“One of the year’s best legal thrillers. Fans of Scott Pratt and Lisa Scottoline may find a new favorite author in Ron Barak.” –Best Thrillers Magazine“This novel should come with a warning: addictive reading ahead. It’s as good a legal thriller as I’ve read this year.” – John Lescroart, author of a dozen New York Times bestselling novels” THE AMENDMENT KILLER is a high-speed, tense political … AMENDMENT KILLER is a high-speed, tense political thriller about one of today’s most fundamental issues, the integrity of our Supreme Court.” – Andrew Gross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One Man
” Ron Barak is a writer to watch.” – Anthony Franze, author of The Outsider
“Barak matches Grisham step for step. He had me turning the pages of THE AMENDMENT KILLER from the first page to the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.” -Dennis DeConcini, United States Senator, Ret
“A legal thriller with a tense drama where the stability of the government hangs in the balance. It’s timely, tense, and a perfect read in these uncertain times.” -John M. Murray (Foreword Reviews)
“WE HAVE YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.”
That’s the text message Supreme Court Justice Arnold Hirschfeld receives as hearings commence in the U.S. Supreme Court to determine the fate of the 28th Amendment – enacted to criminalize abuse of power on the part of our political representatives.
In court to defend the amendment, retired U.S. District Court Judge Cyrus Brooks observes his old friend and law school classmate Hirschfeld acting strangely and dispatches veteran D.C. homicide detective Frank Lotello to find out why.
In the meantime, Hirschfeld’s precocious and feisty 11-year-old diabetic granddaughter Cassie, brutally kidnapped to control her grandfather’s swing vote upholding or invalidating the amendment, watches her insulin pump running dry and wonders which poses her greatest threat, the kidnappers or the clock. As Brooks is forced to choose between saving our nation or saving the girl.
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I thouroughly enjoyed this book ad recommended it to my bookclub – a good thriller
It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book and the rather small cast of characters, but it revs up! A precocious 11 year old is kidnapped. Her grandfather is a Supreme Court Justice. Yeah, the court has a definite g moment type of case before them. But it really doesn’t play out the way you think. Innovative legal-ese puts us in another mindset: could this work? Suspenseful, but the young girl is a jewel and the kidnapper really isn’t a bad guy. Well yes, he is. It is really an excellent book.
Delightful read. Love the intrigue.
I really enjoyed this book. The story is told from alternating points of view, giving you a sense of what each of the major players is going through and the extent to which they might or might not be willing to bend the rules to save Cassie. The characters were well developed, Cassie in particular, and you can’t help but envy her relationship with her grandfather. In addition, the author’s treatment of the potential vulnerabilities of the Supreme Court and the hypothetical analyses of Article 5 were thought provoking. With its well-placed and intelligent plot, this political thriller was a pleasure to read.
Who is the Amendment Killer?
(Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of the book by Authors Cross Promotion (AXP). I read it and provided my honest review) The Amendment Killer a Brooks/Lotello Thriller by Ronald S. Barker is captivating, suspenseful, spectacular, and a must-read. From the first to the last pages the book whispers beckons for you to read more because that’s exactly what you want to do. Every spare moment I picked the book up and read what I could. The character-building from the main to the tertiary and background character(s) were well developed. The author did such a good job, that you remembered a tertiary’s name and where they fit into the storyline. The same for world-building. There was a rich context provided for the storyline to unfold its plot and character interactions within the plot but not get lost at any time because of the rich, deep and intense environmental markers. The Amendment Killer was a psychological thriller to be reckoned with and at the end when the puzzle seemed completed you find some critical pieces are missing. Hopefully, this suggests another book. Overall, I overwhelmingly enjoyed reading, being enveloped by and going along for the ride with The Amendment Killer. MY RECOMMENDATION: 5-STARS. Grab the book and read it. You will not be disappointed! –Tex.
Loved this book wish they had a sequel!
Scary how easy it would be for one person to influence the Supreme Court or any govt. official by an act like this.
Well developed plot lots of twists
Simply Amazing.
Interesting court room drama and legal perspectives.
Worth reading great food for thought
I enjoyed the plot and how we as Americans can change our legal system. Also how it can get perverted by dishonest people. A little too analytical at times, but over all, very readable and interesting. Good read.
Very interesting story, and well written from a legal standpoint. I enjoyed the premise and the story.
A different take for a mystery. And inside look at law makers/lawmaking.
Kept the pacing by alternating the Supreme Court storyline with the kidnapping of a SCJ granddaughter. Read this book – compelling.
Scary that this could really happen in our world today!!!
This book was a good read in that it told to some extent about Article 5 that was written in 1789 in the Second Constitution. How it we the governed could actually have our voice heard — overriding Congress. Now is this really is true, then it is really something to think about. It was interesting read in how the kidnapper/victim related to each other.
Great reading.
The kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat while reading it, and makes you think long after you’ Read it
Interesting characters, Build up to climax with twists and turns along the way.