Judgment Calls

By: Alafair Burke

Narrated by: Betty Bobbitt

An apparently simple assault case spirals into a complex web of violence and deception in this bold debut thriller.

Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid walks into her office in Portland's Drug and Vice Division one morning to find the sergeant of the police bureau's vice unit waiting for her. A 13-year-old girl has been brutally attacked and left for dead on the city's outskirts. Given the lack of evidence, most lawyers would settle for an assault charge; Samantha, unnerved by the viciousness of the crime, decides to go for attempted murder. But as she prepares for the trial, she uncovers a dangerous trail leading to an earlier high-profile death penalty case, a prostitution ring of underage girls, and a possible serial killer.

In Samantha Kincaid, Alafair Burke has created a complex, appealing character. Seamlessly moving between courtroom and criminal investigation, Judgment Calls reveals not only an insider's knowledge of the justice system but a fresh new voice in the world of crime writing.

©2003 Alafair Burke (P)2004 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Narrated in a crisp first person and injected with good-natured humor, the book is tightly plotted and detail laden." (Publishers Weekly)
"First-rate, suspenseful entertainment...we'll be hearing more from tough, tart, sexy, high-minded Samantha Kincaid." (Washington Post)
"Burke blends courtroom drama and criminal investigation with surprising aplomb, and she uses her Northwest setting to good advantage." (Booklist)

Ok Story. Mismatched Narrator

Like the story line - it was tight and believable. Would like to listen to the next book in series - but the narrator is the same (aaaarrgh!!!) Had a real problem with the narrator. There was an obvious 30-year age gap between narrator and main character. With the story being first person narrative - could not suspend belief and get into the story. Secondly - narrator’s Aussie-influenced accent for a Portland D.A. - seriously!?! Story made it worth the cringing.

The narrator sounds like a 3 pack a day smoker.

The story was great and had some good surprises. It was very difficult to reconcile the youth of Samantha Kincade with how old the narrator sounded.

performer is horrible.

Book is ok. performer ruined the story. She sounded too old for the main character and her voices were ridiculous.

Well read above average book

Well read! Betty Bobbitt has done an excellent job of reading an above average thriller. The protagonist is a lady DA who has problems that all authors seem to build around any character who is a lady DA, mainly complex relationship with a boyfriend and high principles in a notorious society. If anyone knows of a happily married DA please write a book on her, there seems to be a market for this starting with me.

The book is about a trial of a child rapist. But the child, a 13 year old, was soliciting sex and was high on drugs when raped. The defense lawyer is committed to giving a full fight and has a surprise plan to defend her client. While the character building is ordinary, the plot above average, the tension of a who did it good and the reading excellent, the entire package makes the book worth a book credit. Go ahead and download. No hidden disappointments in this one.

Why all the foul language?

This was my first Alafair Burke book. I’m wondering of they all have such repulsive language. It’s very distracting and not really necessary. I may try another one of her books but if it’s the same, I won’t be able to finish. Also, I agree with many other reviews about the narrator and her accent being distracting.

Voice was not to my taste.

The reader's voice was too overdone. I just simply want to listen. I do not want all the drama. This is the first reader I have disliked. The accent was distracting.

Judgment Calls

We enjoyed the story. However, we did not care for the person reading the book. She sounded too old and we felt her accent was not authentic to the locale.

Possibilities

The plot was slow getting started but once it did it was good. However, the narrator was not good at all. She couldn’t pronounce simple words. Difficult to get past her.

Interesting Listen

What made the experience of listening to Judgment Calls the most enjoyable?

The fast pace of the story kept me waiting for more action. And the ending was not what I expected.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Judgment Calls?

The ending certainly wasn't what I was leaning towards and this was a surprise.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

pronounce the words as a northwesterner would

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

Weird having an english accent on a character that is clearly not from England. Set in the northwest, that bothered me the most.

will be back for more

my first alafair book. will be back for more. the narrator was good but sounded like a new york accent and mispronounced local names. i probably wouldn't have noticed though if i hadn't read other reviews.