A Review of Guilt by Degrees by Marcia Clark

Guilt by Degrees

by Marcia Clark

This is book two in the series featuring Rachel Knight and her two female associates, Toni LaCollier and Bailey Keller. Rachel and Toni are prosecutors in the District Attorney’s Special Trials Office, and Bailey is a detective in the LAPD Major Crimes Division.  I am working my way though this series towards the new release, The Competition, compliments of NetGalley and the publisher, Mulholland Books.

In many ways, this book is even better than book one. The dialogue and story feel even more authentic. Ms. Clark really can write. My only complaint is that she, like many authors, had to leave a few dangling questions at the end. I guess that some authors think that will entice you to pick up the next book. Totally unnecessary, if the author writes a great story, you will be anticipating the next book, whether there is a cliffhanger or not. I personally like all the threads of a story to be completed at the end of a book. But since I don’t have to wait, I’m not objecting too much.

I really like the “buddy film” feel that comes across with the three women. They work hard, get in some tight spots, but always have some jokes and fun along the way. This is a very enjoyable book, and series. I am going to start book three, Killer Ambition, later today.

I give this book 4 1/2 Stars out of 5, and a Big Thumbs Up. So far this series is really good. I think that most people who like to read mysteries with female lead characters will enjoy these first two books. You may as well start with book one, Guilt by Association.

I received this book for free from NetGalley.com.

Book Description

Whip-smart Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight returns in Marcia Clark’s gripping follow-up to the national bestseller GUILT BY ASSOCIATION.

Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight—someone who’s Rachel’s equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel’s lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice.

She’s got back-up: tenacious Detective Bailey Keller. As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they’re shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier.

Rachel suspects someone knows the truth, someone who’d kill to keep it secret. Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, GUILT BY DEGREES is a thrilling ride through the world of Los Angeles courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight.

Book Details

Series: A Rachel Knight Novel
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Mulholland Books; 1 edition (May 8, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0316129534
ISBN-13: 978-0316129534
Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds

About the Author

Marcia Clark began practicing law as a criminal defense attorney. She became a prosecutor in the L.A. District Attorney’s Office in 1981, and spent ten years in the Special Trials Unit where she handled a number of high profile cases prior to the O.J. Simpson case, including the prosecution of stalker/murderer Robert Bardo, whose conviction for the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer resulted in legislation that offered victims better protection from stalkers as well as increased punishment for the offenders.

Since the Simpson trial, Ms. Clark has toured the U.S. and Canada giving lectures on a variety of women’s issues including domestic violence and inspirational/motivational speeches, as well as lectures on the latest high profile cases, public service careers, and of course, the Trial of the Century.

In May of 1997, her book on the Simpson case, “Without a Doubt” was published and quickly rose to #1 on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, LA Times, and Publisher’s Weekly bestsellers lists.

From February 1998 to 2000 Marcia was under contract as a legal analyst and expert commentator for NBC, CNBC and MSNBC. She appeared weekly as the substitute host of Geraldo Rivera’s “Rivera Live,” and also hosted “Equal Time” for CNBC and “Judge and Jury” for MSNBC. Marcia has appeared on the “Oprah Winfrey Show,” the “Larry King Show,” the “Today” show, “The Early Show,” and “Good Morning America,” among others, and provides legal commentary on a wide variety of cable shows such as “Anderson Cooper 360” and “Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell.”

Marcia Clark (with writing partner, Catherine LePard) has sold hour-long pilots to the FX network, Lifetime, and VH1 and developed a half hour comedy for NBC. She has also developed reality projects for CBS and was an executive producer of a one hour reality pilot for CBS.

Marcia has published three novels which feature Los Angeles Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight: “Guilt by Association,” “Guilt by Degrees,” and “Killer Ambition,” which is due out in June 2013. TNT has optioned the books and a drama series is currently in development. Marcia is attached as an executive producer. She’s currently at work on her fourth novel.

Book description and author information from the publisher, Mulholland Books, Guilt by Degrees.