Book Review - Let Darkness Come by Angela Hunt

Title: Let Darkness Come
Author: Angela Hunt
Year: 2009
Page: 384
Genre: Fiction - Legal Thriller

New to me author? Yes
Read this author again? Maybe
Tearjerker? No
Where did it take place? US
FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Summary (from goodreads.com):
The murder trial promises to be the most sensational to hit Chicago in years. And attorney Briley Lester knows it could make—or break— her career. The tabloid headlines are screaming that a long-mistreated society wife has killed her abusive husband—the scion of one of the city's wealthiest, most powerful, most dangerous families….It seems like a hopeless, open-and-shut case, but Briley is becoming more and more convinced that her client truly is innocent. A tragic secret, almost too shocking to be believed, could be the key to proving it. But before she can bring the truth into the light, she'll have to face this woman's shadow-haunted past—and her own— and let darkness come….

First Sentence:
The night was made for murder.

  
Why did I pick this book?
I think I read on another blog about another book by Angela Hunt. It had great review. I searched our library, and we didn't have that particular book (forgot which one!) but had Let Darkness Come instead, so I thought I'd give this one a try as I wanted to read a good legal thriller!


My thoughts:

• The reason I like reading murder / mystery is because I get to guess who the killer is - it's like a game for me to solve the puzzle (much preferable to crosswords!). And I guess the reason I like Legal Thriller is that, while you usually know who the killer is in the beginning, it is fun to see how the lawyers argue or find evidence to win or lose the case. It appeals to the argumentative side of me I guess, using logic!

• What made this book a bit different is that the main protagonist, Briely, is an inexperienced criminal lawyer - this was her first murder case. So you don't quite know how she's going to handle it. She would even admit that she made mistakes in court, and explained why it was a mistake - so it was interesting for someone like me who is not a lawyer to know the reasoning behind their tactics

• I always wonder why author uses the same name in a book for 2 different characters, when there is no hidden meaning behind them? There was a Big Shirley in prison, and then the housekeeper is Shirley Walker.

• I also wonder what happened to one of the minor characters, there was a big deal about him/her being a spy, but then that character just disappeared or not mentioned again?

• It was also fascinating to read how lawyers would selectively present certain facts only to support their arguments. But is it really ethical? I guess it's all part of the system, part of the game.

• While it was fun to read about an imperfect lawyer, the basis of the case was a bit far-fetched and made it a bit too convenient. I did learn something new as I hadn't heard of this basis before (don't want to say what it is or it'd spoil the story).
  
  
• Also, I don't know if the prologue was really necessary? I don't know if it adds much to the story. 

Quote:

That seeing isn't believing. Reliving is seeing. (p345)

 
Rating: 3 Stars

 

Have you read this book? 
If you have, I would love to hear what you think! I'll link your review here if you wish!

Challenges:
100+ Reading