Prime Witness (A Paul Madriani Novel)

Could not put it down. Excellent who done it. Fast story, violent , bloody.

I had already read this book in PB but wanted a 1st edition HB. I was able to find it online and ordered it. It is a little shelf weary but otherwise in great condition. I would order from them again. Thanks.

What a great book. This is the first book I've ever read by Steve Martini and I can't wait to start the next (Compelling Evidence). Prime Witness was engrossing from start to finish. My only reservation is that I would have liked to have seen a little more courtroom action. I don't recall prime Witness being made into a motion picture, but it sure seems like a great candidate.

I have refrained from reviewing Steve Martini's books even after consuming a slew of them, mistakenly believing his work will speak for him. It appears not! For those who doubt his ability, and are content to take potshots, I recommend Prime Witness. When a killer who was on the lam is caught over the border in Canada, there is relief in the community that the murderer has been caught. Now they want justice--justice for the the spate of double murders that took place over a period of months. Enter Paul Madriani and Adrian Chambers. Paul has been appointed temporary DA of Davenport county, and is the lead prosecutor in this case; Adrian, his arch-enemy, will be defending Iganovicth, the alleged killer. Getting Iganovitch convicted could be the least of Madriani's woes, because he must deal with a possible copycat killer, the quicksand of county politics, two backstabbing justices, and an adversary for whom hitting below the belt is akin to a pat on the back. Paul Madriani's hope in all this is to find the elusive Prime Witness. The book finishes on a high note; with a conclusion that leaves you with the stark reality: you've been following the wrong scent. This book lacks the courtroom drama other books in the series have: That might be because Paul is playing in the wrong team--according to Harry Hinds. Instead there is a greater emphasis on the legal process. I love the brief descriptions of the Coconut and the Prussian, the colorful painting of Chambers; the other characters enliven the story. I do have misgivings about the level of estrangement of Paul's wife. Like most books in this genre, this one is simply written, though unlike many others, of which I could name a few, this one is highly entertaining. The Prime Witness is definitely worth a peek.

I am a bit puzzled at the negative reviews of this book. This is the one that started me on the path to becoming a Steve Martini fan. Granted this isn't his best courtroom thriller, but it is STILL above just about anything written by the incredibly over-rated John Grisham. But let's not judge this book based on other authors. The storyline is well-plotted, and very engrossing. The forensics used to trace the evidence to the so-called perp's is not only interesting, but very entertaining and informative as well. It has been many years since I picked up this novel, and I STILL have very fond memories of how much I enjoyed it. I think one of the best things about this book is how it kept you in the dark as to whether or not the 3rd murder was a copycat or not. Give it a shot, it's not literature, but it IS a fun read.

As a true Martini fan I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller! Paul Madriani the lead character deserves a top of the line vacation! This book had my full attention and I hated putting it down!