I read plenty of mysteries involving criminal law attorneys, general practice attorneys but don’t usually get a mystery that involved a church that was actually a cult. Corrupt practices by Robert Rotstein, primarily a Los Angeles attorney with the story expanded well beyond Los Angeles in location. Parker Stein had been a child actor, cheated out of his earnings by his mother who became involved in the Church of Sanctified Assembly. But the story was not as simple as that. He took on the case against one of his fellow attorneys in the law firm because he realized that his client was not the kind to commit murder and could be a victim of a frame-up. Yet he not only has to find out the truth of what happened but he has had stage fright in trial, ever since the suicide of the man who took him under his wing in the firm, Harmon Cherry. To show that Harmon Cherry is innocent, he has to show what really happened instead.

Robert Rothstein keeps you reading with Parker Stein’s personal problems, his feelings of inadequacy, inability to form deep relationships and in this book, you learn the reason why he has these problems. The details of the cult and the lengths that the leaders went to control their members will also keep you reading.

I really like the variety of the characters in this story and the flawless transitions between Parker Stern and the way that Parker Stern was able to push himself to investigate and do court appearances even though he was consumed by his fears.

I highly recommend this book to all legal mystery lovers. ( )

This was actually a very good book. The plot was well-considered, the characters were well-conceived and the suspense was maintained throughout. Other than a 1/2 dozen typos I really don't have anything negative to say about this book. Interesting, fun, fast read. ( )

The book had real promise when it started out, but ended up a hot mess. Too bad. ( )

Interesting story. Parker Stern legal career has tanked due to stage fright but only in the courtroom. Out of work, he gets a call from an ex-colleague who wants to hire Parker. Parker ends up working for the ex-partner's farther. The case : take on a cult -- a super church. It is a wild ride to the end and it reminds one of another large religion that to some appears to be secretive organization that demands loyalty. It has all the twists and turns of a movie with some neat courtroom scenes. ( )

From my blog

I prefer standalone novels but I am so happy this legal thriller will be a series. I loved the main character Parker and look forward to more court room drama. All the characters were interesting, conniving in their own way, they added to the suspense.

Parker takes on a case representing an ex colleague against a church, The Sanctified Assembly, which sounds more like a cult that loves power. Parker hates everything to do with the Church of the Sanctified Assembly and doesn't want anything to do with them but decides to take on the case.

A friend gives him a teaching job in hopes of helping him get over court room stage fright. He uses his students to assist with the research and the case and they help him get in touch with the basics again. Everyone that gets involved realizes they are putting their lives at risk, is it worth it.

This book will have you staying up well past your bedtime or waking to continue on because your so engaged you can't relax enough to go to sleep, a page turner to say the least. The secrets were incredible, a great executed thriller.

The title Corrupt Practices is perfect, is the legal system corrupt or the church, I bet you won't figure this one out. There are so many brilliant secrets, just layered on, you can't get enough, you will enjoy this thrill.

I look forward to more Parker Stern.

A favourite quote

Religion can be very similar to an embrace. And you can't really explain an embrace. But there are people who comfort me with just a hug." Grinning slightly, she tilts her head toward her father. "If that same person hugged you, you'd probably recoil in disgust. But the trick, with both people and faith, is to find what will comfort you. We all need a divine embrace." ( )