Fugitive

Amanda Jaffe #5

by Phillip Margolin

Amanda Jaffe, the heroine of Wild Justice and Proof Positive, is back—in this twisting tale of international intrigue and murder that leads her deep into the past . . . and into the crosshairs of a killer.

Charlie Marsh, a petty thief and con man, becomes a national hero when he rescues the warden of a state penitentiary during a prison riot, but it doesn't take long before he is wanted again, suspected of killing a United States congressman. After twelve years of living in the African nation of Batanga, at the mercy of Jean-Claude Baptiste, a sadistic, power-mad dictator, Charlie flees for home to face his murder charge, when Baptiste learns about Charlie's affair with the tyrant's favorite wife.

But it's not just the state of Oregon that's got it in for the philandering con. Criminal lawyer Amanda Jaffe has her work cut out for her. She must keep Charlie off death row, protect him from the head of Baptiste's deadly secret police, and prevent him from being caught by a shadowy killer who will stop at nothing to keep the truth about a decade-old crime buried forever.

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

352 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2009

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some real problems. First, it's supposed to be an Amande Jaffe book but she is mainly absent from the first half of the book. Second, the defendant that she is working with is such a scum that you don't really care if he gets off or not. Third, the book is full of plot cliches. Fourth, I figured out before Amanda was really introduced into the plot who the shooter was. Margolin can do much better than this.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three and three quarter stars. Charlie Marsh is in prison for fraud when he saves the life of a prison guard in a botched escape attempt by another prisoner. After his release and making a fortune writing about his experience, Charlie is charged with the murder of a Congressman. He flees to a despotic African country that does not have an extradition treaty with the US. When things go bad for Charlie there, he wants to return to the US. Although there are a couple of small flaws, it is a well written thriller/crime novel. Recommended.

[Kayeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok... not my favorite, not much that really stands out.



Amanda Jaffe, the heroine of Wild Justice and Proof Positive, is back-in this twisting tale of international intrigue and murder that leads her deep into the past . . . and into the crosshairs of a killer. Charlie Marsh, a petty thief and con man, becomes a national hero when he rescues the warden of a state penitentiary during a prison riot, but it doesn't take long before he is wanted again, suspected of killing a United States congressman. After twelve years of living in the African nation of Batanga, at the mercy of Jean-Claude Baptiste, a sadistic, power-mad dictator, Charlie flees for home to face his murder charge, when Baptiste learns about Charlie's affair with the tyrant's favorite wife. But it's not just the state of Oregon that's got it in for the philandering con. Criminal lawyer Amanda Jaffe has her work cut out for her. She must keep Charlie off death row, protect him from the head of Baptiste's deadly secret police, and prevent him from being caught by a shadowy killer who will stop at nothing to keep the truth about a decade-old crime buried forever. [close:]

[Flash Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out with some very gruesome scenes, but gradually evolves into a very average story. It doesn't quite deserve 3 stars, but isn't a 2 star book either. Just average. Amanda Jaffe deals with an accused murderer who returns on his own to the U.S. to stand trial. It is the lesser of the evils for the accused. There is a big reveal near the end that sort of frustrates me as a reader. I'd rather get clues that let me be 95% sure I've figured it out.

[Lynne Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great yarn. A scary, irrational dictator. A daring escape. A writer/hack who has no idea what he's getting into. Great character portrayal. This sets the right bar for the novel I'm working on. Fugitive is Margolin's best novel.

[Nguyễn Thanh Hằng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truyện lôi cuốn với tình tiết li kì, tiết tấu nhanh, liên quan nhiều lĩnh vực. Các tuyến nhân vật chồng chéo tạo ra nội dung phức hợp và những điểm thắt-mở nút liên tục, bất ngờ. Cú twist cuối khá thú vị nhưng hơi nhẹ và đoạn kết truyện nhanh, có thể tạo cảm giác hẫng nhẹ. Truyện theo tinh thần nhân-quả rõ nét, mọi thứ đều phải trả giá theo cách nó được gieo, những bước đi sai lầm sẽ dẫn đến kết cục cần rất nhiều nỗ lực để sửa sai và chọn lại. Điểm trừ là truyện vẫn theo cách hành động kiểu Mỹ, dùng nhiều vũ lực và dễ dãi với việc dùng vũ khí, có thể tạo ra tác động không hay với một số độc giả. Văn phong bình dân dễ đọc nhưng không gợi tả cao, tổng thể vẫn thiếu chiều sâu. Mình chấm 3,6/5.

[Carole Hardinge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters in this installment of the Amanda Jaffa series. While you wanted some of them to be innocent, both of murder and other transgressions, you soon learned they had some very negative character traits, along with their positive ones. That made them much more realistic and the story that much more compelling.

[Robert Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda jaffe takes after her father Frank when she representes the other suspect who fled to Africa. Only after he's threathen with his life does he return to face the music. Moonbeam to the rescue.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phillip Margolin a Portland, Oregon Author another GREAT READ... Love his writing :-)

[Bob Box · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2009. A twisting tale of international intrigue and murder. One of my favorites that year.

[Darryl Jordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic first from this author. The twists keep coming til the very last page. Made me question whether I was watching TV/movie or reading in an earlier pastime of the day as I would replay thrilling moments from the book in my head. Very excited to grow more acquainted with this authors writing style in future reads from him!

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reason this novel is not as good as some of Margolin’s others is that one of the main characters is a person of such ill repute that you just don’t care about. Therefore, 50 percent of this story is trite and unfulfilling. 4 of 10 stars

[Allan McLeod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This held my interest, but it isn't memorable. For me, it is just a good story.

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but the plot was not as riveting, nor as action-filled, as the earlier ones.

[Ellybeth Dye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt like I was watching a movie. It was probably one of the most action packed stories that Phillip has written (out of his Amanda Jaffe series at least). This was definitely more centered around Charlie Marsh rather than Amanda but she did have a better presence in the story thankfully (in comparison to 'The Associate' where her presence was almost obsolete). I believe there was supposed to be some character development with Marsh but I just couldn't totally believe it. Honestly, the reporter boy Dennis Levy had more development than the actual main character. There was also a mention of Russian characters and I think a Russian mafia that felt so disconnected and unnecessary? It was a bit too confusing and I didn't think the story really needed this added layer. I also was able to sort out who the real killer was early on so the reveal in the end as well so it wasn't too much a mystery there. However, there is an added twist that didn't make very much sense to me when the person was unveiled. I will talk more about this below. All in all, it was not my favorite in the Amanda Jaffe series but it definitely wasn't the worst either. If they removed the Russian piece, made the reveal a little juicer, and had better character development for Charlie Marsh this could have easily been a 5 star novel!

*******SPOILERS BELOW**************

The reveal in the end was that Moonbeam was the killer. Which, if you read the book, it is NOT a shocker at all. You pretty much suspect this from the beginning. Especially how she is only mentioned in the backstory but then is never really talked about again until the very end for the final killer unveiling. The added reveal that I did not suspect was that Moonbeam was the head of World News that Charlie contacted to get out of Africa. This left me with a lot of questions and confusion. How did he know she became the head of World News? How did he know she would help? Why do they barely interact until the end? (Probably to keep the secret) and of course the biggest question I had: WHY WOULD SHE HIRE AN AMAZING LAWYER LIKE AMANDA TO HELP HIM NOT GET CONVICTED WHEN SHE KNOWS SHE IS THE REAL KILLER?? Sorry, but I did not love this reveal. I know Phillip tries explaining this all in the end but it just simply did not work.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally well thought out and superbly paced thriller.
Charlie Marsh, a career scammer and one time criminal is dashing, charming, clever and born again after a heroic attempt to save a fellow con's life. Released, Charlie turns author and motivational speaker and continues on his scamming ways, amassing riches, gals, etc.
Meets up with a congressman's wife, Sally Pope, for a dalliance that ends badly with her husband dead and Charlie the main suspect. He flees to Batanga, a tax free haven, an African country run by a cannibal so they say. Turns out, yes. After 12 years Charlie returns to face trial, an option better than Batanga. But there are a handful of people wanting Charlie dead and all take a shot at him. To no avail until a very surprising ending.
Courtroom scenes abound with the crafty lawyer Amanda Jaffe; her dad Frank was Sally's lawyer the first go around. Margolin peoples this thriller with a fine cast of characters, criminals and the like. The pacing couldn't be tighter, the dialogue better or the Seattle and environs setting more appealing.
Amanda Jaffe is a force to be reckoned with. There's a 6th book, Violent Crimes, in this series. I'll be reading it soon.

[David H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fugitive" is my first Phillip Margolin novel, so I can't argue with the Goodreads reviews that state that this is not his best work. I have feeling that I might learn that after reading more of his novels. After all, I enjoyed reading this book so much, I can guarantee more Margolin novels in my future.

I appreciated how well written and easy reading this novel was. I hate books that I have to struggle through. Stephen King's Shining and Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire (and Blood And Gold also) are shining examples (pun intended) of great stories written poorly. In my opinion, an average story that reads fast and easily is better than a great story that readers struggle with the writing style. (Note that King and Rice wrote many fast reading, well written novels; I am a fan of both of these authors).

There are small things like too many characters and a contrived ending that forced me to mark the "Fugitive" down to 4 stars. I plan to read more Phillip Margolin novels. I have "Proof Positive" in my "to Read" stack. I learned from the internet that "Executive Privilege" is considered to be this best work.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie Marsh has it all going for him. Then a murder happens in front of him and he's accused of it. So his bodyguard races him away to an airport where he can fly to an African country from which he cannot be extradited. He realizes that he's just jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. Meanwhile, Sally Pope, the wife of the man killed as well as the lady that was accused of setting up the kill, is freed and moves to Europe to protect her son. Well, Charles realizes that he has to get out to the country so he escapes back to America and plans to face the music. Of course, everyone seems to want to kill him off to protect themselves. Amanda Jaffe, the daughter of the man who defended Sally, is the defense lawyer for Charlie.

[Suzie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amanda Jaffe series just gets better and better

This Amanda Jaffe installment has an assortment of candidates to choose as to "who done it". It is pretty obvious that the Guru himself is innocent. Plenty of bad guys to go around.

We see some personal aspects to dad Frank here which are touching. I wish I'd have kept a who's who on hand because there are so many characters to choose from. I noticed a character that sort of disappeared. I kept asking myself where did this person go? Guess that person wasn't important. Bam, then we get that character at the end all neatly tied with a bow.

I am seriously enjoying this series.

[Aysha Imran · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 *
It's been a while I read anything from Philip Margolin.He had been one of my auto buy authors for the longest period of time.
He never fails to present something easy , fun and fast read.
Fugitive is a story of a con man and his journey to spirituality and all the fame,money and consequences related to this inner light.

The cast of characters is not one of the best written ones but they keep story exciting.

Some major loop holes in the story were very annoying and kept on wondering when they are gonna address them but it never happens .

SPOILER ALERT

Why on earth nobody ever questioned or searched for moonbeams.Not once in the two trials anybody even mentions her?

[Maurean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm never disappointed with a Margolin tale. Always well paced, having just enough (credible) red herrings to keep you guessing, while leaving a breadcrumb trail of clues that, if the reader is vigilant, they can get there •just• as the author (obviously) intended.
I hope it isn't a spoiler to say that I had figured out who did it, but I didn't figure out WHO did it.
This was the fourth installment of the Amanda Jaffe series, but it's my 12th read of this author, who is probably one of my top 5 favorite contemporary authors, and definitely my favorite of this (legal thriller) genre.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished 21st october 2025 good read three stars i liked it no less no more kindle library loaner have read fifteen or more from margolin phillip and have enjoyed them all. stories are about lawyers criminals judges rich powerful corrupt idealistic cynics. this one follows a character previously incarcerated hailed as a hero weeks before parole writes best seller becomes a guru and a talking head accused of murder flees country returns ten or twelve years later from small african nation where a cannibal was king. it all comes out in the wash.

[Paula Soloman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the Fugitive was a good read. My biggest issue with the storyline is that there was so much back story that Amanda wasn’t in the beginning of the book. There were also a lot of “extra” characters and they became confusing.
However, due to the twists and turns through the book I didn’t have my “a-ha” moment until the last chapter of the book. It definitely had me questioning until the last chapter of the book. Thanks for another fun book in the Amanda series - now onto the next!!

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like that Phillip Margolin is a local writer who uses Portland and surrounds for the backdrop of his stories. This is entertaining and suspenseful. I did not discern "who done it" - which is hard to do. I'm usually pretty good at sniffing out the culprit earlier in the story. It's a pretty light read and if we had a little broader rating system (like 10 stars), I'd give it a 7... so I guess 3.5 is what I'm really saying, but definitely not a strong enough contender for a 4.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

was a good book but the murder they did not have much evedance of so they let it go and march just want the past to be past no regrets we do know kind who did it . nobody after him the brother went to till tempsa the black guy who got hire presnet of africa for dimands so nobody after march anymore and got his book written with joe reporter who we think might did the mudere but like sauid amada dose not care her client sent free and all just go ahead with there lives.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phillip Margolin handled a case 12 years go. Now his daughter has a chance to represent the man who would have been a co-defendant had he not escaped the country. Many factors come into play including a cub reporter who wants the story of a lifetime plus Amanda Jaffee needing the help of her father on some issues. Intrigue, attempted murder, a crazed assassin but Amanda does the same excellent job her father does

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

mostly good, but interspersed with scenes that were totally unrealistic and dumb. Example: a brilliant female lawyer agrees to meet a strange man in a dark, deserted parking lot because he claimed to have info on her client.
But, the courtroom scenes were interesting, as were some of the background stories that evolved.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thriller by Phillip Margolin. This book started a bit slow for me, and he introduced a lot of characters. But, I ended up engaged as usual and couldn't put it down. Towards the end, I think you can kind of figure out where it's going, but it's still interesting nonetheless. Love his lawyer main character.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly pedantic murder mystery. It is very black and white in its approach to character development. The good are always good and the bad are always bad. The bad guys all lose in the end and the obvious suspects are guilty.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting format and twists. I didn't care for the way it led me around but I was curious enough to continue. Surprised but not surprised by the ending. Again, an interesting line of adventure and not a lot of hints.