| Reviews |
| THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS |
"...This story is set in the 1970s in Los Angeles, and the details of cars, music, fashion and the feeling of the
world are all there. Jimmy is a former cop who once upon a time saved Sol's life by pulling him out of a burning
car. His partner in his law firm is Rita, and she's one liberated woman. Mabel, his office manager and secretary,
is smart and loyal.
The story moves fast, and the solutions are not what you'd think they'd be. There are surprises throughout the
book.
I really enjoyed this, and I am going to have to have more Jimmy O'Brien. He's definitely a good thing."
WP Book Reviews
"...There is much to The Brimstone Murders that is appealing for the mystery reader. The situations in which
Jimmy finds himself are, collectively, quite unique but credible in the context of his investigation. Then there are
the references to musicians, television shows, and movies of the 1970s that add an unexpected, and certainly
entertaining, aspect to the story. Readers will no doubt look forward to Jimmy's next case in this series."
Mysterious Reviews
"...This entertaining legal thriller hooks the audience the moment Jimmy’s client mentions the Lord told him to kill
the professor and never slows down until the final confrontation. The story line in many ways is more of an
investigative thriller filled with twists and red herrings as makes inquires into the evangelistic world, but also has
strong legal subplots. Fans will appreciate THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS..."
The Mystery Gazette
world are all there. Jimmy is a former cop who once upon a time saved Sol's life by pulling him out of a burning
car. His partner in his law firm is Rita, and she's one liberated woman. Mabel, his office manager and secretary,
is smart and loyal.
The story moves fast, and the solutions are not what you'd think they'd be. There are surprises throughout the
book.
I really enjoyed this, and I am going to have to have more Jimmy O'Brien. He's definitely a good thing."
WP Book Reviews
"...There is much to The Brimstone Murders that is appealing for the mystery reader. The situations in which
Jimmy finds himself are, collectively, quite unique but credible in the context of his investigation. Then there are
the references to musicians, television shows, and movies of the 1970s that add an unexpected, and certainly
entertaining, aspect to the story. Readers will no doubt look forward to Jimmy's next case in this series."
Mysterious Reviews
"...This entertaining legal thriller hooks the audience the moment Jimmy’s client mentions the Lord told him to kill
the professor and never slows down until the final confrontation. The story line in many ways is more of an
investigative thriller filled with twists and red herrings as makes inquires into the evangelistic world, but also has
strong legal subplots. Fans will appreciate THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS..."
The Mystery Gazette
"...Ex-cop and now attorney Jimmy O’Brien has his problems. The police suspect him of murdering the alcoholic
mother of a client. She is found dead with Jimmy’s card in her hand. O’Brien had been to see her to obtain her
consent for him to attempt to have her son Robbie declared insane in order to save him from conviction for
murder. Then Robbie steals a deputy’s gun at the court hearing and escapes. Can things get any worse for this
Los Angeles criminal defense attorney? Oh yes, the challenges are just beginning. Like, where is his missing
gun? The cops think killed Robbie’s mother. A breezy read about cults, criminals, and the trials and tribulations
of attorneys. Reminiscent of David Rosenfelt or Paul Levine.”
Bookbitch Reviews
"...If you love Raymond Chandler and the old black and white mystery movies you grew up with on TV, pay close
attention to author Jeff Sherratt and his Jimmy O'Brien Series that starts with a rip-roaring tale set in California in
the Seventies.
The Brimstone Murders is chock full of atmosphere and snappy dialogue that carries you through an exciting tale
that begins with former cop turned lawyer, Jimmy O'Brien, trying to get his client who is accused of killing a
college professor off by using the insanity plea. The client, Robbie Ferris, sounds like a raving religious fanatic,
but when he escapes from the courthouse and a "blind" guy says it looks like the guy had help, Jimmy has a
dilemma. It's further complicated when Robbie's mother is killed with the same caliber gun as Jimmy has
misplaced.
The trail of his missing client leads Jimmy to a derelict diner out in Barstow and a mysterious borax mine. The
action never stops as Jimmy and his good-looking assistant, Rita, try to save his neck, her neck, and a dead girl.
Trust me, you'll love this book."
Gayle Bartos Pool Review
mother of a client. She is found dead with Jimmy’s card in her hand. O’Brien had been to see her to obtain her
consent for him to attempt to have her son Robbie declared insane in order to save him from conviction for
murder. Then Robbie steals a deputy’s gun at the court hearing and escapes. Can things get any worse for this
Los Angeles criminal defense attorney? Oh yes, the challenges are just beginning. Like, where is his missing
gun? The cops think killed Robbie’s mother. A breezy read about cults, criminals, and the trials and tribulations
of attorneys. Reminiscent of David Rosenfelt or Paul Levine.”
Bookbitch Reviews
"...If you love Raymond Chandler and the old black and white mystery movies you grew up with on TV, pay close
attention to author Jeff Sherratt and his Jimmy O'Brien Series that starts with a rip-roaring tale set in California in
the Seventies.
The Brimstone Murders is chock full of atmosphere and snappy dialogue that carries you through an exciting tale
that begins with former cop turned lawyer, Jimmy O'Brien, trying to get his client who is accused of killing a
college professor off by using the insanity plea. The client, Robbie Ferris, sounds like a raving religious fanatic,
but when he escapes from the courthouse and a "blind" guy says it looks like the guy had help, Jimmy has a
dilemma. It's further complicated when Robbie's mother is killed with the same caliber gun as Jimmy has
misplaced.
The trail of his missing client leads Jimmy to a derelict diner out in Barstow and a mysterious borax mine. The
action never stops as Jimmy and his good-looking assistant, Rita, try to save his neck, her neck, and a dead girl.
Trust me, you'll love this book."
Gayle Bartos Pool Review
| GUILTY OR ELSE |
A Wisecracking Sleuth
By Steven M. Thomas, acclaimed author of CRIMINAL PARADISE
Published in the May, 2009 issue of OC Metro magazine
Orange County author Jeff Sherratt’s second mystery, “Guilty or Else,” effectively mixes hardboiled action with
humor in a fun read for fans of Southern California crime fiction.
Sherratt’s cop-turned-lawyer Jimmy O’Brien wisecracks his way through political intrigue and gang warfare. Jimmy
is dedicated to protecting the innocent by whatever means necessary. In the place of Joe Pike, his backup is a
fat, successful Jewish PI with an omniscient overview of Los Angeles power players. He keeps the story moving
by pulling strings Jimmy can’t quite reach when things get tricky in the effort to keep a framed man off death row.
One of the most enjoyable and innovative things about “Guilty or Else” is the setting: It is 1972 and, instead of
centering on Hollywood and Vine, the story revolves around the intersection of Firestone and Rosemead
boulevards with action exploding in Downey and Southgate. The offbeat location and Sherratt’s eye for grim
detail puts the “G” in “gritty,” as well as in “guilty,” as Jimmy brings corrupt politicians to justice.
By Steven M. Thomas, acclaimed author of CRIMINAL PARADISE
Published in the May, 2009 issue of OC Metro magazine
Orange County author Jeff Sherratt’s second mystery, “Guilty or Else,” effectively mixes hardboiled action with
humor in a fun read for fans of Southern California crime fiction.
Sherratt’s cop-turned-lawyer Jimmy O’Brien wisecracks his way through political intrigue and gang warfare. Jimmy
is dedicated to protecting the innocent by whatever means necessary. In the place of Joe Pike, his backup is a
fat, successful Jewish PI with an omniscient overview of Los Angeles power players. He keeps the story moving
by pulling strings Jimmy can’t quite reach when things get tricky in the effort to keep a framed man off death row.
One of the most enjoyable and innovative things about “Guilty or Else” is the setting: It is 1972 and, instead of
centering on Hollywood and Vine, the story revolves around the intersection of Firestone and Rosemead
boulevards with action exploding in Downey and Southgate. The offbeat location and Sherratt’s eye for grim
detail puts the “G” in “gritty,” as well as in “guilty,” as Jimmy brings corrupt politicians to justice.