Guilt by Degrees

By: Marcia Clark

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Someone has been watching D.A. Rachel Knight - someone who's Rachel's equal in brains, but with more malicious intentions. It began when a near-impossible case fell into Rachel's lap, the suspectless homicide of a homeless man. In the face of courthouse backbiting and a gauzy web of clues, Rachel is determined to deliver justice. She's got back-up: tough-as-nails Detective Bailey Keller.

As Rachel and Bailey stir things up, they're shocked to uncover a connection with the vicious murder of an LAPD cop a year earlier. Something tells Rachel someone knows the truth, someone who'd kill to keep it secret.

Harrowing, smart, and riotously entertaining, Guilt by Degrees is a thrilling ride through the world of LA courts with the unforgettable Rachel Knight.

©2012 Marcia Clark (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Namestopper

If you could sum up Guilt by Degrees in three words, what would they be?

Interesting Story with Twist

What was one of the most memorable moments of Guilt by Degrees?

When the name of the "homeless" man was at last identified

Which scene was your favorite?

When Rachael finnally ate something she wanted (Fried Chicken)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I felt the chills up and down my spine when Rachel sensed she was being watched and decided to ride with Daniel after all. I kept saying to myself, don't walk home, don't walk home, ride with Daniel, ride with Daniel

Any additional comments?

Hope to enjoy many more books from Marcia

Not my favorite Marcia Clark

In The Beginning, I stayed away from Marcia Clark's books -- just another celebrity author, I thought. Published because of who she is. Most likely isn't very good.

Well, that was wrong. These ARE good books -- very very good, in fact. I've read -- paper versions -- most of them, but this was my first listen. That might have been one of the problems here.

When you read the books, "Bailey", Rachel's trusty sidekick, comes off like a regular person -- clever, smart, occasionally witty, a good companion. But in January LaVoy's narration, Bailey comes off as sullen, snide, negative about everything and usually sarcastic. I got to the point I couldn't understand why Rachel would hang with this toots, certainly not as her "best friend". Who could put up with her sullen, nasty response to everything?

So in listening, in trying to avoid the bitter Bailey, I found myself thinking about other things, first of all, how much like Linda Fairstein's books these Marcia Clark books are -- minus the history lesson that's always a part of the Fairstein oeuvre of course. But consider: both Alex Cooper (Fairstein's protagonist) and Rachel Knight have power-lawyer jobs -- both work for the prosecution, but neither spend much time at all in the courtroom. These are not "legal thrillers" in the sense that Grisham's are -- unlike his books, which seem like little more than trial transcripts, these are more tales of investigation than courtroom brawls. Neither does either woman spent much time in the office -- there's little evidence of any of the paperwork that (in the real world) is so much a part of the job. Both seem to have unusually capable and hard working underlings to do most of that -- which again, in government work, would be highly unusual. But then, this is fiction.

So what do they spend their time doing, these lady lawyers? Investigating, on their own, without supervision for the most part, and most certainly on their own initiative. Also unusual.

But second, both spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with food. That's right -- they are consumed by food -- acquiring it, eating it, selecting just right right 'new restaurant' to patronize, deciding which friend to dine with, gossiping over the meal, and the deciding who is treating whom, on this occasion.

I don't object to any of this food-passion, in fact, I sort of enjoy the endless variety in menus, but I do wonder if there are real people who live like this. Are there really people out there who eat out in restaurants -- or room service, like the hotel-dwelling Rachel -- three times a day? Jeepers, what a bummer that would be.

Anyway, in this book, there's one hilarious moment: an old boyfriend of Rachel's has moved into the downtown neighborhood, and she's giving him the lay of the land, so to speak -- where things are, where he can find this and that, including -- get this -- where he can buy groceries.

That made me laugh out loud -- how in heck would SHE know? Rachel either orders from room service, or eats out! Thinking of Rachel Knight making a foray into a -- gasp -- grocery store is as ludicrous as seeing Silver Chief, Dog of the Klondike, eating off bone china at the Top of the Mark! I don't think Rachel Knight does grocery stores. Ever.

So, bottom line: I like the Marcia Clark books very much. But whether I will listen to another one depends on who they pick as narrator. I like "Bailey" too much to see her portrayed as a spoiled brat who should be sent to her room until she improves her attitude.

Great book one of the best

It makes me wonder if all cops are really alcoholics. I sure hope not . 👍 I couldn’t put it down

An airport book but a fun airport book

I picked this up after watching the OJ series on Netflix, where Iearned that Marcia Clark went on to write thrillers. The plot is intricate and interesting, as well as some of the characters. One reviewer said it's a chick lit whodunit. Yes, there is that. But I did enjoy this book and would recommend for anyone interested in a fast paced and interesting procedural and cop thriller.

Will keep you guessing!

Another compelling read from Marcia Clark that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Great Book and Fantastic Narrator

"Guilt By Degrees" by Marcia Clark was full of suspense, mystery and also a thriller intriguing listen. I bought this book because of January LaVoy and her amazing narration of another book.
We find thirty-four year old, LA District Attorney Rachel Knight and her friend, Detective Bailey Keller will investigate a homeless man murder and this will take them to a murder of a LAPD policeman. Trying to solve both of these cases will lead them into a dangerous path that will take them where "they will need to uncover a complex story to uncover the truth and risking their lives in the process." It seems the deeper they get into this investigation, both Knight and Bailey are seeing just how dangerous their opponent really is. You will find "Guilt By Degrees" to be a well written novel and enjoyable to read that will keep you turning the pages for more. Be ready for many twist and turns that will keep you trying to guess who this is as the story unfolds. This author writes a novel that is "fulled with mesmerizing details, characters that you can relate to, and an abundance of unbelievable plot diversity." If you are in for a thrill of a ride 'though the world of the LA court system'...you have come to the right place... for "Guilt By Degrees" will take you there and Yes, I would recommend this novel.

January LaVoy was outstanding with the delivery of the story.

"Revenge Very Dry and Very Cold"

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
I re listened to this book, and wow, I must have been very distracted the 1st time around as I missed the good humor and writing.
Note: I do use the new 1.25x speed to match the authors intent.

Would you be willing to try another book from Marcia Clark? Why or why not?
yes, as I love her writing style, humor to lighten a dark mystery.
This book had a great opening, but if you are distracted like I was the first time listening, I missed the segue way or a part of my 5 W’s. Very interesting premise, and I really am enjoying this 2nd listen. Boy, did I miss heaps the first time!! Shame on me!

What does January LaVoy bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
She is Rachel Knight!!! Our detective Bailey is such a smart mouth, you just gotta love her. I love this duo team and the secondary characters that Ms Lavoy brings to life in a fun way.
Our hero, love life Gradon Hails, is not feature enough for my tastes in this book as I adore him.
Ms LaVoy knocks it out of the ball park when she voices the young illiterate males, you just keep laughing!

Do you think Guilt by Degrees needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?
The novellas give a preview and the series continues, which I look forward to.
Note: this series seems a bit like chick lit, and I love it. Don’t Miss the Ms Clark’s Samantha Brinkman narrated by my top fave Ms Angela Dawe. Both this narrator and Ms Dawe have excellent male and young adults voices.

Great story!

I have really enjoyed the first two book in the Rachel Knight series. They are fast paced and entertaining. Looking forward to #3!

All in all entertaining

January Lavoy makes any story better
But Marcia Clark has a good thing going with this character
Looking forward to the next one

The second Marcia Clark book

This is the second in Marcia Clark’s Rachel Knight series. Rachel, an assistant D.A., is waiting in court for a bail hearing when she sees an extremely ineffective D.A. from her office totally screw up a bail hearing for a client. She jumps in after the fact and offers to appeal for the defendant. She earns the ire of this incompetent but cunning Assistant D.A. The murder involved what appeared to be a homeless man and no one was much interested, but she and her cohort, Lieutenant Bailey Keller find evidence that the person being held for the murder didn’t do it and have the charges dismissed. They also find out that the so-called homeless man is the brother of a LAPD police detective who had been murdered two years previously. His wife had been tried for the murder and the jury found her not guilty. And now his brother had been murdered as well. Suddenly the case has more importance. Rachel and Bailie keep doggedly investigating to determine the truth of who killed both brothers. These books have a good deal of witty commentary between Bailie and Rachel, and the tension is maintained throughout the book. The narrator does a very good job of portraying especially the two women, but others as well.