Clear and Convincing Proof (MP3 CD)

It didn't exactly disappoint me, but the first part was a bit slow. Wilhelm took a long time to get to Barbara Holloway. The first part focused on a character, Erica Castle, and I thought it dragged a bit. The relationships between the people at the rehab clinic where a doctor is murdered are interesting and compelling enough to drive the book forward until the really interesting parts come when Holloway starts her investigation. In traditional Wilhelm fashion, she keeps the strands loose and muddy until Holloway wraps it all up and explains everything in the end. It's a quick read. And, if you already like Barbara Holloway, you'll like her in this one too.

One of the problems with this book is that it never engages the reader. Most characters are underdeveloped or just plain boring. The antagonist is might not be a kind and considerate person, but turning a rehab center into a surgery center does not exactly make him evil enough to be glad he was dead.

The culprit ends up to be pretty obvious despite red herring galore. The plot was really rather simplistic with a ludicrous climax involving switched raincoats, wigs, and misdirection to catch the culprit. It sort of reminded me of Mystery Writing 101. I have enjoyed other Kate Wilhem's books, this just was not one of them. It's a bad sign when you start looking for reasons to put down the book.

When McIvey's corpse is found outside the rehab center, the police suspect Annie of killing her husband in collusion with Darren Halvord, a gifted physical therapist who once dated Annie. Barbara Holloway, a criminal defense attorney, is retained to represent Annie and David. With the help of her lawyer father and a shrewd private investigator, Holloway is determined to find out who really killed McIvey.

Wilhelm's writing style is workmanlike but formulaic. David McIvey is a heavy-handed stereotype, a brute with brains who will stop at nothing to get his way. Most of the other principals are stock characters, as well. Holloway, however, is a smart investigator who has both chutzpah and imagination. She is resourceful and tenacious in getting to the bottom of this puzzling case. When Barbara and her equally engaging father take center stage, the book comes alive. Although "Clear and Convincing Proof" features an average mystery, the Holloways make it worth reading.