Criminal Intent

By: William Bernhardt

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a priest with radical ideas and a parish council with traditional values lock horns over the beliefs they hold most sacred, there’s bound to be controversy - and consequences. But murder crosses the line between committing a sin and committing a crime, turning a battle over faith into a battle for justice. And smack in the middle of the explosive case is Tulsa attorney Ben Kincaid. 

Kincaid rescued Father Daniel Beale once before. When the priest’s renegade views and violent temper nearly cost him his position as rector of St. Benedict’s Church, Ben intervened and saved the day. Now Beale is the prime suspect in the brutal murder of a female parishioner - though lack of evidence has left the case unsolved. But as Father Beale struggles to escape the shadow of suspicion, another woman is savagely slaughtered. And this time, Ben himself discovers Beale literally red-handed...with the blood of the victim. 

As Father Beale declares his innocence, Ben and his team feverishly work to build a defense that will deliver the man of God from a date with the death chamber. But each new revelation that emerges in the packed courtroom only serves to tilt the scales increasingly in the prosecution’s favor. And Father Beale’s own shocking testimony ignites a firestorm of controversy that could doom his last best hope for acquittal. 

In his heart and in his gut, Ben knows Father Beale is innocent. But proving it means taking a leap of faith that will plunge Ben into the whirlpool of dark secrets and dangerous intentions that surround St. Benedict’s. And ultimately, it will force the idealistic attorney to confront the chilling face of evil in the most unexpected of places. 

Criminal Intent proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the author of Murder One has earned his critical reputation as the master of the courtroom drama whose novels of legal suspense consistently offer a one-of-a-kind listening experience. 

©2002 William Bernhardt (P)2006 Books on Tape

Irritating Reader, Horrible Pastor, Unbelievable

I struggled to the end. The pastor, the central character, is an absolute disgrace to any religion. When I did reach the end, I found the conclusion ridiculous.

Don't waste your time

I tried to listen to the entire book...to the retching point. Rambling, weak character development is rampant. When the author wants to push his own pro-abortion, pro-gay rights agenda, he conveniently uses a "biased southern ignorant red-neck" to spout murderous rage against physicians and abortion clinics. The author does his transparent best to make objections to abortion and gay/lesbian lifestyles appear ridiculous.

The characters seem oblivious to the murder, and there is no reasonable pursuit of the obvious.

Honestly, how does a book this bad ever get published?? Perhaps just for the catchy title; certainly not for the writing.

Disappointed

I have read five of his books. I read for entertainment and relaxation. Not to have a liberal agenda rammed down my throat. This book like several of his others, is a gay rights proponent but then pushes the pro choice attitude making everyone who has an opposing view appear stupid and intolerant. It doesn’t matter what side you are on. It is a social agenda expose camouflaged in a fiction mystery. Fiction is supposed to be for fun and escape. No fun here. Just politics.

Flawed but fun

An interesting story, even though one has to pump up the suspension of disbelief muscle in order to buy into the plot's notion that dozens of members of a church community could be relied on to keep deep secrets about each other. Not in this world for sure, but if the author could imagine it, one can play along.

Grabs you and doesn't let go!

This is a winner. Politics, sex, the whole 9 yards. From start to finish, I couldn't let go of this one. You may love or hate the defendant, but you won't be able to stay neutral. And the ending will definitely surprise you. This is a great procedural and a wonderfully written trial.