The Brimstone Murders (A Jimmy O'Brien Mystery Novel)

This murder story was a bit flat, predictable. Jimmy O'Brien doesn't seem to be the brightest lawyer, or very careful. On more than one occassion I found myself being able predict what was going to happen next, because Jimmy didn't do something or he missed something. I think the author was trying to build a sexual relationship between Rita and Jimmy for the next book, but in this book I found her useless, annoying. Mabel, Jimmy's secretary, had more purpose than Rita. The ending is alittle bizarre, but some parts of it were predictable. This story would have been appropriate for an episode of 'The Rockford Files'.

This was one of the fascinating books I ever read, it was exhilarating and enjoyed each and every moment, the author "Jeff Sharat" had done a good job in bringing the characters live in his work. It was more like watching a thriller movie. I highly recommend this book for book lovers enjoying reading suspense and thrillers. I include Jeff in my favorite authors list and look forward to read many of his works.

Set in the 70s, Jimmy doesn't have the technology we all now take for granted. He is forced to work without cell phones, computers, and GPS...but still manages to nab the bad guys. Not great literature but a good story teller.

Not that much of a difference from the usual movie or tv series of the week fare. It was interesting enough but I didn't even finish it, because it just got to be too predictable. Not enough excitement or suspense.

If you love Raymond Chandler and the old black and white mystery movies you grew up with on TV, pay close attention to author Jeff Sherratt and his Jimmy O'Brien Series that starts with a rip-roaring tale set in California in the Seventies.
The Brimstone Murders is chock full of atmosphere and snappy dialogue that carries you through an exciting tale that begins with former cop turned lawyer, Jimmy O'Brien, trying to get his client who is accused of killing a college professor off by using the insanity plea. The client, Robbie Ferris, sounds like a raving religious fanatic, but when he escapes from the courthouse and a "blind" guy says it looks like the guy had help, Jimmy has a dilemma. It's further complicated when Robbie's mother is killed with the same caliber gun as Jimmy has misplaced.
The trail of his missing client leads Jimmy to a derelict dinner out in Barstow and a mysterious borax mine. The action never stops as Jimmy and his good-looking assistant, Rita, try to save his neck, her neck, and a dead girl.
Trust me, you'll love this book.

Loved this book. This is the first of this series that I have read and I will most certainly read more by this author. The story is full of characters that are likeable and just flawed enough to be real. The action is very well paced with some thrill a minute sections and other sections that give you a chance to catch your breath and learn more of the back stories of these characters. Almost the best part of the story is that while it was no secret that the plot lines were all woven together somehow, the conclusion was one that made sense as all the story lines were brought to a logical conclusion. I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it

In Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jimmy O'Brien understands the overwhelming evidence against his current client Robbie Farris, who confessed in the name of Jesus to stabbing Golden Valley College Professor Carmichael twenty-seven times. Still the consummate professional Jimmy plans to insure Robbie gets the best defense he can provide him even as the seemingly deranged lad mentions his friend the Lord told him to kill the Catholic professor.

However, at Robbie's arraignment, the accused pulls out a gun that he somehow obtained; he escapes. Soon after Jimmy visits Robbie's mother Hazel Farris, she is found murdered in her dumpy house trailer. The cops suspect Jimmy killed her as he admits he was at the crime scene just before she died. Jimmy uses his associate twenty-six year old Rita to defend him from a murder in the first degree charge of killing Hazel. Following clues mostly by tracking his runaway client, Jimmy lands in the middle of brimstone evangelists; one of whom wants to send Jimmy to hell before his time.

This entertaining legal thriller hooks the audience the moment Jimmy's client mentions the Lord told him to kill the professor and never slows down until the final confrontation. The story line in many ways is more of an investigative thriller filled with twists and red herrings as makes inquires into the evangelistic world, but also has strong legal subplots. Fans will appreciate THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS as the odds are SIX TO FIVE AGAINST the hero (see ONE, TWO, & EVEN for a previous O'Brien case).

Harriet Klausner

The Brimstone Murders is a thrilling read with a vintage flare for who-done-it? L.A. Criminal Defense attorney Jimmy O'Brien teeters on the brink of professional failure or maybe it is suicide as his only client's escapes and he is suspected of murder. The high desert of So Cal makes a believable setting for this action driven murder mystery. Well Done!

Just love this series...so well written...characters are great...never know where you will go next....wish there were more in in this series....read each book in one day...could not wait for each new page....always a surprise ending.

The Brimstone Murders is a fun, clever, mystery. It took me to familiar places in southern California and backward in time to the old gumshoe days. Good storyline. I would definitely choose this author again.