Book Review: Silent Justice

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Silent Justice     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
William Bernhardt
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Legal Setting
Series: Ben Kinkaid # 9
Ballantine, Feb 2000, $23.00, 400 pp.

In Blackwood, a small town near Tulsa, a stunned Cecily Elkins learns that her beloved little boy is dying from leukemia. Even more shocking, his doctor Harlan Freidrich gives her a list of other families with children who also suffered from the deadly disease. After her child dies, Cecily learns of the illegal dumping of toxins in the drinking water by the Blaylock Industrial Machinery Corporation.

Cecily and the other parents turn to lawyer Ben Kincaid for help in filing a class action suit for wrongful death against the big corporation. Though civil law is not his strength and the odds against winning are astronomical, he accepts the case. However, his calculations fail to include the other side retaining a powerful attorney with questionable connections to the judge who is a friend to big business. Additionally, a serial killer surfaces whom murders Blaylock employees.

SILENT JUSTICE is an exciting legal thriller from one of the sub-genre’s best. However, the story line is very similar to A CIVIL ACTION though kept fresh by William Bernhardt’s writing skills. The class action suit is extremely entertaining and will thrill the audience. The serial killer subplot is also well written and ties back to the main tale, but feels unnecessary as it diverts attention from the exhilarating prime plot. Kincaid continues to dream of being a superhero like Captain Marvel while his support crew adds vigor and wit as they struggle to right social injustice. Mr. Bernhardt remains one of the best authors of legal thrillers and anyone who has not tasted a Kincaid tale will want to try this novel and the previous works, which are all excellent stories.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner