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Butch Karp #15
Resolved: A Novel
The 15th installment in Tanenbaum's New York Times bestselling series is a smart, suspenseful tale of justice in the Big Apple, as a vengeful and sadistic killer sets his sights on the man who put him away--New York District Attorney Butch Karp. Abridged. 4 CDs.
Audio CD
First published August 26, 2003
35 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Robert K. Tanenbaum
76 books280 followersRobert K. Tanenbaum is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five legal thrillers and has an accomplished legal career of his own. Before his first book was published, Tanenbaum had already been the Bureau Chief of the Criminal Courts, had run the Homicide Bureau, and had been in charge of the training program for the legal staff for the New York County District Attorney’s Office. He also served as Deputy Chief Counsel to the Congressional Committee investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. In his professional career, Tanenbaum has never lost a felony case. His courtroom experiences bring his books to life, especially in his bestselling series featuring prosecutor Roger “Butch” Karp and his wife, Marlene Ciampi.
Tanenbaum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship, and remained at Cal, where he earned his law degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. After graduating from Berkeley Law, Tanenbaum moved back to New York to work as an assistant district attorney under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan. Tanenbaum then served as Deputy Chief Counsel in charge of the Congressional investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blockbuster novel Corruption of Blood (1994), is a fictionalized account of his experience in Washington, D.C.
Tanenbaum returned to the West Coast and began to serve in public office. He was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 1986 and twice served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. It was during this time that Tanenbaum began his career as a novelist, drawing from the many fascinating stories of his time as a New York ADA. His successful debut novel, No Lesser Plea (1987), introduces Butch Karp, an assistant district attorney who is battling for justice, and Marlene Ciampi, his associate and love interest. Tanenbaum’s subsequent twenty-two novels portrayed Karp and his crime fighting family and eclectic colleagues facing off against drug lords, corrupt politicians, international assassins, the mafia, and hard-core violent felons.
He has had published eight recent novels as part of the series, as well as two nonfiction titles: The Piano Teacher (1987), exploring his investigation and prosecution of a recidivist psychosexual killer, and Badge of the Assassin (1979), about his prosecution of cop killers, which was made into a movie starring James Woods as Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum and his wife of forty-three years have three children. He currently resides in California where he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure at the Boalt Hall School of Law and maintains a private law practice.
Tanenbaum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship, and remained at Cal, where he earned his law degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. After graduating from Berkeley Law, Tanenbaum moved back to New York to work as an assistant district attorney under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan. Tanenbaum then served as Deputy Chief Counsel in charge of the Congressional investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blockbuster novel Corruption of Blood (1994), is a fictionalized account of his experience in Washington, D.C.
Tanenbaum returned to the West Coast and began to serve in public office. He was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 1986 and twice served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. It was during this time that Tanenbaum began his career as a novelist, drawing from the many fascinating stories of his time as a New York ADA. His successful debut novel, No Lesser Plea (1987), introduces Butch Karp, an assistant district attorney who is battling for justice, and Marlene Ciampi, his associate and love interest. Tanenbaum’s subsequent twenty-two novels portrayed Karp and his crime fighting family and eclectic colleagues facing off against drug lords, corrupt politicians, international assassins, the mafia, and hard-core violent felons.
He has had published eight recent novels as part of the series, as well as two nonfiction titles: The Piano Teacher (1987), exploring his investigation and prosecution of a recidivist psychosexual killer, and Badge of the Assassin (1979), about his prosecution of cop killers, which was made into a movie starring James Woods as Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum and his wife of forty-three years have three children. He currently resides in California where he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure at the Boalt Hall School of Law and maintains a private law practice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 2, 2024
“Hey, you want to warehouse a third of the black male population?”
“Go right ahead! But don’t dress it up like it’s justice.”
I get it! Racism exists and it’s ugly as hell. Racists use disgusting racial slurs. Police forces have bad apples and there are plenty of them guilty of racial profiling. Colin Kaepernick didn’t start the idea of taking a knee during the anthem for nothing. Terrorism is based on xenophobia and hatred and it can’t be characterized as anything but evil. Not everyone that’s charged with a crime is guilty just because the police hauled them off the street and into court. Homelessness is endemic in large urban centers to an extent that there’s a very real population living in the sewage and subway infrastructure of major cities that never sees the light of day. Whether it makes any sense or not, there are zealous adherents of religious faiths who firmly believe that natural enjoyment of sex is to be held in reserve only for Mr or Mrs Right in the context of marriage. Psychopaths and serial killers are, well, psychopathic and for such a person, narcissism and self-indulgence are the only commandments and the human life around them has no meaning or value. There are possibly polyglots who can speak and understand an astonishing number of languages! I get it. I get it all!
But RESOLVED took ALL of that and more, stuffed it into a single novel, cranked up the high-intensity repeating hyperbole machine until it leaped completely off the credibility charts, and simply became intolerable and disgusting. If Tanenbaum had put RESOLVED into the hands of a B-movie company as a screenplay, you couldn’t have measured how quickly it would have been rejected as ridiculous unless you had an atomic clock with picosecond capability.
The ONLY reason that I was willing to grant RESOLVED a second star was the sub-plot concerning the (OK, I’ll admit it) interesting forensics presented in the trial of two white police officers who mistakenly killed a black street vendor thinking he was selling drugs. Come to that, this sub-plot was probably the only thing that held my attention and persuaded me to actually finish the book. Having said that, I’ll still withhold a recommendation that anyone else take the time to read it. There are plenty of good legal thrillers out there that are worth your time. This one isn’t.
Paul Weiss
“Go right ahead! But don’t dress it up like it’s justice.”
I get it! Racism exists and it’s ugly as hell. Racists use disgusting racial slurs. Police forces have bad apples and there are plenty of them guilty of racial profiling. Colin Kaepernick didn’t start the idea of taking a knee during the anthem for nothing. Terrorism is based on xenophobia and hatred and it can’t be characterized as anything but evil. Not everyone that’s charged with a crime is guilty just because the police hauled them off the street and into court. Homelessness is endemic in large urban centers to an extent that there’s a very real population living in the sewage and subway infrastructure of major cities that never sees the light of day. Whether it makes any sense or not, there are zealous adherents of religious faiths who firmly believe that natural enjoyment of sex is to be held in reserve only for Mr or Mrs Right in the context of marriage. Psychopaths and serial killers are, well, psychopathic and for such a person, narcissism and self-indulgence are the only commandments and the human life around them has no meaning or value. There are possibly polyglots who can speak and understand an astonishing number of languages! I get it. I get it all!
But RESOLVED took ALL of that and more, stuffed it into a single novel, cranked up the high-intensity repeating hyperbole machine until it leaped completely off the credibility charts, and simply became intolerable and disgusting. If Tanenbaum had put RESOLVED into the hands of a B-movie company as a screenplay, you couldn’t have measured how quickly it would have been rejected as ridiculous unless you had an atomic clock with picosecond capability.
The ONLY reason that I was willing to grant RESOLVED a second star was the sub-plot concerning the (OK, I’ll admit it) interesting forensics presented in the trial of two white police officers who mistakenly killed a black street vendor thinking he was selling drugs. Come to that, this sub-plot was probably the only thing that held my attention and persuaded me to actually finish the book. Having said that, I’ll still withhold a recommendation that anyone else take the time to read it. There are plenty of good legal thrillers out there that are worth your time. This one isn’t.
Paul Weiss
November 1, 2010
Tanenbaum is a heck of a writer. He gets the reader to do more than enjoy a thriller with an interesting plot and interesting characters-- he forces the reader to evaluate some of life's ethical\spiritual issues.
For example, Lucy has a discussion with a priest regarding demonic possession. The conversation begins with the concept that what we call demonic possession is more of a mental illness issue, but concludes with a recognition that it may begin with mental illness, but that some people revel in their illness and their sickness and therefore invite demonic activity into their lives.
Butch and several others discuss the sanctity of the law. Butch recounts a former D.A. who called in a number of staffers and chastised them for their disrespect for the law because of a sex-party\beerbust they held one Christmas at the D.A.'s office. They talk about the important to earn the respect of the people that they work for and not to bring shame upon the office of the D.A.
Lucy and her boyfriend discuss her vow of chastity until marriage (which is in stark contrast with most characters) and how this vow brings her closer to God. This discussion lasts a number of pages.
Butch continues to battle the use of the law as a political tool.
The characters in this series are fascinating. Gian Carlo was blinded in his last book, but now plays the accdordian on the street, mocking his disabilty. Lucy continues her staunch Catholic religious practices such as helping the poor and maintaining her virginity. Marlene is torn by her actions in the last book (Absolute Rage) and troubled by her guilt, but also compelled to continue solving problems through violence.
In this book, enter a terrorist cell which chooses to use ultra baddie, Felix, a villain from one of the earlier books, who wants revenge on the karp family. Felix is a sadist, a heartless and cruel man. When he gets the chance to escape from prison he is forced to help the terrorist cell, only to discover that he is just the fall guy.
Tanenbaum takes a few short cuts in his resolution. After awhile, one tires of seeing that Lucy knows someone who can do the violence that she would never do herself, but that she would enlist them. We tire of the clever guard dogs who avert disaster from time to time. We are shocked at the lame coincidence the author uses to places his characters at the right place and the right (or wrong) time.
STILL-- You'll note I gave this one three stars. Why? Because Tanenbaum writes his characters with more depth than the usual pulp in the thriller market. He puts us into their thinking and we begin to understand why they act in the manner that they do. We seem them striving to be noble, to be pure, to be strong, and sometimes failing. We see them as special people, not cutouts of each other. And because Tanenbaum makes his readers think, his novels, even with coincidence filled plots and unbelieveable rescues, are worth reading.
For example, Lucy has a discussion with a priest regarding demonic possession. The conversation begins with the concept that what we call demonic possession is more of a mental illness issue, but concludes with a recognition that it may begin with mental illness, but that some people revel in their illness and their sickness and therefore invite demonic activity into their lives.
Butch and several others discuss the sanctity of the law. Butch recounts a former D.A. who called in a number of staffers and chastised them for their disrespect for the law because of a sex-party\beerbust they held one Christmas at the D.A.'s office. They talk about the important to earn the respect of the people that they work for and not to bring shame upon the office of the D.A.
Lucy and her boyfriend discuss her vow of chastity until marriage (which is in stark contrast with most characters) and how this vow brings her closer to God. This discussion lasts a number of pages.
Butch continues to battle the use of the law as a political tool.
The characters in this series are fascinating. Gian Carlo was blinded in his last book, but now plays the accdordian on the street, mocking his disabilty. Lucy continues her staunch Catholic religious practices such as helping the poor and maintaining her virginity. Marlene is torn by her actions in the last book (Absolute Rage) and troubled by her guilt, but also compelled to continue solving problems through violence.
In this book, enter a terrorist cell which chooses to use ultra baddie, Felix, a villain from one of the earlier books, who wants revenge on the karp family. Felix is a sadist, a heartless and cruel man. When he gets the chance to escape from prison he is forced to help the terrorist cell, only to discover that he is just the fall guy.
Tanenbaum takes a few short cuts in his resolution. After awhile, one tires of seeing that Lucy knows someone who can do the violence that she would never do herself, but that she would enlist them. We tire of the clever guard dogs who avert disaster from time to time. We are shocked at the lame coincidence the author uses to places his characters at the right place and the right (or wrong) time.
STILL-- You'll note I gave this one three stars. Why? Because Tanenbaum writes his characters with more depth than the usual pulp in the thriller market. He puts us into their thinking and we begin to understand why they act in the manner that they do. We seem them striving to be noble, to be pure, to be strong, and sometimes failing. We see them as special people, not cutouts of each other. And because Tanenbaum makes his readers think, his novels, even with coincidence filled plots and unbelieveable rescues, are worth reading.
May 7, 2015
Another solid adventure from Robert K. Tanenbaum. I have read nine books in the Bruce Karp series and so far all get 3 or 4 stars--haven't found a loser in the series yet!
I am not going to comment much on the plot as Tanenbaum writes a very complex novel with lots of plot twists. I don't wan't to spoil the fun for you any.
In the synopsis above, it is mentioned that Felix Tighe had "escaped from prison". The particular method of his escape is intriguing and start the action off with a bang.
The Karp series has good characters; good plots and good dialong---so try some of the series. The stories do stand alone but refer to previous books in passing---you would enjoy some scenes a bit more if read in order. But it is not required---I've read them out of order and still loved them. I would not give these movels to teens under 16 as they are a bit violent. The books in this series are highly recommended for any adult mystery/thriller fan who likes a hard, tough but well written mystery series.
I am not going to comment much on the plot as Tanenbaum writes a very complex novel with lots of plot twists. I don't wan't to spoil the fun for you any.
In the synopsis above, it is mentioned that Felix Tighe had "escaped from prison". The particular method of his escape is intriguing and start the action off with a bang.
The Karp series has good characters; good plots and good dialong---so try some of the series. The stories do stand alone but refer to previous books in passing---you would enjoy some scenes a bit more if read in order. But it is not required---I've read them out of order and still loved them. I would not give these movels to teens under 16 as they are a bit violent. The books in this series are highly recommended for any adult mystery/thriller fan who likes a hard, tough but well written mystery series.
April 15, 2019
Another very short book in this series. It has all of the same drama and wow moments but the last two have been short stories of sorts. I love this series but hope for longer reads in the future books!
August 19, 2013
FANTASTIC!!! Must read more about Butch, Maureen and the kids!! This story was full of action, heartache, mystery and a few laughs to keep you reading.
I love that i can read more from Mr. Tanenbaum. A gifted writer who knows what his readers want.
I love that i can read more from Mr. Tanenbaum. A gifted writer who knows what his readers want.
August 18, 2021
Too inconsistent for me. The characters were too introspective but secretive in words. Complex feelings held in but everyone seemed to know anyway and when they did dump it was not cleansing for the most part. The epitome of genius bordering on madness. Felix seemed like the worst "smart" serial killer I have ever read. Sorry those of you that liked it. I had a hard time warming up to any of them and maybe that was the point, thus I will not be following what happens to them. ( only one was Raney) .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2019
I have gotten used to his 200 page climaxes, but this one caught me by surprise.
Another of the (almost) two parallel stories, where usually I see (there are plenty of clues) how they are going to come together, but this time I was completely blind sided.
Another of the (almost) two parallel stories, where usually I see (there are plenty of clues) how they are going to come together, but this time I was completely blind sided.
September 7, 2021
I read these Butch Karp series books just for the exploits of Marlene Ciampi ! Crazy villains, crackling dialog, and riveting suspense is guaranteed in this iconic series. But It's Marlene that keeps me coming back for more and more. A must read series. Check it out.
September 4, 2018
Did not finish, only read first two chapters. The language was not called for, I am not a prude but I found the book offensive. Also the murders and acts of violence were just too much.
September 20, 2018
Loved it
Butch and Marlene are always entertaining. I enjoy reading about the kids as they get older too. Recommend this series to everyone
Butch and Marlene are always entertaining. I enjoy reading about the kids as they get older too. Recommend this series to everyone
February 27, 2019
Good short book. Very clear plot and good connection with police officers/detectives and what they go through each day.
August 2, 2019
What an ending! What twists!
December 14, 2019
Another good book in the series
July 24, 2020
It was a quick read.
December 19, 2020
Great read
Love the stories about the Katp family. I have all the ones b4 this one. They keep you wanting more, as does this one. Check it out
Love the stories about the Katp family. I have all the ones b4 this one. They keep you wanting more, as does this one. Check it out
April 5, 2021
I live love love these characters. But read the series from the beginning
Read
May 31, 2021Audio. Violent and language.
Read
April 16, 2024Only the abridged audiobook version was available. The series has changed format and is now going into the past.
May 29, 2009
One of Tanenbaum's or is it Michael Gruber's best efforts. It started a little slow and the last chapters were a little anticlimactic, nevertheless it was a terrific read.
The Butch Karp series has always been peopled with astounding characters and this volume does not disappoint. Even Ray Guma, the Mafioso prosecutor, shows up towards the end, along with Karen Stupenagel, Marlene Ciampi's old friend and rival from college, both in a very well done scene in Karp's office.
The story revolves around a terrorist plot, the reappearance of an old nemesis of Butch and Marlene's, the sociopath Felix Tighe, and Marlene's return home from her self imposed, self-loathing, guard dog training exile on Long Island.
Tanenbaum intersperses these threads with the trial of two policemen accused of shooting a defenseless Nigerian, Marlene's involvement with a local butcher accused of statutory rape, and Karp's discomfort with pursuing the prosecution of a gynecologist accused of raping a patient - all very juicy and fascinating sub-plots. He also does a good job of detailing the politics of the New York District Attorney's Office.
Then there are the vignettes involving Lucy, Karp and Ciampi's very Roman Catholic daughter and their twins Zac and Giancarlo who are entering early adolescence.
Sometimes it's hard catching a breath as the story moves from one focus to another. It certainly keeps the reader guessing at what could be next. Somehow, though, Tanenbaum ties it all together at the end.
For some reason, I had stopped reading the Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi series. Now I'm hooked again and plan to soon read the prequel to this novel "Absolute Rage".
The Butch Karp series has always been peopled with astounding characters and this volume does not disappoint. Even Ray Guma, the Mafioso prosecutor, shows up towards the end, along with Karen Stupenagel, Marlene Ciampi's old friend and rival from college, both in a very well done scene in Karp's office.
The story revolves around a terrorist plot, the reappearance of an old nemesis of Butch and Marlene's, the sociopath Felix Tighe, and Marlene's return home from her self imposed, self-loathing, guard dog training exile on Long Island.
Tanenbaum intersperses these threads with the trial of two policemen accused of shooting a defenseless Nigerian, Marlene's involvement with a local butcher accused of statutory rape, and Karp's discomfort with pursuing the prosecution of a gynecologist accused of raping a patient - all very juicy and fascinating sub-plots. He also does a good job of detailing the politics of the New York District Attorney's Office.
Then there are the vignettes involving Lucy, Karp and Ciampi's very Roman Catholic daughter and their twins Zac and Giancarlo who are entering early adolescence.
Sometimes it's hard catching a breath as the story moves from one focus to another. It certainly keeps the reader guessing at what could be next. Somehow, though, Tanenbaum ties it all together at the end.
For some reason, I had stopped reading the Butch Karp/Marlene Ciampi series. Now I'm hooked again and plan to soon read the prequel to this novel "Absolute Rage".
February 2, 2016
This is the last in this series actually written my Michael Gruber, and I've been saving it for several years just to know that I still had it to enjoy. The series has gone on, ghosted by somebody else, and my understanding is that the newer ones aren't as good. This one was very satisfying in all the usual ways--there are several separate plots that end up being linked in unexpected ways, the courtroom scenes are very gripping, and I suspect realistic, there are arguments about law and ethics, ethics and religion, religion and philosophy, science and spirituality, all done with panache. The characters are vivid and true-to-form, consistent through the length of the series. Butch and Marlene have been together since the first volume; they have married, had three children, and the children have grown pretty much in real time over the years the books were written. The children play active roles in this one, and not just as potential innocent victims. The book was published in 2003, making the bombs, bomb-threats, middle-eastern terrorists, and setting in New York City very topical. It was a bit more grisly than I remembered others of the series, but since the main villain was a psychopath, this was probably necessary. As fitting an end to the series as the title suggests. (An end for me, at least, since I doubt if I'll read the subsequent ones.)
July 30, 2012
Not as good as I expected. Assistant NYC DA Karp becomes a target of a crafty and brutal serial killer, Felix Tighe. who escaped and is seeking revenge. Tighe has been sprung by Islamic jihadists who are using his skills in a terrorist bombing campaign. This is a post-9/11 exploitation thriller that does not do very well in emotionally engaging the reader in the terror such events would garner�too matter-of-fact distance from the events. Instead, it�s focus is on the resilience and resourcefulness of Karp�s wife and three teenagers in countering Tighe�s efforts to eliminate them in the middle of the political targets. Karp�s concentration, and the reader�s, is diverted by a court case involving a police cover up in an unjustified shooting death. This is the 15th and last of a series which seemed better in early ones I read long ago
October 7, 2015
#15 in the NYC ADA Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi series.
NYC ADA Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi series - Butch is in the running for DA in New York City, while Marlene tries to live a quiet life raising attack dogs. Although teenage daughter Lucy still has those "conversations" with St. Teresa of Avila, she has grown a little weary of her fiercely guarded chastity. Twins Giancarlo and Zak idly speculate on whether their parents' marriage is finally through. On the legal front, a fishy cop shooting and an unusual case of sexual assault spark an investigation that leads the Karps to two baddies from previous books in the series: Arab militant Feisal ibn-Salemeh (Reckless Endangerment (1998)) and homegrown psycho Felix Tighe (Immoral Certainty (1991)), entwined in an intricate conspiracy to blow big holes in a post-9/11 New York.
NYC ADA Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi series - Butch is in the running for DA in New York City, while Marlene tries to live a quiet life raising attack dogs. Although teenage daughter Lucy still has those "conversations" with St. Teresa of Avila, she has grown a little weary of her fiercely guarded chastity. Twins Giancarlo and Zak idly speculate on whether their parents' marriage is finally through. On the legal front, a fishy cop shooting and an unusual case of sexual assault spark an investigation that leads the Karps to two baddies from previous books in the series: Arab militant Feisal ibn-Salemeh (Reckless Endangerment (1998)) and homegrown psycho Felix Tighe (Immoral Certainty (1991)), entwined in an intricate conspiracy to blow big holes in a post-9/11 New York.
March 5, 2014
When I'm looking on the used bookshelves, a Tannenbaum book will catch my eye every time. How can you resist a daughter that speaks and understands at least 35 languages and has visions and conversations with St Theresa; a mother that is a lawyer, dog trainer and killer (when necessary)! It's the Sicilian heritage! Twins with talent and beauty and Butch, the guy who has the moral character for his family and the lawyers of the city. This is a complex and interesting story.
March 24, 2009
Ugh! I listened to this. Never read or heard the others. The language was awful, stunted and brash. The family was completely unbelievable and unlikable, the story didn't flow. Long, trash talking, getting drunk scene that had nothing to do with the story at all.....
May 29, 2013
This is #15 in the Butch Karp - Marlene Ciampi series, my favorite. Clever Arab terrorists come into this one, for the first time. As usual, there are plenty of twists and surprises. This one is a bit of a cliffhanger. On to #16, Hoax.
July 11, 2007
Very disapointing
May 12, 2008
Not bad - entertaining snack fiction....
April 26, 2010
This time he did not get so carried away with numerous characters and story lines. It made for a much more enjoyable story.
April 6, 2009
I have read almost everything and love the Karp family. I also love his small chunks of prose poetry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews