Move to Strike

Nina Reilly #6

by Perri O'Shaughnessy

MOVE TO STRIKE
New York Times bestselling author Perri O'Shaughnessy takes the courtroom thriller to breathtaking new heights in Move to Strike , a page-turning masterpiece of suspense. Featuring Nina Reilly, hailed by critics as "one of the most interesting heroines in legal thrillers today," * Move to Strike is a spellbinding tale of stolen treasure and twisted revenge set in the high desert of Nevada and the mountains of Lake Tahoe.
An attorney and single mother, Nina Reilly runs her one-woman law practice in South Lake Tahoe, balancing compassion and cunning with a passion for justice. But Nina is wholly unprepared for her latest client--sixteen-year-old Nicole Zack, a rebel, a thief, and the best friend of Nina's teenage son, Bob. Did Nikki steal something from her uncle, a prominent plastic surgeon, and then kill him with an ancient samurai sword? The district attorney is trying Nikki as an adult and the charge is first degree murder.
With the stakes this high, Nina calls in private investigator Paul Van Wagoner, her ex-lover and constant ally, whose bravado conceals a troubling personal secret. As Paul investigates the eerily coincidental death of the surgeon's son--killed in a plane crash the same night his father was murdered--Nina sorts through the twisting lies surrounding Nikki, uncovering a bitter struggle over a mining claim, enraged former patients, and two old crimes. Finally, Nina must confront the central question she
needs to answer in order to save her What did Nikki really see the night of her uncle's murder?

Taut, thought-provoking, and utterly gripping, Move to Strike grapples with the profound question of what to do when the law does not suffice. It is a novel you won't want to put down until the last twist is unraveled and the last satisfying page is turned.
* San Jose Mercury News

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Legal Thriller, Legal, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Perri O’Shaughnessy is the pen-name for two people, Pamela and Mary O’Shaughnessy, sisters. The authors' pseudonym is an homage to Perry Mason, the man who never met a guilty client, and a melding of their two first names, Pamela and Mary. O’Shaughnessy is their paternal family name.

They are the authors of eleven bestselling Nina Reilly novels as well as a collection of short crime fiction, Sinister Shorts.

Reviews

[Bodosika Bodosika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting Words: MOIST NIGHT WIND swept the skin on her arms and flicked sharp points of hair into her eyes.

Ending Words: as mysterious and radiant as opals.

MOVE TO STRIKE is a wonderful story told by a wonderful storyteller with a lot of marvelous plot and more than enough suspense and likeable characters that will keep the reader guessing till the End.A legal thriller that is unputdownable...Perri O'Shaughnessy is yet to disappoint me....straight 4stars for this.

[Msjodi777 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Perri O'Shaughnessy. While I do not always like courtroom books, the Nina Reilly books are an exception. There is enough outside the courtroom stuff to keep things interesting, and the courtroom antics are written so that anyone can understand them. All in all, an excellent tale. <><

[Jan Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book with average I did not find it compelling. Some of the twists just didn’t make sense. The ending was weird I can’t say much without giving it away. It did not make sense to me. But also dinner scene to be very broken up over the death of her son. Even the sequence of events with Nikki at her uncles house. She should have seen who murdered her uncle if she saw her mother after his death.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my 6th book by these 2 Sisters (Authors) which the previously I gave 5 Stars. This Story was just OK, to almost of ditching it altogether. The Storyline I wasn't a fan of...

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I often miss some details of a story in audio form, it's really not a good idea for me to listen to an abridged version, but the price was right. I would be willing to try another story about Attorney Nina Reilly by Perri O'Shaughynessy.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Move to Strike, by Perri O’Shaughnessy. B-plus Produced by Brilliance Audio and purchased through their outlet, Audio Bookstand. This is a Nina Reilly mystery. In this one Nina’s son, Bob, begs her to help a friend of his who is under arrest for a murder he swears she couldn’t have committed. Nina becomes involved in defending this 16-year-old girl. There are twists and turns and red herrings in abundance. Nina’s client has secrets she doesn’t want to reveal even when it looks as if she’s going to be convicted of a murder she didn’t commit. The only thing wrong with these books is the center stage romance between Nina and Paul. In each book it’s either on again or off again. Nina’s son, Bob, is the best character in these books.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Perri O'Shaughnessy books. This series is generally good. I enjoyed this book. I only wish her husband had not died in the last book. Since he was a prosecuting attorney, it could have been a good story line for a few more books especially when you add in her investigator and on again off again love interest.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Move to Strike was a great read. Lots of characters, good scene descriptions and compelling story line that kept me engaged. The O'Shaughnessy sisters employ an excellent vocabulary, too. This is an action-packed read and the authors don't telegraph the ending/resolution. I really enjoyed this one.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book at all! I give up and don't want to finish it, I made it 12 chapters and I quit!

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book. This was my first experience reading a Perri O'Shaughnessy novel. I'll probably look for others in this series.

[Debbie Deissler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay read - I never read any of the other books and didn't realize this was #6 - perhaps reading the others would have changed my mind.

[Ron McGuire · Rating 2 out of 5]

At best it was okay. The story had too many characters who added nothing to the story, was quite far fetched overall and had a corny ending--all my opinions.

[David Carniglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another intriguing O'Shaughnessy murder mystery. The author(s) are so adept at layering the plot so that, not only are there multiple suspects, but also more than one crime.

The flawed nature of most of the characters helps believability as well as adding unpredictability. Nikki is a sympathetic protagonist, but she's hardly all sugar and spice nice, and even Sandy, as a regular character in this series, can be fairly gruff.

Having said that, and while I realize that Move To Strike is relatively early in the series, I don't quite get a fix on Paul. He seems oddly immature and reckless to get involved in road rage. On the other hand, I enjoyed his 'elixir'-fueled episode in the casino which is indeed Hunter Thompson-esque.. Well, I guess Paul's just a wild-and-crazy-guy

The 'box of rocks' is a great device; quaint in a way--first murder mystery in a long time with a treasure map--but very effective in giving the murder a tangible trail. The plane crash adds yet another element. Kind of a red herring that's more of an eel; a slippery bit of plot that sort of runs through everything else, but more or less hidden; until it goes up again with its own set of details and nuance.

Another out of synch bit comes up after the magic show. Daria gets very coherent and serious, telling Nina her life story, including her marriage and Nikki's story, not to mention details of the murder scene. As Nina observes that Daria had been "superficially ditzy" until then, this lucidity is strange. Almost as though an omniscient narrator stepped in to clear things up.

The hearing near the end is great. Plenty of tension; and Nina gets in the middle of a gut-wrenching jam. Sets up for an interesting denouement.

Hmm. Very cool confession from Beth in the mysterious cave; I thought that wrapped things up, and very much a nice blend of plausibility and surprise. But then the Paul admission at the very end. I don't get that. This would be excellent without Paul overreacting. If that killing has to be there, then I'd expect some follow-up.

I get that Rankin threatened Nina plenty of times: making nasty phone calls, hiding in her car, stalking her and Nikki, and getting into her office to take the opals. He's dangerous and aggressive. So why not turn him in for all of that? Particularly after the case against Nikki is sewn up. What happens to Paul?

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina Reilly thought she'd seen it all. An attorney and single mother, Nina isn't afraid to tackle the toughest cases and trickiest defenses. But she is wholly unprepared for her latest client—sixteen-year-old Nicole Zack, rebel, thief, and best friend of Nina's teenage son, Bob.

Did Nikki steal something from her uncle, a prominent plastic surgeon, then kill him in cold blood? To find out, Nina calls in Paul van Wagoner, a P.I. and ex-lover whose bravado conceals a troubling personal secret.

As Paul investigates the eerily coincidental death of the surgeon's son— killed in a plane crash the same night his father was murdered—Nina sorts through the twisting lies surrounding Nikki, uncovering a seething mystery, some enraged former patients, and two very old crimes.

Finally, Nina must confront the central question she must answer in order to save her What did Nikki really see the night of her uncle's murder?

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nina Reilly thought she'd seen it all. An attorney and single mother, Nina isn't afraid to tackle the toughest cases and trickiest defenses. But she is wholly unprepared for her latest client--sixteen-year-old Nicole Zack, rebel, thief, and best friend of Nina's teenage son, Bob.

Did Nikki steal something from her uncle, a prominent plastic surgeon, then kill him in cold blood? To find out, Nina calls in Paul van Wagoner, a P.I. and ex-lover whose bravado conceals a troubling personal secret.

Loved this book and Love Paul Van Wagoner's character in Nina's life.

[Keith Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not heard much less read any works of Perri O’Shaughnessy. So I had no bias going in. This story is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama. It’s centered on a teenager arrested for the murder of her uncle. At about the same time as that crime her cousin, son of the now deceased uncle, dies in the crash of their private plane. So the big question is were the 2 deaths a coincidence? The first 2/3 is a little slow but hang in there for the zigging and zagging in the last 1/3. Especially the courtroom duels! If you like quality pulp fiction read Move To Strike.

[Lois Bouchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book very much, but I really felt it was detrimental not to have read the first 5 books in the series. I didn't have Nina's back story so I was sometimes confused by references to past husbands and boyfriends.

The story was engaging but pretty complicated. The wrap-up in the end was amazing. I think I should read the series starting from the first book.

[booksalltheway · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great book; the suspense surrounding Nina Riley kept me intrigued. I liked how she came up with so many conclusion regarding the murder. The only thing that upset me was the on and off romance between Nina and Paul (especially after her husband's recent death) with how the story line was progressing I thought we readers will get a break from this romance but...

[Maggie Seebeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years have passed since I read a Nina Reilly book

I don't know what I was waiting for but I purchased this a while back and just wanted something different to read. I didn't mean to click on this but am so glad that I did. Nice change from a Karin Slaughter or a Michael Connelly etc.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another amazing story. I loved it and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the rest of the series! Halfway through the book, I figured out a few things and it turned out I was right (no I won't spoil it for anyone). What a thrilling read!

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how these ladies write. An excellent team. I had read the first 5 books a while back, and have just gotten back into the Nina Reilly series. Move to Strike did not disappoint. Some courtroom drama, plenty of mystery and suspense and, of course, a nice twist at the end. Loved it.

[John Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one after reading the 11th installment first. O'Shaughnessy has really turned me onto the legal suspense genre. An absolutely riveting story with a good twist, the only reason I give it four instead of five is that they spoil the twist just before it's revealed

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but some parts seemed to carry on too long.

[Judy Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

[María · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a legal thriller.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perri is always a good read and this is no exception! Love her books

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to read on a rainy day. Overall I enjoyed it and would look for others by this author.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would have been better with the full version as opposed to abridged. It won't stop me from reading other O'Shaughnessy. I did like the characters.

[Kent Ebersole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not going to pretend this is anything more than a four star book in the fun book category, and enjoyed reading it to the end.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Likes these Ladies!