What do you think?
Rate this book
Greene and Kennicott #1
Old City Hall
“Breathtaking . . . A tightly woven spiderweb of plot and a rich cast of characters make this a truly gripping read.” —Jeffery Deaver, author of The Bodies Left Behind
The murder of a Toronto radio host's wife engulfs the lives of cops, lawyers, and a journalist in this sprawling legal thriller.
It should be an open–and–shut case. Canada’s leading radio-show host, Kevin Brace, has confessed to killing his young wife. The trouble is, after muttering his last incriminating wordes --“I killed her”-- he now refuses to talk to anyone, including his own lawyer.
With the discovery of strange fingerprints at the crime scene, and a revealing courtroom cross-examination, the seemingly simple case begins to take on all the complexities of a hotly contested murder trial.
In the tradition of defense lawyers-turned-authors such as Scott Turow and John Grisham, Toronto-based defense counsel Robert Rotenberg delivers a debut legal thriller.
The murder of a Toronto radio host's wife engulfs the lives of cops, lawyers, and a journalist in this sprawling legal thriller.
It should be an open–and–shut case. Canada’s leading radio-show host, Kevin Brace, has confessed to killing his young wife. The trouble is, after muttering his last incriminating wordes --“I killed her”-- he now refuses to talk to anyone, including his own lawyer.
With the discovery of strange fingerprints at the crime scene, and a revealing courtroom cross-examination, the seemingly simple case begins to take on all the complexities of a hotly contested murder trial.
In the tradition of defense lawyers-turned-authors such as Scott Turow and John Grisham, Toronto-based defense counsel Robert Rotenberg delivers a debut legal thriller.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
67 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
About the author
Robert Rotenberg
23 books207 followersAfter graduating from law school in Toronto, Robert Rotenberg became the managing editor of Passion, the English-speaking magazine of Paris. He then returned to Canada to publish and edit his own magazine, T.O. The Magazine of Toronto. In 1991, he opened his own law practice and is today one of Toronto’s top criminal lawyers, defending, as he likes to say “everything from murder to shoplifting.” Rotenberg lives in Toronto and has three children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
August 15, 2024
OLD CITY HALL bills itself as a legal thriller but ...
... I believe it would be more accurate to describe this as a low key legal procedural or a mystery. A celebrated Canadian radio host, Kevin Brace, confesses to killing his wife in their Toronto apartment. But, once he's done confessing he refuses to say another word - nothing to the investigating detectives and not even a word to his attorney, Nancy Parish.
As an eclectic Canadian reader and a lover of legal thrillers and mysteries, I confess I was looking forward to Robert Rotenberg's debut novel with considerable relish. But I'll have to admit that the quality of the mystery was spotty and I felt that the eventual courtroom drama just wasn't worth the reading.
However, if you're looking for a novel that will definitely give you a fine flavour of the culture, the geography and the feel of Canada's largest city, I have to give OLD CITY HALL two thumbs up on that count. If the truth be told, I have to admit that I only live about 50 kilometres down the highway from where most of Rotenberg's story took place, but I definitely felt transported. Every inch of the road, every street scene and every event in the story right down to the hopeless futility of being an eternally unfulfilled Toronto Maple Leaf hockey fan resonated with absolutely accuracy and completely conveyed me into the life of downtown Toronto.
Two stars for the story line, four stars for the setting and we'll call it an enjoyable three star read that is well worth the time of an out of country reader looking to sample Canada's largest city on the printed page.
Paul Weiss
... I believe it would be more accurate to describe this as a low key legal procedural or a mystery. A celebrated Canadian radio host, Kevin Brace, confesses to killing his wife in their Toronto apartment. But, once he's done confessing he refuses to say another word - nothing to the investigating detectives and not even a word to his attorney, Nancy Parish.
As an eclectic Canadian reader and a lover of legal thrillers and mysteries, I confess I was looking forward to Robert Rotenberg's debut novel with considerable relish. But I'll have to admit that the quality of the mystery was spotty and I felt that the eventual courtroom drama just wasn't worth the reading.
However, if you're looking for a novel that will definitely give you a fine flavour of the culture, the geography and the feel of Canada's largest city, I have to give OLD CITY HALL two thumbs up on that count. If the truth be told, I have to admit that I only live about 50 kilometres down the highway from where most of Rotenberg's story took place, but I definitely felt transported. Every inch of the road, every street scene and every event in the story right down to the hopeless futility of being an eternally unfulfilled Toronto Maple Leaf hockey fan resonated with absolutely accuracy and completely conveyed me into the life of downtown Toronto.
Two stars for the story line, four stars for the setting and we'll call it an enjoyable three star read that is well worth the time of an out of country reader looking to sample Canada's largest city on the printed page.
Paul Weiss
August 21, 2018
I'd give this 4+ stars, but I'm rounding up to 5 because it's a first in the series, and I didn't expect it to be so good.
I loved the twists and turns of the story, but perhaps even more, I loved the characters. Almost all of them were likable except the ones who were not supposed to be. Even the prosecutor was interested in justice rather than just winning his case. He had said that his role was not to win or lose a case, but to ensure that the integrity of the system is upheld. Of course, most people are too jaded to believe something like that, but it turns out that he really did believe this. Very much, it seems.
The client was a real mystery. The only words he spoke were basically "I killed her". So, of course, any astute reader would know he didn't do it - much too easy. But how does a struggling defense lawyer defend a client like that?
Speaking of which, I loved the defense lawyer, Nancy Parish, a divorced woman in her late 30s struggling to get by with a wry sense of humor which I found very entertaining. I'll look forward to future appearances for her.
Lots of other interesting people in this story. I liked it so much, I'm going to jump right in to the 2nd book of the series while they are still fresh in my mind.
I loved the twists and turns of the story, but perhaps even more, I loved the characters. Almost all of them were likable except the ones who were not supposed to be. Even the prosecutor was interested in justice rather than just winning his case. He had said that his role was not to win or lose a case, but to ensure that the integrity of the system is upheld. Of course, most people are too jaded to believe something like that, but it turns out that he really did believe this. Very much, it seems.
The client was a real mystery. The only words he spoke were basically "I killed her". So, of course, any astute reader would know he didn't do it - much too easy. But how does a struggling defense lawyer defend a client like that?
Speaking of which, I loved the defense lawyer, Nancy Parish, a divorced woman in her late 30s struggling to get by with a wry sense of humor which I found very entertaining. I'll look forward to future appearances for her.
Lots of other interesting people in this story. I liked it so much, I'm going to jump right in to the 2nd book of the series while they are still fresh in my mind.
June 22, 2018
Old City Hall is a legal mystery – calling it a thriller would be pushing it. Toronto radio talk show host Kevin Brace is accused of murdering his wife and to all involved it appears to be an open and shut case – which of course it isn’t.
There is an interesting – but at times overdeveloped – cast of characters, starting with the accused talk show host, who refuses to speak; his conscientious but at times confused defense attorney; the fastidious and proper prosecutor; the hard working homicide detective; and even the retired Indian engineer who “discovered” the crime. And the mystery itself has enough twists and turns to keep it engaging.
This reader had problems with the pacing of the story. We spend time inside each of the above characters’ heads – and that’s the short list – so much so, that it impedes the storyline. (The reader is privy to such musings as wardrobe selection, feelings about the opposite sex and driving techniques to name a few, and although some are poignant, even humorous, the sheer number of them becomes mind-numbing.) Because of this the storyline doesn’t begin to unfold until 150 pages into the book, which then makes the conclusion rushed as the reader catches up on clues and what actually “happened”.
An OK book. My guess is that this author may follow Michael Robotham’s lead and his next books will use the same cast of characters but switch the narrative perspective. I’ll look for the next one but I won’t be rushing out to buy it.
There is an interesting – but at times overdeveloped – cast of characters, starting with the accused talk show host, who refuses to speak; his conscientious but at times confused defense attorney; the fastidious and proper prosecutor; the hard working homicide detective; and even the retired Indian engineer who “discovered” the crime. And the mystery itself has enough twists and turns to keep it engaging.
This reader had problems with the pacing of the story. We spend time inside each of the above characters’ heads – and that’s the short list – so much so, that it impedes the storyline. (The reader is privy to such musings as wardrobe selection, feelings about the opposite sex and driving techniques to name a few, and although some are poignant, even humorous, the sheer number of them becomes mind-numbing.) Because of this the storyline doesn’t begin to unfold until 150 pages into the book, which then makes the conclusion rushed as the reader catches up on clues and what actually “happened”.
An OK book. My guess is that this author may follow Michael Robotham’s lead and his next books will use the same cast of characters but switch the narrative perspective. I’ll look for the next one but I won’t be rushing out to buy it.
July 28, 2011
Sensational debut novel with a great Canadian flavour. Rotenberg even knows his hockey!
June 24, 2021
I have read/heard many readers say that if they know by the 2nd chapter who the murderer is, it isn't a very good mystery. Sometimes there are other features of such a book that redeem it, but it wouldn't be a mystery. So what do I do when, on page 6 (!) I read "I killed her, Mr. Singh, I killed her." Repeat: this is on page 6 and there are only 360 or so pages to go. The only thing to assume is that he didn't do it. Or that he did and this will be just one of those books that will soon be forgotten. In either case, I kept reading.
Mysteries should have a great plot, of course. I am somewhat of a demanding reader and want better than pedestrian writing together with characters that I can believe have flesh on their bones. All three of those elements are here. This is a very good police procedural. Rotenberg alternates/rotates characters in each successive chapter. I admit that if this weren't a mystery I might want more in the way of characterization. Rotenberg does just enough with his two main characters - Ari Green and Daniel Kennicott - and the supporting caricatures were only a tad more than cardboard cutouts.
Not required, but much appreciated in this, is the setting. I've never visited Toronto and am unlikely to correct that deficiency. I liked what Rotenberg did to give the reader a sense of place. It isn't overpowering, but enough to give the reader a fourth element. And it's sort of silly why I liked the Toronto setting especially. A maternal great grandfather spent some years in and around Toronto on his way from Montreal to Windsor. Yeah, sure, that was nearly 150 years before this novel and the Toronto of then would be nothing like the Toronto of today. Even if it's all grown up now, there was still that feeling of connection.
This is a strong 4-stars. I have already added the next in the series to my already over-burdened wish list.
Mysteries should have a great plot, of course. I am somewhat of a demanding reader and want better than pedestrian writing together with characters that I can believe have flesh on their bones. All three of those elements are here. This is a very good police procedural. Rotenberg alternates/rotates characters in each successive chapter. I admit that if this weren't a mystery I might want more in the way of characterization. Rotenberg does just enough with his two main characters - Ari Green and Daniel Kennicott - and the supporting caricatures were only a tad more than cardboard cutouts.
Not required, but much appreciated in this, is the setting. I've never visited Toronto and am unlikely to correct that deficiency. I liked what Rotenberg did to give the reader a sense of place. It isn't overpowering, but enough to give the reader a fourth element. And it's sort of silly why I liked the Toronto setting especially. A maternal great grandfather spent some years in and around Toronto on his way from Montreal to Windsor. Yeah, sure, that was nearly 150 years before this novel and the Toronto of then would be nothing like the Toronto of today. Even if it's all grown up now, there was still that feeling of connection.
This is a strong 4-stars. I have already added the next in the series to my already over-burdened wish list.
July 8, 2018
I really loved this detective novel though I figured it out early, at least I figured something out, it kept my attention and frustrated me as every time I thought I'd budgeted time to finish it, I was wrong and had to give up again. Finally, this afternoon I shut myself in a bubble bath and succeeded, and even the Acknowledgements made me smile.
When Mr Gurdial Singh delivers the Globe and Mail, at 5:30 am, as he always does, the routine he’s enjoyed for years is broken. Mr Kevin doesn’t meet him at the door as usual with the routine chat, Mr Singh asks about Mr Kevin’s wife and Mr Kevin confirms that his wife is “more beautiful than ever”. This morning the front door is ajar and Mr Kevin not in sight, when he did come into the hallway he was a bit disheveled and whispered “I killed her, Mr Singh, I killed her”.
What’s a man to do? Mr Singh followed Mr Kevin in to his kitchen and brewed him a cup of tea, after confirming that Katherine Torn, Kevin’s common-law spouse, has been stabbed and lies dead in her bathtub, he calls the police. Not another word is spoken.
Mr Kevin Brace is a Canadian radio legend, and after being charged with the murder refuses to speak, even to his lawyer, Nancy Parish, except with written notes. He is also not willing to participate in his own defence.
Detective Daniel Kennicott is the first police officer on the scene, shortly joined by Detective Ari Green. Daniel had been a criminal lawyer but when his brother was murdered, he joined the police force. Detective Green was the detective of record on that case which remains unsolved.
Thoroughly engaging, the interplay between the lawyers, the Crown Attorney and the police. Everyone’s trying to find out what happened, what really happened but tough to do when there is so little evidence and no cooperation.
Detail of court procedures is fascinating along with the investigation of everyone who touched the defendant’s life. So complicated, so many possibilities, so many red herrings.
Simply put, an engaging story line with people you’d mostly be proud to call friend.
When Mr Gurdial Singh delivers the Globe and Mail, at 5:30 am, as he always does, the routine he’s enjoyed for years is broken. Mr Kevin doesn’t meet him at the door as usual with the routine chat, Mr Singh asks about Mr Kevin’s wife and Mr Kevin confirms that his wife is “more beautiful than ever”. This morning the front door is ajar and Mr Kevin not in sight, when he did come into the hallway he was a bit disheveled and whispered “I killed her, Mr Singh, I killed her”.
What’s a man to do? Mr Singh followed Mr Kevin in to his kitchen and brewed him a cup of tea, after confirming that Katherine Torn, Kevin’s common-law spouse, has been stabbed and lies dead in her bathtub, he calls the police. Not another word is spoken.
Mr Kevin Brace is a Canadian radio legend, and after being charged with the murder refuses to speak, even to his lawyer, Nancy Parish, except with written notes. He is also not willing to participate in his own defence.
Detective Daniel Kennicott is the first police officer on the scene, shortly joined by Detective Ari Green. Daniel had been a criminal lawyer but when his brother was murdered, he joined the police force. Detective Green was the detective of record on that case which remains unsolved.
Thoroughly engaging, the interplay between the lawyers, the Crown Attorney and the police. Everyone’s trying to find out what happened, what really happened but tough to do when there is so little evidence and no cooperation.
Detail of court procedures is fascinating along with the investigation of everyone who touched the defendant’s life. So complicated, so many possibilities, so many red herrings.
Simply put, an engaging story line with people you’d mostly be proud to call friend.
April 16, 2009
"Old City Hall" is breathtakingly good. It's a crisply paced murder-mystery with a satisfying plot and sufficient twists to keep it addictive and infectious to the very end. The novel boasts an intriguing and consistently sympathetic cast of characters, the most colourful and endearing of which is the city of Toronto itself. Rotenberg rounds out the story with historical and cultural background on the city, and behind-the-scenes legal, law enforcement and incarceration insights that add interest and dimension to the overall story without unduly slowing down the plot momentum. Rotenberg handles a complex narrative with a confidence and deftness that belies the fact that this is his first novel.
January 8, 2009
Nice mystery set in Toronto in a good way that captures parts of the city in an amazing fashion...the identity of the suspected killer is a neat twist. Has all the earmarks of a potential series.
September 2, 2010
I really liked this mystery. Set in Toronto, third- person narrator, jumping from a variety of characters in the story, starting with a minor character, Mr. Singh, a 74-yer-old Indian who now delivers papers. He is delivering papers in an upscale condo apartment building, when the owner of one of the two top=floor apts. tells him he has killed his wife.
The story then introduces Dectective Ari Greene, a Jewish man (somewhat mysterious to his team) who takes care of his father, a survivor of the Halocaust. We find that the perp, Kevin Brace stops talking after he speaks those fatal words to Mr. Singh.
The second man on the team, Daniel Kennicott, became a police officer after his brother was killed and the killer was not caught. Before that he was a lawyer. (Perhaps the second book in the series will be about this murder. Kennicott leaves this story to go to Gubbio, Italy to follow a lead in that story.
the third person introduced is Albert Fernandez, the Crown prosecutor, who thinks he's got a slam-dunk as no one else is in the apartment with the dead woman but her husband, who is a nationally-syndicated talk-show host.
The Fourth person we meet is the defense attorney, Nancy Parish, who lives alone, and works with one partner in a small firm. T
The story moves back and forth between each of these characters as they unravel the plot, which involves Kevin Brace's first wife and his autistic son (grown). It's a great story, with good people winning and bad people being punished. Not a great deal of violence, which makes the murder stand out --- as it should.
I look forward to the next in the series.
The story then introduces Dectective Ari Greene, a Jewish man (somewhat mysterious to his team) who takes care of his father, a survivor of the Halocaust. We find that the perp, Kevin Brace stops talking after he speaks those fatal words to Mr. Singh.
The second man on the team, Daniel Kennicott, became a police officer after his brother was killed and the killer was not caught. Before that he was a lawyer. (Perhaps the second book in the series will be about this murder. Kennicott leaves this story to go to Gubbio, Italy to follow a lead in that story.
the third person introduced is Albert Fernandez, the Crown prosecutor, who thinks he's got a slam-dunk as no one else is in the apartment with the dead woman but her husband, who is a nationally-syndicated talk-show host.
The Fourth person we meet is the defense attorney, Nancy Parish, who lives alone, and works with one partner in a small firm. T
The story moves back and forth between each of these characters as they unravel the plot, which involves Kevin Brace's first wife and his autistic son (grown). It's a great story, with good people winning and bad people being punished. Not a great deal of violence, which makes the murder stand out --- as it should.
I look forward to the next in the series.
July 8, 2018
An enjoyable murder/legal thriller. I really liked the caste of characters and the details that made you feel you actually know them as people. Rotenburg has an excellent writing style. I like way he uses short sentences. BUT please help me ? On the back of the book the reviewer mentions
"along with a secret no one could have suspected. There were many secrets. So PLEASE HELP ME - what specific secret is the reviewer referring too?
"along with a secret no one could have suspected. There were many secrets. So PLEASE HELP ME - what specific secret is the reviewer referring too?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2011
A wonderfully well-written novel that transcends its genre.
the best thing I can say about this excellent book is that, as I neared the end, I read more and more slowly because I didn't want it to end.
Rotenberg's greatest strengths are the quality of his prose and his characterizations. The complicated humanity of his protagonists is vividly realized throughout the novel.
As a police procedural Old City Hall might be criticised for getting off to a bit of a slow start (the early chapters do drag a little) and for an ending that doesn't quite wrap up the plot perfectly, but its other qualities more than make up for these minor lapses.
Not sure what Rotenberg is up to in terms of a follow-up, but I'll be looking forward to it, whatever it is.
the best thing I can say about this excellent book is that, as I neared the end, I read more and more slowly because I didn't want it to end.
Rotenberg's greatest strengths are the quality of his prose and his characterizations. The complicated humanity of his protagonists is vividly realized throughout the novel.
As a police procedural Old City Hall might be criticised for getting off to a bit of a slow start (the early chapters do drag a little) and for an ending that doesn't quite wrap up the plot perfectly, but its other qualities more than make up for these minor lapses.
Not sure what Rotenberg is up to in terms of a follow-up, but I'll be looking forward to it, whatever it is.
July 12, 2009
I live in the Toronto area so reading this book was fun in the sense that I recognized all of the landscapes described in the story. A murder mystery involving a radio personality who is charged with the murder of his live-in wife found dead in the family condo. Well written by this Toronto area lawyer and his first book to boot. Lots of good twists to this mystery just when you think you have it figured out. Kept me turning the pages and looking forward to his next mystery.
July 28, 2011
This is a legal thriller that focuses on its setting, Toronto, with loving attention. The author clearly has a love for his home city. The story is told from multiple perspectives: from the Crown Attorney, to the policemen investigating, to the newspaper delivery person. Interestingly, the story is never told from the perspective of the victim or suspects, so we get a wholly police/legal view of the case.
I will be sure to pick up his next book, Guilty Plea.
I will be sure to pick up his next book, Guilty Plea.
April 24, 2009
Extremely well written. One of the best written that I've read recently. Good story with a decent plot.
I learned about the city of Toronto and the Canadian justice and criminal sustems.
I look forward for other books by the author.
I learned about the city of Toronto and the Canadian justice and criminal sustems.
I look forward for other books by the author.
June 30, 2009
Very well written first novel. The author spins out bits and pieces of information, a little at a time. The setting is Toronto, and the characters reflect the influx of people from many parts of the world. The author knows hockey, too.
April 4, 2009
Well-written legal thriller set in Toronto. This is a first novel, so hopefully we can look forward to more from this author, a criminal lawyer who lives in Toronto and knows whereof he writes.
September 30, 2009
I like to read books set in Toronto and this one really brings the city alive. It's an entertaining courtroom drama/mystery with believable characters, a good read.
July 19, 2011
This was a fun read, with good characters and Toronto made to be an interesting setting.
May 5, 2013
First of all I would like to thank Simon & Schuster Canada and Mr. Rotenberg for sending me this copy to review!
I began reading Mr. Rotenberg's Stray Bullets which was won as a Goodread's First-reads and it captured my attention much like Old City Hall. Once again Mr. Rotenberg captures the spirit of Toronto as well as the Canadian justice system in this suspenseful thriller novel. One thing that I love is Rotenberg's devotion to representing the population of Toronto and Canada as it is a multicultural cooking pot. The diversity and backgrounds of characters range to every extreme which makes them just that much more believable. The story was a good one with quite a few "Ah-ha!" or "I didn't see that one coming." type moments though most of these were left to the end as is expected. The story didn't quite flow the same as his latest novel but perhaps this is purely just writing experience coming into play. I found that the way many chapters ended were incomplete, obviously they were meant to be cliffhangers but the execution was poor. It always seemed that as one of the characters whether it be Crown, detectives, defense lawyers or whomever else, everyone seem to be coming to these grand conclusions then running out of the scene with little to no explanation to the reader what exactly the conclusion was then leaving you guessing for many chapters. There wasn't overly much of "street level" criminal type dialogue or action in this novel which I really enjoyed in his other works, more court and lawyer drama this time around. This seems novel seems just a bit more "John Grisham-ey" but still very entertaining. If you haven't read Rotenberg yet I'd HIGHLY suggest you give him a shot, especially if you are Canadian! **SPOILER** If I haven't sold you yet on him, THE LEAFS WIN THE CUP! Nice touch but sadly I am reminded this is fiction.
If you liked this review be sure to keep an eye out for my new family run blog (which this will be posted on soon) You can find us at our new web address http://www.lazyday.ca
Thanks once again to Simon & Shuster as well as Mr. Rotenberg! I have The Guilty Plea (#2) on my desk and ready to go.
I began reading Mr. Rotenberg's Stray Bullets which was won as a Goodread's First-reads and it captured my attention much like Old City Hall. Once again Mr. Rotenberg captures the spirit of Toronto as well as the Canadian justice system in this suspenseful thriller novel. One thing that I love is Rotenberg's devotion to representing the population of Toronto and Canada as it is a multicultural cooking pot. The diversity and backgrounds of characters range to every extreme which makes them just that much more believable. The story was a good one with quite a few "Ah-ha!" or "I didn't see that one coming." type moments though most of these were left to the end as is expected. The story didn't quite flow the same as his latest novel but perhaps this is purely just writing experience coming into play. I found that the way many chapters ended were incomplete, obviously they were meant to be cliffhangers but the execution was poor. It always seemed that as one of the characters whether it be Crown, detectives, defense lawyers or whomever else, everyone seem to be coming to these grand conclusions then running out of the scene with little to no explanation to the reader what exactly the conclusion was then leaving you guessing for many chapters. There wasn't overly much of "street level" criminal type dialogue or action in this novel which I really enjoyed in his other works, more court and lawyer drama this time around. This seems novel seems just a bit more "John Grisham-ey" but still very entertaining. If you haven't read Rotenberg yet I'd HIGHLY suggest you give him a shot, especially if you are Canadian! **SPOILER** If I haven't sold you yet on him, THE LEAFS WIN THE CUP! Nice touch but sadly I am reminded this is fiction.
If you liked this review be sure to keep an eye out for my new family run blog (which this will be posted on soon) You can find us at our new web address http://www.lazyday.ca
Thanks once again to Simon & Shuster as well as Mr. Rotenberg! I have The Guilty Plea (#2) on my desk and ready to go.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2012
This book was recommended by the 2012 Book Lover's Page-A-Day Calendar. Entry was for June 30/July 1, 2012.
I gotta say that the inclusion of this novel on the Book Lover's Page-A-Day Calendar now makes recommendations by the calendar slightly suspect. I didn't hate this novel-- I did, after all, finish it-- but it didn't "wow" me in any way, shape, or form. It's your typical cookie-cutter quick pick off an airport gift shop book rack type mystery, and it isn't even a tremendously well-done one at that.
A few things I found annoying:
1) The crime isn't that interesting.
2) Rotenberg has an irritating habit of ending each chapter with a hackneyed cliffhanger (example: "Bob opened the door and could not believe what he saw) only to make you say "Really? That's what I waited two chapters for?" once the cliffhanger is revealed.
3) Rotenberg finds his own characters soooooooooo interesting (this is even mentioned in the book jacket blurb), but has so many of them that he can't really take the time to flesh any of them out enough to make me care about them. And I didn't care. About any of them.
I'll say this for Old City Hall. It was a quick read.
I gotta say that the inclusion of this novel on the Book Lover's Page-A-Day Calendar now makes recommendations by the calendar slightly suspect. I didn't hate this novel-- I did, after all, finish it-- but it didn't "wow" me in any way, shape, or form. It's your typical cookie-cutter quick pick off an airport gift shop book rack type mystery, and it isn't even a tremendously well-done one at that.
A few things I found annoying:
1) The crime isn't that interesting.
2) Rotenberg has an irritating habit of ending each chapter with a hackneyed cliffhanger (example: "Bob opened the door and could not believe what he saw) only to make you say "Really? That's what I waited two chapters for?" once the cliffhanger is revealed.
3) Rotenberg finds his own characters soooooooooo interesting (this is even mentioned in the book jacket blurb), but has so many of them that he can't really take the time to flesh any of them out enough to make me care about them. And I didn't care. About any of them.
I'll say this for Old City Hall. It was a quick read.
March 24, 2013
I received a copy of this novel thanks to the GoodReads First Reads program. Old City Hall is an intriguing murder mystery with a few unexpected twists and turns that unfolds at a realistic pace. I enjoyed getting to know more about these characters, who they are and how they react in certain situations and how they handle the mystery before them. Perhaps my favourite part of the novel is how the author brings the city of Toronto to life--from the districts and structures to the multiculturalism to the hockey culture. I highly recommend this novel to fans of crime and mystery novels!
My complete review of the novel was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2...
My complete review of the novel was originally posted at caffeinatedlife.net: http://www.caffeinatedlife.net/blog/2...
June 3, 2009
Set in Tornonto, the book unfolds with an intersting cast of characters in what should be an open and shut case. The killer confessed but as the legal procedures take place many inconsistencies are revealed. Good writing but too much about the Toronto Maple Leafs! The ending was unsatisfying as it just became too convoluted. I would try this author again.
September 15, 2010
As a native Torontonian, I wanted to like this book, but alas... The sub-sub-plot about the city's hockey team is pointless, as indeed is the title which has nothing to do with the story other than to advertise the book's Toronto-ness. The ending is not fulfilling and Rotenberg lets the protagonists figure out stuff which the reader cannot for lack of information. Very disappointing!
April 8, 2016
Old City Hall had some really nice twists and I was often surprised. Read the full review.
August 27, 2021
A crime thriller that gives you lots of local charm and flavor of Toronto. The unusual concept of a murder defendant who never speaks has a number of other plot lines beside it, all leading to a slightly confusing, for me, jailhouse snitch, and multiple other suspects that seem to muddy the waters. But it was a good page-turner and so I’d recommend it. Maybe you are better at unraveling the threads of tangled characters than I am!
January 10, 2025
A ver, cerrado cerrado, lo que se dice cerrado...
Ahora, bien hilado sí que está, es innegable. Todo está ahí, lo que pasa es que a veces son detalles tan nimios que no puede ser que el peso de la investigación se centre en esos detalles.
Además, la cantidad de datos que da sobre calles, avenidas, idas y vueltas en coche, tráfico... lastran un poco la dinámica de la historia, que podría ser más ágil si no pareciera a ratos google maps.
Ahora, bien hilado sí que está, es innegable. Todo está ahí, lo que pasa es que a veces son detalles tan nimios que no puede ser que el peso de la investigación se centre en esos detalles.
Además, la cantidad de datos que da sobre calles, avenidas, idas y vueltas en coche, tráfico... lastran un poco la dinámica de la historia, que podría ser más ágil si no pareciera a ratos google maps.
November 15, 2023
Absolutely amazing book! Much better than anticipated, and I loved the characters. I am not a big fan of lawyer/police novels, but I can assure you, I will be reading this complete series. I loved the details about Toronto, it was the first Ontario-based book I've read that really felt that the author actually knew the city. Recommend to anyone who likes mysteries, plot twists, relatable characters, and a great storyline.
August 15, 2020
It’s the kind of books that keep you wondering and asking “What the hell happened?” 😂 I really enjoy it so much.
May 15, 2009
Despite a rather shaky start in the legal profession, Robert Rotenberg's background in criminal law explains the perspective of his first novel OLD CITY HALL, most of the the book is being told from either the defence or the prosecution viewpoints.
OLD CITY HALL starts off in a decidedly disarming manner, with polite, proper and very Indian Mr Singh going about his daily job of distributing newspapers which always involves a chat with Mr Kevin in Suite 12A. On this particular morning the door is open as usual, but there is no sign of Kevin Brace. When he eventually appears in the hallway of his apartment, Mr Singh is the only person to hear him confess to killing his wife. Kevin Brace refuses to speak again. He doesn't speak to the police who investigate the crime, to his cellmate as he awaits trial, or even to his own defence counsel.
The case of Kevin Brace is the reason a number of characters all come together, although Brace himself is almost a bit player in the entire book. Partly this is because of the use of the Counsel viewpoints, partly because of Brace's decision not to speak. I have to admit I found other characters failure to deduce the reasons behind his speechlessness somewhat inexplicable at the end of the book, although this aspect is really difficult to talk about in a review without giving the game away - suffice to say, there were aspects that made clanging noises for quite a while after I finished reading.
Whilst there is a crime at the centre of the book, it does take a slightly lower profile in this book. An odd thing to conclude as ultimately the story is about the trial of that crime. Possibly this is because this isn't the sort of book where a crime is committed and a guilty party must be identified, rather this is book concentrates on "post arrest". Whilst there is definitely still some investigating going on, mostly it's not about the who, but more concentrating on the why of the crime, it's also the story of the trial and the characters involved in that trial. The crime itself is over and the investigation has a slightly different focus, and therefore intensity, once preparations for, and the trial itself, commences. Having said that, the trial even takes a slightly lower profile as well. Perhaps it's partly this difference that made OLD CITY HALL compelling, possibly it's partly because the lawyer characterisations are really very strong. The book slowly builds the story of the two counsel, aspects of their private lives and their involvement in the trial, at the same time as the facts behind the case are revealed. The lives of the perpetrator and victim are gradually drawn out, the motivation behind the death of Kevin Brace's wife is explained, and Mr Singh goes back to delivering his papers.
OLD CITY HALL starts off in a decidedly disarming manner, with polite, proper and very Indian Mr Singh going about his daily job of distributing newspapers which always involves a chat with Mr Kevin in Suite 12A. On this particular morning the door is open as usual, but there is no sign of Kevin Brace. When he eventually appears in the hallway of his apartment, Mr Singh is the only person to hear him confess to killing his wife. Kevin Brace refuses to speak again. He doesn't speak to the police who investigate the crime, to his cellmate as he awaits trial, or even to his own defence counsel.
The case of Kevin Brace is the reason a number of characters all come together, although Brace himself is almost a bit player in the entire book. Partly this is because of the use of the Counsel viewpoints, partly because of Brace's decision not to speak. I have to admit I found other characters failure to deduce the reasons behind his speechlessness somewhat inexplicable at the end of the book, although this aspect is really difficult to talk about in a review without giving the game away - suffice to say, there were aspects that made clanging noises for quite a while after I finished reading.
Whilst there is a crime at the centre of the book, it does take a slightly lower profile in this book. An odd thing to conclude as ultimately the story is about the trial of that crime. Possibly this is because this isn't the sort of book where a crime is committed and a guilty party must be identified, rather this is book concentrates on "post arrest". Whilst there is definitely still some investigating going on, mostly it's not about the who, but more concentrating on the why of the crime, it's also the story of the trial and the characters involved in that trial. The crime itself is over and the investigation has a slightly different focus, and therefore intensity, once preparations for, and the trial itself, commences. Having said that, the trial even takes a slightly lower profile as well. Perhaps it's partly this difference that made OLD CITY HALL compelling, possibly it's partly because the lawyer characterisations are really very strong. The book slowly builds the story of the two counsel, aspects of their private lives and their involvement in the trial, at the same time as the facts behind the case are revealed. The lives of the perpetrator and victim are gradually drawn out, the motivation behind the death of Kevin Brace's wife is explained, and Mr Singh goes back to delivering his papers.
Read
January 1, 2010Old City Hall, by Robert Rotenberg, A. narrated by Paul Hecht, Produced by Recorded Books, downloaded from audible.com.
Rotenberg himself is a defense lawyer, and you can tell he knows his way around a courtroom. Here we have a man who is famous on the radio, known as Mr. Canada, everyone listens to his shows. When the man who delivers his newspaper is met by the man at his door with the sentence: “I killed her, I killed my wife,” it would seem to be a slam-dunk case. The defense lawyer and the assistant prosecutor are in the same position of this being their first murder case. The defense attorney is a woman in a still primarily male world of criminal defense, and the assistant prosecutor is a second generation immigrant from Chili. But the prosecuting attorney has a huge problem-an ambitious greedy prosecutor who is willing to win at all costs, even to getting access to information he’s not supposed to have. The judge is the hardest judge on the court who tries to pressure everyone into settling. There is lots of information out there that doesn’t jive with the radio man having committed the murder, but he won’t talk at all, even to his attorney, and says he will plead guilty. This is an extremely good book where everyone is put in a trapped no-win situation and where something has to give. I like this author. I will read more of his books.
Rotenberg himself is a defense lawyer, and you can tell he knows his way around a courtroom. Here we have a man who is famous on the radio, known as Mr. Canada, everyone listens to his shows. When the man who delivers his newspaper is met by the man at his door with the sentence: “I killed her, I killed my wife,” it would seem to be a slam-dunk case. The defense lawyer and the assistant prosecutor are in the same position of this being their first murder case. The defense attorney is a woman in a still primarily male world of criminal defense, and the assistant prosecutor is a second generation immigrant from Chili. But the prosecuting attorney has a huge problem-an ambitious greedy prosecutor who is willing to win at all costs, even to getting access to information he’s not supposed to have. The judge is the hardest judge on the court who tries to pressure everyone into settling. There is lots of information out there that doesn’t jive with the radio man having committed the murder, but he won’t talk at all, even to his attorney, and says he will plead guilty. This is an extremely good book where everyone is put in a trapped no-win situation and where something has to give. I like this author. I will read more of his books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews