James Scott Bell Reviews

Page Four

Added March 13, 2007

No Legal Grounds

Author: James Scott Bell
Publisher: Zondervan Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2007
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Suspense/Thriller
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $13.99
ISBN-10: 0-310-26902-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-310-26902-1
Author Email/Website: www.jamesscottbell.com
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

It is no secret I am a fan of James Scott Bell. As a former trial lawyer, he has written some of the best legal-suspense stories I have ever read. He tackles controversial subjects, and is not afraid to pull and peel at them until nothing but truth is left exposed. More than that, he knows how to begin a book in the thick of it. You know what 'it' is. Action. Tension. He doesn't fill page after page with fluff. He focuses his writing so that his output is nothing but non-stop, fast-paced, page-turning product. What more can a reader want?

His latest legal thriller, No Legal Grounds, is the most compelling, fingernail-biting thriller to-date. In the vein of Cape Fear, by John D. MacDonald (novel form, or either big-screen adaptation), attorney Sam Trask is in the midst of living life, making mistakes but working toward contentment. His law firm is about to get bogged down in a giant legal battle that, depending on the outcome, could make him and his partner extremely rich. In order to dedicate the time needed, both attorneys are forced to quickly settle all other cases on their plates, regardless of whether settlement is right or wrong.

There is also tension on the home front. Sam and his wife, Linda, have two children. The youngest, Max is everything a twelve-year-old boy should be. He does well in school, plays Little League baseball, and loves playing with his dog. Their daughter, on the other hand, is everything a teenager should be-and that has Sam and Linda going out of their mind, fearing that if things continue on the course they are on, they might lose their little girl forever.

Just when it seems like life really can't get too much worse, a guy Sam once casually knew back in college, Nicky Oberlin, contacts him. Though the initial attempts to re-live the good old days are annoying at first, it becomes quickly-clear that Nicky has some sick agenda revolving around secrets from Sam's past and is set on not only disrupting the ebb and flow of Sam's life, but on destroying the man and his family all together.

Nicky's presentation is friendly, and cordial on the surface, but his intent and antics are hostile and dangerous underneath. The only problem, Nicky knows not to break any laws. Nicky knows how to push Sam's buttons. Nicky knows how to make himself look like a victim. Each frustrating step Sam takes to protect himself and his family gets Sam deeper and deeper into trouble with his firm, with his family and with the law.

As Nicky becomes a physical threat against Sam and his family, Sam is forced to choose a way in which to deal with Nicky. There needs to be an actual end to the reign of terror Nicky created, but at what cost? At what point is too far? Is it possible Nicky can win his 'game' by pushing Sam to the point of no return?

Amazingly well drawn characters. The secondary storylines are just as compelling as the main storyline. Bell uses plenty of dialogue to keep the pace of the story at break-neck speed. Though a bit more violent and intense than any of his previous works, this novel has something for anyone who enjoys suspense thrillers. If you are a James Scott Bell fan, or if you have never read a James Scott Bell novel, No Legal Grounds is one you won't want to miss!

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Added September 4, 2006

Presumed Guilty

Author: James Scott Bell
Publisher: Zondervan Publishers
Available At: Bookstores Everywere
Publishing Date: June 2006
Genre: Fiction: Christian/Legal/Thriller
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 0310253310
Author Email/Website: www.jamesscottbell.com
Reviewer: Phillip Tomasso III

The toughest book review to write is the glowing review. One might think this would be one of the easier types of reviews to write. In some cases it might be, but when it comes to legal-thriller writer, James Scott Bell, I struggle each and every time with writing my review.

As I just finished reading his latest page-turner, Presumed Guilty, I once again find myself laboring to get this review written. I must have started, erased and restarted the review ten times. And as I sit here and re-read what I've written, I'm not even sure this will make it to print.

So you might be asking yourself, why the dilemma Mr. Bookreview Man? You see each and every book by James Scott Bell seems to outdo the one before it. Leaving me with only so many ways I can possibly find to rave and cheer for books by Bell.

What more can I say that I haven't already said? Bell tackles relevant and controversial topics (Yep, he does that here in Presumed Guilty), he builds tension in each and every scene and then expertly carries the readers through, (ditto in Presumed Guilty), he crafts well-defined characters that are so real you feel like you would recognize them if they passed by you in a crowded mall (Presumed Guilty has it all in there). So what exactly is all the fuss and hoopla over Presumed Guilty?

Ron Hamilton is the senior pastor of a mega-church. This means each Sunday he preaches in a packed-full stadium sanctuary. His books are best sellers, his wife is beautiful, strong and loyal, his son was in the military and his daughter is daddy's little girl. Basically, God has blessed this man, and this man's life.

But sometimes power and prestige can cause even the most seemingly holy to lose focus on what life's purpose is all about. Ron's no different. While waiting to secure a million dollar advance on his next book that talks about the sin of pornography, and against his better judgment, Ron begins counseling a young, sexy and seductive woman who is new to his church. Always the last to know, Ron's wife, Dallas, feels as if she's been hit with a knockout punch when her husband is arrested. The woman Ron had been secretly counseling has been murdered in a seedy hotel and Ron is the prime suspect.

With no reason at all to forgive her husband, and no reason at all to stand by him during these highly publicized times of trials and tribulations, Dallas attempts to do just that. Conceding to the fact that her husband was having an affair is one thing, but believing that the man she married and raised a family with is capable of murder is something else all together.

All too soon she realizes that digging for answers always uncovers things once earthed. And though Dallas is known as the pastor's wife, her past wasn't always Jesus and Hymns. Despite the media circus that just seemed to be waiting for a chance to pounce on the popular Christian pastor, Dallas works against all odds to gather evidence that might lead to proving her husband's innocence.

From start to finish, from cover to cover, from the first word to the last, Presumed Guilty will keep any mystery lover turning pages. As always I am mad at myself for reading this book too quickly. Unfortunately, I read faster than Bell writes. I don't want to have to wait too long before his next book is published. Until next time . . .

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