Expert Witness

Witness #4

by Rebecca Forster

It’s two in the morning when Hannah Sheraton slips into Archer’s Hermosa Beach apartment to see if Josie Bates sleeps in his bed. But Josie isn’t there. In fact, Josie isn’t anywhere. When her Jeep is found abandoned near the pier, the only clue to her whereabouts leads Archer to Daniel Young, an expert witness for the prosecution in the case that made Josie’s reputation as a defense attorney ten years earlier. Racing against a clock that is ticking off the minutes of Josie’s life Archer's investigation leads him from the Hills of Hollywood to the glitzy evangelical enclave of Orange County; the seedy side of Los Angeles to the pristine and remote California mountains, What he finds is that the woman he loves was once a ruthless and hated defense attorney, that the system he believes in has released a double murderer, and that there is more than one person who would be happy if Josie Bates was never seen again.

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

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2011

About the author

Rebecca Forster began writing on a crazy dare and found her passion.

Now with over 40 books to her name, she is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling thriller author. Rebecca likes hands-on research and is a graduate of the DEA and ATF Citizens Academies. She is an avid court watcher, has taken numerous weapons courses, and even landed by tail hook on the USS Nimitz to make sure she has lived what she writes.

Rebecca is married to a Superior Court judge and is the mother of two grown sons. She resides in Southern California

Reviews

[David Freas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this entry in the series more than the first three. It had me on edge from almost the first page.

Forster did a masterful job of giving readers two possible suspects in Josie’s disappearance and keeping both equally viable throughout most of the book. I was fairly sure I knew the real guilty party a little over halfway through, but Forster had me thinking I might be wrong until much later in the story.

She also did a great job balancing scenes in Josie’s POV with those of Archer and some other primary characters. Too many authors give us too much or too little in the victim’s POV.

There’s a bit more ‘in your face’ violence in this book than I recall being in the earlier ones. One character I suspected would play a bigger role in the mystery sort of vanished toward the end of the story. And one important sub-plot was resolved by telling the reader it had been resolved but not how it had been.

The next book in this series is on my ‘To Read’ list.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forster abandoned the legal thriller format for this, the fourth book in the series. The characters are all there in what is far more a straight psychological thriller. Pretty gripping read and the different approach allowed for a greater focus on Archer and Hannah.

I had been pretty close to dropping this series; this book made me decide to stick with it. I do wish Forster would utilize a better proofreader. This book wasn't as rife with errors as each of the first three, but there were still some pretty annoying mistakes. Homonyms are not interchangeable with one another. As an example, a marshal is a law enforcement person, while Marshall is a proper name. And unless there are multiple persons with badges named Marshall involved in an situation, the investigators are not officers, marshalls, and detectives. Words matter and it would be nice if authors would use them properly.

[Eydie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was probably my least favorite of the "Witness" Series. When one figures out very early in the book who the bad person is............then one is only reading it to see how long it takes everyone else to figure it out. Just not a great read in my opinion.

[Kelly Moran · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the three previous books in this series but found Expert Witness to be a frustrating read. I did not at all enjoy the portions narrated by Archer, who seemed more brutish and driven by raw (and not at all helpful) instinct then he has in the other books. The pace is slow and I was annoyed at most of the characters most of the time. The ending picked up a bit and was a mostly satisfying conclusion, but unless this one was a fluke I'm not sure I want to continue the series.

[Nicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Forster knocked it out of the park again. This was by far my favorite book in the Witness Series. The relationship that formed between Archer and Hannah was so raw and real. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down I had to know who kidnapped Josie and why. The way and why he did it was genius.

[Mum · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was annoying. The constant scene switching, with headlines, the consistent, unnecessary violence at the end, and I figured out who did it within the first few pages. The writing was not as even and well thought out as the previous three. It was as bad as the others were good. Bad enough that I am not anxious to read another of hers.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like legal thrillers and have liked these book in the past, but I can’t stand things being told from Archers prospective. Moreover, I can’t believe a woman would write this way. Every woman he comes in to contact with he makes really insulting observations and judgments based on their appearance. Not to mention the thoughts he has about Hannah, the 16 year old girl.


He’s being portrayed as being so manly he can’t control himself, and the fact that this toddler like lack of control is intended to make him more sexy and desirable to the reader, makes me a little bit sick. I’m usually not super sensitive to these types of issues, but for whatever reason, in this book it’s rubbing me the wrong way. I usually never skip books in a series, but this is the third time I’ve tried to read this one and I’m currently at only 15%, which is where I believe I gave up the last two times around. I’ll give it a little more and update the review if it get any more tolerable.

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychotic, ritualistic killer has abducted Josie Bates sending nearly-adopted (and troubled) Hannah and her ex-cop personal, personal investigator Archer into a tizzy!

This book jumps in with action. And, as I have now become accustomed, fantastic story telling. Forster knows how to tell a tale. I love the characters she's created and nurtured since the first book. I care about them. I look forward to what they will do next --especially Hannah. She might be my favorite. Her Snow White innocence and unconditional dog-like love (sounds derogatory when I re-read what I wrote, but I know what I mean ... LOL).

Have some other titles to plow through, but I will be back to devour books 5-8 soon!

Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel, YOU CHOOSE

[Ken Bour · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Expert Witness" is not my favorite of the first four installments by Rebecca Forster, but it more than satisfied my threshold for entertainment value. Since Josie was held captive for the entire story, there was no legal drama, which I typically enjoy, only the hunt for her captor and whereabouts. Unlike other clever readers, I was not able to determine - early - who the culprit was, so nothing was "spoiled" in my reading. For its action, intrigue, dialogue, and engaging narrative, I rate this novel a respectable 4 stars and definitely intend to continue with the next grouping in the series (#5-8).

[Marleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was rather saddened by the ending of this 4th Josie Bates book, but I will not dwell on it, as not to give away spoilers.
Overall, I was mildly kept captivated by "Expert Witness", but what I wanted most of all was to make headway in this book, because I wanted to see a change in Josie's circumstances. The plot was quite predictable and boring: on one side there's Josie's situation, and on the other side there's Archer trying to find Josie, with little help from law enforcement, at least in the beginning.
I like the people well enough in this series, but it's the storyline that's not strong enough, in my opinion.

[Dana Groulx · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was truly a bad book. The author did little or no research on her subject matter. I am a foster parent and I go to hearings for my kids. Hannah would have a court assigned attorney that she would meet with regularly. Court dates are scheduled way in advance. The main character would never had been granted custody to begin with. There were inaccuracies about medications. The author did her usual fat shaming. The plot was thin and the guilty party was obvious once they are introduced to the story. This will be the last time I will be reading this series.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

exciting, thrilling, extremely suspenseful! So far, this has been the best book in the series! from the very beginning of the book, Josie is missing. Not only will you not believe why, but it is a race to the finish in order to bring her home. remember, even when we think we know who is behind everything, sometimes the reasons totally shocked you!
this is the fourth book in the series. Do not read them as standalone. You definitely need to start from book one, as each book continues, the suspense level, and tension, increased! You will not be disappointed.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

These just get better and better, I was going to wait to read this one but I couldn't. I'm behind so many that have read the complete series but these are so easy to read and gripping at the same time. Rebecca Forster manages to do what many others don't and hook you from the beginning, whilst still endearing you to the characters and describing everything in a way that's well balanced and not too much or too little. I loved this but I've got to ration myself on her novels now or I'll run out.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

I've greatly enjoyed every book I've read so far in the Josie Bates series. With "The Witness", you don't know who the culprit is until the end of the book. Very convincing, well developed characters and story lines that captivate. I'll be recommending this one (and Rebecca Forster) to all my friends!

[Fayette Dávila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Unlike the previous books of this series, this one was very entertaining from page 1; it just caught me and didn’t let me go even when I had figured out who was whom about half way into the book. What I really liked about this one was that it didn’t have all the grammatical errors the previous ones had so I really enjoyed reading it.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this story was a thrilling ride. There was something happening on every page. The reader was kept guessing as to who the true villain was. Great plot. Wonderful characters. Good storytelling. I am really liking the story about Josie Bates and all those characters surrounding her. I certainly recommend this book to anyone.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series!

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline, the suspense, and it really did keep you guessing on who did it. I was surprised to find out who it was! This is the 4th book of this series that I've read, and I'm hooked! Each one is just as good as the last. They all have their own story but all tie together. I'm excited to continue this series.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me involved until the end trying to figure out who the kidnapper was among the multiple possibilities of characters. Also enjoyed the intricacies of the growing relationships and growing trust of characters as the series continued.

[Caryne Dingfeld lucas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very Disappointed

I loved the first book. So I got Book 2. It was OK but not as good as the first. This one was boring. Since Josie was not really in the forefront it seemed backwards. I figured out the ending 25% in. Won’t buy the next.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the Josie Bates series of books! This one in particular - all I can say without spoilers is the end threw me into a tizzy! I shouted OH NO!! It's not often a book shocks me like that but I was definitely in shock. On to book 5 to see what happens next :)

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

It’s not often I become so engulfed in a book. Yes, I had my suspicions of who did it but there were many options. I was nearing the end before I really thought I knew.

[Jacqueline Scherer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

This series has unusual and well developed plots and characters. The locations are realistic and familiar to anyone who has lived in that part of California. The plots are plausible. Well worth reading.

[Penny J Vidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book, I am so hooked on the Josie Bates Witness series. This one had an unexpected twist near the end. I just so love Hannah's character, what a special and wonderful young woman . Can't wait to read the next book in this series. Keep up the great work and thank you!
Pjv

[Tracy Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love Josie Bates.

Josie's character and supporting cast never disappoint. Thanks, Rebecca, for another gripping read! You can be sure I will keep reading this series.

[Vikki Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read and a page turner

Good, easy read. Held my interest even though some of the story was not realistic. Rebecca knows how to make the reader feel compelled to keep reading.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. It was a little choppy the way it kept jumping back and forth between scenes and characters. I wish it had flowed better.

[David Ingmire · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very tough to read. I enjoyed the first three, but this story moved way too slow. I still love the characters and will read book 5 shortly.

[Emeline Pico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever whodunit. Love Josie's relationship with Archer & Hannah. Good strong storyline & characters.

[Barbara Mahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading this author.

[Carolyn Redfern · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this instalment of the Josie Bates booked but it was slightly marred as I guessed who the culprit was pretty early on in the book