No Physical Evidence

By: Gus Lee

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Joshua Jin is an assistant district attorney whose life is in crisis after the death of his teenage daughter and the breakup of his marriage. Now he has been handed an impossible case involving the savage rape of a 13-year-old girl who refuses to talk. The ex-con charged with the crime was arrested on a hunch. The problem? There is no physical evidence. Jin's orders are simple: pitch a sound bite, dump the case, and save his boss the Chinatown vote during a politically charged election year. But Jin refuses to drop the case; even after he discovers that the opposing attorney is a brilliant, high-priced lawyer - and his one-time lover - who wants nothing more than to crush Jin in the courtroom.

First, however, he must win the confidence of Rachel Farr, his stone-silent client, a distant, troubled teenager who trusts no one. But when Rachel recounts her brutal attack, Jin is spurred into action, throwing his heart and soul into a case that is far more explosive than he had ever imagined.

©2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Written like literature

Mr. Lee spins a well-constructed story and uses words like an artist uses brushes. I found the story a bit slow to start, but the experience was worth the wait. The story concentrates on the legal system in Sacramento. I know Sacramento very well and found Mr. Lee to use fictional license more than I would like. He went to school in Davis, so should know what highway goes where (Interstate 80 will not take you to Kyburz, which is on U.S. Highway 50) and not take such liberty with geography and place names. However had I not known the area so well, I wouldn't have noticed.

The biggest entertainment was the reader. Dick Hill reads this book with magic in his voice and conveys emotion and makes each character unique. He is an incredible master.

Very nicely written book

Joshua Jin is a Chinese-American prosecutor whose brilliant career is in jeopardy, largely because his personal life is in tatters. After the death of his young daughter, his marriage has disintegrated, and now he's coasting on autopilot.

Then he's assigned a dog of a case, that of deciding whether a rape can be prosecuted, or whether it even occurred. The victim; a 13 year old girl who fits the description of "at risk" to a T, and who isn't talking.

This book is a great listen, and I highly recommend it. This is the only Gus Lee title offered by Audible, which is kind of a shame.

Better then average

I know it's not a catchy headline, but I think it's pretty acurate. I went in with lower expectations, and enjoyed a nice story. It had me wondering and guessing a few times. A couple of nice twists at the end. Sit back - Relax - And let the old man tell you a story. It's a little graphic at times - But not tasteless. It won't knock Grisham off from a top spot (When Grisham was writing great books) But it's a pretty good courtroom drama. Easliy worth a credit - Or the 12.95 price I just saw on here.

For what it's worth... J

Could have been excellent.

I'm not sure if the author felt rushed or what but the end felt forced and wound up sounding contrived and confusing.

Great Intrigue -- Politics and Judicial Process

This is a great legal procedural mystery -- carrying listeners into very difficult areas of the law and our American culture. The story centers on a Asian-American district attorney who is faced with prosecuting a man for rape and torture of a 13 year old girl -- shortly after his own daughter died from chronic heart disease. The victim's story is the only "physical evidence" the DA can provide the jury and he must battle a judge facing re-election and a rising star criminal defense attorney. Nevertheless, a verdict is reached and then, he discovers new evidence that leads the investigation into the underground world of child sex trafficking. This is where politics really gets involved as those in the judicial system are party to this underworld crime. The story includes a good bit about Chinese cultural customs and a lot of legal wrangling in the courts. If you like Dick Hill, you like him; if you don't, then skip this one -- because it is quintessential Hill -- young girl's voices may make you shudder. I generally like Dick Hill, so this one was good by my view.