Series
Genres
Publication
PENGUIN BOOKS LTD (2004), Edition: Reprint, 356 pages
Description
When an elite prosecutor faces the most lethal predator she's ever encountered, it all comes down to a choice between justice and retribution.
User reviews
LibraryThing member TerryWeyna
Here we go again: another legal thriller by another former prosecutor that hangs the plot entirely on an attorney’s decision to act with a complete and utter lack of ethics. As a member of the legal profession who struggles frequently with ethical issues myself – like every practicing lawyer
This is not a small matter in this exceptionally hyped first novel by Hoffman, who was once an Assistant State Attorney and a Regional Legal Advisor for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. There’s no question that it isn’t supposed to bother the reader much; one is expected to excuse the attorney for what she does because she was once the victim of an exceptionally brutal rape. But it colors the entire novel, and makes C.J. Townsend an unsympathetic character notable only for her willingness to twist the law, to lie, and to suborn perjury in order to prosecute and execute a man who may or may not be a bloody serial killer.
The ethical problems are only the beginning of what is wrong with this novel. It depends on a level of coincidence that strains credulity. It assumes that Townsend, an allegedly brilliant lawyer who has been practicing for a number of years, has never heard of the statute of limitations – the category of laws that limit the time within which a crime must be prosecuted. The defense lawyer is so thoroughly disarmed by her sympathy for Townsend that she desists from providing her client with a strong defense, a situation that would cause any other lawyer to withdraw and allow tougher counsel to defend the capital case that may result in her client’s death with the required vigor. And the police are led around by the nose, one of them, of course, having fallen in love with Townsend. It’s not only lawyers who will have trouble with this book; it’s intelligent readers, too.
All that said, it must be acknowledged that Hoffman knows the basics about how to plot, and can move things along at breakneck speed. She can describe a courtroom scene so convincingly that you’d think you were sitting in the jury box. She knows how to write a write graphically about ugly crimes, but not cross the line into violent pornography. If you can suspend your disbelief completely – say, on a Saturday afternoon when it’s snowing hard and your pile of new mysteries is running low – you may well get some real enjoyment out of this book.
Still, it is by no means the new Presumed Innocent that some are touting it as. Hoffman and Turow have nothing in common based on the evidence of this book. Still, I finished this book hoping that Hoffman will use her evident talent to better effect in her next novel.
Originally published in The Drood Review of Mystery, Volume 24, No. 11, p. 7 (Jan/Feb 2004)
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– I’d be tearing my hair out except that I have none left after a few years of reviewing legal thrillers. This is not a small matter in this exceptionally hyped first novel by Hoffman, who was once an Assistant State Attorney and a Regional Legal Advisor for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. There’s no question that it isn’t supposed to bother the reader much; one is expected to excuse the attorney for what she does because she was once the victim of an exceptionally brutal rape. But it colors the entire novel, and makes C.J. Townsend an unsympathetic character notable only for her willingness to twist the law, to lie, and to suborn perjury in order to prosecute and execute a man who may or may not be a bloody serial killer.
The ethical problems are only the beginning of what is wrong with this novel. It depends on a level of coincidence that strains credulity. It assumes that Townsend, an allegedly brilliant lawyer who has been practicing for a number of years, has never heard of the statute of limitations – the category of laws that limit the time within which a crime must be prosecuted. The defense lawyer is so thoroughly disarmed by her sympathy for Townsend that she desists from providing her client with a strong defense, a situation that would cause any other lawyer to withdraw and allow tougher counsel to defend the capital case that may result in her client’s death with the required vigor. And the police are led around by the nose, one of them, of course, having fallen in love with Townsend. It’s not only lawyers who will have trouble with this book; it’s intelligent readers, too.
All that said, it must be acknowledged that Hoffman knows the basics about how to plot, and can move things along at breakneck speed. She can describe a courtroom scene so convincingly that you’d think you were sitting in the jury box. She knows how to write a write graphically about ugly crimes, but not cross the line into violent pornography. If you can suspend your disbelief completely – say, on a Saturday afternoon when it’s snowing hard and your pile of new mysteries is running low – you may well get some real enjoyment out of this book.
Still, it is by no means the new Presumed Innocent that some are touting it as. Hoffman and Turow have nothing in common based on the evidence of this book. Still, I finished this book hoping that Hoffman will use her evident talent to better effect in her next novel.
Originally published in The Drood Review of Mystery, Volume 24, No. 11, p. 7 (Jan/Feb 2004)
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LibraryThing member jrepman
Miami prosecutor CJ Townsend searches for serial killer and rapist.
LibraryThing member Joycepa
A young law student is brutally raped in New York. 10 years later, she is the lead prosecutor in Miami, working on the case of a serial killer nicknamed Cupid. A suspect turns up--whom she believes is the same man who raped her years before.
The plot reminds me of the early patricia Cornwell books;
The plot reminds me of the early patricia Cornwell books;
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unfortunately, the writing, while good, is not at that high a level. There is a nice twist towards the end that makes for page-turning tension at that point. The courtroom scenes are well done but not out of the ordinary. All in all, a good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member pdebolt
This is a difficult book to put down once begun. It has interesting plot twiests that I didn't anticipate, and characters that didn't totally defy believability. I found the moral conundrum of C.J., which leads to the title of the book, compelling and thought-provoking. This is an excellent debut,
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and I eagerly await more novels by the talented Ms. Hoffman. Show Less
LibraryThing member TonyaSB
I normally don't read mystery novels because for the most part they not creative and I can predict them within a few chapters. The only reason I ordered this book from Paperback Swap was because I wanted something to listen to while I drive to work. This one had 13 cds and seemed slightly
Hoffman was able to surprise me several times, which is another reason I loved the book. If I can figure it out too soon, then I'm bored. And the twist she takes near the end...well, that was genius. I knew there was something more than the story we were being told but I simply didn't see it. Maybe it's because she didn't leave enough clues for the reader to get there on her own until she reveals a key piece, but it also didn't feel wrong when I did figure it out. It was more like "Of course!"
Like I said, I listened to the audio version. I was little confused because the cover and the cds both said they were read by Martha Plimpton but the beginning and end cds stated that it was read by Kathe Mazur. I had to do a serious search to even find a version with that name being read. Everything I saw said Martha Plimpton read the abridged version and the one lonely site I saw with Kathe Mazur listed said it was unabridged. I listened to the unabridged version but you'd think they'd put the right person reading on the cover! Very weird.
I highly recommend this book. If you listen, get the unabridged version. I can't imagine what they could possibly leave out in the abridged version. It would have to be terrible.
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interesting. That being said, this book is AMAZING! It definitely has me reconsidering my "no mysteries" stance. There was no forced romance that felt like it was put there simply to have women interested. There is a little romance but, even though it's written by a woman, it is also not all consuming throughout the novel. The true story is the mystery and Chloe herself, the romance is just a by product. I thought that was a great way to go. I really hate when female characters spend the entire book mooning over someone when their life is literally falling apart. I just found out that there is being a movie made of it so I'm sure they'll play it up in just the way I hate.Hoffman was able to surprise me several times, which is another reason I loved the book. If I can figure it out too soon, then I'm bored. And the twist she takes near the end...well, that was genius. I knew there was something more than the story we were being told but I simply didn't see it. Maybe it's because she didn't leave enough clues for the reader to get there on her own until she reveals a key piece, but it also didn't feel wrong when I did figure it out. It was more like "Of course!"
Like I said, I listened to the audio version. I was little confused because the cover and the cds both said they were read by Martha Plimpton but the beginning and end cds stated that it was read by Kathe Mazur. I had to do a serious search to even find a version with that name being read. Everything I saw said Martha Plimpton read the abridged version and the one lonely site I saw with Kathe Mazur listed said it was unabridged. I listened to the unabridged version but you'd think they'd put the right person reading on the cover! Very weird.
I highly recommend this book. If you listen, get the unabridged version. I can't imagine what they could possibly leave out in the abridged version. It would have to be terrible.
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LibraryThing member nyiper
Eeeyow....I was looking for something different to listen to and I guess I found it. Just a little too much gore. I happened to pick up an abridged audio version but it was enough. It's not that it wasn't well written and it most certainly had its own thrilling aspects so I'm quite sure it would be
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just what some people would love---just not my particular favorite. It was definitely clever. Show Less
LibraryThing member mikedraper
In this fine novel which was nominated for the Anthony Award for the Best First Mystery Novel, a preditor stalks and rapes law student Chole Larson and escapes.
Twelve years later, a string of murders have occurred in the Miami area. A policeman pulls over a car for a traffic offense and when the
He's brought before the court and prosecutor, C. J. Townsend. She wonders, is Bantling the serial killer or a copy cat? Then, she hears the man's voice and remembers it. Even though it's been twelve years, C. J. remembers the attack, the break up of her relationship and her nervous breakdown. She moved to Florida, changed her name and passed the Florida bar exam. She's able to survive with drive and periodic visits to her analyst.
When C. J. recognizes the voice, she becomes more determined than ever that the man who raped her and killed the woman in the trunk gets what he deserves. Now, she must be careful that she stays impartial but still gets her retribution.
This is a wonderful plot driven novel. C. J. Townsend is a first rate protagonist, sympathetic, yet strong in her resolve. The author adds an interesting but somewhat predictable plot twist at the end which heightened the enjoyment.
Film rights have been sold and the film is currently in development.
Twelve years later, a string of murders have occurred in the Miami area. A policeman pulls over a car for a traffic offense and when the
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driver of the car refuses to allow the policeman to check his trunk, a K-9 unit is called. The dog smells something and when they pop the trunk, they find the body of a dead girl with a missing heart. William Banting asks for a lawyer.He's brought before the court and prosecutor, C. J. Townsend. She wonders, is Bantling the serial killer or a copy cat? Then, she hears the man's voice and remembers it. Even though it's been twelve years, C. J. remembers the attack, the break up of her relationship and her nervous breakdown. She moved to Florida, changed her name and passed the Florida bar exam. She's able to survive with drive and periodic visits to her analyst.
When C. J. recognizes the voice, she becomes more determined than ever that the man who raped her and killed the woman in the trunk gets what he deserves. Now, she must be careful that she stays impartial but still gets her retribution.
This is a wonderful plot driven novel. C. J. Townsend is a first rate protagonist, sympathetic, yet strong in her resolve. The author adds an interesting but somewhat predictable plot twist at the end which heightened the enjoyment.
Film rights have been sold and the film is currently in development.
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LibraryThing member caroren
With this graphic serial killer/courtroom thriller, debut novelist Hoffman joins the lengthening list of high-powered legal ladies whose professional expertise serves as the basis for authentic, insider crime fiction. Blond, beautiful law student Chloe Larson is looking forward to a great future
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with successful New York businessman Michael Decker. Her expectations are shattered forever after a madman in a clown mask rapes and tortures her until she is near death. She survives physically, but psychologically slips into an extended mental breakdown. Twelve years later she's dyed her hair mousy brown and become unassuming, hardworking C.J. Townsend, assistant chief of the Miami Dade State Attorney's office. A suspiciously lucky break nets serial killer suspect William Bantling, and C.J. takes over the prosecution as part of her normal workload. When Bantling stands up in court and speaks, C.J. realizes he's the man who raped her years ago. C.J. learns that the statute of limitations has run out on her rape and that her involvement in that case might very well cause Bantling to be freed on a technicality. Love interest Special Agent Dominick Falconetti knows there is something seriously wrong as C.J.'s mental state begins to deteriorate, but she brushes off his concern and immerses herself in her work on the case. The far-fetched resolution will throw some readers, but Hoffman compensates with a compellingly horrific villain and an undeniably exciting final confrontation. A Page Turner! Show Less
LibraryThing member chrissywest
I had a lot of computer work to do today, so decided to download an audio book. After reading through several synopsis on a few books, I picked this book, Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman, a author I have never read anything by before. Let’s just say I was pretty much glued to my desk chair for
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the 6hrs the audio book ran. What a powerful, gut-wrenching story. Pretty graphic in places, but I don’t shy away from violence in novels.CJ is excellently portrayed as a woman with a tortured past - trying to put her life back together. The characters are well developed, and you are drawn into their world completely. There was even a little humor in the book, contributed by the character, Manny Alvarez. This is one very powerful debut novel, and a excellent legal thriller. I thought the ending was a little rushed, but I still recommend the book all the way! Show Less
LibraryThing member moonshineandrosefire
C. J. Townsend is a brilliant state prosecutor known for keeping her cool even when trying the most horrific cases. The current murderer is as base as they come - a vicious killer who savors cruelty and considers murder an art form. Amid a maelstrom of media coverage, C. J. builds her case until
I enjoyed this story even though it was a little farfetched toward the end. I give it an A!
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she is struck with a shattering blow from her past. Now, everything rides on her ability to hold herself together long enough to put the criminal behind bars forever.I enjoyed this story even though it was a little farfetched toward the end. I give it an A!
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LibraryThing member neddludd
For a first novel, this is a very worthwhile book. The author creates a fascinating narrative hook that links two periods in the heroine's life. Much of the work focuses on her experiences as a tough and experienced prosecutor, but her current case is giving her major agita. The dialogue is good,
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as is the description of how a prosecutorial case is assembled. There is some good speculation on legal ethics, for both the prosecution and defense, focusing on whether the ends do justify the means. The love interest is a tad too perfect. Also, the main character's Hamlet speculations become repetitive and slow down the story. But the ending is a surprise, and the book carries a realistic portrayal of someone for whom solid ground has turned into quicksand. Show Less
LibraryThing member Holly_85
Excellent book, I really enjoyed it.
There were a few plot holes, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment.
Recommended.
There were a few plot holes, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment.
Recommended.
LibraryThing member whirled
Retribution is a bit of a colour-by-numbers legal thriller; enjoyable as relaxed holiday reading. Hoffman makes it clear that we're supposed to sympathise with her protagonist C. J. Townsend,, a driven Miami prosecutor whose rape as a young woman in New York casts a shadow over her life. Yet the
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lengths C. J. goes to in order to make her rapist 'pay' make it hard to keep rooting for her. Especially once it becomes apparent that C.J.'s judgement is hopelessly compromised and leading her astray. Show Less
LibraryThing member neddludd
A good beach or airplane read. What happens when a woman must confront a man who sadistically and brutally raped her a decade ago. He's now graduated to gruesome serial killings and she's the prosecutor from hell. It's a good, workable hook, but there's very little art in what turns into a typical
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cat and mouse piece. Of course, there's the decent, metrosexual cop to reassure her that love is possible, as well as his lovable Latino sidekick. The author doesn't do much with location--South Florida--and there's a huge chunk of life missing in the main character's arc. The courtroom scenes are ok, with one question looming over the procedings: is anyone going to divulge that the defendant raped the prosecutor? The dialogue is one of the better things here. Show Less
LibraryThing member highlander6022
One of the best crime thrillers I have ever read. The story line is excellent and very effectively written. No spoilers here. Nothing I say about the story line beyond what might be in descriptions on the book jacket or online would I consider “innocent” in spoiling the reading process. Suffice
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to say that I really did not want to put the book down, as the author effectively keeps you engaged throughout. Highly recommended. I look forward to reading additional materials by the author. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Anthony Award (Nominee — First Novel — 2005)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2003
ISBN
0141019859 / 9780141019857
Other editions
Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman (Paperback)