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Sam McRae Mystery #1
Identity Crisis
Book by Mack, Debbi
212 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
85 people are currently reading
937 people want to read
About the author
Debbi Mack
20 books139 followersDebbi Mack is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sam McRae Mystery Series. She's also published a young adult novel called INVISIBLE ME and a thriller entitled THE PLANCK FACTOR.
She's the author of DAMAGED GOODS, the first book in a series about a female Marine veteran sleuth named Erica Jensen, which was nominated for a Shamus Award. The sequel is called FATAL CONNECTIONS, and she's currently working on the third novel. She's also written short stories, including one nominated for a Derringer. In addition, she writes screenplays and is interested in filmmaking.
Debbi hosts and produces a podcast called the Crime Cafe, in which she interviews crime, suspense, and thriller authors: http://www.debbimack.com/crime-cafe/
Debbi co-hosts and produces Dark and Twisted Alleys: A Film Noir Podcast with crime and horror author F.R. Jameson.
Debbi is a "recovering lawyer", who enjoys reading, movies, travel, baseball, walking and espresso--not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Columbia, MD, with their family of cats.
She's the author of DAMAGED GOODS, the first book in a series about a female Marine veteran sleuth named Erica Jensen, which was nominated for a Shamus Award. The sequel is called FATAL CONNECTIONS, and she's currently working on the third novel. She's also written short stories, including one nominated for a Derringer. In addition, she writes screenplays and is interested in filmmaking.
Debbi hosts and produces a podcast called the Crime Cafe, in which she interviews crime, suspense, and thriller authors: http://www.debbimack.com/crime-cafe/
Debbi co-hosts and produces Dark and Twisted Alleys: A Film Noir Podcast with crime and horror author F.R. Jameson.
Debbi is a "recovering lawyer", who enjoys reading, movies, travel, baseball, walking and espresso--not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Columbia, MD, with their family of cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
July 21, 2014
3.5 bumped up to 4.
Best categorized as hard-boiled/noir crime fiction, Identity Crisis has a lot to offer fans of the genre.
Sam McRae is a chick dick, you know the female version of Philip Marlowe, with a tough exterior that occasionally cracks enough to reveal a vulnerable interior.
This was well-written and fast paced. The biggest flaw for me involved the plot, which took an unexpected turn--not necessarily a bad thing--but in this case a little too far out of left field and a little bit of a disappointment. There were also a few cliche characters like the thug with the scar running down his cheek. But all in all, a solid and entertaining read.
Best categorized as hard-boiled/noir crime fiction, Identity Crisis has a lot to offer fans of the genre.
Sam McRae is a chick dick, you know the female version of Philip Marlowe, with a tough exterior that occasionally cracks enough to reveal a vulnerable interior.
This was well-written and fast paced. The biggest flaw for me involved the plot, which took an unexpected turn--not necessarily a bad thing--but in this case a little too far out of left field and a little bit of a disappointment. There were also a few cliche characters like the thug with the scar running down his cheek. But all in all, a solid and entertaining read.
December 30, 2010
Debbi Mack's debut novel, "Identity Crisis," has a lot going for it. It's a well-written, briskly paced, plot-packed detective mystery that makes strong but subtle use of its Chesapeake Bay-area settings held my attention for the most part. Overall, it's a few cuts above the majority of self-published fare.
Unfortunately, it's a little too packed with plot -- to the extent that the final act goes off the rails, with way too many scenes in which way too much is explained. I found myself jumping back and forth, trying to make sense of who did what to who and for what reasons, and not often succeeding.
And what's explained most of all is that most of the mystery in the preceding pages was a red herring that distracted from a solution that no reader of "Identity Crisis" could possibly have anticipated. That, in my opinion, cheated me as a reader out of the "Aha! Fiendishly clever! I should have figured that one out!" moment that makes good mystery fiction so satisfying.
What was ostensibly a tale of identity theft and murderous greed -- and a very complicated one at that, filled with shifting money, drifting evidence and possible double-crosses by the bucketful -- gets almost completely tossed aside in favor of a story of personal vengeance that comes out of nowhere. It all culminates in an overly talky climactic scene in which the killers, peripheral characters to that point, all but stop the action to explain. And explain and explain and explain.
The overall impression I get is that the author lost the handle on the plot and had to scramble to tie together several loose strands of plot.
I'd almost be OK with that if I cared more about the characters, but the book's heroine, Sam McRae, is not particularly well-developed. She's a lawyer who seems to have only one client -- someone who starts off being charged with murder and ends up almost completely offstage -- and seems to forget her canon of ethics as often as not. Some of the things she does, like being ahead of the police in questioning the owner of a strip club that appears to be run by a couple of scam artists or not reporting a mob beating that hospitalized her for a week, stretch plausibility to the breaking point.
The shadings of her character seem to be cobbled together from other detective novels -- a cat, a crappy car, a caretaker neighbor and a complacent lover among them -- and don't add up to anything compelling. (I did appreciate that the developing new love interest, a competing investigator, was nicely underplayed.)
All that being said, I admired Mack's grasp of genre craft, and was glad to see that she ensured her novel received strong story-editing and copy-editing. While I was disappointed in "Identity Crisis," I also see that Debbi Mack knows her stuff. So I'll give her, and Sam McRae, another chance in the next book in this series, the just-released "Least Wanted."
Unfortunately, it's a little too packed with plot -- to the extent that the final act goes off the rails, with way too many scenes in which way too much is explained. I found myself jumping back and forth, trying to make sense of who did what to who and for what reasons, and not often succeeding.
And what's explained most of all is that most of the mystery in the preceding pages was a red herring that distracted from a solution that no reader of "Identity Crisis" could possibly have anticipated. That, in my opinion, cheated me as a reader out of the "Aha! Fiendishly clever! I should have figured that one out!" moment that makes good mystery fiction so satisfying.
What was ostensibly a tale of identity theft and murderous greed -- and a very complicated one at that, filled with shifting money, drifting evidence and possible double-crosses by the bucketful -- gets almost completely tossed aside in favor of a story of personal vengeance that comes out of nowhere. It all culminates in an overly talky climactic scene in which the killers, peripheral characters to that point, all but stop the action to explain. And explain and explain and explain.
The overall impression I get is that the author lost the handle on the plot and had to scramble to tie together several loose strands of plot.
I'd almost be OK with that if I cared more about the characters, but the book's heroine, Sam McRae, is not particularly well-developed. She's a lawyer who seems to have only one client -- someone who starts off being charged with murder and ends up almost completely offstage -- and seems to forget her canon of ethics as often as not. Some of the things she does, like being ahead of the police in questioning the owner of a strip club that appears to be run by a couple of scam artists or not reporting a mob beating that hospitalized her for a week, stretch plausibility to the breaking point.
The shadings of her character seem to be cobbled together from other detective novels -- a cat, a crappy car, a caretaker neighbor and a complacent lover among them -- and don't add up to anything compelling. (I did appreciate that the developing new love interest, a competing investigator, was nicely underplayed.)
All that being said, I admired Mack's grasp of genre craft, and was glad to see that she ensured her novel received strong story-editing and copy-editing. While I was disappointed in "Identity Crisis," I also see that Debbi Mack knows her stuff. So I'll give her, and Sam McRae, another chance in the next book in this series, the just-released "Least Wanted."
December 10, 2009
I received this book from the author with a request for a review. I told her I only posted positive reviews on DorothyL and she was happy with that. I am very pleased to tell you how much I enjoyed this book.
Stephanie Ann “Sam” McRae is a small-time lawyer with a small office and an even smaller staff, her landlord’s secretary. She is happy representing common people who need help. A simple domestic abuse victim suddenly turns up missing and is the lead suspect in the murder of her abusive boyfriend. When the police and the F.B.I. turn up at Sam’s office looking for Melanie Hayes, Sam becomes very curious. Melanie seemed as though she was the person she appeared to be: working at a bank, going to college and living her life as well as she can. Sam likes to think she is a good judge of character, but Melanie is defying her parameters. Sam begins trying to track down Melanie and finds herself caught between the mob and the government, both of whom want Melanie, dead or alive. Sam finds herself visiting sleazy strip clubs and being beaten up by the mob and trying to keep Melanie out of jail once Sam tracks her down. Then there is the little question of Sam’s boyfriend, working for the State Attorney’s office, and, by the way, he’s married. The solution to the problem is there all along, but the book is well enough written that the reader keeps barreling along, trying to figure it out. I like Sam and I look forward to more of her adventures.
Stephanie Ann “Sam” McRae is a small-time lawyer with a small office and an even smaller staff, her landlord’s secretary. She is happy representing common people who need help. A simple domestic abuse victim suddenly turns up missing and is the lead suspect in the murder of her abusive boyfriend. When the police and the F.B.I. turn up at Sam’s office looking for Melanie Hayes, Sam becomes very curious. Melanie seemed as though she was the person she appeared to be: working at a bank, going to college and living her life as well as she can. Sam likes to think she is a good judge of character, but Melanie is defying her parameters. Sam begins trying to track down Melanie and finds herself caught between the mob and the government, both of whom want Melanie, dead or alive. Sam finds herself visiting sleazy strip clubs and being beaten up by the mob and trying to keep Melanie out of jail once Sam tracks her down. Then there is the little question of Sam’s boyfriend, working for the State Attorney’s office, and, by the way, he’s married. The solution to the problem is there all along, but the book is well enough written that the reader keeps barreling along, trying to figure it out. I like Sam and I look forward to more of her adventures.
April 17, 2011
With so many lawyers running extracurricular sleuthing activities already in crime fiction, it's hard to latch onto yet another attorney with seemingly too much time on her hands. This is the feeling I had going into "Identity Crisis," by Debbi Mack (Lulu, 2009).
Fortunately, readers won't suffer through the 254 pages of Mack's mystery. In the protagonist, attorney Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae, they'll find something both familiar and new. They've probably been down the lawyer-detective path before, but they haven't met someone as real as McRae.
That's because McRae has a real problem: one of her clients skipped town. Not only that, but this client appears to have stolen McRae's identity.
McRae doesn't immediately jump out of her chair and start cracking skulls. No, she cautiously investigates the pieces of what's happened. She's an unwilling participant with a lot at stake. The action definitely picks up later on, but readers won't get a sense McRae is egging on the bad guys.
And that's the real difference Mack weaves into "Identity Crisis." There are no "Law & Order" archetypes. There's a sense of care placed into developing the characters, one that's reflected by how McRae acts. Careful characters make for intelligent plots. This book won't talk down to or over readers.
This notion fades a bit as the book moves toward conclusion, with McRae engaging in some TV-style detective work, such as sneaking in after hours at a strip club. But that's forgivable, since it's all in the name of a good crime novel.
Which is fitting, since this is a good crime novel. McRae has staying power, something the author feels, too. A blurb on the cover says "A Sam McRae Mystery," suggesting this is part of a series.
That said, latter parts of the novel drag. The beginning is an explosion of intrigue and drama, but that fades as the page count grows. The mystery itself keeps readers involved, but nothing packs the punch of the beginning. Maybe that's an effect of coming off of 50 excellent pages, but it's not a deal breaker.
In all, "Identity Crisis" is an intelligent, intriguing and sometimes just fun crime novel. It's novels like these that lend legitimacy to the self-publishing and POD movement within the book world.
Fortunately, readers won't suffer through the 254 pages of Mack's mystery. In the protagonist, attorney Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae, they'll find something both familiar and new. They've probably been down the lawyer-detective path before, but they haven't met someone as real as McRae.
That's because McRae has a real problem: one of her clients skipped town. Not only that, but this client appears to have stolen McRae's identity.
McRae doesn't immediately jump out of her chair and start cracking skulls. No, she cautiously investigates the pieces of what's happened. She's an unwilling participant with a lot at stake. The action definitely picks up later on, but readers won't get a sense McRae is egging on the bad guys.
And that's the real difference Mack weaves into "Identity Crisis." There are no "Law & Order" archetypes. There's a sense of care placed into developing the characters, one that's reflected by how McRae acts. Careful characters make for intelligent plots. This book won't talk down to or over readers.
This notion fades a bit as the book moves toward conclusion, with McRae engaging in some TV-style detective work, such as sneaking in after hours at a strip club. But that's forgivable, since it's all in the name of a good crime novel.
Which is fitting, since this is a good crime novel. McRae has staying power, something the author feels, too. A blurb on the cover says "A Sam McRae Mystery," suggesting this is part of a series.
That said, latter parts of the novel drag. The beginning is an explosion of intrigue and drama, but that fades as the page count grows. The mystery itself keeps readers involved, but nothing packs the punch of the beginning. Maybe that's an effect of coming off of 50 excellent pages, but it's not a deal breaker.
In all, "Identity Crisis" is an intelligent, intriguing and sometimes just fun crime novel. It's novels like these that lend legitimacy to the self-publishing and POD movement within the book world.
September 8, 2015
A light read murder mystery
This is a light read for the beach or travelling. The protagonist is a lawyer who is nice to her client, but don’t look too closely at her ethics. The supporting cast ranges from rich club owner to hires ripping off the business to mob thugs and murder victims. Others appear as the book progresses and characters’ secrets become known.
My confusion arose from the title of the book, which did not mesh with the action, which involved murders, accusal of the lawyer’s client, injuries to the lawyer by the Mob, and character name change, but where was the identity crisis? A Post Office box she didn’t open in the lawyer’s name with somebody else’s mail in it? A piece of paper with her social security number on it that mysteriously disappeared? No follow up on either item.
If either of these clues were supposed to indicate attempted identity theft, no further actions supported this. The term “identity theft” normally applies to a very serious illegal crime, but in this case “Identity Crisis” appears to be used more as an attention getter for the book than an actual case.
You might enjoy this book as a murder mystery but don’t be led astray by the title.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
This is a light read for the beach or travelling. The protagonist is a lawyer who is nice to her client, but don’t look too closely at her ethics. The supporting cast ranges from rich club owner to hires ripping off the business to mob thugs and murder victims. Others appear as the book progresses and characters’ secrets become known.
My confusion arose from the title of the book, which did not mesh with the action, which involved murders, accusal of the lawyer’s client, injuries to the lawyer by the Mob, and character name change, but where was the identity crisis? A Post Office box she didn’t open in the lawyer’s name with somebody else’s mail in it? A piece of paper with her social security number on it that mysteriously disappeared? No follow up on either item.
If either of these clues were supposed to indicate attempted identity theft, no further actions supported this. The term “identity theft” normally applies to a very serious illegal crime, but in this case “Identity Crisis” appears to be used more as an attention getter for the book than an actual case.
You might enjoy this book as a murder mystery but don’t be led astray by the title.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
August 10, 2010
Identity Crisis follows former public defender Sam (Stephanie Anne) McRae as she works to clear her client of a murder charge which turns out to be anything but simple. The clues lead her into a case involving identity theft, ties to the mob, a fire in a school lab, and revenge.
Sam's practice doesn't make a lot of money. She shares an office building--and a receptionist--with an accountant, her car is an old beater that barely runs, she lives in a small apartment and has trouble paying her bills.
I got the impression that her lack of income has to do with her devotion to her clients, who aren't necessarily corporate climbers. This makes her the kind of heroine we like to root for.
Not only is this a good mystery, but Mack--an attorney herself--is a good writer. Without slowing the story she makes her setting (Maryland during a hot sticky summer) come alive. She uses a few well-chosen words to give substance to the scenes and to the locale. She even puts in details about the accents of people from different parts of the state.
All in all, this is a good read. I highly recommend it.
Sam's practice doesn't make a lot of money. She shares an office building--and a receptionist--with an accountant, her car is an old beater that barely runs, she lives in a small apartment and has trouble paying her bills.
I got the impression that her lack of income has to do with her devotion to her clients, who aren't necessarily corporate climbers. This makes her the kind of heroine we like to root for.
Not only is this a good mystery, but Mack--an attorney herself--is a good writer. Without slowing the story she makes her setting (Maryland during a hot sticky summer) come alive. She uses a few well-chosen words to give substance to the scenes and to the locale. She even puts in details about the accents of people from different parts of the state.
All in all, this is a good read. I highly recommend it.
March 1, 2010
Early in Debbi Mack’s crisp and exciting mystery/thriller Identity Crisis there’s a reference to Dragnet and Joe Friday’s no nonsense manner. The same could be said of Mack’s efficient storytelling, which wastes no time plugging the reader into the life of lawyer Stephanie Ann McRae. By page two of Identity Crisis, Sam (a nickname constructed from her initials) is indoctrinated into what appears to be a simple missing person’s case. Unfortunately, as Sam begins to dig, nothing is as it appears, and the case become increasing complex and dangerous—not only to others, but to Sam as well. While the plot of Identity Crisis is sufficiently suspenseful and serpentine enough to keep the most avid mystery/thriller/hardboiled reader guessing, Mack pulls off the added bonus of infusing Sam and her other characters with breezy, natural dialogue and insightful descriptive humor that is uniquely her own. Identity Crisis is highly recommended.
June 26, 2011
Just another Chick Dick book...in this case, though, she's an attorney with a Nancy Drew streak....a decent amount of moxie..a married boyfriend....and a temperamental automobile. The story is set in and around Baltimore...old CHARM CITY herself.
This little tale of identity theft and murder-most-foul (with a back story of High School hijinks gone wrong, and the revenge that followed) was a sweet respite from heavier fare. Nothing earth shaking, mind you...but it flowed smoothly, without too much Romantic mush (though the ending tends toward SAPPY CITY)...a few car chases...a little gun play...a scar-faced Mafioso...put it squarely in Chick Dick territory. It reminded me of Sue Grafton's KINSEY MILLHONE/Alphabet series....in the character of Sam mcRae, that is..
My version of "fluff"...rates 3 stars..
*this was an ePub version...i read it on my NOOK)
October 12, 2009
Although these posts aren't blogs as such, new FTC regulations suggest that I ought to disclose the Debbi Mack graciously sent me a review copy of her recently re-published book. I was happy to get it because my "A Mystery for Every State" challenge to myself was inching up on Maryland, and I'd just about read all of Laura Lippman's Baltimore-based series and Barbara Michaels' books, many of which are set in rural Maryland.
Identity Crisis is set primarily in Prince George's County. Since one of my news sources is a daily email of headlines from the Washington Post, I knew that Prince George's is a middle-class suburb of Washington, DC with a large African-American population. The impression I got from Identity Crisis is that it's not a place I'd be interested in living in or even visiting. It's a place where people spend a lot of time in cars, part of the miles upon miles of suburbia punctuated by cities which is the "Bos-Wash Corridor." A lot of the places I've gone in this exercise in armchair travelling have been ones I'd like to visit in person; but the reality is that a lot of our population lives in places like that described by Ms. Mack, and that's useful to read about too. (And I'm sure there are compensations, nice people, etc.) Still, I wish Sam McRae (Mack's protagonist) would set up a practice in one of those towns Barbara Michaels writes about!
The title Identity Crisis is a good one for this book. There's the crime of identity theft, which is part of the reason Sam is pulled into the case; the question of people assuming false identities; the discovery of relationships among some of the characters; and Sam's own struggles with her love affair, which affect her sense of her own identity. There doesn't seem to be a character in the book who is part of a close or even functioning family, and I'd call that an identity crisis too.
The plot, while at times confusing to me, was quite satisfactory. Without giving too much away, I can only say that the obvious bad guys are not the only ones in the story.
Although Sam McRae is an attorney, she functions more as a private investigator in this book, and takes on many of the characteristics of the classic private eye -- the loner personality, the incredibly rapid recovery from injury, and the tendency to keep information to herself; not to mention the poor nutrition! [Book: Identity Crisis] is a good first book, and I hope Debbi Mack gets a chance to continue the series and grow the character of Sam McRae.
Identity Crisis is set primarily in Prince George's County. Since one of my news sources is a daily email of headlines from the Washington Post, I knew that Prince George's is a middle-class suburb of Washington, DC with a large African-American population. The impression I got from Identity Crisis is that it's not a place I'd be interested in living in or even visiting. It's a place where people spend a lot of time in cars, part of the miles upon miles of suburbia punctuated by cities which is the "Bos-Wash Corridor." A lot of the places I've gone in this exercise in armchair travelling have been ones I'd like to visit in person; but the reality is that a lot of our population lives in places like that described by Ms. Mack, and that's useful to read about too. (And I'm sure there are compensations, nice people, etc.) Still, I wish Sam McRae (Mack's protagonist) would set up a practice in one of those towns Barbara Michaels writes about!
The title Identity Crisis is a good one for this book. There's the crime of identity theft, which is part of the reason Sam is pulled into the case; the question of people assuming false identities; the discovery of relationships among some of the characters; and Sam's own struggles with her love affair, which affect her sense of her own identity. There doesn't seem to be a character in the book who is part of a close or even functioning family, and I'd call that an identity crisis too.
The plot, while at times confusing to me, was quite satisfactory. Without giving too much away, I can only say that the obvious bad guys are not the only ones in the story.
Although Sam McRae is an attorney, she functions more as a private investigator in this book, and takes on many of the characteristics of the classic private eye -- the loner personality, the incredibly rapid recovery from injury, and the tendency to keep information to herself; not to mention the poor nutrition! [Book: Identity Crisis] is a good first book, and I hope Debbi Mack gets a chance to continue the series and grow the character of Sam McRae.
February 1, 2014
A beautiful mix of Mob action, lawyers, identity thieving and a more than dodgy High School experiment gone wrong.
Debbi Mack's "Identity Crisis" follows the lawyer Sam McRae through the attempts to, at first save her client from an abusive boyfriend, to saving her from one of the North American Mafias. Written by the author whom has some knowledge in both the legal and private investigation field, this makes the book extremely pleasant to read, and efficiently easy to associate yourself with the character's feelings. The mix of slow paced areas thrown in with the action makes this a far more enjoyable Lawyer-Investigation book than many others.
The book is extremely well written, formulated and has a precise storyline full of twits, turns and shocks. The only problem I found myself was the curiosity over the fact that the Mob so easily gave up it's chase for Sam after only one of it's cars crashed. I understand it was a setback, especially with one of their Heads was followingly imprisoned, but some form of revenge would be easily expected.
Although, saying that, I havent read any of the other books in this series. So from all I know, they might get their payback later on.
Apart from this, the book is a great joy to read, and I'd happily recommend it to those looking for a good work in the mystery sections.
Debbi Mack's "Identity Crisis" follows the lawyer Sam McRae through the attempts to, at first save her client from an abusive boyfriend, to saving her from one of the North American Mafias. Written by the author whom has some knowledge in both the legal and private investigation field, this makes the book extremely pleasant to read, and efficiently easy to associate yourself with the character's feelings. The mix of slow paced areas thrown in with the action makes this a far more enjoyable Lawyer-Investigation book than many others.
The book is extremely well written, formulated and has a precise storyline full of twits, turns and shocks. The only problem I found myself was the curiosity over the fact that the Mob so easily gave up it's chase for Sam after only one of it's cars crashed. I understand it was a setback, especially with one of their Heads was followingly imprisoned, but some form of revenge would be easily expected.
Although, saying that, I havent read any of the other books in this series. So from all I know, they might get their payback later on.
Apart from this, the book is a great joy to read, and I'd happily recommend it to those looking for a good work in the mystery sections.
October 18, 2010
Debbi Mack's first novel, Identity Crisis, had me hooked from the first page, and proved to me by last page that she is a mystery author to contend with. She builds a tight and compelling plot in this noir murder tale, while managing to pace the story so nicely that I never once felt bored. And there's a great twist that I just didn't see coming - and I'm usually pretty good at spotting a twist from a mile away.
Of course plot and pacing are important in any mystery, but I'm a reader who loves a good character above all else, and that's what topped it for me with Identity Crisis. Sam MacRae is smart, gritty and independent with a wry sense of humor, even about herself. But she doesn't necessarily have it all together - she has her issues like we all do. She's human. And she's very likeable.
I have seen that Mack will soon be releasing a second Sam MacRae novel, and I for one will be one of the first to purchase, I can guarantee that!
Of course plot and pacing are important in any mystery, but I'm a reader who loves a good character above all else, and that's what topped it for me with Identity Crisis. Sam MacRae is smart, gritty and independent with a wry sense of humor, even about herself. But she doesn't necessarily have it all together - she has her issues like we all do. She's human. And she's very likeable.
I have seen that Mack will soon be releasing a second Sam MacRae novel, and I for one will be one of the first to purchase, I can guarantee that!
March 22, 2012
A good, quick read. Sam McRae is an attorney doing detective work in this novel. This is the second Sam McRae mystery that I have read. I like the author's style which is fast. Near the end of the book, unnecessary characters and relationships surfaced but did not destroy the fast pace of the book. I worry a little about Sam McRae. Her car is not reliable. Her clients cannot pay for Sam's legal services. The mob 'knows' her. She is all alone in the world. She has not invested in a house, probably due to lack of funds. Her childbearing years are ticking away. (No mention that she might want children has been made. That is a private worry I have for her. In my world women want a husband, home, security, children.... A law degree is that undefinable something extra in a world of status.) I do believe that Sam would worry that I worry about her! Good read. Thank you Mrs. Mack.
October 1, 2010
I wasn't sure what genre this really is. The protagonist is an independent lawyer, but seems to act more like a PI than anything else. There wasn't a single court-related action in the whole book. Maybe she's just an attorney because that's what the author is familiar with.
That said, it was a good PI book. I saw the resolution of the stolen identity a mile and a half away, but I think maybe I was supposed to. It makes you think that you've solved the mystery, while all along there are bigger unknowns out there.
My only disappointment is that Sam doesn't end up forming a more solid relationship with her new PI friend. Of course, this could happen in a future book, but it didn't seem to blatantly point toward a sequel.
3 1/2 stars if I could give partials... good job.
That said, it was a good PI book. I saw the resolution of the stolen identity a mile and a half away, but I think maybe I was supposed to. It makes you think that you've solved the mystery, while all along there are bigger unknowns out there.
My only disappointment is that Sam doesn't end up forming a more solid relationship with her new PI friend. Of course, this could happen in a future book, but it didn't seem to blatantly point toward a sequel.
3 1/2 stars if I could give partials... good job.
March 2, 2011
I enjoyed this book without doubt. Ms. Mack crafted very believable characters, easily identifiable with for the readers. I loved Walt, the loveable grouch of a neighbor, his crotchety ways reminded me alot of myself.LOL. Sam McRae the lead character, attorney, in the saga was definitely a terrier in her journey to find the truth. There are alot of "what the hell" moments during the story where you can only shake your head at the true nature of people. Once the story was unraveled, the reasoning was simplistic, but it was in that simplicity you understand the power of one single moment in time. I will certainly try another of Ms. Mack's novels. I recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a good read!
March 17, 2014
This was a pretty good read, but it just wasn't as exciting as I would have liked a legal thriller to be.
For me, Sam McCrae was more of a detective than she was an attorney, and perhaps that's the problem I had with the story because I was looking for more legal-eze, and I just didn't get that much.
Sam's client, Melanie, was being accused of identity theft, and factor in her ex-boyfriend was recently found murdered, all evidence seemed to point in Melanie's direction, or was she being framed, and if so, why? You'll have to read to find out.
This is a smooth read and the characters are likable, but again, for me, this story lacked the excitement I look for in legal novels, but it was written pretty well.
For me, Sam McCrae was more of a detective than she was an attorney, and perhaps that's the problem I had with the story because I was looking for more legal-eze, and I just didn't get that much.
Sam's client, Melanie, was being accused of identity theft, and factor in her ex-boyfriend was recently found murdered, all evidence seemed to point in Melanie's direction, or was she being framed, and if so, why? You'll have to read to find out.
This is a smooth read and the characters are likable, but again, for me, this story lacked the excitement I look for in legal novels, but it was written pretty well.
August 14, 2016
A slightly different take on a detective novel, the main character not being a police officer, but a lawyer. The story drags the reader in and tends to get a bit over-complicated towards the end. It is doubtful that a lawyer would do the things she did without being in trouble with the police authorities herself, but no matter, it made a thrilling read.
The ending? Well, I still don't know exactly what happened in the end. I had to read the final three chapters again in case I had overlooked something, but I don't think I did. It seemed as if Debbi had run out of paper - or time. Shame.
Overall, a book that I had difficulty putting down, and a good start to a writing career.
The ending? Well, I still don't know exactly what happened in the end. I had to read the final three chapters again in case I had overlooked something, but I don't think I did. It seemed as if Debbi had run out of paper - or time. Shame.
Overall, a book that I had difficulty putting down, and a good start to a writing career.
October 1, 2014
Disclaimer- I received this book free in a Goodreads giveaway.
This book was an enjoyable read because it was fast paced and action packed. Mack didn't let off the gas for a second and it was like riding a roller coaster blindfolded. Sure, when the coaster started to climb you knew there would be a drop but you didn't know how high the fall would be or where the next curve was. The book sucks you in and it's hard to put down. There were so many seemingly random events happening but by the end Mack had pulled it all together for the reader and wrapped it in a nice little bow.
This book was an enjoyable read because it was fast paced and action packed. Mack didn't let off the gas for a second and it was like riding a roller coaster blindfolded. Sure, when the coaster started to climb you knew there would be a drop but you didn't know how high the fall would be or where the next curve was. The book sucks you in and it's hard to put down. There were so many seemingly random events happening but by the end Mack had pulled it all together for the reader and wrapped it in a nice little bow.
August 27, 2015
Go on a thrilling ride with Sam McRae as she tries to find her missing client who is thought to be a murderer. It started out as a domestic abuse case but quickly turned into more. As an attorney trying to help her client she runs into many mysteries including identity theft. This is a great book
March 23, 2017
Nicely paced mystery
Very nicely paced mystery that kept the reveal and some extra tidbits till very close to the end. The characters were interesting and a little fun to get to know. I look forward to reading more in this series
Very nicely paced mystery that kept the reveal and some extra tidbits till very close to the end. The characters were interesting and a little fun to get to know. I look forward to reading more in this series
December 16, 2017
Not kindle unlimited, got it as freebie copy in hopes of review, something about re-release of print copy or something, but the best {seriously} could give it would be a 3, and that is stretching it, with the huh? ending that didn't make sense in the context of the earlier story line, the outright illegal and other actions that didn't make sense for lawyer or medical staff or police, and so on and on, was not indecision to rate it okay, more indecision as to how many stars to take off, so basically ended as a 2, because a mishmash too many red herrings that still end up feeling forced for ending along with other issues just too aggravating for anything higher. Maybe the anticipated film project could fix some of the issues, but that would mean re-writing, deleting, adding, etc, so would not be the same story, unless was sent copy of the old book versus the new, if anything was actually changed? NOTE the 2 star is to match amazon star rating, have pretty much given up on trying to make them actually match each other by meaning from each.
The NY Times bestselling novel currently optioned to be made into a film. You can run from the past, but you can't hide.
A simple domestic abuse case turns deadly when the alleged abuser is killed and Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae's client disappears. When a friend asks Sam to find Melanie Hayes, the Maryland attorney is drawn into a complex case of murder and identity theft that has her running from the Mob, breaking into a strip club and forming a shaky alliance with an offbeat private investigator to discover the truth about Melanie and her ex-boyfriend.
With her career and life on the line, Sam's search takes her from the blue-collar Baltimore suburbs to the mansions of Gibson Island. Along the way, she learns that false identities can hide dark secrets, and those secrets can destroy lives.
The NY Times bestselling novel currently optioned to be made into a film. You can run from the past, but you can't hide.
A simple domestic abuse case turns deadly when the alleged abuser is killed and Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae's client disappears. When a friend asks Sam to find Melanie Hayes, the Maryland attorney is drawn into a complex case of murder and identity theft that has her running from the Mob, breaking into a strip club and forming a shaky alliance with an offbeat private investigator to discover the truth about Melanie and her ex-boyfriend.
With her career and life on the line, Sam's search takes her from the blue-collar Baltimore suburbs to the mansions of Gibson Island. Along the way, she learns that false identities can hide dark secrets, and those secrets can destroy lives.
January 27, 2021
I enjoyed this book. It contains everything fraud, murder, revenge and broken relationships. Even though the main character is a lawyer, we didn't see the inside of a court room and she acted more like a private investigator than a lawyer. I still enjoyed it and the many plot twists. It did get a bit confusing with the different identities for the characters but it certainly kept you on your toes and listening until the end. I liked the main character and the fact that despite being a lawyer she wasn't afraid to brake some laws to help her client out of trouble. I think it is a good start to a new series and one I will be visiting again in the form of the next book.
When a client's abusive boyfriend turns up dead the police turn to Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae's for help in tracking her down. But it is not just a simple murder case the dead man worked as a computer Tec at the same bank as her client. The same bank where money has gone missing because of identify fraud. Is her client innocent or was she involved too? The police think so and along with the FBI they have some very important questions to ask. But they aren't the only ones looking for her and these guys aren't so nice. Can Sam find her client and clear her name? Or is Sam one of the victims of the fraud?
I liked the narrator she used her voice well to express emotions and added tension to an interesting story.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
When a client's abusive boyfriend turns up dead the police turn to Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae's for help in tracking her down. But it is not just a simple murder case the dead man worked as a computer Tec at the same bank as her client. The same bank where money has gone missing because of identify fraud. Is her client innocent or was she involved too? The police think so and along with the FBI they have some very important questions to ask. But they aren't the only ones looking for her and these guys aren't so nice. Can Sam find her client and clear her name? Or is Sam one of the victims of the fraud?
I liked the narrator she used her voice well to express emotions and added tension to an interesting story.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 27, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it !
The story starts off with Sam McRae, a small independent lawyer, being notified that the client she had gotten a restraining order for, against her abusive boyfriend, was now being saught for his murder.
Mix in a sudden identity theft issue for our main character, Sam, and things start to heat up. She starts to try and find her client who has gone missing and also has to contend with the Mob and a large contingent of various law enforcement agencies - so not just a simple murder case.
Sam is of the mind that since her case was never closed then she is still working for her client and should try to sort things out herself. We get lots of other twists and turns added into the mix and some may be obvious but others are nice surprises.
I shall look forward to reading some more books, by the author, with the Sam McRae character. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above
The story starts off with Sam McRae, a small independent lawyer, being notified that the client she had gotten a restraining order for, against her abusive boyfriend, was now being saught for his murder.
Mix in a sudden identity theft issue for our main character, Sam, and things start to heat up. She starts to try and find her client who has gone missing and also has to contend with the Mob and a large contingent of various law enforcement agencies - so not just a simple murder case.
Sam is of the mind that since her case was never closed then she is still working for her client and should try to sort things out herself. We get lots of other twists and turns added into the mix and some may be obvious but others are nice surprises.
I shall look forward to reading some more books, by the author, with the Sam McRae character. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above
March 30, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. It was not morbidly graphic even though it touched on some difficult scenes. The style of writing was a very easy read, especially before bed as I love to read a few chapters when ending the day. Loved that the language was intelligent and clean. The end was sad, but understandable. I can't pinpoint the exact reason this book had so much appeal for me. There was honesty, decency and caring involved in some characters as well as callous and predatory behaviour in others. Sometimes there are no real winners even though justice is served.
A very entertaining, as well as thought-provoking read. I had a hard time putting this book down.
A very entertaining, as well as thought-provoking read. I had a hard time putting this book down.
August 1, 2018
Part of the reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 3 is that it is absolutely full of local places, some of which I pass every day, some of which are no longer around.
Having said that, I really enjoy Mack's writing, her characters are likeable without being saccharine, and the plot had a good mixture of foreshadowing and surprises. I really enjoyed the fact that not all the loose ends were tied up, leaving an obvious reason for the protagonist to be involved in sequels without inventing another client who hires a lawyer but needs a detective.
Having said that, I really enjoy Mack's writing, her characters are likeable without being saccharine, and the plot had a good mixture of foreshadowing and surprises. I really enjoyed the fact that not all the loose ends were tied up, leaving an obvious reason for the protagonist to be involved in sequels without inventing another client who hires a lawyer but needs a detective.
March 27, 2021
Fast Paced Action Suspense Murder Mystery
Really liked this one. Read it over two evenings and found it difficult to put down.
The fast pace kept it interesting and with a likeable lead character it was a joy to read.
My only quibble is the ludicrous names of some of the other characters which broke the ‘suspension of disbelief’ at times, at least for a Brit - maybe they are common names in the US
This is a bang on 4 stars - not a 3.5 rounded up and those stars are fully earned
Really liked this one. Read it over two evenings and found it difficult to put down.
The fast pace kept it interesting and with a likeable lead character it was a joy to read.
My only quibble is the ludicrous names of some of the other characters which broke the ‘suspension of disbelief’ at times, at least for a Brit - maybe they are common names in the US
This is a bang on 4 stars - not a 3.5 rounded up and those stars are fully earned
November 27, 2017
Identity crisis is very well written and Sam McRae is an interesting character that grabs you and pulls you along with her trying to prevent her client from being railroaded for a murder she didn't commit...Definitely a book worth picking up and losing yourself in. Will be looking to read more from Debbie Mack in the very near future!
July 7, 2018
Really did enjoy this book. Only problem was all the boxes going back and forth that wasted a lot of time and words. Because it was Book 1 in the series, I wondered how her relationship with Detective Derry came about. Did I miss something? All in all a good read and I will definitely read the next in the series. I received an ARC in return for a fair and honest reviewed. It was well worth it.
September 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It has great characters. I loved the determination of the main character. The plot was wonderful too. It kept me very attentive and interested with no down time. I love how the author describes the story. I will be following the author and looking forward to reading more of her books. I am glad I found this book.
January 23, 2019
Well written book about stolen identity, murder, and the long painful road in finding the truth. Lawyer Sam McRae finds herself in a literal battle to find the truth of who murdered her clients boyfriend. She is beaten, chased, shot at, and more as she defends herself and her client against the police, the feds and the real crooks.
August 7, 2017
Taking place in a part of Maryland I know well, I was drawn to the book for that reason plus the author will be visiting our library in November, however the plot and the likeable main character quickly drew me in. I'll be looking to read more by her.
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