Double Jeopardy: A Novel

I have read all the so called "Justice" books by Bernhardt but I think I liked this one the best of any of his I have read.Travis Byrne is the new hero. He is an ex-cop with a law degree, but don't let that fool you, he is not good in fights or pulling the trigger. His new clint shoots his way out of the courthouse and takes off. He along with some other people try to make it look like Travis was in on the shoot out. Byrne ends up with many different groups looking for him, the mob, the local police, the FBI and one person acting on his own. He does get some help from two unexpected people. There is lots of action, it is a very fast moving book. I found my self nearly skimming pages to find out what happened next. Has a great ending. Surprising, to me, but great.

I love GOOD mysteries - especially those involving court cases; cops and lawyers and Bernardt certainly gives me all that in his books. He also respects his characters - and I love the fact that, be it Travis Byrne or Bern Kincaid (his main lawyering men), uphold the law and fight for the rights of the defendant no matter how much we hate the crime. The law is the law! I totally appreciate the fact that the secretary/paralegal/female attorney character's in his book(s) are treated with respect and given intelligence and a sense of humor. All of Bernard's books have the same theme - and that is that justice does prevail and one way or another and that crime does not pay. Good stuff Bernardt. I can't wait till I tackle the next own. So glad to know that the caliber of writing I respect is out there and that Bernardt provides it.

All through this book all I could think was what will happen in the next chapter. This book truly left you reading page after page until you are finished.

Interesting characters. Intricate plot. Suspenseful action. Lack of coincidences.Surprise resolution. What more can you ask. I have read one of this author's novels before. Now I'm ready to read the balance.

The legal thriller genre has been overshadowed by the Grishams of the land, unfortunately obscuring some very skilled writers like William Bernhardt. This novel begins as a courtroom drama but soon develops into a fast-paced chase plotline a la The Fugitive. There's an edge here that Grisham seems to have lost; readers disappointed by Grisham's latest overly planned-out novels will find a fresh sense of recklessness, uncertainty and spontanaeity in Bernhardt. Well-written, deft characterization, and satisfying plot twists. Two thumbs up