I've found this whole saga interesting. This book kept me on the edge of my seat. The whole lawyer backdrop of the book was really neat, because I normally don't hear about law.

Kit has vowed to never take a case a less she knows for sure they're innocent, but with her new case she isn't so sure. Her new case is one of her old rivals who comes to her when he is accused of murder, he insists that she is the only one that can represent him. The evidence is stacked against her client though. Will she go against what she has vowed to never do and keep the case? Will the forces of the city's high power stack against her and the city itself?

Kit also struggles with the love she still has for Ted Fox. She wonders where he is and what has happened to him. Also her aunt has had enough of Kit being a scandal to her and barely talks to her. Kit worries about her aunt because she goes to someone to read her palm and gives him tons of money for an institute. Will her aunt ever come to believe in Christ? Will Kit ever see Ted again?

I'm SOOOO glad this character, Kit Shannon, is back for more books. My only complaint is these books don't come out fast enough!

In this one, Kit is faced with another murder trial, and this time gets help from none other than the young magician, Harry Houdini.

It is another wonderful story about the friskiest woman lawyer in the country, Kit Shannon.

I read this collection of musings, poetry and stories in one hour. This collection of belly laughs kept me saying, "I wish I had had the nerve to say that!" Yep, nervy. That's what this is. And I love it.

This was my first experience with James Scott Bell. If his other novels are as exciting and fast-paced as this one, then it will definitely not be my last.

As a former fan of James Byron Huggins who has been turned off by his recent nonsense which has been passed off as readable fiction, I was refreshed to read a Christian sci-fi thriller that was believable, enjoyable, and lacking in space wasting sentimental drivel.

The idea of the Nephilim has intrigued me ever since my first year Biblical Hebrew class when we studied Genesis 6 and the idea of the Nephilim. A friend and I in that class discussed a Christian sci-fi novel based upon the Nephilim, but not in the manner in which Bell did it here.

"The Nephilim Seed" touched moral themes which are ever encroaching on our post-modern society, and I believe that Bell addresses those issues in a laudable, conservative manner. As science and technology continue in their present course, Christian values and morals will likewise continue to be attacked as outdated.

Jim Bell has knocked one over the far fences with this one! The characters fairly leap off the pages and the plot is, as in all of Jim's books, relentless. His theme is torn right off today's headlines as he has explored areas new to Christian fiction. Can a movie treatment be far behind? Get the "Seed", and bring it home. But a caveat...prepare to lose sleep for a few nights; it's that good.
So move over, Grisham..."The Nephilim Seed" cooks!

The Nephilim Seed is one wild ride through Scott Bell's illustrious imagination. I gave it 5 stars because I couldn't think of anything I'd rather do than race to the finish line of The Nephilim Seed. I was hooked on the first page; swept into every scene by characters so well imagined I'll remember them forever. I wanted to protect Lauren, hunt down her father, encourage her mother and go to the police academy so I could personally arrest Davis and all those involved in UniGen. If this isn't a movie--I don't know what is. Man! James, where's the sequel? Facsinating! P.S. Circumstancial Evidence, Blind Justice are great reads too.

I liked this book. I thought it was well-written and had plenty of real history woven in. I thought it was interesting that I had actually walked on some of the same streets that her characters were on--only about 100 years later! The story line was good--about the only thing that bothered me--not much--but some, was that it seemed like Kit was constantly quoting scripture or God's message. I realize that is an important trait to her, but it seemed like she based her relationships on that fact alone. That meant that I wasn't able to get as in touch with her as I have been able to connect with other of Tracie Peterson's characters (Grace in the Yukon stories, for example).

All in all, I liked this story--especially the character of John Barrymore. Just another real history facet thrown in, but he supplied a much needed comic relief to the story.

I highly recommend this book, but make sure you read her "Yukon" stories as well.

I love Tracie Peterson but with James Scott Bell, something happens. I couldn't lay it down. Just had to finish it before anything else got done. Great insight into the Courts at the turn of the 20th century. Can't wait to read the others in the saga.

This book was super. Kit Shannon arrives in Los Angeles, eager to begin her law career. However, due to the time period, she encounters several obstacles before she can find a job practicing her profession. While assisting her employer with a murder trial, she keeps a deep faith in God which is refreshing, and helps keep the story vivid and real. I'd recommend this book to anybody who likes historical fiction with a good inspirational plot woven into the story!

This is a what if legal thriller that demands you pay attention!

This is the nightmare "what-if" scenario for the radical left. Suppose a liberal Supreme Court justice had a religous experience (or to put it blunter, she becomes a born-again, Bible-reading believer).

Go further and explore the impact her conversion has on her pro-abortion, establishment clause and "living constitution" vs. original intent beliefs.

Add one last goodie. While she is examining her positions, a liberal president (Al Gore, perhaps) nominates her as Chief Justice.

Now you've got the pot boiling.

The pro-abortion lobby has built an entire industry atop a fragile, and increasingly frail legal latticework. Should that ever truly be threatened, then are there any limits to politcal attacks or has the division between left and right gone too far?

I finished this one around 2:00 AM. You might want to start this on a Friday night so you can sleep in on Saturday.

This was the first book that I have read from Mr. Bell. It is a riveting yarn about the power of politics over the duty of the Supreme Court.

What happens when a liberal Justice is made Chief Justice and gives their life to Christ? This is the key question addressed in this book.

Mr. Bell does an awesome job of writing about how the heart can be changed by a saving knowledge of Christ and how this change is often received by others.

I plan on reading other books by this author. If you are looking for a good suspense read, with a realistic glimpse into the politic of the pro-abortion crowd, this will be an excellent read.

I discovered Jim Bell a few years ago when a friend suggested Blind Justice. Having enjoyed that one, I recently bought Deadlock. I found Deadlock to be very enjoyable as its highly possible storyline is quite engaging. There's an interesting twist, too. A good read!

Deadlock also ignited my real-life concerns about upcoming Supreme Court nominees.

I was really looking forward to this book coming out ever since I read the first in the series. However, I'm sorry to say that while I'm pleased with the story line and the "courtroom drama" part of the book, I'm extrememly disappointed with the depth of the characters. I felt like I had missed a huge step in the relationship between Kit Shannon and Ted Fox. There wasn't the normal feeling of knowing the characters and feeling emotions along with them. You almost don't have any reaction to situations in the book that should have effects like shock, hurt, joy, and torn feelings. Instead, you're left saying, "Okay, when did this develop?" I felt like I had been left out of a big part in the characters lives in the beginning of the book and that ended up ruining the rest of my emotions and perspective on the characters for the rest of the story. Now that I've completely bashed the character relations, I can say that the actual storyline is very interesting and suspenseful. Kit Shannon always keeps you guessing as to how she's going to prove this or get out of that. If you've already read City of Angels, then you must read Angels Flight just because of the whole courtroom message.

...

Peterson and Bell have crafted another highly suspenseful novel. It will definitely keep you asking, "What really happened" and the courtroom scenes are some of the best in the book. Kit is, as always, an inspiring female character with admirable convictions and enviable smarts. Although the "love" side of this book definitely took a back seat to the "courtroom" aspects of it, I thought that that was understandable and realistic. It is hardly like Kit is going to be searching for Mr. Right and evidence for her case at the same time, and it is made clear throughout the series that Kit feels God leading her to practice law at this time in her life... Read this book-and have the third book in this series ready for after you turn the last page of "Angels Flight".

This is a really great series judging from the first two books. I love the setting of Los Angeles in the early 1900's, and Kit Shannon is a wonderful character. She is inspiring and strong, but not in a false way (which is how I feel about too many of the women characters in novels today).

All in all, this is a terrific saga and I hope it continues (I know there is at least one more book to come, and I hope it's soon!)

This book was fast-paced and difficult to put down. Parts were quite predictable such as the romantic involvement of two characters. It's a typical beautiful girl gets nice guy scenerio. They fall for each other too quickly and you're not sure who's pursuing whom.

Wouldn't you like a story once in awhile where the main character gets killed? Does the main character always have to be a hero?

The main plot involves the Russian Mafia. Mafia-type stories are not my type of read, however, I've read one of Mr. Bell's books previously and that was really enjoyable so I gave this one a try.

In this one, you'll see that the government can't always be trusted. It's too bad too, that the legal system isn't really righteous, although this book portrays it the way it is. The criminal is so often portrayed as the victim, and they are often victorious! It really depends on the judge, jury, circumstances, witnesses and your lawyer. Evidence is quite often dismissed.

Anyway, yes, it is worth the read. Just expect the expected in places.

This book had me hooked from the first sentence. It was a great read and I'm looking forward to Mr. Bell's next book! This guy knows how to keep his readers in suspense while writing well (excellent dialogue for example), and I learned more about the legal system without feeling like factual data was being crammed down my throat. I'd definitely recommend!

This book takes you on a ride. Strap yourself in and wait for the Final Witness to appear.

James Scott Bell does many of the things that Grisham does so well: tight plotting, believable motivations, crackling dialogue. Like "The Great Divide," by T. Davis Bunn, Bell reaches for the top rungs of legal thrillerdom and succeeds. The narrative is leaner and less colorful than Bunn's, but this only allows it to race faster.

While working in some valid Christian themes, often based on legal examples, "Final Witness" tells the compelling story of Rachel Ybarra, a young paralegal working on a case against the Russian mob. The details of the courtroom seem well-researched, and the struggles that Rachel goes through--with her alcoholic father, her boss, her FBI friends, and particularly her nemesis "The Man"--move credibly to a very satisfying end with a few surprises along the way.

Bell's other books are going to the top of my wish list.

After thoroughly enjoying James Scott Bell's "Final Witness," I was a bit let down with this book. I'd rate it 3 1/2 stars if I could. Bell's use of first person never reaches the level of Lawrence Block, whom he admits to emulating to some extent. Block's humor is sharp and dry, whereas Bell's seems semi-sharp and semi-dry--at least in this story. The lawyer, Mr. Denney, is the stereotypical hard-drinking lawyer, fighting his inner demons. I've read enough legal thrillers to have tired of this character. Nonetheless, by the end of the story, Bell gives Denney depth and creates sympathy and...I found myself caring.

The story revolves around Howie Patino, a simple-minded man and former schoolmate of Denney's. Howie is charged with the brutal murder of his wife and Denney comes to his aid. Along the way, Denney struggles with his belief, or lack of belief, in God, and his burgeoning feelings for Howie's sister. Many potential conflicts are presented. Not all of them are carried out, but at least the book doesn't present all easy answers. Denney's struggle of faith is credible and I found myself warming to the story even as it ended.

Bell has a great ear for dialogue, and manages to make me laugh on occasion. I'll keep reading his work, and hope that this is not a departure from the finer qualities I enjoyed in "Final Witness." Just my opinion, but there it is.

Jim Bell's writing is polished, funny and ever mindful of the story. For a rollicking good read, Blind Justice is the book to buy. Lisa Samson, author of The Church Ladies

Well, I can't rate this book a "10" so I'll settle for a "5". I truly appreciated not having a lot of fluff to sift through; everything was relevant to the story.

The main character, Jake has a strong sarcastic wit. The author does a great job portraying him as being consumed with alcohol. It shows how his law practice, family and his life suffer at the hands of his addiction. He's definitely not the "good guy" in the story - a nice change from the typical novel.

I am going to be very careful in my criticism of this work. Written by an attorney with a vivid imagination and in later offerings a far better narrative, this is a formula book with a difficult to swallow plot and nearly impossible to believe characters.

I am not going to attack this book because I think it will appeal to the audience it is marketed to. It was written as a religious thriller. A legal page turner with a biblical perspective. There is a strong lack of character development, abysmal neo-novelist errors and a good does of some stereotypical depiction of race, sex, politics and geography. All of these would mean a negative star ration for a secular novel aimed at a general audience, but I think most readers of this genre of novel will like it very much and enjoy every page.

There are twists and turns, though each one is fairly predicable. The protagonist is a female prosecutor who is widowed and raising small children. She is swept away, romance novel style, by a charismatic politician in a matter of hours according to the book and that is just the beginning of the implausible and sometimes impossible situations delivered to the reader. Still, I think there is a segment of readers who will love all this.

So though I was not impressed with this book, I will say it has some merit and there are those who will enjoy it very much. Bell's later books are much better written and show a polish and skill this one does not. I won't detract from the message that runs through out this work, either. It is a sweet if not overused devotional to the goodness and power of God.

I work in a Christian bookstore where one of my perks is getting to read a lot of Christian fiction. This is well above average in style, content, plot, and relevancy. The Christian message is loud and clear. Enjoyed it from the start.

I read it in two days. The author made me feel the rising panic of the main character as her family life, her career, her ethics, and her romantic future collided. The courtroom politics made me want to scream--because they were so realistic! I've read all Bell's books and want more. He is a master of legal thrillers.