Witness for the Defense

Kali O'Brien, Book 4

By: Jonnie Jacobs

Narrated by: Cindy Piller

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

With her unique blend of courtroom drama and feverish suspense, critically acclaimed author Jonnie Jacobs has won a legion of fans for her Kali O'Brien thrillers. Now the edgy San Francisco attorney is back to handle a simple adoption - and winds up defending her client for murder....

Straightforward and short term: that's precisely the kind of case Kali O'Brien needs at the moment. Yet the Harper adoption makes her uneasy from the start. Maybe it's because psychologist Steven Cross - a man whose path hasn't crossed hers since the tragedy that shattered his life and their forbidden relationship years ago - unexpectedly referred the couple to her. Or could it be that Ted and Terri Harper's previous brush with parenthood ended in heartache when the birth mother changed her mind?

This time around, the former star quarterback and his lovely blonde wife aren't taking any chances. They've even moved pregnant Melissa Burke into their lavish Pacific Heights home. As Kali watches her determined clients shower the lonesome teenager with love and attention, she can't help wondering just how desperate they are to claim the unborn child. When Melissa delivers a healthy baby girl and promptly signs the final adoption papers, Kali breathes a sigh of relief...until Bram Weaver surfaces.

The controversial, chauvinistic radio talk show host announces he's the baby's father - a claim Melissa can't dispute. With a sinking heart, Kali prepares to defend the Harpers in a bitter custody battle that's certain to end in the birth father's favor - until the case takes a shocking turn when somebody murders Weaver. Despite Terri Harper's staunch denial, the police have compelling evidence linking her to the crime, leaving Kali to wonder how far an emotionally fraught new mother will go to protect her child.

©2016, 2001 Jonnie Jacobs (P)2016 Jonnie Jacobs

court drama mystery

this isn't my kind of book but for a court drama type mystery this was pretty good. worth the listen.

audio book gifted for a honest review

Didn't see that coming

Any additional comments?

Even though this is the 4th book in the series, you do not need to read the other books to enjoy this story.

What should be a simple adoption case turns into a murder mystery legal drama of who did it. Enjoyable and entertaining story.

I thought I had it all figured out pretty early into the story. I was wrong. Did not see that ending coming. That doesn't happen to often. While there is some suspense and drama it is pretty mild. Not overly graphic or gruesome. Really good plot that keeps you guessing.

This is my first Jonnie Jacobs book and I need to go back and read the rest
.
This is the first time I have listened to Cindy Piller narrate a book. She did a good job. She has a nice pleasant voice, easy on the ears. Although there is not really any difference between her male and female voices. This makes it difficult at times to tell who is speaking right away. But I would definitely listen to her again.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Boom

Gritty Sweet Suspense

This installment of Witness of the Defense is a nice round up of courtroom procedural, complex relationships, glimmers of romance, and plenty of suspense. Some things are fairly predictable, but there is no easy answer to the ultimate “whodunit,” at least not for me. Author Jonnie Jacobs gives us a first person account of attorney Kali O’Brien’s defense investigation into a murder of an unlikable character. Jacobs does a great job developing a variety of personalities, from angry young adults to bitter mid-lifers. There’s even a sweet newborn, around whom the story evolves. No one character stands out as outrageous or super exceptional, but each of their respective subtle idiosyncrasies works well to hold the story in an engaging light.

Narrator Cindy Pillar has a crisp, articulate voice. She did not differentiate much between male and female characters, which IMHO is a nice to have that would have upped the enjoyment factor. More distracting was the fact that her voice sounds significantly older than the thirty-something main character, Kali O’Brien, as well as other characters.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks AudioBlast.

If this review was helpful to you please click the YES button. Thank you. : )

Decent

When Kali says yes to a simple adoption case, she has no idea that it will drag her back into the life of Steven Cross. The adoption soon turns sour and Steven's sister is accused of the murder. Kali agrees to represent Terry Harper against her better judgment.

I was kept interested and enjoyed a lot of this book. There were some areas where there could have been more foreshadowing and the wrap up could have definitely been done better but for the most part it was a good legal thriller.

The narration was done well by Cindy Piller. I enjoyed her male and female voices and her delivery was above average. I did listen on 1.5 speed.

I received this audiobook for free through Audiobook Boom! and am leaving honest feedback about the quality of the material.

Another great story in this series

If you could sum up Witness for the Defense in three words, what would they be?

WTF

What did you like best about this story?

I love the suspense and drama associated with an attorney mystery because they don't have the limits that police do when it comes to gathering information. I also enjoy listening to this narrator she makes it easy to. Rawl inside a book.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Enjoyed every moment of it

If you like court room drama, suspense mystery and love stories all in one then this book is for you. Even if you haven't read any other books in the series you won't be lost. Great storyline that brings several mysteries into one. While giving away the suspect and seeing the evil done through his eyes the author keeps you guessing with other suspects before tying it all in together. Truly awesome! Narrators make the book when listening to audio books and I can honestly say in my opinion I found Cindy Piller perfect for giving all characters their own personality.

"This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom."

Book 4

What did you like best about this story?

I totally enjoyed this audio book. I thought I had predicted the ending fairly early on and it turned out that for all my smugness Jacobs had tricked me with a surprising conclusion I never saw coming.

Somewhat predictable ending

Would you try another book from Jonnie Jacobs and/or Cindy Piller?

Possibly

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The general idea was fine and there were ample mis-directs sprinkled throughout the narrative, but the plot was wildly convoluted and the major factors of the story wrap-up were largely predictable.

What about Cindy Piller’s performance did you like?

Piller has a good narrator's voice and is pleasing to listen to.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably not.

Twists and Turns

Would you listen to Witness for the Defense again? Why?

Yes. One thing about this book is it is memorable, the characters and the twists and turns of the plots are a little hard to forget, so it will be a little while before I do.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I would say Kali, being the star of the book.
Kali is the lawyer that helps a wealthy couple with their adoption papers and ends up defending the adoptive mother in a murder case.
Bram Weaver is the character to hate, he was so obnoxious that I found that easy to do.

What about Cindy Piller’s performance did you like?

Cindy Piller has an easy listening voice, although her male characters didn't very much from her female.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The truth is hidden in the secrets.

Any additional comments?

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com."

First time reading Jonnie Jacobs and I'm hooked!

Where does Witness for the Defense rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Definitely in the top 5 I would say - I am really enjoying this genre of mystery/thriller and this one did not disappoint

What other book might you compare Witness for the Defense to and why?

Killer Ambition by Marcia Clarke. A lot of Marcia Clarke's other books (specifically the Rachel Knight series) surround an investigation but Killer Ambition was more about the court case etc so I found them similar

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

No I have not but I would listen again, she does a good job and I enjoyed listening to her

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

Probably the end when you find out who the killer is - it was really not what I expected!

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com