Wild Justice

Wild Justice was my first book by Phillip Margolin. After Wild Justice I raced back to read the reviews of his other books and then ordered them. AND I will be watching for his next book! In Wild Justice, Dr. Vincent Cardoni, a surgeon with a disgusting personality and abusive temperment appears to have created a horrifying crime. Amanda Jaffe, an inexperienced new criminal defense lawyer is anxious to get her chance in court, but is concerned about getting Cardoni found not guilty when he may actually be a serial killer. Cardoni claims he was "set up" After he is freed, he stages his own death, and years later his wife Justine,also a doctor, is accused of the same kind of murders that Cardoni had been accused of. She too claims she has been set up. The only thing for certain is that many innocent people have been tortured and killed. Who is this serial killer? Read the book!

It has seemed like a long time since Phillip Margolin wrote his last novel and when you like this writer as much as I do, two years IS a long time. But,the wait has been worth it. Others here have detailed the nuance of the story and the characters therein and they have done it quite well. If you like fast paced action, if you like a good mystery, if you like grown up writing, if you are looking for a real page turner, look no further. This one is for you. And,if it is another two years before we hear from this author again, I won't complain. He clearly waits until he has something he can be proud to put his name on, unlike some of the other prolific and popular writers we have seen of late.

Run as fast as you can and pick up a copy of this book. That's right. I said run, so don't be walking. Of the several other books which Phillip Margolin has written, and I have read all of them, this is his very best. The action is so fast paced that the pages turn themselves and before you want it to end, you will be closing the book.In Wild Justice, I found the characters to be so finely drawn and described, it is as if we know them well. And be prepared for a plot which twists and turns and scenes which will send shivers up and down your body as an out of control doctor is arrested and tried for a series of gruesome murders, only to be let go due a technicality. Then years later when it appears as though Dr. Vincent Cardoni is long dead, the police find evidence of bodies murdered in the same manner but this time the doctor's ex-wife Justine Castle is found guilty.Added to this roller coaster ride of a book, is a young laywer employed by her father's legal firm who not only represents the good doctor but also his wife. And while I won't say anything more I would love to see Mr. Margolin write another book with some of these same characters.Wild Justice is a wonderful thriller which can easily take its place among the novels written by both James Patterson and Jonathan Kellerman among other noted writers of this genre. I only hope it doesn't take Mr. Margolin too long to write his next book because until then, I'll be waiting.

Detective Bobby Vasquez receives an anonymous tip that a major cocaine deal is about to go down in a secluded mountain cabin. Without warrants or backup he breaks into the cabin and instead of discovering cocaine, discovers two severed heads in the refrigerator of a basement operating room. There is also a bloody scalpel and a half full coffee mug sitting on the counter, both with fingerprints. After calling in reinforcements, the police find a mass grave with nine corpses. All have obviously been tortured and some are missing vital organs. All evidence points to Dr Vincent Cardoni, an unsympathetic, cocaine addicted surgeon with a bad temper. He promptly hires Frank Jaffe and his daughter, Amanda to handle his defense, stating he was framed by his wife. Even though the evidence is overwhelming, the Jaffes get him off on a technicality. He promptly disappears, leaving his severed hand behind. Considered dead, the police close the case. Fast forward four years. Another killing field is found at another secluded cabin with evidence almost identical to the first, including bloody scalpel and mug of coffee. Only this time, all evidence points to Dr Cardoni's ex-wife, surgeon Justine Castle. She immediately calls the Jaffes to defend her and this time their investigation leads to a roller coaster of a ride, to the stunning conclusion of this novel. Wild Justice has it all...great, believable characters, tight plot, compelling mystery and enough twists and turns to keep you off balance and guessing to the very last page. This is a fast paced, page turner you won't be able to put down and will have to read in one sitting. And when you're through with this book, just thinking about it will keep you up all night. Phillip Margolin is back and better than ever. One of the best books I've read all year. Wild Justice is definately headed for all the best sellers lists.