The Bad Witness

I think you must read The Sally Harrington novels in order. Her work and her characters mature with each book. Was this book, wildly exciting, or riveting reading? No, not really. But, it was involving. I love Sally because of her wonderful imperfections. I could have done with much less courtroom shenanigans. They went on a bit too long. But, everything with Sally and her relationships with friends and co-workers is great. Formulaic has been tossed about in reviews of Van Wormer's work. To a certain degree I would say that is true. But, it is a FORMULA that works. Just very readable, DAY IN THE LIFE, of Sally Harrington kind of story. I have enjoyed them all. And Van Wormer's RIVERSIDE DRIVE and WEST END as well.

This book is about reporter in LA testify in a Hollywood/Mafia court case. It is a great book with a fun romance and great mystery. I found this book and didn't know it was a series. I picked up the Kill Fee which is the next book in the series.

This is a coming of age novel in a series that recognizes that people don't stop growing just because they've graduated from college, gotten a job, and had a few affairs. Sally Harrington is not dumb, just on her way to the maturity that comes with age and experience - - as are many of us. Things happen TO Sally as a result of her intelligence mixed with a youthful inability to count the costs of her actions. Harrington has to deal with the mores, and current news events of life right now in the United States. I like her new love interest, who is not the usual handsome cardboard foil for a romantic damsel in distress - - he's thinking about the consequences of commitment and partnership. The mystery is not confined to the consequences of the ageing US mafioso families, but also includes Sally's maturity. A lively page-turner that's 3rd in this mystery series that is firmly grounded in today's intricate personal mix of sex, work, and having to find a way to balance everything. A good read.

Television producer Sally Harrington is called as a witness in a murder trial. While on the stand, the prosecutor tries to make Sally seem a complete slut--and completely untrustworthy. Meanwhile, her life is confused, with her longstanding relationship going nowhere and a much younger cop suddenly looking better and better. Add an attack heliocopter and a hit and run assault on Sally and her cop-date, and you have a woman with real problems. THE BAD WITNESS is a strange book. There really isn't much of a mystery in it. Much of the story is actually back-story, as one witness after another steps up to tell of what happened in the earlier Sally Harrington novel TROUBLE BECOMES HER. Strangely, though, it works. Author Laura Van Wormer delivers a well-written and compelling page-turner. Put on the spot as a 'bad witness', Sally Harrington emerges as a sympathetic character. Although she continues to look at every twist of fortune as an opportunity for news coverage and more money for Sally, this behavior has become understandable and even admirable. Sally may be a BAD WITNESS, but she makes for an interesting and fun character.

NY TV news reporter Sally Harrington is in Santa Monica to testify as a defense witness in the "Mafia Boss Murder Trial". Hollywood producer Jonathan Small stands trial for killing mobster Nick Arlenetta. While the prosecutor screams murder one, the defense team insists self-defense as they claim that Jonathan shot Nick before the mobster could kill his sister. Sally who has done a documentary on the East Coast mob families plans to testify that Nick tried to kill her also.Following attempts on Sally's life, her boss and mentor at DBS News Alexandra Waring coaxes the police to provide her reporter with protection around the clock. Officer Paul Fitzwilliam and Sally feel an immediate attraction, but her safety comes first especially when she is hurt in a hit and run incident. As Sally becomes the news rather than reporting it, the trial takes center stage, but will she live long enough to provide her "expert" opinion?Though shifted to the West Coast, the fourth Harrington novel reads similar to the previous three tales as she once again makes for a good novel when Sally is in center stage. The problem is the trial that goes on and on and on, etc. while keeping Sally on the sidelines for the most part as a mere observer. Not as powerful as tales like TROUBLE BECOMES HER, HE BAD WITNESS contains enough of Sally's brand of shtick to satisfy her fans.Harriet Klausner