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David Sloane #3
Bodily Harm
A pulse-pounding story of corporate greed, espionage, and the lengths one man is willing to go for justice.
Bodily Harm opens with a big win for David Sloane and his new partner, Tom Pendergrass, in a malpractice case centered on the death of a young child. But on the heels of this seeming victory, an unlikely character—toy designer Kyle Horgan— comes forward to tell Sloane that he’s gotten it all wrong: Horgan’s the one who’s truly responsible for the little boy’s death and possibly others—not the pediatrician Sloane has just proven guilty.
Bodily Harm opens with a big win for David Sloane and his new partner, Tom Pendergrass, in a malpractice case centered on the death of a young child. But on the heels of this seeming victory, an unlikely character—toy designer Kyle Horgan— comes forward to tell Sloane that he’s gotten it all wrong: Horgan’s the one who’s truly responsible for the little boy’s death and possibly others—not the pediatrician Sloane has just proven guilty.
Ordinarily, Sloane might have dismissed such a person as a crackpot, but something about this case has always troubled him—something that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. When Sloane tries to follow up with Horgan, he finds the man’s apartment a shambles— ransacked by unknown perpetrators. Horgan has vanished without a trace. Together with his longtime investigative partner Charles Jenkins, Sloane reexamines his clients’ son’s death and digs deeper into Horgan’s claims, forcing him to enter the billion-dollar, cutthroat toy industry. As Sloane gets closer to the truth, he trips a wire that leads to a shocking chain of events that nearly destroys him.To get to the bottom of it all and find justice for the families harmed, Sloane must keep in check his overwhelming desire for revenge.
Listening Length: 11 hours and 27 minutes
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 5, 2010
3945 people are currently reading
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About the author
Robert Dugoni
76 books32.9k followersRobert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 11 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and The Keera Duggan legal thriller series. He has written several stand-alone novels including the historical novels A Killing on the Hill and Hold Strong, as well as the suspense novel The 7th Canon, and Damage Control. He has written the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - one of Newsweek Magazine's Best Books of All-Time and Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also written the critically acclaimed novel, The World Played Chess; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. His novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a four-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews
June 16, 2016
After reading Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series, I've been catching up on his David Sloane series. I believe Dugoni has hit his stride with this book! It was a perfect combination of a legal mystery and the personal development of David's character.
David, Tina, and Jake as a family were wonderful. The few instances of flashback on their lives during the previous two years or so gave great insight. I also love reading about Charlie Jenkins and how he watches David's back. David has two other attorneys in his office now. I'd like to get more background on them in the future.
The legal case involved a major toy company producing a harmful product. In a David and Goliath situation, a family-owned toy company was being held liable for the deaths of two children. I found it very interesting, and when I thought about all the toys I brought into my home when my kids were little, I felt lucky that they were never harmed by them.
David's personal life, and the resulting legal suit he faced, tore my heart out. It was so very well written and emotional! This is where Dugoni's strength lies, and the book is better for it. That makes me eager to read the next book in the series!
David, Tina, and Jake as a family were wonderful. The few instances of flashback on their lives during the previous two years or so gave great insight. I also love reading about Charlie Jenkins and how he watches David's back. David has two other attorneys in his office now. I'd like to get more background on them in the future.
The legal case involved a major toy company producing a harmful product. In a David and Goliath situation, a family-owned toy company was being held liable for the deaths of two children. I found it very interesting, and when I thought about all the toys I brought into my home when my kids were little, I felt lucky that they were never harmed by them.
David's personal life, and the resulting legal suit he faced, tore my heart out. It was so very well written and emotional! This is where Dugoni's strength lies, and the book is better for it. That makes me eager to read the next book in the series!
August 13, 2020
“Metamorphis!” That name says it all. That is the name of a toy that can make or break Kendall Toys. But at the time of Tom Pendergrass’s wrongful death suit, no one knows that name. Just before the jury is about to deliver a verdict in the case of a pediatrician accused of negligence in the death of a young boy, a mysterious, shabbily dressed man in his twenties approaches David Sloane, Pendergrass’s famous law partner, and offers him a file, and tells him he, not the doctor, is responsible for the child’s death. Sloane is in a hurry, cannot be late, and dismisses the man’s claim. After all, how could he be responsible for the terrible flu-like symptoms that tragically took the boy’s life?
In Bodily Harm, things change in a hurry. One bad thing leads to another, and Sloane begins to look for Kyle Horgan, the inexplicable, missing man who claimed to be the designer of Metamorphis. Could he be telling the truth? Could a fault in the toy’s design be the cause of the boy’s death? The search for the truth becomes more complex and much more treacherous as Sloane asks more questions.
Then tragedy strikes, and David’s long-time friend Charles Jenkins comes to his aid. Together, they continue the investigation, knowing that grinding out the work and finding the truth is what will ultimately prove rewarding.
What will a corporation do to save its bottom line, its reputation, its very survival? Dugoni portrays the industry as being extremely cutthroat. I got rather lost in the boardroom discussions of hostile takeovers and negotiations with competitors, but that aside, the plot moves rapidly and is fraught with tension and threats. Are high-profile attorneys frequently the center of dangerous affairs such as this? I doubt it, but it makes for exciting reading.
As always, I loved the interactions between Sloane and Jenkins, whose friendship and working relationship goes way back. Sloane now has a family, too, and that is sometimes harrowing, sometimes moving.
What I think I enjoyed even more than the suspense and drama of this legal thriller was the way that Dugoni develops the family relationships. The author gives us two families affected by the deaths of their sons. We have another vying for custody of a child he barely knows and another who wants very badly to have a family. Dugoni himself is from a large, very close family, so he has considerable experience from which to draw. I just couldn’t stop the tears that flowed at the end of the book. Happy tears? Not really. But life goes on for those characters who seemed so real to me. I hope they are a part of future books.
While the Sloane series is perhaps the “least” favorite of my Dugoni readings, I always enjoy anything he writes, as his plots are always highly engaging, his characters feel human – never too perfect, and his stories always evoke feelings of family, friendship, loyalty, professional ethics, hard work, and honesty. Thank you, Robert Dugoni, for sharing you storytelling talent with those of us who love to read.
4 stars
In Bodily Harm, things change in a hurry. One bad thing leads to another, and Sloane begins to look for Kyle Horgan, the inexplicable, missing man who claimed to be the designer of Metamorphis. Could he be telling the truth? Could a fault in the toy’s design be the cause of the boy’s death? The search for the truth becomes more complex and much more treacherous as Sloane asks more questions.
Then tragedy strikes, and David’s long-time friend Charles Jenkins comes to his aid. Together, they continue the investigation, knowing that grinding out the work and finding the truth is what will ultimately prove rewarding.
What will a corporation do to save its bottom line, its reputation, its very survival? Dugoni portrays the industry as being extremely cutthroat. I got rather lost in the boardroom discussions of hostile takeovers and negotiations with competitors, but that aside, the plot moves rapidly and is fraught with tension and threats. Are high-profile attorneys frequently the center of dangerous affairs such as this? I doubt it, but it makes for exciting reading.
As always, I loved the interactions between Sloane and Jenkins, whose friendship and working relationship goes way back. Sloane now has a family, too, and that is sometimes harrowing, sometimes moving.
What I think I enjoyed even more than the suspense and drama of this legal thriller was the way that Dugoni develops the family relationships. The author gives us two families affected by the deaths of their sons. We have another vying for custody of a child he barely knows and another who wants very badly to have a family. Dugoni himself is from a large, very close family, so he has considerable experience from which to draw. I just couldn’t stop the tears that flowed at the end of the book. Happy tears? Not really. But life goes on for those characters who seemed so real to me. I hope they are a part of future books.
While the Sloane series is perhaps the “least” favorite of my Dugoni readings, I always enjoy anything he writes, as his plots are always highly engaging, his characters feel human – never too perfect, and his stories always evoke feelings of family, friendship, loyalty, professional ethics, hard work, and honesty. Thank you, Robert Dugoni, for sharing you storytelling talent with those of us who love to read.
4 stars
March 7, 2020
Wow and whoa! Another superbly plotted and written legal thriller. With the oh so excellent lead character David Sloan.
Robert Dugoni is a top favourite author of mine. In my favourite genre - legal fiction.
Unputdownable
Robert Dugoni is a top favourite author of mine. In my favourite genre - legal fiction.
Unputdownable
March 12, 2020
This book started out so slow I almost gave up. Maybe because I had not read the previous books. Once I got beyond about page 50 or so I couldn’t put it down.
The main theme is corporate greed and what lengths a corporation is willing to go to in order to ensure its profits. Most shocking is that the corporation in the book is a toy manufacturer.
The protagonist David Sloane has a very difficult personal tragedy to contend with while he fights to bring to light a serious issue at Kendall Toys that is going to cause tragedy to families if he cannot crack it wide open.
Fast paced action and lively court room drama.
The author leaves us wanting more of David Sloane.
The main theme is corporate greed and what lengths a corporation is willing to go to in order to ensure its profits. Most shocking is that the corporation in the book is a toy manufacturer.
The protagonist David Sloane has a very difficult personal tragedy to contend with while he fights to bring to light a serious issue at Kendall Toys that is going to cause tragedy to families if he cannot crack it wide open.
Fast paced action and lively court room drama.
The author leaves us wanting more of David Sloane.
August 22, 2021
This is the third book in the David Sloane series by author Robert Dugoni. Sloane is a Washington Lawyer with an high profile for being the best wrongful death man in the county. I am enjoying the character David Sloane more and more and this was another good legal thriller.
Toy designer Kyle Horgan approaches David Sloane and claims that he was responsible for a young child’s death in a wrongful death case. Sloane is about to win a very big judgment against paediatrician Peter Douvalidis, but now he has serious doubts. Sloane becomes alarmed at the revelation of a second child’s death which is very similar to the one blamed on Dr. Douvalidis and even more so when Horgan disappears.
This is a very good legal thriller that displays a good mix of the characters personal life alongside the courtroom drama to supply a gripping read. I especially enjoy the courtroom drama and only wish there was more of it. The author is steadily developing the character David Sloane and the storylines are getting more exciting.
Very good legal thriller.
Toy designer Kyle Horgan approaches David Sloane and claims that he was responsible for a young child’s death in a wrongful death case. Sloane is about to win a very big judgment against paediatrician Peter Douvalidis, but now he has serious doubts. Sloane becomes alarmed at the revelation of a second child’s death which is very similar to the one blamed on Dr. Douvalidis and even more so when Horgan disappears.
This is a very good legal thriller that displays a good mix of the characters personal life alongside the courtroom drama to supply a gripping read. I especially enjoy the courtroom drama and only wish there was more of it. The author is steadily developing the character David Sloane and the storylines are getting more exciting.
Very good legal thriller.
July 28, 2011
An excellent installment in the SLOANE series, delving into the cut-throat world of toy making. Dugoni does it again, filling his book with law, family politics, and psychotic murderers looking to kill him. A page-turner for sure.
August 10, 2018
August 2018
3.5 Stars - I Liked It
Audiobook
I'm not quite sure what is it, but there's something that keeps these books from being higher rated reads for me. The characters are great and the story is great but there is something about it that makes it feel a little phony. I think maybe the author tried too hard. Some things are predictable and cliched and you can bet that.... But I enjoy the attorney angle to these books. That part feels very authentic.
Regardless, I still like this series. These books are easy but likable reads and will definitely continue on.
August 8, 2021
The third novel in Dugoni's David Sloane series. Excellent legal/mystery/thriller. I am a huge Dugoni fan and this book did not disappoint.
February 6, 2017
Bodily Harm by Robert Dugoni
David Sloan Series Book #3
4 ★'s
From The Book:
Bodily Harm opens with a big win for David Sloane and his new partner, Tom Pendergrass, in a malpractice case centered on the death of a young child. But on the heels of this seeming victory, an unlikely character—toy designer Kyle Horgan— comes forward to tell Sloane that he’s gotten it all wrong: Horgan’s the one who’s truly responsible for the little boy’s death and possibly others—not the pediatrician Sloane has just proven guilty.
Ordinarily, Sloane might have dismissed such a person as a crackpot, but something about this case has always troubled him—something that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. When Sloane tries to follow up with Horgan, he finds the man’s apartment a shambles— ransacked by unknown perpetrators. Horgan has vanished without a trace. Together with his longtime investigative partner Charles Jenkins, Sloane reexamines his clients’ son’s death and digs deeper into Horgan’s claims, forcing him to enter the billion-dollar, cutthroat toy industry. As Sloane gets closer to the truth, he trips a wire that leads to a shocking chain of events that nearly destroys him. To get to the bottom of it all and find justice for the families harmed, Sloane must keep in check his overwhelming desire for revenge.
My Thoughts:
It's a story about correcting a wrong when what you thought you were doing was the right thing to do. It's a story about doing the "right thing" bringing tragedy and heartache. It's a story about good people helping other people even in the face of personal grief. Be warned that it will break your heart in many ways.
Also the reader will find a smooth, well written, thriller that moves along with action and suspense on every page. The character development, that of the friendship between Sloan and Jenkins, is excellent. Third book in the David Sloan series and I'm looking forward to reading number four.
David Sloan Series Book #3
4 ★'s
From The Book:
Bodily Harm opens with a big win for David Sloane and his new partner, Tom Pendergrass, in a malpractice case centered on the death of a young child. But on the heels of this seeming victory, an unlikely character—toy designer Kyle Horgan— comes forward to tell Sloane that he’s gotten it all wrong: Horgan’s the one who’s truly responsible for the little boy’s death and possibly others—not the pediatrician Sloane has just proven guilty.
Ordinarily, Sloane might have dismissed such a person as a crackpot, but something about this case has always troubled him—something that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. When Sloane tries to follow up with Horgan, he finds the man’s apartment a shambles— ransacked by unknown perpetrators. Horgan has vanished without a trace. Together with his longtime investigative partner Charles Jenkins, Sloane reexamines his clients’ son’s death and digs deeper into Horgan’s claims, forcing him to enter the billion-dollar, cutthroat toy industry. As Sloane gets closer to the truth, he trips a wire that leads to a shocking chain of events that nearly destroys him. To get to the bottom of it all and find justice for the families harmed, Sloane must keep in check his overwhelming desire for revenge.
My Thoughts:
It's a story about correcting a wrong when what you thought you were doing was the right thing to do. It's a story about doing the "right thing" bringing tragedy and heartache. It's a story about good people helping other people even in the face of personal grief. Be warned that it will break your heart in many ways.
Also the reader will find a smooth, well written, thriller that moves along with action and suspense on every page. The character development, that of the friendship between Sloan and Jenkins, is excellent. Third book in the David Sloan series and I'm looking forward to reading number four.
November 18, 2011
Another amazing novel "Bodily Harm" by Robert Dugoni.David Sloane, the lawyer-who-always-wins, has just brought to completion a medical malpractice suit against a local Seattle pediatrician for the wrongful death of a six-year-old boy. Just as he's rushing into the courthouse to hear the verdict, however, he's stopped in the street by a twenty-something kid who thrusts a folder at him and tells him, "The doctor did not kill that boy...I did." With no reason to take the young man seriously, and no time to do so even if he did, Sloane rushes into court to receive yet another winning verdict.
Then we are thrust into the cutthroat world of the toy industry. Kendall Toys of Seattle. Malcolm Fitzgerald is up against a board in turmoil, cash flow problems, and a buy out offer from a rival toy firm. Luckily, he has an ace: Metamorphis, an amazing toy that trumps Transformers by allowing the child to design and execute the toy's transformations. Fitzgerald thinks Kendall through "Metamorphis", is the toy that all kids will want for Christmas.But there have been problems with the prototype, and in order to make the toy cheaply enough to price it affordably production has been farmed overseas, to the unregulated factories of China.
Robert Dugoni through Bodily Harm,is a true master of the legal thriller. His pacing is perfect, fast enough to keep the reader on the edge of the seat, but still thoughtful and intelligent. The courtroom scenes are believable. His characters are well-developed, and even the secondary characters are believable and sympathetic, and we read breathlessly as the several different subplots-including Sloane's moving personal story--come together for a satisfying resolution.Well worth reading.
Then we are thrust into the cutthroat world of the toy industry. Kendall Toys of Seattle. Malcolm Fitzgerald is up against a board in turmoil, cash flow problems, and a buy out offer from a rival toy firm. Luckily, he has an ace: Metamorphis, an amazing toy that trumps Transformers by allowing the child to design and execute the toy's transformations. Fitzgerald thinks Kendall through "Metamorphis", is the toy that all kids will want for Christmas.But there have been problems with the prototype, and in order to make the toy cheaply enough to price it affordably production has been farmed overseas, to the unregulated factories of China.
Robert Dugoni through Bodily Harm,is a true master of the legal thriller. His pacing is perfect, fast enough to keep the reader on the edge of the seat, but still thoughtful and intelligent. The courtroom scenes are believable. His characters are well-developed, and even the secondary characters are believable and sympathetic, and we read breathlessly as the several different subplots-including Sloane's moving personal story--come together for a satisfying resolution.Well worth reading.
February 27, 2017
This book had me reading until late last night and early again this morning. The story was gripping. To have one of my favorite characters eliminated early on caused me severe heartache. It is so clear that the process of grief is individual as you read this. I am loving this series of crime dramas. Now, on to the next book.
December 2, 2023
This was a seriously painful book to read. Dugoni relishes in killing his characters AND killing their pets! Jeez man.. serious issues 😳😳
“Revenge was a poor substitute for love.” That it is.
David in his martyrdom should be the title of this book. He sacrifices everything.
Since I read the Charles Jenkins books before this, I knew what happened to Tina. Waiting for that plot to come was super sad.
A toy manufacturer is a cutthroat business and worth killing over. Does everyone get what they deserve? Not really.
The way David just gave up Jake too was a bit hard to swallow. David would have been all the family that kid needed but he walked away. Totally bizarre plot point and it made the death of Tina that more sad. Jake deserved better than to be left with his biological Dad. 13 years he could not be bothered to include Jake now he wants to be involved. Sure, ok. David the martyr we get it. If you can’t tell, I’ve soured on this character, but I will continue to read since I know it does improve. Off to read book 4….
“Revenge was a poor substitute for love.” That it is.
David in his martyrdom should be the title of this book. He sacrifices everything.
Since I read the Charles Jenkins books before this, I knew what happened to Tina. Waiting for that plot to come was super sad.
A toy manufacturer is a cutthroat business and worth killing over. Does everyone get what they deserve? Not really.
The way David just gave up Jake too was a bit hard to swallow. David would have been all the family that kid needed but he walked away. Totally bizarre plot point and it made the death of Tina that more sad. Jake deserved better than to be left with his biological Dad. 13 years he could not be bothered to include Jake now he wants to be involved. Sure, ok. David the martyr we get it. If you can’t tell, I’ve soured on this character, but I will continue to read since I know it does improve. Off to read book 4….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2017
First line: "It hurt to blink."
This was an incredible installation to the David Sloane series. I felt so many emotions while reading this...varying from outright despair to a lack of comprehension or understanding to anger at the hand dealt to the main character.
Without giving anything away, because it is really, really good to have that element of suspense when reading a novel.. I just want to say that I felt a terrible injustice regarding David's life...which also gives the realization that some things are given to you, just to be taken away at a later date.
Anyhow, this was an incredibly twisted plot line....I can't even begin to imagine that I had any idea of what was to come next, because I honestly didn't. Dugoni keeps you guessing right up until the last second.
LOVE IT! On to the next one, Murder One.
This was an incredible installation to the David Sloane series. I felt so many emotions while reading this...varying from outright despair to a lack of comprehension or understanding to anger at the hand dealt to the main character.
Without giving anything away, because it is really, really good to have that element of suspense when reading a novel.. I just want to say that I felt a terrible injustice regarding David's life...which also gives the realization that some things are given to you, just to be taken away at a later date.
Anyhow, this was an incredibly twisted plot line....I can't even begin to imagine that I had any idea of what was to come next, because I honestly didn't. Dugoni keeps you guessing right up until the last second.
LOVE IT! On to the next one, Murder One.
July 9, 2011
What I thought was going to be a typical mystery/thriller (I picked it up on a whim) turned out to be one of the best stories in the genre I had read in a while. The story starts out on a bang. Numerous points of view to offer the reader a wide variety of perspectives, characters and, most importantly, conflict. David Sloane, an always-winning attorney, is fighting against a toy company, an assassin, government officials, and a host of shady characters in a story that takes place both in the streets and in the courtroom. I read the book in a day, which should be evidence enough of it's gripping nature.
October 2, 2011
A real page-turner; what a thriller. Better than John Grisham.
July 25, 2020
I was heartbroken by David Sloane's life. What can I say?
His life is a tragedy but his resilient is why I like him.
Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite writer and he did not disappointed me with Bodily Harm.
His life is a tragedy but his resilient is why I like him.
Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite writer and he did not disappointed me with Bodily Harm.
January 17, 2018
BODILY HARM is a book in Robert Dugoni’s David Sloane series. I’ve read other books in this series, but I haven’t read any of them in order. So I went backwards to read this one. But the mark of a good series is when any one book does not depend on another; it can be read as a standalone. And BODILY HARM, as with the other books in this series, can stand alone.
Sloane is a lawyer, and this book is a legal thriller. He is dealing with two cases here. One is a custody issue; he wants to adopt his wife’s son. The other begins with the end of another case, which he won. Now he discovers that he shouldn’t have.
The latter case is involved with twists and turns that make it a satisfying mystery and thriller. I’m not easy to satisfy, so don’t take this as blasé. I’m impressed.
Yet, Dugoni has neglected the Sloane series since, I believe, 2012, in favor of his Tracy Crosswhite series even though the Sloane series is so much better. Dugoni should give Crosswhite a rest and return to Sloane. I want a comeback.
Sloane is a lawyer, and this book is a legal thriller. He is dealing with two cases here. One is a custody issue; he wants to adopt his wife’s son. The other begins with the end of another case, which he won. Now he discovers that he shouldn’t have.
The latter case is involved with twists and turns that make it a satisfying mystery and thriller. I’m not easy to satisfy, so don’t take this as blasé. I’m impressed.
Yet, Dugoni has neglected the Sloane series since, I believe, 2012, in favor of his Tracy Crosswhite series even though the Sloane series is so much better. Dugoni should give Crosswhite a rest and return to Sloane. I want a comeback.
September 11, 2018
I can't remember the last book I read that left me feeling stunned, heartbroken, and angry. Normally that would mean that I hated the book. I loved this book! I'm utterly blown away by the phenomenal writing. Each David Sloane book has been better than the previous one, in my opinion. I seriously hope this series never ends!!!
September 9, 2013
Too many characters and independent scenarios to keep track of.
Hard to follow.
Hard to follow.
June 4, 2025
My rating: 4.0
It was fun and timely with a vacation to read a good ole mystery book. This is the second book I have read by this author and I will probably read the others in the series (tho out of order!). The characters made me care about them, the plot kept me interested; just right for this time in my schedule..
This book was published in 2010 and the plot involves the danger of magnets in plastic toys for kids so it was quite a coincidence that as I sat on the lake house porch reading, my greats were playing with plastic toys with magnets! Obviously, the problem was solved and I hear this toy is a great hit.
Summary:
Bodily Harm opens with a big win for David Sloane and his new partner, Tom Pendergrass, in a malpractice case centered on the death of a young child. But on the heels of this seeming victory, an unlikely character—toy designer Kyle Horgan— comes forward to tell Sloane that he’s gotten it all wrong: Horgan’s the one who’s truly responsible for the little boy’s death and possibly others—not the pediatrician Sloane has just proven guilty.
Ordinarily, Sloane might have dismissed such a person as a crackpot, but something about this case has always troubled him—something that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. When Sloane tries to follow up with Horgan, he finds the man’s apartment a shambles— ransacked by unknown perpetrators. Horgan has vanished without a trace. Together with his longtime investigative partner Charles Jenkins, Sloane reexamines his clients’ son’s death and digs deeper into Horgan’s claims, forcing him to enter the billion-dollar, cutthroat toy industry. As Sloane gets closer to the truth, he trips a wire that leads to a shocking chain of events that nearly destroys him.
To get to the bottom of it all and find justice for the families harmed, Sloane must keep in check his overwhelming desire for revenge. Full of nail-bitingly tense action scenes as well as edge-of-your-seat courtroom drama, Bodily Harm finds Robert Dugoni at the very top of his game.
It was fun and timely with a vacation to read a good ole mystery book. This is the second book I have read by this author and I will probably read the others in the series (tho out of order!). The characters made me care about them, the plot kept me interested; just right for this time in my schedule..
This book was published in 2010 and the plot involves the danger of magnets in plastic toys for kids so it was quite a coincidence that as I sat on the lake house porch reading, my greats were playing with plastic toys with magnets! Obviously, the problem was solved and I hear this toy is a great hit.
Summary:
Bodily Harm opens with a big win for David Sloane and his new partner, Tom Pendergrass, in a malpractice case centered on the death of a young child. But on the heels of this seeming victory, an unlikely character—toy designer Kyle Horgan— comes forward to tell Sloane that he’s gotten it all wrong: Horgan’s the one who’s truly responsible for the little boy’s death and possibly others—not the pediatrician Sloane has just proven guilty.
Ordinarily, Sloane might have dismissed such a person as a crackpot, but something about this case has always troubled him—something that he couldn’t quite pinpoint. When Sloane tries to follow up with Horgan, he finds the man’s apartment a shambles— ransacked by unknown perpetrators. Horgan has vanished without a trace. Together with his longtime investigative partner Charles Jenkins, Sloane reexamines his clients’ son’s death and digs deeper into Horgan’s claims, forcing him to enter the billion-dollar, cutthroat toy industry. As Sloane gets closer to the truth, he trips a wire that leads to a shocking chain of events that nearly destroys him.
To get to the bottom of it all and find justice for the families harmed, Sloane must keep in check his overwhelming desire for revenge. Full of nail-bitingly tense action scenes as well as edge-of-your-seat courtroom drama, Bodily Harm finds Robert Dugoni at the very top of his game.
July 28, 2017
David Sloan has just won a malpractice case victory in the death of a young boy when Kyle Horgan approaches him and tells David the wrong man was convicted. Kyle says he was the one responsible. David had a nagging feeling prior to meeting Kyle that he had missed something in the case. Normally he would brush Kyle off as crazy but his nagging doubts keep bugging him.
David decides to go to Kyle's apartment, trying to put his doubts at rest. What he finds only raises more questions and David decides he can't put this case behind him until he investigates further.
Corporate greed and manipulation from competitors takes some nasty turns at the cost of young children's lives.
Makes you want to approach the toy section of retailers with a wary eye.
David decides to go to Kyle's apartment, trying to put his doubts at rest. What he finds only raises more questions and David decides he can't put this case behind him until he investigates further.
Corporate greed and manipulation from competitors takes some nasty turns at the cost of young children's lives.
Makes you want to approach the toy section of retailers with a wary eye.
January 8, 2024
It’s been a while since I’ve read a thriller that actually had unexpected twists. I enjoyed this book which kept me up past my bedtime. The book highlights corporate greed, espionage, and revenge. Yet again, this author creates characters you really get to know. You hate the ones you’re supposed to hate and have a soft spot for the likable ones. Even the courtroom scenes were bearable for me. It’s a tidy wrap up but believable and warranted. I look forward to reading additional books by this author.
June 24, 2025
This was an interesting take of a toy manufacturer cutting corners to launch their biggest toy in years. So far, it sounds okay, just another case and things will be settled in court. Turns out that it wasn't just the toy we had espionage, murders, extortion and even assassination attempts just because of one toy design.
Sloane is about to get into a wild ride where even with Jenkins, Alex, Tina, and everyone else help is not going to be enough. It's not just going to be entirely focused on the toy but on the ins and outs of the industry. The amount of people dying left and right, the threats and all sorts of crazy things kept me intrigued. But when it was finally time to confront the responsible for the entire shitstorm, I was expecting something more violent? I don't know if that's the right word, but I wanted Sloane to do something more violent.
The only thing I don't agree at all and I'm still mad why was the actual motive, .
Sloane is about to get into a wild ride where even with Jenkins, Alex, Tina, and everyone else help is not going to be enough. It's not just going to be entirely focused on the toy but on the ins and outs of the industry. The amount of people dying left and right, the threats and all sorts of crazy things kept me intrigued. But when it was finally time to confront the responsible for the entire shitstorm, I was expecting something more violent? I don't know if that's the right word, but I wanted Sloane to do something more violent.
The only thing I don't agree at all and I'm still mad why was the actual motive, .
July 23, 2020
Interesting book first part of the book Then it took off with a home invasion by a hired killer. The story revolves around a new toy Metamorphosis that converts from action figure to any other toy tank,cars etc. the personal story of his case for the custody of his son was heart wrenching Enjoyed the book you will too.
November 6, 2024
Dugoni's David Sloane books are the beach read of legal thrillers - a bit mindless but entertaining. This one had corporate greed, paid assassins and broken hearts, all wrapped up in Dugoni's great writing.
May 17, 2021
Another Dugoni winner! Love David Stone character.
September 1, 2024
A legal battle over toy product safety turns murderous, with violent consequences. The plot moves along with real pace - another excellent book in this series.
November 28, 2023
Well plotted legal thriller about the greed of corporate toy manufacturers and the intricacies of the industry and standards agencies of the government. Really enjoyed it.
July 13, 2024
Excellent as always!
October 22, 2012
Although I found the concept of Toy manufacturing as the setting for murder, assassination and international intrigue, to be a bit of a stretch in the beginning, Robert Dugoni’s novel quickly brings it all into sharp focus. The end game isn’t about toys, it’s money and lots of it in a billion-dollar industry. Attorney David Sloane has just won a malpractice case involving the death of a child when a mysterious stranger approaches him and claims that he is the person actually responsible for the child’s death, due to a toy that he designed. Although a former Marine with friends and connections to the CIA Sloane soon finds that sadistic forces are afoot that think nothing of threatening and taking the lives of those closest to him. This is a good action novel but the legal strategies and court negotiations are particularly intriguing.
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