Heartstone

i have read everyone of Philip Margolin's books and Heartstone was the first one that i read. this book is a MUST-READ. I read the whole thing in about 3 hours, i could not put it down once i started. The ending that you thought would be by the middle of the book takes a different turn TWICE, making you say "What the Hell", but its awesome. this book is worth it.

The criminal justice system is given a once-over in this well-developed, and well-written mystery. Margolin gives us the murder of two upstanding young people on a November night in 1960. Richie Walters has just asked cheerleader Elaine Murray to go steady with him. Their love and hopes for a future together are gone before you know it.As we examine this murder in depth, we find there are many people involved, and we find ourselves wondering, who really killed this couple? And why?The immensity of characters doesn't overwhelm the book; you may stop and ask yourself, why are these characters introduced? But by the time the book is finished, you'll see why.Although the lawyers and the suspected killers are certainly strong focus in the book, I found the heart of the book to be Esther Peglosi, the rather ... teenager who becomes the key witness in the prosecution's case. We first meet Esther as a rather well-developed young woman who doesn't have trouble bedding anybody, but we are also introduced to horrifying facts about her childhood and her parents. Later on, Esther is cunningly seduced by a cop obsessed with the case into being hypnotized, and here we begin to see how the power of suggestion breaks down this girl, and how her love for this cop propels her toward inevitable disaster. Esther's character is very, very well written and she holds the book together.It's interesting, also, to see the development of young Mark Shaffer, the up and coming lawyer, who finds himself defending the accused Bobby Corbett. He starts out totally ineffectual and enamored with the defendant's live-in girlfriend, and ends up becoming savvy and accomplished. The denouement of this novel is shocking, in what happens to Bobby and Esther. Also, the deathbed confession of the titular character is a whopper.Can't forget to mention the true villain of this book and that is officer Roy Schindler, who uses his authority to basically fix the case and use poor misguided Esther. Although Al Caproni is culpable, too, he is just another victim of the political schematics.A STUNNING AND WELL WORTH IT BOOK.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I can't beleive so many people did not like this book. I loved it. The ending is unreal- I screamed when I found out what really had happened. I thought it was one of the better books that he has written. If you do like this book- check out "Gone But Not Forgotten" by Margolin which is just as good.

I am surprised to see negative reviews of this legal thriller.This book is so great I just could not put it down.The characters are bold ,dialogue is fluent and the plot is superb.A very well written book which I highly recommend. Mr Margolin you have a new fan,and this surely wont be the first book of yours I will read.

I found this book to be exceptional. It is not very often when I come across a book that keeps my attention so completely. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense and trying to guess the outcome of a book.