Eyes of a Child

Christopher Paget #3

by Richard North Patterson

Ricardo Arias is found dead, the gun still wedged in his mouth. It looks like suicide, but the physical evidence strongly suggests murder. The police investigation uncovers an estranged wife, Terri Peralta; an ugly custody battle over their six-year-old daughter, Elena; heated charges of child abuse; and a murder suspect: San Francisco defense attorney Christopher Paget.

Paget has motive--it's his son accused of abusing Elena, his political plans for the future put at risk by the dead man's accusations, and his alibi that is dangerously threadbare.

And the shocking revelations that threaten to explode in the courtroom may remain hidden forever...by Chris Paget's refusal to testify on his own behalf...by Elena's tangled loyalties...and by dark secrets that some desperately wish to keep silent....

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Legal Thriller, Crime, Legal, Suspense

576 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 15, 1995

About the author

Richard North Patterson is the author of fourteen previous bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, Patterson served as the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups dealing with gun violence, political reform, and women’s rights. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha’s Vineyard.
Macmillan.com Author Profile

Awards
Edgar Award, 1980, Best First Novel for The Lasko Tangent

Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, International Award, 1995 for Degree of Guilt

http://us.macmillan.com/author/richar...

Reviews

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still trying to figure what the title of the novel, ‘Eyes of a Child’ had to do with how the story plays out, written by Richard North Patterson. The character Elena, the child, witnesses and experiences horrible things, but her age - 6 years old - has most of the adults making pretzels out of themselves to contain her experiences and shape her life into normalcy. She primarily is either given a chapter or two showing us bad dreams about a dog, or she is living a normal life while the adults wonder why she is a bit sad. Until all is revealed at the end the reader can only suspect what happened to her, but while she is definitely important to everyone's motivation, Elena's eyes are never part of the plot. I think 'Love is Blinding', maybe or 'Love Hurts' would be more appropriate. The adults were also children with momentous childhoods, but only Teresa (Terri) Peralta's eyes as a child saw things which marked her psychologically. This affected her choices as an adult, but not irreparably or destructively. Terri ended up being a lawyer and a good mother. Her only problem is her choice of husband, which she decides to fix by getting a divorce.

Everything goes horribly wrong when Richie, the husband, is murdered.

Besides the inappropriate title, the book is lifeless for the first 100 pages, killed by too much endless conversation between Richie and Terri. The reader is beaten over the head with Richie's character flaws and selfishness. While it is obvious he is an asshole, he is a remarkably normal ex-husband-to-be kind of asshole towards Terri. He uses Elena for blackmail and vengeance in the usual thousand-cuts manner of a spouse on his way out the door of his marriage, but unfortunately for the reader, it is described too much in too many pages. There is also way too much repetitious spelled-out agonizing by the lovers Terri and lawyer Christopher Paget while they are trying to BE lovers during Terri's separation from Richie. I found myself doubting a love could really develop between a couple so full of resentful emotions and fears.

Once past the first 100 or so pages though, and laying aside the question about how Chris and Terri fell deeply in love despite the severe pressures successfully created by Richie, the novel revs up into a decent legal thriller as advertised. There are twists and turns, with true noir surprises leading to everybody doubting each other. Eventually, everyone is suspecting each other of Richie's murder, yet in court plausible lies must be served up to a skeptical judge and jury. Meanwhile, Elena appears to have been sexually abused, but by who? The evidence seems to point at Carlo, Chris's son. This new suspicion fractures all relationships almost beyond endurance.

I found the trial to be an interesting dissection of what happens when smart and self-serving individuals collide with genuine trouble, especially when everyone is playing for high stakes and protecting peripheral secrets. How most of the characters chose to 'shape the narrative' fascinated me. However, while the psychology behind the action makes this a book worthy of reading as it rings true to life (except for Chris and Terri falling in love in the first place) as does much of the divorce maneuvering, the incredibly awful first 100 pages setting up the thrills and chills really maims the book for me. It was like listening to girl teenagers on a bus talking about what to wear to a birthday party for an hour, agonizing and analyzing. It really needed cutting down, in my opinion.

[Kristy Trauzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was neat. I have read the true crime novels and you didn't get a lot of background info on the individual person. It was point by point the details of how the crime went down. And the cases. And no back ground info. This book gave you a good back ground story on their characters. You got to feel for them. You got to figure out their history and their lives and everything good. THEN you heard about the trial. Of course, it's not real so things that happened wouldn't be allowed in real court. But, it was almost exactly what I was looking for when I started reading the true crime novels. And the ending wasn't a total let down. Maybe I should stop being so picky. It was a long book and sometimes I kinda felt a drag. . . But I was easily able to overcome that and was able to finish it. So, I would recommend this book to people who like mysteries.

[Linda Gosslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third in a series featuring Christopher Paget, this is an excellent read. Christopher's associate, Teri Peralta, leaves her manipulative and abusive husband. Child custody issues arise and suspicions of child molestation begin to infuse the story. As Teri and Christopher begin a relationship, complications seem to destroy their chances of creating a stable family for their children. Christopher's fifteen year old son Carlos becomes a central figure in the accusations and suspicions. Richie, Teri's estranged husband, is murdered and Christopher is arrested and tried for the crime. The book is fairly clued, which means there's no excuse for not realizing the real perpetrator of the crimes - for there is more than one. A very entertaining and engrossing book.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an excellent and well-written book. It WAS NOT a great mystery. Believe me, even Forrest Gump could have followed the trail the author left here.. HOWEVER...

Patterson explores a terrifying custody battle between a woman and her narcisstic/sociopathic husband. His charming personality appears to be convincing everyone (mental health professionals, court liasons, etc) he is nothing but a doting, loving, concerned father. Meanwhile, he is torturing his wife with his accusations, etc. At least, until he apparently commits suicide. Soon, her boyfriend, Christopher Paget, a character Patterson has used before, is charged with murdering her ex husband and a legal battle begins..

While I was able to put the pieces of the mystery together and figure it all out quite easily, I don't really think that's the purpose of this novel. Patterson writes a quality story about how accusations can destroy people and relationships and tells a realistic story about the emotional impact, even while dealing with a murder mystery and a legal thriller.

I have read several by Patterson and will probably continue to do so. He is a good writer and explores issues that are deeper than the mystery. Usually, his red herrings and misdirections are artfully done, this time I think he wanted the reader to put it together.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was too long - for me at least, considering I figured out the whole "who dunnit" part just about half-way through. So then I had to muddle my way through all the hint dropping the rest of the way. I lost interest but made it through. Because of this disinterest, I had lots of time to notice things like the author's love for the word "elliptical."

This is a crime/court thriller set in San Francisco focused on an ugly custody battle that ends in a suicide. Of course, no one really believes it was a suicide, so a murder investigation and trial ensues. Mixed in with all of this there is political corruption, extortion, child abuse, sociopaths, spousal abuse, family secrets, high profile lawyers, jaunts to Italy and revenge.

Frankly, I thought the entire story was ridiculous. Especially the pretty bow around the predictible ending. The perfectly choreographed courtroom cross examinations came in a close second.

The parts I enjoyed the most were those featuring the evil Richie and how he was always one step ahead in his plotting. His character was written in a way that made me hate him as if he were real - so I would consider that effective writing. Unfortunately, all the rest annoyed me more than anything else.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one kept me guessing, right up to the end, about whodunit.
Full of twists and turning amid mounting tension, just the way I like a thriller to be.

[Carol K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent novel dealing with spousal abuse, child abuse, murder, loyalties, the dark side of politics, buried secrets. The courtroom scenes were excellent. I had read this almost 30 years ago, reread it looking for an answer to a question, didn’t find it, but thoroughly enjoyed it all over again.

[Lisa Reitmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed

[Bertha Ivins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t see where this one was going, I like that in a book.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is about a woman (Terri) who leaves a terrible relationship and falls immediately into a new one with her boss (Chris). Her garbage ex (Richie) pursues full custody of their daughter (Elena) using every dirty tactic he can think of. And then he ends up dead, with the likely suspects being Terri and Chris. The whole idea is a perfect setup for a great story.

I gave this book a right-in-the-middle three stars because there were parts I really enjoyed and parts that annoyed me.

First THE ANNOYING. I did not buy into Terri and Chris's relationship. This may be because I have not read the previous two books, but it all felt too abrupt. There was a lot of talking about how much they loved each other but I didn't really believe or feel it, or even care about them. Chris and his attorney had much more chemistry.

Next, I didn't find Terri especially likable. I didn't understand why she had to start/pursue this relationship *immediately*. And she continued knowing it was causing issues with the custody case. No, she shouldn't have to wait to start her new life, but the situation was what it was, and it felt like she was putting immediate gratification above her child. Also, it often seemed like Patterson was trying extra hard to give her a personality. There was a weird tennis scene that just had me rolling my eyes afterwards and wondering what the point was. I didn't hate her; I just didn't like her that much.

Also, there was a trip to Italy that I didn't care for. The point of the trip to Italy was to establish an alibi (and again, to try to delve into who Terri was and to further their relationship), but it felt pointless and endless. I'd say that 75% of it was totally unnecessary.

A last minor nitpick is that the narrator always called Chris by his last name--Paget (though the other characters did not), which was a bit distracting. There was probably a point to it, but I didn't get it.

WHAT I DID LIKE: Everything and everyone in the courtroom and surrounding the trial. The courtroom mechanics were quite fascinating. Chris, Caroline, the judge, the jurors, and even the prosecuting attorney were all fleshed out, likable, and intriguing. This is what saved the book for me.

I was kept guessing about the murder (if not about what was going on with Elena, which I guessed pretty early on). I'm usually pretty good at guessing who did it, but I was unsure of the murder all the way until the reveal this time. I like that a lot.

While Richie was a total scumbag, his villainy was quite enjoyable in a "love to hate him" kind of way. The psychological insight regarding both him and Elena was also quite interesting.

So, I liked this book more than I was annoyed by it. I'd definitely read others by Patterson, including in this series. Even though it was long, I got through it fairly quickly and did always look forward to picking it back up. So, I would say, go ahead and check this one out if you like courtroom drama. I might suggest reading the other Chris Paget books first (just perhaps to further establish the Terri/Chris connection), but it's not necessary.

[Timothy M. Gorman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very first page, a minor character from book two gets murdered. By page 50 I would have pulled the trigger myself! Patterson lays the groundwork for a riveting tale, then pulls you through peaks and valleys of emotion. So many unexpected plot twists that the expected twists surprise you when they show up!

[Hippiemom · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the storyline was fairly interesting, I found the writing to be drawn out and tedious at best. I finished the book but only read two thirds of the narrative. After the first few chapters, I found the book less tedious when I skipped over needless passages that added nothing but boredom to this novel.

[Svetlana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
It was way too drawn-out and way too mushy for my liking. Imho, it the book were a good quarter shorter, it would only benefit from it.
Also, I found Terri's and Chris Paget's love story a bit annoying. The court scenes were awesome though.

[Deb Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author puts Grisham to shame... so many twists and turns. Great story teller & this is one fantastic book.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the slight disappointment of Mr. Patterson’s “Dark Lady” (see my review), I picked up this book in the hopes of getting a better view of Mr. Patterson’s reputation as a mystery writer. Weeeeelllll, there’s a mystery, and a courtroom drama, but it was, to my mind, little different from an episode of “Law and Order.” (well, let’s be honest here, this book was published in 1994, before “Law and Order” even premiered, so perhaps that comparison is unfair, but after being imbued with the program for these many years, my bias shows).
The book opens, much like a “Columbo” episode, with the commission of a crime, a “forced suicide” of a fellow named Richie Arias, but without the identity of the perp. Richie and his estranged wife Teresa (Terri) Peralta are currently in a bitter custody dispute over their five year old daughter Elena. Terri and her law partner/lover Chris are both eventual suspects in this crime, especially after Richie’s particularly nasty allegations against Chris’s teenage son, as well as having been both physically and psychologically abusive towards Terri. (and unfortunately, this situation is a lot more common than you might think, as witness my time as a psychologist in the Family Court system). The subsequent investigations and courtroom drama take up most of the book, which moves along at an OK pace, but again there were fewer surprises than there would have been had I read this when it came out. So four stars. Still may look for another of Mr. Patterson’s books, what the H***, tryin’ to be fair to the fellow.

[Carola Schroder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like North Patterson’s books: they are not only good court room dramas, but he always picks a specific topic and explores it in depth. In this case it is child abuse, how it comes about, what are the effects on the child, and how to deal with it. Draped around it is the story of a man, (falsely?) accused of murder, and with secrets of his own.

Most of the book is well paced and well written. However, I recommend not to read it right after Degree of Guilt (though this is the sequel), since there are a lot of repetition (and explanations) at the beginning of this book. The court room part, once started, is, as usual, very interesting. Alas, I found that for supposedly intelligent people, the defense insisted too much on the obviously faked suicide version. On the other hand, they never picked up on the fact that a person with Paget’s background would have found better ways to stage a suicide, or to hide a murder (eg, by staging a robbery). But then, the book would have ended so much sooner…

One more thing that I found slightly annoying: the author has a way starting a scene and immediately going into a lengthy flashback. It is a good move when sticking to a time line, but when it is used all the time it interrupts the flow of reading, and by becoming noticeable it starts to irritate.

[Andrew Langert · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I've read a book by Richard North Patterson, a favorite author of mine decades ago. Eyes of a Child was published in 1995 and it is a gem!
This is a mystery and a courtroom drama. It is about the suicide or murder of a man who was recently separated from his wife of six years. The estranged couple was in a bitter custody battle. The wife became quickly romantically involved with a high-profile lawyer (Chris Paget) with whom she had already been working with. The ex-husband is found dead with a gun at his side and a suicide note nearby. Chris Paget is suspected and goes on trial. Was it a suicide? If not, is Paget guilty? Was it something else, like a drug deal gone bad?
This is a lengthy book, but not full of fluff. Very few characters, but the reader gets strong impressions of all of them. A very interesting plot. i was on the edge of my seat after the first 100 pages set everything up.

[Shalini M]

Review from March 2012

This was the third book in the Readers' Digest Condensed book volume, and I found it an ingenious legal thriller and a murder mystery.

The sequence of events are mainly witnessed from the perspective of Teresa Peralta (Terri), a legal assistant to a defense attorney Christopher Paget (Chris), who aspires to be a senator. Terri is fighting a bitter divorce and custody case with her husband Ricardo Arias, and in the meantime develops a romantic relationship with her boss, Chris. Terri and Chris are on a vacation in Italy when they learn that Ricardo has been murdered, possibly on the night before their departure. Chris has an obvious motive - Ricardo had accused his teenage son, Carlo, of assaulting his daughter. As Chris fights to prove his and Ricardo's innocence, evidence against him keeps getting worse. And the truth, when it finally comes out, is heart-breaking and revolting.

[NCHS Library]

From Follett: A man has been found dead, a gun still wedged in his mouth. It looks like Ricardo Arias killed himself...but the physical evidence tells a different story. The police investigation turns up all sorts of troubling data a bitter estrangement between Ricardo and his wife, Terri; an ugly custody battle over their six year old daughter, Elena; charges of child molestation. And before long there's a murder suspect: San Francisco defense attorney and political hopeful Christopher Paget.

But where's the motive? It could be that Paget is Terri's new lover. Or that Paget's own teenage son is the one who's accused of abusing Elena. But a series of long hidden secrets on both sides of the case are slowly rising to the surface...and threaten to explode in the courtroom, where the final verdict will be delivered. Where the truth about what really happened to Ricardo Arias will either be revealed or buried for good...

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

You follow the court case of Christopher Paget who is being accused of murdering his girlfriends' husband. Everything points to him between the secrecy, the blood stain, the accusation that his son molested his girlfriends daughter.

His lawyer defends him the best she can with eyewitnesses popping up, it becomes difficult. In the end the jury makes the decision, and the loose ends become known.

[Karen Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Editing is a let down

The story is worth 5 stars if you like a good courtroom drama. But the editing is woeful. Very wordy in parts, the inner thought of every character is included. Constant referral to ‘Terri’ as ‘Tern’ is pathetic, given the existence of spellcheck, and someone needs to lose the italics key. The incessant use of emphasis makes all characters appear to be in a state of high drama, and assumes the reader cannot impose their own inflections.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a long time on this book, partially because end of school year and household plumbing drama, but also due to the intense who-done-it legal drama that seemed easier for me to read on the train than at home, as there are less distractions. While the outcome wasn’t too surprising, the weaving suspense of the story was splendid.

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this book was really good! I read it because I love Jodi Picoults, and this book seemed similar to the ones she writes. This book was only 560 pgs, but it seemed to drag after a while. I read exactly half of the book and then I couldn't finish it because it was just being dragged out.

[Della Tingle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess that I couldn’t decide between giving this book 3 stars or 4. I went back and forth and finally settled on four. The courtroom scenes were (to a non-lawyer like me) realistic and believable. They were most interesting to read.

In a nutshell, a murder has occurred. Maybe the murdered man deserved it. So, who did it? Naturally, there are twists and turns. The end.

[Ashlei · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm so glad to be done with this book. Not only was it long and drawn out, it was written terribly. The way the author wrote "-----, Paget thought, ----" relentlessly throughout the entire book was so annoying. The "twist" was awful but the really big "twist" was worse because I predicted it early on. This seemed to go on forever.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard kept me riveted again

All the ingredients I love. Law, family,love parenthood-twists and turns. Great character building _total escape. Cannot wait to get my husband embroiled in this great courtroom drama !

[Lisa Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I couldn't stop. Only had 3 chapters to finish but had to go to work . Reluctantly turned off the light at 1am so I could get some sleep. When I woke up 500 to go to the bathroom I ended up staying up to finish. SO GOOD

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I mentioned in previous books from this author, love them. Love everything about the stories and his writing. I read these books quite a few years ago and in the near future I will go through them again.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8
Eyes of a Child was a nice touch to Christopher and Terri’s relationship.
I like the plot but the story in all was quite short and too sudden.
There was very little of courtroom action and almost none investigation.
The case could be fun but it’s not so hard to guess.

[Liya Ma · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing intro where we learn about what scum the victim was; an unputdownable courtroom section and the final mystery solved at the end. I was heartbroken with Rosa’s story and was thrilled to read her as the ultimate angel of death, twice.