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Death Qualified: A Mystery of Chaos Audiobook
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(3.03) - 762 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Five years ago, Barbara Holloway gave up practicing law, disillusioned with a profession that put politics before justice. Then she receives a phone call, with a simple message: “I need you.”
Nell Kendricks’ husband disappeared seven years earlier, abandoning his young family. Nell hasn’t seen him since—until the day he arrives at the edge of her property and is shot, instantly killed. Accused of his murder, Nell turns to lawyer Frank Holloway for help. Frank knows he cannot win the case alone and calls upon his daughter, Barbara.
Barbara is determined to stay distanced from the case, but the more she learns, the more questions she finds herself asking. Is Nell innocent, as Frank attests? Where has Lucas Kendricks been for the past seven years? Despite her vow, Barbara finds herself drawn to the case and reclaims the search for truth that first led her to the law.
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"I expected a legal thriller, courtroom drama kind of thing but this is much more than that. This book is about the power of the mind and ideas. There is a stron "twin peaks" feeling here. Even the storyline shares a lot in common with that magically horrifying first season of Twin Peaks. The setting of the Pacific Northwest, the grisly rape-murder, the reference to a shadowy "other world" are all so much like that atmospheric televsion show. I did enjoy reading this one."
— Sharla (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Sensitive, thought-provoking, and involving, Death Qualified is an unqualified success.”
— Los Angeles Times Book Review -
“Unlike most writers of legal thrillers, Wilhelm cares as much about her characters as she does about her courtrooms—which is why her books are such genuine pleasures.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“One of the masters of psychological fiction in America.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“Veteran writer Wilhelm has produced another intricate, many-layered novel, in equal parts murder mystery, science fiction, psychological study and consideration of legal ethics.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Wilhelm is a masterful storyteller whose novels have just the right blend of solid plot, compelling mystery, and great courtroom drama.”
— Library Journal
Awards
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A New York Times Notable Book of New York Times Notable Book
Death Qualified Listener Reviews
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" Intellectual mystery...lawyer works with father to solve case "
— Edi, 2/18/2014 -
" Suspenseful murder mystery. "
— Kathy, 2/16/2014 -
" I may need to take a break from books for a bit because I'm having a really rough go of it lately. This was horrendous. I'm not sure if it's me or what, but yikes, I struggled mightily with the beginning, skipped the middle and read the last 25 pages just to finish it. I was hoping for a great new-to-me serial, but this one won't get a second audition. Maybe I should catch up on some back issues of magazines that are piling up... "
— Deb, 2/15/2014 -
" Super weird! Very hard to follow. Surreal with a disquieting ending. "
— Dawn, 2/8/2014 -
" Interesting storyline and characters. Kept me reading to the end, although I scanned over bits with duplicate recounting of char. actions and too much back story or description. When these got in the way of my following the plot, I scanned. "
— JoAnn, 2/2/2014 -
" Good plot, appropriate detail and the pace moves well. Barbara Halloway is a strong character- but also full of contradictions. The relationship between father and daughter is layered and complicated, but at times very simple. A great read, which caused me to pick up others in the series. (Always great to stumble across such a great series/group of characters!) "
— Anne, 1/23/2014 -
" I think this was the first book I read. It got me hooked on all the people in the book. "
— Cindy, 1/12/2014 -
" Overall I found the book entertaining. Without giving away what happens, I will say that I found some of the story line a bit far fetched, that is why I gave it three stars. I liked the writing style and will read more of Kate Wilhelm's books. "
— Amy, 1/10/2014 -
" I read this a while ago, so I think I liked it, kind of like the firm, "
— Ginger, 1/8/2014 -
" Wow! Loved this. The ending was startling and very sad, looking forward to reading the next book. "
— Cindy, 12/27/2013 -
" A light mystery with a touch of psycho thriller. Entertaining, but not substantial. "
— Linda, 12/13/2013 -
" i haven't been this addicted to a book in a long, long time. the murder mystery makes a come back, and allows for character development (at least of the main character) as well as plot. "
— Jessie, 12/7/2013 -
" Barbara Holloway #1 "
— Rochelle, 12/2/2013 -
" Whew! What a page turner, SF elements to myster "
— Helen, 12/8/2012 -
" Listening to the audio book, and it's a little difficult to concentrate on. I had to restart it several times for it to sink in....we'll see. I usually have to finish a book whether I like it or not. "
— Holly, 12/4/2012 -
" It went unexpected places. That's usually a good thing, but in this book I felt that the author lost control of the story and decided to take a goofy way out. "
— Julie, 11/13/2012 -
" It was a decent lawyer drama book. I actually listened to it and I'm not sure I like the reader. Prob would have been better if I had read it. "
— Jessica, 11/4/2012 -
" Way fun with all the Oregon references. Listened to this on audio from the library. I am hooked. On to the next book! "
— Meg, 5/13/2012 -
" psycho thriller/mystery. Not gory. very very good! makes you think and wonder!! "
— Happy, 4/13/2012 -
" I enjoyed the book very much but was a little disappointed with the ending. I suppose I'll have to read the next book to see if there is any more to learn about the characters. "
— Terri, 3/22/2012 -
" I actually enjoyed this book a lot. It was very complex and nice and long. I could really get involved in it. It makes me want to spend some time in Eugene, Oregon and surrounds. "
— Sandy, 8/29/2011 -
" Just not a very gripping plot. I quit. Life's too short to read bad books. "
— Lynn, 4/9/2011 -
" Wow! Loved this. The ending was startling and very sad, looking forward to reading the next book. "
— Cindy, 4/5/2011 -
" Whew! What a page turner, SF elements to myster "
— Helen, 3/31/2011 -
" This was a audiobook an could have been a 4.5 but it got kind of slow towards the end. Wilhelm's attention to detail was evident in the plot. "
— Heidi, 7/30/2010 -
" Not an earth shatteringly good mystery, but it passed the time. "
— Melani, 7/26/2010 -
" A light mystery with a touch of psycho thriller. Entertaining, but not substantial. "
— Linda, 3/27/2010 -
" Great book. Listened to it on my iPod. Surprising ending. "
— Dottie, 1/28/2010 -
" Couldn't finish it - a rare event for me. "
— Kate, 1/14/2010 -
" Kind of long but good "
— Alison, 9/6/2009
About Kate Wilhelm
Kate Wilhelm (1928–2018) was the bestselling author of dozens of novels and short-story collections. Among her novels are the popular courtroom thrillers featuring attorney Barbara Holloway. Her other works include the science fiction classic Where Late the Sweet Birds Sang.
About Anna Fields
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.