Rating: 
Summary: AN ENGROSSING LEGAL THRILLER
Review: When a veteran detective is found mutilated, and hanging from a public fountain with the word FAITHLESS scrawled across his chest, all fingers point to nineteen-year-old Keri Dalcanton, a stripper involved in an affair with the married detective.With the media, the towns people, and the police painting a picture of a woman scorned, Keri, turns to attorney Ben Kincaid for help. The evidence clearly paints a picture of guilt, but as the case deepens, a mistake by the cops sends Keri free, sending the police force into a frenzy. Vowing to see justice served-at any price-the police begin their war against Ben, and a raid on his office uncovers the blood stained murder weapon. As a new case against Keri is being prepared, so is one against Ben, charging him with murder. After years of being on the other side of the table, Ben is now fighting for his own innocence, in a legal battle where every secret is exposed, and no one can be trusted. "Murder One" is another exciting entry in the Ben Kincaid thriller series. The plot moves like lightning as the explosive murder trial heats up the courtroom, the twists in the plot are sharp and fast, driving the novel to a stunning climax. William Bernhardt's writing is crisp and clean, his characters well developed, and his plots totally engrossing, further establishing him as one of my favorite authors. Fans of legal thrillers should read "Murder One", and then go back and read the earlier novels in the series. If there is any justice at all...William Bernhardt will join the ranks of Grisham, Lescroart, Baldacci and Martini, and his new novel will fly up the bestseller list's. A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as the others in the series
Review: Wilaim Bernhardt has a whole collection of books he has written concerning small-time lawyer Ben Kincaid and his (mis)adventures and legal maneuverings. Most of the books feature Ben and his ragtag office staff going against well-funded corporate lawyers or the District Attorney's office and somehow coming up with a win.
This book is no different, except that it is not as good a book as the others he has written. In fact, I would not have reviewed this book for this forum at all except for the review quote on the cover that says, "...You never see the end coming." In today's over-hyped marketplace I've seen a lot of quotes like this, but this time it was true. I did not see it coming and that (and the accurate quote) deserves recognition.
This book, however, only rates a "3 stars" from me - it did not stay true to the strong character development that was present in the other books and I thought Ben Kincaid strayed from the character that has been built throughout the rest of the books.
I do, however, recommend any of his very early books. They are fun and well-written
Rating: 
Summary: Who's Worse¿the Killer or the Kops?
Review: William Bernhardt has given us two other Ben Kincaid stories (Dark Justice, Silent Justice) and Murder One continues the saga of this not-so-typical lawyer novel hero. Kincaid is defending 19-year-old exotic dancer Keri Dalcanton in her trial for the ghastly murder of police hero Joe McNaughton. McNaughton was found naked, chained to the statue in a fountain in a public park one morning, dead from multiple stab wounds; the night before his wife had badgered him into going to see Keri to break off their torrid love affair. His mutilated body was bound so tightly that his arms were broken. Keri weighs about 100 pounds, Joe 220. Keri was arrested and charged within hours of the time the body was discovered. The cops are up in arms about their hero being killed, and in such a sensational fashion. Early in the trial, Kincaid spots an error in procedure in the way the police got their warrant to search Keri's apartment, and the case is dismissed. Many police are enraged and vow to make Kincaid pay for getting the murderess off. The most vehement is the cop who messed up. In mood for revenge, the police institute the "Blue Squeeze" to badger Kincaid and make his life miserable. With full SWAT team (and media) support they raid Kincaid's office, with a proper search warrant this time, and find a bloody knife in his desk. He is then arrested for concealing evidence and for murder. The circumstances are enough to vacate double jeopardy and bring Keri back to trial again. Then the charges against Ben are dropped. Keri's new trial proceeds, along with a side narrative of the tribulations of Keri's brother Kirk, who is obviously disturbed and deranged. Kirk's actions lead to an unexpected, almost deus ex machina, ending to the trial. Then there is an even more bizarre ending to the novel. The story is well told, and has some very interesting characters who weave in and around the plots twists and turns.
Rating:
Summary: A Story that Compels You to Examine Yourself
Review: William Bernhardt is one of the few authors who always makes me think about myself, my values, my understanding of the world, and then makes me a better person in the process of revealing truth through his outstanding fiction. This is true of his latest novel,Murder One, which does a terrific job of forcing anyone who thinks he or she is world-wise and a good critical thinker to think again, and observe again, and discover that reality is far different from what we thought. I reserve the last star only because I would have liked more of his subtle, ironic humor. I know of no other serious author who can make me laugh on one page and cry on the next. (The first book of his I read, I laughed out loud in my office several times and had my coworkers thinking I had gone off the deep end.)
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