Sins of the Fathers

After reading John Grisham's first eight novels (and loving them) I discovered James Scott Bell. Now I'll only read Grisham if I have time after I've finished Bell's latest book. What does he have over Grisham. In a word--characters! Bell brings his people to life in a way few authors are able to achieve. He somehow manages to give a character's entire compelling backstory in one succinct line. Sins of the Fathers is his best yet, though Breach of Promise will always be up there near the top of my list.

James Scott Bell takes on tough issues and deals with them head-on in this absolutely riveting story. He carries his readers through grueling loss while extracting mercy from places you'd never expect. He manages to evoke sympathy for even the most seemingly unsympathetic characters, and raises questions that need to be asked about our system of justice -- while conveying insightful understanding of the system itself and those who participate in it. This is a story about loss, redemption, justice, and mercy, and I'll never forget its characters. I could not put this book down, and the suspense in the story forced me to finish it in a day. Highly recommended.

At first glance, Darren DiCinni is a normal, scrawny teenager - no longer a boy, not yet a man. But looks can be deceiving. This thirteen-year-old has just shot six people to death in cold blood. A slam dunk life-without-parole case? Not to Lindy Field, Darren's young and ambitious defense attorney. Library Journal calls James Scott Bell "a master of legal suspense", and that's clearly evident in SINS OF THE FATHERS. With a keep-you-guessing plot, witty dialogue, and memorable three-dimensional characters, I tried to savor it and read little bits each day. But by the time I was half-way through, I couldn't put it down. I like that about a book. I also appreciate how the faith element is woven into the plot in unpreachy ways. We discover Christian truths right along with Lindy and company, and we root for her every step of the way. SINS OF THE FATHERS probably compares closest to Jim's award winning FINAL WITNESS, but with even more depth (and minus the Russian mafia). The suspense definitely never rests in a James Scott Bell novel ... and neither, apparently, does James Scott Bell. I highly recommend this book to thriller and contemporary fiction readers alike.

James Scott Bell's Sins of the Father is a riveting legal suspense novel that grabs you from the opening paragraphs of the Prologue and doesn't let go. Bell creates honest to goodness characters from the 13-year-old shooting suspect, to the lawyer whose working her way back from her own personal Twilight Zone, to the lawyer's assistant you'd love to have as your best friend. An attorney in his former life, Bell draws you into the inner workings of the trial, and keeps you turning pages to discover how he can possibly resolve such an unresolvable case. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

Oh my goodness, I couldn't put this book down. James Scott Bell has done it again. There is suspense at every turn of the page. I was mad when I had to stop reading to do something! This book was sooooo good! I've told all of my friends about it. Now I have to catch up on reading my school books, I spent so much of my time reading this one! If you are looking for a great book with an exciting story that can take you away from the world, and effect you , pick up this book. James Scott Bell is one of the best writers I know. Look out Stephen King!