Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Final Judgment, by Marcia Clark {ends 6/26}

Guest review by: Becki Bayley

I pointed to a closed door on the left side of the room. “The master bath?:

Niko shrugged. We moved to the door and opened it. I heard the scream almost before I could process what I was seeing. Bryan’s body -- naked and bloated -- was floating under the water in the large jetted bathtub. Judging by the condition of his body, he’d been there for days. A nearly empty bottle of wine stood on the floor next to it. Gwen must’ve followed behind us. She’d screamed at the sight of her son -- who was clearly dead. And now, tears streaming down her face, she couldn’t stop screaming. “My son! Oh my God! No!” she sagged to the floor as she sobbed.

I leaned down and put an arm around her as I stared at Bryan’s half-closed eyes. Was this an accident? Or -- given all that’d happened -- was it a suicide? Or … murder?

Although this was the fourth book in Marcia Clark’s Samantha Brinkman series, it was still easy to read and understand without finishing the previous three books in the series.

Official synopsis:

When it comes to relationships and self-preservation, defense attorney Samantha Brinkman has always been cut and run. But it’s different with her new lover, Niko, an ambitious and globally famous entrepreneur. Sam is putting her faith in him. She has to. He’s also her new client—a suspect in the murder of an investor whose shady dealings turned Niko’s good life upside down.

He had the motive: revenge. As did many others who banked a fortune on the wrong man. That’s a point in Niko’s favor. So is his alibi for the day of the slaying. Until that alibi mysteriously disappears. As Sam’s feverish search for another viable killer begins, the investigation only leads deeper into Niko’s past and its secrets.

From the darkest suspicions to final judgment, fighting for Niko is Sam’s job. To do it, she must risk everything on a man who could make all her worst fears come true.

Sam Brinkman is a sassy, smart defense attorney with a not-so-happy past. She tries to do what’s actually right for justice in a lot of cases, especially when the law doesn’t mete out what she feels is appropriate punishment. While this could make her a crazy character, instead it made it sound like she deserves a fist bump.

Ms. Brinkman also had great relationships with each of the other people in her law office. Her ‘bestie’ from childhood was her office manager (and anything else that needed to be done). A previous client who had proved his computer and research skills was her investigator. The respect and admiration they all demonstrated for each other was enjoyable to witness. Great characters can often make a book a better read.

Although it was book four of the Samantha Brinkman series, this book stood alone just fine. There were references to events in her past, but it wasn’t easily discernible if the events were featured in previous books, or just memories from her past.

This book was a great summer read, with a satisfying ending. I’d give it 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary fiction and legal thrillers. I’d also be interested in checking out the previous books in the series, and other novels by this author.

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Becki Bayley is a Gemini who enjoys watering her flower garden, reading, and relaxing with a cold cocktail on a beautiful summer day. She also posts occasionally on Instagram as PoshBecki.

GIVEAWAY:

One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Final Judgment!

Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on Friday, June 26th, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be notified via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Final Judgment, by Marcia Clark