What do you think?
Rate this book
Nina Reilly #4
Breach of Promise
Broken hearts. Broken promises. Deadly consequences.
In glitzy Lake Tahoe, couples break up every day. But few are as successful as Lindy and Mike Markov, who built a $200-million business together, before Mike took up with a younger woman. Now he's claiming he doesn't owe Lindy a dime since they never married.
Attorney Nina Reilly, struggling to make a living in her one-woman office and raise a young son alone, agrees to take Lindy's case. Nina knows winning is a long shot, even with a brilliant jury consultant and a palimony expert on her side. It's the kind of case full of passion and explosive secrets that could make a fortune for a young lawyer. Or drive someone to commit murder for love, money . . . or the right verdict.
In glitzy Lake Tahoe, couples break up every day. But few are as successful as Lindy and Mike Markov, who built a $200-million business together, before Mike took up with a younger woman. Now he's claiming he doesn't owe Lindy a dime since they never married.
Attorney Nina Reilly, struggling to make a living in her one-woman office and raise a young son alone, agrees to take Lindy's case. Nina knows winning is a long shot, even with a brilliant jury consultant and a palimony expert on her side. It's the kind of case full of passion and explosive secrets that could make a fortune for a young lawyer. Or drive someone to commit murder for love, money . . . or the right verdict.
560 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 1998
48 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Perri O'Shaughnessy
54 books278 followersPerri O’Shaughnessy is the pen-name for two people, Pamela and Mary O’Shaughnessy, sisters. The authors' pseudonym is an homage to Perry Mason, the man who never met a guilty client, and a melding of their two first names, Pamela and Mary. O’Shaughnessy is their paternal family name.
They are the authors of eleven bestselling Nina Reilly novels as well as a collection of short crime fiction, Sinister Shorts.
They are the authors of eleven bestselling Nina Reilly novels as well as a collection of short crime fiction, Sinister Shorts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
October 10, 2022
Two for the price of one, and expensive at that!
The first book is a reasonable quality, interesting and workmanlike legal procedural covering the ins and outs of asset division on the ending of a relationship in which the multi-millionaire partners were not married. As you might imagine, the issue is money and the legal hassles are hot, heavy, tangled and lustily disputed. Although there isn’t any thrills or chills, guts, gore, sex, or violence, the courtroom drama is well executed and the characters well portrayed. Then comes the “but” …
… there’s that issue of a different second book! When the jury leaves the court to deliberate on their verdict, it’s like the author left the room with them and somebody else stepped in to finish who had no idea what they were doing. The dialogue became stilted, the characters became wooden and cartoonish, and the plot (along with the requisite thriller murder) became predictable. It was like there was a high-powered spotlight shining on the murderer – it was THAT easy to figure out! The action parts of the finale read like the screenplay of a low budget B-flick! In fact, what was clearly supposed to be the thriller part of the thriller was downright boring and soporific.
BREACH OF PROMISE was a disappointment. That's all. If that change of tone and mood had occurred any earlier in the novel, there’s a distinct possibility I would have set the entire novel aside as a DNF. I thoroughly enjoyed INVASION OF PRIVACY, the only other entry in the Nina Reilly series that I’ve read, so I’m now batting .500. I’ll give another one a try and use it as the coin toss to decide if I’ll pursue the series any further.
Paul Weiss
The first book is a reasonable quality, interesting and workmanlike legal procedural covering the ins and outs of asset division on the ending of a relationship in which the multi-millionaire partners were not married. As you might imagine, the issue is money and the legal hassles are hot, heavy, tangled and lustily disputed. Although there isn’t any thrills or chills, guts, gore, sex, or violence, the courtroom drama is well executed and the characters well portrayed. Then comes the “but” …
… there’s that issue of a different second book! When the jury leaves the court to deliberate on their verdict, it’s like the author left the room with them and somebody else stepped in to finish who had no idea what they were doing. The dialogue became stilted, the characters became wooden and cartoonish, and the plot (along with the requisite thriller murder) became predictable. It was like there was a high-powered spotlight shining on the murderer – it was THAT easy to figure out! The action parts of the finale read like the screenplay of a low budget B-flick! In fact, what was clearly supposed to be the thriller part of the thriller was downright boring and soporific.
BREACH OF PROMISE was a disappointment. That's all. If that change of tone and mood had occurred any earlier in the novel, there’s a distinct possibility I would have set the entire novel aside as a DNF. I thoroughly enjoyed INVASION OF PRIVACY, the only other entry in the Nina Reilly series that I’ve read, so I’m now batting .500. I’ll give another one a try and use it as the coin toss to decide if I’ll pursue the series any further.
Paul Weiss
February 15, 2020
"We're getting married. You're out Lindy". "We don't want to hurt you...."
"Oh, shit," said Mike. "Shit".
Breach of Promise (Nina Reilly #4)
by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Legal drama. 3.5 stars.
Lindy and Mike have been a couple for a long time and also run a business together. When Lindy discovers Mike is having an affair all hell breaks loose and the couple breaks up.
Lindy sues Mike for half the business. The catch here is that these two were never married. They just lived together. So legally Lindy does not have a very strong case.
I enjoyed the first half of this way more then the second. Much of what goes on takes place in the court room and the reader gets to know the couple AND the Jury. I was drawn to the story as I like reading about Juries and what goes into picking them, what happens behind the scenes etc.
BUT:
SPOILERS:
I have to discuss the second half as well as the end. The truth is I read all kinds of genres. I like legal thrillers, liked this book very much and would have given it 4 stars if not for the change in tone and the end.
So first.. change in tone. Did not get that. The book turned crazy with all the twists and there is a Juror murdered and who did it ETC ETC.
Attorney on the water, showdown with the killer..etc. It just changed from a really thought provoking and fun legal story to yet another thriller. Loved the first half..not wild about the second half. I'd still recommend it though because it's such a fun book.
But then there is the ending. I did not understand it. The book spends the whole story telling of this wronged woman who built her husband's business into an empire, so at the end..she is strong and empowered..then the hubby's girlfriend leaves him, he comes crawling back and she says 'OK" and the end.
Did not get that. So in summary, it's a fun read, a thought provoking read, but not outstanding. I was ultimately a bit let down with where it chose to go but the first half was five stars so..legal book fans will most likely enjoy.
"Oh, shit," said Mike. "Shit".
Breach of Promise (Nina Reilly #4)
by Perri O'Shaughnessy
Legal drama. 3.5 stars.
Lindy and Mike have been a couple for a long time and also run a business together. When Lindy discovers Mike is having an affair all hell breaks loose and the couple breaks up.
Lindy sues Mike for half the business. The catch here is that these two were never married. They just lived together. So legally Lindy does not have a very strong case.
I enjoyed the first half of this way more then the second. Much of what goes on takes place in the court room and the reader gets to know the couple AND the Jury. I was drawn to the story as I like reading about Juries and what goes into picking them, what happens behind the scenes etc.
BUT:
SPOILERS:
I have to discuss the second half as well as the end. The truth is I read all kinds of genres. I like legal thrillers, liked this book very much and would have given it 4 stars if not for the change in tone and the end.
So first.. change in tone. Did not get that. The book turned crazy with all the twists and there is a Juror murdered and who did it ETC ETC.
Attorney on the water, showdown with the killer..etc. It just changed from a really thought provoking and fun legal story to yet another thriller. Loved the first half..not wild about the second half. I'd still recommend it though because it's such a fun book.
But then there is the ending. I did not understand it. The book spends the whole story telling of this wronged woman who built her husband's business into an empire, so at the end..she is strong and empowered..then the hubby's girlfriend leaves him, he comes crawling back and she says 'OK" and the end.
Did not get that. So in summary, it's a fun read, a thought provoking read, but not outstanding. I was ultimately a bit let down with where it chose to go but the first half was five stars so..legal book fans will most likely enjoy.
August 19, 2016
'Now look here,
If you were really superior,
really superior,
you 'd have money,
and you know it'-D.H.Lawrence
This is a legal thriller...
The courtroom drama was interesting.
It is more or less a story of a husband and wife (not in the legal sense anyway) who built a successful business spanning more than twenty years together but now the man is jilting the woman who built the business with him for a younger woman who work for them without a penny.
Though friends and relatives refer to them as husband and wife but in the real sense they were never married or rather there was no legal document backing that union or the supposed marriage.On the other hand the properties own by them were all in the man's name.....what happens to the supposed wife? Taking into cognisance that there were no documents with the supposed wife name on them.
I like Nina,Paul and Winston
the three gamblers in a tube
I also like Sammy (Mike and Lindy's dog).
"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other"-Charles Dickens
"You don't approach a case with the philosophy of applying abstract justice.You go in to win"-Percy Foreman
Though very interesting
At a point the conversations between the jurors became some what mechanical and boring....still enjoyed IT
If you were really superior,
really superior,
you 'd have money,
and you know it'-D.H.Lawrence
This is a legal thriller...
The courtroom drama was interesting.
It is more or less a story of a husband and wife (not in the legal sense anyway) who built a successful business spanning more than twenty years together but now the man is jilting the woman who built the business with him for a younger woman who work for them without a penny.
Though friends and relatives refer to them as husband and wife but in the real sense they were never married or rather there was no legal document backing that union or the supposed marriage.On the other hand the properties own by them were all in the man's name.....what happens to the supposed wife? Taking into cognisance that there were no documents with the supposed wife name on them.
I like Nina,Paul and Winston
the three gamblers in a tube
I also like Sammy (Mike and Lindy's dog).
"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other"-Charles Dickens
"You don't approach a case with the philosophy of applying abstract justice.You go in to win"-Percy Foreman
Though very interesting
At a point the conversations between the jurors became some what mechanical and boring....still enjoyed IT
October 30, 2019
Liked this least of the books I've listened to so far. It's not a murder/legal thriller like the previous books but is about a woman being stripped of everything she worked for by her ex who has taken up with a younger woman. The difficulty Nina faces is due to the fact that her client was never married to the man whose name she goes by. Everyone saw them as a married couple who had been together for years and years and who built up their multi-million dollar business together.
It was interesting but only up to a point. I wanted a murder to solve, a client to exonerate. I got neither. There was a dead juror but this second half of the book was such a muddle I lost track of what had been a very simple, straightforward story.
I also disliked Nina here. She's turned into this selfish, greedy bitch who treats Paul abominably and can't understand why he's given up and has taken the DC offer. I'll try the next book and hope Nina comes to her senses.
It was interesting but only up to a point. I wanted a murder to solve, a client to exonerate. I got neither. There was a dead juror but this second half of the book was such a muddle I lost track of what had been a very simple, straightforward story.
I also disliked Nina here. She's turned into this selfish, greedy bitch who treats Paul abominably and can't understand why he's given up and has taken the DC offer. I'll try the next book and hope Nina comes to her senses.
August 16, 2024
It's going to be tough to win a palimony lawsuit in a California courtroom. That's the decision Nina Reilly initially makes. It all started the night Lindy Markov invited her to a birthday party for Lindy's companion. Unfortunately, he wrecked the party by announcing that he was leaving his longtime companion for a young woman in her 20s. Decisions like that inevitably complicate things. The kind of disruption they cause is astounding in the ripple effect that always occurs. It's true for Lindy and Mike. The two had been together 20 years before he decided to end things. They had built a successful business together. He contributed his abilities and talents; She contributed hers. The company was doing reasonably well or so everyone thought at the time of the breakup.
Lindy approached Nina to see whether any kind of palimony lawsuit would make sense. If she won, Nina would stand to earn millions. Seeing dollar signs everywhere she turned, Nina decided to take the case even though the odds of winning were low.
As this goes to trial you learned that the couple never really had a marriage. They knelt at some church somewhere without Even so much as a preacher to marry them. They took out what the law would determine were artificial vows. All the property including the business was in Mike’s name. He asked her to let it be like that, and in return, he would promise to marry her. She readily agreed, assuming he would keep his word. But he never did.
This is an interesting book because the trial section seemed a little slow to me. I'm a big fan of courtroom drama, but this was just courtroom and not a lot of drama. I confess my mind wandered a bit in a place or two. Things get fascinating when the jury goes out to discuss a verdict. The author takes you inside the jury room and lets you see all the machinations associated with the process. There's a fair amount of Wheeling and dealing, some strong arming, some old-fashioned persuasion, and a good bit of dithering and mind changing. Eventually, the verdict is in. Lindy gets $68 million. But the verdict doesn't come back until after a juror mysteriously dies from a food allergy. Everyone is eager to assume that it's a simple accident, but Nina and her private detective sometimes boyfriend Paul aren't so sure it was an accident, and they dig deeper.
The book exponentially picks up at that point, and you get everything you had hoped for from this sister writing duo. They shine, as always, the closer to the end you get. The only advice I can give you if you're going to read this is it might be best to read the first three books in the series, but it isn't absolutely necessary. Also, don't give up on this. You may consider blowing it off during the trial phase. But stay with it. That ending is beyond amazing. It puts Nina and Paul against a crazed person. That's more than enough said. Just do yourself a favor and read the entire series but at least read this installment of it.
Lindy approached Nina to see whether any kind of palimony lawsuit would make sense. If she won, Nina would stand to earn millions. Seeing dollar signs everywhere she turned, Nina decided to take the case even though the odds of winning were low.
As this goes to trial you learned that the couple never really had a marriage. They knelt at some church somewhere without Even so much as a preacher to marry them. They took out what the law would determine were artificial vows. All the property including the business was in Mike’s name. He asked her to let it be like that, and in return, he would promise to marry her. She readily agreed, assuming he would keep his word. But he never did.
This is an interesting book because the trial section seemed a little slow to me. I'm a big fan of courtroom drama, but this was just courtroom and not a lot of drama. I confess my mind wandered a bit in a place or two. Things get fascinating when the jury goes out to discuss a verdict. The author takes you inside the jury room and lets you see all the machinations associated with the process. There's a fair amount of Wheeling and dealing, some strong arming, some old-fashioned persuasion, and a good bit of dithering and mind changing. Eventually, the verdict is in. Lindy gets $68 million. But the verdict doesn't come back until after a juror mysteriously dies from a food allergy. Everyone is eager to assume that it's a simple accident, but Nina and her private detective sometimes boyfriend Paul aren't so sure it was an accident, and they dig deeper.
The book exponentially picks up at that point, and you get everything you had hoped for from this sister writing duo. They shine, as always, the closer to the end you get. The only advice I can give you if you're going to read this is it might be best to read the first three books in the series, but it isn't absolutely necessary. Also, don't give up on this. You may consider blowing it off during the trial phase. But stay with it. That ending is beyond amazing. It puts Nina and Paul against a crazed person. That's more than enough said. Just do yourself a favor and read the entire series but at least read this installment of it.
January 9, 2019
By far the BEST Perri O'Shaughnessy book I have READ, Definitely kept you on the edge of your seat... This would of made a Great Movie!!! Just a little insight, you definitely don't want to stay in the waters of Lake Tahoe to long, Extremely to COLD, WOW!!!
September 16, 2014
This book by O'Shaughnessy was a good read. I could tell that it was not going to turn out like it appeared to because there were too many pages left in the book and wondered what was further going to happen. This is a series book and one that will make you want to read the other books in the series because it is worth the time to read. Enjoyed it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesleyi's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesleyi's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
May 29, 2018
It's been forever since I've read a legal thriller and this was very good. Nina Reilly is an awesome attorney who does it all on her own including being a mom. Loved the courtroom setting. I'm actually reading another one of these now.
August 29, 2016
Loved it!
June 23, 2008
slow and unexciting.
February 7, 2017
I am really enjoying the Nina Reilly series. Yes, I am reading them in sequence, however each book can stand alone. I personally recommend reading them in sequence because it helps to know a bit of history of the people that come in and out of the storyline....
Each book is entirely different. Of course, its all about court-work but I can truly say, up to this point, Perri O'Shaughnessy is certainly not what I refer to as a "cookie-cutter" writer - each book follows a different pattern......
This book is quite unique - - How does one deal with the situation whereby you live with someone, you work side by side and develop a company with someone. He promises to take care of you forever, and of course you truly believe that he will, because you are sooo in love with him. Ohhh - until he meets a younger woman!!! According to the legal system, California does not recognize common-law......ohhh and he 'promised' you that he would marry you....but it kinda slipped his mind to make it 'legit'.
The Author takes us through the entire court-work along with listening into the deliberations of the jury. I can honestly say, the arguments were extreme! Even me, as a reader, felt swayed - should she get anything in the end? Is she entitled to anything legally? Where does morals come in? What a tangled mess! Great, great story!!!!
Each book is entirely different. Of course, its all about court-work but I can truly say, up to this point, Perri O'Shaughnessy is certainly not what I refer to as a "cookie-cutter" writer - each book follows a different pattern......
This book is quite unique - - How does one deal with the situation whereby you live with someone, you work side by side and develop a company with someone. He promises to take care of you forever, and of course you truly believe that he will, because you are sooo in love with him. Ohhh - until he meets a younger woman!!! According to the legal system, California does not recognize common-law......ohhh and he 'promised' you that he would marry you....but it kinda slipped his mind to make it 'legit'.
The Author takes us through the entire court-work along with listening into the deliberations of the jury. I can honestly say, the arguments were extreme! Even me, as a reader, felt swayed - should she get anything in the end? Is she entitled to anything legally? Where does morals come in? What a tangled mess! Great, great story!!!!
July 24, 2017
You know when you just need a comfort book?
Well, this is mine.
Perfect for sitting beside the lake, curled up in a hammock and running through a legal case in the eyes of Ms. Nina Reilly.
I picked this book up years ago at a library sale and never got around to it, but I really enjoyed it. It was fun to travel through this legal case and learn the little bits and bobs that are related to it, and I feel like I maybe learned something about the legal process along the way.
And then they throw the twist in there and you are along for the ride every step of the way.
Do I think I'll pick up any more of the books in this series later on? Well, I mean, I started at book 4 and wasn't lost, so it's not like it would matter. Maybe if they appear in a used bookstore sometime I'll pick it up for my next comfort read.
Until then, it was a great read that I throughly enjoyed.
Well, this is mine.
Perfect for sitting beside the lake, curled up in a hammock and running through a legal case in the eyes of Ms. Nina Reilly.
I picked this book up years ago at a library sale and never got around to it, but I really enjoyed it. It was fun to travel through this legal case and learn the little bits and bobs that are related to it, and I feel like I maybe learned something about the legal process along the way.
And then they throw the twist in there and you are along for the ride every step of the way.
Do I think I'll pick up any more of the books in this series later on? Well, I mean, I started at book 4 and wasn't lost, so it's not like it would matter. Maybe if they appear in a used bookstore sometime I'll pick it up for my next comfort read.
Until then, it was a great read that I throughly enjoyed.
July 15, 2020
Broken hearts. Broken promises. Deadly consequences.
In glitzy Lake Tahoe, couples break up every day. But few are as successful as Lindy and Mike Markov, who built a $200-million business together before Mike took up with a younger woman. Now he's claiming he doesn't owe Lindy a dime since they never married.
Attorney Nina Reilly, struggling to make a living in her one-woman office and raise a young son alone, agrees to take Lindy's case. Nina knows winning is a long shot, even with a brilliant jury consultant and a palimony expert on her side. It's the kind of case full of passion and explosive secrets that could make a fortune for a young lawyer. Or drive someone to commit murder for love, money . . . or the right verdict.
** Another wonderful Nina Reilly mystery a real page-turner.
In glitzy Lake Tahoe, couples break up every day. But few are as successful as Lindy and Mike Markov, who built a $200-million business together before Mike took up with a younger woman. Now he's claiming he doesn't owe Lindy a dime since they never married.
Attorney Nina Reilly, struggling to make a living in her one-woman office and raise a young son alone, agrees to take Lindy's case. Nina knows winning is a long shot, even with a brilliant jury consultant and a palimony expert on her side. It's the kind of case full of passion and explosive secrets that could make a fortune for a young lawyer. Or drive someone to commit murder for love, money . . . or the right verdict.
** Another wonderful Nina Reilly mystery a real page-turner.
July 19, 2019
Millionaire couple splits - man wants everything and produces a note that the woman signed relinquishing all rights. But now she sues based on man's promise to marry her. Three parts: trial prep, trial and jury deliberations, post-trial investigation into death of key juror. Exciting climax in Emerald Bay as the murderer tries to kill everyone involved - she was the jury consultant whose expertise was needed, but her MO was to bug the jury room so she ID'd the foreman and poisoned him. Many loose ends - the couple reconciles? was Nina paid for her work? did the killer really die? what about the opal mine?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2021
I've read several Nina Reilly books recently. This one was my favorite so far, because it showed Nina as a strong woman who could stand on her own. The premise was interesting - a very wealthy couple goes to court over their divorce, fighting over a multi-million dollar fortune. Nina gets caught up in it, bankrolling Lindy's representation on her own, bringing in a high-powered lawyer and a jury consultant. The mystery wasn't nearly as much of a mystery as I'd hoped. In spite of the murder, it still felt like a sort of low stakes plot.
August 16, 2022
Nina Reilly is a divorced mother of a young boy, trying to make a living as a single lawyer. She takes on a huge palimony case that everyone says is unwinable. Her brother and family help as much as they can but it is a struggle for her.
I liked parts of this book but the dialog tended to run on for too long. For example when the case goes to trial, I had to skip most of the jury deliberations.
There were 3 or 4 places that could have ended this book, but there always seemed to be another crises or drama for Nina to overcome.
Not as good as I had hoped.
I liked parts of this book but the dialog tended to run on for too long. For example when the case goes to trial, I had to skip most of the jury deliberations.
There were 3 or 4 places that could have ended this book, but there always seemed to be another crises or drama for Nina to overcome.
Not as good as I had hoped.
May 20, 2020
A good legal thriller dealing with a palimony case. The author's approach of dividing the novel into sections that introduced the plaintiffs, the discovery process, the trial and then the jury deliberations was clever. The end of the book disappointed slightly as it tested the boundaries of credulity (would someone really go that far?), but overall it was a lot of fun and I would like to read other books by Perri O'Shaughnessy.
November 17, 2020
I probably should have skipped this one because the whole premise of the lawsuit was unappealing to me but I'm one of those who have to read series books in order. I found the story to be quite slow through most of the book. When we got to the exciting who dunnit part, it didn't really seem plausible. Wish I'd have gone with my first impression to just skip it as nothing really important happens to the characters anyway.
March 1, 2019
Absolutely loved Breach of Promise. The ending was so ironic. Love heals all, eh?
The new characters were fantastic. Loved the trial -- and the insight during jury deliberations.
The Nina Reilly series is such a fun series. Thrilling, yes. Intense, yes. But fun.
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel YOU CHOOSE
and the supernatural thriller WOMAN IN THE WOODS
The new characters were fantastic. Loved the trial -- and the insight during jury deliberations.
The Nina Reilly series is such a fun series. Thrilling, yes. Intense, yes. But fun.
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel YOU CHOOSE
and the supernatural thriller WOMAN IN THE WOODS
September 30, 2023
It took 4 books before I was willing to give Perri O'Shaugnessy 5 stars, but this is the book that shows how her writing has evolved. Well written and a terrific story with a twist. Nina is a very intuitive writer character, and her intuition will continue to show up in the series.
August 15, 2017
Rather predictable. I really wanted to like this book more.
January 27, 2019
Too drawn out on the lawyer/research side. I have enjoyed the O'Shaughnessy books but this was a much earlier one and I struggled to finish it.
mountain-loop
November 24, 20192
November 25, 2019
Good Read
April 18, 2020
A good read but you can't help thinking many aspects could've been better. Character establishment for one.
October 11, 2020
Lots of twists and turns. Every time I thought story ended, another event took place. Certainly kept my interest.
July 25, 2021
Great pulpy legal drama for a vacation. Might just have to read another
Read
August 17, 2022It rambled to long.
February 20, 2023
Lot of legal little mystery, scimmed a lot of it.
July 30, 2023
Very dull book. Took 500 pages for it to even start to become intriguing. Couldn’t wait to finish it to be able to start a better read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews