged and turning the pages. Alafair doesn't include players who are fluff. If they're there, it's for a reason. So as the reader you're constantly trying to figure out how each character comes into play in the whole scheme of things.
Alafair had me snowed on this ending. I was waiting for another character to turn out to be the culprit and I was so off base, I was on another ball field! - Did I mention her use of sports analogies?
And finally, I have to add that Alafair Burke has the best sense of humor. I have a hard time with crime fiction that doesn't include any humor. Crime fiction lends itself to being very dark. When an author can lift some of that darkness with humor, he/she has the potential for a great work of art. Missing Justice is exactly that - a great work of art!
May 8, 2009
Follow up to
this case is her first case after returning to work and being assigned to the Major case squad. A judge is missing and it reads like a typical case from the missing person to arrest of a suspect. Only problem book is just about 150 pages in and there is a lot left to read. There are hints that this could be a cover for other things going on in Portland and she just won't let it go. MY PROBLEM with this book it took forever to get to the end, I knew what was going on just to get the end. I knew the real ending to the story, just needed to know who the killer was and when exposed I didnt care.
this case is her first case after returning to work and being assigned to the Major case squad. A judge is missing and it reads like a typical case from the missing person to arrest of a suspect. Only problem book is just about 150 pages in and there is a lot left to read. There are hints that this could be a cover for other things going on in Portland and she just won't let it go. MY PROBLEM with this book it took forever to get to the end, I knew what was going on just to get the end. I knew the real ending to the story, just needed to know who the killer was and when exposed I didnt care. October 22, 2020
Samantha has just come back to work after her ordeal in the first book and she is immediately thrown into a case that requires her to go up against some powerful people and examine how far she will go to get the truth.
I've read a few of Alafair Burkes books but I think I've enjoyed the Samantha Kincaid books the most so far. There is a lot of legal details woven into the books that is both interesting and makes the books that much more believable. I did have an inkling early on with this book who the killer was going to end up being and normally there's a bit of disappointment, I always like a shock but I didn't mind too much with this one, there was enough twists and turns getting to the ending that it didn't really feel like I had figured enough out to matter.
I've read a few of Alafair Burkes books but I think I've enjoyed the Samantha Kincaid books the most so far. There is a lot of legal details woven into the books that is both interesting and makes the books that much more believable. I did have an inkling early on with this book who the killer was going to end up being and normally there's a bit of disappointment, I always like a shock but I didn't mind too much with this one, there was enough twists and turns getting to the ending that it didn't really feel like I had figured enough out to matter.
October 23, 2008
I must be dyslexic for I'm reading Alafair Burke's "Samantha Kincaid" series in reverse order. In any order, though, I am enjoying her work. In no way does her writing emulate her father's work; she works from within her character in an illuminating style that keeps the reader focused on events from behind Samantha's eyes.
This works well and I enjoy the sensation - reminds me in some ways of the Robert Montgomery film, "Lady in the Lake" where the camera shots are all taken from the protagonist's view. Burke is not this restrictive in her story-telling, but I like the way she writes.
Ask her out sometime.
This works well and I enjoy the sensation - reminds me in some ways of the Robert Montgomery film, "Lady in the Lake" where the camera shots are all taken from the protagonist's view. Burke is not this restrictive in her story-telling, but I like the way she writes.
Ask her out sometime.
December 10, 2008
I bought this book because I love James Lee Burke's novels. Alafair Burke is his daughter, and is an attorney. I have to say that although it was a fairly well-written book and I finished it, it did not have the color and description that I love in her father's work. It is probably unfair of me to compare the two novelists, but because they both write detective novels, it's difficult not to compare them.
I found Missing Justice slow-moving, with not much action. As legal thrillers go, it's probably a pretty accurate description of what happens in real life when an attorney is preparing for a murder trial.
I found Missing Justice slow-moving, with not much action. As legal thrillers go, it's probably a pretty accurate description of what happens in real life when an attorney is preparing for a murder trial.
January 8, 2011
Alafair Burke is an excellent writer, although not as stupendous as her father, James Lee. Nevertheless I enjoy her characters and stories and "Missing Justice" is good read so far. A believable plot, likeable main characters, and a sense of optimism makes the book far more fun to read than many procedurals.
Book finished and it was well worth it. Some good twists and turns, all very believable and authentic. Her main character, Samantha Kincaid, is just as independent and stubborn and James Lee Burke's David Robicheaux, yet not quite as self-destructive. Not quite.
Book finished and it was well worth it. Some good twists and turns, all very believable and authentic. Her main character, Samantha Kincaid, is just as independent and stubborn and James Lee Burke's David Robicheaux, yet not quite as self-destructive. Not quite.
March 10, 2009
I have read a number of book's by Alafair Burke's father, James Lee Burke, and have been gratified to discover that they can both write a compelling book. I recommended this one to my husband, but he has saved it for reading while waiting for my medical appointments, and so hasn't really gotten into it.
It is great that she decided to use her life experience in law as the basis of her writing.
It is great that she decided to use her life experience in law as the basis of her writing.
July 18, 2012
Maybe a 2.5. Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke. Missing Justice is the first Samantha Kincaid book for me, the second in the series. It is formulaic but a decent enough summer read. The Portland, Oregon setting is refreshing. Overall, a mediocre police and DA procedural but I may check out another Samantha Kincaid in the hopes the author develops some of her father's ease and ability to carry a complex mystery.
July 1, 2015
2.5 As a fan of James Lee Burke, I decided to try one of his daughter Alafair Burke's novels.
This book is second in a series, interesting story and descriptions of northwest US Portland OR. Too much legalese for me (I skimmed through that) Ms. Burke knows her stuff and her character Deputy DA Kincaid is believable, as are some others. Maybe too many extra cops names to keep track of, otherwise a quick read.
This book is second in a series, interesting story and descriptions of northwest US Portland OR. Too much legalese for me (I skimmed through that) Ms. Burke knows her stuff and her character Deputy DA Kincaid is believable, as are some others. Maybe too many extra cops names to keep track of, otherwise a quick read.
January 28, 2018
One of the best, most factual, very detailed mystery / police and court procedurals I've read. Samantha is trying to find out who killed a court judge. It's her 1st murder trial, she steps on alot of toes but for good reason. There are alot of people who look guilty, or who helped with the murder and coverup. There's enough twists and turns to keep your interest and turning the pages.
This is an extremely good, interesting and enjoyable read.
This is an extremely good, interesting and enjoyable read.
July 17, 2011
This is the first one of her books I've read and I really enjoyed it. A likeable heroine, but with flaws and a good plot. Lots of twists and suspense. Felt the end was a little rushed, and missed all the clues leading to it but that was my only complaint. Definitely an author to put on my read again list.
July 18, 2010
This book was just too light. Full of facts on how to be a sucessful defense attorney and how not to behave to get along in an office. I would not reccommend for a serious read but if you had a couple of hours one night to kill this book moves fast.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews