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I am a skeptical reader, questioning the actions of every character (would someone really do that?), the plot (how likely is that?), and even the dialogue (does anyone actually speak that way?). It might come from reading too much high literature, but I doubt it. Could be a diet too rich in true crime and books on procedure. I don’t really know. But when I like a book, it's because the plot, characters, and dialogue either ring very true for me, or are so absurd, I can't help but dig it (read Christopher Moore for some of that).
Buried Evidence is the sequel to Mitigating Circumstances(1993) but the book stands on its own just fine. Both novels are set in Southern California, feature spirited Lily Forrester, an assistant district attorney in the first book and a full-fledged D.A. in the second. Rosenberg has an excellent eye for plot. She weaves the thing like deadlocks, twisting this piece over here, tightening that one over there. It's suspenseful, sure, but she does it with personalities, actions, and circumstances. It's impressive and aspiring writers of thrillers would be well-served to have a look at how she combines so many elements yet leaves nothing unexplained or forgotten. I finished the book feeling fairly satisfied that it was time well-spent. Rosenberg's writing itself isn't by any means on the level of Elmore Leonard, but she makes up for her weaknesses in other areas. The characters are drawn very well. No one in the book is perfect or has one annoying supposed "character flaw" to redeem them. These characters are moody, snap at one another, show pain, fear, and love, just like you or me. Rosenberg explores the emotional elements of her characters with great (but not overpowering) detail and sensitivity. So what's the book about? Well… Lily Forrester, as I said before, is a D.A. That makes this book a legal thriller, technically, but since there's crime (and plenty of it!) I'm claiming it for Crime Stories. Lily's ex-husband has few likeable qualities, yet one feels sorry for him. That is, until he decides to blackmail Lily by threatening to reveal that she once gunned a man down in his own yard. Say what? Well, yeah, I know. Read the book, though, it's perfectly plausible when you see that the dead guy was a really bad fellow. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Buried Evidence by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg in Crime Stories is owned by Catten Ely. Permission to republish Buried Evidence by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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