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The Whole Truth
At the age of five, Steve Conroy saw his seven-year-old brother kidnapped from the very bedroom they shared. His brother was never found. And the guilt of his silence that night has all but destroyed Steve’s life.Now thirty years old with a failing law practice, Steve agrees to represent convicted criminal Johnny LaSalle, an arrangement sweetened by a lucrative retainer. It’s not long until he discovers that this con man might just be his missing brother.Desperate for his final shot at redemption, Steve will do anything to find the truth. But Johnny knows far more than he’s telling, and the secrets he keeps have deadly consequences. Now Steve must depend on an inexperienced law student whose faith seems to be his last chance at redemption from a corrupt world where one wrong move could be his last.
349 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
880 people are currently reading
640 people want to read
About the author
James Scott Bell
132 books1,032 followersJim 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 series, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing.
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
December 8, 2022
I received this FREE thru Amazon. I read it in my Kindle Paperwhite.
This takes place mostly in LA.
Steve meets up with his brother, who he thought died in a fire as a kid.
Steve is a struggling ex-drug addict lawyer not sure where his next dollar is coming from. He meets Johnny his ex-con brother who he thought was dead.
How far will Steve go to rid himself of his childhood guilt.
You will have to read and find out! Need to read the end to find out ‘the rest of the story.
Oh yea, be on the lookout for Nick Norte.
This takes place mostly in LA.
Steve meets up with his brother, who he thought died in a fire as a kid.
Steve is a struggling ex-drug addict lawyer not sure where his next dollar is coming from. He meets Johnny his ex-con brother who he thought was dead.
How far will Steve go to rid himself of his childhood guilt.
You will have to read and find out! Need to read the end to find out ‘the rest of the story.
Oh yea, be on the lookout for Nick Norte.
January 11, 2023
Another very good James Scott Bell book. He is a very underrated author.
November 6, 2021
I read it. It was weird. Didn't love it, but didn't hate it. This wasn't what I was expecting from the author and nearly tossed it aside several times. In the end it was the kind of story I wouldn't normally read. That's why it got the 3 star rating. I didn't care for the protagonist, his brother Johnny/Robert, or the law student Sienna. It's tough to like a book when you don't like like the main character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
Audiobook (narrated by Andrew Tell)
I don't read a lot of suspense novels because in the past some have given me nightmares. But there is something about the way Bell tells a story, about the way his protagonists talk and think, that just pulls me through—even when truly horrid things happen. It was like that for me with Long Lost. For one thing, I had to know if Johnny was really Robert. That was a question for me through the majority of the book. Another big question was, how on earth would Steve make it out alive.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved/enjoyed it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
I don't read a lot of suspense novels because in the past some have given me nightmares. But there is something about the way Bell tells a story, about the way his protagonists talk and think, that just pulls me through—even when truly horrid things happen. It was like that for me with Long Lost. For one thing, I had to know if Johnny was really Robert. That was a question for me through the majority of the book. Another big question was, how on earth would Steve make it out alive.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved/enjoyed it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
June 28, 2021
Wow.. thrilling and fast paced. Good vs evil. Couldn't put it down.
May 18, 2022
Twists galore
Pay close attention as you read this story. It’s a page turner with plenty of surprises right up to the last page.
Pay close attention as you read this story. It’s a page turner with plenty of surprises right up to the last page.
January 12, 2023
Great characters and plot. There were a few typos and grammatical errors but a page turner for sure!
July 30, 2021
Long Lost
Well I'll be giving this book two stars because I was able to finish it. I don't really understand this author. He has written books that I really like and then there are books like this. There is no sense of reality in this book. People doing things no one would do and a justice system that is nonsensical. There are times when you think this is going to be a Christian based novel but then you realize this author doesn't understand what that really means. It just doesn't go anywhere and I can't recommend this book.
Well I'll be giving this book two stars because I was able to finish it. I don't really understand this author. He has written books that I really like and then there are books like this. There is no sense of reality in this book. People doing things no one would do and a justice system that is nonsensical. There are times when you think this is going to be a Christian based novel but then you realize this author doesn't understand what that really means. It just doesn't go anywhere and I can't recommend this book.
June 25, 2021
Good Read
The book was free from Book Bub. I love combing Book Bub for bargains and books that show promise, and I came away satisfied! The author's writing mechanics were excellent, and the storyline held my attention. The almost divorced lawyer has his cocaine habit under control. He agrees to counsel a company that pays well but appears not on the up and up. From there, the book is all yours, readers.
Thank you, Mr. Bell, for a good read.
The book was free from Book Bub. I love combing Book Bub for bargains and books that show promise, and I came away satisfied! The author's writing mechanics were excellent, and the storyline held my attention. The almost divorced lawyer has his cocaine habit under control. He agrees to counsel a company that pays well but appears not on the up and up. From there, the book is all yours, readers.
Thank you, Mr. Bell, for a good read.
July 15, 2021
This book got off to a great start. Good character development. Mystery. Action. I stayed up to 1:00 am to finish it. I was disappointed. We went from a stand off with the FBI and the inhabitants of Beth-el to Steve's rescue. Nothing in between. What happened to Johnny? Was their a shoot out? Did everyone come out waving a white flag? I felt like a chapter was missing. The last third of the book had numerous misspellings and missing words which is always distracting to me.
November 11, 2022
First published in 2008, Long Lost is a story of the power of perverted faith, the legal system, a naïve lawyer with a history of addiction coming back to reality and the unbreakable bond between two long-separated brothers. It’s a bleak story with a small sliver of hope at the end. To get there, you must follow a tortuous road that includes a terrifying kidnapping, low-lifes of every persuasion, crooked police, pretenders, good sponsors trying to silence the siren’s call of addiction, women sold into the slavery of a racist spiritual master and a man trying to get his footing on the road to redemption. Solid writing, but Bell’s more recent stories reflect better characters, more believable plots, and a writing style that’s been honed to an incredibly sharp edge over the last 14+ years. For me, the plot was relentlessly dark and despairing, and the end was not enough to lift me out of the doldrums.
September 20, 2011
I absolutly LOVE James Scott Bell's writing!!! He has a way of endearing you to the characters and making the story up-close and personal. His style is fresh and origanal. (I hope it can use some of his technics in some of my writing.) Bell's plot was always exciting and I had a hard time putting the book down at night. I won't say how many times I was asked the reason for my blurry eyes!!! lol
The legal system has always been confusing to me, so I loved getting a little education while reading a great novel. I would completly and totally recomend this book to you!!! Be prepared for blurry eyes!!! lol :D
The legal system has always been confusing to me, so I loved getting a little education while reading a great novel. I would completly and totally recomend this book to you!!! Be prepared for blurry eyes!!! lol :D
July 10, 2013
Lawyer Steve Conroy held a secret in his past. As a child he didn't tell about his older brothers abduction, from a bedroom they both shared. Years later recovering from family past and the bad cards he was dealt in life, he became a lawyer. Steve works in hope for his last chance at success. Now in his path is is an underworld current of corruption. We feel for Steve when he rises from the ashes. James Scott Bell has made another contribution with this wining reality novel. I own a copy of this book. I highly recommend it.
December 5, 2020
Bell has written another winner. This one is reminiscent of the Branch Davidian cult and many others where power-hungry men attempt to control others through religiosity and false interpretations of the Bible. The main character, Steve, gets sucked in by a brother who was kidnapped and supposedly died in a fire when they were kids. He grows from a weak, down-on-his-luck lawyer fighting to stay clean from a drug addiction to a strong man of conviction and compassion. I found the book hard to put down.
August 18, 2018
I thought I'd never finish this book. I can't believe I read it all.
March 12, 2022
Steve Conroy is a thirty-year-old “almost divorced” lawyer who has kicked a cocaine habit and is trying to revive his struggling law practice. His life has been full of tragedy. When Steve was five, someone kidnapped and murdered his older brother. His father eventually committed suicide, and his mother died of cancer when Steve was ten.
His life in foster homes was less than ideal, but despite everything, Steve made it through law school, married, and had a successful practice until he succumbed to using cocaine.
The book opens with Steve having lost another “unwinnable” case. Not only that, but he’s also behind on his office rent and his landlord tries to kick him out. Enter law student Sienna Ciccone. She not only helps with getting his eviction overturned but also locates a potential client.
Johnny LaSalle is a convicted felon who is about to be paroled. The one-time white supremacist vows he has changed and has found God. He offers Steve a five-thousand-dollar retainer with a promise of more to come.
But the biggest surprise is that Johnny claims to be Steve’s long-lost brother, Robert. Steve always blamed himself for Robert’s kidnapping and death. With nothing to lose, he relocates from Los Angeles to the small town of Verner. His “job” was to represent Johnny and the man who raised him as his own son. Eldon LaSalle wants to incorporate his “church” as a non-profit organization.
Steve has issues with the elder LaSalle’s beliefs about a supreme race, but he convinces himself representing the “church” is okay because he’s represented convicted criminals before.
Long Lost has elements reminiscent of the Branch Davidian cult in the 1990s. The book is part legal thriller and part mystery. Although there were a few things I thought could have been better (DNA testing, anyone?), I finished the book in a couple of days.
His life in foster homes was less than ideal, but despite everything, Steve made it through law school, married, and had a successful practice until he succumbed to using cocaine.
The book opens with Steve having lost another “unwinnable” case. Not only that, but he’s also behind on his office rent and his landlord tries to kick him out. Enter law student Sienna Ciccone. She not only helps with getting his eviction overturned but also locates a potential client.
Johnny LaSalle is a convicted felon who is about to be paroled. The one-time white supremacist vows he has changed and has found God. He offers Steve a five-thousand-dollar retainer with a promise of more to come.
But the biggest surprise is that Johnny claims to be Steve’s long-lost brother, Robert. Steve always blamed himself for Robert’s kidnapping and death. With nothing to lose, he relocates from Los Angeles to the small town of Verner. His “job” was to represent Johnny and the man who raised him as his own son. Eldon LaSalle wants to incorporate his “church” as a non-profit organization.
Steve has issues with the elder LaSalle’s beliefs about a supreme race, but he convinces himself representing the “church” is okay because he’s represented convicted criminals before.
Long Lost has elements reminiscent of the Branch Davidian cult in the 1990s. The book is part legal thriller and part mystery. Although there were a few things I thought could have been better (DNA testing, anyone?), I finished the book in a couple of days.
March 26, 2021
Steve Conroy lost his marriage to divorce and hangs onto his law practice by a thread. A rehabilitating drug addict, he’s pulling himself up by his bootstraps to start a new life. But, a childhood horror still haunts him. When he was a very young boy, he watched a man kidnap his older brother, and was too afraid to scream to alert his parents. He soon lost both parents and ended up in foster care. His brother burned to death in a fire and to this day Steve believes it’s his fault. Trying to make ends meet financially, he meets a man, Johnny, who claims he’s really, Robert, Steve’s deceased brother. If that’s so, who burned in the fire? When Johnny asks Steve to take a case defending a criminal who professes to have turned his life around, Steve wants advice from someone he can trust. He consults the young law student who’s working with him, but can he trust her? And has the criminal actually turned to God?
Mr. Bell’s written another masterpiece that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what twist would turn up next and what secret would surface. I highly recommend the book for all who enjoy fascinating characters and plots with surprises. I can’t wait to read Mr. Bell’s next book.
Mr. Bell’s written another masterpiece that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what twist would turn up next and what secret would surface. I highly recommend the book for all who enjoy fascinating characters and plots with surprises. I can’t wait to read Mr. Bell’s next book.
November 27, 2022
PLEASE READ!
Have to confess that I didn’t read this book but I don’t think I need to for the following reasons.
The plot of this book sounds remarkably similar to that of a book by David Morrell of the same title (see book description below).
“Frozen in time as a skinny nine-year-old bicycling away from his uncaring older brother, Petey haunts Brad's consciousness. To this day, within his prosperous life, Brad knows with certainty that he was responsible for the boy's disappearance. Until a stranger walks into Brad's life. Suddenly Brad is confronted by a man who claims to be his brother.”
From all the reviews I read, it appears that this book follows much of the same themes. Seems to me this James Scott Bell character just stole the idea from David Morrell. Mr. Bell couldn’t even be bothered to change the title. Shame on you! To think the author is a lawyer suggests he should know a thing or two about plagiarism.
Funny enough, after some research, Mr. Bell appears to be well aware of the existence and plot of Morrell’s novel as he mentions it in a book he wrote called: “Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure”
Have to confess that I didn’t read this book but I don’t think I need to for the following reasons.
The plot of this book sounds remarkably similar to that of a book by David Morrell of the same title (see book description below).
“Frozen in time as a skinny nine-year-old bicycling away from his uncaring older brother, Petey haunts Brad's consciousness. To this day, within his prosperous life, Brad knows with certainty that he was responsible for the boy's disappearance. Until a stranger walks into Brad's life. Suddenly Brad is confronted by a man who claims to be his brother.”
From all the reviews I read, it appears that this book follows much of the same themes. Seems to me this James Scott Bell character just stole the idea from David Morrell. Mr. Bell couldn’t even be bothered to change the title. Shame on you! To think the author is a lawyer suggests he should know a thing or two about plagiarism.
Funny enough, after some research, Mr. Bell appears to be well aware of the existence and plot of Morrell’s novel as he mentions it in a book he wrote called: “Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure”
December 5, 2022
I have read several of James Scott Bell's writing craft books but none of his novels--until now. This tale of a boy who loses a brother only to find him again in adulthood is crisp, dramatic--and a little different. The tone for one.
I adore books with a tongue in cheek style, and this is a little like that. You know how some epic tales are woven together using a symbolic item--a diary or a house? Or even in the case of Rutherford's New York, with a wampun belt. Well, in this case, the iconic item is a can of Mountain Dew.
Yep. A humble can of soda. Overall, this is good and a clean read. I would rate it 4.5. It's a Christian story, and he does a good job of including a bit of character development along those lines in a natural way.
I wish there had been a bit more about the brother near the end (I can't explain without it being a spoiler), but the writing is good, as you would expect. Wonderful scene structure! Yes, as you can imagine, I noticed all that.
I adore books with a tongue in cheek style, and this is a little like that. You know how some epic tales are woven together using a symbolic item--a diary or a house? Or even in the case of Rutherford's New York, with a wampun belt. Well, in this case, the iconic item is a can of Mountain Dew.
Yep. A humble can of soda. Overall, this is good and a clean read. I would rate it 4.5. It's a Christian story, and he does a good job of including a bit of character development along those lines in a natural way.
I wish there had been a bit more about the brother near the end (I can't explain without it being a spoiler), but the writing is good, as you would expect. Wonderful scene structure! Yes, as you can imagine, I noticed all that.
July 5, 2024
How is the protagonist a better person or in a better situation by the end of the book? He's back in the same city after moving away; he's still lost his brother; he's still low on money and work; he hasn't even made a friend --well, maybe Rahab.
I like my protagonists to be good guys. I don't mind the down-on-his-luck lawyer trying to turn his life around ...but representing a racist cult just makes me feel icky the whole time. Plus, his assistant made it clear she wasn't interested in him, and he just kept at it. There were only about two court scenes and neither was a success for the protagonist --which is what I was hoping for in reading a legal thriller.
The book was good --just not my type.
I like my protagonists to be good guys. I don't mind the down-on-his-luck lawyer trying to turn his life around ...but representing a racist cult just makes me feel icky the whole time. Plus, his assistant made it clear she wasn't interested in him, and he just kept at it. There were only about two court scenes and neither was a success for the protagonist --which is what I was hoping for in reading a legal thriller.
The book was good --just not my type.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2021
A good entertaining suspense story
. I'm a James Scott Bell fan, and 'Long Lost' only solidified my being a fan. A lot of unexpected turns and many things I was expecting would be the turnout did not happen. I'm reasonably good at predicting the outcome of a story's various storylines. So, 'Long Lost' was more entertaining in that mixed being correct on most of them.
Some of the storylines fell flat, and some of the outcomes were what I was hoping. I can’t say the protagonist was someone I would want to read a series on. But overall it was a good standalone read, and I look forward to reading more of James Scott Bell's books.
. I'm a James Scott Bell fan, and 'Long Lost' only solidified my being a fan. A lot of unexpected turns and many things I was expecting would be the turnout did not happen. I'm reasonably good at predicting the outcome of a story's various storylines. So, 'Long Lost' was more entertaining in that mixed being correct on most of them.
Some of the storylines fell flat, and some of the outcomes were what I was hoping. I can’t say the protagonist was someone I would want to read a series on. But overall it was a good standalone read, and I look forward to reading more of James Scott Bell's books.
October 20, 2021
This is a really good book and makes me interested to read another of James Scott Bell's novels. I downloaded this book for free via BookBub a couple of months ago and it bubbled to the top of my library and I am glad it did.
The main characters are interesting, the storyline is enticing, and there are enough twists to keep you reading chapter to chapter. It is a story of personal tragedy, downfall and redemption. I pretty much knew how the book would end about halfway through. And I was almost completely wrong. Buy this novel; read it and find out for yourself, James Scott Bell can write a darned good book.
The main characters are interesting, the storyline is enticing, and there are enough twists to keep you reading chapter to chapter. It is a story of personal tragedy, downfall and redemption. I pretty much knew how the book would end about halfway through. And I was almost completely wrong. Buy this novel; read it and find out for yourself, James Scott Bell can write a darned good book.
July 11, 2022
Can You Get A Do-Over On The Past?
I love to read James Scott Bell's books - he rarely disappoints and weaves a tale that keeps you turning the pages with great characterizations and excellent dialog. This book was a bit different than other books I'd read by Mr. Bell in that the protagonist was a deeply flawed attorney who couldn't seem to get out of his own way due to a deep-seated personal tragedy. Lo and behold, there's an opportunity to revisit that past and possibly change it. Nicely told tale that occasionally dipped into a bit of "hard-to-swallow-ness", but nonetheless turned out to be an enjoyable read!
I love to read James Scott Bell's books - he rarely disappoints and weaves a tale that keeps you turning the pages with great characterizations and excellent dialog. This book was a bit different than other books I'd read by Mr. Bell in that the protagonist was a deeply flawed attorney who couldn't seem to get out of his own way due to a deep-seated personal tragedy. Lo and behold, there's an opportunity to revisit that past and possibly change it. Nicely told tale that occasionally dipped into a bit of "hard-to-swallow-ness", but nonetheless turned out to be an enjoyable read!
May 1, 2023
Steve is a lawyer. When he was five, his seven-year-old brother, Robert, was kidnapped. They later found him dead. Johnny LaSalle is in prison and asks Steve to be his lawyer when he gets out. Steve does and becomes that Johnny is Robert. Johnny wants to build a church and he’d like Steve to help him. Steve discovers they are not that holy and Johnny is his brother, Robert, but he’s not nice like Steve wants him to be. There was a lot of religion in the book that was uncomfortable when you knew what they were really doing. Finally, a Waco-like incident happens and Steve thinks he can get back with his ex-wife.
July 10, 2021
One crazy ride!
This is quite the story! Steve, an LA attorney, is trying to make a comeback after a drug problem. He’s not had the best life. His older brother was kidnapped and then killed as a child. His father killed himself and his mother is dead. He’s having trouble making ends meet and then someone steps in with a large retainer asking him to be their lawyer. That’s when things get interesting!
This is quite the story! Steve, an LA attorney, is trying to make a comeback after a drug problem. He’s not had the best life. His older brother was kidnapped and then killed as a child. His father killed himself and his mother is dead. He’s having trouble making ends meet and then someone steps in with a large retainer asking him to be their lawyer. That’s when things get interesting!
September 16, 2021
The story starts with two brothers, Steve and Robert. Robert is kidnapped; Steve goes on to be a lawyer trying to kick cocaine now that he is disgraced within his profession and his wife is filing for divorce. The unexpected turns in this book will keep the reader wanting to know what’s next. This is some very thoughtful writing. It’s an action packed page turner, and it’s just a damn good story. I’ll read more by this author.
August 9, 2022
Not your average characters
This thriller is filled with twisted humor that seeps through the bizarre circumstances of the story. The characters are not your average people, but seem typical of the side of humanity portrayed in this book. This book is entertaining! The plot unfolds in unexpected ways again and again. You will not be bored , nor will you lose interest as you travel through the pages of this book.
This thriller is filled with twisted humor that seeps through the bizarre circumstances of the story. The characters are not your average people, but seem typical of the side of humanity portrayed in this book. This book is entertaining! The plot unfolds in unexpected ways again and again. You will not be bored , nor will you lose interest as you travel through the pages of this book.
May 2, 2023
A Tale of Two Brothers
Steve is a lawyer whose life is definitely on the down slide. The reader is pulled along as Steve tries to defend some very disreputable characters. There's lots of action and it is always hard to know who to trust. It was a page turner for me that was hard to put down. This is the first book I have read from James Scott Bell but I certainly recommend it as an entertaining read and I would read other works from this author.
Steve is a lawyer whose life is definitely on the down slide. The reader is pulled along as Steve tries to defend some very disreputable characters. There's lots of action and it is always hard to know who to trust. It was a page turner for me that was hard to put down. This is the first book I have read from James Scott Bell but I certainly recommend it as an entertaining read and I would read other works from this author.
June 26, 2021
An excellent read
This book is very well written. It's one that is hard to put down. Great characters. The main character is a lot of fun, very witty.
I like that the author was able to do an excellent story without having to resort to profanity, sex scenes or political correctness and was able to include a bit of faith. Thank you,well done.
This book is very well written. It's one that is hard to put down. Great characters. The main character is a lot of fun, very witty.
I like that the author was able to do an excellent story without having to resort to profanity, sex scenes or political correctness and was able to include a bit of faith. Thank you,well done.
July 20, 2021
Surprises that are cleverly placed...
I'm.always surprised when a writer can invoke true intensity simply by word craft.
There are several.times in the story where I had to put the book down, walk away, take a breath.
This story had an unexpected sub-ending that was a bit of a jolt. The rue ending was warm and fuzzy.
I'm.always surprised when a writer can invoke true intensity simply by word craft.
There are several.times in the story where I had to put the book down, walk away, take a breath.
This story had an unexpected sub-ending that was a bit of a jolt. The rue ending was warm and fuzzy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews