Final Witness

I was not disappointed. James Scott Bell has written another intriguing book. I couldn't put it down.

This book takes you on a ride. Strap yourself in and wait for the Final Witness to appear. James Scott Bell does many of the things that Grisham does so well: tight plotting, believable motivations, crackling dialogue. Like "The Great Divide," by T. Davis Bunn, Bell reaches for the top rungs of legal thrillerdom and succeeds. The narrative is leaner and less colorful than Bunn's, but this only allows it to race faster.While working in some valid Christian themes, often based on legal examples, "Final Witness" tells the compelling story of Rachel Ybarra, a young paralegal working on a case against the Russian mob. The details of the courtroom seem well-researched, and the struggles that Rachel goes through--with her alcoholic father, her boss, her FBI friends, and particularly her nemesis "The Man"--move credibly to a very satisfying end with a few surprises along the way.Bell's other books are going to the top of my wish list.

I'm not usually a fan of legal dramas, but then I'd never read James Scott Bell before. This striking, well-written novel will keep you turning pages well after lights out! Set in L.A., Final Witness deals with the Russian mafia, a subject I'd never read about before. Fascinating detail, well-rounded characters and colorful description are obvious trademarks of this author. But it is his fabulous dialogue that elevates this fast paced novel to a higher level of fiction writing. Should most definitely be a movie! You won't be disappointed.

Final Witness is a 'minor' miracle of tight plotting, compelling characterization, and crisp dialogue. Law student/intern Rachel Ybarra becomes embroiled in a thick intrigue involving the Russian Mafia, set in Bell's familiar southern California. These complexities provide plot enough for a we-know-he-done-it-but-will-he-get-away-with-it? suspense yarn. But Bell provides a rich subplot, the role Ybarra's Christian faith plays in the secular setting of courts, cops, and federal agents. Bell handles all these elements without playing a single false note. Read his novel for the fun of it, and then read it again to learn from a fine craftsman at work.

This book had me hooked from the first sentence. It was a great read and I'm looking forward to Mr. Bell's next book! This guy knows how to keep his readers in suspense while writing well (excellent dialogue for example), and I learned more about the legal system without feeling like factual data was being crammed down my throat. I'd definitely recommend!