Tag Archives: Mark Gimenez

Another great page-turner from the pen of Mark Gimenez. Whilst he’s written several books featuring Dallas-based lawyer Scott Fenney, this book is about the Brice family and the horrific kidnap of their daughter Grace. Being a keen footballer, Grace was having a great game watched by her father, John. John is a geek who, despite his academic brilliance, feels the need to prove himself – partly to those who bullied him in the past, and particularly to his wife who he fears does not truly love him. For example, even other football dad’s do not believe he is the father of such an athletic daughter. His aim is to float his successful software company for $1 billion, believing that unquestionable wealth will answer any critic. But being distracted by the final details of the deal, he misses the abduction of his daughter after the football match is over.

This book also features John’s hotshot lawyer wife, Elizabeth, and his father Ben, a troubled army veteran. Although estranged, Ben and John join forces to track Grace and in turn, find a deeper appreciation for each other.

I’ve read several books by Mark Gimenez before and really enjoyed them, so I was surprised to look back and see that I hadn’t read one for over 2 years! Gimenez’ best work are the novels featuring A. Scott Fenney, but in this novel he introduces a new character, John Bookman (known as ‘Book’).

By profession, Book is a professor of constitutional law – he is apparently sort after for his views on media shows and has published widely. Yet, as well as being a celebrity by today’s standards, he is also known for pursuing legal cases on a pro-bono basis, often getting himself and his interns into trouble (they get to come along for the ride, literally, on his Harley). And in another quirk of fate, Book can look after himself – he’s highly proficient in Tae Kwon Do.

Although I enjoyed this book, I didn’t buy into the main character as much as other characters imagined by Gimenez. Book has many similarities to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher – including the womanising, the fights, the investigations and the maverick attitude. I’d rather read Jack Reacher any day – and the latest thriller, Night School, is next on my reading list.

Initially, I was concerned that this book was going to be a bit dull – it starts with a lot of scene setting about American politics and there’s much coverage of the history/geography of the border with Mexico. Having read the book, I totally forgive the author for spending the time to introduce the reader to these matters – it brings realism to the motivations and main characters: the Governor, the Mexican doctor and the bandit (El Diablo). Interesting that the title is The Governor’s Wife – she’s the focal point of the plot, but not necessarily involved in much of the story line.

It’s a terrific book. The action sequence at the end that brings together the three male protaganists is on a par with Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, yet his handling of the journey taken by the Governor and his change of outlook is sensitively written. He gives great colour to even minor roles – if a film is made of this book, I bet many stars will covet the role of the political advisor to the Governor.

Definitely worth reading – I’m looking forward to another by Mark Gimenez.

I read The Common Lawyer after having read Accused by the same author. I really enjoyed Accused, so was really looking forward to this one – but ultimately I was disappointed. One of the elements I expected was there – detailed scene setting, leaving the reader with a vivid mental picture of the streets in Austin where the book is set. But I didn’t have much sympathy with the young lawyer character and overall I thought the plot was a bit thin, with needless murders sprinkled throughout to spice up the action.