Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
Why would a Native American whose ancestors were killed or ran off their land join a Neo-Nazi group? Clinical psychologist Cassandra Ringwald has just opened up a practice out of her elderly aunt's home and needs to learn why a her client joined a hate group like the White People's Brigade. She needs to understand the motives in order to help her get acquitted of the pending charges against him. He along with Sally Woods and Verlan Crumm are accused of kidnapping Sally's father and tossing his unconscious body in the city dump.
Homer proves to be a frustrating client as he refuses to be honest with Cassie or his lawyer. The psychologist is initially turned off by Homer's behavior and political ideology filled with hatred. However, she begins to feel sorry for Homer because she realizes he is not a hate-monger. Instead, he is trying to protect someone. In spite of his lack of cooperation, Cassie is determined to help Homer though it places her in danger from people who want the charges to stick.
JACKPOT JUSTICE is the winner of the 1999 St. Martin's Malice Domestic first novel award due, in large part, to the freshness of the story line. The characters are not fully developed and Cassie at times seems juvenile, leaving the audience more interested in the fast moving story line. Marilyn Wooley shows her talent with the intriguing plot, but the audience will expect healthier protagonists in her future books.