Rating: 
Summary: "Punishment considered morally right and deserved"
Review: Jilliane Hoffman's first novel delivers what it promises, a fast-paced, riveting legal thriller that finds you reading late at night without letting you go. Although the novel is not the best I have read this year, it still is a very good first effort. Hoffman has some characteristics in her writing style that I found extremely interesting, like narrating the same event from the different perspective of the characters involved, and her knowledge of the legal system adds a "reality" touch to an otherwise highly unlikely plot. Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind that this is fiction, and the author has latitude in how believable the story is.The novel starts in 1988 in New York City, where we find Chloe taking a night off from studying for the bar exam to go out with her fiance in their anniversary in hopes that he will pop the big question. After the night does not go as she expected, she returns alone to her home and is raped savagely all through the night by a stranger in a clown mask. Twelve years later in Miami, Chloe is working as an assistant state attorney and has changed her name to C.J. Townsend. The police are in the track of a serial killer that kidnaps and murders young women taking their hearts out. When a suspect is taken into custody, CJ finds herself prosecuting the man that raped her twelve years earlier. Hoffman does a very good job in describing what goes through the mind of a rape victim, the fear, anger, insecurity, etc. I think though, that she is somewhat repetitive in the description of the rape itself, going back to it several times throughout the novel without any real need to do so. Also, at some points the author loses some of the reader's interest, but luckily she recovers quickly and delivers a pretty good book overall. One of the most distinguishable features that elevate the quality of this work is the depth the characters have, and the ability of Hoffman to present their inner conflicts in an interesting way. Finally, I feel the need to point out a minor annoying issue; throughout the novel, Hoffman refers to cell phones by a brand name, which bothered me every time I faced this nomenclature. Overall, Hoffman appears as a very promising author and I am looking forward to her next novel. If she can fix the minor aspects I have pointed out, I think she will be among the best in the genre.
Rating:
Summary: Very Powerful Debut
Review: Wow. This is dark - very dark - and disturbing and really well done. Chloe Larson is a beautiful young law student who suffers a brutal rape at the hands of a sadist who leaves her for dead. She survives, but is left scarred, both physically and emotionally. Twelve years later she's evolved into C. J. Townsend, crackerjack prosecutor in Miami who lands the biggest case of her career when a serial killer known as Cupid is caught in her jurisdiction. Cupid's calling card is that after torturing his victims - all young, beautiful blondes - he claims his trophy, their hearts. Townsend is determined to get this monster the death penalty and everything seems to be working in her favor, until she meets the defendant and her nightmares become real again. The court process is fascinating in Hoffman's hands; she is a former Florida assistant state attorney and it shows. The book could have used better editing; there are some minor errors and some repetitiousness, but nothing major enough to pull me out of the story. The violence is graphic without being gratuitous, with details of some really heinous crimes, and the ending is superb. This is one very powerful debut novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put it down.........
Review: I read books for entertainment and when I can't put a book down then I give it 5 stars. This book was everything I look for in a serial killer mystery. I loved the characters and how the entire story evolved. I think Ms. Hoffman did an excellent job on her first book and I can't wait till her next one comes out. This book was anything but ho hum!
Rating:
Summary: Great entertainment for a rainy day
Review: This book reminds me of Patricia Cornwell at her best. The graphic forensic details are enough to keep single females awake at night and the legal issues are obviously written by someone who understands the system and knows the law. C.J. Townsend is a woman who has been transformed by a single catastrophic event, and quite believable to those who have suffered any kind of life-altering trauma. Not only does this book have a riveting plot with unexpected twists and turns, but it has at its core a compelling moral issue that lends itself to discussion. While some people may take issue with the prose, I read for entertainment, and when a book grabs me from page one and continues to keep me reading until I turn the last page in less than 24 hours, I believe it has fulfilled its obligation to the reader. I find it hard to believe that this is the work of a first-time author and am eagerly awaiting Ms. Hoffman's next book.
Rating:
Summary: Ho Hum??? They're kidding right?
Review: Wow I can never get over the negative descriptions of really good books. Some people have to read and analyze the story's various parts without actually "reading" the story. If you're a reader and not an analyzer, read this one. C.J. Townsend is prosecuting another suspected mass killer and loses her ability to speak upon hearing the voice of the accused as he berates his attorney. It was a voice she'd heard years before in her bedroom, coming from her rapist/torturer wearing a clown's mask. C.J. then was a young law student with a bright future, attractive, dating a soon to be partner in a prestigious firm. But after her attack her life is changed. There are alot of legal issues at battle here in the plot of this great book, but there are alot of humane issues falling about too. After reading Retribution I felt entertained by the story because it was so horrific but also educated as to just how damaging such an event can be in one life. I think I have a better empathy for rape victums now after reading this novel than before. If any of the women in my life, and I pray that it never happens, should become a victum, I now have a better understanding of how to react as a friend, or father, or husband. This book is good on alot of different levels. It's a thriller that'll have you turning the page, it's a courtroom drama, that'll really suck you in, and it's got some twists and surprises that make it worth the effort all alone. For the reviewers previously that say this one's been written before, I'd like a list; because this one was new territory for me and I enjoyed it. If you're a "reader" too, I believe you'll like it as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for fans of literate mysteries
Review: It's obvious by the reviews that readers either love this book or feel it was not as good as its hype. Put me in the latter category. I'll grant that the story line was fairly interesting -- who doesn't love a story of revenge? But the writing was hackneyed (...) and the dialog embarrassingly awkward, particularly the rapist's internal dialog as he awaited his victim ("Yum yum" as I recall). In the hands of Scott Turow or Dennis Lehane this would have been a much more satisfying novel.
Rating:
Summary: This is a Great book
Review: It is hard for me to believe that "Retribution" is the product of a first time author. The characters are so fully developed and true to life, the descriptions are vivid, and the details on forensic science are astounding. I was sucked into the story from the first page, it has plot twists, courtroom drama and is incredibly thrilling. Jillane Hoffman is one to watch to out for.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book I Listened to in a LONG time.
Review: I truly Enjoyed this book. I should not that I listed to it via Audiobook. I found myself making excuses to spend more time in my vehicle so I could finish it. The plot has lots of plot twists and turns. This is the first book I have read by the author but it definitely won't be my last!
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling Debut
Review: Jilliane Hoffman is a name to remember. Her writing debut is excellent and if she has other stories in her head that are on par with RETRIBUTION, she will become one of the superstars of commercial fiction. C.J. Townsend is the tormented state prosecutor assigned to present the case against a suspected serial killer charged with the brutal butchery of the last of his ten victims. The way in which the ten women were allegedly killed coupled with the physical mannerisms of the accused triggers a psychological response in C.J. in which she re-experiences the trauma of an event that happenned in her twenties. The story takes place twelve years later as she begins to prosecute the serial killer. The author creates a deeply layered plot with realistic dialogue and characterization. The skill with which Hoffman ties the story together leads to a surprising yet very satisfying conclusion. This review is purposely vague so as not to ruin the ending of this appropriately-titled thriller. Hoffman has created a web of intrigue and has painted a realistic portrait of a woman with PTSD. RETRIBUTION is the highly recommended debut novel of an author with a very bright future.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson meets Grisham
Review: This quick read grabs you from the first page. If you like serial killer thrillers with a mix of courtroom drama you'll like this book.
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