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Witness #5
Character Witness
Kathleen Cotter is thrilled to be joining her uncle's Beverly Hills law firm but finds his practice is on the skids and his office on the wrong side of 90210. When a flamboyant new client offers Kathleen a chance to save her career, the young lawyer jumps at it. But the trail of lies and political corruption leave Kathleen trying to figure out not only how to solve the case but save her life.
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First published April 1, 1997
584 people are currently reading
785 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Forster
48 books516 followersRebecca 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
May 23, 2021
A must read
This series is addicting!
I love this series: the stories are fast-paced and the characters are believable and interesting. In each next book, you see the interrelationships developing and changing. Invest your time on the first, and I'm betting you'll be just like me ... reading the series one-by-one!
This series is addicting!
I love this series: the stories are fast-paced and the characters are believable and interesting. In each next book, you see the interrelationships developing and changing. Invest your time on the first, and I'm betting you'll be just like me ... reading the series one-by-one!
March 23, 2013
I am ashamed to say, I have read and reviewed a number of Ms. Foster’s books, off the top of my head Beyond Malice and Before Her Eyes come to mind. So where the heck was I, not having read the Witness Series? After all, this is book #5! Now I have mentioned long ago about my A.D.D. of having to read every book in order, but I must admit, this author did a wonderful job of not making me feel that way, filling in the cracks just keeping me in the loop, yet, having me want to read the first four. Her writing is such an exception to the norm.
The prologue of the story, enticed me. A young man, Yilli on patrol, protecting his country in Albania. The description and syntax the author writes, is in peasant type simple English, even the words have a hint of an accent. What happens in this beginning prologue describes an accidental death, and the horror that follows a family from generation to generation. We view a time frame starting in the 1960’s and during the story the reader is always brought back to the past that is slowly merging with the present. Just intriguing.
I meet Josie Bates with a stranger at her door. It is present time, Hermosa Beach California. She is awoken by someone banging at her front door during a raging thunder storm. The stranger is begging her to help a boy, Billy Zuni who is drowning. She arrives with Hannah, as he is being pulled out of the water. Hannah goes with her friend Billy in the ambulance to the hospital and Josie changes and drives over to Rosa Zuni’s house to give her a piece of her mind for not taking care of her son.
Josie gets to the Zuni home to find a bloodbath, A man lies on the couch dead, shot in the chest. As she stumbles further she finds another body face down, a male, all dressed in drag. Going up the stairs she finds Rosa Zuni near death, her throat slashed and covered in blood. Josie being the lawyer that she is, skips into legal mode. She heads for the hospital to Billy, hoping he will not be charged with this carnage and to possibly solve this mystery.
Josie is about to be married to Archer, a sometime P.I. retired police officer. There is also Hannah, who Josie is guardian for, a typical teenager in many ways, always seeing the world in black and white….no shades of grey. Being a newbie into this world, I found her relationship with Josie incredibly true to life, and Josie’s relationship with Archer simply loving. So I have to tell you, you don’t need to read the first four to understand this story, but the author has made it so for me that I MUST read the others. I have certainly want to read about Hannah and Archer and Josie and see more of how they are and who they are and how they got there.
Eyewitness gives the reader two stories, America in real time and lives of those past family members trying to deal with life in a backward country, with backward and uncaring governments and dealing with a Blood Feud that will destroy many lives.
As I said Ms Forster is no stranger to me, her writing is superb, her thrillers are heavenly. She starts us on the yellow brick road and doesn’t let us deviate in our path as she so skillfully works her magic. We are always amazed that through all this we possibly may solve a mystery, possibly good wins over evil, and are always better for the read. Eyewitness is hard, dangerous, and skillfully written. A Do Not Miss.
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
The prologue of the story, enticed me. A young man, Yilli on patrol, protecting his country in Albania. The description and syntax the author writes, is in peasant type simple English, even the words have a hint of an accent. What happens in this beginning prologue describes an accidental death, and the horror that follows a family from generation to generation. We view a time frame starting in the 1960’s and during the story the reader is always brought back to the past that is slowly merging with the present. Just intriguing.
I meet Josie Bates with a stranger at her door. It is present time, Hermosa Beach California. She is awoken by someone banging at her front door during a raging thunder storm. The stranger is begging her to help a boy, Billy Zuni who is drowning. She arrives with Hannah, as he is being pulled out of the water. Hannah goes with her friend Billy in the ambulance to the hospital and Josie changes and drives over to Rosa Zuni’s house to give her a piece of her mind for not taking care of her son.
Josie gets to the Zuni home to find a bloodbath, A man lies on the couch dead, shot in the chest. As she stumbles further she finds another body face down, a male, all dressed in drag. Going up the stairs she finds Rosa Zuni near death, her throat slashed and covered in blood. Josie being the lawyer that she is, skips into legal mode. She heads for the hospital to Billy, hoping he will not be charged with this carnage and to possibly solve this mystery.
Josie is about to be married to Archer, a sometime P.I. retired police officer. There is also Hannah, who Josie is guardian for, a typical teenager in many ways, always seeing the world in black and white….no shades of grey. Being a newbie into this world, I found her relationship with Josie incredibly true to life, and Josie’s relationship with Archer simply loving. So I have to tell you, you don’t need to read the first four to understand this story, but the author has made it so for me that I MUST read the others. I have certainly want to read about Hannah and Archer and Josie and see more of how they are and who they are and how they got there.
Eyewitness gives the reader two stories, America in real time and lives of those past family members trying to deal with life in a backward country, with backward and uncaring governments and dealing with a Blood Feud that will destroy many lives.
As I said Ms Forster is no stranger to me, her writing is superb, her thrillers are heavenly. She starts us on the yellow brick road and doesn’t let us deviate in our path as she so skillfully works her magic. We are always amazed that through all this we possibly may solve a mystery, possibly good wins over evil, and are always better for the read. Eyewitness is hard, dangerous, and skillfully written. A Do Not Miss.
Review by Gloria Lakritz
Sr Reviewer and Review Chair for the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
June 11, 2018
Kathleen Cotter has just moved to Beverly Hills to join her uncle’s law firm and it’s safe to say that she is disappointed. In many ways it’s worse than the job she’s just left. When given a case which should be a simple one to do with a dead spouse and life insurance payouts, Kathleen finds herself drawn deeper into a circle of corruption that may very well cost her her life.
I’m sad to say that this one was a miss for me. The storyline itself was interesting, but the narrative was dull. Honestly there are so many authors who could have written this idea and pulled it off so much more convincingly.
We aren’t even given that much of an indication as to when this book takes place, all we know is that Michael served in the special forces in Vietnam at some point. Louise is a severely unlikeable character and I don’t think I really warmed to any of them. I know some other reviewers have said that they fell in love with Gerry’s character, but whilst I feel his heart was in the right place he also was emotionally manipulative and he knew exactly what he was doing.
Two out of five stars from me I’m afraid.
I’m sad to say that this one was a miss for me. The storyline itself was interesting, but the narrative was dull. Honestly there are so many authors who could have written this idea and pulled it off so much more convincingly.
We aren’t even given that much of an indication as to when this book takes place, all we know is that Michael served in the special forces in Vietnam at some point. Louise is a severely unlikeable character and I don’t think I really warmed to any of them. I know some other reviewers have said that they fell in love with Gerry’s character, but whilst I feel his heart was in the right place he also was emotionally manipulative and he knew exactly what he was doing.
Two out of five stars from me I’m afraid.
April 20, 2012
Combination murder mystery and legal thriller. Somewhat slow starting but story picks up pace as the plot develops and characters are introduced. Turns out to be a pretty well written book. Good buy as Kindle e-book.
June 8, 2012
My favorite of the series so far. I thought the characters were fun and the story engaging. The writing is still very awkward in some places but less so than the other ones of hers I've read. Overall, I found it to be enjoyable although not memorable.
March 24, 2013
Our story begins in 1966 war torn Albania, where young goat herder turned soldier, Yilli, sits alone watching for anyone who might be trying to escape the country. He hears a noise, calls out, sees two men, and in fear for his life, shoots and kills one of them. He realizes he knows these men, they are from his village. As the second, younger man escapes, all he hears is the man crying “Blood for Blood”.
Fast forward to 2013 on Hermosa Beach where Jose and Hannah live. It’s the middle of the night and while the two women sleep a storm is raging outside. Frantic pounding on their door wakes Hannah who in turn wakes Josie. A man tells them that Hannah’s young friend Billy is in trouble on the beach. Josie races out telling Hannah to stay and call 911 and Josie’s finance Archer and to tell him to meet her on the beach. After Billy is rescued a furious Josie and Archer go to his mother’s house to give her the news, only to find two dead men and a critically injured woman.
Who did this, why was Billy alone on the beach, who are the men and the woman looks too young to be Billy’s mother, who could she be? In order to keep Billy out of the hands of the law, Josie must not only take on Billy as a client but she and Archer will find themselves involved in bizarre mystery that reaches beyond the beach of California all the way to the far reaches of Albania.
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Forster’s Josie Bates series; she gives us a strong woman in Josie who never hesitates to take on whoever it takes, in order to protect the innocent. The pictures Ms. Forster paints with her words are so vivid we feel the sting of the salt water as Josie battles the waves to reach young Billy. We feel the love between Josie and Archer, two strong people who together can face anything. We ache for beautiful, yet flawed Hannah, a young woman on the cusp of breaking through her own tormented past but still vulnerable and very much in need of Josie’s strength.
In Eyewitness Ms. Forster takes the risk of giving the reader two stories within a story, moving us not only between time but different countries and characters as well; a very daring move that could have turned disastrous, but she pulls it off and I had no problems keeping up.
The reader is given little clues along the way to help solve the mystery, if they can figure them out. Normally, I’ve figured out the who-done-it long before the end. Ms. Forster never makes it easy, and I didn’t know the outcome until I read it.
Each book in this series gives us a little more background on the principle characters until by now, we know them well but I doubt we will ever totally figure them out. All three of the main characters, Josie, Archer and Hannah are so well written that I would be hard put to pick a favorite.
While this is the fifth book in a series, it is not necessary to read the previous books to figure out what is going on, it can stand completely on its own. I’ll warn the reader though, if you read this book without having read the previous one’s you will become addicted and find yourself running to purchase the previous ones.
So for the mystery/thriller lover, look no further, you’ve found nirvana. Ms. Forster has covered all the bases with this book, history buffs, people who enjoy learning of different cultures, mystery lovers alike will all enjoy this book. She even gives us a little tickle of a cliffhanger, not to worry it doesn’t affect the storyline just gives us something to look forward to, I know I am.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
Fast forward to 2013 on Hermosa Beach where Jose and Hannah live. It’s the middle of the night and while the two women sleep a storm is raging outside. Frantic pounding on their door wakes Hannah who in turn wakes Josie. A man tells them that Hannah’s young friend Billy is in trouble on the beach. Josie races out telling Hannah to stay and call 911 and Josie’s finance Archer and to tell him to meet her on the beach. After Billy is rescued a furious Josie and Archer go to his mother’s house to give her the news, only to find two dead men and a critically injured woman.
Who did this, why was Billy alone on the beach, who are the men and the woman looks too young to be Billy’s mother, who could she be? In order to keep Billy out of the hands of the law, Josie must not only take on Billy as a client but she and Archer will find themselves involved in bizarre mystery that reaches beyond the beach of California all the way to the far reaches of Albania.
I’m a huge fan of Ms. Forster’s Josie Bates series; she gives us a strong woman in Josie who never hesitates to take on whoever it takes, in order to protect the innocent. The pictures Ms. Forster paints with her words are so vivid we feel the sting of the salt water as Josie battles the waves to reach young Billy. We feel the love between Josie and Archer, two strong people who together can face anything. We ache for beautiful, yet flawed Hannah, a young woman on the cusp of breaking through her own tormented past but still vulnerable and very much in need of Josie’s strength.
In Eyewitness Ms. Forster takes the risk of giving the reader two stories within a story, moving us not only between time but different countries and characters as well; a very daring move that could have turned disastrous, but she pulls it off and I had no problems keeping up.
The reader is given little clues along the way to help solve the mystery, if they can figure them out. Normally, I’ve figured out the who-done-it long before the end. Ms. Forster never makes it easy, and I didn’t know the outcome until I read it.
Each book in this series gives us a little more background on the principle characters until by now, we know them well but I doubt we will ever totally figure them out. All three of the main characters, Josie, Archer and Hannah are so well written that I would be hard put to pick a favorite.
While this is the fifth book in a series, it is not necessary to read the previous books to figure out what is going on, it can stand completely on its own. I’ll warn the reader though, if you read this book without having read the previous one’s you will become addicted and find yourself running to purchase the previous ones.
So for the mystery/thriller lover, look no further, you’ve found nirvana. Ms. Forster has covered all the bases with this book, history buffs, people who enjoy learning of different cultures, mystery lovers alike will all enjoy this book. She even gives us a little tickle of a cliffhanger, not to worry it doesn’t affect the storyline just gives us something to look forward to, I know I am.
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Dual Review Team
November 13, 2016
I’ve liked Forster’s Josie Bates novels since reading the first one. This one, however, wasn’t as good as the earlier entries.
The backstory scenes at the start of many chapters were distracting and broke the flow of the story. They also gave too much away and diluted any build-up of tension in the story because I figured out the core of the plot around Chapter 4. This story would have been better without them.
There also were a lot of ‘production’ errors in this download – wrong words, paragraphs run together, and the like. By now flubs like that should be a thing of the past in all e-books.
This story ended on a mild cliffhanger – Hannah, Josie’s ward, and her friend Billy Zuni run away as a result of events in this book. Reading the synopses of the next two books, I fear Forster might be falling victim to ‘story creep,’ the urge to write stories that are bigger in spread, scope, and length. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but sometimes it isn’t. We’ll have to see how Forster does.
The backstory scenes at the start of many chapters were distracting and broke the flow of the story. They also gave too much away and diluted any build-up of tension in the story because I figured out the core of the plot around Chapter 4. This story would have been better without them.
There also were a lot of ‘production’ errors in this download – wrong words, paragraphs run together, and the like. By now flubs like that should be a thing of the past in all e-books.
This story ended on a mild cliffhanger – Hannah, Josie’s ward, and her friend Billy Zuni run away as a result of events in this book. Reading the synopses of the next two books, I fear Forster might be falling victim to ‘story creep,’ the urge to write stories that are bigger in spread, scope, and length. Sometimes that’s a good thing, but sometimes it isn’t. We’ll have to see how Forster does.
March 31, 2022
Good read but not my favorite
What I like about the book was it was suspenseful with a twist at the end. But there were so many characters and shifting back and forth to three different stories that at times it got a little frustrating I knew it would come together at the end though. The ending was ok it just didn't wow me.
What I like about the book was it was suspenseful with a twist at the end. But there were so many characters and shifting back and forth to three different stories that at times it got a little frustrating I knew it would come together at the end though. The ending was ok it just didn't wow me.
December 15, 2020
I still like the characters but I didn’t like the back and forth between almost every chapter between the 2 countries. Normally that doesn’t bother me too much but for some reason- in this book, with this storyline it just didn’t flow smoothly for me.
April 23, 2022
I was hoping for some more court room intrigue but was let down. I am searching for another John Grisham but alas my search has thus far proved unfruitful. This is not a bad book at all but a little heavy laden with romance for this bloke. Three stars.
February 25, 2025
Great story line!
I loved how the story starts of s far off place and how it ties into the peaceful little beach town of Hermosa. This one (like all the others) keeps you engaged and trying to figure out who did it. I love how as you continue reading this series the main characters evolve and become closer and more tight knit to one another. If you like mystery, thriller and trying to solve the puzzle as you go along, you will enjoy this book. Don't read just this one though...start with the first one and keep going! You won't be disappointed!!!
I loved how the story starts of s far off place and how it ties into the peaceful little beach town of Hermosa. This one (like all the others) keeps you engaged and trying to figure out who did it. I love how as you continue reading this series the main characters evolve and become closer and more tight knit to one another. If you like mystery, thriller and trying to solve the puzzle as you go along, you will enjoy this book. Don't read just this one though...start with the first one and keep going! You won't be disappointed!!!
September 26, 2024
It’s a toss up between this and Amos Decker but the writing in this series is so good. This has been my favourite of the Josie Bates series so far, and the very last paragraph made me cry - something no book has done before. I’m only disappointed that there’s only a couple left in the series for me to enjoy
November 27, 2021
Unfinished nail bitter!
This book is a never ending mystery but with the strange Albanian names , you really need to pay attention to every word. I couldn’t put it down but was surprised when the ending wasn’t really the end! Next book😵
This book is a never ending mystery but with the strange Albanian names , you really need to pay attention to every word. I couldn’t put it down but was surprised when the ending wasn’t really the end! Next book😵
September 10, 2024
Once again a fine piece of writing with lots of drama, twists and turns. I continue to enjoy following the lives of all the characters. Although, I did find that this instalment was a little drawn out. Worth reading.
July 26, 2018
Another good book
This was yet another good book in the series. It was exciting and hard to put down. I will be continuing on to the next one.
This was yet another good book in the series. It was exciting and hard to put down. I will be continuing on to the next one.
January 25, 2019
Series is addicting...
Five books in and throughly hooked on Josie Bates...the plots are carefully crafted to peak interest with some surprises along the way
Five books in and throughly hooked on Josie Bates...the plots are carefully crafted to peak interest with some surprises along the way
April 21, 2019
Interesting twists. I know nothing of Bosnia and I found the references in this novel intriguing
June 23, 2019
It picked up about halfway through but all the throw back scenes were distracting. I tend not to enjoy the way Forster writes other POVs other than Josie's. They feel thin.
June 27, 2020
Not your average storyline.
I truly enjoyed the Albanian twist. I learned about some culture while enjoying the twists and turns of the storyline.
I truly enjoyed the Albanian twist. I learned about some culture while enjoying the twists and turns of the storyline.
April 10, 2023
Ending was good but took some time to get there
July 28, 2023
Outstanding!
This book made you keep reading. The characters chosen so they made you feel like you were part of the story. Thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.
This book made you keep reading. The characters chosen so they made you feel like you were part of the story. Thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next book.
Read
September 18, 2023Lots of twist and turns in this one, at first it was a little confusing but as you get deeper into the book , I found it very hard to put down. Looking forward to the next one in this series .
PJV
PJV
October 25, 2024
Excellent.
January 22, 2025
A puzzle.
I did find this one difficult to work out and I was half way through before I caught up, glad I carried on though. I did enjoy it.
I did find this one difficult to work out and I was half way through before I caught up, glad I carried on though. I did enjoy it.
March 1, 2013
This is not the easiest Forster to get into, not that that will deter her fans. Don't let it deter you in the unlikely event that this is the first one you have sampled. When you do catch up with the characters, a problem we share with the local police, one will be rewarded in as least as big a way as is customary with a Forster.
The parallel story telling requires a little effort, a temporary requirement to multi-task. I found it necessary to be relaxed about remembering the early flood of characters, and corpses. Soon enough we get to know all the characters we need very well. There is always a lot going on, plenty of energy to keep the mind's light-bulb lit.
The mix of cultural expectation, and the deeply engrained private pasts that we all carry with us are the keys to this powerful read. Our own histories have complex emotional affects, just as do those of Forster's characters. The parallel storytelling, the sub-story that starts the chapters will provide the glue. You will need the glue, but be relaxed about watching it set. The witness theme gets a clever re-design, rather than just a new coat of paint, in this one. Clashing colours just take a little getting used too, Forster doesn't write in beige. Waves from all the characters colourful pasts impinge on the physical forces of the present. They flash through the pages creating yet another brilliant Forster novel. Witness the crimes for yourself.
The parallel story telling requires a little effort, a temporary requirement to multi-task. I found it necessary to be relaxed about remembering the early flood of characters, and corpses. Soon enough we get to know all the characters we need very well. There is always a lot going on, plenty of energy to keep the mind's light-bulb lit.
The mix of cultural expectation, and the deeply engrained private pasts that we all carry with us are the keys to this powerful read. Our own histories have complex emotional affects, just as do those of Forster's characters. The parallel storytelling, the sub-story that starts the chapters will provide the glue. You will need the glue, but be relaxed about watching it set. The witness theme gets a clever re-design, rather than just a new coat of paint, in this one. Clashing colours just take a little getting used too, Forster doesn't write in beige. Waves from all the characters colourful pasts impinge on the physical forces of the present. They flash through the pages creating yet another brilliant Forster novel. Witness the crimes for yourself.
April 22, 2013
I’ve read three of the four prior books in this series and although having done so isn’t a prerequisite to understand or enjoy this book, when I evaluate why I liked it, one of the biggest reasons are the characters, specifically Josie Bates and her foster child, Hannah. Eyewitness can be read as a standalone and Forster introduces the bare bones of their back story, but I couldn’t help wondering if doing so wouldn’t be missing out on some of what I saw and felt, having made the previous investment and having the deeper understanding of the characters that I had coming in. Josie is an attorney and the books in the series are legal thrillers, yet they have more heart than the typical book in this genre, largely because the legal conflict is usually much more personal for Josie.
In this installment, that personal stake is because her client is Billy Zuni, a friend of Hannah’s who has been a secondary, but far from trivial character in previous books. As Josie digs, she discovers that much of what she thought she knew about Billy wasn’t quite reality. This is also unlike a typical legal thriller because of the way it weaves elements of a foreign culture and how that can influence the life of US immigrants into the story. I highly recommend this book for fans of legal thrillers. Even more, I’d recommend backtracking to the first of the series and reading them all.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
In this installment, that personal stake is because her client is Billy Zuni, a friend of Hannah’s who has been a secondary, but far from trivial character in previous books. As Josie digs, she discovers that much of what she thought she knew about Billy wasn’t quite reality. This is also unlike a typical legal thriller because of the way it weaves elements of a foreign culture and how that can influence the life of US immigrants into the story. I highly recommend this book for fans of legal thrillers. Even more, I’d recommend backtracking to the first of the series and reading them all.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
February 7, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Found several editing errors but they did not take away from the story.
I really fell in love with Gerry. He quickly captured my heart and broke it.
Totally love Michael. the chemistry between him and Kathleen.
One part I totally hated about the book is where the author described rabbits being killed by thugs. Yes I can understand why it happened and everything. But that does not mean I have to like it.
It seemed hard to believe that Lionel and Louise would actually be a couple. They seemed as different as night and day. To totally different people who does not even come close to attracting the other on a love radar.
I would have liked to know more about Lionel and how him and Sarah got together. But that would have been to much information for the story.
Throughout reading I have questioned what decade the author had this set. One time I thought late 70's early 80's. Then I thought maybe 80's or 90's. I still do not know.
I did enjoy this book. I liked how the author tied everything together. I admit I did wonder when I first started reading but everything fell into place very nicely.
This book is part of the BookBunny group reading challenge.
I really fell in love with Gerry. He quickly captured my heart and broke it.
Totally love Michael. the chemistry between him and Kathleen.
One part I totally hated about the book is where the author described rabbits being killed by thugs. Yes I can understand why it happened and everything. But that does not mean I have to like it.
It seemed hard to believe that Lionel and Louise would actually be a couple. They seemed as different as night and day. To totally different people who does not even come close to attracting the other on a love radar.
I would have liked to know more about Lionel and how him and Sarah got together. But that would have been to much information for the story.
Throughout reading I have questioned what decade the author had this set. One time I thought late 70's early 80's. Then I thought maybe 80's or 90's. I still do not know.
I did enjoy this book. I liked how the author tied everything together. I admit I did wonder when I first started reading but everything fell into place very nicely.
This book is part of the BookBunny group reading challenge.
April 2, 2016
Yet another gripping tale in the ‘Witness’ series, by Rebecca Forster. As with the previous four novels in this series, the book is set in Hermosa Beach California and comprises of the usual characters that will be well known to those who have read her previous books. This time the person in need of our main character’s (Josie Bates) legal expertise is Billy Zuni, a 17 year old friend of Josie’s ward Hanna. I must say that when I initially started this book I thought that maybe the series was becoming a little predictable, and didn’t think it was going to develop in a way that would hold my interest. However, I was completely wrong. The story unfolded into yet another original storyline and absorbed me right up until the finish. It is difficult to discuss the storyline without giving away spoilers. However, as this story ends another begins, so I know I’m going to be hooked into her next book. I do feel with her books that it is important to start with the first in the series, (Hostile Witness) in order to have a more informed understanding of the characters that surround our heroin Josie Bates.
February 28, 2013
Another winner for Rebecca Forster! This outing of the Witness series, relates two stories running side by side, racing to meet one another and intersect. The first story takes us to Albania, introducing us to characters who will eventually rock the lives of the Josie, Hannah and the Hermosa Beach community. The parallel story finds Josie racing to save Billy Zuni's life as she attempts to uncover what led to the violent events that took place in his home one stormy night. Is it possible Billy is responsible? I'll never tell, but I promise you the events are life changing. Eyewitness is the fifth book in this series. It was well worth the wait. Is #6 far off? I hope not! I can't wait to see what happens next to Josie Bates and the rest of the colorful characters I have become so thoroughly invested in.
March 10, 2014
To be honest I struggled to get into this book. There were a few times I almost gave up. It was the frustration of not knowing what was going on that got me, it was like I was reading two different books. I'm pleased I persisted as once I found out what was going on it all sort of made sense in a way and when I eventually got hooked I had to read to the end to find out how everything turned out. However, I don't think the technique of writing two different stories in alternate chapters quite worked. The stories were so different, not even taking place in the same country or the same era, and until they eventually merged and overlapped, it was just too confusing. The neatly wrapped up ending was also a little unsatisfying, as if it was written just to set up a sequel. All in all it was an okay read, but nothing to do a happy dance about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews