Good story, but has some lumpy parts

This is the second book in the Joe Dillard series. I have listened with interest--because in the first book, he is a defense lawyer (who seems to hate himself for having to defend guilty people), and in this one, he is essentially re-inventing himself (and discovering that working for the prosecution has it's ethical and personality issues, as well). So, one of the things that I hope the author might work out in future books is helping his main character find a place where he is satisfied to be working.

That said, this is largely a good series--yet the writing seems uneven to me. It goes for a while with things feeling smooth, then it feels as though the author loses that continuity--and ideas jump back and forth too quickly to keep up (almost). Possibly he is trying to put too many side stories into the main one (of catching murderers who are part of a satanic cult).

In general, I liked this because the narration is pretty good and usually the story flows well--until it doesn't. I suddenly find myself feeling frustrated because I can almost feel the writer trying to keep the plot going with gimmicks, side stories and too quick or too long on the exploration of whatever it is. Some things get pretty short shrift, others way too much.

So, my impression (rightly or wrongly) is that this is an author with some very good plot ideas, who is still trying to work out his style. The first and second books are worth a listen--they are good, often page-turners, even. And perhaps you may not hear them as being as uneven as I did. Just my taste--and for what it's worth, I have every intention of listening to the next one. May not love the style of writing but do very much like this series.

Just a note to those who prefer to know in advance this sort of thing (I do)--there are some fairly violent passages in this book. Hopefully future ones will have a little less.

15 people found this helpful

An Enjoyable Listen

I've listen to and enjoyed 8 of Scott Pratt’s stories 6 of which was the Joe Dillard series. His stories grab your attention immediately and hold your interest throughout the novel. Joe Dillard is his own "Jack Reacher" type personality with a little bit of MacGyvver" thrown in for good measure. He'll "get the job done" by any means necessary.

This novel is about gruesome murders committed by two male devil worshipers lead by a redheaded woman. A family of four is slaughtered in rural Tennessee, and two weeks later, a retired high school principal and his wife are brutally slain. Prosecutor Joe Dillard must risk his own life as well as his family's life to bring the "evil murderer to justice." Joe is determined to win this case as atonement for some of his past wins defending people he knew were guilty. The plot has some twists and turns, and the suspense builds throughout the story.

If you are looking for interesting stories which has lots of action and are delivered at a pace that does not overwhelm or confuse the listener, the Joe Dillard series 1 thru 6 may be for you. I don't plan to read books 7 and 8. Tim Campbell does a great job narrating the story.

11 people found this helpful

Finally, a murder mystery without foul language

Would you consider the audio edition of In Good Faith to be better than the print version?

I didn't read, I listened.

What other book might you compare In Good Faith to and why?

An Innocent Client, also by Scott Pratt. It was a pleasure to listen to a great story without having to endure foul language, which I don't want in my brain and try to avoid.

What about Tim Campbell’s performance did you like?

He read smoothly and fluently with no distracting mismatched voices, he just brought me right into the story.

8 people found this helpful

Start the series here!

Any additional comments?

This book is SO much better than the first in the series. And I'm getting used to the narrator.Now I'm going to book 3.

6 people found this helpful

Outstanding legal fiction

If you love legal fiction as I do, you will love Joe Dillard. These are well-thought-out books, and I encourage anyone interested in this genre to read the whole series!

6 people found this helpful

Audio book is great

What made the experience of listening to In Good Faith the most enjoyable?

Listening to a well narrated book is essential in order to capture my attention. It is equally important to express the authors intention and meaning. This narrator does a superb job of both.

4 people found this helpful

A very dark thriller!

In good faith is Book 2 of the Joe Dillard series. Joe has given up private practice and is now an assistant district attorney. This novel is about several especially gruesome murders by three devil worshipers the leader of whom is a beautiful young redhead woman. The setting is northeastern Tennessee. A subtext of the story is a serious health issue with Joe's wife Caroline.

I could have selected 5 stars rather than 4; it was a close call.

9 people found this helpful

Another Good Joe Dillard Book

Joe Dillard is becoming one of my favorite characters. He's definitely one of the good guys. Appreciate the character development that Scott Pratt done with Joe. He's not perfect - definitely has flaws but has good ethics as husband, father, friend, and lawyer.

2 people found this helpful

Can't wait for next book

A bit too much of the personal story, felt like it was just filler story, but maybe it was there to add to the character so I'll let it slide this time.

2 people found this helpful

Absorbing

This is book two of the Joe Dillard series. In this book, Joe has quit his job as a defense attorney and has gone to work as a prosecutor for the State of Tennessee. A family is murdered at a rest stop by two teenagers and their leader, a girl called Natasha. Joe is prosecuting the boys but has been unable to find evidence on Natasha. Apparently, the teenagers are into Satan worship. There are problems in the prosecutor’s office with a possible crooked prosecutor. Meanwhile, on the home front, Carolyn is being treated for breast cancer.

The book is well written. I enjoy Pratt’s style of writing. He grabs your attention immediately and holds it for the entire book. Pratt is continuing to build his key characters. The plot has some twists to it and the suspense builds throughout the story. I am looking forward to the next installment of the series.

Tim Campbell does a great job narrating the book. Campbell is a stage actor, opera singer, voice-over artist and audiobook narrator.

7 people found this helpful