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Critic's Corner
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Bestselling novelist William Bernhardt is the author of many books including "Primary Justice," "Double Jeopardy," "Silent Justice," "Criminal Intent," and "Death Row." His latest novel "Hate Crime" is yet another psychological suspense story with surprise-filled legal action. Bernhardt and his crusading attorney Ben Kincaid return in an electrifying story of love, hate, and the power of a courtroom to separate deception from the truth. "Hate Crime" begins with two seemingly unrelated crimes. The first, the kidnapping of a wealthy Tulsa Couple's young son. Major Mike Morelli of Tulsa P.D. Homicide, his partner Sgt. Kate Baxter, and F.B.I. Special Agent Danielle Swift, on loan from the Chicago Bureau, hold center stage in this heinous misadventure. The child is rescued, but inexplicably the four kidnappers escape. The second crime actually occurred three months prior to the kidnapping in Tulsa. This one took place 14 miles north of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois near the Phillips College campus. Two fraternity boys, Johnny Christenson and Brett Mathers, are arrested for the murder of Tony Barovick—a known homosexual. Johnny and Brett deny killing the handsome, well-liked manager of Remote Control, a singles bar frequented by college students. They do not deny beating Tony senseless and causing him major bodily harm. All the evidence points to these two boys. Their admitted homophobia adds credibility to their being sadistic killers with hate being the only motive. Unknown to the two college students an eyewitness, who left the bar shortly after the assailants, witnessed the entire assault. This person did nothing to help Tony. But watched and waited. The story skips back to attorney Ben Kincaid's Tulsa office. Something unforeseen has happened in the trial of Johnny Christensen. His mother Ellen comes to Tulsa to beg Ben to defend her son. Kincaid has one secret reason for saying no to this plea for help. But Christina McCall, Ben's partner, does not say no to the frantic mother's plea for help. Why would Ben refuse this mother's request? What secret is he hiding from his partner regarding this woman? Ah, there's the rub. Readers find out something secret in Ben's past. Something he's held inside for far too many years. The thing that keeps him from taking the Christensen case, and from forming an intimate relationship with Christina or anyone. In Chicago, Christina steps into a whirlwind of hate. She faces an
explosion of controversy and deadly violence surrounding the trial. Her
client's only defense is that yes he left the victim bludgeoned, but
alive. Who can prove this? The police and the F.B.I. have more than enough
evidence for the death penalty. Then, one of Manny's known associates, a man called Charlie the Chicken, is hunted down in Chicago and murdered by a mysterious stranger. It appears that both Manny and Charlie are tied to the Tulsa kidnapping case. Is it possible that Manny, Charlie, Tony and the "stranger" were all associated in the Tulsa case? If so, is it also possible that Johnny Christensen is telling the truth—he and his friend did not murder Tony? As Loving, Ben's office manager, would say, "This case has more twists and turns than the Million Dollar Highway." It also has a swift pace that often leaves you in confusion and doubt. For readers who have read Bernhardt's previous novels this is not a problem. They zipped up their disbelief in the first chapters and rightfully placed their faith in the author to untangle this convoluted story. Bernhardt tells readers, through his character Roger Hartnell, that . . . "We live in a violent world. Do you know how many hate crimes are committed against gay people in this country every year? More than a thousand. The Matthew Shepard case got all the publicity, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. There were a dozen other hate-based murders of gay people that year. People you never heard about." Another character, who must remain nameless, shows readers that some crimes and murders are committed by people who do them just because they can. All who commit these crimes should remember, the "Perfect Crime" does not exist. It is no wonder that this author was presented the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award in 2000—in recognition of an outstanding body of work in which we understand ourselves and American society at large. "Hate Crime" is a must read not only for its entertainment value, but for the excellent portrayal of a segment of our world we too often are reluctant to examine. Kudos to Bernhardt for daring to go where angels fear to tread. Copyright Patricia A. Jones, February 9, 2004, all rights reserved Save Up to 30% on this book at Amazon.com Jones is a published writer and book reviewer for Tulsa World newspaper. To comment on this review you may email pattij777@aol.com |
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