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20th out of 53 books
—
41 voters
Presumed Guilty
by
James Scott Bell (Goodreads Author)
Murder, betrayal, and a trial that feeds a media frenzy.Can one woman stand against the forces that threaten to tear her family apart? Pastor Ron Hamilton's star is rising. His 8,000-strong church is thriving. His good looks and charisma make him an exceptional speaker on family values. And his book on pornography in the church has become an unexpected bestseller. Everythi...more
Paperback, 316 pages
Published
March 21st 2006
by Zondervan Publishing Company
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While not quite in the same league as Robert Whitlow, James Scott Bell shows promise in the realm of compelling, well-written Christian fiction.
Dallas Hamilton's seemingly perfect world is shattered when her minister husband is arrested for the murder of an adult film star. Her husband was working with a local politician to combat the world of adult entertaiment. In the course of the investigation, secrets are revealed, including that her husband slept with the victim and had a previous affair....more
Dallas Hamilton's seemingly perfect world is shattered when her minister husband is arrested for the murder of an adult film star. Her husband was working with a local politician to combat the world of adult entertaiment. In the course of the investigation, secrets are revealed, including that her husband slept with the victim and had a previous affair....more
Usually I like Bell's books - you can tell that he is a lawyer and he gets the little details right. This book, however, left me confused. What exactly was the author trying to do? At times it was a murder mystery, the story of a pastor gone bad, a sermon against the evils of pornography and the first-hand glance at a woman who thought she knew her husband but had the rug pulled out from under her.
Plot aside, I also found character development to be shallow. The oldest child, Cara, never became...more
Plot aside, I also found character development to be shallow. The oldest child, Cara, never became...more
An author like James Scott Bell has little need for a review from the likes of me—but then again, neither did Cec Murphey, or TL Hines, or Joe Hilley, or…well, you get the picture. But I’m gonna do it anyway just as a way of saying thanks for a really good read.
And Presumed Guilty was just that: a really good read.
Mr. Bell tackles several delicate subjects in this legal thriller: pornography, post traumatic stress disorder, marital infidelity, physical abuse, and—perhaps worst of all—presumption...more
And Presumed Guilty was just that: a really good read.
Mr. Bell tackles several delicate subjects in this legal thriller: pornography, post traumatic stress disorder, marital infidelity, physical abuse, and—perhaps worst of all—presumption...more
This is not the first Randy Singer book I have read and as always, he kept turning the screws to take you to the edge which he did quite well.
The characters:
Pastor Ron Hamilton: I didn't like him much in the beginning. He seemed very cold toward his family, especially his wife (Dallas) who seemed to love him very much and he seemed too wrapped up in himself/church to even notice. (Well, that certainly changed!)
Dallas (wife): Focused entirely on her family and seemed to carry the entire load. Som...more
The characters:
Pastor Ron Hamilton: I didn't like him much in the beginning. He seemed very cold toward his family, especially his wife (Dallas) who seemed to love him very much and he seemed too wrapped up in himself/church to even notice. (Well, that certainly changed!)
Dallas (wife): Focused entirely on her family and seemed to carry the entire load. Som...more
My grade: B+. This book is categorized as Christian suspense. I read the book because I'm registered for a seminar at which the author will be speaking.
The book was good. It held my interest and offered up a number of surprises. The characters were interesting. In addition to the characters' relationships with God being part of the plot, the actions of demons and angels affected them, also.
Characters were placed in jeopardy a number of times. None of these scenes held me "on the edge of my sea...more
The book was good. It held my interest and offered up a number of surprises. The characters were interesting. In addition to the characters' relationships with God being part of the plot, the actions of demons and angels affected them, also.
Characters were placed in jeopardy a number of times. None of these scenes held me "on the edge of my sea...more
James Scott Bell is one of the most talented Christian writers I've encountered. Having had the opportunity to share supper at his table at a writer's conference, I got a good chance to discover how funny the guy is. This book does not display that though. This is a serious story with serious implications. Donald Maass in his industry standard "how to" book, Writing the Breakout Novel boldly suggests that the higher the stakes in the story, the higher the interest level. The stakes are high in t...more
No words can describe how terrible this book is. It's as if the author thought of a thin plot line and then filled a bag with list of all societal ills, shook it up, and sprinkled them in the plot. Murder? Check. Domestic Violence? Check. Infidelity? Check. Pornography? Check. Hypocritical religious leaders? Check.
Oh, and he threw in several satanic references. Apparently any war in the Mideast is literally a war with Satan (he explains the etymology of this) and many guys in jail aren't respon...more
Oh, and he threw in several satanic references. Apparently any war in the Mideast is literally a war with Satan (he explains the etymology of this) and many guys in jail aren't respon...more
Forgiveness, redemption, faith. Do you love your family so much that you wouldn't do anything to jeopardize it? One small decision chosen poorly may result in everything coming apart.
This story follows Dallas Hamilton as her husband is accused of murder and adultery, her son is dealing with drugs and alcohol (and something much deeper), and everything around her seems to be falling apart. Where is God in all this?
Once again James Scott Bell does not fail to both entertain and educate on issues t...more
This story follows Dallas Hamilton as her husband is accused of murder and adultery, her son is dealing with drugs and alcohol (and something much deeper), and everything around her seems to be falling apart. Where is God in all this?
Once again James Scott Bell does not fail to both entertain and educate on issues t...more
Dallas Hamilton is shocked when her pastor husband is arrested by the police as a suspect in the murder of a woman who was a "star" in the adult film industry. At first she can't believe any of the accusations against him, but as lies begin to be uncovered she is not so sure. Could her husband, who was always a leader in the fight against the porn industry, really be an adulterer and a user of pornography? Dallas is forced to seek her own answers to her questions, and to seek the Lord's guidance...more
Presumed Guity is the story of a married minister whose affairs come to light after he is arrested for the murder of a young woman he counseled. His wife contends with the pressure, her rebel son, and abusive ex-husband while trying to prove her husband's innocence. Several "miracles" or acts of God take place throughout the book, as does discussions of the evils within.
Having read James Scott Bell's novels, this one was not what I expected, but held my interest.
Having read James Scott Bell's novels, this one was not what I expected, but held my interest.
I enjoyed this book. The author always does a good job with suspense and legal issues, and the family relationships feel real and believable. There is also a spiritual suspense aspect to the book that I found intriguing.
Kept you guessing until the end. Well written. Shows the determination of those who love you and believe in you. Also demonstrates the power of pornography and secrecy and the importance to stay away from it.
Better than most. My first by this author, but I am already planning to read others. Good plot, great story, well written.
One of my favorite writers! Love the depth to his writing and the overall message. Keeps you turning page after page.
I thought I liked James Scott Bell enough to give his books a pass without reading them a second time in this book purge process. Unfortunately I was wrong. This book will be added to the giveaway pile.
It has potential but Bell does not develop it. Instead he turns it into a legal thriller (or tries to at least) that reeks of deus ex machina. Everything feels so contrived from the characters themselves (especially the villains) to every single plot device.
Instead of being caught up in the clim...more
It has potential but Bell does not develop it. Instead he turns it into a legal thriller (or tries to at least) that reeks of deus ex machina. Everything feels so contrived from the characters themselves (especially the villains) to every single plot device.
Instead of being caught up in the clim...more
My first book by this author. I enjoyed it. Will probably read more from this author.
a great thriller. . . James Bell, the author is talented.
Jun 30, 2012
Jean Jordan
added it
Terrific book!
This book was wonderful..............well written and fast moving! It held my interest from the beginning to the end!
Sep 01, 2008
Nancy Johnson
added it
This book got my attention from the beginning. I had a hard time putting it down.
This is the first James Scott Bell books I have read, but it won't be the last!
Like a Christian Law and Order episode
BORING and not very well-written.
Bell is a master.
May 17, 2013
April
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Nancy
marked it as to-read
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Jim is a former trial lawyer who now writes and speaks full time. He is the bestselling author of Try Dying, No Legal Grounds, Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Inspirational Fiction, and was a fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. He has written two books in the Writers' Digest serie...more
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Jan 25, 2012 03:01pm