The Bad Witness

Rating:
Summary: She lost me in the first courtroom scene....
Review:

I tried to like this book. I really did. However, when Sally Harrington is finally called to the witness stand to testify for the defense in a mob-realted murder, there is a Perry Mason Moment that would most likely never happen in real life. Not to be a spoiler, but the moment robs this book of any credibility.

Then, Sally's attraction to a cop, complete with a very strange motel-room scene, left me more than puzzled.

I don't care for smug, one-dimensional characters who think only of themselves...and that's exactly what Sally Harrington is.

No more fluff fiction from this author for me.

It's such a pity that books like this are on the shelves when accomplished writers who weave plausible stories filled with complex characters can't find a publisher.

Yuk.

Rating:
Summary: Good read, but not as good as previous books
Review: I became a fan of Ms. Van Wormer's books with "Expose" and have found her books to be real page turners; however, in comparing her recent books -- including "The Bad Witness" -- with earlier works such as "Riverside Drive," "West End" and "Jury Duty," these fall short of the rich detail and story development that the previous works have shown. This book was little more than a bridge between "The Last Lover," "Trouble Becomes Her" and the next book in the series. There was a lot of repetition from those two books as well as way too much focus on the trial and way too little focus on Sally's career development and maturation as a person.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, but as other reviewers have eluded to, there isn't much plot or story development here. I hope for Ms. Van Wormer's sake that she doesn't simply get lost in the sea of run-of-the-mill romance writers. Sally Harrington is an interesting character and there could be so much more done with her, but it appears that the focus is down to two things: (1) how much danger she can get herself into and (2) how messed up her love life is (mainly self-induced). Additionally, the other richly developed characters from previous novels have faded into the woodwork -- I would like to see more done with them as well!

Hopefully the next book gets back to the quality of "Riverside Drive" and "West End"!!

Rating:
Summary: Worth It; a Saucy Continuation of Sally Harrington's life
Review: This is a coming of age novel in a series that recognizes that people don't stop growing just because they've graduated from college, gotten a job, and had a few affairs. Sally Harrington is not dumb, just on her way to the maturity that comes with age and experience - - as are many of us. Things happen TO Sally as a result of her intelligence mixed with a youthful inability to count the costs of her actions. Harrington has to deal with the mores, and current news events of life right now in the United States. I like her new love interest, who is not the usual handsome cardboard foil for a romantic damsel in distress - - he's thinking about the consequences of commitment and partnership. The mystery is not confined to the consequences of the ageing US mafioso families, but also includes Sally's maturity. A lively page-turner that's 3rd in this mystery series that is firmly grounded in today's intricate personal mix of sex, work, and having to find a way to balance everything. A good read.