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Summary: The best in this hot legal procedural series
Review: All is going well in the life of Miami lawyer Gail Connor after her recent debacles (see SUSPICION OF INNOCENCE and SUSPICION OF GUILT). She has opened up a private practice and is engaged to high powered defense attorney Anthony Quintana. Gail has recently been hired as the council to the Miami Opera House, a plum assignment until it is learned that the star once performed in Cuba. This is considered a grave insult to South Florida's Cuban exiles. A negative media campaign begins and anonymous threats of violence towards anyone associated with the opera house occurs. When one of the directors of the opera house plans to debate a fervently anti-Castro talk show host, Gail tries to stop him. While the board member and Gail argue in the parking lot outside the studio, a sniper fires, killing the director and wounding Gail. As the tension escalates, more deaths occur. The murders seem to lead back to Anthony and the time he and some friends(now on the Miami Opera Board) served as volunteers in Nicaragua. Gail asks her fiancé pointed questions about the link, but he refuses to respond. This pushes Gail to seek other sources for her answers, thereby placing her life in danger. SUSPICION OF DECEIT is Barbara Parker's best work in a string of bestsellers. This time the focus is on Gail's relationship with her fiancé, whose angst is caused by the conflict between his heritage and his assimilation into America culture. The well crafted murder mystery includes varying scenarios that make it nearly impossible to identify the killer even though the clues are laid out for the reader to find. This book has cross-over appeal that should widen Ms. Parker's audience as well as gain her numerous kudos. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Suspicion of Deceit Review
Review: Another wonderful story by Barbara Parker. Extremely good writing and difficult to put down! Although the author's newer book, Suspicion of Betrayal was a bit better and more varied with more emotion between Anthony and Gail, this book truly deserves a thumbs up! Keep up the great story line Barbara!
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Summary: Slightly Disappointed
Review: As a huge Barbara Parker fan, I was slightly disappointed by this book; it is my least favorite of her novels for the following reasons: 1. The discussion of Anthony's militant past in his college years -- his radical youth was hardly interesting and was in such great contrast to his present, suave exterior that I found it difficult to reconcile the two. 2. The amount of detail about Cuban politics; I frankly found it confusing and difficult to follow after a while. Parker obviously researched the topic extensively, but there was just so much INFORMATION! It felt like I was back in school after a while. Believe me, I tried to like this book, because I like Barbara Parker's other books so much, but I just didn't go for it. I would recommend any of the other "Suspicion" books or my favorite, "Criminal Justice." Barbara Parker is a great writer, so don't miss her other books!
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Summary: Tropical Politics, Romance And Murder- Parker's Best So Far!
Review: Attorneys Gail Connor and Anthony Quintana are back in Barbara Parker's third mystery thriller about law, crime, politics and complex community, family and love relationships in Miami. This latest offering by Ms. Parker, highlighted by the culture and politics of Miami's Cuban exile community, is her best novel to date. Gail and Anthony are now engaged to be married. As they become more involved with each other's families, she learns much about Anthony's past, and the very different person he was twenty years ago. Gail has left the prestigious law firm, where she worked for eight years, and has opened her own office. Among her clients is the Miami Opera, which she now represents. Talented opera singer Thomas Nolan, an old classmate, is to star in the opera's new production of Don Giovanni. However, his past visit to Cuba, and his potential connections to that island's government, can cause serious problems between the City Opera and Miami's Cuban exile community. Gail gains more insight into community tensions when she becomes better acquainted with Anthony's grandfather, who is a staunch supporter of the movement to overthrow the Castro regime. Gail, while searching for a way to continue with the opera's production without firing the star, discovers that the present political problem is intertwined with a violent incident from Anthony's past - when as a rebellious youth he went to Nicaragua with two friends and his young lover to work with the Sandinistas. As the facts emerge, she questions the validity of her relationship, and once again risks her life in her quest for answers. The usual murders and violence that are the flesh and bones of most mystery thrillers are present here. I find that the added information and plot twists involving Miami's Cuban exiles are fascinating and really provide an interesting glimpse into a little known subculture in America. As always, Ms. Parker's knowledge of the law adds much depth to the narrative. The characters, Gail, Anthony, her daughter Karen, her mother and Anthony's family are all very well crafted figures and continue to grow and change with each book. Gail, as always, juggles her roles and responsibilities as mother, lover, daughter, friend, as well as her demanding career. The characters are what brings me back to this series, much more than the plots, which are relatively good. The characters are so compelling and so realistic that I can't help but care about what happens to them all. I highly recommend this entire series.
JANA
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Summary: Much ado about nothing....
Review: Disjointed, poorly written. Ending of book leaves lots of loose ends. Author has poor command of English language, and even less of Spanish...
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Summary: Good romantic mystery!
Review: Hi, after reading some bad reviews about this book -- and, as an author myself who has received a few bad reviews -- I wish to say that the book was a fun, romantic mystery read! Barbara's command of the English language and Spanish language were OK! Most Mass Markets are done this way! Since I read Spanish well, I found no flaws in the text! However, I did find fault with some of the characters' political beliefs and motives -- but, then again, everyone has different political opinions! As a fan of the Gail and Anthony series, I am anxious to read the next book! Thanks!
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Summary: Welcome back Gail and Anthony.
Review: I am so glad this author decided to go back to writing about Gail and Anthony, the two lawyers she introduced several years ago. I like Parker's style of writing: she keeps the suspense going full speed yet manages to squeeze in a little romance - not too much, but just enough to keep it interesting. I hope she will continue with this series. Dorothy Owen, Richmond, Va.
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Summary: Not my cup of tea.
Review: I have enjoyed previous Barbara Parker books as well her characters Gail and Anthony. I am also a major fan of the great collection of Florida mystery writers. This book misses for me for the same reasons other Sunshine State writers have. When they get into the Cuban exile politics my interest wanders. If I want political intrigue, I'll read a political intrigue novel. But, when I pick up a mystery novel by a familiar writer I have no patience for the exile story. Miami has more than enough murder, mystery and crime to draw upon (log on the Miami Herald)and keep readers turning pages without politicizing the Cuban migration. On the plus side, Ms.Parker draws wonderfully clear characters and paints outstanding word pictures of Dade County. When she keeps it to the courtroom procedure and amateur sleuthing I find her books far more compelling.
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Summary: Slow Going
Review: I have enjoyed the characters, Gail Conner and Anthony Quintana in previous Parker novels, but they weren't strong enough to carry this one. The plot was weak and largely uninteresting. The slow pace led to an ending without surprises. Not much here to recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Slow Going
Review: I have enjoyed the characters, Gail Conner and Anthony Quintana in previous Parker novels, but they weren't strong enough to carry this one. The plot was weak and largely uninteresting. The slow pace led to an ending without surprises. Not much here to recommend.
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