Suspicion Of Innocence: Amazon.ca: Barbara Parker: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Parker, a former prosecutor, turns in an exhilarating debut that steams with Miami heat. When troubled party girl Renee Pettis is found floating in the Everglades, her wrists slit to the bone, suspicion clings to her older sister Gail, a straight-arrow lawyer more married to her job than to her husband Dave. The resentment and anguish that smoldered between the sisters in life flares anew as drug running, land scams and the theft of a costly artifact bob to the surface. A parallel plot involves two Cuban cousins, one a two-bit vice lord who was Renee's lover, the other a respected attorney who seduces Gail while offering legal advice. The love scenes sink into the breathless lingo of romance novels, and readers may guess where the plot lines will converge, but this sizzling page-turner will keep lamps lit late into the night as it likely surges up the bestseller list.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Gail Connor, an ambitious attorney climbing the corporate ladder at an old Miami law firm, is shaken when her sister Renee's body is found in the Everglades, an apparent suicide. Given Renee's wild lifestyle and history, no one is surprised, but then the police find evidence of foul play. They link Gail's estranged husband, as well as her lover, to Renee's demise; worst of all, Gail herself is their chief suspect. Set among Miami's legal, criminal, and Cuban high flyers, this stylish legal whodunit involves buried artifacts, drug trafficking, and shady politics--in short, all the usual Miami fare. It's a sun-drenched variation on the work of Scott Turow and Patricia Cornwell, whose fans will welcome this newcomer. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 9/1/93.
- Ann Donovan, St. Petersburg Jr. Coll. Lib., Fla.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Try being on both sides of the law..., Dec 15 2003

By	Linda Macias (Alhambra, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Suspicion Of Innocence (Paperback)

Gail Connor wants to be a partner in her Miami law firm and puts in 80 hour weeks to prove she should be considered partner material. Of course, her life outside the law firm suffers... Her marriage, her relationship with her mother, her daughter... and then she's accused of murdering her younger sister!

Barbar Parker gives a well-written story with just enough twists & turns to keep it exciting. I was almost finished reading before I thought I had it figured out. First in a series. I can hardly wait to get the next in the series!

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4.0 out of 5 stars Sibling Rivalry And Murder With A Twist In Miami!, Oct 11 2003

By	Jana L. Perskie "ceruleana" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Suspicion Of Innocence (Paperback)

Brilliant, powerhouse lawyer Gail Connor is looking to make partner at her upscale Miami firm. Gail's marriage, already on the rocks when the novel begins, finally disintegrates leaving her to juggle motherhood alone, (she has a six year old daughter Karen), along with a career that takes up too much of her time. When her wild, free-spirited sister Renee is found brutally murdered, Gail's career is put on hold as she becomes the prime suspect. There has always been much sibling rivalry between the two, and Gail had always envied Renee's ability to garner favor and claim attention, even though she was the "bad girl," while Gail tried so hard to be the "good" one. Add some fascinating secondary legal cases to the mix, along with a hunky Cuban American defense attorney who has his eyes on the lovely Gail, glimpses of Miami's "old society, old money," alongside the city's darker side and you have the makings of a terrific mystery thriller.

Barbara Parker writes tight, taut prose and surely knows a lot about law and the legal world. Her characters are well defined and very believable, especially Gail Connor. Ms. Connor is not always likable. She is often stressed-out, as we all would be if faced with a failed marriage, a young daughter who is miserable with the sudden changes in her life, a demanding career that doesn't allow for time to cope with family problems, a sister's death and ensuing guilt because of their estrangement, and a murder investigation where all evidence points to her. She is frequently snappish, disagreeable, and not there for her child. Gail has many positive traits also, but what is so refreshing here is that the author gives her heroine normal human frailties - and a human face. One does not always have to like her for the novel to succeed. In fact, one of the reasons the plot is so successful is because the story and characters are so lifelike.

There are roller coaster twists and turns in this tale of old money, old secrets, and family loyalty and betrayal. This is a wonderful beginning to a terrific series. You will want to return not only to read more of Ms. Parker's compelling fiction, but to become better acquainted with the extraordinary cast of characters introduced here. A great read!!
JANA

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3.0 out of 5 stars Starts off slow but picks up speed, Jul 19 2003

By	mellion108 (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Suspicion Of Innocence (Paperback)

Gail Connor is ambitious, smart, and successful. She is working her way up to partner in her law firm while neglecting the people closest to her. When her sister is found with her wrists slashed, Gail starts to rethink her life. Then when this suicide is investigated as a homicide, Gail has to scramble to prove that she is innocent of the murder. Along the way, Gail meets the handsome and charming Anthony Quintana, a Cuban-America attorney with a flair for criminal cases (and women).

I have to admit that I dragged myself through about half of this novel. I didn't really care for Gail Connor. She seemed rather cold and judgemental. Perhaps that is the opinion the reader is supposed to get in the beginning. I really don't think I liked her any better by the end of the novel, but I at least liked the story much more once the action started to pick up speed. As for the Miami setting? If the city is really as superficial and dangerous as presented in the book, then I have no idea how anyone manages to live there! I would like to read more about Anthony Quintana and his family, so I'm willing to take a chance on the second book in this series.

If you start this one, give it some time. It really starts off at a slow pace, but the second half of the book is worth the wait.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and intelligent!
I seem to be reading this series backward. Excellent read, suspenseful, interesting romance, human characters. I think women will intuit the killer sooner; I know I did. Read more

Published on Nov 17 2001 by cajasu@aol.com

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't read just one
I read this novel in just one night- all night long. The plot is suspenseful and engaging. The characters are so compelling that I couldn't stop at just one Barbara Parker... Read more

Published on Jun 28 2001

2.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Parker's Novels Are Always So SLOW!
This is my second Barbara Parker novel. The first one was very slow and it was hard to stay focused on it. That novel was called Suspicion of Guilt. Read more

Published on Sep 5 2000 by Brad Stonecipher

4.0 out of 5 stars strong characters, strong plot, weak who-dunnit
Fast paced, thoroughly enjoyable, with a more than palatable romantic side. An empathetic third-person narrative allows the reader to deeply relate to the main character's issues... Read more

Published on Feb 24 2000 by wendrea