Twenty
By James Grippando
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Ebook Available from WV Reads!
4.5 Stars! - An excellent edition to Grippando's long running Jack Swyteck series. This fast paced entry has a little of everything from legal battles to a whodunit mystery. Jack's experience and skills are put to the test when coming to the defense of a teenager caught in a tangled web of violence and lies. I barely put this book down.
I think fans of the series and those new to it can it enjoy it equally, but it's hard for me to view it from a new perspective. Or talk without spoilers. This was very refreshing in comparison to probably the last three books, maybe even five. Jack is front and center again, leading every chapter. And while a few far fetched details or bouts of luck pop up, this has to be his strongest performance as a defense attorney/sleuth in awhile. I was a bit surprised the shooting from the description only lasted the first fourteen or so pages, it did serve as a great kickstart. And finally Jack had a good chance to stand for what he believes in again, even if some of his beliefs are shaken.
This author has a few novels as close to perfect as I can think of, and this one falls just short in a few ways. Some fans of his side characters will probably have mixed feelings. Andie's not quite her usual kickass self. Theo's wise cracks are fewer. And Hannah and Abuela don't really get their chance to shine. Harry was missing in this one. Sometimes in the series focused highly on the life and families of Jack's client, the killer, or prosectuor. (Speaking of, it was cool to see Abe Beckman again.) I think there was room for a couple scenes for a new reader to get a better picture of Jack's family, career, and great sense of humor. I've wondered before if this series has been victim to page count cuts. But this was a very action packed and serious novel that didn't leave a lot of room for banter. It was a thrill ride from start to finish and I think one of the better books from this later half of the series.
(NS)
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