MrsK Books: The Witness by Robertf Whitlow

Sunday, November 20, 2016

The Witness by Robertf Whitlow

ISBN: 9781401688905

Publisher's Synopsis:

Parker House’s secret inheritance is either his greatest blessing . . . or his deadliest curse. The fresh-faced North Carolina attorney shares his German grandfather’s uncanny ability to see future events in his mind’s eye—a gift that has haunted 82-year-old Frank House through decades of trying to erase a murderous wartime past.

While Parker navigates the intrigue and politics of small-town courtroom law, Frank is forced to face his darkest regrets. Then, a big career break for Parker collides with a new love he longs to nurture and the nightmares his grandfather can no longer escape. Sudden peril threatens to shatter not only Parker’s legal prospects but also his life and the lives of those dearest to him.

"I have set watchman upon thy walls, O Jerusalem."

Isaiah 62:6

MrsK's Review:

At the Germany-Belgium border in 1939 Franz Haus begins his discovery that his talent is leading him in to a horrifying truth about his service to his country. Misinterpretations have happened, and yet, the last thing he wanted was a conscience with "blood" on it. Having access to the top commanders within the infantry divisions seemed safer, yet all of that changes with a mission trip and the treatment of resistance fighters. His decision in 1944 will bring him to a crossroad in which he seems caught "between the past and the future."

In New Bern, NC, Parker House is just beginning his career as an associate attorney for Branham and Camp. While waiting for the jury selection to begin, Parker checks his fantasy football team picks and marvels at the technology of 2003. During the selection on juror seemed to stand out. Even though she was a photographer, Parker's ability to "foresee" a strength in her proves beneficial for their client.

Layla Donovan is a photographer serving on a jury. The case is straightforward, so why would the associate attorney be interested in her? At first Layla naturally assumes that Parker just wants to know why the jury had its verdict so quickly. Her reasoning should have ended their evening. And yet, there seems to be something else at work in their lives.

On the day that Conrad Mueller shows up at Parker's work, many new opportunities and secrets begin coming to light. It's as if some form of justice must be served. How all of these threads are woven together will lead everyone to the truth.

Thomas Blocker is a cunning trial lawyer who is brought in as co-counsel for Parker's newest case. Parker knows the benefits of "seeing" how Blocker prepares, presents, and tries a case will be more than what his firm bargains for, what he doesn't "foresee" are the changes that will usher in dramatic changes in his life... especially in his personal life with Layla.

Expertly woven, this suspenseful mystery gathers together a list of characters that seem completely disassociated. The story's premise about a soldier's critical decision years ago and its future impact leading to a future climax becomes a stunning moral. How does truth open a doorway to peace?

Definitely a page turner...

MrsK

"I've asked God to forgive my sins,

even those I'm not sure I committed.

When the old guilty thoughts dance around the edges of my mind,

I tell them to beat it.

Ultimately, the power of life and death isn't in my hands anyway; it's in his."

Positively a "read it forward" book!

A story with such a punch that every book club should enjoy.

Meet the Author:

Robert Whitlow is the best-selling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the prestigious Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. A Furman University graduate, Whitlow received his J.D. with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review. A practicing attorney, Whitlow and his wife, Kathy, have four children. They make their home in North Carolina.

"I received this book for free from the Fiction Guild for this review."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)