After a series of kidnappings and murders in Virginia Beach, newspaper reporter Catherine O'Rourke experiences disturbing dreams that detail each c...
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Feb 12, 2009
Delia
rated it: 
By Reason of Insanity
by Randy Singer
Catherine O’Rourke appears to have it all together. A successful career in newspaper journalism. A beautiful face, plenty of confidence, lots of friends, and a family who loves her.
But then she covers the murder trial of Annie Newberg, who confesses to taking the life of her abusive husband. Annie’s case is unique in that her powerful attorney is also her brother. Quinn Newberg fights to get Annie off on an insanity plea. When tha More...
by Randy Singer
Catherine O’Rourke appears to have it all together. A successful career in newspaper journalism. A beautiful face, plenty of confidence, lots of friends, and a family who loves her.
But then she covers the murder trial of Annie Newberg, who confesses to taking the life of her abusive husband. Annie’s case is unique in that her powerful attorney is also her brother. Quinn Newberg fights to get Annie off on an insanity plea. When tha More...
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Dec 29, 2011
Clarinda
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The premise of the book is about a string of kidnappings and murders. Catherine O'Rouke is a reporter who claims to have had visions containing information that only the police or the person committing the crimes would have access to. This lands her as the number one suspect. She has no recollection of committing these crimes, and because of the visions, her sanity is brought into question. The book follows her experiences in jail and the proceedings of her trial.
Because of the horri More...
Because of the horri More...
Feb 25, 2011
Laura
rated it: 
I'm marking this as read since there is no option to mark it as aborted. I didn't know anything about the book or author before I started reading it besides it got good reviews, including one from my old CIO. (Sorry JC but I hated this. ) As I read I couldn't understand why the dialogue in the book was so Disney. At one point one of the main characters goes to jail and feels threatened by this scary African American woman that says heck or something sterile instead of using real curse words.
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Dec 22, 2009
Laura
rated it: 
The concept of an insanity defense for me is always intriguing. That's partly why I chose this book, and I wasn't misled in doing so. The legal arguments presented in the story are sound. The problem I had was the religious undertone, which, had I known was part of the theme, would have stopped me from even picking it up. Maybe the book was intended for some kind of Christian marketing; don't know and don't care.
Still, if it's possible to put that aside, then I suspect readers would More...
Still, if it's possible to put that aside, then I suspect readers would More...
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Aug 05, 2011
Matt
rated it:
Another sensational Singer book!
This one tackles the always interesting 'insanity' defense as it relates to guilt of a crime. I am always amazed at how he is able to come at such gripping legal tenets and add a little religion to them. I could not stop listening to the [audio]book and polished it off in only a few days.
Singer looks to address this issue in two simultaneous cases, one in which the main character's sister is on trial for the murder of her abusing husband, and the other of a journa More...
This one tackles the always interesting 'insanity' defense as it relates to guilt of a crime. I am always amazed at how he is able to come at such gripping legal tenets and add a little religion to them. I could not stop listening to the [audio]book and polished it off in only a few days.
Singer looks to address this issue in two simultaneous cases, one in which the main character's sister is on trial for the murder of her abusing husband, and the other of a journa More...
Dec 13, 2009
Cindy
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 15, 2011
Okwuoma
rated it:
This was my first court/crime/ suspense / mystery type book. I loved it. Though me personally being a former romance reader would have preferred a bit more romance, what was there was well written, and instead of coming away resenting the book for lack of romance, as my bias sometimes unfairly dictates, I appreciated what was there! It was real!
Quinn wasn't a knight on a white horse who did no wrong, had super human strength, and never took a blow. I related to him...though still had More...
Quinn wasn't a knight on a white horse who did no wrong, had super human strength, and never took a blow. I related to him...though still had More...
Mar 05, 2010
Angela
rated it:
Way back in the day I used to love to read John Grisham books, and then he kind of went off the reservation and moved away from those gritty law dramas that I really liked. I got this book on my Kindle for free thinking, "hey, I'll read anything if it's free"! Well, well, well, to my surprise Randy Singer is an amazing writer. I thought I had this book figured out in the beginning and to my delight I was completely wrong! In his writing he weaves so many different plot lines into t
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Jan 09, 2010
Yvonne
rated it:
I LOVED this book! From the very first page, I was on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. There were some twists that I completely did not see coming. It seemed intelligent but not over my head. It was written by a lawyer about law, and since I know nothing about law, I assume it was reasonably accurate (although I'm pretty sure most of the investigations are done by police, and not the lawyers), but still quite entertaining. I felt for Cat, and felt every emotion that s
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Sep 25, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. A Great read. The insanity defense the quite topic. I applaud the author for writing and shedding light on mental health. It still amazes me to see how lightly we perceive mental health. Singer wrote about some serious and sensitive subjects (mental defects and domestic violence).
The story contained the right amount of suspense, drama and crime. Singer keeps the reader guessing until the the very end and I do mean the very end.
I also applaud t More...
The story contained the right amount of suspense, drama and crime. Singer keeps the reader guessing until the the very end and I do mean the very end.
I also applaud t More...
Jun 16, 2011
Alicen
rated it:
This book took me back to my mystery book roots:) I haven't read a mystery/crime book in awhile and it was nice to read this book. I read it for my christian book club but I have to say it didn't really have a christian theme or undertone. The book was about a woman who is accused of being a serial killer based on the fact that she had some visions about the murders. Once in the book the psychologist mentioned that the visions could be from God but that story line didn't really go anywhere.
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Nov 13, 2011
Grey Liliy
rated it: 
I had started this book a couple years ago, but got distracted by other titles - this time I picked the book up and started from the beginning.
Not only did I remember everything I had read previously, I found myself unable to put the book down. I read it in a single day and have just now finished.
I loved it. It had great action, suspense, and all the court room drama you could want with surly lawyers and annoyed judges.
My favorite aspect was how the book played Marc More...
Not only did I remember everything I had read previously, I found myself unable to put the book down. I read it in a single day and have just now finished.
I loved it. It had great action, suspense, and all the court room drama you could want with surly lawyers and annoyed judges.
My favorite aspect was how the book played Marc More...
Dec 25, 2009
John
rated it:
I REALLY liked this book. Would probably give it 8.5 on a 10 star scale. I am very stingy with the last stars, since they mean that I want to re- and re-read the book.
What was great about this book??? Its a courtroom drama / thriller with psychological undertones, which I expected by the title. The style is similar to the Patterson, Grisham, etc novels, but the thing that lets me recommend it unreservedly to my friends is the absolute lack of objectionable language. There are some P More...
What was great about this book??? Its a courtroom drama / thriller with psychological undertones, which I expected by the title. The style is similar to the Patterson, Grisham, etc novels, but the thing that lets me recommend it unreservedly to my friends is the absolute lack of objectionable language. There are some P More...
Jun 27, 2008
Todd
rated it:
Attorney/novelist Randy Singer brings readers an interesting twist on the legal thriller genre with his latest release, By Reason of Insanity.
Trial lawyer Quinn Newberg is becoming famous as he presides over the defense of a woman who is charged with the murder of her husband. Meanwhile, Catherine O'Rourke, a Virginia Beach reporter covering the trial for her employer, begins having strange visions that make no sense to her. Then she discovers that her visions are the exact details o More...
Trial lawyer Quinn Newberg is becoming famous as he presides over the defense of a woman who is charged with the murder of her husband. Meanwhile, Catherine O'Rourke, a Virginia Beach reporter covering the trial for her employer, begins having strange visions that make no sense to her. Then she discovers that her visions are the exact details o More...
Mar 31, 2010
Karla
rated it:
This actually was a very good book, along the lines of a Grisham book without the language. Some might bill it as Christian fiction" but in reality, it had no "Jesus in your face" and less profundity than a Dean Koontz book (which, if you read Koontz, he often throws in a really deep statement beyond the fiction that he writes---not the typical bestseller pop fiction author). Back to this review: if you like thriller type novels you will most likely enjoy this. It is well written
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Aug 02, 2011
This book was so not what i thought it would be! It was fabulous! It was captivating! I had trouble putting it down.. Quinn is great and really gets you going! I would have given it a full 5 stars the the ending was just there, That is dissappointing for me. I still think everyone should read the book though, regardless of how it ended it was fabulous!
Sep 10, 2010
Marliss
rated it:
I thought the whole insanity issue was handled very well. What I didn't like about this book was that--well, I don't want to give spoilers. Suffice it to say that the ending was most unsatisfying. Also, the graphic violence was a disappointment. It's okay to talk about botched capital punishment experiences, for example, but the specific detail is not necessary.
May 10, 2011
Jana
rated it:
This is the first book I've read by this author and the first book dealing with the legal system I’ve read. I enjoyed the fact that the author did not get bogged down in too many details from the legal stand point. The plot was good with good characters. The ending was a little to simplistic to me. I will definitely read more books by this author.
Mar 09, 2010
Peg
rated it:
Your basic court room thriller about a woman being accused of serial murders and kidnappers using the defense of insanity. The best part of the story were the prison scenes - he really was able to make me feel as if I were in prison and how demoralizing, etc. it could be.
Twist at the end that came out of nowhere.
Twist at the end that came out of nowhere.
May 12, 2010
Maribeth
rated it:
Another free amazon read that turned out to be really good- 3.5 stars characterizes it a bit better. It's a legal thriller published by a Christian publishing company. Defnitely a page turner and I read it in 3 days. I had thought it might be cheesy but it had all the meaty SVU type scenarios. It's probably going to be cliche and predictable for a lot of people but I had fun reading it. I'm not one to guess whodunit. I like to be surprised. Defnitely reccomend this one.
Jan 11, 2010
Heather
rated it: 
For a free book it was worth it. Lots of twists and turns at the end but too much of the visions/faith. To be fair, I didn't realize this was "Christian fiction" or whatever it's called so I wasn't expecting the God angle. But, even with that it did keep me turning the pages fairly swiftly for the most part.
Nov 21, 2009
Katt
rated it:
This not my usual reading material. Lots of Rape and Children being hurt.
But, I really enjoyed it the only thing was the court stuff was a little to long and tedious. Loved the main character she was very strong in all of her trials and tribulations.
The men in her life were interesting you were never sure who was the Avenger. Had lots of twists and surprises.
But, I really enjoyed it the only thing was the court stuff was a little to long and tedious. Loved the main character she was very strong in all of her trials and tribulations.
The men in her life were interesting you were never sure who was the Avenger. Had lots of twists and surprises.
Jun 01, 2011
Lori
rated it:
Interesting, but mainly because I have friends who have practiced law in Virginia. I did not appreciate the "God provided your visions for a purpose" message at the end. Of course, it's labeled as Christian fiction, so maybe I should have anticipated that.
Jan 08, 2010
Mary
rated it:
Somewhat disappointed in this book. The characters seemed weak and the plot seemed so contrived that it was difficult to care about what happened to the characters. The ending was unbelivable and crazy. The ending seemed to be more like a first time author, not a seasoned author.
Mar 16, 2009
John
rated it:
Few books have kept me turning pages like this one. "Cat" the crime reporter's dilemma is so perplexing and disturbing that you really want to read to discover what happens next.
I love the fact that Singer is a Christian who writes top quality novels, does not preach and yet I can feel confident that something I'm reading will not offend me. I recommend this one to those who like John Grisham.
I love the fact that Singer is a Christian who writes top quality novels, does not preach and yet I can feel confident that something I'm reading will not offend me. I recommend this one to those who like John Grisham.
Jan 22, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
I downloaded this book off the Kindle bestseller list for free and I was a little skeptical at first, I mean I read all the reviews, but still...Man, was I blown away! This was a great read, awesome "who-dun-it" murder mystery with one heck of a zinger ending. Looks like I have a new mystery author to add to my collection ;)
Mar 28, 2009
Penny
rated it:
This was one of the few books, where after I was finished I had to rethink sections. It was a book I wasn't expecting to like so much or be so well written. I was very pleasantly surprised and will be reading more by this author.
Dec 12, 2009
Karen
rated it:
This was a free book on Kindle. It was well written. It might have been a little shorter. I think I would have enjoyed it more. But Singer writes as well as any of the very well known largely produced books of Patterson, Koontz, etc.
Mar 06, 2010
Valerie
rated it:
This is an intersting read if you have an afinity for criminal trial fiction. There is fascinating information regarding the insanity defense. The novel is well paced and the characters are well defined and interesting.
Jan 22, 2010
Donna
rated it:
A John Grisham type book. I found the twist/turns very good. Don't let the opening pages about child abuse turn you off..the whole book is not about that...it's just the basis on why the lawyer takes the cases he does.
