A Case of Redemption

By: Adam Mitzner

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The second electrifying thriller from the "gifted writer" (Publishers Weekly) and author of A Conflict of Interest.

A high-profile attorney in the middle of a leave of absence following a personal tragedy is drawn back into the legal arena amidst a media firestorm when he agrees to represent a popular rap artist accused of brutally murdering his pop star girlfriend. With its powerful voice, pause-resisting tension, and strong cast of characters, Adam Mitzner’s novels are reminiscent of such best-selling authors as Scott Turow and John Grisham.

©2013 Adam Mitzner (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Mitzner's courtroom drama is Grisham-like in suspenseful before-the-bench action....a wicked ride, with more loops and flips than Coney Island's Cyclone." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Ah, the crucible of the courtroom! Adam Mitzner understands its appeal so very well. Devotees of legal suspense will find themselves happily at home, zinging with the intrigue, reeling with the twists, and ultimately well fed with a satisfying (if shocking) resolution. And if you've been away from the fictional halls of justice for too long, A CASE OF REDEMPTION is where you need to come back." (Jamie Mason, author of Three Graves Full)

Recycling

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. Although it was good overall with quite a few unexpected twists, there was a lot of recycling from his first book; recurrent characters are one thing but recycled phrases, ideas and even names could have been reworked better. Similar authors like Turow manage it.

Good, but...

I listened to this to the end and found it to be interesting, with some good (though at times, didactic) information about legal proceedings. But I felt frustrated that the investigatory part of this legal case was so thin. Key elements of the investigation were shallow, taken at face value, and not delved into or nailed down. It drove me crazy. Many possible explanations and variables weren't addressed at all. Going to court with such thin evidence seemed implausible to me. On the plus side, a couple of the characters were interesting.

Never saw that coming

Would you listen to A Case of Redemption again? Why?

Yes, might have missed something. Probably would catch something I missed first time around. Sometimes I get a little distracted while listening

best Mitzner novel!

a wonderfully crafted and delivered tale! only the judge left something to be desired

Great read!

Exceptional narrator! He made the book come to life without sounding fake or cheesy.

The book itself was well written and easily captivated me to keep listening until finished during our vacation. The book has a very surprise ending which makes for a good finish.

Can An Ending Redeem An Entire Novel?

Stumble upon a true 5-star novel and you are grateful for heft. Five hundred pages reading ... 15 hours listening ... GREAT! The more, the better. You just don't want the story to end. With A Case of Redemption, though, the 11-hour heft of the novel is a weakness, and redemption comes only in the last 100 minutes or so.

Admittedly, legal thrillers rarely deliver a solid 5-star experience. By their nature, they ARE formulaic (at least usually). The protagonists recognizably fall into one of a very few "types" ~ world weary veteran ... naive young go-getter ... fallen star wounded by life. And, of course, the plots usually follow the same investigation ~ discovery ~ revelation ~ trial ~ verdict pattern. Of course, there are exceptions (Turow, Connelly, early Grisham), and THEY redeem the genre.

A Case of Redemption is not one of those rare and welcome exceptions. But it is not entirely formulaic either. There are surprises here. There is a late plot twist (or two). And it is these surprises that ultimately earn A Case of Redemption a listen.

Otherwise, though, the tale is disappointing.

Character development, for example, is largely unconvincing. Do we really believe a year of binge drinking can just stop, in a few days, because a pretty girl asks you for a favor you aren't sure you should grant? Do we really believe a new job, reluctantly accepted, can instantly vanquish debilitating grief? Do we really believe that at the same time a lawyer is faced with a growing body of lies from his client, he will become increasingly convinced of that client's innocence?

The plot provides little relief. For much of the novel, the plot is entirely predictable. There is really little doubt of the identity of the villain. We can tell who it is before the characters seem to know, even though they have all the information we do (this is a first person narration, after all). And while we come to loath the villain, he is unidimensional; Mitzner never reveals more than a stereotype and only lightly explores motive.

Perhaps least forgivable are the errors of law and practice that litter Mitzner's courtroom scenes. Would it really have been that difficult to fact check this sort of thing?

All these weaknesses notwithstanding, you may well conclude that A Case of Redemption is itself redeemed by the surprising conclusion. For me, it was. The hour or two from the last of the courtroom action, through the end of the novel, made this listen, on balance, a worthwhile investment of time and credit.

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IMPORTANT: Since the late plot twists are such "ah ha" moments, you will want to be especially careful of spoilers. Unfortunately, there are some in other reviews here. If you want to experience all the surprises as Mitzner intended (and not at the hands of an Audible reviewer) avoid the reviews entitled, "At Last ... A GOOOD Book" and "Suspenseful."

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Finally, a few words about the narration. Collins is an able reader who maintained an appropriate pace throughout his narration. However, he has trouble with some pronunciations (why is this so prevalent among readers?). And, more important, he made a remarkably poor choice in the "voice" he selected for Dan, the main protagonist (and first person narrator). Dan is a 40-something man who has been beaten down by tragedy, which he faced by retreating from the world and into a bottle. Collins "voice" for him, on the other hand, is youthful and immature. The disconnect is especially jarring every time Dan mentions his age.

So, do you spend the credit, and more valuable, 11 hours of your time? If you have not yet experienced legal thrillers by the masters of the genre, go there first. Scott Turow, Michael Connelly or John Grisham can, and often do, deliver full 5-star listens. On the other hand, if you have plumbed those works, enjoy the genre, and relish late plot twists and surprising endings, then redeem your credit here.

I'll be reading Mitzner's next book

Interesting story, intesting characters and an ending that you never see coming. Great twist! I'll be watching for this author.

Loved This Book!!!

What did you love best about A Case of Redemption?

I loved the whole book....

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Case of Redemption?

THE LAST CHAPTER! WOW, what an unexpected ending!

Which character – as performed by Kevin T. Collins – was your favorite?

I didn't have a favorite, I loved them all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Oh Yes, I couldn't quit listening to it.

Any additional comments?

I love Adam Mitzner's books. I am looking forward to more books from him. The narrator did an outstanding job!

Enjoyed this story when Grisham wrote it...

(1) The protagonist is a wimp
(2) Kevin Collins' reading makes him wimpier
(2) Grisham wrote the story better.

This is a predictable lawyer thing with few twists not found in "The Verdict". I'd recommend that you rent Paul Newman's interpretation of virtually the same lead character in the 1961 movie. They'll cover most of the same ground in 90 minutes and save you hours of listening time.

All that said, Mitzner has a few different twists and presents his burnt-out, alcohol
ic has-been a tad uniquely and it's a good enough story that revisiting it here was like going back and rereading an interesting classic.

Conclusion... If you've not read the Verdict... save your money/time and go get it first. Then, wait a couple of years... and read this. If you did read Verdict some time ago, well you're probably ready to listen to this.

Not sure I'll listen again to a Collins reading. May.... may... read the next Mitzner. Not right away though.

Oh.... a last point... How many stars to give the story? Well 5 when Grisham thought it up... But when it's served warmed-over... Hmmmmm.... Okay it's still a good, if not original tale. So let's give it three stars with at least one left-over from Grisham.

Surprisily satisfying

Where does A Case of Redemption rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high. It has been a long time since a book ending surprised me, but this one did, with multiple plot twists at the end that answered every question.

What did you like best about this story?

As a non lawyer, I was led through the legal process with just enough information to make things make sense, but not so much as to be "preachy".

What does Kevin T. Collins bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good differentiation between voices and just the right emotional inflections when needed

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was awesome

Any additional comments?

Mr. Mitzner is a great craftsman. Well done.