Justice

Jessica Ford, Book 2

By: Karen Robards

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Hired by a prestigious D.C. law firm after barely surviving witnessing the murder of the First Lady, attorney Jessica Ford is deliberately keeping a low profile as she gets a sensational rape case involving a senator’s son, whom she is defending, is abruptly dismissed because the victim recants on the stand. The problem is, Jess suspects that the victim recanted because she was threatened. Meanwhile, she has an uneasy feeling about the beautiful young associate she replaced: where is Allison Howard? No one has seen her since she left the firm.

Taking over Allison’s position, Jess becomes more and more haunted by her predecessor. Then she discovers that the victim in the rape case has also disappeared. With the help of her former lover, hunky Secret Service Agent Mark Ryan, Jess starts searching for both women. Soon she uncovers the case of a missing teenage girl who knew Allison. Is there a link? When someone tries to kill her, Jess knows she is getting too close to something — but what? She and Mark race to come up with answers before time runs out...

©2011 Karen Robards (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Robards is one terrific storyteller.” ( Chicago Tribune)

it's pretty good...not my favorite

Having read "Pursuit" prior to reading "Justice" I was looking forward to see how Jess and Mark's life together was going, only to find out they are not together any more. Mark's done something stupid, a fact of which he was well aware at the time he did it, and did it anyway (a passionate kiss with a former lover, who happens to be Jess's boss, knowing Jess could walk in, and she did). This kiss taking place after Mark had asked Jess to marry him and while they were still living together. Jess breaks off the relationship. Mark then begins accusing Jess of having "trust issues", saying it was only a kiss and she won't "commit" to a real relationship. Well........duh!

"Justice" then procedes similar to "Pursuit", bad guys trying to kill Jess, Mark trying to keep her alive (while trying to get her back), same senario as "Pursuit", different situations and different bad guys. If you liked "Pursuit" (and I did) you'll like "Justice".

Makes me wonder if there's going to be a third book with Jessica and Mark, just to get things worked out between them.

Great development.

I enjoyed it all along, and I didn't expect the twist at the end. the end was a little abrupt but it ended well.
the narrator was very talented. She helped sustained the right atmosphere and kept the rythme going.

Great Robards

What made the experience of listening to Justice the most enjoyable?

reader has matured and did a great job.

What did you like best about this story?

this is classic old Robards, think Night Magic and Walking After Midnight. Remember this is a romance with a mystery and chase. Nothing too deep, heavy or dark. A fun listen that gabs and holds you until you finish.

Have you listened to any of Angela Dawe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Ms Dawe did a great job on this one. She stopped turning up the end of her sentences and she made all the characters just really come to life. Our hero Mark, is yummy.

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

I did, but beware, author left this open to become a series. I just hope Ms Robards does develop it like J D Robb. Plenty of room to do more books.

Any additional comments?

It was a SHAME "Pursuit" got such bad reviews. I will have to now buy the book. Audible, when listeners say, great book, awful narration, please put the book on the $4.95 sale.

Good story

What did you love best about Justice?

I enjoyed the story and the premise was believable. It was easy to get wrapped up in the story and get excited to find out what was going to happen next. My only complaint regarding the story is that the author uses her usual "two beautiful people are in love, but won't admit it" routine again. I wasn't overly fond of the narrator. Her reading tone boarders on monotone, although it grew on my as the book went on and it wasn't distracting.

What three words best describe Angela Dawe’s performance?

slightly monotone

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

Almost did-listened to in a couple days

No need to read 'Pursuit'...

For those of you who have been put off by the terrible reviews of the narrator of the previous book in this series ,Pursuit, (as I have been), don't let that put you off getting this book. While there are some references to what went on before, at no point will you flounder for not reading it. Justice is an enjoyable story, but I did find the mystery took back seat to the interaction between Mark and Jess. If you are in the mood for romance with a dash of thriller thrown then this is the book for you. As always, Angela Dawe knocks my socks off with her excellent narration.

Great start

The begining ready had me. But for me al the negitive middle was a turn off the end got better. Most people will enjoy this book is all I will say. I need a little more postive romancing why do couple always have to go thru so much before they figure it out 😏

Intriguing story...

Lynn says this story is captivating, but the narrator's voice inflection was quite annoying... Unfortunate, but the story kept me listening.

GREAT story, awesome series...

What did you love best about Justice?

the fact that Jess (Jessica Ford, our heroine/main character) just can't help the fact that's she a crusader ~ for the underdog, for the less fortunate, for the weaker, whatever it might be, Jess is ready to stick her neck out there and fight. And if it means it might jeopardize her job, her relationship (or what COULD be a relationship w/ Mark) or whatever, with the exception of her family, she's willing to do it to find the right in the equation. It makes me like her so much as a character, even when she's a high $$ defense attorney. She's so...human and real.

What other book might you compare Justice to and why?

Pursuit by Karen Robards, which actually is tied to this book...this continues to build the character of Jessica Ford, and on her and Secret Service Agent Mark Ryan's relationship. I miss the finalization of the relationship, I'll admit, but I love seeing Jess's character being built and fleshed out so much that it's worth it. And the case in this one was awesome, and totally had me stumped...thought I had it figured out, lol, and I was WRONG! And couldn't figure out how all the pieces were going to tie together...Ms. Robards did an amazing job, as always, of answering every small question and concern I had in satisfactory way. LOVED it.

What about Angela Dawe’s performance did you like?

She's an incredible narrator...nails EVERY voice. EVERY one. One that actually sticks out for me is Paloma, the woman who works in a shelter ~ I could actually SEE this woman's face and she came alive for me through Angela Dawe's narrative, while when I read it she was really just a passing meh.

An awesome narrator makes the characters more vivid, even the not notable ones ~~ Angela Dawe does that.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

YES!! Laughed more than once, but also tugged on my heart strings, not only with Jess & Mark, but w/ Jess's young teenage sister being pregnant, Mark's worries over his young daughter, the cat Clementine...Ms. Robards pumps her pages full of emption!

Any additional comments?

Just if you are a suspense fan,and you haven't read and or listened to Karen Robards?
Oh, wow, you are SO missing out!
And this would be a fabulous place to start!
But I do have to mention, that while it's not in audio, as a romance fan at heart, an absolute favorite Karen Robards of mine is Night Magic. I will love that book always!!

Held my interest

Light enjoyable entertainment. It was more of a romance but had its exciting moments as well

Good romantic suspense story!

The story was a little hard to get into during the beginning, I think this was bc it jumped around a bit. I did like the twist on how the story started in a non-traditional way.