By Reason of Insanity

One of the things I enjoy about my Kindle is the chance to try out books that I wouldn't normally pick up. That's how I came across By Reason of Insanity, and I so enjoyed it. I carried it around with me all the time, and stayed up way too late one night to finish it. I wasn't even familiar with the term inspirational thriller, but the combination of crime and punishment, spirituality and mysticism was interesting, and I was able to suspend my disbelief and ride along with the story. My favorite thing about the book was that it worked as a mystery--I really didn't know what had happened until it was revealed. But when it was revealed, it all made perfect sense. I know this sounds a little cryptic, but I went into the book without knowing anything, and I enjoyed the unfolding of the story so much, I hate to give anything away.

Randy Singer has written another superb legal/suspense thriller. Although not as well known as John Grisham and Scott Turow, Singer is certainly in their class. Like those two great authors, Singer is an attorney so he has lots of inside knowlege which adds to his stories. 'By Reason of Insanity' features Cat O'Rourke, a reporter for a newspaper in Virginia. While reporting on a series of kidnappings and murders, she has some 'visions' and passes the information along to her police source. She soon becomes a suspect and eventually a defendant as a serial killer. This book features a wide range of action including: high stakes gambling, multiple personality disorder (disassociative identity disorder), murder, kidnapping, jailhouse brutality, dreams/visions, and much more. There are numerous twists and turns. For quite a long time, I thought that I had the story figured out only to find out that I was totally wrong. Even though Mr. Singer is a well known Christian author, his work will appeal to a wide audience. Though there are a couple of subtle spiritual elements, there is certainly nothing preachy in his style. I would recommend this book to anyone. I also encourage those who love a great novel to check out his other books. I have read all but two of his (those are on my 'to read' list) and would endorse any of them.

Since Grisham and Turow became household names, the legal thriller has been a staple on the bestseller lists. Like serial killers and nukes in the hands of radicals, the fodder for material seems to be without end--as evidenced nearly every day in the headlines. "By Reason of Insanity" is laced with all the elements that make for a great summer read, whether in the newspapers or latest page-turner. Singer does a masterful job of setting up multiple characters, as well as multiple-personalities. We start with Quinn Newberg, a lawyer representing his own sister who has confessed to killing her abusive husband. We meet Catherine O'Rourke, a tenacious reporter with a troubled past of her own. To complicate matters, we discover there is a vigilante on the loose, a person going by the name Avenger of Blood. Singer draws these different characters and storylines together, slowly twisting them tighter, until the pages are flying and the revelations mounting. To protect Catherine's life, Quinn relies on the insanity plea, and truly things begin to get crazy. The courtroom scenes are pure Singer--tense, witty, realistic, while never losing the sense of the story and plot. The interactions and relationships are spot-on, and the underlying themes woven in without being forced. In the last year, I've been underwhelmed by some of the latest legal thrillers from the big dogs of the genre. I'd say it's time a few new names get their day in court...with Randy Singer at the top of that list.

Attorney/novelist Randy Singer brings readers an interesting twist on the legal thriller genre with his latest release, By Reason of Insanity. Trial lawyer Quinn Newberg is becoming famous as he presides over the defense of a woman who is charged with the murder of her husband. Meanwhile, Catherine O'Rourke, a Virginia Beach reporter covering the trial for her employer, begins having strange visions that make no sense to her. Then she discovers that her visions are the exact details of a series of kidnapping and murders in the Virginia Beach area. The details of what her mind's eye sees is so exact that she soon becomes a suspect when she offers to help. Quinn Newberg is brought in to represent Catherine at trial because of his expertise in the much maligned insanity plea. This was the first novel of Singer's that I've read and I was privileged to read an advanced reader copy before publication. I was familiar with the author, just never gotten around to reading him. Boy, was that a mistake. By Reason of Insanity is one of the best novels I've read this year. And I've read a bunch. What I liked most about it was the twist of adding the supernatural/paranormal concept of visions to this genre. And the way the two main characters (Quinn and Catherine) separate storylines intersect will not disappoint. Singer's writing is fast paced, page-turning suspense at it's best. He gives good attention to detail and along with the joyride you just might learn a thing or two about the law. This may have been my first Randy Singer novel, however, I can guarantee it won't be my last. I've read lots of comparisons of Singer to Grisham. Umph. I say move over Grisham and share the throne before you're removed from it completely.

When I read Directed Verdict, I thought Singer was really good. When I read False Witness, I thought he was excellent. After reading By Reason of Insanity, he's established himself as an elite author. I've come to expect Singer to write gritty, emotional books that mirror reality and he's delivered again. After years of abuse, Annie killed her husband. She doesn't deny it. Her lawyer, who happens to be her brother, doesn't deny it. But the question is, did she understand what she was doing when she shot him. As a reporter, Catherine has covered numerous trials, but Annie's is different. It brings up hurts and a past she's tried hard to bury. After eight years of suppressing her emotions following a college rape, who is she and what has she become? Well written books involving victims of abuse are never easy to read. It's heart wrenching to even read about characters humiliated and dehumanized by abuse, but it's even more emotional knowing this happens daily. Singer handles these issues with grace, giving dignity to victims who may be reading his books. He's tackled some tough issues in this book--abuse, revenge, renegade justice, and legal ethics to name a few. When the legal system fails, how do people deal with the consequences? How far should defense attorneys go to assure their clients receive `justice'? When is someone truly insane? What is the Bible's view of a child's responsibility for their parent's sins? By Reason of Insanity offers something for about every reader. It's an intense suspense thriller, with lots of plot twists and turns, but with a gentle touch. The number of surprises really makes it difficult to ever know exactly what's going to happen. A great book for those who like a good mystery with a lot of questions and some great things to ponder. Excellent job from first page to last!