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: For Sally Harrington fans
Review: NY TV news reporter Sally Harrington is in Santa Monica to testify as a defense witness in the "Mafia Boss Murder Trial". Hollywood producer Jonathan Small stands trial for killing mobster Nick Arlenetta. While the prosecutor screams murder one, the defense team insists self-defense as they claim that Jonathan shot Nick before the mobster could kill his sister. Sally who has done a documentary on the East Coast mob families plans to testify that Nick tried to kill her also.

Following attempts on Sally's life, her boss and mentor at DBS News Alexandra Waring coaxes the police to provide her reporter with protection around the clock. Officer Paul Fitzwilliam and Sally feel an immediate attraction, but her safety comes first especially when she is hurt in a hit and run incident. As Sally becomes the news rather than reporting it, the trial takes center stage, but will she live long enough to provide her "expert" opinion?

Though shifted to the West Coast, the fourth Harrington novel reads similar to the previous three tales as she once again makes for a good novel when Sally is in center stage. The problem is the trial that goes on and on and on, etc. while keeping Sally on the sidelines for the most part as a mere observer. Not as powerful as tales like TROUBLE BECOMES HER, HE BAD WITNESS contains enough of Sally's brand of shtick to satisfy her fans.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: For Sally Harrington fans
Review: NY TV news reporter Sally Harrington is in Santa Monica to testify as a defense witness in the "Mafia Boss Murder Trial". Hollywood producer Jonathan Small stands trial for killing mobster Nick Arlenetta. While the prosecutor screams murder one, the defense team insists self-defense as they claim that Jonathan shot Nick before the mobster could kill his sister. Sally who has done a documentary on the East Coast mob families plans to testify that Nick tried to kill her also.

Following attempts on Sally's life, her boss and mentor at DBS News Alexandra Waring coaxes the police to provide her reporter with protection around the clock. Officer Paul Fitzwilliam and Sally feel an immediate attraction, but her safety comes first especially when she is hurt in a hit and run incident. As Sally becomes the news rather than reporting it, the trial takes center stage, but will she live long enough to provide her "expert" opinion?

Though shifted to the West Coast, the fourth Harrington novel reads similar to the previous three tales as she once again makes for a good novel when Sally is in center stage. The problem is the trial that goes on and on and on, etc. while keeping Sally on the sidelines for the most part as a mere observer. Not as powerful as tales like TROUBLE BECOMES HER, HE BAD WITNESS contains enough of Sally's brand of shtick to satisfy her fans.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and fun--couldn't stop turning the pages
Review: Television producer Sally Harrington is called as a witness in a murder trial. While on the stand, the prosecutor tries to make Sally seem a complete slut--and completely untrustworthy. Meanwhile, her life is confused, with her longstanding relationship going nowhere and a much younger cop suddenly looking better and better. Add an attack heliocopter and a hit and run assault on Sally and her cop-date, and you have a woman with real problems.

THE BAD WITNESS is a strange book. There really isn't much of a mystery in it. Much of the story is actually back-story, as one witness after another steps up to tell of what happened in the earlier Sally Harrington novel TROUBLE BECOMES HER. Strangely, though, it works. Author Laura Van Wormer delivers a well-written and compelling page-turner.

Put on the spot as a 'bad witness', Sally Harrington emerges as a sympathetic character. Although she continues to look at every twist of fortune as an opportunity for news coverage and more money for Sally, this behavior has become understandable and even admirable. Sally may be a BAD WITNESS, but she makes for an interesting and fun character.

Rating:
Summary: Good read, but not as good as previous books
Review: this book was a big disappointment. First -- there was no real plot, unless a New Guy is supposed to qualify. the whole book is about the trial that follows the last book. Nothing new or surprising happens at the trial. this is the biggest flaw -- the whole book is just an epilogue

Second: things that should be Startling Developments are a letdown. Much is made of the fact that the wife of the killer of Sally's father has a dying wish to see her, but when we find out why, the why leads nowhere. it's a big "so??" This is just one example.

Third: you don't have to be a trial lawyer to find the courtroom stuff annoying -- you learn this much just from watching Law & Order -- which is, that all that defamatory stuff about Sally could have been objected to by the defense. So I found it annoying.

I came away with the impression that van Wormer's books are heading more and more away from mystery/suspense and closer to superficial romances.

Rating:
Summary: nothing new here
Review: this book was a big disappointment. First -- there was no real plot, unless a New Guy is supposed to qualify. the whole book is about the trial that follows the last book. Nothing new or surprising happens at the trial. this is the biggest flaw -- the whole book is just an epilogue

Second: things that should be Startling Developments are a letdown. Much is made of the fact that the wife of the killer of Sally's father has a dying wish to see her, but when we find out why, the why leads nowhere. it's a big "so??" This is just one example.

Third: you don't have to be a trial lawyer to find the courtroom stuff annoying -- you learn this much just from watching Law & Order -- which is, that all that defamatory stuff about Sally could have been objected to by the defense. So I found it annoying.

I came away with the impression that van Wormer's books are heading more and more away from mystery/suspense and closer to superficial romances.

Rating:
Summary: Where's the Story?
Review: This book was really nothing more than 417 pages of filler...and only then if you read the previous Sally Harrington books.

Sally testifies at a trial and then sits in and reports on it. She begins a flirtation with a young cop. OK, where's the story? That's all there is to it, and it left me feeling like I wasted my time reading something that could've been compressed into a few pages tacked onto the ending of the previous installment.

Hopefully the next one is better.

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

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.