Mistress of Justice: A Novel

This novel was initially written in 1992 and the author modified it and updated the work ten years later. It is one of his better works, yet does appear to have a limited audience. The book is well researched and centers around the personalities in a large Wall Street Law Firm. The characters have depth and become richer as the work progresses. A good part of the book is spent in introducing the reader to the main vharacters and establishing the plot. Once the reader passes this, the book takes off rapidly and mixes suspense with a legal thriller that is difficult to put down. The writer is able to skilfully bring the reader into the world of his characters. When it appears that one has figured out the dorection of the writer, he is able to throw in unexpected twists that keep this book moving along at a rapid pace.

these early Deaver re-issues are turning out as real gems among his back-catalogue. I can say with complete confidence that Jeffery Deaver has not once written a bad, unenjoyable book. Deaver's writing style is concise and addictive. It's clever, quirky and enjoyable. His plots are well devised and well structured. They run smoothly and without a hitch. This is a very good, very hig-class legal thriller, better than almost anything by John Grisham. the plot is complex and intriguing, and the lead character is very human and very likeable, with some very distinctive quirks which make her a pleasure to read about. The book moves at great pace, and is a true page-turner. There are a couple of nice twists along the way, and, as is usual with Deaver, one final wallop right at the end. Another very good book from Deaver...not quite his best, but i still reccomend that you read it. As i do with all his books.

I found this, on the whole, an enjoyable read. After a suspenseful opening, it took a while for the plot to grab me again--perhaps because the issues at stake didn't seem to be of life-or-death importance. The excitement level picked up, however, as the story progressed. The writing is excellent, the main protagonist a well-drawn character. But none of the intended surprises caught me off guard, not even what was meant to be the biggest. Is this the fault of the book (a plot conceived some dozen years ago, however the author has sought to improve it), or of my having read too much Deaver lately? I honestly can't say.

I started out with Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series and have gone back to read his earlier books. Not all of his early books are as enjoyable as his recent offerings. But I was surprised with this one. It sat on my shelf for awhile before I finally got around to reading it. I shouldn't have waited so long. Taylor Lockwood has to find a stolen $25 million promisssary note of Mitchell Reece loses his case and is out of a job. She is a great strong female character, whose amateurish sleuthing is amusing. Finally, just when you think you've figured out who stole the note, you're in for one surprise and then another. This book hints at the great things to come from Jeff Deaver.