Rating: 
Summary: Toss your Grishm in favor of Ellis
Review: Let's say you're looking for a well-writen, guilty-pleasure page-turner with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and you consider picking up the new Grisham. Well, put that book back on the shelf (or cancel your one-click order) in favor of Line of Vision by David Ellis. This guy has got the goods: he spins a good court-room yarn, and creates a serpentine plot that keeps its best secrets till the end.I've recommended it twice so far (in a week) and have gotten positive replies at every turn. Buy it-- you won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: First effort
Review: Marty Kalish is an investment banker in love with Rachel Reinhardt, a married woman. Every Thursday night he would hide outside her home and stare into her window where she performs a weekly striptease. Marty is always looking forward to those nights where he can see Rachel in all her glory. On the last night he finds Rachel fully dressed. She is seen arguing with her husband, Derrick. One thing leads to another and Dr. Reinhardt starts to hit Rachel. Marty says he could not take it anymore and goes to her defense. The story is purposely ambiguous at this point leaving the reader to wonder, what really happened? Ellis relies on the first-person present tense to relate the story. In this case this is Marty Kalish's story. The only thing one can't help but wonder -is he telling the truth? Is there a real relationship between Rachel and him? Is he a stalker? These are the questions readers ask themselves as they try to unravel the story. Marty is subsequently arrested and he goes into the trial. It is here where the reader gets to learn more about the life of Mr. Kalish as well as his personality. He is arrogant and full of himself for which the reader will feel little sympathy for him. The case then has its requisite twist and turns until it's final conclusion. Ellis won the 2002 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. The story is a noble effort with this type of narrative; however there are other authors who pull it off successfully. The first is Tom Savage's VALENTINE and SCAVENGER; the Grand Mistress is Agatha Christie with the classic works ENDLESS NIGHT and THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD. Ellis writes an entertaining novel but his next book will show if he can still pull it off.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good legal thriller!
Review: Marty Kalish is on trial for murder, and the story is told from his perspective. In love with a married woman, Marty is the principal suspect when her husband is murdered. At first the book dragged a bit. Then once the trial started, it was hard to put down. Not the best written thriller, but oh what a ride! Very clever plot from beginning to end. I like Marty Kalish!
Rating:
Summary: a remarkable first novel
Review: Marty Kalish, an investment banker, is in the midst of a heated affair with a married woman. Marty's lover, Rachel Reinardt, wife of a respected cardiothoracic surgeon, confesses to Marty that her husband, when intoxicated, has beaten her and has, in fact, threatened to kill her. Fearing for her life, Marty watched their house one night and witnesses what he believes to be the prelude to a murder. That night the doctor disappears, presumably murdered. A short time later, Marty is questioned as a suspect and later arrested for murder. However, the questions remain. What happened that night and is Marty, in fact, a murderer? Marty will go on trial in an attempt to determine the truth. LINE OF VISION is a truly riveting courtroom drama. Great care is exercised in describing events leading up to the first day of trial. This allows certain facts to be placed in front of the reader. However, it also allows ample opportunity for red herrings to be inserted into the complex plot. By the time the reader reaches the surprising conclusion, their head will be spinning over the many twists and turns of the plot. In addition to David Ellis's impressive ability to tell a captivating tale, he also excels at creating rich characterizations, especially that of Marty. One problem with this debut is the length. Episodes, at times, appear aimless and the author took way too long in setting up the courtroom scenes. Nonetheless, LINE OF VISION is a remarkable first novel and well worthy of it's Edgar nomination.
Rating:
Summary: a remarkable first novel
Review: Marty Kalish, an investment banker, is in the midst of a heated affair with a married woman. Marty's lover, Rachel Reinardt, wife of a respected cardiothoracic surgeon, confesses to Marty that her husband, when intoxicated, has beaten her and has, in fact, threatened to kill her. Fearing for her life, Marty watched their house one night and witnesses what he believes to be the prelude to a murder. That night the doctor disappears, presumably murdered. A short time later, Marty is questioned as a suspect and later arrested for murder. However, the questions remain. What happened that night and is Marty, in fact, a murderer? Marty will go on trial in an attempt to determine the truth. LINE OF VISION is a truly riveting courtroom drama. Great care is exercised in describing events leading up to the first day of trial. This allows certain facts to be placed in front of the reader. However, it also allows ample opportunity for red herrings to be inserted into the complex plot. By the time the reader reaches the surprising conclusion, their head will be spinning over the many twists and turns of the plot. In addition to David Ellis's impressive ability to tell a captivating tale, he also excels at creating rich characterizations, especially that of Marty. One problem with this debut is the length. Episodes, at times, appear aimless and the author took way too long in setting up the courtroom scenes. Nonetheless, LINE OF VISION is a remarkable first novel and well worthy of it's Edgar nomination.
Rating: 
Summary: Below Average.
Review: No atmosphere, no action, no villian, no steam, no surprises. Stretches the trial out unnecessarily. Lightweight fare; mostly dialog. Could appeal to someone looking for easy reading.
Rating:
Summary: Best Ever
Review: One of the best books I have read in a year! Thrilling page turner read in record speed. Will probably read it again to pick up what I missed the first time. Eagerly wait this author's next novel!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Plot Follows a Devious Manipulator
Review: Rarely do first novels have original, well-developed plots. Line of Vision has one of the best plots I have ever read in the legal thriller genre. If the character development were as strong as the plot, Line of Vision would be one of the great legal thrillers of all time. In the end, the book successfully transcends the amazing plot to raise fundamental questions about human motivation that will haunt you. I was attracted to Line of Vision after learning that the book had received the Edgar award for best first novel. Since I had found many other fine writers this way, I was looking forward to the book. My high expectations were greatly exceeded. The plot complications reminded me of first-year classes in evidence in law school while the complexity of the issues addressed exceeded most law school articles I have read. Those who like their thrillers to be intellectually challenging will adore this book! Marty Kalish is the book's protagonist and narrates the story. He is the exception to the rule that Mr. Ellis did not do enough character development. You will get to know Marty Kalish quite well, and will find yourself engaged by his struggle to avoid harm to those he loves and himself. Marty is at that stage as an investment banker where he will soon become a partner . . . or work on in oblivion elsewhere. As a bachelor, he lives his work . . . until he meets the intriguing wife of a prominent surgeon. Marty offers her a ride home, and one thing leads to another. As the book opens, Marty is standing outside her house waiting for a weekly treat -- her naughty modeling performance before an undraped window while her husband is away operating. But something's wrong. She's not doing her thing. Instead, her husband is at home . . . and attacking her. Marty races to the rescue. Someone calls the police. When they arrive, they find a dazed wife and a missing husband in a living room filled with blood. Marty meanwhile is out using his wits and his brief law school experience to create a false trail that leads away from his beloved and himself. But he makes little errors based on his out-of-control emotions, and is soon under suspicion. The story shows how he deals with that suspicion and ingeniously unveils the answers to unexpected secrets that he uncovers along the way. This book is not for the meek and mild. Marty does some pretty reprehensible things, and is mainly looking out for his own pleasure (and hide). But justice is done in the end, much like happened in the great noir thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s. As I finished the book, I was reminded to try to step outside of my own perspective to see what is happening from the view points of others . . . if I want to understand what is really happening . . . rather than what I want to believe is happening. Very nice job, Mr. Ellis!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing Plot Follows a Devious Manipulator
Review: Rarely do first novels have original, well-developed plots. Line of Vision has one of the best plots I have ever read in the legal thriller genre. If the character development were as strong as the plot, Line of Vision would be one of the great legal thrillers of all time. In the end, the book successfully transcends the amazing plot to raise fundamental questions about human motivation that will haunt you. I was attracted to Line of Vision after learning that the book had received the Edgar award for best first novel. Since I had found many other fine writers this way, I was looking forward to the book. My high expectations were greatly exceeded. The plot complications reminded me of first-year classes in evidence in law school while the complexity of the issues addressed exceeded most law school articles I have read. Those who like their thrillers to be intellectually challenging will adore this book! Marty Kalish is the book's protagonist and narrates the story. He is the exception to the rule that Mr. Ellis did not do enough character development. You will get to know Marty Kalish quite well, and will find yourself engaged by his struggle to avoid harm to those he loves and himself. Marty is at that stage as an investment banker where he will soon become a partner . . . or work on in oblivion elsewhere. As a bachelor, he lives his work . . . until he meets the intriguing wife of a prominent surgeon. Marty offers her a ride home, and one thing leads to another. As the book opens, Marty is standing outside her house waiting for a weekly treat -- her naughty modeling performance before an undraped window while her husband is away operating. But something's wrong. She's not doing her thing. Instead, her husband is at home . . . and attacking her. Marty races to the rescue. Someone calls the police. When they arrive, they find a dazed wife and a missing husband in a living room filled with blood. Marty meanwhile is out using his wits and his brief law school experience to create a false trail that leads away from his beloved and himself. But he makes little errors based on his out-of-control emotions, and is soon under suspicion. The story shows how he deals with that suspicion and ingeniously unveils the answers to unexpected secrets that he uncovers along the way. This book is not for the meek and mild. Marty does some pretty reprehensible things, and is mainly looking out for his own pleasure (and hide). But justice is done in the end, much like happened in the great noir thrillers of the 1940s and 1950s. As I finished the book, I was reminded to try to step outside of my own perspective to see what is happening from the view points of others . . . if I want to understand what is really happening . . . rather than what I want to believe is happening. Very nice job, Mr. Ellis!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Simply put - a great book and a great read. Buy this book, settle in for the evening and forget about everything else but reading.
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