August Book Reviews
contributed by Brace Books
The following book reviews appeared in the print issue of Ponca City Monthly magazine. Get full access to all online articles, videos, and content by becoming a paid subscriber. We offer free and paid subscription plans. Find rack locations to pick up your free print copy here, or subscribe here to get online access plus exclusive content.
The #1 Lawyer
by James Patterson & Nancy Allen
Stafford Lee Penney is known as Mississippi’s best trial lawyer. One magazine actually claimed he’s America’s best lawyer. He’s never lost a case he’s tried. Yes, he’s a bit of a workaholic. He also has a bit of a fan club. And yes, both of those are sore points for his wife. He’s worked closely with his two best friends for the last 20 or so years—Mason, another talented trial lawyer, and Jenny, an equally accomplished (and tenacious) private detective.
The novel begins with the opening arguments of Stafford Lee’s current case. He’s defending Dr. Daniel Caro, a well-known Biloxi OB-GYN, who Is on trial for the murder of a young woman with whom he’d had an affair. Stafford Lee strongly believes in providing the best defense possible for his client, even when he thinks that client is a total scumbag (Dr. Daniel Caro, for example). Besides the normal stresses associated with a trial, Stafford Lee is also dealing with a D.A. who should have recused himself (the victim was his niece) and Caro’s father, who has strong ties to the Dixie Mafia and figures he can ensure his son’s freedom by threatening and roughing up Stafford Lee.
Shortly after the trial ends, Stafford Lee’s world implodes. Eighteen months later, he’s just beginning to get back on his feet, both personally and professionally. Then, out of the blue, Stafford Lee is accused of murder. Incriminating evidence has been planted in his home, as well as on his laptop and his phone.
So, what happens when America’s best lawyer becomes the number one suspect in a murder trial?
I was floored by the resolution of this novel. I totally did not expect “who done it.” Definitely a great read!
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Reviewed by Lorrie Layton
The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum
by Lisa Yee; Illustrated by Dan Santat
She tends to fly below the radar without even trying to. Her parents regularly forget her birthday. Teachers have trouble remembering who she is, and it makes her feel invisible. She’s learned that invisibility does have its benefits, but it’s still lonely. I could so easily relate to Olive. I felt like I didn’t fit in many times during my school years.
The novel opens with Olive’s day weirder than normal. Her InstaFriends social media account had vanished, as if it never existed. Her mom shows up at school to withdraw Olive from school. (She forgot to mention it to Olive yesterday.) Olive discovers she’s been enrolled in the acclaimed Reforming Arts School near San Francisco. (No, that’s not a typo. It’s really the REforming Arts School—and it’s a former prison, to boot!)
Olive finds herself assigned to a pod of students who are also misfits. Their assigned instructors are Monica LaMonica, a martial arts expert, and Modest Cusak, a world-class Russian ballet dancer who defected to the U.S. After a battery of challenging trials, the pod is split in two based on skills. Olive and four other students feel like complete failures, but Monica and Modest are excited. Monica shares that the five of them are exceptional! Their unique skills, attitudes and attributes are off the charts! They’ve been selected to join an elite force of specially trained operatives.
Yes, between you and me, you do need to suspend belief while enjoying this fun, silly romp of an adventure of misfits and underdogs. Author Lisa Yee is a Newbery honoree. Dan Santat is a Caldecott Medal winner, and his illustrations really round out our heroes’ exploits. This is such a fun novel!
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Reviewed by Lorrie Layton
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