Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham, by Maria Clark

Posted on by canadamatt

Nine stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marcia Clark, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

I have long enjoyed the work of Marcia Clark, particularly her legal thrillers. However, Clark’s past as a trial lawyer, made popular during the O.J. Simpson debacle, helps show her ability to explore the legal aspects of this non-fiction book that is sure to educate many readers. This book is one such attempt to shed light on an actual case, one in which the accused was met with significant issue and a conviction seemed to come to fruition due to the press sensationalism and poor legal handling of this 1950s murder. Clark provides detailed analysis of the Barbara Graham case and how the courts propelled the press to create a headline-creating trial that would pull the general public into the daily drama of events and skew the truth.

Marcia Clark found herself unable to stop thinking about the 1953 case of Barbara Graham when she first discovered it. Said to be a murder trial that depicted the female suspect as a cold-blooded murderer by a media that was so skewed, Clark seeks to shed light on the truth. Graham was said to be part of a group of three who duped Mabel Monahan to gain access to her home, where she was robbed and left to die. Graham was to have pistol-whipped the victim and caused the injuries that led to her death. However, as Clark explains, there was much more at stake here, including Graham’s pleas that she was nowhere near the scene of the crime.

Barbara Graham grew up unwanted and neglected, as the early chapters depict. This childhood helped develop a poor foundation for Barbara, as Clark argues throughout. While women at the time were supposed to be “calm and kind”, Barbara’s tough demeanor did not play into this stereotype and helped paint her as a menace, which might have fuelled the dislike shown by journalists and court officers through the trial.

Clark continues the discussion in the middle portion of the book, focussing on the trial itself and the evidence put forward to the court. This is essential to better understanding the basis for guilt that was levied against Barbara Graham and for which Clark feels there was little justification. The case rested on proving that Barbara was not present during the crime, as even being on the premises with the two men who might have committed the murder would tie Barbara into the mix. As Clark explores, Barbara found herself drawn to a young woman who would help bridge the gap to ensure an alibi could be provided. This individual was, however, a plant serving to help the prosecution and sought to stymie Barbara from the outset. This, alongside poor legal ruling from the bench and blatantly sexist depicting of Barbara by journalists made it an uphill battle to get justice for the accused.

Clark also explores the legal decisions made by all officers of the court, from the judge’s handling of the cases to the way both lawyers presented their arguments. While it is difficult to assess completely, as legal precedent and Supreme Court decisions have changed many of the accepted practices of the day. That said, Clark effectively argues that the fact Barbara Graham was set to be sentenced to death with a guilty verdict, all angles must be explored and assessed. Clark does so well and provided the reader with much of the needed explanatory notes to better understand legal processes. A strong book that seeks to bring the layperson into the middle of the legal happenings from 1953.

While I do not read a great deal to true crime, when I do, I want something that pulls me in from the opening pages. Marcia Clark does so with ease and provides the reader with a great analysis. Clark is able to explore the case and backstory with ease, leaving the reader to better understand all aspects of the case. The pace is clear and easy to comprehend, leaving the reader to simply follow all that is taking place. That Clark sought to provide analytical assessments helps the reader to see some of the pitfalls of the case and how different things were in 1953. Whether Barbara Graham deserved the guilt assigned to her is up to the reader, but it is with better analysis that they can decide if the death penalty was a reasonable sentence to put on Barbara and the role she played in the crime. I enjoyed this book from the outset and was able to learn a great deal. Marcia Clark has provided yet another strong book to impress readers.

Kudos, Madam Clark, for another great piece of legal writing.

The Fall Girl, by Marcia Clark

Posted on by canadamatt

Seven stars

Always eager to read the legal fiction she writes, I turned to the latest novel by Marcia Clark. While some readers will remember her from the early 90s—when a certain iconic sports hero got away with murder—Clark has reinvented herself as a great writer of legal thrillers, pulling on her experiences, both personal and professional. Clark weaves an intriguing story that adds layers as the story progresses, though it lacked some of the impact I came to expect in both her previous series. A decent novel, though not yet at the level I have come to expect of Marcia Clark.

Charlie Blair has been trying to reinvent herself in the Santa Cruz DA’s office, having left a great deal in the dust. While she’s been trying to forget her past life in Chicago, she’s been finding the ability to self-medicate usually takes the edge off. However, all that comes crashing down when she’s handed the file of a recently murdered bail bondsman, Shelly Hansen.

When Charlie is paired with the new hot-shot prosecutor, it could be a great match. Charlie hopes to learn much from Erika Lorman, who has a way with juries and is riding a high after putting away a celebrity chef for murder. However, Charlie notices some cracks in the case and cannot help but wonder if there was something more than legal maneuverings taking place.

With a prime suspect in Shelly Hansen’s murder in the crosshairs, Charlie will have to decide if she can pin the murder of a teenage girl. Things seem to be stacked up against her, but even Charlie cannot believe everything she’s reading. When a distraction from her past puts Charlie on the edge, there’s no telling how the present case will be affected. A chilling legal thriller that has many of the needed elements to make a great story.

When I discovered that Marcia Clark was writing legal thrillers, I had to given them a chance. I could not put them down once I started, as the stories are as intense as they are gritty. A strong plot keeps things interesting for the reader, while Clark uses her legal knowledge to paint quite the picture. While this one waned a bit, there is hope that it was simply the standalone jitters that left me feeling a tad underwhelmed.

The key to a great thriller is to find the crime and build on it from there. I feel as though Marcia Clark has been using all the needed ingredient to make a great story, from a foundational narrative on up. Proving to be a key pathway to the story’s success, the narrative uses both past and present to tell the story of Charlie Blair, filling in gaps for the reader along the way. Great characters help paint the scenes well, though I was sometimes confused as the time period changes from chapter to chapter. The plot kept things interesting, both in the courtroom and out in the community. Even with two time periods, things appeared to come together nicely. It may have simply been me and the headspace in which I currently find myself, but I felt a lack of spark throughout the piece. There were great moments, but my attention waned as I forged through the book, which is not what usually happens when Marcia Clark is at the helm. I will chalk it up to a lot on my plate and see what others feel about this book before casting my views too heavily.

Kudos, Madam Clark, for another good book. I hope others find a great deal to enjoy in your writing as well.

Final Judgment (Samantha Brinkman #4), by Marcia Clark

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marcia Clark, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

After a hiatus, Marcia Clark is back with another strong Samantha Brinkman legal thriller that hits home more than the other books in the series. While on vacation with her boyfriend, Niko, Samantha is rushed back to LA to deal with an investment issue. It would seem that Niko’s mother was taken in by a cryptocurrency scam that saw her lose a great deal of money. While they two men heading up the investment are apologetic, they are not confident about being able to reimburse their clients. Niko takes this less than calmly and Samantha soon sees a darker and more intense side. When one of the investors turns up dead in his home, all eyes turn to Niko, as the cause of death is internal decapitation, skill Niko knows well. All the same, Niko proclaims that he is innocent, though admits he is trained to kill when needed. Samantha agrees to represent him and the search for the truth begins. While Samantha handles some of her other legal work, the office team begins digging a little deeper, only to discover that Niko has a past in Chicago that he likely did not want discovered. As Samantha must digest this, things begin looking worse for her client as the court date approaches. Lies and deceit are nothing a defence attorney likes in their client, but when it’s a boyfriend, it is exponentially worse. Samantha will have to make a few choices as Niko’s guilt looks more likely. Will she choose wisely for all involved? A wonderful story that keeps the reader guessing. Recommended to those who have enjoyed this series (and all of Clark’s work), as well as the reader who needs a legal thriller that can be digested with ease.

I have long enjoyed Marcia Clark’s work, as she reinvent herself after the infamous trial that made her a household name. She works hard to create relatable characters and stories that can be easily enjoyed, even if they touch on some controversial subjects. Samantha Brinkman has been a wonderfully complex character, as the four novels in the series have come to show her. She is strong-willed, but also vulnerable when it suits her. She is gritty and determined without being cold. This story pushes her into a realm she might not have known before and requires that she make choices that will clash with her emotional well-being. Other characters help to push the story forward, while complementing Brinkman in a variety of ways, which enriches the overall experience. The story is strong and kept me pushing forward. Perhaps it is that there has not been a novel in a few years, but I was hungering for as much as I could get in short order. A mix of chapters kept me wanting to push ahead and I was impressed with all Clark had to offer. I hope there is more to come soon, as this is one fan who is not as patient as some.

Kudos, Madam Clark, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Samantha or your other projects.

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons

Snap Judgment (Samantha Brinkman #3), by Marcia Clark

Posted on by canadamatt

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marcia Clark and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Marcia Clark is back with the third instalment of the Samantha Brinkman series, perhaps the best novel yet. After Alicia Hutchins is tired of her controlling boyfriend, Roan Sutton, she chooses to dump him to relieve herself of the burden. In an act of apparent retribution, naked selfies of Alicia appear online for all to see. This ‘revenge porn’ puts Alicia in a tailspin and her body is found a short time later. Might Roan have taken the next step and killed the young woman who sought to defy him? It would appear so, though the ante is raised yet again, after Roan’s body is discovered a short time later, hanging from the ceiling. Early conclusions point to suicide, but Alicia’s father, Graham, is being eyed by the police as the case could have a homicidal element. Enter Samantha Brinkman, whose criminal work has earned her quite the reputation. Brinkman agrees to take on the case, loving the price tag that goes along with it, and tries to delve even deeper into the investigation. Working alongside her investigator, Alex Medrano, Brinkman begins to peel back the layers of the case, unsure what they will find. Alicia seemed to have been a sheltered young woman who was finally coming out of her shell while interacting with other college students. Could Roan and his controlling ways have been used on other women before Alicia? Might the revenge porn angle be one that he has used before? As questions about the case continue to emerge, Brinkman is visited one night by a man with deep roots in the cartel community. He’s come to call in on a favour that Brinkman has promised him after she was caught breaking the law for another client. Brinkman has been ordered to find a witness who is in protective custody, ready to finger a member of this elusive man’s family. Unable to turn to Alex, who is unaware of Brinkman’s law breaking, she turns to her father, Dale Pearson. Together, they must grease the wheels to find this young woman, whose life story brings up more dirt than either could have imagined. Tales of abuse and molestation, with a handful of younger sisters still at home, Brinkman finds pity for the woman in custody and will do whatever she can to protect her from the death that awaits her once she has been outed by the cartel. Working these two major cases and a slew of other meat and potatoes, Brinkman has little time for herself. Trouble is, there is a time limit on both and patience is not a virtue anyone seems to have for the time being. A wonderfully crafted piece of work that will keep the reader guessing until the very end. Highly recommended for legal thriller fans and those who enjoy the fast-paced writing that makes Clark a master of the genre.

Whatever people seem to feel about Clark in her past life, she has shown that she has the ability to craft excellent legal thrillers that do not miss a beat. Filled with relatable storylines and themes that could easier pulled from the headlines, Clark pulls the reader in from the opening paragraphs and provides enough drama to keep them hooked until the very end. Samantha Brinkman is both a complex and easily relatable character. Not only is she a lawyer with a solid reputation, but she is keen on fighting for her clients and will leave no stone unturned. Her jaded past has not left her defeated, but fuels her to find the best in everyone, or at least to see past their outer layers. She remains determined to discover the whole story, even if it places her clients in an uncomfortable position. Surrounding herself with the likes of Alex and Michy, her office runs effectively and her caseload is anything but boring. A recently discovered father in Dale Pearson has helped her find someone in whom she can feel familial pride, though their relationship is anything but traditional parent-child. Clark injects secondary characters who keep the story moving forward and fuel interesting twists to keep the reader curious throughout. The story takes legal and personal turns that no only make for a great story but are plausible, permitting the reader to feel at home as they lose themselves in the book. Clark’s legal past and blunt delivery help create a story that has everything needed for a superior legal thriller. I cannot wait to see what else Clark has is store for her readers and where she will take Brinkman in the years to come. And the question that I have been asking for a while now, when will Rachel Knight ever make an appearance in Samantha’s life?

Kudos, Madam Clark for another wonderful novel. I am amazed at how thoroughly captivated I am by everything you write. I know you have a large following, and for good reason!