Two highly intelligent characters that fight for justice on opposite sides of the courtroom kickoff this new series.

We've briefly met forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caitlin Cassidy and FBI Special Agent
Atticus Spenser in a previous book and butting heads best describes how they are when they have to be in the same room. But when Spenser finds Caitlin lying in a pool of her own blood after a shooting at the courthouse we see that maybe there is more to those sparks that fly between them.

The suspense/murder part of the plot spans over a 15 year period and its as full of twist and turns as the labyrinths and mazes that the killer uses in his sick game of wanting to be a God.

Spense manages to convince Caity that they should work together to bring down the killer. These two are defiantly not your typical characters. They are very intelligent and dont think the way most people do. Those traits were what had them at odds in the beginning but you can see that it also makes them perfect as partners work wise and hopefully romantically in future books. ( )

Judgment: A Cassidy & Spenser Thriller (Cassidy & Spenser Thrillers. by Carey Baldwin

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Caitlin Cassidy and FBI profiler, Special Agent Atticus Spenser, are called in to testify, one for the defense and one for the prosecution, after a university student is murdered. But things turn deadly at the court house when the chief suspect is attacked, his lawyer is murdered and Caitlin is shot. As a psychiatrist Caitlin is privy to all kinds of information about the accused which puts her in the sights of a murderer. Spenser is determined to keep a protective eye on her. When another attack leads to the suspect's death and another attempt is made on Caitlin's life the pair must put aside their rivalry in the courtroom and work together to find the real killer before it is too late.

I loved this book!
It is the first in the teaming together of Dr. Cassidy and agent Spenser in the hunt for serial killers. It has just the right amount of suspense and romance. I loved the two main characters and was glad that their story is not rushed. I will definitely read this series just to see their relationship blossom.
On the suspense side, the story is fast paced, dark, riveting and difficult to put down.
I can't wait for more in the series. ( )

Judgment by Carey Baldwin is a 2014 Witness Impulse publication. I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Jeepers! This book is the definition of psychological thriller. From the first page to the last I was riveted. I was completely immersed in this world, in Spence and Caitlin's investigation and their romance too. A tense, edge of your seat, vivid world of suspense with incredibly well drawn characters. It's dark place that Caitlin will enter along with her new partner, Spence. Caitlin is no stranger to dark places, but this time the darkness cold swallow her whole.

The setup:
Caitlin watched her father's execution for a crime she was positive he did not commit. Now she is a forensic psychiatrist working non-stop to prevent innocent people from going to prison. After an analysis of a dark , creepy suspect, Caitlin visits his attorney, the same attorney that defended her father unsuccessfully, at the courthouse to explain she will not be able to testify on his behalf. Before she can get things cleared away, shots are fired. Caitlin is wounded and an old friend, Atticus Spencer saves her life. They soon learn a deadly game is being played by a “death club” and it's possible the case could somehow tie in with Caitlin's father and his case.

The FBI and detectives have a specific way of working a case that doesn't really jibe with Caitlin and her work, which is designed to prevent people from giving false confessions or railroaded by the overzealous investigators. This puts her in direct conflict with Spence. Spence is a character that grew on me as I got deeper into the story. His “handicap” has him constantly fighting an inner war and sometimes he loses the battle by forgetting to turn on his filter. Caitlin is his soft spot, but he still speaks his mind, and occasionally leaves her out of the loop for fear or being reigned in for not following protocol at all times. The author did a wonder job of creating these two characters, each with their own flaws and demons to fight. I took sides, got frustrated with both of them at times, but cheered them on every step of the way. I am impressed with the author's ability to have these characters develop within the story all while scaring us half to death with one of the most creepy cases I have read about in awhile. This story has a very dark tone in many ways. Wrongfully convicted people, scarred survivors, a possible vigilante, a possible serial killer, a host of horrific crimes and a few irritating cops on the side all mesh together and kept me guessing and turning pages at the speed of light and sound. The other thing that impressed me was how emotional I became. I actually felt a lump in my throat on few occasions thinking about how Caitlin was robbed of so many precious moments in her life and now she has a tough time with emotions and relationships, plus is still plagued by lurid dreams. I also had a little book crush on Spencer. So, hopefully he will be able to convince Caitlin there really is a such a thing as true love.... but, before they can think about that it looks as though another explosive case has their name on it. I was really invested in these people so I am eagerly awaiting a second novel featuring these characters.
Do you like “keep you up at night” psychological thrillers? Check. Like Romantic suspense? Check. Like Mysteries? Check. This book was just my style and if you like one or all of these genres, you do not want to miss this one. Highly recommended!! ( )

I can either do a clinical review or write down what I feel at this very moment. Oh, let me do both and get it over with.

Let's start with the emotional reaction. It scared the DNA out of my family tree. It had me jumping out of my own skin into another personality type. It had all the juices in my body curdling in my ear drums. It made my petrous bone shudder and shake. I almost did not make it, honest to God.

If you know Dr.Kay Scarpetta in Patricia Cornwell's psychological thrillers, and you loved it, this is the book for you! Be my guest. Enjoy!

As I explained my reaction to the Scarpetta series, to a friend on Goodreads, I almost did not make it that time either. The difference between now and then is, that I read those books during the night, never slept a wink, locked all the doors, locked hubsters out, taped the windows closed, insisted on the guard dogs sleeping on my bed, check the cats'nails, instructed them to attack anyone trying to open my bedroom door, and curled up in terror until all three books were finished.

When I started this book last night I was too tired to continue reading, so I sneaked it into my office day this morning after starting with it around five already! Thank goodness I did not continue last night.

I am not trying to be funny, but if you want to laugh do so and then read the book yourself! Then it will be my turn to holler and howl and I won't feel bad at all for doing just that! I am still shaking.

But nevermind, let's get to the clinical part now.

Dr. Caity Cassidy's father, Thomas, was convicted and executed for the brutal rape and murder of Gail Falconer, fifteen years ago. Caitey attended his execution and pledged to herself that she will get behind the truth. She thought he was innocent. Obviously, the Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona did not think so. The only man to support her at the event was her father's lawyer, Harvey Baumgartner (Tree gardener in English). He handled her father's case pro bono. They were friends from church - her father's best friend in the end. She was eighteen years old at the time. The event inspired her to climb into the mind of killers, which resulted in her PHD. She became a forensic psychiatrist profiling these mad people. She wanted to prove that her father did not have the psychological make-up to do it. She employed private investigators with no success.

Harvey Baumgarten requested her services for one of his clients, Judd Kramer, in a case against the latter. While consulting in court, a killer walked in and shot everyone. There were four victims. Kramer and his deputy escort-- shot just outside the courthouse, with Baumgartner and Dr. Caitey Cassidy --shot inside. Judd Kramer survived. She barely survived herself. Only because her four year long rival, FBI Special Agent Atticus Spenser (named after Atticus Finch, the hero in To Kill a Mockingbird), saved her life. They’d been on opposite sides of a contentious case more than once. And there was also that personal incident a few years back . . . but fortunately no one knew about that little gem of a disaster except Spense and her.

They had no other choice but to work together on this case. Caitey's ordeal was not over, as they soon found out. The killer did not target her by accident. There was to be a second round and she needed protection. Spencer offered it. She had to move in with him.

He baffled her. One thing she noticed was that he always had a miniature Rubik’s cube, attached to a keychain, in his pocket. He often pulled it out, scrambled it, solved it, and shoved it back in his pants pocket, all in less than a minute. He also knew how to prepare kung pao tofu with edamame,dowsed in a spicy peanut sauce. This man was not only soft on the retinas, he was also multi-talented. Behind his Old Spice must be a story too.

But that just for interest's sake. What really happened after the shootings rocked their world. As in totally.

Judd Kramer died in hospital, along with the pharmacist. More young women ended up dead. Caitey was now confronted with first the death of Gail Falconer, and now Sally Cartwright, Darlene Dillinger and Annie Bayberry.

Fast moving, thrilling, captivating, entertaining, scary, brilliant! A tale marked by all the elements of a psychological thriller par excellence.

The only rattling bone in my scull is the acronyms and abbreviations that was spread all over the text. I gave up in trying to find them all on the internet. "DETECTIVE RILEY BASKIN paced the precinct lunchroom with a PB and J gripped in his hand" Oy! I thought it was a high caliber murder weapon and was diving for cover, until I peaked through my fingers and realized he was eating it. I could only wish him luck until this moment, because I still don't know what it is!

So yes, let me admit it. I LOVED THIS BOOK !!!

This book is a Witness Impulse, HarperCollins Publication, provided through edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com. for review. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Original review: http://something-wordy-reviews.blogspot.com/2014/10/judgment-cassidy-spenser-thr... ( )