"We're getting married. You're out Lindy". "We don't want to hurt you...."

"Oh, shit," said Mike. "Shit".

Breach of Promise (Nina Reilly #4)
by Perri O'Shaughnessy

Legal drama. 3.5 stars.

Lindy and Mike have been a couple for a long time and also run a business together. When Lindy discovers Mike is having an affair all hell breaks loose and the couple breaks up.

Lindy sues Mike for half the business. The catch here is that these two were never married. They just lived together. So legally Lindy does not have a very strong case.

I enjoyed the first half of this way more then the second. Much of what goes on takes place in the court room and the reader gets to know the couple AND the Jury. I was drawn to the story as I like reading about Juries and what goes into picking them, what happens behind the scenes etc.

BUT:

SPOILERS:

I have to discuss the second half as well as the end. The truth is I read all kinds of genres. I like legal thrillers, liked this book very much and would have given it 4 stars if not for the change in tone and the end.

So first.. change in tone. Did not get that. The book turned crazy with all the twists and there is a Juror murdered and who did it ETC ETC.

Attorney on the water, showdown with the killer..etc. It just changed from a really thought provoking and fun legal story to yet another thriller. Loved the first half..not wild about the second half. I'd still recommend it though because it's such a fun book.

But then there is the ending. I did not understand it. The book spends the whole story telling of this wronged woman who built her husband's business into an empire, so at the end..she is strong and empowered..then the hubby's girlfriend leaves him, he comes crawling back and she says 'OK" and the end.

Did not get that. So in summary, it's a fun read, a thought provoking read, but not outstanding. I was ultimately a bit let down with where it chose to go but the first half was five stars so..legal book fans will most likely enjoy. ( )

this series is consistently fine, and sometimes that's all you need, or all the brain can handle - you don't have to overthink things, and don't have to get a brain cramp puzzling things out. this 4th in the series felt like a bit of a departure. previous stories incorporated the outdoors much more, and this one is primarily office/courtroom-based. though we do get a bit of a taste of the unique lake tahoe environs - an aspect of the series i quite enjoy.) this one ends with a bit of a personal cliffhanger for nina... totally suckered me in to move book 5 up the TBR pile! good job o'shaughnessy sisters. good. job. ( )

I had promised myself I would read this series in order. Unfortunately though, the library didn't have Obstruction of Justice (#3) and I just can't wait to read another Nina Reilly book so I went ahead with Breach of Promise (#4). This is like comfort food for me, I settle down comfortably and lose myself in the story with both familiar and new characters that seem like real people.

Reilly is a struggling lawyer raising a son, Bob, alone in Lake Tahoe. She settled there because her brother and his wife live there with their children. Occasionally there also is Paul, a private investigator she hires for some of her cases. She's making enough money to get by on but longs for that "big" case that will bring in sizable fees and a boost for her reputation.

When that big case does come in, who should her opposing attorney be but Jeffrey Riesner. Riesner has made no bones about wanting to put Reilly out of business and out of state if possible. He's just this side of shady in his dealings, which puts him opposite Reilly in philosophy and personality as well.

The case promises millions if she can win it, but presents enough obstacles that she only takes it because of the issue involved. Lindy and Michael Markov have been together for years, during which time they founded and made a huge success of a company. He is a former boxer who was not successful in anything else but Lindy is bright, inventive, and possessed of a brilliant marketing mind. In middle age they are millionaires and (in the throes of a midlife crisis apparently) he tosses Lindy out, fires her from the company, and becomes engaged to their financial officer. There is a total lack of documentation for Lindy's part in their success, for instance, a marriage license.

Markov is a real heel that you want to slap all over the place, but Lindy although bright in everything else, is dense as pea-soup fog about her husband (common law, not recognized in California). She thinks he'll come back to her. Normally Reilly works alone but this case is beyond her usual style so she hires a big name lawyer from the coast as well as an expert on juries. Everyone has dollar signs in their eyes which leads to serious complications and, in the end, real danger for Nina and Paul.

This story reeled me in like O'Shaughnessy books always do. I have several books to read for specific date reviews now but as soon as I can I'll be reading the next Nina Reilly story.

Highly recommended
Source: friend's stash ( )