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The Borzoi Killings
USA Today best-selling author
When the 10th richest man in the world is brutally murdered—along with his prized Borzoi dogs in a luxurious East Hampton beach house—only one man is suspected of committing the Juan Suarez, a handsome, charismatic, and illegal Mexican immigrant who worked for the victim. Now, renowned trail lawyer Raquel Rematti must take on the defense of the man the media has dubbed “The Blade of the Hamptons.” Not only must she take on one of the wealthiest families in the country, she must also protect Suarez and herself from ruthless people bent on lethal revenge—all while straddling the dangerous line between concerned involvement and forbidden passion for her client. Set in one of the most exclusive resorts in the world, The Borzoi Killings mixes all the twists of a sensational trial with all the “dirty little secrets” of the elite Hampton socialite lifestyles—from lavish parties, drugs and sex, to corruption and dangerous secret cartels.
When the 10th richest man in the world is brutally murdered—along with his prized Borzoi dogs in a luxurious East Hampton beach house—only one man is suspected of committing the Juan Suarez, a handsome, charismatic, and illegal Mexican immigrant who worked for the victim. Now, renowned trail lawyer Raquel Rematti must take on the defense of the man the media has dubbed “The Blade of the Hamptons.” Not only must she take on one of the wealthiest families in the country, she must also protect Suarez and herself from ruthless people bent on lethal revenge—all while straddling the dangerous line between concerned involvement and forbidden passion for her client. Set in one of the most exclusive resorts in the world, The Borzoi Killings mixes all the twists of a sensational trial with all the “dirty little secrets” of the elite Hampton socialite lifestyles—from lavish parties, drugs and sex, to corruption and dangerous secret cartels.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2014
7 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 26, 2015
Warning: May contain spoilers.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The author has never asked me or tried to influence me for a positive review, nor have I promised one.
This book wasn’t necessarily fast paced but it did grab my attention. It didn’t end exactly how I expected although I wasn’t too surprised.
Plot:
The story starts with the brutal murder of a man and his 2 dogs. Then the story jumps into getting to know the victim and the suspect. By the time the suspect is arrested, you know something about him and you kind of want to be on his side. However, there is just enough information about him to make you suspicious of him. There is enough to make you suspicious of the wife as well. Through the story, there are are other issues of cover ups and dirty cops.
Characters:
Honestly it was sad that I knew that Brad would die since that’s how the story started. He was a really nice man and helped anyone he could. He had his secret life but he isn’t the only one in this story to have one. Batista does a great job of letting you know his characters although not all of them. For example, I would have wanted to know a little about Theresa Bui .
Juan was one of those suspects which you know you’re suppose to side with but at the same time you just can’t completely trust him.
Joan, Brad’s wife was just an overall horrible person, as a woman. I couldn’t feel sorry for her at all. In fact she is one of the characters you didn’t really get a feel for about her motives.
Honestly, I think Raquel is the most all-around likable character and she is the main protagonist. You really get to be on her side for more than just winning the case, however, I wish you got a more emotional response to . It felt like it didn’t even really happen.
Writing:
The writing was very good. It felt like reading a book of teasers. Actually it felt like watching a movie where sometimes you don’t get enough information to put everything together on your own.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s been a while since I read a book with a trial and it was a refreshing change from what I’ve been reading for a while.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The author has never asked me or tried to influence me for a positive review, nor have I promised one.
This book wasn’t necessarily fast paced but it did grab my attention. It didn’t end exactly how I expected although I wasn’t too surprised.
Plot:
The story starts with the brutal murder of a man and his 2 dogs. Then the story jumps into getting to know the victim and the suspect. By the time the suspect is arrested, you know something about him and you kind of want to be on his side. However, there is just enough information about him to make you suspicious of him. There is enough to make you suspicious of the wife as well. Through the story, there are are other issues of cover ups and dirty cops.
Characters:
Honestly it was sad that I knew that Brad would die since that’s how the story started. He was a really nice man and helped anyone he could. He had his secret life but he isn’t the only one in this story to have one. Batista does a great job of letting you know his characters although not all of them. For example, I would have wanted to know a little about Theresa Bui .
Juan was one of those suspects which you know you’re suppose to side with but at the same time you just can’t completely trust him.
Joan, Brad’s wife was just an overall horrible person, as a woman. I couldn’t feel sorry for her at all. In fact she is one of the characters you didn’t really get a feel for about her motives.
Honestly, I think Raquel is the most all-around likable character and she is the main protagonist. You really get to be on her side for more than just winning the case, however, I wish you got a more emotional response to . It felt like it didn’t even really happen.
Writing:
The writing was very good. It felt like reading a book of teasers. Actually it felt like watching a movie where sometimes you don’t get enough information to put everything together on your own.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s been a while since I read a book with a trial and it was a refreshing change from what I’ve been reading for a while.
April 27, 2016
A good reading
I would give 5 stars if the conversations in the courtroom wouldn't have had me saying "objection" many times. A fun story thou.
I would give 5 stars if the conversations in the courtroom wouldn't have had me saying "objection" many times. A fun story thou.
November 14, 2019
Gruesome book, and the mixture of all the sex types and open freedom with money to do what one likes, he may have been liberal but good using immigrants for play, if one does this they should be damn sure of their people and what backgrounds are.
The privilege of the money people , the atittude of the law enforcement, although right this time, they played with very knowledgeable criminals, i hope the person did killing had horrible life as extradited to Mexiceo
The privilege of the money people , the atittude of the law enforcement, although right this time, they played with very knowledgeable criminals, i hope the person did killing had horrible life as extradited to Mexiceo
September 28, 2020
Little morbid, motivation for the killings was little unclear. Ending wasn't what I expected.
September 3, 2017
This was another Batista book I thought I wouldn't enjoy, but as I hit the middle of the story, I found I was fairly drawn into the plot. The drama of Batista's books usually centers around the court room proceedings of the cases. The Borzoi Killings are where the author really shines as a legal thriller author. The court scenes were suspenseful and sharply written. The back and forth between the defense and the prosecution was nerve-wracking and made the book fly by. And after I thought I had one hundred percent figured out "who done it," as they say, Batista throws a curve ball ending at you that I didn't see coming and made me admire him for that sudden twist.
Initially, the book is a bit dry. The beginning is all about introducing Juan and his tough as nails trial lawyer doesn't even make an appearance until much later in the book. Once you get to the meat of the book, where the Hampton billionaire's secrets are slowly revealed, the story really grabs you. The story from that point on is great, but I found the description on the back of the book to be a bit misleading about what you can expect out of the rest of the story. Juan's trial lawyer is said to straddle "the dangerous line between concerned involvement and forbidden passion" when it comes to Juan's defence. I have no clue what this is referring to because there is not an ounce of chemistry or flirting or romantic tension between Raquel or Juan. The story doesn't need this element to it; it's stands perfectly well on its own. However, I really didn't like the misleading blurb, because that just does not accurately represent the story. And my last small qualm with the book was that the twist ending comes at you so fast that you don't feel much closure. Batista leaves it open for a sequel, but the reader doesn't get enough time to digest the big reveal before the book comes to an abrupt close.
I'm not a huge fan of the legal thriller genre but I did find this one interesting. Batista is getting better and better with each novel at creating thrilling stories, but he still has yet to create a book that really blows me away. Nevertheless, it's a quick read that readers who love crime drama will speed through with pleasure.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
Initially, the book is a bit dry. The beginning is all about introducing Juan and his tough as nails trial lawyer doesn't even make an appearance until much later in the book. Once you get to the meat of the book, where the Hampton billionaire's secrets are slowly revealed, the story really grabs you. The story from that point on is great, but I found the description on the back of the book to be a bit misleading about what you can expect out of the rest of the story. Juan's trial lawyer is said to straddle "the dangerous line between concerned involvement and forbidden passion" when it comes to Juan's defence. I have no clue what this is referring to because there is not an ounce of chemistry or flirting or romantic tension between Raquel or Juan. The story doesn't need this element to it; it's stands perfectly well on its own. However, I really didn't like the misleading blurb, because that just does not accurately represent the story. And my last small qualm with the book was that the twist ending comes at you so fast that you don't feel much closure. Batista leaves it open for a sequel, but the reader doesn't get enough time to digest the big reveal before the book comes to an abrupt close.
I'm not a huge fan of the legal thriller genre but I did find this one interesting. Batista is getting better and better with each novel at creating thrilling stories, but he still has yet to create a book that really blows me away. Nevertheless, it's a quick read that readers who love crime drama will speed through with pleasure.
*I received a free copy of this book for this review from the author.
September 6, 2015
Wow. A law mystery that stumped me. I admit to reading the reviews before I started this one. Most of them say plot twist at the end. Well they were right. Of course it is a thin book with little back story so you actually don't get much information to go on.
Most of the story is about the court case. Juan is an illegal immigrant that a very rich Brad and Joan like enough to hire as a handyman. A few chapters later and Brad is dead. Someone has chopped his head off.. and his dogs. In my mind I am cackling and hearing the Wicked Witch's chant.. and your little dog too..
Sorry, anyway, it was a great read.
Most of the story is about the court case. Juan is an illegal immigrant that a very rich Brad and Joan like enough to hire as a handyman. A few chapters later and Brad is dead. Someone has chopped his head off.. and his dogs. In my mind I am cackling and hearing the Wicked Witch's chant.. and your little dog too..
Sorry, anyway, it was a great read.
December 16, 2014
interesting action, enjoyed the story. but the beginning seemed slow with way too many 'was' sentences. And I lost the motivation for the killings in the twists at the very end.
July 16, 2016
My apologies for the short review - I'm behind on my GRs updates.
Interesting plot. Nicely twisted.
Interesting plot. Nicely twisted.
Read
November 17, 2016A bit morbid with a surprising ending that is entirely unexpected.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews