A Picture of Guilt

An Ellie Foreman Mystery

By: Libby Fischer Hellmann

Narrated by: Nan McNamara

The big news story in Chicago is the murder trial of Johnny Santoro, a dock worker whose girlfriend has been killed. Most Chicagoans are betting on a quick guilty verdict, but Ellie Foreman has doubts about his complicity - Santoro is strangely familiar to her. Checking back to the outtakes of a video project in progress while the murder took place, Ellie finds evidence that could save Santoro from a lifetime behind bars. It seems the perfect alibi, but the tape is compromised by radio interference and Santoro goes to jail. Almost immediately, Ellie's world begins to shift: a suspicious vehicle follows her, the Chicago mob shows up, and the FBI wants to question her. She doesn't have answers, but she has questions of her own about the radio transmissions. Everything indicates that someone wants something from her, something bigger than the Santoro case. If only she could figure out what it is.

©2003-2016 Poisoned Pen Press (P)2023 Libby Fischer Hellmann

Great story

I really enjoyed this story. It was well written, descriptive and full of twists and turns.

A picture of Guilt

This story had me in the first chapter! I had no idea that it would reference my home town of White Sulphur Springs WV and the Greenbrier hotel! And the reference to the New River George River. It was really fun listening to this. The entire story was fun with a great mystery, action and a little love. It was so easy to listen to. But I do think she better get some control over her 13 year old daughter!

An engrossing addition to the Ellie Foreman series

I continue to read the Ellie Foreman books wildly out of order, which is hard on any series where there is ongoing character development and relationships change over time. And I continue to enjoy them immensely anyway. In this one Rachel is still only thirteen, Ellie's ex is still operating largely on resentment and entitlement, and she and David are maybe starting to realize that they have to work on their relationship if they want it to last. Mac, her director, has not yet demanded that she promise never to get involved in anything every again.

So when she sees a picture of an accused murderer in the newspaper, and she realizes that as part of a shoot at the harbor she has a picture of him somewhere other than the site of the murder at the time of the murder, none of the "don't get involved" advice has nearly the strength it gets later in the series. I mean, what could go wrong?

She does her civic duty, takes the videotape to the defense attorney (figuring at this point, with the trial about to start, the police won't be interested in new evidence for the defense), and testifies at trial. Unfortunately, the tape has some RF damage that she can't account for, and the prosecutor pretty much takes her apart. They guy is convicted anyway.

Even more unfortunately for Ellie, that's just the beginning. The prosecutor made her look unprofessional, she's now attached to a bit of controversy, and it turns out someone else is much more unhappy about her finding that tape than the prosecutor was. No one wants to hire her right now. Everyone assures her it will pass, but right now she can't get the work she depends on.

When she starts to suspect she's being followed, things start to get scary.

When the murdered woman's best friend tracks her down, claims that she (the friend) is being followed because she knows more than she told at the trial, and is shortly thereafter killed in a car crash, Ellie becomes convinced she needs to solve the crime(s) herself, while those around her, who care about her safety, think it's proof she should have kept her mouth shut, and maybe ought to take a vacation out of town for a while.

But that's not the Ellie we have, or will, come to love. She knows something is wrong, and she needs to set it right. She keeps digging. David is frustrated enough that she's taking risks when all he wants to do is keep her safe. He loves her, he values security, and he wants to keep Ellie safe--how can Ellie possibly find this confining? But it gets worse when her digging connects to a client of his...

It's a satisfyingly complex mystery, and Ellie, David, and even Rachel, at that awkward age of being aa new teen, are all going through some important emotional growth and challenges here.

Very much recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, and am reviewing it entirely by my own choice.

GREAT STORY, GREAT SUSPENSE, ENJOYED IT!

Loved the story! I really like Ellie, she's awesome! I thought the characters were well-developed and enjoyed the storyline, full of action & suspense ! All the ups & downs, twists & turns, it's everything a good mystery should be. Loved the story, loved the narration. Now want to read more! :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent and fun murder mystery.

What a great ride. Just the right balance between murder mystery and espionage to keep the pace flowing. The main character is very likable and the situations are scary and adrenaline pumping.
I highly recommend this one.

The narration was excellent. I found a narrator that I thoroughly enjoy listening to.

I requested a free review copy of this audiobook and I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.

A Picture of Guilt

Ellie Foreman is a single mother to a 13 year old girl named Rachel. She is also a video documentarian. When she sees the photo of accused murderer Johnny Santoro, she knows that she has seen him before. When she realizes that she has a video tape of him that could prove his innocence, she has to act on her conscience.

I did find Ellie to be rather annoying at times and I just wanted to slap her or shake her to make her see reason! But, that seems to be the case with a lot of the heroines in these types of books.

The writing is very good and the story moves at a fast pace. The addition of Ellie's relationship problems and the growing rebellion of Rachel against her mother add another dimension to the story that keeps it from being just a thriller.

Some parts of the story seem a little contrived and I found it hard to believe that the FBI would allow Ellie's involvement in the highly dangerous situation at the end. But, all in all, it was a timely, well written thriller. I enjoy Ms. Hellmann's books a lot and will continue to read and/or listen to them when I have the chance.

The narrator, Nan McNamara, did a great job and kept the action moving at just the right pace. I would definitely listen to more books that she has narrated.

So well-written and entertaining

My eighth read/ listen from author Libby Fischer Hellman. So many books, so little time to read. I was given a book by the author and after having read it I decided to read more by this author. I'm glad I did. I'm a character reader, I get into the characters, their story, who/what they are. The author does a great job of developing Elle Foreman quickly & thoroughly. The significant characters in her writing are developed similarly along the way. Outstanding read! What other blurbs can I use to describe these books? This book is in all senses of the word, a thriller, from beginning to end. That’s it, no more spoilers from me though if there are more books about this character I can not wait to read them. Oh well, buy the book, read the books, get into a good author and some good characters as I have. I have to mention the outstanding job the narrator did, she became the voice of Elle Foreman! (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Ellie Foreman Does It Again!

Would you listen to A Picture of Guilt again? Why?

Yes! It was interesting, involving, with just the right amount of twists and turns to hold my interest. The story was well-written, and the narration brought it to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoy Ellie interacting with her father.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene between Ellie and her daughter at the police station.

Any additional comments?

This is another look into the life of Ellie Foreman, free-lance documentary producer, and her family, as Ellie once again is pulled, inadvertently, into a series of strange and frightening situations as she attempts to help prove the innocence of a man accused of murder. Her well intentioned involvement repeatedly puts her into danger. While she's busy trying to do the right thing, her 13-year-old daughter is hitting teenaged rebellion, complicating Ellie's life. In the end, Ellie's perseverance and cleverness saves the day and many lives.

This was a very enjoyable listen. Nan McNamara's narration brought all the characters to life. If I have any complaints about her work, it's that while the story takes place in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, Ms. McNamara isn't from there. At times, she mispronounces street names. She's also not Jewish, and that, at times, shows in her pronunciation of Yiddish words Those are minor complaints.

I really enjoyed listening to this. I have spent much time in the Chicago area and can envision many of the places in which this story takes place. That always helps make it more real.

I enjoyed listening to this book so much that I bought several others by Ms. Hellmann, and I look forward to listening to them in the future.

I received this book as a gift from the author. Her generosity in no way influenced my opinions on this audio book.

Great Story

This was a well written mystery full of twists and turns! Narration was great!! I can not wait for the next from Libby Fischer Hellmann. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Exiciting listen

This book was good. I was immediately drawn to Elli's character. I enjoyed d her trying to do the right thing and sluething around to get answers. There were somethingsbthat seemed a bit too far for he'd for reality and I really thought the FBI agent was going to be a "bad guy". Overall this was good book to listen to.