I suspect this book is part of a series, as main character David Sloane seems to have a complicated backstory that was likely built in early books, but nicely summarized here such that I don't feel like I should have read them in order to enjoy this book. What we do know about Sloane in 'Bodily Harm' is that he is a prosecutor who never loses, including the opening case, a wrongful death verdict against a doctor after the death of a young boy. The death of the boy hits Sloane particularly hard, as he is in the process of filing papers to adopt his stepson and thinking about adding to the family with his wife, Tina. While leaving the courtroom one day, Sloane is approached by a stranger, who hands him a file saying that it contains the plans for a toy he designed and that a manufacturing flaw in that toy caused the child's death, not an error on the doctor's part.The book continues on through Sloane's investigation into the man's claim, made difficult by the fact that the toy suspected of killing this boy and another was a prototype in the testing stages, and the company who ran the test both denies the existence of the toy designer, stating they designed the toy themselves, and has reports from their safety evaluators stating that the toy passed all required evaluations. As this is expected to be the hot toy for the upcoming Christmas season, the company refuses to consent to independent testing that would delay the product's release to stores, thus missing the Christmas rush, while Sloane fears for the lives of all of the children who might receive the toy if it truly is dangerous.Overall, I found the book to be very full of action and easy to follow. Perhaps I would have liked more focus on the toy company and a more thorough elaboration on why the independent testing was so adamantly refused despite the lone connection between the two children who died being that this toy was present in the house and known to have broken while being played with. I would consider reading more in the series, although if they are primarily legal-based as opposed to this one's slight medical influence, they might not hold my interest as much. Who would ever think a book about toys could be so riveting and keep you up till there were no pages to turn. On a minor spoiler I liked the book so much I looked up a latter book in the series (6 I think)and it said his wife was murdered.. I thought buggar, that’s a spoiler I did not want. Back to reading book ... buggar me, happened in a couple pages, I guess the tension of waiting was over. phew!
What do You think about Bodily Harm (2010)?
Too many characters and independent scenarios to keep track of. Hard to follow.
—Token
Not a bad legal thriller and story about what it means to be a parent.
—osewe
Good mystery - fast read - local author. Liked it!
—Rahul
