Final Judgment

Samantha Brinkman #4

by Marcia Clark

A murder investigation draws firebrand attorney Samantha Brinkman into her boyfriend’s past in this novel of high-risk suspense by bestselling author Marcia Clark. When it comes to relationships and self-preservation, defense attorney Samantha Brinkman has always been cut and run. But it’s different with her new lover, Niko, an ambitious and globally famous entrepreneur. Sam is putting her faith in him. She has to. He’s also her new client―a suspect in the murder of an investor whose shady dealings turned Niko’s good life upside down. He had the revenge. As did many others who banked a fortune on the wrong man. That’s a point in Niko’s favor. So is his alibi for the day of the slaying. Until that alibi mysteriously disappears. As Sam’s feverish search for another viable killer begins, the investigation only leads deeper into Niko’s past and its secrets. From the darkest suspicions to final judgment, fighting for Niko is Sam’s job. To do it, she must risk everything on a man who could make all her worst fears come true.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Legal Thriller, Thriller, Crime, Audiobook, Legal

416 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2020

About the author

Marcia Clark is a former LA, California deputy district attorney, who was the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case. She wrote a bestselling nonfiction book about the trial, Without a Doubt, and is a frequent media commentator and columnist on legal issues. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Final Judgment by Marcia Clark is fourth in the Samantha Brinkman series. Sam is an attorney whose love interest Niko gets into legal trouble. The police believe he may be guilty of murdering a man who stole large sums of money from investors, including himself and his mother. Because I have not read the other books in the series, I may be missing something. The book is a DNF for me. I gave up after reading a third of the novel. I felt that the author stretched descriptions of text unnecessarily in order to add more sentences. There is also quite a bit of annoying product placement, so much so that it feels like a commercial. The story is haphazard and the characters are stiff. This was a disappointment for me because I had wanted to read a Marcia Clark legal novel. This is my opinion only and I'm sure most readers enjoyed the book. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think many of us are familiar with attorney, Marcia Clark, but did you know she pens a mystery suspense series featuring a brilliant female attorney? This was my first foray into the series at book four, and while I always love more backstory, I was able to settle into this one and really enjoy it.

Samantha Brinkman is a defense attorney, not always an easy job for a multitude of reasons. She has a new boyfriend who also becomes her newest client. He’s a suspect in a murder, and he easily has a motive, but so did many others. Sam is on the hunt to point the finger at anyone else in order to defend Niko. No matter how she feels, and her feelings are all over the place, her job is to defend Niko.

I don’t think I’ve read many books from the perspective of a defense attorney, and I enjoyed having a different side of things. The pacing in this book is excellent, as is the writing, and I loved Sam and definitely want to read more of the series.

I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do You Really Know Anyone?

Samantha Brinkman has just found out that her boyfriend Nico is now her client. Nico had talked his mother to investing some money (but not her life savings) in the company Goldstrike. Nico trusted the two owners of the company but they now have gone bankrupt and Nico's mother is getting very sick because of the loss and her son is furious as are many of the investors but he has more at stake because he recommended this company to many of his friends and acquaintances and now everyone has lost all their money. The men involved promise Nick they will get all the money back. (How? And When?). Suddenly one of the men is found dead and the other seems to be missing. The police think Nico looks like the perfect suspect if the man was murdered. The plot thickens and more mysteries arise while Sam takes on another case that she feels very strongly about involving a teenage girl. Will she be able to help Nico when she discovers that he has kept many secrets from her that may damage the future of their relationship and his case.I

This was the fourth book in the Samantha Brinkman series. Maybe if I had read the first couple books I would have enjoyed this a little more. The storyline was interesting but the book was way too long. I can see how many readers are attracted to the series because I did enjoy some of the characters. There were too many puns and witty remarks for me and way too many details about what the characters ate and the scunci's that Michelle wore in her hair to match her outfit everyday. I lost count on the times Nick said "I don't know what I would do without you, Sam". Also, I don't ever want to hear about the drink "Patron Silver" in a book ever again! I know what she drinks, she doesn't have to say it every time an has her drink at night. Too much emphasis on unnecessary details that made the book not work for me. I just couldn't connect with Sam's character, she didn't have enough emotion or feeling for everything she was struggling with (imo). I did notice the first two books in the series received high recommendations so I might try those in the future to have a better understanding of Sam. All in all, the story was not believable for me and very far fetched for some of the actions she had performed and the way she handles justice.

I want to thank the publisher "Thomas And Mercer" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I do recommend this book to others because I may be in the minority with my feelings about this story.
I have given the book 3 UNBELIEVABLE 🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marcia Clark, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After a hiatus, Marcia Clark is back with another strong Samantha Brinkman legal thriller that hits home more than the other books in the series. While on vacation with her boyfriend, Niko, Samantha is rushed back to LA to deal with an investment issue. It would seem that Niko’s mother was taken in by a cryptocurrency scam that saw her lose a great deal of money. While they two men heading up the investment are apologetic, they are not confident about being able to reimburse their clients. Niko takes this less than calmly and Samantha soon sees a darker and more intense side. When one of the investors turns up dead in his home, all eyes turn to Niko, as the cause of death is internal decapitation, skill Niko knows well. All the same, Niko proclaims that he is innocent, though admits he is trained to kill when needed. Samantha agrees to represent him and the search for the truth begins. While Samantha handles some of her other legal work, the office team begins digging a little deeper, only to discover that Niko has a past in Chicago that he likely did not want discovered. As Samantha must digest this, things begin looking worse for her client as the court date approaches. Lies and deceit are nothing a defence attorney likes in their client, but when it’s a boyfriend, it is exponentially worse. Samantha will have to make a few choices as Niko’s guilt looks more likely. Will she choose wisely for all involved? A wonderful story that keeps the reader guessing. Recommended to those who have enjoyed this series (and all of Clark’s work), as well as the reader who needs a legal thriller that can be digested with ease.

I have long enjoyed Marcia Clark’s work, as she reinvent herself after the infamous trial that made her a household name. She works hard to create relatable characters and stories that can be easily enjoyed, even if they touch on some controversial subjects. Samantha Brinkman has been a wonderfully complex character, as the four novels in the series have come to show her. She is strong-willed, but also vulnerable when it suits her. She is gritty and determined without being cold. This story pushes her into a realm she might not have known before and requires that she make choices that will clash with her emotional well-being. Other characters help to push the story forward, while complementing Brinkman in a variety of ways, which enriches the overall experience. The story is strong and kept me pushing forward. Perhaps it is that there has not been a novel in a few years, but I was hungering for as much as I could get in short order. A mix of chapters kept me wanting to push ahead and I was impressed with all Clark had to offer. I hope there is more to come soon, as this is one fan who is not as patient as some.

Kudos, Madam Clark, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Samantha or your other projects.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited! I didn't realize another book was coming. I love everything written by Marcia Clark, but especially the Samantha Brinkman series.

Now that I know, I don't think I can wait until NEXT YEAR. Seriously, April of 2020? *groan*

Look how quickly I went from happy dance to "ohh, the agony!"

[Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another of those publisher-provided freebies (via the publisher and NetGalley, thank you very much) that got moved to the top of the stack almost immediately; I love this series, of which this is the fourth - in fact, I've loved every single book I've read by this author. In all honesty, I have to say this isn't my favorite of the bunch, but neither have I lost even a titch of enthusiasm for quirky attorney Samantha Brinkman, her tech-savvy investigator Alex and her BFF and paralegal Michelle. Love-shy Sam has been hooked up with hunky Niko for a while now - as this opens, they're enjoying a rare beachside vacation, when Niko gets a disturbing phone call. An investment opportunity he recommended to his elderly mother has gone belly up; she and a host of other investors have been wiped out. Back at home, when Niko takes Sam to meet the guys behind the deal (think Bernie Madoff times two), each points the finger at the other. Devastated over his mother's loss, Niko - who lost a bundle himself but remains far from destitute - vows to get everyone's money back. His determination is intensified when his mother suffers a stroke that threatens her life.

That determination proves to be a negative, however, when one of the dealmakers turns up dead, the other goes missing and Niko turns out to be the prime suspect. Sam stands by her man - intent on proving him innocent - but as her investigation continues (with extensive help from Alex and, surreptitiously, from her detective dad), the more she suspects Niko may not be totally innocent. But then, given her penchant for vigilanteeism, can she really blame him for wanting to even the score?

It's a guessing game to the finish as to the killer's identity, how much of her so-far-secretive background Sam will decide to share with Niko and, depending on that decision, what the fate of their relationship will be. Great fun every page of the way!

[Dave · Rating 2 out of 5]

Final Judgment is the fourth book in the Samantha Brinkman legal thriller series. I can certainly see how this would appeal to another reader, but it simply wasn't to my taste what with the endless descriptions of blue scrunchies and the latest fashions.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has been a while since she has written a book . I did the previous three. I thought the first 2 were real good and the third one dropped off a whole bunch.. I was hoping the series would get back on track but no it was still missing. The story did not bog down but just went sideways. The story did was not really that plausible and was boring the secondary story stupid and the ending over the top. I also got very tired of her having bad thoughts about her boy friend in her head, her naps, stupid other characters, that she was the only smart person, her employee who could hack thru NASA in 2 minutes and the food scenes. I would say only read this book if you have read the previous 3 books and are curious where the series goes. I will not read another in this series and only if real bored should you give this one a spin. I did not have a highlight that accidently got marked..

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Brinkman, LA attorney, finds her vacation with new boyfriend Niko interrupted by the news that a risky investment has gone awry, and everyone has lost fortunes. The investment advisers, Bryan and Tanner, blame each other, but when they both disappear, it's time for Sam to investigate. Sam, who survived a childhood trapped with a pedophile stepfather, finds that the abuser from her past was one of the investors. Was the investment really bad, or did someone just run off with the money? This is an incredibly well-plotted page turner filled with fascinating characters and a satisfying ending--highly recommended! Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

[Linda Strong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Brinkman, Attorney, is back again with a boyfriend in tow. Nico is a well-to-do entrepreneur. He is also Sam's client.

He's now become a person of interest in the murder of an investor who made off with a lit of money ... Nico's, the friends he recommended, his own mother, as well as many others. When another investor disappears, the cops start looking for the victims, and they're paying really close attention to Nico.

Nico has some secrets from the past ... secrets he's not shared with Sam.. at least until now. As Sam’s feverish search for another viable killer begins, the investigation only leads deeper into Niko’s past and its secrets.

This has been an excellent series ... I just wish the author could write as fast as I read. It's action-packed with surprises here and there. I like these characters and how they relate to each other. Samantha is suspicious of Nico ... is he lying? Could he have murdered for revenge? Nico may have his secrets, but so does Sam .... and she's not willing to share those. Sam also has a unique relationship with her father ... a man she only met recently...and who happens to be a detective.

Although 4th in the series, this one stands easily as a stand alone. There's just enough information about Sam's life that will whet your appetite for more. I highly recommend starting at the very beginning.

Many thanks to the author / Thomas & Mercer / Netgalley for the advance digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Don Gerstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

For most of the first half of the book, I thought this was going to be the first novel by Marcia Clark where I didn’t find issues that dragged down the star rating. By the time I was through, my feelings had turned in the opposite direction.

The plot introduction was intriguing. The heroine, lawyer Samantha Brickman, wades through the clues as she tries to determine exactly what happened. Unfortunately, her boyfriend Niko is a prime suspect, and Samantha uses every trick she can to find the evidence to prove him innocent. The book is almost like a police procedural, as the author has Samantha and her investigator Alex pounding the pavement following up on leads. This is Ms. Clark’s five-star element.

It is difficult to explain exactly the major issues I had with “Final Judgment.” I will try to be vague, but those concerned they may learn too much should skip this paragragh. Samantha has a character trait which permits her to follow through with vigilante justice. In short, she has no reason not to kill someone if it is a criminal and the only way she feels justice can be served. While I might accept that she is able to balance the moral aspect with her personal thoughts, it becomes harder to swallow when everyone close to her feels the same way. It was impossible to suspend disbelief and the story descends to a level of questionable fiction.

The book could have been a tighter read if Ms. Clark could have cut a meal out here and there and suspended some of the banter. While I realize this helps to establish characters, it doesn’t have to be carried to a point where I am with Samantha for every meal of the day and privy to what she and everyone with her ate. Cutting the banter down would not destroy the relationships. Eliminating some of these scenes (many that did not have any conversations about the plot) would have prevented the book from slowing to a crawl during many of these instances.

Bottom line: For me, although “Final Judgment” is the strongest effort I have read so far from Ms. Clark, I still found myself shaking my head at the end of the story. The contradictory character traits were dismaying, and I was frustrated as what could have been a good book slowly slid from the heights it could have achieved. Fans of the author will probably love this book. I found it to be a mix of good and not so good. Three stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a complimentary electronic copy of this book.

[Roberta (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for a free Advanced Reader's Copy of FINAL JUDGMENT by Marcia Clark in exchange for an unbiased review.
Samantha Brinkman is a criminal defense lawyer in the Los Angeles area. She is very savvy and not above bending the law a bit to help get her clients shorter sentences or acquittals. She has a past that has left her scarred on a deep emotional level and not able to sustain close relationships. Now she seems to be falling in love with Niko who is an entrepreneur. After his life and the life of his mother are severely impacted by shady, criminal investors, Samantha is afraid he may have killed them as a form of revenge. Will her lover become a notorious client for her?
This novel is the fourth and final one in a series, but the author does an amazing job of putting in just enough back story to make it stand well on its own.
Samantha is developed fully with her flaws and nightmares. Her law office staff add extra depth to the plot. I am not usually a big fan of first person narrative, but this story would not work anywhere as well in any other form.
I love Marcia Clark's look at L.A. with its traffic woes and local food. You couldn't pay me enough to drive in that city. I also was amused by Samantha's beverage of choice, Patron Silver. I have never had any, but it sounds like a perfect nightcap.
Despite the completeness of this book, you will want to read the other three in this fabulous series to get the full flavor. Most people remember Marcia Clark from the OJ Simpson trial. She has gone on to do many TV interviews, create quite a few TV series and written many bestselling novels. I will be looking forward to more tales from this very talented lady.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Marcia Clark's books based on her work as a prosecutor. I thought she had the background that would be a good fit to become an author. I was right! She writes amazing legal thrillers that I love! I somehow missed the 3rd in this series but will be certain to go back and read it soon.

In this installment, Samantha Brinkman, an attorney is put into a situation where her boyfriend Niko, has lost a lot of money investing in a scheme that was promised to bring big profits. He invested and encouraged others, including his mother, to invest. It fails. And that's when this book takes off! It's a roller coaster ride from that point on!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

[Scott Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth novel in the Samantha Brinkman series by Marcia Clark. Marcia Clark is well-known for her unsucccessful role in the O.J. Simpson prosecution for the alleged murder of his wife and her boyfriend. Subsequently Clark has become a successful author of legal thrillers.

Samanatha Brinkman and her boyfriend Niko Ferrell are relaxing at a South Pacific resort when he receives a phone call alerting him that an investment that he recommended to his mother and some friends has gone badly awry. They go rushing back to the States to try to sort things out. It turns out that the two individuals in the Gold Strike scheme, Bryant and Tanner, have "lost" everything and they each blame the other for the debacle. Niko's mother Sophia has lost her life savings and ends up in hospital after a stroke. Bryant ends up murdered and Samantha and her colleagues at Brinkman and Associates decide to pitch in and investigate what has happened. Matters become more complicated when the second principal in the scheme, Tanner, goes missing and the police are unable to locate him. As a result of some circumstantial evidence Niko becomes a person of interest in the police investigation and Sam digs into his past in an attempt to exonerate him. But she learns things which make her suspicious. The plot thickens before matters are resolved. An interesting novel. A good read.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam, the main character, is a savvy, bighearted, sometimes amoral, mess, who survived horrific childhood trauma to become a fast-talking lawyer, who tries to stand up for other down-and-outers. I can’t imagine someone further from my world, but maybe the thought of that hurting young girl who no one stood up for makes me root for her—even when she’s breaking the law. So I’m a fan.

(I’m not sure why, but sometimes I wonder what would happen if she ended up in the same story as Jack Reacher!)

Sometimes gritty yet entertaining listen!

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam Brinkman is a sassy, smart defense attorney with a not-so-happy past. She tries to do what’s actually right for justice in a lot of cases, especially when the law doesn’t mete out what she feels is appropriate punishment. While this could make her a crazy character, instead it made it sound like she deserves a fist bump.

Ms. Brinkman also had great relationships with each of the other people in her law office. Her ‘bestie’ from childhood was her office manager (and anything else that needed to be done). A previous client who had proved his computer and research skills was her investigator. The respect and admiration they all demonstrated for each other was enjoyable to witness. Great characters can often make a book a better read.

Although it was book four of the Samantha Brinkman series, this book stood alone just fine. There were references to events in her past, but it wasn’t easily discernible if the events were featured in previous books, or just memories from her past.

This book was a great summer read, with a satisfying ending. I’d give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary fiction and legal thrillers. I’d also be interested in checking out the previous books in the series, and other novels by this author.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I actually really enjoyed this one! I listened to it while I was doing stuff around the house and kept stopping what I was doing to listen because I'd get engrossed in it! I love when books do that! I love the strong, female lead attorney and how she takes the law into her own hands when the system doesn't work. She's definitely someone I'd want on my team!!

[Andrea Corley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I so clearly stated before, this series is very different than Marcia Clark's Rachel Knight sereis, and even several books in, I still have to remind myself that it is a totally different series! HOWEVER, I do appreciate such diversification and distinction between the two different series!

Samantha Brinkman is such a badass character! She dances to her own tune and that's absolutely what I love about her! She doesn't care who's watching or who doesn't like it, she will do what she want when she wants! It was so good to see her stepping out of her comfort zone in her relationship with Niko.

Marcia Clark is so good at telling stories! They always enthrall me! They keep me entertained and guessing from beginning to end! This was another great example of a book that kept me engrossed throughout the entire book!

I have to extend a huge thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a copy of this title in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Maybe not truth. But justice for sure."

This is the 4th in this legal thriller series featuring lawyer and vigilante Samantha Brinkman. I've read the previous books and find them fast-paced and the stories typically have complex plots with a lot going on -- mostly outside of a courtroom.

Samantha is a defense attorney and definitely bends the rules and the law most of the time. Unfortunately, Samantha is a total hypocrite and operates with a strange double-standard as the reader sees when her boyfriend, Niko Ferrell, looks to be guilty of murder. Now, keep in mind that Sam doesn't mind so much that he killed someone, what makes her angry is that he didn't tell her -- a lot, actually, and she can't stand that. The aggravation and irritation I felt with her is due to the fact that she has not shared her own past and truth with him. Hmmm.

For the most part, the characters are quite unbelievable and stereotypical. The bestie, Michy, is Samantha's Gal Friday and of course there is Alex, the expert hacker and investigator who operates without boundaries of any kind. So much illegal stuff going on here that it stretches credulity to the max. The trio spends a lot of time together and there is a great deal of detail and description about what they eat, wear, etc., and lots of banter. Samantha's endless angst over her personal relationship with Niko got old fast. I found it difficult to imagine how Samantha, as an attorney, spent more time investigating the cases and chasing leads than the police did. Her relationship and interaction with her father, Dale, a cop, is also quite weird. Samantha is definitely operating outside of moral and ethical codes in her quest to save Niko from himself and his conscience as well as to take care of someone who did her great harm in the past. If you like vigilantism, you will like Samantha and this series. Anyway, despite my reaction to her dubious behavior and the need to suspend disbelief at her antics, I do like the series and will most likely be reading the next installment. The author is well-known and is herself a practicing criminal lawyer in LA. She served as prosecutor for the OJ Simpson trial and is a legal correspondent and talk show commentator. So she knows the law and definitely uses that expertise when writing these legal novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-book ARC to read and review.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Brinkman is back in the latest installment of Marcia Clark's series about a defense lawyer with her own set of ethics and sense of justice.

Final Judgment picks up the latest installment with Sam and her boyfriend Niko sunning themselves in a tropical paradise. But, of course, in Samantha Brinkman's life, nothing ever stays quiet for long and their tropical vacation is interrupted with a call from Niko's friend that the investment Niko touted had gone belly up and all of his friends and family had been financially wiped out.

When one investor turns up murdered and the other goes missing shortly after being confronted by Sam and Niko, Niko becomes the prime suspect. Now Sam and her team are investigating the murders to find out if Sam is dating a killer and they're digging into a past that Niko hasn't shared with Sam.

I enjoyed Final Judgment and look forward to the next entry in the series. Marcia Clark knows her way around crime fiction and writes Brinkman as a tough, no nonsense lawyer with a talent for investigation and a thirst for revenge. As this is the fourth in the series, I strongly encourage any reader to read the first three books of the series before diving into Final Judgment as they will provide additional context with Samantha's back story and the characters in the novel.

I received an e-ARC of Final Judgment from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimba Tichenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and action-packed, there is never a dull moment with this non-traditional legal thriller by Marcia Clark, in which an investment scam quickly turns to murder, rape, and revenge. This is the fourth book in the Samantha Brinkman series and suffice it to say Samantha’s approach to the law is far from orthodox. So, don’t expect a traditional legal thriller, as you might even say, Samantha is more than willing to give the law a little nudge when it looks like justice might not be served. This tendency to nudge the law means that our protagonist had more than a few skeletons in her closet and these skeletons seem to always find a way to resurface. This means that it is helpful to have read the earlier books in the series before you tackle this one, but not required. The author provides enough background so that you never fill lost. I can say this because I have read only one other book in the series and this one is by far the better of the two. A fun read that kept me entertained even when once or twice it required the suspension of disbelief.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Jenny Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoping that this not the end of the series.

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite of the series. This was a hard case for Samantha Brinkman. The accused, her partner. Sam is as rabid as ever uncovering the truth and she has to make some hard decisions, both professionally and personally. I love how dogged Samantha is when she gets the bit between her teeth. The team around her are just as good and I love how cohesive they are. I think this may be the end of this series (or at least it is on audible), however, I hope there is more as I’ve really enjoyed them.

[Tracy T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was pretty good. Not my favorite of the series but still good. (audible review)

I like Samantha she is a good character. There are some great secondary characters too like Alex and Michey.

Entertaining and keeps your attention.

Great narration by Angela Dawe. Love her narrations. She does a fantastic job.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Samantha Brinkman is an attorney and, secretly, a part-time vigilante. In Marcia Clark’s latest book, Final Judgement, Samantha is first drawn into a financial scandal. It quickly turns into a murder investigation when her boyfriend, Niko, becomes a person of interest. While this book is considered a legal thriller, much of the action takes place outside the courtroom and, in some cases, outside the law.

This is the first book I’ve read by Marcia Clark and, sadly, it will probably be the last one as well. While the initial plot is adequate and would have been interesting, it quickly became convoluted and quite unbelievable. I found the characters to be somewhat distasteful, especially Samantha, who has no problem with meting out her own form of justice. There is constant reference to her favorite type of alcohol, when she takes showers (at least 32 pages mention this activity), and the amount of coffee she drinks. Every. Single. Day. It all became quite tedious and repetitive. Just reducing this information would have moved the story along nicely.

Finally, the plot is unbelievable at best. The intertwining of Samantha’s personal life with cases she is involved with isn’t realistic and, furthermore, she doesn’t display the behavior of an ethical attorney. Ditto for her staff as well as her father (who just happens to be a police officer). To me that was very off-putting.

I enjoy a well-written legal thriller and I so wanted to like this book. However, it fell far short of my expectations.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

[Flapper72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a couple of Marcia Clark's books and have always enjoyed them - this is no different. Sam, a lawyer who has her own back story, is driven (hate that word but I guess that's what it is) but is supported in her law firm by her best friend, Michy and Alex who does stuff. It's a really lovely dynamic between the trio. We also learn more about Marcia and the man who fathered her and this story is about her new (first/only) love Nico. Sam has always felt that she's independent and really has refused to be hurt so avoids meaningful relationship. It's only when questions surface about Nico's only actions and his past that Sam really realises how much she cares for Nico but also just how important it is for her to find out the truth. Actually, is the truth necessary or just to prove that someone is not guilty. Highly recommended

[Kimba Tichenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced and action-packed, there is never a dull moment with this non-traditional legal thriller by Marcia Clark, in which an investment scam quickly turns to murder, rape, and revenge. This is the fourth book in the Samantha Brinkman series and suffice it to say Samantha’s approach to the law is far from orthodox. So, don’t expect a traditional legal thriller, as you might even say, Samantha is more than willing to give the law a little nudge when it looks like justice might not be served. This tendency to nudge the law means that our protagonist had more than a few skeletons in her closet and these skeletons seem to always find a way to resurface. This means that it is helpful to have read the earlier books in the series before you tackle this one, but not required. The author provides enough background so that you never fill lost. I can say this because I have read only one other book in the series and this one is by far the better of the two. A fun read that kept me entertained even if once or twice it required the suspension of disbelief.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of author Marcia Clark and of this series, with protagonist Samantha Brinkman and her band of fellow characters. There are just enough twists and turns in the mystery to keep me fully engaged in the tale. Author Clark puts in plenty of good LA details, so I feel as though I’ve had a mini-vacation while reading the book, always a plus. And the main character’s slightly off-center traits are refreshing, even as they are not entirely believable. But, the author lived a similar life, so who am I to say? In any event, I look forward to each new addition to the series, and this one does not disappoint. Sam now has a boyfriend. She doubts her life can be remotely normal for long and is quickly relieved of further worry when bad luck comes knocking. There’s a Ponzi scheme or maybe just a simple robbery but most assuredly there’s a murder, or two. This is a great book and I’m hoping there will be more. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Cotty · Rating 1 out of 5]

what did i just read? i genuinely don't know why i even bother anymore. after having left reading it for a while, i now remember what the many problems i have with the whole series. far from a legal thriller, this seems to be a police procedural, with no police or procedure. all the mc does is eat or think about eating, get stuck in traffic, drink patrón silver (god forbid we forget it) and performa
varying range of illegal actions. on every. single. chapter. a lawyer. and have everyone just go with it. the resolution made no sense, the whole book was utter bs and i'm finally utterly done with this.

[Bruno Nielsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

Loved previous books. Main story could be told in a chapter. Rest is filled with corny chatter and product name droppings. You can do much better Marcia!