Final Witness: A Novel

by Simon Tolkien

Book Overview

A gripping courtroom drama combining psychological suspense and political intrigue from the pen of ex-barrister-turned-crime novelist Simon Tolkien, grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien. It's the trial - and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0375508821
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 283 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.0" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

great british courtroom drama, one for pbs

First I have to say that the reviewers (some at Random House) that compared this author to his grandfather, JRR Tolkien, are comparing potatoes to mangoes. Not only do many families have more than one talented author, but these two are writing in completely different genres. If you're into fantasy and Lord of the Rings, this may not be for you. But Simon Tolkien is a British barrister practicing criminal law and he knows what he is talking about. As a lifetime fan of Rumpole of the Bailey (and a one-time visitor to the Old Bailey) I looked forward to this book. Here is why it rates over and above the conventional mystery or police procedural. Most mysteries are written from the point of view of the detective or other person investigating a crime, usually murder. The reader guesses who did it by process of elimination, although many authors put a good twist at the end. This book is written from the different points of view of all the characters, each of whom is trying to put himself in the best possible light. It's a lot trickier to figure out who is guilty, who is innocent, who is lying, who is mentally unbalanced. The suspense builds up with the minutes counting down to the final witness, after whose testimony no new evidence can be introduced. The lawyers and police are in the background. The case centers on the family members, who are not exactly likable people. The story begins with a terrifying incident and builds to a frightening climax. I think Mr. Tolkien has done an excellent job with this first novel and I will look for more.

Really Good

I read the book, like many, because of the name. I was throughly impressed with the story. It was well written, and I loved how it jumped around so much to tell the story. I would highly recommend this book!

Excellent legal thriller

Simon Tolkien makes a sparkling debut with "Final Witness," an intense and often freaky legal thriller. His characters are very vivid and believable, the writing is solid, and Tolkien keeps unexpected twists in the evidence so that you won't be able to figure out entirely what is going on, or how the case will be resolved.Young Thomas Robinson sees his mother Anne brutally murdered by a pair of men named Rosie and Lonnie (he would have been killed too if his mother hadn't hidden him). What's more, he now says that he saw his stepmother Greta talking with Rosie, but his father Peter Robinson claims that his son is lying. A seductive social-climber who tempted the son and married the father, Greta claims that the sensitive boy is trying to blame her for the breakup of his parents' marriage.Now, a much-publicized murder investigation is underway. Thomas, his best pal, the housekeeper, and a few other witnesses are called to testify about the evidence about Anne's death, including a questionable first name, a dead dog, a stolen locket, a gate left open, and Thomas's vivid imagination. As the case progresses, the testimonies start to break down. Is the secretive Greta a murderer? Has Thomas made a mistake? And what will the "final witness" tell the court?Like his world-famous grandfather, Simon Tolkien writes about what he knows. While J.R.R. Tolkien's job and writing centered on language and legends, Simon Tolkien is a barrister in London. So it only makes sense that he wrote a legal thriller, and a good one too. (It also gives me extra respect for him as a writer and person, because some people would have just tried to cash in on the family name) Aside from the [love] content (which, while fitting for Greta and her effect on Peter and Thomas, is a little more than I'd like), this is a great book. Certainly head-and-shoulders above Grisham and similar writers.Tolkien's writing is solid and detailed; he has a very you-are-there feel to his book. He's at his best in the courtroom scenes, which are the tensest parts of the book. I got cold chills reading those parts. His descriptions of things like the "yellow dress" incident, the wind in the trees, a crowded house or a creepy courthouse are astounding.Thomas is the most likeable person in the book, very imaginative and sweet-natured. His father Peter is clearly experiencing doubts about Greta, but insists she's innocent less out of thought than wishing. The rigidly feudal housekeeper and rather fluttery pal Matthew are strong supporting characters. But where Tolkien really strikes gold is Greta: We see that she can be very sultry, nasty, and certainly we can imagine her killing someone (whether or not she did). But he gives the readers insights into her life and her vulnerabilities, to give her dimension. I hated Greta, but I understood her inside and out. Brilliant.Readers shouldn't expect something as groundbreaking as "Lord of the Rings." (On the back cover, Tolkien even talks about his fears abo

A legal thriller with a difference

Although this is mainly a courtroom drama, there is a blend of other genres too, making this a very individual novel. It is part literary prose, part action thriller, part old-fashioned English mystery, part family saga to name a few issues. It combines various settings, from an old aristocratic mansion to cosmopolitan London, to dirty gangways and alleys. There is however a classic mystery structure, which is not lost in the study of various relationships (father-son, wife-husband, the ingenuous man and the seductive woman and many others). It is an intricate and multi-level story that offers enjoyment as well as serious reflection. I found that the author's ability for character development was amazing - an example is that although the accused has all the characteristics of a typical evil manipulative beautiful woman, she is often portrayed as sweet and vulnerable, arising a mixture of emotions in the reader. I reccommend this book to anyone who likes their mysteries complex and thought-provoking rather than action-based.

Great book--Mr. Tolkien please write another!

I thoroughly enjoyed "Final Witness" by Simon Tolkien. Right from the beginning I loved this book and wanted to get a note to Mr. Tolkien asking that he finish another novel asap. It's suspenseful, and the story line and characters are well developed. The author takes the reader alternately from court scenes, to the murder scene and to past and present events in the characters' personal lives weaving together a story that kept me at the edge of my seat.I was leary about buying the audiobook because it is read by the author and I've been disappointed more than once when I've bought books read by their authors. I was pleasantly surprised to find he has an enjoyable reading voice and accent.I highly recommend "Final Witness"!