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Robin Lockwood #4
A Matter of Life and Death
"A genuine whodunnit" ( Kirkus Reviews )--Phillip Margolin, the master of the courtroom thriller, returns with A Matter of Life and Death , a classic mind-bending puzzle, as Attorney Robin Lockwood must face her most challenging case yet, with everything stacked against her client and death on the line.
Joe Lattimore, homeless and trying desperately to provide for his young family, agrees to fight in a no-holds-barred illegal bout, only to have his opponent die. Lattimore now finds himself at the mercy of the fight's organizers who blackmail him into burglarizing a house. However, when he breaks in, he finds a murdered woman on the floor and the police have received an anonymous tip naming him the murderer.
Robin Lockwood, an increasingly prominent young attorney and former MMA fighter, agrees to take on his defense. But the case is seemingly airtight—the murdered woman's husband, Judge Anthony Carasco, has an alibi and Lattimore's fingerprints are discovered at the scene. But everything about the case is too easy, too pat, and Lockwood is convinced that her client has been framed. The only problem is that she has no way of proving it and since this is a death case, if she fails then another innocent will die.
Joe Lattimore, homeless and trying desperately to provide for his young family, agrees to fight in a no-holds-barred illegal bout, only to have his opponent die. Lattimore now finds himself at the mercy of the fight's organizers who blackmail him into burglarizing a house. However, when he breaks in, he finds a murdered woman on the floor and the police have received an anonymous tip naming him the murderer.
Robin Lockwood, an increasingly prominent young attorney and former MMA fighter, agrees to take on his defense. But the case is seemingly airtight—the murdered woman's husband, Judge Anthony Carasco, has an alibi and Lattimore's fingerprints are discovered at the scene. But everything about the case is too easy, too pat, and Lockwood is convinced that her client has been framed. The only problem is that she has no way of proving it and since this is a death case, if she fails then another innocent will die.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2021
889 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
November 14, 2020
Action packed, gripping, heart pounding crime thriller with so many smart twists hook you up from first chapter and you want to consume it without a break in a few hours. But as you reach the finishing line so fast you feel so depressed because you had so much fun and you want to read more adventures of this badass, ex MMA fighter, ambitious,smart, sexy, independent Robin Lockwood. Thankfully I’m new to this series so I can go back to soothe my craving.
Robin may be a young lawyer but her intuition, intelligence, calmness help her to kick assess at the court. Lately she defends a transgender client who is blamed for prostitution and is desperate to keep her job. Anthony Carasco was assigned judge to her case, he already made his inappropriate sexist comments before the trial but surprisingly he acts objective throughout the trial and her client gets acquitted.
But of course the real reason behind the judge’s fair manners shows up imminently. Their paths cross again as Robin takes the case of Joe Lattimore who was training with the same boxing club with her, homeless, married, with baby, is convicted to kill Anthony Carasco’s wife. The same wife Mr. Carasco wants to get rid of after meeting his hot mistress Hayes.
After fighting an illegal underground match, Joe kills his opponent and he finds himself get threatened by the fight’s organizers who push him to steal jewelries from a house they chose. But when Joe secretly enters the house he finds the dead body of Mr. Carasco’s wife instead of jewelries and he starts running away without looking back. It seems like a quiet obvious set up and Mr. Carasco might be involved in entire scheme. But another unexpected thing happens and it changes everything about the trial of Joe.
You wanna learn more juicy details! Go on and read it!
I’m giving my four fast pacing, mind bending, entertaining, smart heroine stars!
I’m looking forward to read more books from this series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Robin may be a young lawyer but her intuition, intelligence, calmness help her to kick assess at the court. Lately she defends a transgender client who is blamed for prostitution and is desperate to keep her job. Anthony Carasco was assigned judge to her case, he already made his inappropriate sexist comments before the trial but surprisingly he acts objective throughout the trial and her client gets acquitted.
But of course the real reason behind the judge’s fair manners shows up imminently. Their paths cross again as Robin takes the case of Joe Lattimore who was training with the same boxing club with her, homeless, married, with baby, is convicted to kill Anthony Carasco’s wife. The same wife Mr. Carasco wants to get rid of after meeting his hot mistress Hayes.
After fighting an illegal underground match, Joe kills his opponent and he finds himself get threatened by the fight’s organizers who push him to steal jewelries from a house they chose. But when Joe secretly enters the house he finds the dead body of Mr. Carasco’s wife instead of jewelries and he starts running away without looking back. It seems like a quiet obvious set up and Mr. Carasco might be involved in entire scheme. But another unexpected thing happens and it changes everything about the trial of Joe.
You wanna learn more juicy details! Go on and read it!
I’m giving my four fast pacing, mind bending, entertaining, smart heroine stars!
I’m looking forward to read more books from this series!
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
March 18, 2021
Are you looking for a great legal thriller to lose yourself in over a weekend? Look no further…you found it!
This is a twisty tale involving a fight club, blackmailing prostitutes and most importantly …murder! How does all this fit together you ask? Well, I can’t spoil the fun…you’ll have to pick this book up to find out!
This is book four of the Robin Lockwood series but can easily stand on its own. So don’t be afraid to just jump right in.
I’ve been reading books by Phillip Margolin for years. Both his series and stand-alone. I enjoy each equally and I always know I’m in for a treat when I pick up one of his novels.
This latest release includes lots of courtroom drama, so if that your thing (and it is mine) then I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
Phillip Margolin remains one of my go-to authors, and I’m already looking forward to his next release!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC to read and review.
This is a twisty tale involving a fight club, blackmailing prostitutes and most importantly …murder! How does all this fit together you ask? Well, I can’t spoil the fun…you’ll have to pick this book up to find out!
This is book four of the Robin Lockwood series but can easily stand on its own. So don’t be afraid to just jump right in.
I’ve been reading books by Phillip Margolin for years. Both his series and stand-alone. I enjoy each equally and I always know I’m in for a treat when I pick up one of his novels.
This latest release includes lots of courtroom drama, so if that your thing (and it is mine) then I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
Phillip Margolin remains one of my go-to authors, and I’m already looking forward to his next release!
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC to read and review.
March 5, 2022
This one was hard to put down! Great suspense from the beginning with multiple cases. Sometimes I find this to be a turnoff, but the author did a great job at delivering and wrapping up each case.
As for the main story, the defendant is facing the death penalty thus putting utmost pressure on Robin to defend her client to the best ability. There are a few bad people and midway through, readers learn who the bad guys are. Despite overwhelming evidence, it was a fun ride to see how it all panned out.
A Matter of Life and Death is engaging and a step up from the previous book #3 where I found the story to be too cozy.
**Thank you Macmillian for a digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
As for the main story, the defendant is facing the death penalty thus putting utmost pressure on Robin to defend her client to the best ability. There are a few bad people and midway through, readers learn who the bad guys are. Despite overwhelming evidence, it was a fun ride to see how it all panned out.
A Matter of Life and Death is engaging and a step up from the previous book #3 where I found the story to be too cozy.
**Thank you Macmillian for a digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 7, 2021
3.5⭐
This one was hard to put down! Great suspense from the beginning with multiple cases. Sometimes I find this to be a turn off, but the author did a great job at delivering and wrapping up each case.
As for the main story, the defendant is facing death penalty thus put utmost pressure on Robin to defend her client to her best ability. There are a few bad people and midway through, readers learn who the bad guys are. Despite overwhelming evidence it was a fun ride to see how it all panned out.
A Matter of Life and Death is engaging and a step up from the previous book #3 where I found the story to be too cozy.
**Thank you Macmillian and Phillip Margolin for a digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
This one was hard to put down! Great suspense from the beginning with multiple cases. Sometimes I find this to be a turn off, but the author did a great job at delivering and wrapping up each case.
As for the main story, the defendant is facing death penalty thus put utmost pressure on Robin to defend her client to her best ability. There are a few bad people and midway through, readers learn who the bad guys are. Despite overwhelming evidence it was a fun ride to see how it all panned out.
A Matter of Life and Death is engaging and a step up from the previous book #3 where I found the story to be too cozy.
**Thank you Macmillian and Phillip Margolin for a digital copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 4, 2021
Phillip Margolin has written much better stories than this average one. 5 of 10 stars
April 15, 2022
I have read each of the books in this series featuring Robin Lockwood, however this book works fine as a standalone. Lockwood is a Yale Law graduate and former MMA fighter. In this book she takes on the murder case of Joe Lattimore, a former boxer who has been framed for the murder of the wealthy wife of a sleazy judge. Lattimore is facing the death penalty if convicted.
The first half of this book is the more interesting part. That’s were we see how the elaborate framing was carried out, who was involved and why. I found the rest of the book a little sluggish. Since the readers know everything already there is no mystery or suspense involved. We are just waiting to see how Lockwood will finally glom on to what happened. In the end, the right guy starts confessing, so it’s not like Lockwood outsmarted anyone. I find Lockwood to be a little too perfect, but I will probably continue with the series. I have also liked some of the author’s non-series books.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
The first half of this book is the more interesting part. That’s were we see how the elaborate framing was carried out, who was involved and why. I found the rest of the book a little sluggish. Since the readers know everything already there is no mystery or suspense involved. We are just waiting to see how Lockwood will finally glom on to what happened. In the end, the right guy starts confessing, so it’s not like Lockwood outsmarted anyone. I find Lockwood to be a little too perfect, but I will probably continue with the series. I have also liked some of the author’s non-series books.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
February 14, 2021
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Phillip Margolin, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Phillip Margolin has his newest legal mind, Robin Lockwood, in the middle of her most harrowing case yet. When a man is accused of murdering a judge’s wife, the evidence seems almost irrefutable. As the death penalty stares them in the face, Robin and her indigent client must do all they can to prove that this was not only a miscarriage of justice, but that there’s a larger scheme at play, even more dangerous than anyone might imagine. In A Case of Life and Death,, Margolin does a masterful job and keeps the reader enthralled throughout. Recommended to those who love a good legal thriller, particularly the reader who has come to enjoy the work of Phillip Margolin.
Things have not been going well for Joe Lattimore of late. Technically homeless, with a wife and little one, Joe is forced to scrounge for money wherever he can and remember his past as a boxer. When he’s offered a chance to make a quick buck, he takes it, though it’s a dubious venture. He’s told that there’s a fight club where he can make a decent amount of money, which Joe thinks might be the pot of gold for which he has long been waiting.
While he wins the fight, it’s no-holds-barred and Joe’s opponent is left clinging to life. Joe’s told the man died and is ushered away. Told that there is a video of the event, Joe knows it could be used against him should he not follow directions to the letter of the law. When Joe’s sent to a house and told to go inside, he enters, only to find the body of a woman who has been beaten to death. His prints are all over the walls as he tries to scramble away, only to be caught fleeing by the victim’s husband, Judge Anthony Carasco.
Once Joe’s been apprehended, after an anonymous tip, things go from bad to worse. The State has some damning and seemingly irrefutable evidence, pushing for the death penalty. Robin Lockwood, who knows Joe in passing, agrees to take his case, feeling that someone’s been pulling strings to frame an innocent man. However, nothing seems to add up and the evidence points strongly to Joe’s guilt. However, beneath it all, there are secrets that people are keeping, from the fight club to the victim’s suspicions about her husband, and even the judge’s alibi on the night of the crime. Robin knows that capital cases require not only dedication, but persistence in the face of adversity. She’ll need it all in this situation, as it’s the difference between a man’s life and his untimely demise.
I enjoy a well-crafted legal thriller at the best of time, something that Phillip Margolin never fails to deliver. I discovered his work primarily with the launch of the Robin Lockwood series, but have come to find that he is a master of the genre and has much to say without being overly repetitive. The plot is alluring and the writing hooks the reader from the opening pages. This is what a legal thriller should be.
Robin Lockwood does well as protagonist once again. Her presence adds something to the story and keeps the reader wanting to know even more. With a backstory as an MMA fighter, Robin knows the world of fame and glory, though is also keen to help those who cannot help themselves. Her legal acumen is second to none, as she finds one dangling thread and is apt to yank on it, hoping to unravel the truth. Gritty and all in, Robin works for her clients like no lawyer would, wanting truth to reign over the easy way out.
Margolin’s use of a handful of strong secondary characters in this piece helps to develop a great story that uses a few subplots to advance the larger narrative. There are those within the pages of this book who will impress the reader, while others will show their true mettle as the story advances. Everyone has their role, even if it does not seem apparent at the outset. Margolin’s development of these individuals helps keep the story flowing and the plot twists fresh in the reader’s mind.
The overall delivery of the piece was something I thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot say enough about Phillip Margolin or his work, both of which left me highly impressed. I like a story that is full of twists and a legal thriller that uses the law to peel back to the truth, both of which are on display here. The reader is treated to a quick narrative that pushes the story along, with some credible dialogue along the way. Short chapters force the reader to feel the momentum of the piece and get carried away as the story pushes towards a verdict where punishment is at the heart of it all. A little murder, some deception, and a handful of blackmail situations all create the needed intensity for the reader to see just how talented Margolin is with his writing. I cannot wait for what else this series has to offer.
Kudos, Mr. Margolin, for another winner. While some may need a comlex courtroom drama to appeal to them, your action-packed story has just what I needed to pass the time.
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A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
March 30, 2021
This was my first spin around a courtroom with Robin Lockwood. Needless to say, this is Phillip Margolin's fourth edition in Robin's legal career. No shame in starting with #4. It read smoothly for me like a well-tuned standalone.
Phillip Margolin and I are now besties. I like his style and his deliberate and artfully designed storyline. I felt like my GPS had a woeful glitch and I was traveling down some unfamiliar streets with not a street light in sight. What a pokerface you have, Margolin. Playing quite a sleight of hand leading us to such a whiplash of an ending.....
What happens when someone leaves a streak of "Guilty" across your face? You're thrown into jail with all the evidence mounting up against you. Shouting your innocence seems to fall on deaf ears. That's what happened to Joe Lattimore, a homeless man trying to provide for his wife and baby. Joe, a former boxer, took the challenge to fight in a ring located in an abandoned barn in the country. He was desperate for cash. Turns out his challenger was found dead after the fight. Manslaughter, perhaps. But looks like Joe will be arraigned on murder charges for a corpse that suddenly showed up with Joe's fingerprints left behind.
That's where said Robin Lockwood makes her entrance. She's agreed to take on Joe's case, but this one doesn't look like there's much light at the end of the tunnel. To add to that, Robin must sort through a mountainous pile of events including prostitution, wayward legal minds, organized crime, revenge, blackmail, betrayal, and more. Margolin packs a tight suitcase. There's no dead time involved under his watch. (Whoa, except for the murders)
A Matter of Life and Death is lined with some devious characters who are out for a good time at someone else's expense. Phillip Margolin is clever in his courtroom scenes and all the antics and adventures it takes to get there. I'm already lining up anxiously awaiting the #5.
Phillip Margolin and I are now besties. I like his style and his deliberate and artfully designed storyline. I felt like my GPS had a woeful glitch and I was traveling down some unfamiliar streets with not a street light in sight. What a pokerface you have, Margolin. Playing quite a sleight of hand leading us to such a whiplash of an ending.....
What happens when someone leaves a streak of "Guilty" across your face? You're thrown into jail with all the evidence mounting up against you. Shouting your innocence seems to fall on deaf ears. That's what happened to Joe Lattimore, a homeless man trying to provide for his wife and baby. Joe, a former boxer, took the challenge to fight in a ring located in an abandoned barn in the country. He was desperate for cash. Turns out his challenger was found dead after the fight. Manslaughter, perhaps. But looks like Joe will be arraigned on murder charges for a corpse that suddenly showed up with Joe's fingerprints left behind.
That's where said Robin Lockwood makes her entrance. She's agreed to take on Joe's case, but this one doesn't look like there's much light at the end of the tunnel. To add to that, Robin must sort through a mountainous pile of events including prostitution, wayward legal minds, organized crime, revenge, blackmail, betrayal, and more. Margolin packs a tight suitcase. There's no dead time involved under his watch. (Whoa, except for the murders)
A Matter of Life and Death is lined with some devious characters who are out for a good time at someone else's expense. Phillip Margolin is clever in his courtroom scenes and all the antics and adventures it takes to get there. I'm already lining up anxiously awaiting the #5.
January 27, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this free copy in return for an honest review.
Attorney turned author, Phillip Margolin, returns with his 4th book in the Robin Lockwood series and this time she is faced with a murder trial that carries the distinct possibility of a death sentence.
A real page turner that gives us down and out Joe Lattimore who has been reduced to living in a Tent City in Portland, OR, with his wife and infant daughter. Things appear desperate for Joe who was a former boxer and whose temper kept him from holding a job as a cook after his boxing days were over. He has no job, no prospects and no way to provide for his family until one night he went out for a jog and was stopped by a man who recognized him from his boxing days and offered him the chance to make $300 in an illegal no-holds barred fight.
Once Joe agrees to this, the action picks up and he is soon whisked away to a secret location where he is matched against an obviously impaired opponent. He is told the crowd wants blood and shortly Joe is pummeling this opponent to the point where he stops hitting him because he believes the other man is seriously hurt. He is told the man is dead and is quickly hustled away from the site.
Things go downhill from there after he is summoned, once again, to burgle a home and steal the jewelry from a safe. When he gets inside he sees a dead body and runs away, but his fingerprints are in the house. To make things worse the decedent is the wife of a rather unlikeable judge.
Robin Lockwood, a private practitioner, agrees to handle the case and she is soon plunged into an underworld of violence and crime as she tries to find out what really happened and who is the true killer.
As a former attorney I am always drawn to books written by other attorneys, and Margolin has been able to develop a technique of time compression. The books is almost devoid of any prose, his character development basically consists of giving us physical descriptions of people, and he is able to cut through all the typical trial preparation, motions, investigations and some shoddy police work in order to quickly get us to what he considers the most important parts of the story.
This is a fast-paced and action packed book that, while sparse on legal details, has enough legal and investigative insights to make a plausible and successful mystery. I read this in less than 24 hours, and the pages seem to fly by as we follow Lattimore, Lockwood, prostitutes, judges, bikers and gangsters to a breathless conclusion.
This review was previously published at www.mysteryandsuspense.com
Attorney turned author, Phillip Margolin, returns with his 4th book in the Robin Lockwood series and this time she is faced with a murder trial that carries the distinct possibility of a death sentence.
A real page turner that gives us down and out Joe Lattimore who has been reduced to living in a Tent City in Portland, OR, with his wife and infant daughter. Things appear desperate for Joe who was a former boxer and whose temper kept him from holding a job as a cook after his boxing days were over. He has no job, no prospects and no way to provide for his family until one night he went out for a jog and was stopped by a man who recognized him from his boxing days and offered him the chance to make $300 in an illegal no-holds barred fight.
Once Joe agrees to this, the action picks up and he is soon whisked away to a secret location where he is matched against an obviously impaired opponent. He is told the crowd wants blood and shortly Joe is pummeling this opponent to the point where he stops hitting him because he believes the other man is seriously hurt. He is told the man is dead and is quickly hustled away from the site.
Things go downhill from there after he is summoned, once again, to burgle a home and steal the jewelry from a safe. When he gets inside he sees a dead body and runs away, but his fingerprints are in the house. To make things worse the decedent is the wife of a rather unlikeable judge.
Robin Lockwood, a private practitioner, agrees to handle the case and she is soon plunged into an underworld of violence and crime as she tries to find out what really happened and who is the true killer.
As a former attorney I am always drawn to books written by other attorneys, and Margolin has been able to develop a technique of time compression. The books is almost devoid of any prose, his character development basically consists of giving us physical descriptions of people, and he is able to cut through all the typical trial preparation, motions, investigations and some shoddy police work in order to quickly get us to what he considers the most important parts of the story.
This is a fast-paced and action packed book that, while sparse on legal details, has enough legal and investigative insights to make a plausible and successful mystery. I read this in less than 24 hours, and the pages seem to fly by as we follow Lattimore, Lockwood, prostitutes, judges, bikers and gangsters to a breathless conclusion.
This review was previously published at www.mysteryandsuspense.com
February 16, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
What an absolute page turner! I had just started it and when I realized I was already halfway through!
Former MMA fighter turned attorney Robin Lockwood is back in the fourth installment in the series with a case that, as the title indicates, is a matter of life and death. When a homeless guy is accused of killing a judge's wife, Robin is convinced he's being framed so she must give it her all if she doesn't want an innocent to die.
This was action packed from page one. The author doesn't lose time with unnecessary details, going straight to move along the plot, encompassing what irl could take several months into just a few pages. It's a plot driven story and character development is at a minimum. That's why I seriously recommend to read first the other three books in the series to get to know Robin better. It felt as if I was watching a legal drama tv-show episode. While that made me keep flying through the pages, it also made me miss a bit more development in some scenes and characters.
Although the plot was pretty straightforward from the beginning and it was pretty clear who was responsible for the murder from the start, it was really interesting to see how the trial developed and learning about the differences between a death case and a "normal" one. I'm a sucker for courtroom dramas and there's nothing I like more than a good cross examination scene.
There were some twists towards the end that were tremendously satisfying (take that, motherf*****!).
Another great addition to the series, with a really entertaining plot and a pretty likeable heroine.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What an absolute page turner! I had just started it and when I realized I was already halfway through!
Former MMA fighter turned attorney Robin Lockwood is back in the fourth installment in the series with a case that, as the title indicates, is a matter of life and death. When a homeless guy is accused of killing a judge's wife, Robin is convinced he's being framed so she must give it her all if she doesn't want an innocent to die.
This was action packed from page one. The author doesn't lose time with unnecessary details, going straight to move along the plot, encompassing what irl could take several months into just a few pages. It's a plot driven story and character development is at a minimum. That's why I seriously recommend to read first the other three books in the series to get to know Robin better. It felt as if I was watching a legal drama tv-show episode. While that made me keep flying through the pages, it also made me miss a bit more development in some scenes and characters.
Although the plot was pretty straightforward from the beginning and it was pretty clear who was responsible for the murder from the start, it was really interesting to see how the trial developed and learning about the differences between a death case and a "normal" one. I'm a sucker for courtroom dramas and there's nothing I like more than a good cross examination scene.
There were some twists towards the end that were tremendously satisfying (take that, motherf*****!).
Another great addition to the series, with a really entertaining plot and a pretty likeable heroine.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2021
Phillip Margolin has been an author I've enjoyed for many years. I had read one of the earlier books in the Robin Lockwood series, The Perfect Alibi (Robin Lockwood #2), and really enjoyed it. Then somehow I forgot about the series, so I'm glad I saw this one and started reading. I enjoyed the Robin Lockwood character - she is a defense attorney and a former MMA fighter. She takes the case of a homeless man, Joe Lattimore, who had agreed to fight in a no-holds-barred illegal fight in order to earn some money to provide for his family. Only his opponent died! After the fight he is blackmailed into breaking into a judge's house to steal, only to find find a dead body - and he gets blamed for the murder. Robin has her hands full with this one and the investigation leads in some surprising directions. This was a page turner and I really enjoyed the characters and the plot.
Thanks to Minotaur Books / St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Thanks to Minotaur Books / St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
June 24, 2021
A Matter of Life and Death by Phillip Margolin is the fourth installment in the legal thriller Robin Lockwood series. Each book of this series really could be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel with each having the case involved wrapped up by the end. There is some important character development that carries over from book to book however with all the main characters so it’s best enjoyed from the beginning.
In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Robin Lockwood who had been just beginning as an assistant attorney and now she is back tackling her own cases after working with her mentor Regina Barrister. Being a former MMA fighter herself Robin is curious when she gets a visit from Joe Lattimore who explains he is homeless so he joined a no hold barred fight for cash but things went south. When Joe ends up arrested for yet another crime Robin is determined to get to the bottom of his case.
I have been following the Robin Lockwood series from the beginning and continue to enjoy each book as it comes along. As a fan of a good legal thriller I love that this has just the right mix of story action alongside the legal side of the novel. Robin is one tough as all heck lead and I love following her as she gets down and dirty to get to the truth to give her clients the best defense. Definitely one I’ll keep coming back to as when I pick up a new installment each year I fall right back in to the series like I’d never left.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Robin Lockwood who had been just beginning as an assistant attorney and now she is back tackling her own cases after working with her mentor Regina Barrister. Being a former MMA fighter herself Robin is curious when she gets a visit from Joe Lattimore who explains he is homeless so he joined a no hold barred fight for cash but things went south. When Joe ends up arrested for yet another crime Robin is determined to get to the bottom of his case.
I have been following the Robin Lockwood series from the beginning and continue to enjoy each book as it comes along. As a fan of a good legal thriller I love that this has just the right mix of story action alongside the legal side of the novel. Robin is one tough as all heck lead and I love following her as she gets down and dirty to get to the truth to give her clients the best defense. Definitely one I’ll keep coming back to as when I pick up a new installment each year I fall right back in to the series like I’d never left.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 27, 2021
I am such a fan of this series. I love Robin and if I was in trouble she would be the bada** to get me a out of trouble.
I love that the mystery in A Matter Of Life and Death was one that I did not see coming. I had no idea who did it.
You are going to love book four, I hope this is not the final book in the Robin Lockwood series because each book just gets better and better.
This book can be read as a stand alone but you are going to love the whole series.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
I love that the mystery in A Matter Of Life and Death was one that I did not see coming. I had no idea who did it.
You are going to love book four, I hope this is not the final book in the Robin Lockwood series because each book just gets better and better.
This book can be read as a stand alone but you are going to love the whole series.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.
September 11, 2021
A good Robin Lockwood entry, with an assist from Amande Jaffe. Robin must defend a homeless boxer from a framed up murder charge. This is well done and has the usual number of plot twists that make up a good story. Recommended.
August 6, 2025
5 Stars. I like a Margolin thriller. This one especially. Many of his novels featuring Robin Lockwood are essentially courtroom dramas with readers knowing some of the important points well before the last pages. The question more often is, "How will Lockwood and her in-firm investigator (and personal partner!) Jeff Hodges, prove that so-and-so is the real perpetrator?" Not as much this time. There was a surprise in store for me, and for you if you read the novel. The case swirls around a former boxer named Joe Lattimore. He's come into hard times and his young family is homeless. An opportunity to fight an illegal match in the countryside near Portland is offered and he can't turn down the $300. It's a rowdy scene with lots of gambling. But the fight turns out to be fixed and his opponent, Carlos Ortega, not trained like Lattimore, dies. Soon Joe finds that, because there was a tape of the fight, he's being blackmailed and must break into a house to steal some jewels. While there he finds the dead wife of Portland judge Anthony Carasco. It's a set-up and the only smart thing Lattimore does is retain Lockwood as his defence attorney. Enjoy! (Jul2025)
February 23, 2021
This new-to-me series features attorney and former professional fighter Robin Lockwood as she takes on a case of a man charged with murder who's facing the death penalty. He claims he was set up, and after reviewing what few details are known, Robin smells a rat as well.
The client, Joe Lattimore, is a former boxer with a wife and young daughter - and they're homeless. Desperate for money, he reluctantly agrees to participate in an illicit street fight in exchange for cash. The fight easily goes Joe's way until it doesn't; Joe is told that his blows killed his opponent and that there's a video of the fight. Later, he's asked to commit a high-end home robbery - with the threat of releasing the video if he refuses. Believing he has no choice, he does as asked - only to find a brutally murdered woman inside the home. Terrified, he runs out - leaving his finger and hand prints behind. To make matters worse, his victim's husband, a prominent local judge, returns home just in time to see Joe running away.
An anonymous call to the police conveniently identifies Joe's whereabouts, the and he's picked him up and tossed in jail. Joe knows of Robin from their days in the fight game, so he contacts her and begs for help. As she searches for evidence of Joe's innocence, nothing of substance turns up - but the smell of that rat doesn't subside. She keeps digging, expanding the hole to include several shady characters, more blackmail and yes, more murders - all adding up to an adventure with plenty of twists and turns.
If I have to nit-pick, I'll point to a little too lengthy and basic explanations of legal issues that we die-hard "Law and Order" or "Perry Mason" fans could recite by heart and that at times, it seemed as if Robin was playing a secondary role here. But overall, this is a well-written, exciting way to spend an afternoon or two (and for the record, even though this is the fifth in the series, it stands alone very well). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
The client, Joe Lattimore, is a former boxer with a wife and young daughter - and they're homeless. Desperate for money, he reluctantly agrees to participate in an illicit street fight in exchange for cash. The fight easily goes Joe's way until it doesn't; Joe is told that his blows killed his opponent and that there's a video of the fight. Later, he's asked to commit a high-end home robbery - with the threat of releasing the video if he refuses. Believing he has no choice, he does as asked - only to find a brutally murdered woman inside the home. Terrified, he runs out - leaving his finger and hand prints behind. To make matters worse, his victim's husband, a prominent local judge, returns home just in time to see Joe running away.
An anonymous call to the police conveniently identifies Joe's whereabouts, the and he's picked him up and tossed in jail. Joe knows of Robin from their days in the fight game, so he contacts her and begs for help. As she searches for evidence of Joe's innocence, nothing of substance turns up - but the smell of that rat doesn't subside. She keeps digging, expanding the hole to include several shady characters, more blackmail and yes, more murders - all adding up to an adventure with plenty of twists and turns.
If I have to nit-pick, I'll point to a little too lengthy and basic explanations of legal issues that we die-hard "Law and Order" or "Perry Mason" fans could recite by heart and that at times, it seemed as if Robin was playing a secondary role here. But overall, this is a well-written, exciting way to spend an afternoon or two (and for the record, even though this is the fifth in the series, it stands alone very well). Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
January 9, 2021
Book# 4 in the Robin Lockwood series
This legal thriller brings Robin Lockwood to defend Joe Lattimore accused of murder after burglarizing a house. The victim was the wife of prominent Judge Anthony Carasco. Lattimore fingerprints and bloody gloves were discovered at the scene, an airtight case for the District Attorney. But Robin is not convinced at all, she suspects that her client has been framed...now she needed to prove it.
This is one legal thriller I put at the top of my list for its presentation. It focusses more on how the accused came to get into hot waters and less the interactions in the courtroom. I love passing time reading it and had such a hard time setting it aside to do my chores. The story is action packed and very gripping from start to finish. The Lattimore’s troubles all started after he agreed to fight in a no-holds illegal bar bout where his opponent died leaving him at the mercy of the fight’s organizers who took advantage of his situation...big time.
The plot is strong and moves along at a steady pace. It is clearly written to depict courtroom drama without overdoing it, not a simple task but Mr. Margolin did this expertly making his book a real pleasure. Every word is simple and uncomplicated. The police work is smoothly blended in to add suspense and to bring us into the bowels of the legal system: fingerprints and DNA, evidences that can incarcerate someone whether responsible or not.
I also appreciated how the author has incorporated in his suspense interesting insight into gender reassignment and the struggles the person caught in this dilemma goes through. Subdued and well done.
Although I picked up “A Matter of Life and Death” at this point I didn’t feel lost at all, it reads beautifully as a stand-alone.
In a few words:
Well-plotted drama vividly said and played out by a cast of wonderful characters.
I received this ARC from St-Martin’s Press via Netgalley for my thoughts, this is the way I see it.
This legal thriller brings Robin Lockwood to defend Joe Lattimore accused of murder after burglarizing a house. The victim was the wife of prominent Judge Anthony Carasco. Lattimore fingerprints and bloody gloves were discovered at the scene, an airtight case for the District Attorney. But Robin is not convinced at all, she suspects that her client has been framed...now she needed to prove it.
This is one legal thriller I put at the top of my list for its presentation. It focusses more on how the accused came to get into hot waters and less the interactions in the courtroom. I love passing time reading it and had such a hard time setting it aside to do my chores. The story is action packed and very gripping from start to finish. The Lattimore’s troubles all started after he agreed to fight in a no-holds illegal bar bout where his opponent died leaving him at the mercy of the fight’s organizers who took advantage of his situation...big time.
The plot is strong and moves along at a steady pace. It is clearly written to depict courtroom drama without overdoing it, not a simple task but Mr. Margolin did this expertly making his book a real pleasure. Every word is simple and uncomplicated. The police work is smoothly blended in to add suspense and to bring us into the bowels of the legal system: fingerprints and DNA, evidences that can incarcerate someone whether responsible or not.
I also appreciated how the author has incorporated in his suspense interesting insight into gender reassignment and the struggles the person caught in this dilemma goes through. Subdued and well done.
Although I picked up “A Matter of Life and Death” at this point I didn’t feel lost at all, it reads beautifully as a stand-alone.
In a few words:
Well-plotted drama vividly said and played out by a cast of wonderful characters.
I received this ARC from St-Martin’s Press via Netgalley for my thoughts, this is the way I see it.
November 26, 2021
After getting past all the politics at the beginning, the rest of the book was great. Just disappointed to have current, trending politics shoved into the book, especially since the first incident was completely irrelevant to the story. I hate to give my favorite author a low rating, but books are my escape from reality. I don't read to be annoyed by current affairs. If I wanted to do that, I'd start up Facebook or pretty much any other platform.
March 12, 2021
I like this author. I've read many a book by him. He is one of my favorite authors and I know I will read whatever he writes. This is the 4th book in the Robin Lockwood series. This particular Margolin series is not my favorite, but he does so many things well. Plus, I think this book is my favorite in this series so far.
I love his attention to detail when it comes to characters and story lines. He also keeps a decent pace through it all. I like the MC, Robin. She is flawed and she is also flawed in her perfection. She is a character I can certainly root for.
I liked the story line here too. There were some unique twists and I liked the way it was all pulled together at the end. This author does that well too. At times this felt like it was moving too fast, but the subplots were a nice distraction. So 4 stars for this one.
I love his attention to detail when it comes to characters and story lines. He also keeps a decent pace through it all. I like the MC, Robin. She is flawed and she is also flawed in her perfection. She is a character I can certainly root for.
I liked the story line here too. There were some unique twists and I liked the way it was all pulled together at the end. This author does that well too. At times this felt like it was moving too fast, but the subplots were a nice distraction. So 4 stars for this one.
December 26, 2023
I started reading Margolin a few weeks ago and really, really like his books. His characters are strong and realistic and his plots are super smart. I like that he lays out little clues if you listen, and this one I caught two of them that came back to bite the prosecution.
In this one, a homeless man, an assistant DA, and a few others are trapped in a plot to do murder. It was well written and the pace is great. I love Robin Lockwood, his young female attorney who is strong and aggressive and takes little crap from anybody.
Great read.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
March 9, 2021
In A Matter of Life and Death (Minotaur Books 2021), fourth in the Robin Lockwood series, Robin Lockwood, former MMA fighter of repute, now puts her skills to defending clients. In this case, it’s Joe Lattimore, a homeless, unemployed, down-on-his-luck fighter who is so desperate for money to support his wife and infant child that he falls for a scheme he knows he shouldn't. The result is he's framed for the murder of the wife of a prominent but sketchy judge. The real killer beat her to death exactly as a fighter of Joe's skills would and then planted evidence against him that is hard to dispute. The optics of Joe's guilt are overwhelming but Robin is suspicious enough to take the case. It's too easy, too pat, too airtight, as though someone has planned it.
Besides being a well-drawn courtroom drama tale written by a master of this genre,, what really sets it apart is the procedural elements included. Here are some examples:
"In addition to an unlimited number of challenges for cause, each side in an Oregon death penalty trial was allowed fifteen peremptory challenges. These challenges could be made for any reason and were used when an attorney could not show cause but did not want a juror sitting on his client’s case."
"A defendant had no obligation to prove he was innocent. That meant that the defense was never required to put on evidence. If the state’s case was shaky but Joe made a bad impression when he testified, he could erase any reasonable doubts harbored by a juror."
"In 1972, in Furman v. Georgia, the United States Supreme Court struck down all of the existing death penalty schemes in the United States. In the course of writing the opinion, the court established the principle that “death is different.”
It is a joy to read a story that held my attention from start to finish. If you're hungry for this genre of story, you won't regret the time you spend reading this book.
Besides being a well-drawn courtroom drama tale written by a master of this genre,, what really sets it apart is the procedural elements included. Here are some examples:
"In addition to an unlimited number of challenges for cause, each side in an Oregon death penalty trial was allowed fifteen peremptory challenges. These challenges could be made for any reason and were used when an attorney could not show cause but did not want a juror sitting on his client’s case."
"A defendant had no obligation to prove he was innocent. That meant that the defense was never required to put on evidence. If the state’s case was shaky but Joe made a bad impression when he testified, he could erase any reasonable doubts harbored by a juror."
"In 1972, in Furman v. Georgia, the United States Supreme Court struck down all of the existing death penalty schemes in the United States. In the course of writing the opinion, the court established the principle that “death is different.”
It is a joy to read a story that held my attention from start to finish. If you're hungry for this genre of story, you won't regret the time you spend reading this book.
July 5, 2021
Yes! Finally a page-turner!!! I have been in a MAJOR SLUMP. Such a juicy crime book…and of course, legal thriller! This wasn’t a deep, dark psychological thriller, BUT, it was a fantastic whodunnit with many players. Robin Lockwood is one tough cookie! She is an ex-mma fighting defense attorney, who obliterates her cases head on! She is a strong protagonist and doesn’t let anyone or anything come between her and her clients freedom. She is smart and witty and that really comes through in Phillip Margolin’s writing! This is book number four in the Robin Lockwood series, which I highly recommend you go back and read them from the beginning…it’s a fantastic series! BUT, this one could totally be read as a stand-alone as well! Can’t wait for the next one! (March 2022!)
4-stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4-stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 12, 2021
There are so many things Margolin does well. He writes the criminal defense system so accurately, and makes courtroom scenes riveting without resorting to cheap tricks. Plots are often good, although this is not the type of thriller popular right now, with big twists at the end. Often things are solved with simple investigation work, often with the cooperation of reasonable police officers who are not idiots and want to do the right thing.
So what's the problem? Many characters are poorly drawn. Don't spend a ton of time both telling and showing me that a character is an idiot and then have him immediately put the whole mystery together. We had multiple times where a character tells the same story we already observed from their perspective, often in the same words. It's the kind of thing that could be taken care of with phrases like: "Joe told Robin the whole story, including [detail] and [detail]". Just felt like the author had a page minimum and was determined to meet it. Shame because I come back to Margolin again and again for the courtroom scenes. Probably still will.
So what's the problem? Many characters are poorly drawn. Don't spend a ton of time both telling and showing me that a character is an idiot and then have him immediately put the whole mystery together. We had multiple times where a character tells the same story we already observed from their perspective, often in the same words. It's the kind of thing that could be taken care of with phrases like: "Joe told Robin the whole story, including [detail] and [detail]". Just felt like the author had a page minimum and was determined to meet it. Shame because I come back to Margolin again and again for the courtroom scenes. Probably still will.
October 14, 2021
This is an awesome book. It shows the length that some people will go to in order to cover up their own infidelity. Judge Anthony Carasco is a sleazeball through and through. He was organizing illegal fights and found a way to frame an innocent man. Ian Hennessey was a slacker who became serious about his craft but somehow lost his way. I want Robin Lockwood to defend me if I ever get into trouble. Quick read on the train.
May 4, 2021
I like a thriller that has a good court scene along with a well thought out plot. Just when you think Robin has solved the case there is another element to the plot. Robin defends a homeless boxer who has been set up in many ways. I like having Amanda Jaffa from another series that the author wrote involved in this book.
March 6, 2021
First of all, this is the fourth book in the Robin Lockwood series, but any of the books can be read as a standalone. In this book, Robin, a defense attorney extraordinaire, is tasked with defending what looks like a slam-dunk case against a homeless man named Joe Lattimore. Instead of a police procedural, I would call this book a defense lawyer procedural in which Robin pits her wits and those of her private investigator Jeff against the prosecution. In this latest book, Joe is facing the death penalty for having killed a judge’s wife. The plot was intricate and totally engaging, with plenty of action and tons of interesting details. I felt bad for Joe, but things really looked bad for him, even with Robin as his attorney. The sleazy people in the story were really sleazy, so I didn’t mind at all when they were exposed. The characterization was spot-on, with the major characters being so well-developed that reading the book was like watching a movie. The intriguing storyline and the fast pace kept the book absorbing to me, even though at times I did get bogged down in some of the details, like the illegal fights. But every detail was important to the story, showing how well the author knows his craft. Fans of suspense and legal thrillers will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
October 9, 2020
Review to come.
Quick thoughts:
Another winner in the Robin Lockwood series!
What I really like about his writing style for this series is that he can have all these events happening (with a heavy dose of secrets and double crossing, etc) and it may not make sense at first as to HOW it's all going to come together- but then it does. And it's good.
Great mystery!
Quick thoughts:
Another winner in the Robin Lockwood series!
What I really like about his writing style for this series is that he can have all these events happening (with a heavy dose of secrets and double crossing, etc) and it may not make sense at first as to HOW it's all going to come together- but then it does. And it's good.
Great mystery!
January 14, 2021
When I read a book, or listen to an audiobook, I more or less go with the flow. But when I know I have to write a review of the book, I listen with pen and paper, making notes on the characters, the story, the action, and if the promise of the story was fulfilled by the author.
In A Matter of Life and Death: A Robin Lockwood Novel (Robin Lockwood #4) by Phillip Margolin the Author definitely fulfilled his promise of providing not one, but a few cases where a matter of life or death was in question. I felt the story was carried out in an even, methodical pace, like building a brick wall - each course was laid out, with the next course building on what the reader had already learned.
All of the cases in the book are related in some fashion, whether it's to introduce us to the characters, or the relationships between the characters. As for character development, we know just enough about each player so we can create an opinion of them. The secondary character palate is large, but not cumbersome for the reader to manage. The returning primary characters have enough background from previous books for them to feel like old friends. There are no long, descriptive or distracting backgrounds, that create questions, or leave open issues by the end of the story. I felt the book was presented like an episode of "Law and Order", lots of facts, backstabbing, illegal activities, unscrupulous characters, victims, detectives and lawyers. Characters deaths were not descriptive or grizzly - they're just dead! I wouldn't call the story action packed, as there were no chase scenes, and fight scenes were quick and non-descript for the most part. There wasn't much of a whodunnit element to the story either. Everything was rather straightforward, so it was just a matter of reading how it all played out in the end.
Personally, I am a fan of legal, medical, and police procedural themes so I liked the book. I do prefer more atmospheric, grizzly, gory, suspenseful, edge of your seat stories (adjectives are my friend), and Phillip Margolin books don't generally use those components, but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. The story is logically laid out, and by the end I didn't feel like there were any open issues.
My two favorite situations from the book are the relationship between Robin and Jeff (I felt the romantic side added some humanity and a personal side to the story), and Robin's fight with the giant (Rostov), where she tells him she'll take him on - she's a smart one...hahaha
The book can be read as a stand-alone, but with all series books, reading previous books will add more to the overall enjoyment.
For me this was a 3.5 star read which I will round up to 4 stars.
Special thanks to the Author, St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Expected publication date is March 9th, 2021 in all reading formats.
In A Matter of Life and Death: A Robin Lockwood Novel (Robin Lockwood #4) by Phillip Margolin the Author definitely fulfilled his promise of providing not one, but a few cases where a matter of life or death was in question. I felt the story was carried out in an even, methodical pace, like building a brick wall - each course was laid out, with the next course building on what the reader had already learned.
All of the cases in the book are related in some fashion, whether it's to introduce us to the characters, or the relationships between the characters. As for character development, we know just enough about each player so we can create an opinion of them. The secondary character palate is large, but not cumbersome for the reader to manage. The returning primary characters have enough background from previous books for them to feel like old friends. There are no long, descriptive or distracting backgrounds, that create questions, or leave open issues by the end of the story. I felt the book was presented like an episode of "Law and Order", lots of facts, backstabbing, illegal activities, unscrupulous characters, victims, detectives and lawyers. Characters deaths were not descriptive or grizzly - they're just dead! I wouldn't call the story action packed, as there were no chase scenes, and fight scenes were quick and non-descript for the most part. There wasn't much of a whodunnit element to the story either. Everything was rather straightforward, so it was just a matter of reading how it all played out in the end.
Personally, I am a fan of legal, medical, and police procedural themes so I liked the book. I do prefer more atmospheric, grizzly, gory, suspenseful, edge of your seat stories (adjectives are my friend), and Phillip Margolin books don't generally use those components, but that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. The story is logically laid out, and by the end I didn't feel like there were any open issues.
My two favorite situations from the book are the relationship between Robin and Jeff (I felt the romantic side added some humanity and a personal side to the story), and Robin's fight with the giant (Rostov), where she tells him she'll take him on - she's a smart one...hahaha
The book can be read as a stand-alone, but with all series books, reading previous books will add more to the overall enjoyment.
For me this was a 3.5 star read which I will round up to 4 stars.
Special thanks to the Author, St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
Expected publication date is March 9th, 2021 in all reading formats.
March 17, 2022
Lawyer Robin Lockwood, formerly a high school wrestler and UFC cage fighter, partners at a law firm in Portland, Oregon. In Part I, Robin takes on a case of prostitution of a gender reassignment person. The judge on the case is Anthony Carasco. Judge Carasco has a bad reputation. He is a tyrant, lazy, unethical. He has a hot mistress on the side and his wife is the one with the family money. On this particular case, he rules in Robin's favor and against a gullible DA. He seems to be up to something, most likely no good.
In Part 2, Joe Lattimore is a not-so-successful boxer down on his luck - homeless, living in tent city with his wife and baby who he loves very much. Joe is given an opportunity for a no-holds-barred fight, winner take all. He knows these types of fights are usually run by gangsters but he desperately needs money so he does it. He's told his blows killed his opponent. Since he has xeen Robin at the gym, he asks her for advice. As Joe is forced to do another job, he is told to rob a house. He finds a dead woman and wouldn't you know it, the dead woman is the judge's wife. Robin has her work cut out for her to prove Joe's innocence.
I've read all 4 of the Robin Lockwood books. They're easy to read and good legal thrillers. Sharp legal questioning in this one. Robin reminds me of Bennie Rosato, a character created in a series by Lisa Scottoline. I like these ladies.
In Part 2, Joe Lattimore is a not-so-successful boxer down on his luck - homeless, living in tent city with his wife and baby who he loves very much. Joe is given an opportunity for a no-holds-barred fight, winner take all. He knows these types of fights are usually run by gangsters but he desperately needs money so he does it. He's told his blows killed his opponent. Since he has xeen Robin at the gym, he asks her for advice. As Joe is forced to do another job, he is told to rob a house. He finds a dead woman and wouldn't you know it, the dead woman is the judge's wife. Robin has her work cut out for her to prove Joe's innocence.
I've read all 4 of the Robin Lockwood books. They're easy to read and good legal thrillers. Sharp legal questioning in this one. Robin reminds me of Bennie Rosato, a character created in a series by Lisa Scottoline. I like these ladies.
February 24, 2021
I received an electronic ARC of this excellent crime mystery from Netgalley, Phillip Margolin, and an invitation from the publisher, St Martin's Press - Minotaur Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Phillip Margolin writes a tight tale that compels you to keep on reading long after bedtime. I am pleased to have found him. I love that this novel was seated in Portland, Oregon. It is nice to see some of these middle-sized communities spotlighted in current literature. Portland has long been on my bucket list.
This is the fourth novel in the Robin Lockwood series but completely stand-alone. The professionals of the Portland Oregon justice system represented by these characters are well fleshed out, compassionate as well as competent, and the plot though not really hidden is intricate and presented well. Fortunately, Phillip Margolin has plenty of works out there for me to read, several series that will keep me busy till spring. He is an author I will follow.
publishing date March 9, 2021
Invitation from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Reviewed on February 24, 2021, at Goodreads and Netgalley.
This is the fourth novel in the Robin Lockwood series but completely stand-alone. The professionals of the Portland Oregon justice system represented by these characters are well fleshed out, compassionate as well as competent, and the plot though not really hidden is intricate and presented well. Fortunately, Phillip Margolin has plenty of works out there for me to read, several series that will keep me busy till spring. He is an author I will follow.
publishing date March 9, 2021
Invitation from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Reviewed on February 24, 2021, at Goodreads and Netgalley.
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