Synopses & Reviews
Los Angeles D.A. Rachel Knight is a tenacious, wise-cracking, and fiercely intelligent prosecutor in the city's most elite division. When her colleague, Jake, is found dead at a grisly crime scene, Rachel is shaken to the core. She must take over his toughest case: the assault of a young woman from a prominent family.
But she can't stop herself from digging deeper into Jake's death, a decision that exposes a world of power and violence and will have her risking her reputation--and her life--to find the truth.
With her tremendous expertise in the nuances of L.A. courts and crime, and with a vibrant ensemble cast of characters, Marcia Clark combines intimate detail, riotous humor, and visceral action in a debut thriller that marks the launch of a major new figure on the crime-writing scene.
Review
"Clark, the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, makes a triumphant fiction debut that catapults her to the same level as Linda Fairstein, her fellow assistant DA turned legal thriller novelist. Clark's alter ego, L.A. deputy DA Rachel Knight, suffers a shocking loss when a close colleague is suspected of committing a murder-suicide.... The workaholic also has her hands full with a case she inherited from the dead prosecutor.... Clark deftly handles the multiple plot lines. Readers will want to see a lot more of Knight, who combines strength of character and compassion with all-too-human foibles."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"You must read this book: it is wildly and complexly plotted, ebulliently witty and filled with riotous humor; it details the inner workings of the L.A. legal system with unprecedented accuracy and verve - and to top it off, it is a damn, damn, good thriller."--James Ellroy
Review
"Marcia Clark's debut novel showcases her experience and knowledge of the legal system. The pace, plot and dialogue are as sharp as they come in the genre. Her character of Rachel Knight bleeds real blood, sweat and tears on the page. Guilt by Association is a four-bagger for Clark and her many new fans will eagerly await her next step up to the plate."--David Baldacci
Review
"a remarkably accomplished debut novel.... Clark offers a real page-turner here, with smart, fast-moving prose; a skillfully constructed plot; and a protagonist well worth knowing. Rachel, whose past is only hinted at, is a wellrounded character who's as tough with suspects as she is sensitive with young victims. A top-notch legal thriller that will leave readers wanting more.
HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Here's that rare example of a celebrity thriller author justifying a major promotion campaign by delivering a genuinely high-quality novel."--Michele Leber, Booklist
Review
"There's a new voice in L.A. crime fiction...the plot races along, and Clark adds just enough smart lawyer talk to keep us edified. It's sure to satisfy Law and Order fans."--Wendy Witherspoon, Los Angeles Magazine
Review
"If you love Los Angeles murder mysteries -- sunny Southland noir drawn with unsentimental wit and panache -- then you're probably still in mourning for writer Stephen J. Cannell, whose untimely passing last year left a gap on the genre's bookshelves. However, a possible successor to the Cannell crown has arisen in the unlikely form of Marcia Clark. Yes, that Marcia Clark, the former LA deputy district attorney who was lead prosecutor on the O.J. Simpson murder case. Who knew this dame could spin a good, page-turning yarn? But she can. Our prediction is that Clark has a future in popular fiction, one spelled S-E-Q-U-E-L-S."--Joyce Sáenz Harris, Dallas Morning News
Review
"Brainy, resolute, a bit wardrobe-challenged: DA Rachel Knight seems a lot like author Clark, who was lead prosecutor in the OJ Simpson murder trial. But the shoptalk here has more panache than its real-life version as Knight and her buddies - a fellow prosecutor and an LAPD detective - play the angles to clear a colleague suspected of a murder-suicide. Clark's plot is gritty and intriguing, but it's the hilariously potty-mouthed characters that make this debut thrill sing." 3-1/2 stars--Ellen Shapiro, People
Review
"Marcia Clark, the lead prosecutor on the O. J. Simpson murder case, takes us inside the legal world of Los Angeles in her exciting first novel.... Combining great storytelling with her expert knowledge of the Los Angeles legal system, Clark crafts a thrilling debut."--The Daily Beast
Review
"Clark...makes a triumphant fiction debut that catapults her to the same level as Linda Fairstein, her fellow assistant DA turned legal thriller novelist....Readers will want to see a lot more of Knight, who combines strength of character and compassion with all-too-human foibles."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"A remarkably accomplished debut novel.... Clark offers a real page-turner here, with smart, fast-moving prose; a skillfully constructed plot; and a protagonist well worth knowing...A top-notch legal thriller that will leave readers wanting more.--Michele Leber, Booklist
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About the Author
Marcia Clark began practicing law as a criminal defense attorney. She became a prosecutor in the L.A. District Attorney's Office in 1981, and spent ten years in the Special Trials Unit where she handled a number of high profile cases prior to the O.J. Simpson case, including the prosecution of stalker/murderer Robert Bardo, whose conviction for the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer resulted in legislation that offered victims better protection from stalkers as well as increased punishment for the offenders.
Since the Simpson trial, Ms. Clark has toured the U.S. and Canada giving lectures on a variety of women's issues including domestic violence and inspirational/motivational speeches, as well as lectures on the latest high profile cases, public service careers, and of course, the Trial of the Century.
In May of 1997, her book on the Simpson case, Without a Doubt was published and quickly rose to #1 on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, LA Times, and Publisher's Weekly bestsellers lists.
From February 1998 to 2000 Marcia was under contract as a legal analyst and expert commentator for NBC, CNBC and MSNBC. She appeared weekly as the substitute host of Geraldo Rivera's "Rivera Live," and also hosted "Equal Time" for CNBC and "Judge and Jury" for MSNBC. Marcia has appeared on the "Oprah Winfrey Show," the "Larry King Show," the "Today" show, "The Early Show," and "Good Morning America," among others, and provides legal commentary on a wide variety of cable shows such as "Anderson Cooper 360" and "Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell."
Marcia Clark (with writing partner, Catherine LePard) has sold hour-long pilots to the FX network, Lifetime, and VH1 and developed a half hour comedy for NBC. She has also developed reality projects for CBS and was an executive producer of a one hour reality pilot for CBS.
Marcia has published three novels which feature Los Angeles Special Trials prosecutor Rachel Knight: Guilt by Association, Guilt by Degrees, and Killer Ambition, which is due out in June 2013. TNT has optioned the books and a drama series is currently in development. Marcia is attached as an executive producer. She's currently at work on her fourth novel.