By Reason of Insanity (2008) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 0 stars

“Just started it.”

• Rated 5 stars

“
Catherine O’Rourke appears to have it all together. A successful career in newspaper journalism. A beautiful face, plenty of confidence, lots of friends, and a family who loves her.

But then she covers the murder trial of Annie Newberg, who confesses to taking the life of her abusive husband. Annie’s case is unique in that her powerful attorney is also her brother. Quinn Newberg fights to get Annie off on an insanity plea. When that case is unexpectedly declared a mistrial, Cat moves on to the next one, unaware that she is irrevocably bound to the Newbergs.

Babies are kidnapped and assumed dead. High-profile attorneys are murdered. Strange biblical messages are left at each scene. Catherine is deeply involved in the investigation, with the help of a police detective who keeps her supplied with inside information. She starts having disturbing visions about the crimes, but when she makes the mistake of sharing them with her detective friend, she suddenly becomes the prime suspect.

Cat turns to Quinn Newberg for representation. He likes Catherine, and believes in her integrity. But he also believes her visions stem from a split personality – dissociative identity disorder – caused by a traumatic experience eight years earlier. He’s certain he’ll once more be fighting an unpredictable insanity battle in court.

When the two begin to feel an undeniable attraction, Cat’s case becomes personal – and deadly. Someone wants Cat to go down for these crimes. When Quinn gets too close to the killer, someone wants him out of the way.

It’s a whole new battlefield as two successful, independent personalities learn that some situations can’t be tackled alone.

Sometimes you need a higher power.

Randy Singer knows how to hook a reader. He drags them in from the opening scene and never lets go. By Reason of Insanity is packed with heart-pounding suspense, raw emotion, subtle touches of romance and a healthy helping of mystery. Impressive writing and a great storyline. Singer keeps pages turning and readers reading – and when they reach the end, he makes them want one more paragraph … one more page … one more chapter.

This is fiction the way it’s meant to be written.


Reviewed by
Delia Latham
www.delialatham.net”

• Rated 5 stars

“After reading Randy Singer's book, Directed Verdict, I was eager to have the opportunity to read more of his work.

By Reason of Insanity is excellent! Mr. Singer catches court room drama at its most intense. When a person was accused of horrific crimes, I just knew it had to be a set up, but when I found out the rest of the story, I was blown away! I didn't even see it coming! This is a story of justice, sacrifice and a gift from God. It is fast paced, extremely well written and will keep you turning pages until you reach the satisfying ending! ”

• Rated 5 stars

“By Reason of Insanity by Randy Singer is an astounding and compelling novel. I read a lot of books within a year, and something that many authors try to pull off is the shock ending. If it's done well, the entire book benefits from it, and the reader walks away from the book amazed and impressed by the author. If the author fails, the reader feels completely betrayed and played by the author. Either way, it's the kind of book that a reader tells their friends about. By Reason of Insanity is one of those books. Cat O'Rourke is a journalist in Virginia Beach who has been sent to cover a high profile murder in Las Vegas being defended by Quinn Newberg , a slick lawyer trying to save his sister, Annie's, life. Annie killed her husband in self-defense after facing years of his abuse. Quinn uses the insanity defense to free her, and instead ends up with a hung jury and a mistrial. When Cat returns home to Virginia, a mysterious Avenger of Blood starts murdering rapists who were never convicted and the lawyers who freed them. Cat starts covering the story as a matter of her work, but the story quickly becomes personal when she begins having visions of the crime and then becomes the prime suspect. Cat calls Quinn for help with her defense when even she starts to doubt her own innocence. Singer is a hugely talented author, and I am a huge fan, so I expected good things before I even cracked the cover of this book. But Singer pulls off the near impossible by keeping the reader wondering about Cat's innocence (without manipulating or lying to the reader), and then pulls off an ending that literally made my jaw drop...twice! This is the kind of book that if you have a friend who doesn't read Christian fiction because they don't think the writing is as good quality as regular fiction, you need to give them this book. Singer never proselytizes or preaches, and the writing is spot on, as good as it gets. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Attorney/novelist Randy Singer brings readers an interesting twist on the legal thriller genre with his latest release, By Reason of Insanity.

Trial lawyer Quinn Newberg is becoming famous as he presides over the defense of a woman who is charged with the murder of her husband. Meanwhile, Catherine O'Rourke, a Virginia Beach reporter covering the trial for her employer, begins having strange visions that make no sense to her. Then she discovers that her visions are the exact details of a series of kidnapping and murders in the Virginia Beach area. The details of what her mind's eye sees is so exact that she soon becomes a suspect when she offers to help. Quinn Newberg is brought in to represent Catherine at trial because of his expertise in the much maligned insanity plea.

This was the first novel of Singer's that I've read and I was privileged to read an advanced reader copy before publication. I was familiar with the author, just never gotten around to reading him. Boy, was that a mistake. By Reason of Insanity is one of the best novels I've read this year. And I've read a bunch. What I liked most about it was the twist of adding the supernatural/paranormal concept of visions to this genre. And the way the two main characters (Quinn and Catherine) separate storylines intersect will not disappoint.

Singer's writing is fast paced, page-turning suspense at it's best. He gives good attention to detail and along with the joyride you just might learn a thing or two about the law.

This may have been my first Randy Singer novel, however, I can guarantee it won't be my last. I've read lots of comparisons of Singer to Grisham. Umph. I say move over Grisham and share the throne before you're removed from it completely.”

• Rated 5 stars

“Newspaper reporter Catherine O'Rourke has become enamored with a recent case involving a woman who has killed her husband. The woman's brother, Quinn Newburg, is representing her in court and arguing the insanity plea. Catherine closely follows every angle of the story, becoming especially intrigued by Quinn and his pursuit of justice.

Meanwhile, in Virginia Beach a series of kidnappings and murders have caught the public eye. As Catherine follows the story she begins blacking out and having strange visions that reveal details of each crime. Reluctantly, she goes to the police and is shocked when they in turn arrest her. It seems evidence has been found linking her to the murders and the police see her "visions" as far more than coincidence. Catherine soon begins to doubt her own sanity as more and more solid evidence begins piling up. Desperate for help she hires Quinn Newburg to plead her case hoping that he can prove not only her innocence, but her sanity as well. Unfortunately for Catherine, Quinn doesn't believe her.

Randy Singer is known for riveting legal thrillers and his latest offering does not disappoint. As always, Singer's full arsenal of talent is on display: intense courtroom scenes, complex plot lines, and unexpected twists and turns. All of these elements work and help create an exciting read that is nothing short of intoxicating. Singer's exploration of the insanity plea is fascinating and only adds to the richness of the story. I love novels that keep the reader guessing and I was pleasantly surprised by a clever twist that was way off my radar. Randy Singer has proven once again why he's one of the best thriller writers in the genre. Don't miss this one!”