Desperate Measures

Simply put, this is an absolutely outstanding novel. It was my first exposure to Kate Wilhelm and I was quite impressed. The story is interesting and retained my interest to the end, so much so that I have already ordered other Barbara Holloway novels. Wilhelm's describes her characters well, and her writing never intrudes. We immediately take a dislike to the bigoted primary victim. Our sympathy for the accused, a badly disfigured, but highly talented editorial artist, builds as the story develops. The legal machinations are intriguing and the plot unfolds in a believable way. The resolution of the mystery may surprise many readers, and if you become fully immersed in the story, the novel's post denouement conclusion may bring empathetic tears of happiness. One Note: The number of important characters is probably slightly more than one might expect, e.g., in a cozy mystery, and the reader may need to make a few brief notes to keep all of them clearly in mind if completing the novel will extend over more than just a few days.

Barbara Holloway takes on yet another difficult, unusual case. But this time her father is on the same case. Different suspect. Can they sort out their relationship enough to remain father and daughter? Or will the lawyer in them both make life unbearable as each tries to make their case for their client?Fantastic character development and descriptions.

Oregon Criminal defense attorney, Barbara Holloway, always likes the challenge of a tough case, but this time she's definitely in for the fight of her life. It seems Gus Marchand, an overbearing and tyrannical religious zealot was found dead in his kitchen, slammed in the head with a hammer. All suspicion falls on Alex Feldman, a horribly disfigured recluse and neighbor of the victim whom Marchand had tormented for years, calling him the devil freak or devil spawn. The evidence, what little there is, is all circumstantial. But because of bigotry and fear in this rural community, Alex, an easy target, is arrested and charged with the murder. Now it's up to Barbara, her father and mentor, Frank, and the rest of her defense team to find the truth and set Alex free..... Kate Wilhelm has written a tight, compelling legal thriller full of twists, turns and surprises that will keep readers turning pages to the end. Her crisp, tense writing is suspenseful with vivid and riveting scenes and her characters are well drawn "real" people. Ms Wilhelm's indepth knowledge of the workings of the law and legal procedures adds real credibility to the story and her courtroom scenes really come alive on the page. Add to that clever secondary plot lines to flesh out and enhance the story, a stunning climax and very satisifying ending that ties up all the loose ends, and you have the makings of a thriller that shouldn't be miss. Desperate Measures is a winner!

As a mystery writer with my debut novel in its initial release, I admire Kate Wilhelm's clever reworking of The Beauty and the Beast. In DESPERATE MEASURES, Barbara Holloway finds herself at first in opposition to her father, Frank. Gus Marchand is murdered, and there are two suspects. Frank's client dies mysteriously, yet Frank does not want the blame for the Marchand homicide to be placed on his client. Barbara's client, for awhile, remains nameless. She is highly protective of the man who turns out to be Alex Feldman, a horribly disfigured man who had been previously accused of stalking the murdered man's teenaged daughter. The plot grows complicated, and Alex is obviously carrying secrets. Shelley, an associate of Barbara's, sees beyond Alex's disfigurement and into his heart. Yet the murder must still be solved. Great book. One of Wilhelm's best.

is crafted by Kate Wilhelm in the 6th legal thriller in this series.Alex Feldman, victim of an unfortunate birth, still manages to live a rich and full life with the help of his doctor-mentor, Graham Minick. There is no question in the reader's mind that Alex did not murder his neighbor, Gus Marchand, a man who hides his bigotry and small-mindedness behind the cloak of his religion. Because of Alex's strange appearance and history, however, the law enforcement agency and the townspeople of Opal Creek, Oregon persecute and prosecute him for the crime. Barbara Holloway and her father Frank find themselves in an adversarial position on the crime. Barbara's secret client is Alex, and Frank is trying to protect an old friend, who is subsequently murdered in the second of two mysteries, from being accused of the crime.The events and conflict leading up to the courtroom confrontation are merely a canvas for the excellent and crisp writing that Wilhelm uses to portray the courtroom battle. Before it is over, Kate and Frank have joined forces, and the ending is much more satisfactory than a not guilty verdict would have been.Wilhelm commands and holds your interest, without gratuitous sex or violence in her novels. Her main character, Barbara Holloway, is a gutsy, intelligent, and articulate attorney. Wilhelm never fails to surround her with an equally interesting cast.Desperate Measures is an excellent read that keeps you guessing and successfully weaves a double mystery plot. Enjoy!