Forget about Grisham, Turow, and all those other scribbling ex-lawyers. The best writer of legal mysteries working today is Kate Wilhelm of Eugene, Oregon.
When he was a kid, Teddy Wendover had an accident that left him stunted at the mental age of eight. Physically, he's six-foot-two and twenty-eight years old, but he acts and thinks just like a little boy. Could this big little boy be a killer?
Someone has murdered one of Oregon's congressmen, and it doesn't seem to be a coincidence that this politician led the field trip during which Teddy's accident occurred almost twenty years ago. Nor does it seem to be coincidental that the killer left rocks strewn about the murder site, rocks just like the ones Teddy plays with. And the only thing that's certain is that the person who cast the first of these stones is not without sin.
Malice Prepense is the most complicated and most engrossing case yet for Barbara Holloway, the dynamic star of Death Qualified and The Best Defense.
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"Not a bad book but definitely not Wilhelm's best effort. The characters as usual have great depth and the story line moves along very well. I just thought the ending was a bit hurried and didn't really match the rest of the book"
— Ricardo (4 out of 5 stars)
“As Wilhelm spins her riveting tale, she not only makes the legal system comprehensible and compelling but also makes her readers care about her characters, particularly the efficient yet vulnerable Barbara.”
— Publishers Weekly“Forget about Grisham, Turow and all those other scribbling ex-lawyers. The best writer of legal mysteries working today is Kate Wilhelm…Holloway is a marvelously dense and thorny character, and her father and legal colleague is equally interesting.”
— Amazon.com“Provides nail-biting courtroom tension, revealing much about our society’s perception of ethics, family values, and the capabilities of the mentally challenged. This is a worthy contribution to the courtroom thriller genre.”
— Library Journal“Wilhelm proves yet again that she’s one of the more talented writers in the genre, offering suspense, action, and tough, intelligent characters. A top pick for fans of the conventional mystery.”
— Booklist" A court room procedural that is well written and has a good outcome. "
— Catherine, 12/2/2013" one of her earlier books, a good mystery, but her writing improves in later years. "
— Joanne, 8/29/2013" This book focused on issues of prejudice and labels, and how this might influence beliefs of various people linked to a particular crime. I found this to be another captivating book about a crime and the trial concerning it. "
— Heather, 7/26/2013" Great story, lots of suspense, surprise ending! What else can you ask for? "
— Carolyn, 7/24/2013" Thoroughly enjoyed this book and the series of books I have read to date. Looking forward to next ones. "
— Karen, 5/10/2013" I am on a short Kate Wilhelm run. I haven't read her in years. I'd forgotten, she is very very good. "
— Blackbook, 12/15/2012" Another light read/listen on my MP3. When I am on the treadmill this series of books keeps me entertained. "
— Linda, 6/26/2012" Always many twists and turns in Kate Wilhelm's writing making the Barbara Holloway series quite entertaining. I liked this one more than #2 but still not as much as #1. Enjoyed learning about Maine Coon cats. "
— Carolyn, 2/28/2012" Good book to listen to while exercising! Interesting and suspensful. "
— Theresa, 2/13/2012" These are so great for listening to at the gym and on long drives. Glad there are plenty! "
— Kathy, 3/12/2010" Great story, lots of suspense, surprise ending! What else can you ask for? "
— Carolyn, 2/3/2010" Defense Attorney Barbara Bobby Holloway and her dad defend Ted and Teddy Windover in the murder of congressman Knecht and others. All involved in the search for gold. "
— Ruth, 4/16/2009" I am on a short Kate Wilhelm run. I haven't read her in years. I'd forgotten, she is very very good. "
— Blackbook, 9/24/2008Kate 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.
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.