James Scott Bell's Deadlock is more than a fast-paced legal drama. It probes at more than legal, moral and ethical issues. It does more than tell a story. Deadlock is a powerful, emotional and thoughtful novel. The characters are well crafted, the scenes well plotted, and the over all effect--overwhelming.

Millicent Hollander is a tough judge. Her consistent rulings and written decisions are strong and persuasive. When a case stands before her on issues like abortion, most can foretell how the verdict will be rendered. She is almost a cold, godless woman.

Charlene Moore is an African American attorney, trying to right a wrong. Her teenage client has undergone an abortion that has inflicted mental pain and suffering in her client. The complaint states that the clinic that performed the surgery failed to inform the young lady of all the side effects an abortion might create. Though Moore is confident she will prevail, getting the courts to see things her way is all together another story.

When Hollander is offered a historical position as the first female Chief Justice on the Supreme Court, things could not be any better. That is until she is almost raped by a person she trusted. As she makes her escape through the city park, a homeless man confronts her. She stumbles into the street and is struck by a car. She flatlines.

Returning to her hometown to recover, Hollander gets closer with her mother. Her mother is a very religious woman who spends a lot of time praying for her daughter. The local pastor dedicates his time to make Hollander feel more at home. His timing is perfect, since the near death experience has Hollander trying to figure out the meaning of life, forcing her to evaluate her own beliefs and morals as they were before the accident occurred.

Those in power, corrupt and reasonably heartless, who manipulated Hollander to the Chief Justice position learn of Hollander's newfound religion and fear her stable and sound judicial rulings will become unpredictable and dangerous to the Constitution and the American people, plot to get her removed from her position. As Hollander realizes truths about her life that frighten her more she ever thought could be possible. What faces her now is a choice.

Deadlock is enlightening and amazing. James Scott Bell is a powerful storyteller. This book, like many of his others, is wholesome and magical. Deadlock is a religious book that forces Hollander, as well as the reader, to take notice and into account the only possible truth. In a word, Powerful.

REVIEWED BY PHILLIP TOMASSO III

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR, PHILLIP TOMASSO III

Phillip Tomasso III is the award-winning author of Adverse Impact, Johnny Blade, Third Ring, Tenth House and Mind Play. He works full time as an employment law paralegal, freelances for a community newspaper and writes regular book reviews for Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, The Best Reviews and Curled Up With A Good Book. Tomasso also writes middle grade novels under the pen name, Grant R. Philips. King Gauthier and the Little Dragon Slayer will be released by Port Town Publishing, September 2003; Sounds of Silence in the Fall of 2004 by Star Bright Books. Living in Rochester, New York with his wife and three children. Tomasso is currently at work on his next mystery and middle grade novels.