Copyright 2006 - 2007 Susan Sleeman
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By Reason of Insanity Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By Randy Singer / Tyndale Reviewed by Susan SleemanIf you are in a mood for a legal thriller, that goes beyond the courtroom and delves into the intense personal struggles and life-changing events of the characters, you will definitely want to pick up By Reason of Insanity.By Reason of Insanity opens with a series of kidnappings and murders in Virginia Beach where Catherine O'Rourke, reporter for The Tidewater Times, captivates her audience with breaking information that no other news or media outlet possesses. Her source, one Jamacus Webb, police detective assigned to the cases. Cat basks in her celebrity until she is hauled into court and commanded to reveal the identity of her source or go to jail. Cat protects her source and chooses jail. In jail, Cat suddenly starts having visions-creepy, terrifying visions that detail the recent murders. Murders committed by The Avenger of Blood. Through these visions, Cat comes upon information that only the killer could know. After telling Jamarcus about the visions, she becomes a prime suspect in the case and is soon arrested. Though incarcerated, she can somewhat understand the arrest as it's hard even for her to believe she has seen these visions. What Cat can't understand and has no explanation for is the forensic evidence that is produced, corroborating her guilt. She seeks legal representation from capable local attorney Marc Boland, but this case is too big for one attorney. Enter Las Vegas attorney, Quinn Newberg whose specialty is the insanity defense. A defense that Quinn thinks fits this case just fine, as he doesn't begin to believe in Cat's visions. This begins a twisting, turning ride to the conclusion, where The Avenger of Blood is finally revealed. And this is where I stop telling you about the plot before I give away a nice juicy tidbit that you'll want to find for yourself. You'll have to trust me when I tell you that the ending is not only very unexpected, but very creative, as well. By Reason of Insanity is a thriller by all definitions of a thriller including a big plot that keeps going until a more than satisfying conclusion. The reader is presented with a nightmare through Cat's incarceration and struggle to defend herself. Cat faces a problem bigger than she is and one that could happen to all of us. The story is filled with unexpected surprises that keep the reader on the edge of their seat as they wait to see what happens to Cat. This would be enough to make By Reason of Insanity a thriller, but Singer provides a sub-plot for attorney Quinn Newberg that rivals Cat's struggles. Though Quinn is not faced with time behind bars like Cat, he is responsible for keeping his sister from being incarcerated and his niece from losing all hope. Couple this with unexplained visions by Cat and you have a plot that races right to the shocking conclusion. Singer does an excellent job of starting with drama and ratcheting up the tension and turmoil in Cat's and Quinn's life as the book advances. This author really knows how to make his characters suffer. Though an attorney, Singer does not overpower the story with excessive courtroom scenes, but delves into the characters' personal struggles. At the same time, Singer gives the reader an insight into the use of the insanity defense in today's judicial system. If you are in a mood for a legal thriller, that goes beyond the courtroom and delves into the intense personal struggles and life-changing events of the characters, you will definitely want to pick up By Reason of Insanity. |
Randy Singer believes it's important to simultaneously hold a number of different jobs so that if he gets fired by two employers the same day, he can still avoid the unemployment line. He splits his time and divides his personality between Randy Singer, critically acclaimed author, Randy Singer, veteran trial lawyer, and Randy Singer, ministry leader and preacher. When he grows up, he will decide what he really wants to do. Read more about Randy
Books By Randy
| By Reason
of Insanity Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By Randy Singer / Tyndale House After a series of killings, reporter Catherine O'Rourke is plagued by dreams that reveal each crime in ghastly detail. But because of her intimate knowledge, she's charged with murder! When she engages high-priced lawyer Quinn Newburg, he wants her to plead insanity. Can his famed legal maneuvering save her---or will it take a miracle? 350 pages, softcover from Tyndale. |
| Dying
Declaration Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By Randy Singer / Random House, Inc Who's responsible for Joshie Hammonds's death? Parents Thomas and Theresa believe in tough love and fervent prayer . . . but not doctors. So when a merciless prosecutor presses charges of negligent homicide, cultures collide as freewheeling attorney Charles Arnold takes up the case. But a dangerous conspiracy lurks beneath the surface. Will the traitorous testimony of a key witness destroy the nonconformist family---and Arnold? 400 pages, softcover from Waterbrook. |
| Irreparable
Harm Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By Randy Singer / Random House, Inc Inexperienced attorney Mitchell Taylor is trapped in a lose-lose situation. While saving a surrogate mother and the child she carries, he may seal the fate of countless others. With the father dead, his wife seeking to force the surrogate's abortion, and a federal ban on cloning, Mitchell must run a gauntlet of corporate treachery and bioethical nightmares. Can he defend life and fight for right? 400 pages, softcover from Waterbrook. |
| Self
Incrimination Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By Randy Singer / Sas & Associates Defense attorney Leslie Conners's client confesses to murdering her abusive stepfather. But facts just don't add up---and the reason may be more shocking than the crime itself! Nor is Leslie ready for the diagnosis that threatens her health and her engagement to law partner Brad Carson. Before the final gavel falls, can she confront the truth---about herself and her mysterious client? 400 pages, softcover from Waterbrook. |
| The Cross-
Examination of Oliver Finney Click title to read excerpt or buy from CBD.com By Randy Singer / Random House, Inc No doubt about it, Judge Oliver Finney was a crusty old curmudgeon---but he certainly didn't deserve to be kidnapped! As his former law clerk Nikki Moreno frantically tries to decipher the clues hidden in a popular theology book, the clock is running out for the judge's release. Can she figure out the final code in time? 400 pages, softcover from Waterbrook. |
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Christian Suspense
To Die For
