Irreparable Harm

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "Irreparable Harm". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. Give this book a try. The fiction book that I have written main story theme is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ. Yes it has cloning in it. Tommy Taylor

It took one novel for Randy Singer to tie Alistair MacLean as my favorite novelist. It took two for him to surpass MacLean. This novel has several common characters with Singer's first novel, "Directed Verdict". Those who were major players in both stories were paralegal Nikki Moreno and judge Cynthia Baker-Kline (aka Ichabod). Two minor characters from the first novel -- attorneys Winn MacKenzie and Bill "The Rock" Davenport -- are main characters in this novel. One thing is that there is no real formula between the two novels. For one thing, "Directed Verdict"s main character, Brad Carson, was not a Christian at either the beginning or ending of the story, while Mitchell Taylor, in this story, is. Another thing is the trial is the focus of the first novel, taking half the story. There is only a preliminary hearing that starts 2/3 of the way through this one, and it never had the chance to continue. The theme of this book is ethics, especially in the area of the starting of life. Cloning, abortion, etc. are the focal point here. The issue is handled well. Not unlike Frank Peretti's "Prophet", there is a pro-choice person who sides against the extreme of the abortion on demand side, and the hypocrisy of some in that movement. Singer is wise in having non-Christian protagonists in the stories, with Nikki Moreno being an excellent example. I also like that Singer has few true villains among his antagonists. Most of the antagonists are allowed to show a human side, so you don't utterly despise them. There are two ways that authors create suspense in a book. One is to hide as much as possible, so you are surprised at the turns. The other is to set up obvious confrontations early on in the book, and then see how the author gets you out of it. Singer uses the second method very effectively. I will admit that I liked "Directed Verdict" better, partially due to the theme and partially due to the story crafting. The finale of the book reminded me of a novel by Catherine Coulter, for example. However, I have a hunch that other Singer fans prefer this one. One reviewer complained that this book was sermonizing and promoting the point of view. I have a hunch that people who are pro-choice feel that way about any book that deals with abortion and has a protagonist opposed to it (same with stem cell research). But those who are open minded will see that there are pro-choice characters, including one of the good guys (technically, good girl), and those that are not good guys (or gals) are not such because they support abortion and/or stem cell research but because of other personality characteristics such as hypocrisy. One of those points out that one should not judge all pro-choice people because of their criminal activity any more than one should judge all pro-lifers because of a handful of abortion clinic bombers. If anything, the book actually creates understanding for those who have differing views on the issue.

Irreparable Harm by Randy Singer is a slamdunk Christian suspense novel. Singer is able to take on two controversial topics and handle them both with delicacy and care. Mitchell Taylor, just out of law school, ends up representing Maryna Sireth in a case involving both cloning and abortion. The characters are well-balanced and realistic (except for Blaine, but you always have to have a bad guy) and the Christianity is used as a foundation for the characters, not as a soapbox. Maryna's Buddhism is handled with respect. This is loosely a sequel to Directed Verdict, but you certainly don't have to read that one to enjoy this one, only a few characters return. The ones that do come back are rounded out better, and I look forward to the next book in the series. Grisham has nothing on Randy Singer. This has fast-paced action, lots of legal talk, romance, and it's just enjoyable to read. A definite must read!

Did I say Randy Singer was good? This man is awesome! If Randy Singer were a baseball, with all his twists and turns, and then a top notch fastball to boot, we'd be calling him Randy Johnson! I almost had to take a shower after this book, I was sweating so bad! And John Grisham needs to give Mr. Singer a call on writing tips, because Singer makes Grisham look like an amateur, and I really like Grisham. But there's a new kid in town, and that's who I'm reading! Join Mitchell Taylor as he takes the case of Maryna Sareth. Maryna is running from the Snakeheads, Chinese gangsters, and so much more. You also get the feeling that she is indeed searching for something, being raised as a Buddhist. There are a lot of heart pounding twists in this case that literally make you sweat. In some places you actually feel for Cameron when you realize that she never had much of a relationship with her father, better known as The Rock. You feel for her in wondering if things between them will ever be resolved. Judge Baker-Kline, better known as Ichabod returns in this first class thriller to liven up the action. All I can say is that if you have yet to read Randy Singer, you are missing quite a treat. Awesome! When you read him, you are reading more than simply a court case, or whatever it may be. He goes much deeper than that, and that is what I personally love about this author. He's one of my top 3 favorites to read!

Having just finished Grisham's latest, I asked myself how Randy Singer's new legal thriller would stack up. Singer's first book, "Directed Verdict," gave warning that he was a fresh and exciting voice in this genre. Could he back it up with a second hit?Yes, and again, yes! Singer introduces us to Mitchell Taylor, fresh out of law school and applying for that coveted legal position. But Taylor quickly finds himself frustrated, working for a glorified ambulance chaser. What Taylor doesn't know is that he's about to represent a critical case in which cloning and woman's rights will be challenged from every angle.Maryna is the beautiful and emotionally scarred illegal immigrant facing "irreparable harm." Her story, along with journal entries, is the beating heart of this novel. Maryna not only faces a violent past, she faces an unknown future as she carries a surrogate child. The child's mother discovers that this baby could have Down's syndrome and wants Maryna to "terminate" the pregnancy so that she can pursue a healthy child with cloned cells. The legal battles that ensue are only part of the conflict involved.Singer handles the legal aspects with aplomb, and he does a fine job of educating us about cloning procedures. He particularly shines, though, when he dashes the dialogue with humor, and when his characters succumb to the dangers of romance and emotion. Without getting sappy, Singer makes us care for Taylor and Maryna. He threads many plot ideas together, creating a complex story--even if one or two threads remained a bit frayed in conclusion. For example, what ever happened to Maryna's would-be abductors?By the story's end, Singer throws us some wonderful curveballs and change-ups. His narrative rarely lets up, and he rewards us with emotional payoffs. He gives us characters we don't want to leave--and reintrodues a few from his first book. On the last page, he drops some strong hints that we'll be learning more about some of these characters in his next book. I can't wait!Singer, like Grisham, gives us serious issues to consider, while never forgeting to focus on human stories amidst the legal finagling. He serves up a hefty feast, but by the end leaves us wanting more. Hmm...I see no harm in that!