Bodily Harm

This novel was a very interesting read. Much charactor and plot development. There are flashbacks that are a bit confusing as you are reading and suddenly flashback breaks the story. I found the charactors very real so much so that you really disliked a number of them. I would read other books by this author as he writes well and carries an interesting plot. I think more charactor development should be made when we first meet the charactors and a little less flash backs would help. This is a four star novel worth reading.

Who doesn't like toys? A lifelong friend of mine STILL buys toys for himself as he puts an end to his sixth decade. Since the conception of my children has been somewhat spaced, I have a houseful of Transformers, Go-Bots, various incarnations of computer games, Beanie Babies, those stuffed animals you register online, Chia Pets, and, most recently, Silly Bandz. But I never really thought about how cutthroat the toy industry can be until I picked up BODILY HARM by Robert Dugoni, a novel that lays down a bountiful table of food for thought. Walk into one of those toy megastores, and you will see all sorts of toys and toy brands jockeying for position, including popular toys, knock-offs of the popular toys, and, in some cases, knock-offs of the knock-offs. We don't really stop to think what sort of gyrations a toy company goes through before its toy gets to market. And woe be the company that gets it wrong --- whether that means trying to guess what the next big toy will be, being late to market with it, or discovering that your "next big thing" is also inherently dangerous. That's exactly what happens in BODILY HARM. Featuring the return of David Sloane, "the lawyer who never loses," the novel goes behind the scenes of the toy industry for an over-the-shoulder look at precisely what is involved and what is at stake on the eve of a major toy launch. The toy in question is Metamorphis, and let me tell you, Dugoni is absolutely brilliant here. His description alone will make you want one of these things. Unfortunately, there is a major flaw in its construction, and it's a deadly one. Kendall Toys knows this due to the deaths of two children who comprised part of its sample group for the toy. When Sloane begins connecting the dots between these tragedies, he jeopardizes the Christmas rollout for Metamorphis. Kendall, however, is not about to take this threat passively. Early on, Sloane pays a terrible price for rattling Kendall's cage, one that has repercussions throughout BODILY HARM and will no doubt affect the course of future novels in the series. Sloane attempts to pursue Kendall with renewed vigor, even as his tragedy affects him in ways he could not have anticipated. Beset from both a personal and professional standpoint, and battling a foe with seemingly unlimited resources, Sloane turns to Jenkins for help. Jenkins has been Sloane's go-to guy since Sloane was a child. Yet even Jenkins's shadowy contacts in the intelligence world may not be enough to provide them with what it takes to battle the deadly and merciless force that Sloane has inadvertently unleashed. Motivated in equal parts by a thirst for justice and revenge, Sloane pursues his case against Kendall to its end, even as it seems that his winning trial streak will be broken with the case that means the most to him. BODILY HARM may well be Robert Dugoni's most ambitious work. The story is full of twists and turns, including two very significant events that will flummox those who h

Bodily Harm is the first novel I have read by bestselling author Robert Dugoni and it certainly will not be my last. There is a reason that Dugoni's books sell. This guy knows how to write action scenes, as well as those that touch our emotions and keeping us on the edge of our chair frantically flipping pages to see what happens next. The book begins with main character David Sloan, the lawyer who never loses winning a million dollar law suit against a pediatrician held responsible for the death of a young boy. The distraught doctor commits suicide. In short order a seemingly crazed individual briefly gets Sloan's attention and tells him that it is he and not the doctor that is responsible for the young man's death. The claim nags at David and hooks him with the need to get to the bottom of who is responsible and why much to the personal sacrifice of Mr. Sloan and his family. An accomplished assassin is determined to derail David's quest and leads the reader on an exciting hunter and hunted scenario with many unexpected turns and twists throughout this 373-page thriller. This is the first story of its kind that I have read. The author made this an exciting and believable story that involves corporate greed and willingness to do whatever it takes to be the top dog in the toy manufacturing business where profit is king. In spite of the nagging question looming in the back of my mind: Why would a corporation do something so foolish and how could it be so ignorant to believe that fact that it would profit in the long run considering the danger of the product to consumers, I enjoyed every minute invested in reading this story. It was one of my favorites of all time. I cannot imagine anyone not being moved by this story. I can visualize this book in cinema format. This is a novel that fan's of fast moving legal thrillers will enjoy.

Crack attorney David Sloane has just won a medical malpractice case against a doctor in the death of a child when he finds out his efforts may have been misdirected. The hapless doctor commits suicide as a result of the judgment, deepening Sloane's unease, and he decides to investigate further to make sure that justice has really been served. As he delves into the arcane world of toy manufacturing, his life and the lives of those around him are placed at great risk, but he soldiers on... ultimately at a very high personal price. This novel was a lot of fun; briskly paced, well-plotted, populated with interesting and - for the most part - unique characters. I found the insight into the toy world really fascinating. I can't remember any other book that's set in that milieu. Kudos to Dugoni for a great surprise ending; I sure didn't see that one coming! A solid four stars.

Bodily Harm is Dugoni's 4th novel and he continues to demonstrate that he is a master with legal thrillers. David Sloane is back at the top of his form - along with his old cronies. Sloane is the epitome of what we wish all litigators were like - more interested in uncovering the truth - rather than just winning his case. In this novel, Sloane even goes as far as admitting his win was not the truth and goes to great lengths to right the wrong his win created. Once again - the power of corruption is present - the power of a company to reap the benefits at all costs - something that is playing itself in the "real world" today. Fast paced with lots of obstacles to overcome - Sloane does not let any of these obstacles prevent him from uncovering the real truth - at the highest level. Dugoni does not disappoint and I am anxiously awaiting his next!