• The Legal Limit

  • By: Martin Clark
  • Narrated by: Ed Sala
  • Length: 15 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (871 ratings)

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The Legal Limit  By  cover art

The Legal Limit

By: Martin Clark
Narrated by: Ed Sala
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Publisher's summary

Martin Clark has been praised as "part John Grisham, part Hunter S.Thompson, and part sheer grit". Mason Hunt returns to his small Virginia hometown as the county's commonwealth attorney. Mason's brother Gates, who's currently serving a 20 year prison term, thinks Mason should have enough pull to set him free. And when Mason refuses, Gates hatches a plan to destroy his brother's life with a secret they both swore they'd take to the grave.
©2008 Martin Clark (P)2008 Recorded Books,LLC

What listeners say about The Legal Limit

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Performance
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Story
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I wish there were more books by this author

Martin Clark is an excellent writer who really develops his characters. This was a book that I designed my day around, so that I could listen while doing tasks. The plot seemed simple at first, but develops into quite a convoluted, complex plot.

The reader was very good, and since Audible doesn't have any other books by this author, I will search for books read by Ed Sala. He has such a good pace to his narration and his voice is soothing and fades into the background as the story unfolds.

All in all, a very enjoyable read!

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Original, Engaging - Time and Money Well Spent

I am residing smack in the middle of the second half of my expected and allotted lifetime, and this book fit me well . . . I "got it" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some have been critical of the first few hours of this work . . . too slow or too flat. Not so for me. The exacting character introductions and development were captivating. I love a good story from start to finish and this was exactly that.

This was my first Martin Clark novel. He has an exceptional gift for painting with words. Near the end Clark was describing his main character and wrote "he was now forged and tempered, all the clay and filler and alloy burned away. Someone with tales to recite, advice to give . . . a place to fit him." The book was full of these wonderful verbal pictures!

Lastly, most novels have a surprise ending . . . it is expected. Mr Clark closes with 4 or 5 surprises in his ending, each brilliantly crafted. No major hanging threads in this tapestry of life left to the reader (listener) to finish. Clark tied them all up. It was great for a change. I am so glad I took a chance on Mr. Clark's The Legal Limit. Well done!!

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Write on

If this is an indication of the kind of stories Mmartin Clark can tell, then I for one hope to read more. I agree he is just about up there with Grisham.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thumbs up from a fellow Patrick Countian

I really enjoyed this book, especially since it was set in my home town. I recognized so many names and places I half expected to hear my own cantankerous family members mentioned. The characters were absolutely believable (yes it really is like that in Patrick County), the plot was intriguing, and the story was enjoyable. I also enjoyed learning about the real story that this one was based on from my father. Excellent work, Martin!

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

More from this author please

This book is brilliantly written. His characters are complex, his descriptive narrative is rich and evocative of James Lee Burke. The story is engaging as well. In additon to all of this the reader is among the best in the biz. I am now hoping Mr. Clark will be turning in many more novels like Legal Limit.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Extraordinary People - Ordinary Place

I hate to put anyone off by stating this book starts slow, however there is violence shortly into the story. It takes a while to develop fully the main characters any good reader knows a books hangs as much by its characters as its plot. Both are excellent. No complaints on the narration. When the full plot "gels" our heros / protagonists are in such binds you can't wait to see what happens when such bad things can happen to such good people. Since the book is loosely on a true story, it all sounds quite plausible. Justice can be blind, deaf, and mute and this judge turned author obviously really knows.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow!!!

This is one of those rare finds that a person stumbles upon that is a pleasant read. The characters are brought to life by the reader and the story line keeps you from beginning to end. A good mystery with an excellent cast of characters. You won't be disappointed.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Legal Fiction

Probably one of my favorite books I listened to all year. This isn't your typical Courtroom Drama, but a slice of life in rural America.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pure Treasure

It's been a long time since I've discovered an author and book that's going into my sparse top ten list. I'm a reader who loves Southern place and characters and Legal Limit brings them to life with such richness and color that I wanted to jump into Patrick County and sit with Mason at the local diner. The story that author Martin weaves is made up of facets of life all of us has experienced, but told in such a way that all seems intriguing and riveting, and of great importance. One of the things I appreciated most was that the plot did not involve overly dark or violent events. Martin gives us sentences and passages that took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. The ending of this book is so surprising, lovely, and complete - likely my most favorite ending of all time. This is a book that I'll plan to go into over and over. I hope these characters return in another book; they are unforgettable.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Why does he have to kill the dogs?

The chapter where he kills the dogs really turned me off. Why? The rest of the book was ok

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5 people found this helpful