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Goodlove and Shek #1
Conclusive Evidence
First-in-Series Price!Garrett Goodlove used to be an arrogant criminal defense attorney, with a drive to win at all costs. But a pair of tragic events threw him into a bottomless depression, and he retreated into the practice of family law. Now, he tries to settle cases in ways that make everyone happy. He's a nicer person, but has he lost his edge?His kinder, gentler life is disrupted when the police arrest his estranged twin sister, Carly. She's accused of shoving her husband off a cliff into the storm-tossed Pacific Ocean. Worse, the vicious detective on the case has a grudge against her and has vowed to send her to prison even if he has to cheat to do it.Carly, deaf since birth, refuses to be defended by anyone other than her twin brother. But the intense connection that binds the siblings tells Garrett that she may not be revealing everything she knows. If Garrett can't keep this new stress from pushing him back into depression, the defense will fail, condemning his sister to an isolated life in prison, cut off from the deaf community she needs.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2019
2462 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Al Macy
26 books152 followersAl Macy writes because he has stories to tell. In school he was the class clown and always the first volunteer for show and tell. His teachers would say “Al has a lot of imagination.” Then they'd roll their eyes.
But he put his storytelling on the back burner until he retired and wrote a blog about his efforts to improve his piano sight-reading. That's when his love of storytelling burbled up to the surface, along with quirky words like “burble.”
He had even more fun writing his second book, Drive, Ride, Repeat, but was bummed by non-fiction's need to stick to “the truth” (yucko). From then on it was fiction all the way, with a good dose of his science background burbling to the surface.
Macy's top priority is compelling storylines with satisfying plot twists, but he never neglects character development. No, wait … his top priority is quirkiness, then compelling storylines, then character development. No, wait …
But he put his storytelling on the back burner until he retired and wrote a blog about his efforts to improve his piano sight-reading. That's when his love of storytelling burbled up to the surface, along with quirky words like “burble.”
He had even more fun writing his second book, Drive, Ride, Repeat, but was bummed by non-fiction's need to stick to “the truth” (yucko). From then on it was fiction all the way, with a good dose of his science background burbling to the surface.
Macy's top priority is compelling storylines with satisfying plot twists, but he never neglects character development. No, wait … his top priority is quirkiness, then compelling storylines, then character development. No, wait …
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
April 14, 2019
A New Legal Thriller That Intrigues and Entertains
A very nice story , well told with a great plot, interesting characters and plenty of action. A Deaf woman is accused of pushing her husband off a cliff to his death. Her twin brother is an attorney, a criminal lawyer until recently when he switched to family law, so of course she wants him as her lawyer.
Interesting explanations of the deaf communities and use of sign language and lip-reading. Great courtroom experiences and suspenseful moments make this a very enjoyable read.
A very nice story , well told with a great plot, interesting characters and plenty of action. A Deaf woman is accused of pushing her husband off a cliff to his death. Her twin brother is an attorney, a criminal lawyer until recently when he switched to family law, so of course she wants him as her lawyer.
Interesting explanations of the deaf communities and use of sign language and lip-reading. Great courtroom experiences and suspenseful moments make this a very enjoyable read.
April 11, 2019
On the whole, I very much enjoyed this courtroom drama. It's always gratifying to read a novel that gets the legal details right. In fact, I learned something -- that when a judge orders a defendant acquitted because the jury had no adequate basis for conviction and may have been swayed by community prejudice, it's called "jury vilification." (Jury nullification, when a jury ignores the law to acquit a defendant because they disapprove of the law or with how it would apply in that case, is a fascinating subject with which I was already familiar. I don't know which phrase came first.)
The plot is absorbing and occasionally suspenseful, and the underlying truths are nicely revealed. The earlier suspense is largely absent as the revelations unfold, which might bother some readers but didn't really bother me.
There are two POV characters, one written in first person and one in third person. In (eventually revealed) context, the choice (first to third and back) made sense, but I found the shift distracting each time. In any event, I liked both of these characters, as well as a number of others.
I enjoyed the inclusion of deaf and ASL-using characters and the occasional explanations of how ASL works, though if anyone finds a good way to render ASL more accurately in English despite their radically different grammar and structure, I'd love to read it.
One character turned out to be unexpectedly nasty. I'm not sure I completely bought that revelation, but it wasn't actually implausible.
The conclusion is satisfying, and I like the little touch of not-quite-ambiguity at the end.
The plot is absorbing and occasionally suspenseful, and the underlying truths are nicely revealed. The earlier suspense is largely absent as the revelations unfold, which might bother some readers but didn't really bother me.
There are two POV characters, one written in first person and one in third person. In (eventually revealed) context, the choice (first to third and back) made sense, but I found the shift distracting each time. In any event, I liked both of these characters, as well as a number of others.
I enjoyed the inclusion of deaf and ASL-using characters and the occasional explanations of how ASL works, though if anyone finds a good way to render ASL more accurately in English despite their radically different grammar and structure, I'd love to read it.
One character turned out to be unexpectedly nasty. I'm not sure I completely bought that revelation, but it wasn't actually implausible.
The conclusion is satisfying, and I like the little touch of not-quite-ambiguity at the end.
April 18, 2019
Well, this was something of a departure for Macy, the author who normally writes more along the lines of cheesily humorous science fiction. The thing is his books all too often come up as kindle freebies and are always light and entertaining, good for palate cleansers. Lately, I confess, I’ve been finding them too dumb, as in veering from the usual silliness into downright stupidity. But this one did ok, considering. It isn’t going to be winning any great literary awards, but for the negligible amount of time it took to get through, it entertained, more or less. Macy’s protagonist this time is Garrett Goodlove, a man so garishly named, he sounds like he should come with his own disco ball. But actually he’s a lawyer and when his own twin sister is accused of murder, it’s up to him to save her. So it’s a legal drama with some detecting elements and the usual Macy’s silliness. The latter is somewhat toned down, although rest assured Mr. Goodlove is as irresistible to the ladies as the name suggests. Also Garrett’s sister is deaf, so you’ll learn a thing or two about the deaf community and language. This book is nowhere near deserving of its high ratings, but then again Macy has a very steady fan base. And this one was actually surprisingly serious, for Macy, the jokes are few and far in between, so that shows range...doesn't it. But for a mindless quick read it’ll do.
May 6, 2023
Redwood Point, Northern California. Garrett Goodlove and Jen Shek are law partners. The firm began with Garrett and Jen as criminal defense attorneys. Since a pair of tragic events, Garrett’s ongoing depression changed his life perspective and his cases to family law.
Another change in Garrett’s life was estrangement from Carly, his fraternal twin sister. Estranged until Carly burst into the office and made a startling announcement in American Sign Language (ASL) about her ex, Angelo Romero. Garrett will pivot quickly to defend his sister, but can he save her from prison and isolation? Did she murder her ex? Circumstantial or conclusive evidence?
As legal thrillers are one of many favorite genres, I’m delighted to find an author new to me. I won’t hesitate to read more of this series.
Another change in Garrett’s life was estrangement from Carly, his fraternal twin sister. Estranged until Carly burst into the office and made a startling announcement in American Sign Language (ASL) about her ex, Angelo Romero. Garrett will pivot quickly to defend his sister, but can he save her from prison and isolation? Did she murder her ex? Circumstantial or conclusive evidence?
“…it only matters what the jury thinks...”A lawyer defending a family member is not new, but the twist is the twin sister has been deaf since birth, which brings new elements in evidence and courtroom drama. The story keeps a brisk pace with well-developed characters. I’m always appreciative of legal fiction, with the primary attorney handling more than one case through the storyline. This plot also brought family drama that strengthened the interest and intrigue.
As legal thrillers are one of many favorite genres, I’m delighted to find an author new to me. I won’t hesitate to read more of this series.
July 5, 2019
Good read, interesting twists. Kept me going until the end. Nice courtroom drama.
June 17, 2019
This is probably my most favourite freebie I've downloaded this year so far. It also has a lot fewer errors in it than some I've paid for !! Just goes to show it CAN be done and to publish something full of errors is just slapdash and lazy.
It was very interesting because he used the fact his sister is deaf in this story a great deal and I found it fascinating. I hope there will be more in the same vein or featuring the same characters to come. I've never forgotten something a deaf person told me off for once.....I turned up one day wearing sunglasses and she hated that as they need to be able to properly see your eyes, something I'd never considered. I've looked up the author's other books but they're not really for me, which is a shame. He tends to write sci-fi stories as a rule, although hopefully he'll do something more in this style.
I enjoyed the sub-plot's story as well. I can see this being a very true and worrying issue to come in the future as we mess about with paternity as we do.
The only errors spotted were queued and not cued, flare and not flair (twice, though getting it right on the 3rd attempt) and an apostrophe dropped from ladies room. As I said earlier, that's really good going so I was highly impressed.
It was very interesting because he used the fact his sister is deaf in this story a great deal and I found it fascinating. I hope there will be more in the same vein or featuring the same characters to come. I've never forgotten something a deaf person told me off for once.....I turned up one day wearing sunglasses and she hated that as they need to be able to properly see your eyes, something I'd never considered. I've looked up the author's other books but they're not really for me, which is a shame. He tends to write sci-fi stories as a rule, although hopefully he'll do something more in this style.
I enjoyed the sub-plot's story as well. I can see this being a very true and worrying issue to come in the future as we mess about with paternity as we do.
The only errors spotted were queued and not cued, flare and not flair (twice, though getting it right on the 3rd attempt) and an apostrophe dropped from ladies room. As I said earlier, that's really good going so I was highly impressed.
July 19, 2020
First and foremost, this book kept my attention and it was difficult to put down. I kept wanting to read, and I ended up finishing it in a matter of days, not weeks.
The main character is Garret Goodlove, a former criminal defense attorney who is now practicing family law until his twin sister is accused of murdering her husband in which case he is hired to defend her at the criminal trial. Much of what the police have is circumstantial in nature, but it doesn't help that Carly ( his deaf twin sister and the accused) is videotaped using sign language to another deaf friend that she would like to push her husband off a cliff. That is exactly how he died, or so it appears. The reader gets the sense that Carly did not commit the crime, but proving it may not be easy.
The long cast of characters includes the attorney, his partner Jen, his daughter Nicole who is in law school, his bipolar son Toby, his investigator Louella, his twin sister Carly who is deaf, her ex-husband Angelo who is involved in some shady dealings, an aging judge, a mistress, a crooked cop, a sexy district attorney, and a few other supporting characters to provide law enforcement, villains, and witnesses. While I liked most of the characters, the author tried a little too hard to humanize the main character based on experiences in his past, but did not connect this very well to current events. Also, the investigator, a short, overweight, chain-smoking woman, was entertaining yet completely unrealistic. And the two attorneys having a tryst? I'm not buying it.
There were too many coincidences in the book that were too obvious. I liked that there were little surprises throughout the book instead of revealing them all at the end because it kept me wanting to read, but some of them, such as the discovery of a dummy in a woman's home left me groaning. It was too contrived.
Some of the subplots included details about Garret's deceased wife, Carly's deafness, Carly's deceased daughter, Garret's depression, Toby's psychological problems, and Angelo's nefarious dealings. It was a little too much. Focusing on one or two of those might have lent itself to better characterization, but when there are so many, they become superficial and lack meaning. Also, the company shenanigans at DialUSA did not get explained adequately.
Overall, I liked it, and it was easy to read.
The main character is Garret Goodlove, a former criminal defense attorney who is now practicing family law until his twin sister is accused of murdering her husband in which case he is hired to defend her at the criminal trial. Much of what the police have is circumstantial in nature, but it doesn't help that Carly ( his deaf twin sister and the accused) is videotaped using sign language to another deaf friend that she would like to push her husband off a cliff. That is exactly how he died, or so it appears. The reader gets the sense that Carly did not commit the crime, but proving it may not be easy.
The long cast of characters includes the attorney, his partner Jen, his daughter Nicole who is in law school, his bipolar son Toby, his investigator Louella, his twin sister Carly who is deaf, her ex-husband Angelo who is involved in some shady dealings, an aging judge, a mistress, a crooked cop, a sexy district attorney, and a few other supporting characters to provide law enforcement, villains, and witnesses. While I liked most of the characters, the author tried a little too hard to humanize the main character based on experiences in his past, but did not connect this very well to current events. Also, the investigator, a short, overweight, chain-smoking woman, was entertaining yet completely unrealistic. And the two attorneys having a tryst? I'm not buying it.
There were too many coincidences in the book that were too obvious. I liked that there were little surprises throughout the book instead of revealing them all at the end because it kept me wanting to read, but some of them, such as the discovery of a dummy in a woman's home left me groaning. It was too contrived.
Some of the subplots included details about Garret's deceased wife, Carly's deafness, Carly's deceased daughter, Garret's depression, Toby's psychological problems, and Angelo's nefarious dealings. It was a little too much. Focusing on one or two of those might have lent itself to better characterization, but when there are so many, they become superficial and lack meaning. Also, the company shenanigans at DialUSA did not get explained adequately.
Overall, I liked it, and it was easy to read.
May 12, 2021
When I first started Conclusive Evidence I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed the characters and the plot very much. It was so interesting reading about ASL and also learning about lip-speaking, which I had never heard of. There was more than one storyline happening in the book but it wasn't difficult to follow everything that was going on.
However, I disliked it when backstories were starting to be explained - and then the explanation was abruptly stopped. (Hahaha, you're going to have to read more if you want to know.) Arrrgh. I really dislike that!! Also, I disliked the descriptions of what the characters were wearing, down to the brand names😴!
However, I disliked it when backstories were starting to be explained - and then the explanation was abruptly stopped. (Hahaha, you're going to have to read more if you want to know.) Arrrgh. I really dislike that!! Also, I disliked the descriptions of what the characters were wearing, down to the brand names😴!
June 1, 2019
It wasn't how it looked
I enjoyed the many twists and turns the author added to the plot if the story. Family is or should be important to all and us important ti this story line. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the many twists and turns the author added to the plot if the story. Family is or should be important to all and us important ti this story line. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
November 30, 2019
A good legal thriller that will keep you entertained. Well developed characters and well-written.
June 2, 2019
Conclusive Evidence: A Novel by Al Macy
Garrett is a criminal defense attorney. His sister (Carly) is accused of pushing her husband off of a cliff. Carly, (is deaf) insists the only one to help her is her Brother. Garrett decides to take her case, but he needs to know the entire truth from Carly.
A good plot with likable charters moving at a steady pace. Action, thrills and intense moments, had me engrossed from the first page. Carly being deaf added to the story, it reaches out to hearing impaired (readers). Overall I found the story enjoyable and feel those who love a great court room drama will like it as well.
Garrett is a criminal defense attorney. His sister (Carly) is accused of pushing her husband off of a cliff. Carly, (is deaf) insists the only one to help her is her Brother. Garrett decides to take her case, but he needs to know the entire truth from Carly.
A good plot with likable charters moving at a steady pace. Action, thrills and intense moments, had me engrossed from the first page. Carly being deaf added to the story, it reaches out to hearing impaired (readers). Overall I found the story enjoyable and feel those who love a great court room drama will like it as well.
June 1, 2019
Well researched, well written . I loved every bit of it. Three quarters of the way through I thought of Perry Mason and would you believe his name WAS mentioned later in the book!!! Really a great read if you love a good legal thriller. You won't be sorry you read this book. I will be looking for more by this author!
May 31, 2019
This was a good mystery. It pulls at your "heart strings" too. There are a couple stories going on, both interesting. Twists you didn't see coming, I'm glad it all ended the way it did especially for Hortense.
September 17, 2019
The author, Al Macy, tends to give his book characters a humorous nature. I enjoy his writing style and have read most of the books he’s written in his Beckman series. Conclusive Evidence is the first of his books that I listened to as an audiobook. I have to admit that a narrator does add to the enjoyment of this story.
In the past, I envisioned eBook story scenes and spoken character accents in my head. It would be a mere coincidence if these mental interpretations matched what the author had in his head when he wrote the character dialogs. A book narrator, who has the opportunity to speak with the author about the accents, can get them sounding as they were intended.
The book is about an attorney, Garrett Goodlove, who, fighting severe depression caused by the loss of his wife and toddler niece in close succession, is called on to defend his deft twin sister. She is accused of a murder she did not commit. Despite putting together a good list of expert witnesses, he handicaps himself by having delusions that the attractive female prosecutor is romantically interested in him. Of course, the romantic interest is a ruse by the prosecutor to knock him off his defensive game.
Further hindering his defense, Goodlove’s private investigator gets physically attacked by gangsters and suffers a heart attack from the trauma. This results in her being in a comma just as trial begins. All the information needed by Goodlove to defend his sister is on the investigator’s password-protected laptop. Goodlove ultimately figures out a way to access the information and proves his sister innocent. There is a Perry Mason moment at the conclusion of the trial that exposes the true culprit.
I listened to Conclusive Evidence during my morning walks. Arriving back home after each walk was disappointing as I had to turn off the audiobook. Waiting until the next morning’s walk to pick the book back up tested my waiting resolve. Conclusive Evidence was a captivating thriller.
In the past, I envisioned eBook story scenes and spoken character accents in my head. It would be a mere coincidence if these mental interpretations matched what the author had in his head when he wrote the character dialogs. A book narrator, who has the opportunity to speak with the author about the accents, can get them sounding as they were intended.
The book is about an attorney, Garrett Goodlove, who, fighting severe depression caused by the loss of his wife and toddler niece in close succession, is called on to defend his deft twin sister. She is accused of a murder she did not commit. Despite putting together a good list of expert witnesses, he handicaps himself by having delusions that the attractive female prosecutor is romantically interested in him. Of course, the romantic interest is a ruse by the prosecutor to knock him off his defensive game.
Further hindering his defense, Goodlove’s private investigator gets physically attacked by gangsters and suffers a heart attack from the trauma. This results in her being in a comma just as trial begins. All the information needed by Goodlove to defend his sister is on the investigator’s password-protected laptop. Goodlove ultimately figures out a way to access the information and proves his sister innocent. There is a Perry Mason moment at the conclusion of the trial that exposes the true culprit.
I listened to Conclusive Evidence during my morning walks. Arriving back home after each walk was disappointing as I had to turn off the audiobook. Waiting until the next morning’s walk to pick the book back up tested my waiting resolve. Conclusive Evidence was a captivating thriller.
September 14, 2019
I literally couldn’t get enough of this book. Not only is this book brilliantly written but it really does have everything. There are great characters, a compelling mystery, mental health problems, tradegies, vendettas, a murder and a trial! Al Macy clearly understands the legal procedures involved too and has woven a mystery that had me hooked from the off. Almost from page one I liked the characters in this book, not least of all the main character Garrett Goodlove. There’s a warmth to him that pulled me in. There’s a lot of history to his ‘back-story’ from the death of his niece and the loss of his wife to his time as a tough defence lawyer. The supporting cast of characters are just as well crafted and each brings something new and interesting to the story. Best of all is the author's ability to avoid writing cliches, be it characters or plot. The pace of the story never labours and skips along with each scene revealing more of what is really going on. Basically, it’s great. I really mean that and as such would recommend it highly.
June 22, 2019
CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE
AL MACY
Review by Roy Murry, Author
Garrett Goodlove (Really) is a criminal defender turned family lawyer because of a personal tragedy in his life. That changes when he decides to defend a person accused of murder, his twin sister.
Her special needs are part of the underlining story, which brought light to something many of us do not think about - deafness. Because of this affliction, some drama adds twists to the novel will please the reader.
The main plot has intriguing events in it that comes to light in the trial section, which Goodlove takes advantage of for the defense; and at one point he is conned by a beautiful lady. The suspense will keep the reader reading to the end, which will be a surprise, even to the victim's accomplice.
One of the best trial novels I have read lately - fast and not drowned in legalize wordage. I will go back to read another of Al's dramas in the future. You should read at least one.
AL MACY
Review by Roy Murry, Author
Garrett Goodlove (Really) is a criminal defender turned family lawyer because of a personal tragedy in his life. That changes when he decides to defend a person accused of murder, his twin sister.
Her special needs are part of the underlining story, which brought light to something many of us do not think about - deafness. Because of this affliction, some drama adds twists to the novel will please the reader.
The main plot has intriguing events in it that comes to light in the trial section, which Goodlove takes advantage of for the defense; and at one point he is conned by a beautiful lady. The suspense will keep the reader reading to the end, which will be a surprise, even to the victim's accomplice.
One of the best trial novels I have read lately - fast and not drowned in legalize wordage. I will go back to read another of Al's dramas in the future. You should read at least one.
June 22, 2019
Garrett Goodlove might be a good lawyer that will do whatever it takes to get his clients off but it is personal this time. His sister Carly has been accused of killing her husband Angelo and he knows that he will have to keep his personal feelings aside but Caryl is his twin who happens to be deaf and he knows that she could never have killed anyone. But the cops are out to get her especially the lead detective as he has an axe to grind with Garrett. He fears that no matter what evidence proves that Caryl could go to prison for something that she never did. Can Garrett find out the truth and prove who the real killer is? Will Carly be able to allow him to take charge for a change?
A good read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Librarythings and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
A good read. I was lucky enough to receive a copy via Librarythings and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
July 4, 2020
Conclusive Evidence was interesting and informative. I hadn't read anything by Macy before. The book twisted and turned along the trial with a lot of information on the deaf community and the legal process. I was especially impressed with Macy's ability to describe his characters in physical terms; he was so expert I could see the characters in my mind's eye. The only minus (for me) was that the lawyer in the book spent a lot of time lecturing his readers on what lawyers do right and wrong, almost to the point that it might have been a teaching piece. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a change-of-pace book. I read a lot of historical fiction from the WW II era where the story and content can be quite sobering and depressing. I often look for a book that is a bit lighter after reading one or two of these books: Conclusive Evidence filled the bill.
January 18, 2021
This was a fun, fast read!
Goodlove is a family law attorney who became that after he burned out on criminal law. His estranged twin sister who is deaf comes in to his office and tells him she is in trouble. He tells her that when and if she is charged with anything, she needs to keep silent and let him represent her in every way. She agrees. The novel is engagingly written and uses ASL as part of the plot. The characters are just that, characters and run the gamut of manipulation. The inter familial relationships make for good reading, especially when his sister is charged and tried for the murder of her husband. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
Goodlove is a family law attorney who became that after he burned out on criminal law. His estranged twin sister who is deaf comes in to his office and tells him she is in trouble. He tells her that when and if she is charged with anything, she needs to keep silent and let him represent her in every way. She agrees. The novel is engagingly written and uses ASL as part of the plot. The characters are just that, characters and run the gamut of manipulation. The inter familial relationships make for good reading, especially when his sister is charged and tried for the murder of her husband. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
April 6, 2019
Very entertaining!
This story was great fun to read. After an identical twin brother persuades his deaf sister to allow her 18-month old daughter, his much loved neice and the darling of the family, to have an operation to correct her deafness, she tragically dies on the table due to medical negligence.
He is a criminal lawyer. He can't forgive himself. All of a sudden Carla, his sister, is accused of murdering her estranged husband. The only person she will allow to defend her is her brother, despite the fact that she could not forgive him for the loss of Nicole. He handles the case brilliantly. Highly recommended.
This story was great fun to read. After an identical twin brother persuades his deaf sister to allow her 18-month old daughter, his much loved neice and the darling of the family, to have an operation to correct her deafness, she tragically dies on the table due to medical negligence.
He is a criminal lawyer. He can't forgive himself. All of a sudden Carla, his sister, is accused of murdering her estranged husband. The only person she will allow to defend her is her brother, despite the fact that she could not forgive him for the loss of Nicole. He handles the case brilliantly. Highly recommended.
October 20, 2019
Great read
I was introduced to Al Macy's books by another author - Gregg Bell. I really enjoyed the storyline , it skipped along at a good pace, twisting and turning throwing one culprit and then another before me to make me think I had it solved only to find I was nowhere near being right. I love Al Macy's quiet sense of humor, it gave me many chuckles throughout the book and as a lay person I really appreciated the explanations that were given to clear up medical and legal jargon and saved me from running to my dictionaries, thank you for all your useful and interesting pieces of information. I now look forward to reading more of your books.
I was introduced to Al Macy's books by another author - Gregg Bell. I really enjoyed the storyline , it skipped along at a good pace, twisting and turning throwing one culprit and then another before me to make me think I had it solved only to find I was nowhere near being right. I love Al Macy's quiet sense of humor, it gave me many chuckles throughout the book and as a lay person I really appreciated the explanations that were given to clear up medical and legal jargon and saved me from running to my dictionaries, thank you for all your useful and interesting pieces of information. I now look forward to reading more of your books.
April 4, 2019
A lawyer who wanted it all, till stress led to depression. Still has the office that looks more like a men’s club. With the cases he tries to talk them out of going to court. Estranged from his twin sister, till she comes needing help. Deaf since birth, she has a recorded message of the cop, he has an edge against her, as far as he is concerned she is guilty. Ex husband fell in the ocean, cop says pushed, and no body, she wants him as a lawyer. She holding back, he can tell. A good Courtroom drama that flows easily, and
he is good at it. A must read if one likes this category.
he is good at it. A must read if one likes this category.
January 7, 2020
Enjoyed It!
I found Conclusive Evidence an easy and enjoyable read as well as being well written. Conversation between characters is realistic, the characters stay true to themselves. The storyline was good, not one with extreme twists or surprising turns, but it kept my interest and I finished in in two nights. I liked the way the mental health issues were dealt with as well. One review mentioned excessive vulgarity. I didn't count but if there were a half dozen sweat words I'd be surprised.
I found Conclusive Evidence an easy and enjoyable read as well as being well written. Conversation between characters is realistic, the characters stay true to themselves. The storyline was good, not one with extreme twists or surprising turns, but it kept my interest and I finished in in two nights. I liked the way the mental health issues were dealt with as well. One review mentioned excessive vulgarity. I didn't count but if there were a half dozen sweat words I'd be surprised.
May 21, 2020
I don't usually go for legal dramas but this one was pretty good. It's funny, in the book, the author writes about the MC (who is a lawyer) doesn't like to bore the jury because that's when you lose them. The same can be said about me and legal dramas.
Sooo many of them are sooo boring because the author gets bogged down in legalese and legal strategies that they have me DNF halfway through the book. This one didn't do much of that, which can be part of why I finished it - that a just a plain good story.
Sooo many of them are sooo boring because the author gets bogged down in legalese and legal strategies that they have me DNF halfway through the book. This one didn't do much of that, which can be part of why I finished it - that a just a plain good story.
June 22, 2020
This was fun!
I read a lot. I don't always write a review, but this book and the characters therein, screamed for one. First, I loved the characters. Second, I loved the dialog, and the quirky eccentricities, that revealed the characters true and interesting selves. The story, as well as the court dialog, was enjoyable, believable, and fast moving. This is a delightful and entertaining five star effort... For sure. I'm looking for another book by Al Macy as soon as I press submit on this review.
I read a lot. I don't always write a review, but this book and the characters therein, screamed for one. First, I loved the characters. Second, I loved the dialog, and the quirky eccentricities, that revealed the characters true and interesting selves. The story, as well as the court dialog, was enjoyable, believable, and fast moving. This is a delightful and entertaining five star effort... For sure. I'm looking for another book by Al Macy as soon as I press submit on this review.
June 23, 2020
Predictable but enjoyable
Not a bad effort at all if you like a courtroom drama. The deaf angle is a bit unusual but generally contributes to the plot rather than just being there as “something different.” Characters are a bit shallow and need filling out more but you can see how the author is trying to lay the foundation for a series. A fairly good plot in that there are a couple of twists and the reason for 4* rather than less is it is well enough written for me to read another book by the author.
Not a bad effort at all if you like a courtroom drama. The deaf angle is a bit unusual but generally contributes to the plot rather than just being there as “something different.” Characters are a bit shallow and need filling out more but you can see how the author is trying to lay the foundation for a series. A fairly good plot in that there are a couple of twists and the reason for 4* rather than less is it is well enough written for me to read another book by the author.
September 10, 2019
Fantastic read. Devoured every minute of it. Look forward to more by Al Macy. Highly recommend it for mystery buffs.
I have one "But" (there's always at least one). Could not understand why Angelo's purported body was not brought up and taken to the morgue for autopsy. That would have shown very quickly that the corpse was not Angelo. To rely on some DNA that was on a hook that was purportedly used to pull the body to the boat when a whole body was available is ludicrous. Of course, that is just the way I see it, but then again I can't see a coroner doing a job half-a____.
I have one "But" (there's always at least one). Could not understand why Angelo's purported body was not brought up and taken to the morgue for autopsy. That would have shown very quickly that the corpse was not Angelo. To rely on some DNA that was on a hook that was purportedly used to pull the body to the boat when a whole body was available is ludicrous. Of course, that is just the way I see it, but then again I can't see a coroner doing a job half-a____.
November 22, 2019
Both enjoyable and compelling
It’s rare to pick up a previously unknown author’s ‘offer’ book that turns out to be so enjoyable. As I tend to gravitate to courtroom drama novels (try Sheldon Siegel) I gave it a go - and really enjoyed it. It is credible and varied - a main case, subordinate cases, a complex and interesting family situation and an underplayed (but probably still intrusive) romantic theme. Well worth reading.
It’s rare to pick up a previously unknown author’s ‘offer’ book that turns out to be so enjoyable. As I tend to gravitate to courtroom drama novels (try Sheldon Siegel) I gave it a go - and really enjoyed it. It is credible and varied - a main case, subordinate cases, a complex and interesting family situation and an underplayed (but probably still intrusive) romantic theme. Well worth reading.
December 26, 2019
Good story and interesting court action. Macy is a good writer and makes his story interesting. The ending in this story got a little complicated, but it was still good. I rated the book a little less because I didn't like the narrator on Audible. I will read all of his books similar to the other writers that are all legal thriller writers emulating Grisham. He adds good character development, emotion, and covers details well. But, he doesn't over do it like Grisham and Turow.
August 22, 2020
A new writer for me.
I was thoroughly impressed with the cohesiveness of the storyline. The characters were believable, the dialog plausible, and the plot compelling. There were actually a couple stories going on, seamlessly intertwined. I truly liked the Goodlove and Shek team, and to read more about them, to see where their relationship leads them. Best wishes to Louella for a full recovery.
I was thoroughly impressed with the cohesiveness of the storyline. The characters were believable, the dialog plausible, and the plot compelling. There were actually a couple stories going on, seamlessly intertwined. I truly liked the Goodlove and Shek team, and to read more about them, to see where their relationship leads them. Best wishes to Louella for a full recovery.
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