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Nine-Tenths of the Law

Glenn H. Mitchell (Goodreads Author)

4.08 · Rating details · 13 ratings · 9 reviews

A doomed killer’s cryptic warning, an ancient Japanese book on the occult, a family of Italian witches, a mannequin that can’t be destroyed, the murderous spirit of a dead child…

Detective Ben Ricci is not a believer. Everything must have a logical explanation, including the brutal murder of Fabrizio Lecanto. All he needs is a broken alibi or compelling motive. Instead he h ...more

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Paperback, 1, 360 pages

Published July 28th 2015 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform (first published July 26th 2015)

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· 13 ratings · 9 reviews

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Oct 26, 2015 C.J. Anaya rated it it was amazing

Wow. This book was simply amazing. It's been a long time since I've read an actual murder mystery that remains true to the genre, and takes the reader deep into the investigative process with those awesome twists, turns and red herrings. Too many writers miss the mark and focus solely on personal relationships, allowing that to take over the entire plot, while this author took those conflicts in the main character's personal life and used it to add flawless tension to the entire narrative, sprin Wow. This book was simply amazing. It's been a long time since I've read an actual murder mystery that remains true to the genre, and takes the reader deep into the investigative process with those awesome twists, turns and red herrings. Too many writers miss the mark and focus solely on personal relationships, allowing that to take over the entire plot, while this author took those conflicts in the main character's personal life and used it to add flawless tension to the entire narrative, sprinkling in the personal aspects and issues each character had, while weaving a gripping tale that hinted at the supernatural until the very end.

I thought the paranormal aspect of this story was handled with such amazing finesse. It read like something absolutely factual, rather than making me feel as if I was reading some overdone attempt at a horror story, though there was plenty about the situation you could label as horrifying. It was just very grounded. During the entire read I was jumping between the idea that we were dealing with a murderous spirit bent on possessing whatever it could to achieve what it wanted, and then wondering if these little bread crumbs were simply being used to distract from the identity of the real murderer and the circumstances that led to the violence.

There were some wonderfully creepy moments with each new revelation adding that extra layer of suspense and tension. So good. So, so good. The MC isn't necessarily someone you could consider a good guy, but the development of his character makes it difficult to do anything but like him even though he is so screwed up. His wife is a hag, by the way. I thought I'd just throw my opinion in on that wench. I think the other thing that made reading this story so effortless was the author's unique writing style. He manages to take everyday situations, whether comfortable, awkward or routine, and describe them in a way that I've never considered before which adds to the atmosphere and paints a very sharp picture of the people, activities, and mood of each scene. Here's one example of that:

"I was guessing my arrival was welcome, assuming they'd been sitting in silence, competing with each other to see whose cutlery could make the least noise."

Just little gems like that, zeroing in on a scene's mood and cuing the reader in on how to feel and what to expect without telling them to do so. I think the author's style and voice is compelling, and the characters he created were all real, easy to relate to, and hard to let go of. That ending though. Seriously! So good, but I'm wondering if this is going to be a series or if that's the end of the story. If it is the end then I find it a bit poetic, all things considered, but I hope it isn't. I hope there's more in the future.

There was lots of profanity, which I'm not a fan of, but that is a personal preference. Just a little heads up for those sensitive to it.

I highly recommend this to all paranormal mystery fans and anyone in need of a suspenseful read. You won't be disappointed with this author's ability to weave an intricate and engrossing mystery. ...more

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Jul 05, 2016 Jamie Kline rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-for-review

It's been a while since I've read a good crime or mystery novel, so I was excited to get the chance to read Nine-Tenths of the Law. Of course I'm a paranormal fan as well, so the fact that it had a bit of both worlds definitely caught my interest.

The protagonist, Ben Ricci, definitely had some issues. He had a history of drug abuse that had almost cost him his job in the past and a wife who made being in his own house uncomfortable. He surrounded himself with people who still did drugs (his bes It's been a while since I've read a good crime or mystery novel, so I was excited to get the chance to read Nine-Tenths of the Law. Of course I'm a paranormal fan as well, so the fact that it had a bit of both worlds definitely caught my interest.

The protagonist, Ben Ricci, definitely had some issues. He had a history of drug abuse that had almost cost him his job in the past and a wife who made being in his own house uncomfortable. He surrounded himself with people who still did drugs (his best friend and his wife). He found himself lusting after a woman involved in the murder investigation he was working. I liked Ben; he seemed like a good man and a smart detective, but it was difficult to see him making such obviously terrible choices.

Another thing, or person I guess, Ben had working against him was the man who investigated him in a previous shooting incident: Stevie Sala. He was a typical hotshot jerk, delighting in Ben's misfortune and looking for another reason to nail him to the wall. He made an appearance at the beginning of the book, but then he all but disappeared. I loved to hate him, so I was hoping he would make more of an appearance throughout to throw wrenches in the murder investigation. He wasn't as much an antagonist as Ben's wife was; she was just the worst. She knew he still had feelings for her, and she used it against him to make him feel worthless. I know they both had their flaws, and in a way I guess she felt just as trapped in the marriage as he did; it was just infuriating to see how she treated him.

The writing was excellent; author Glenn H. Mitchell brought this murder mystery to life and the dialogue was so natural. The story definitely kept me guessing. I wasn't sure if the paranormal aspect was real, that an angry spirit was really responsible for the brutal murder, or if a more mundane explanation would unfold. I enjoyed trying to figure it out before I reached the end.

Speaking of the ending, I didn't expect that at all. Those people that like their stories wrapped up neatly with a little bow, no loose ends in sight, will be a little upset. I actually prefer open endings because a lot of times that means that a sequel will pop up in the future. Not always, but we can hope.

If you're in the mood for mystery, murder, and a pinch of the paranormal, then you will definitely enjoy Nine-Tenths of the Law.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review

If you would like to read more of my reviews, please visit my book review blog, Lucky Devil Reviews ...more

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Dec 14, 2015 Nick Rossi rated it really liked it

Aren't all the best plot twists a result of bad timing? They sure are for Ben Ricci in Nine-Tenths of the Law ((Nine Lives Series Book 1). In his novel, author Glenn Mitchell creates a lead character that is damaged, sordid, and just a tad bit unlucky. But you know what? Ben's totally likable, for what that's worth.

Glenn Mitchell's prosaic style is atmospheric and melodic in nature. He presents a dark, menacing but redemptive world that is literally pulsating with its own maniacal heartbeat. Ben ...more

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Oct 04, 2015 Charles Murphy rated it really liked it

(Free copy given for honest review)

Grimy, morally grey crime story runs smack into a horror and spends most of it trying desperately to pretend this has a logical explanation - how much you'll like the book depends on how much you'll like our narrator refusing to acknowledge he's wandered into a ghost story. Personally, I liked that quite a lot; there's extra tension in knowing what's going on before Ben does, when we know how much danger he's unwittingly in. Ben himself lurches from good guy to ...more

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Jul 29, 2015 Heather rated it it was ok

I received a free copy of this book through Goodread's Giveaways.

I had a hard time really getting into the story. The premise was interesting enough but the actual story just didn't pull through for me.

I felt the main character was trying to be the "jaded" cop but just came across, to me, as more whiny and self-serving. I also found the story slightly confusing. I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight and the ending confused me thoroughly. I had a hard time following how we go ...more

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Jul 28, 2015 Cathy rated it liked it

Shelves: goodreads

I received this book from Goodreads.

I enjoyed this murder mystery/horror story. I am pleased that all was eventually made clear and the police's quandary as to what to do with the case added to the mystery to the very end. I was a bit shocked with the ending and am not sure I am pleased with how the book ended. Since this is supposed to be the first book in a series I will have to wait for the next one to see if things get better or if there is an entirely new case to solve.

The author's writing ...more

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Aug 02, 2015 latybug rated it really liked it

I received a free download of this book from Story Cartel, thank you!
This was an entertaining read. I was interested to see how all the different characters dealt with Alice.
I didn't like the way it ended, but overall I enjoyed the book.
I would recommend it to others and I would read more by this author. ...more

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Jul 26, 2015 John rated it it was amazing

To describe this story in any way would be an injustice and give something away. This is one you just have to pick up and give a read. There's a bit of everything here, but at it's core it's about a killer. I found it difficult to put down, and relished the next twist! ...more

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Oct 28, 2015 Kristine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Very odd yet catching premise! Ending left me turning the page saying "wait! What?! That's it!?" ...more

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About Glenn H. Mitchell

Glenn H. Mitchell

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Glenn H. Mitchell studied journalism and video production before a career in television, producing and writing programs for the ABC, Foxtel and SBS including co-writing the first series of popular Australian comedy, Pizza.

In addition to his novels, 'Nowhere' and 'Nine-Tenths of the Law', Mitchell's short stories have been published in The J.J. Outré Review, Crack the Spine Literary Magazine, and ...more