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Jack Swyteck#18
Goodbye Girl
A contentious intellectual piracy case leads to an unsolved murder, and Jack Swyteck’s client—a pop music icon—is the accused killer.
Piracy costs the movie and music industry billions. No one has been able to stop it. But that won’t stop Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. His latest client, Imani Nichols, is a Grammy-winning popstar whose career has skyrocketed. Despite her success, she’s the most underpaid superstar on the planet because of an onerous record contract she signed as a teenager with her now ex-husband Shaky Nichols, who has made himself rich off her royalties.
Preferring to see thieves profit from her music than let her ex-husband pocket one more dime, Imani takes to social media and tells her millions of fans to “go pirate” and download her music illegally. Her hardball tactic leads to scorched-earth litigation, and now she needs Jack’s help.
The case takes a deadly turn when salacious allegations of infidelity send Imani and Shaky down a path of mutual assured destruction, each implicating the other in the unsolved murder of Imani’s extra-marital lover twelve years ago. Tyler McCormick died of asphyxiation, and his body was found in Biscayne Bay, chained to a piling with the words "goodbye girl" impressed on his chest. Despite their fierce denials, Imani and Shakey are both indicted for murder, leading to a sensational trial that exposes shocking secrets about their failed marriage, their cut-throat business partnership, and Imani’s astonishing success.
Yet as Jack discovers, uncovering the truth about the killing and the cryptic “goodbye girl” won’t just exonerate or convict his client, her ex, and their music empire. It may shape the future of the entire recording industry.
Piracy costs the movie and music industry billions. No one has been able to stop it. But that won’t stop Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. His latest client, Imani Nichols, is a Grammy-winning popstar whose career has skyrocketed. Despite her success, she’s the most underpaid superstar on the planet because of an onerous record contract she signed as a teenager with her now ex-husband Shaky Nichols, who has made himself rich off her royalties.
Preferring to see thieves profit from her music than let her ex-husband pocket one more dime, Imani takes to social media and tells her millions of fans to “go pirate” and download her music illegally. Her hardball tactic leads to scorched-earth litigation, and now she needs Jack’s help.
The case takes a deadly turn when salacious allegations of infidelity send Imani and Shaky down a path of mutual assured destruction, each implicating the other in the unsolved murder of Imani’s extra-marital lover twelve years ago. Tyler McCormick died of asphyxiation, and his body was found in Biscayne Bay, chained to a piling with the words "goodbye girl" impressed on his chest. Despite their fierce denials, Imani and Shakey are both indicted for murder, leading to a sensational trial that exposes shocking secrets about their failed marriage, their cut-throat business partnership, and Imani’s astonishing success.
Yet as Jack discovers, uncovering the truth about the killing and the cryptic “goodbye girl” won’t just exonerate or convict his client, her ex, and their music empire. It may shape the future of the entire recording industry.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2024
About the author
James Grippando
56books1,088followersThe first thing you should know about bestselling author James Grippando is that he is no longer clueless—or so they say, after “A James Grippando Novel” was a clue for #38 Across in the New York Times crossword puzzle. James is the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction and a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels to his credit, including the popular series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck. His latest, "Goodbye Girl" (HarperCollins 2024), is the 18th in the Swyteck series. His novels are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. As an adjunct professor he teaches "The Law & Lawyers in Modern Literature" at the University of Miami School of Law. He is also counsel at one of the nation’s leading law firms, where he specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law, representing clients who have won more than 40 Tony Awards. He writes in south Florida with Atlas at his side, a faithful golden retriever who has no idea he’s a dog.
Series:
*Jack Swyteck
Series:
*Jack Swyteck
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
March 11, 2024
Very odd story around music copyright infringement. 3 of 10 stars
January 26, 2024
I almost stopped reading this book in the beginning & then it became more exciting.
Overall, the story was boring.
I feel Grippando’s previous books were better.
Disappointed 😔.
Please read other reviews for more information & other people’s thoughts.
Overall, the story was boring.
I feel Grippando’s previous books were better.
Disappointed 😔.
Please read other reviews for more information & other people’s thoughts.
January 21, 2024
I usually enjoy this series but this book dragged. The courtroom scenes were very repetitive, and the defendants were extremely unlikable. Three stars rounded up.
March 14, 2024
Unfortunately, the first several chapters were not very good. I kept putting book aside. Then it started to get interesting.
Most of the rest consisted of a trial and hunting for murderers, victims, and future victims.
The end was ok.
Most of the rest consisted of a trial and hunting for murderers, victims, and future victims.
The end was ok.
January 23, 2024
I love this series normally, and maybe I just wasn’t in ‘the mood’… but it was way too much tedious courtroom drama for me. Did not finish.
May 19, 2024
This book was extremely disappointing for a Grippando novel. So many unbelievable characters and the book was way too long with a lot of repetition. I usually love novels with court room scenes and drama but in this book it all turned to tedious reading and became very boring. Have read Grippando before and know he can do a lot better.
January 27, 2024
I have been there since the start of James Grippando's literary career and he continues to show why he won the Harper Lee Legal Fiction Award. His novels, particularly the Jack Swyteck series, are stellar and can stack up against any legal thrillers on the market.
GOODBYE GIRL marks the 18th foray into Miami and Defense Attorney Jack Swyteck and each novel/case presents something new and unique. This go round, the topic is the ever popular piracy debate surrounding individuals who illegally download music and those who profit from this. However, before we jump into that debate, we need to take a brief step back in time for an unsolved murder case that will have a bearing on the action of this novel.
Back before they were married, Jack's wife Andie, an FBI Agent, was called into a case involving a body that was found outside of the swamps of Biscayne Bay, Florida. It turns out that the body was found tied to a piling and had the words 'goodbye girl' written across his abdomen. While the body may have been identified as, the reason for death and perpetrator still remain unknown. All that was known was that the alleged killer called the murder in so that the body would indeed be found.
In present day, Jack is thrown into an unexpected case where he must defend a world-famous pop singer named Imani who is battling record executive and ex-husband, Shaky, for the monetary rights to her work. Due to a pre-nuptial agreement, Imani had signed over the bulk of the rights to her husband and, now that they are separated, she is paying the price for her ignorance in this contract. To defy her ex-husband, and reap some reward, Imani has gone public with the mantra 'Go Pirate' in relation to the music she made when they were together. That way, she can assure he sees less profit due to the promotion of illegal downloading.
Jack will soon learn that the case is not nearly as cut and dry as it seems. Imani may indeed have an agreement with some international Music Pirates who are based in Russia that may be providing her with substantial kickbacks for her old catalogue of songs that is being pirated. Additionally, Shaky may not be the clean-living victim in the case as information about his different perversions is exposed during the trial. Things get really interesting when Jack received an anonymous phone call suggesting he ask Shaky on the stand about, the same gentleman who was killed in the cold case that was discussed at the start of the novel.
If this victim was killed because of his relation to Music Pirates, things will indeed get very interesting. Things also get dicey in the Swyteck household as Andie is called back into this same cold case, causing a significant rift between the couple. To make matters worse, Jack's long-time friend and confidant, ex-con/local bar owner King gets wrapped up in a kidnapping attempt along with superstar Rap Singer Amongous --- a close friend and colleague of Imani --- as they are involved in an extradition apprehension attempt of the son of the Russian head of a global music piracy ring. Jack is called to London during his Imani case to bail his friend out, but the Feds get to him first and realize that protection is needed as the Russian underworld is not at all happy about this attempted kidnapping.
During all of this, a serial killer merely named Judge re-emerges on the scene and may be the very same killer who started with the 'goodbye girl' slaying years earlier. A handful of similar deaths in both the U.K. and domestically have occurred, each with his unique signature, and the connection may be the fact that each victim was a significant modern-day music pirate. Andie tells a story she learned about the process of gibetting, something done in the days of actual pirates, where the buccaneers were tied to pilings and left for the birds and sea life to finish them off.
GOODBYE GIRL is suspenseful from start to finish and the reader's head will be spinning in much the same way as Jack Swyteck's with all of the unexpected turns this plot takes. Grippando once again proves that he can write top-notch thrillers with a firm grounding in the legal world that is never dull and always unpredictable.
GOODBYE GIRL marks the 18th foray into Miami and Defense Attorney Jack Swyteck and each novel/case presents something new and unique. This go round, the topic is the ever popular piracy debate surrounding individuals who illegally download music and those who profit from this. However, before we jump into that debate, we need to take a brief step back in time for an unsolved murder case that will have a bearing on the action of this novel.
Back before they were married, Jack's wife Andie, an FBI Agent, was called into a case involving a body that was found outside of the swamps of Biscayne Bay, Florida. It turns out that the body was found tied to a piling and had the words 'goodbye girl' written across his abdomen. While the body may have been identified as, the reason for death and perpetrator still remain unknown. All that was known was that the alleged killer called the murder in so that the body would indeed be found.
In present day, Jack is thrown into an unexpected case where he must defend a world-famous pop singer named Imani who is battling record executive and ex-husband, Shaky, for the monetary rights to her work. Due to a pre-nuptial agreement, Imani had signed over the bulk of the rights to her husband and, now that they are separated, she is paying the price for her ignorance in this contract. To defy her ex-husband, and reap some reward, Imani has gone public with the mantra 'Go Pirate' in relation to the music she made when they were together. That way, she can assure he sees less profit due to the promotion of illegal downloading.
Jack will soon learn that the case is not nearly as cut and dry as it seems. Imani may indeed have an agreement with some international Music Pirates who are based in Russia that may be providing her with substantial kickbacks for her old catalogue of songs that is being pirated. Additionally, Shaky may not be the clean-living victim in the case as information about his different perversions is exposed during the trial. Things get really interesting when Jack received an anonymous phone call suggesting he ask Shaky on the stand about, the same gentleman who was killed in the cold case that was discussed at the start of the novel.
If this victim was killed because of his relation to Music Pirates, things will indeed get very interesting. Things also get dicey in the Swyteck household as Andie is called back into this same cold case, causing a significant rift between the couple. To make matters worse, Jack's long-time friend and confidant, ex-con/local bar owner King gets wrapped up in a kidnapping attempt along with superstar Rap Singer Amongous --- a close friend and colleague of Imani --- as they are involved in an extradition apprehension attempt of the son of the Russian head of a global music piracy ring. Jack is called to London during his Imani case to bail his friend out, but the Feds get to him first and realize that protection is needed as the Russian underworld is not at all happy about this attempted kidnapping.
During all of this, a serial killer merely named Judge re-emerges on the scene and may be the very same killer who started with the 'goodbye girl' slaying years earlier. A handful of similar deaths in both the U.K. and domestically have occurred, each with his unique signature, and the connection may be the fact that each victim was a significant modern-day music pirate. Andie tells a story she learned about the process of gibetting, something done in the days of actual pirates, where the buccaneers were tied to pilings and left for the birds and sea life to finish them off.
GOODBYE GIRL is suspenseful from start to finish and the reader's head will be spinning in much the same way as Jack Swyteck's with all of the unexpected turns this plot takes. Grippando once again proves that he can write top-notch thrillers with a firm grounding in the legal world that is never dull and always unpredictable.
July 15, 2024
Rating of 4.5.
In the mood for a complex, gripping and endlessly entertaining legal thriller? Look no further than the exciting and compelling read, Goodbye Girl by acclaimed author James Grippando.
Jack Swyteck, Miami’s top criminal defence attorney, has defended many infamous and notorious people throughout his career, but none had the star power of his new client, beloved popstar Imani Nichols. A Grammy-winning star with worldwide fame, Imani is every definition of successful, except when it comes to the money she makes. Signed to a controlling contract as a teenager, the rights to Imani’s original songs are now firmly owned by her ex-husband and manager, Shaky Nichols, who receives all the royalties for her music.
Determined to get back at her ex-husband, Imani has begun a controversial campaign, encouraging her fans to “go pirate” and download her early music illegally, ensuring that no-one, especially Shaky, makes any money from her songs. In response, Shaky has engaged in ruinous litigation against Imani, who in desperate need of counsel, hires Jack to defend her. The case swiftly turns into a salacious media circus, where allegations of infidelity, manipulation and abuse fly from both sides of the courtroom. However, this scandalous trial is only the beginning, and soon Jack is forced to defend his client against far more serious charges.
Years earlier, a young man was found brutally murdered by asphyxiation and his body displayed in Biscayne Bay, chained to a piling with the words “goodbye girl” written on his chest. When connections between the victim, Tyler McCormick, and Imani and Shaky are discovered, the police believe that they are responsible for his death, and suddenly Jack must now defend the estranged spouses in a complex murder trial. Caught in the sensational trial of the century, Jack and those closest to him are forced to contend with the chaotic consequences of this case, including enraged Russian oligarchs, deadly hitman, and a deranged serial killer who bears a murderous grudge against online pirates.
Goodbye Girl was an incredible novel from Grippando that had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. A powerful and exciting thrill-ride filled with intense legal cases, complex investigations and fantastic characters, Goodbye Girl was a truly awesome read that proved very, very hard to put down.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/07/14/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
In the mood for a complex, gripping and endlessly entertaining legal thriller? Look no further than the exciting and compelling read, Goodbye Girl by acclaimed author James Grippando.
Jack Swyteck, Miami’s top criminal defence attorney, has defended many infamous and notorious people throughout his career, but none had the star power of his new client, beloved popstar Imani Nichols. A Grammy-winning star with worldwide fame, Imani is every definition of successful, except when it comes to the money she makes. Signed to a controlling contract as a teenager, the rights to Imani’s original songs are now firmly owned by her ex-husband and manager, Shaky Nichols, who receives all the royalties for her music.
Determined to get back at her ex-husband, Imani has begun a controversial campaign, encouraging her fans to “go pirate” and download her early music illegally, ensuring that no-one, especially Shaky, makes any money from her songs. In response, Shaky has engaged in ruinous litigation against Imani, who in desperate need of counsel, hires Jack to defend her. The case swiftly turns into a salacious media circus, where allegations of infidelity, manipulation and abuse fly from both sides of the courtroom. However, this scandalous trial is only the beginning, and soon Jack is forced to defend his client against far more serious charges.
Years earlier, a young man was found brutally murdered by asphyxiation and his body displayed in Biscayne Bay, chained to a piling with the words “goodbye girl” written on his chest. When connections between the victim, Tyler McCormick, and Imani and Shaky are discovered, the police believe that they are responsible for his death, and suddenly Jack must now defend the estranged spouses in a complex murder trial. Caught in the sensational trial of the century, Jack and those closest to him are forced to contend with the chaotic consequences of this case, including enraged Russian oligarchs, deadly hitman, and a deranged serial killer who bears a murderous grudge against online pirates.
Goodbye Girl was an incredible novel from Grippando that had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. A powerful and exciting thrill-ride filled with intense legal cases, complex investigations and fantastic characters, Goodbye Girl was a truly awesome read that proved very, very hard to put down.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/07/14/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
June 19, 2024
3 stars is generous, I just feel bad leaving a worse rating on someone's new release. But I'm shelving it as a dnf after forcing myself to get through the first 5 chapters (of a book I was excited to read 🥲). It's just bizarre:
- starts out as an FBI case in an exotic location, from female agent's point of view. There is a dead body. Intriguing. But then it jumps forward in time and we are in a courtroom drama about music copyright, from a male lawyer point of view. It's a completely different type of story and reader experience
- writing is also bizarre.
"The judge directed the witness to step down. She did, with shoulders back and hips moving, more like a Grammy Award winner..."
What? Of course her hips were moving, she was ordered to step down, how else was she supposed to accomplish this? Did the author mean her hips swayed in an exaggerated way? Like a cat? It sounds like a small thing but it threw me out of the story, and there wasn't much to suck me back in.
Here's another one:
"That Jennifer Ellis is a pick-me girl."
"A what?" asked Jack.
"You should know that term. You have a daughter."
"Righley is only seven."
"How do I explain this?" she asked herself...
What is this pointless conversation doing here, is what I'm asking myself. Where is the thriller I was promised lol the back cover says "Expect combustion of all sorts" but the story is dragging and I can't force myself to keep going. 5 chapters in and there are no stakes, and I can't say I'm rooting for the main character (at least I think he is the main character? I'm still not sure why the story started with female FBI agent POV and if it will ever return to her? Oh well)
Wow I guess I needed to rant.
- starts out as an FBI case in an exotic location, from female agent's point of view. There is a dead body. Intriguing. But then it jumps forward in time and we are in a courtroom drama about music copyright, from a male lawyer point of view. It's a completely different type of story and reader experience
- writing is also bizarre.
"The judge directed the witness to step down. She did, with shoulders back and hips moving, more like a Grammy Award winner..."
What? Of course her hips were moving, she was ordered to step down, how else was she supposed to accomplish this? Did the author mean her hips swayed in an exaggerated way? Like a cat? It sounds like a small thing but it threw me out of the story, and there wasn't much to suck me back in.
Here's another one:
"That Jennifer Ellis is a pick-me girl."
"A what?" asked Jack.
"You should know that term. You have a daughter."
"Righley is only seven."
"How do I explain this?" she asked herself...
What is this pointless conversation doing here, is what I'm asking myself. Where is the thriller I was promised lol the back cover says "Expect combustion of all sorts" but the story is dragging and I can't force myself to keep going. 5 chapters in and there are no stakes, and I can't say I'm rooting for the main character (at least I think he is the main character? I'm still not sure why the story started with female FBI agent POV and if it will ever return to her? Oh well)
Wow I guess I needed to rant.
March 25, 2024
Standard Grippando fare, easy to read, not challenging. Pleasant way to pass time. Court room drama
April 9, 2024
It was ok.
February 9, 2024
Better than Grisham. Glad to get back into Swyteck series
January 21, 2024
I have enjoyed following Jack Swyteck's adventures over the years!
May 5, 2024
Another great Jack Swyteck story. It was hard to put down once I started it.
March 4, 2024
Did not hold my interest until toward the end
This is not Grippando’s best book. I never really got into the story. It was too convoluted. I have read all of his books but may not continue to follow him.
This is not Grippando’s best book. I never really got into the story. It was too convoluted. I have read all of his books but may not continue to follow him.
February 26, 2024
Not Grippando's best work. The book weaves a complex tale that is ultimately kind of boring (and a little ridiculous). The world of music piracy was an interesting choice for this story and not one the author seemed well versed in.
February 5, 2024
I have read every Jack Swyteck series and loved those books. This book I had to force myself to finish the book. It was a snooze fest. I thought it went slow, it was boring. I didn’t think it was much of a thriller.
Read
November 6, 2023Goodbye Girl is the eighteenth installment in the Swyteck novel series. This latest addition proves to be just as captivating as its predecessors. Grippando consistently delivers intricate and contemporary cases, and Goodbye Girl is no exception, showcasing his exceptional storytelling prowess. The novel presents a compelling narrative that keeps me engrossed from start to finish. Grippando skillfully weaves together a complex web of events, ensuring that the story remains both thought-provoking and relevant. With each turn of the page, readers are treated to a first-rate experience that leaves them eagerly anticipating the next twist.
Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me to share my thoughts on an ARC copy of this book.
Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me to share my thoughts on an ARC copy of this book.
January 29, 2024
While I have enjoyed all of James Grippando's previous books, this is by far my least favorite. The subject matter was not very interesting; the characters were unlikeable (except for Theo) and the overall storyline was a bit boring. Wonder why he chose this topic? And the ending... Andie's suggestion to Jack was absolutely ridiculous. Where do they go from here? Sure hope his next book in this series is much more interesting.
August 16, 2023
Surprisingly good. Very much a book about a trial, which are not my favorite. Lots of international travel, murder and who gets off in the end. Might be helpful to go back and read some of the previous offerings, but I’m not sure if I’m that interested. Enjoyed the read, liked most of the cast. So we shall see. Thank you edelweiss for the advance copy, it is appreciated.
August 9, 2024
It took me a bit of time to put all of the puzzle pieces in the right places, however, that's what makes this book good!
January 28, 2024
I have followed James Grippando from the start of his literary career, and he continues to show why he was so deserving of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction that he received in 2017. His novels, particularly those featuring Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck, are stellar and can stack up against any legal thrillers on the market.
Each entry in this series presents something new and unique, and GOODBYE GIRL is no exception. This time, the topic is the ever-popular piracy debate surrounding individuals who illegally download music and those who profit from it. However, before we delve into this complicated issue, we need to take a brief step back in time for an unsolved murder that will play a major role in the book’s ensuing action.
Before she married Jack, FBI agent Andie Henning worked on a case involving a body that was found outside of the swamps of Biscayne Bay, Florida. It was tied to a piling and had the words “goodbye girl” written across the abdomen. The individual was identified as Tyler McCormick, but the perpetrator and the motive still remain unknown.
In the present day, Jack is thrown into an unlikely case where he must defend Grammy-winning pop star Imani Nichols, who is battling record executive and ex-husband Shaky for the monetary rights to her work. Thanks to a prenuptial agreement, she had signed over the bulk of the rights to Shaky; now that they are separated, she is paying the price for her ignorance over the contract. To defy him and reap some reward, Imani has gone public with the mantra “go pirate” concerning the music she made when they were together. The hope is that he sees less profit due to the promotion of illegal downloading.
Jack soon will learn that the case is not nearly as cut and dried as it seems. Some international music pirates based in Russia may be providing Imani with substantial kickbacks for her old catalog of songs that are being pirated. Furthermore, Shaky may not be the clean-living victim as information about his various perversions is exposed during the trial. The proceedings get especially interesting when Jack receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that he question Shaky on the stand about Tyler McCormick.
Meanwhile, Andie is called back to this same cold case, causing a major rift between her and Jack. To make matters worse, Jack's friend and confidant, ex-con/local bar owner Theo Knight, gets wrapped up in a kidnapping attempt, along with a rapper friend of Imani. Jack is called to London to bail Theo out, but the feds get to him first and realize that protection is needed as the Russian underworld is not at all happy about what almost went down.
While all of this is going on, a serial killer known as Judge re-emerges on the scene and may be the very same killer who started with the “goodbye girl” slaying years earlier. A handful of similar deaths domestically and in the UK have occurred, all with his unique signature, and the connection may be that each victim was a significant modern-day music pirate.
GOODBYE GIRL is suspenseful from start to finish, and readers’ heads will be spinning in much the same way as Jack’s with all of the unexpected turns the plot takes. James Grippando continues to write top-notch thrillers with a firm grounding in the legal world that are never dull and always unpredictable.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
Each entry in this series presents something new and unique, and GOODBYE GIRL is no exception. This time, the topic is the ever-popular piracy debate surrounding individuals who illegally download music and those who profit from it. However, before we delve into this complicated issue, we need to take a brief step back in time for an unsolved murder that will play a major role in the book’s ensuing action.
Before she married Jack, FBI agent Andie Henning worked on a case involving a body that was found outside of the swamps of Biscayne Bay, Florida. It was tied to a piling and had the words “goodbye girl” written across the abdomen. The individual was identified as Tyler McCormick, but the perpetrator and the motive still remain unknown.
In the present day, Jack is thrown into an unlikely case where he must defend Grammy-winning pop star Imani Nichols, who is battling record executive and ex-husband Shaky for the monetary rights to her work. Thanks to a prenuptial agreement, she had signed over the bulk of the rights to Shaky; now that they are separated, she is paying the price for her ignorance over the contract. To defy him and reap some reward, Imani has gone public with the mantra “go pirate” concerning the music she made when they were together. The hope is that he sees less profit due to the promotion of illegal downloading.
Jack soon will learn that the case is not nearly as cut and dried as it seems. Some international music pirates based in Russia may be providing Imani with substantial kickbacks for her old catalog of songs that are being pirated. Furthermore, Shaky may not be the clean-living victim as information about his various perversions is exposed during the trial. The proceedings get especially interesting when Jack receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that he question Shaky on the stand about Tyler McCormick.
Meanwhile, Andie is called back to this same cold case, causing a major rift between her and Jack. To make matters worse, Jack's friend and confidant, ex-con/local bar owner Theo Knight, gets wrapped up in a kidnapping attempt, along with a rapper friend of Imani. Jack is called to London to bail Theo out, but the feds get to him first and realize that protection is needed as the Russian underworld is not at all happy about what almost went down.
While all of this is going on, a serial killer known as Judge re-emerges on the scene and may be the very same killer who started with the “goodbye girl” slaying years earlier. A handful of similar deaths domestically and in the UK have occurred, all with his unique signature, and the connection may be that each victim was a significant modern-day music pirate.
GOODBYE GIRL is suspenseful from start to finish, and readers’ heads will be spinning in much the same way as Jack’s with all of the unexpected turns the plot takes. James Grippando continues to write top-notch thrillers with a firm grounding in the legal world that are never dull and always unpredictable.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
April 6, 2024
This was a murder mystery/thriller for an IP attorney, and as I'm a retired one, I really enjoyed the copyright theft/music piracy theme of the story. An international music star, Imani, and her ex-husband, Shaky (did *not* like that nickname) Nichols, had a tumultuous marriage and an equally fraught business relationship. The latter has prompted Imani to urge her gazillions of fans to "Go pirate!" and download her early body of work to which she lost ownership rights to Shaky. Using piracy websites to download/access performances without paying a user fee loses Shaky money.
But if piracy is inhibited, those who run the piracy sites lose, too.
Bodies of persons first ligature-strangled, then chained to rocks or pylons in harbors, turn up. The first victim, found twelve years ago, is linked to Imani and Shaky, who then are indicted for murder. Imani knows criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck's best friend, Theo, who recommends Jack as her counsel. The star does not always tell her attorney the full story or the truth, and that's not optimal for a defense. Another complication is Jack's FBI agent wife Andie being a part of the federal team looking into the murders and the international music piracy schemes. Though spouses, they can't talk to each other about their work without violating confidentiality and ethics. Tension ensues.
There were a lot of characters, a lot of flying around, action in Florida, Boston, London, and the Caribbean. Probably could have been tighter, but I was entertained, and there certainly were some lingering threads of characters both good and bad that likely will be fodder for another in the Swyteck series.
But if piracy is inhibited, those who run the piracy sites lose, too.
Bodies of persons first ligature-strangled, then chained to rocks or pylons in harbors, turn up. The first victim, found twelve years ago, is linked to Imani and Shaky, who then are indicted for murder. Imani knows criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck's best friend, Theo, who recommends Jack as her counsel. The star does not always tell her attorney the full story or the truth, and that's not optimal for a defense. Another complication is Jack's FBI agent wife Andie being a part of the federal team looking into the murders and the international music piracy schemes. Though spouses, they can't talk to each other about their work without violating confidentiality and ethics. Tension ensues.
There were a lot of characters, a lot of flying around, action in Florida, Boston, London, and the Caribbean. Probably could have been tighter, but I was entertained, and there certainly were some lingering threads of characters both good and bad that likely will be fodder for another in the Swyteck series.
March 29, 2024
Music piracy, or the downloading of music files from the internet, is mega-million dollar enterprise for the perpetrators and costs performers millions of royalties. And when millions in dollars are involved, can murder be for be far behind? In James’ Grippando’s latest novel, the hero, defense attorney Jake Swyteck becomes the attorney for a beautiful, super star recording artist who is accused of murder of man who was pirating her music.
The plot is quite a bit more complicated than that, but the author manages to hold it together as the action shifts from the Miami courtroom, to the Bahamas, to London. Of primary interest to most readers is the maincharacter, “Imani” whom readers could easily mistake for a girl singer with millions of fans whose face and sleekly spandexed figure is seen at football games. Swyteck’ case at law is linked to her ex husband’s fortune made off of her recordings, their sexual proclivities and a business arrangement with dangerous Russian mobsters. Furthermore, Swyteck’s case overlaps and. Inflicts with an investigation team led by he wife, an FBI agent.
The story flows quickly, with lots of local color, a quite varied cast of characters and a tense climax.
For fans, there is a bit of plot left hanging as careen conflicts stress the Swyteck marriage.
Some descriptions of sexual gymnastics which took place in the background of the legal case.
The plot is quite a bit more complicated than that, but the author manages to hold it together as the action shifts from the Miami courtroom, to the Bahamas, to London. Of primary interest to most readers is the maincharacter, “Imani” whom readers could easily mistake for a girl singer with millions of fans whose face and sleekly spandexed figure is seen at football games. Swyteck’ case at law is linked to her ex husband’s fortune made off of her recordings, their sexual proclivities and a business arrangement with dangerous Russian mobsters. Furthermore, Swyteck’s case overlaps and. Inflicts with an investigation team led by he wife, an FBI agent.
The story flows quickly, with lots of local color, a quite varied cast of characters and a tense climax.
For fans, there is a bit of plot left hanging as careen conflicts stress the Swyteck marriage.
Some descriptions of sexual gymnastics which took place in the background of the legal case.
February 19, 2024
This was my first James Grippando novel. I was intrigued by the description and didn't realize it was part of a series when I first requested it. This book is #18 in a series that features Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck.
Jack Swyteck has been hired to defend a singer named Imani Nichols. Imani is a hugely popular award winning popstar. Unfortunately, when she was a teenager she signed a contract that made other people (namely her ex-husband) rich. Now she encourages people to “go pirate” and illegally download her music. This unfortunately lands Imani in court. After cheating allegations and implications and an unsolved murder from over a decade ago are added in, we soon see why Imani needs Jack’s help.
This was an interesting read. However, I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had read some of the previous books in the series. I’ve enjoyed many legal procedurals and usually enjoy courtroom drama but at times I found it a bit too drawn out and repetitive. All that being said, I still thought this was a decent read and I would definitely be interested in checking out more from this author.
I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
June 20, 2024
Jack is defending pop star Imani Nichols, who is fighting her record executive and ex-husband Shaky for the monetary rights to her work. Imani is paying the price for her ignorance over a contract she had signed. Imani is asking the public to “go pirate” concerning her music. The hope is that he sees less profit due to the promotion of illegal downloading.
Jack soon finds out that the case is not what it seems, when Jack receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that he question Shaky on the stand about Tyler McCormick.
Meanwhile, Andie is called back to this same cold case of Tyler McCormick. Theo Knight, Jacks best friend, gets wrapped up in a kidnapping attempt, while in London. Which reveals and even bigger threat. While all of this is going on, a serial killer known as Judge re-emerges on the scene and may be the very same killer who started with the “goodbye girl” slaying years earlier. There have been similar deaths in the states, all with his unique signature.
This book is suspenseful with all of the unexpected turns the plot takes. It is best to read the series in order so you are familiar with all the usual characters
Jack soon finds out that the case is not what it seems, when Jack receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that he question Shaky on the stand about Tyler McCormick.
Meanwhile, Andie is called back to this same cold case of Tyler McCormick. Theo Knight, Jacks best friend, gets wrapped up in a kidnapping attempt, while in London. Which reveals and even bigger threat. While all of this is going on, a serial killer known as Judge re-emerges on the scene and may be the very same killer who started with the “goodbye girl” slaying years earlier. There have been similar deaths in the states, all with his unique signature.
This book is suspenseful with all of the unexpected turns the plot takes. It is best to read the series in order so you are familiar with all the usual characters
February 4, 2024
It wasn't a Jack S favorite of mine (really missed him since the last in the series was 3 years ago), mainly as I never connected with his client Imani. She came off a liar from the start. It begins with a civil case, Imani against her ex-husband Shaky. Of course, she's told by the feds that if she will help them investigate a Russian oligarch the case will go away. Makes you wonder who are the bad guys are when there's all this arm-twisting.
Jack's friend Theo also steps in to help but finds himself a target instead.
Then there's a few deaths that are eerily similar to one Andie was called to years ago, now a cold case. Of course, Jack & Andie's cases intertwine and their pact not to discuss work at home (she the FBI & he the criminal defense attorney) collide. They find this arrangement is no longer working for them & her answer is for Jack to give up his criminal defense work.
It was a bit drawn out, the main characters Imani & Shady unlikeable and Andie seemed to come across as a bit of a nag.
Jack's friend Theo also steps in to help but finds himself a target instead.
Then there's a few deaths that are eerily similar to one Andie was called to years ago, now a cold case. Of course, Jack & Andie's cases intertwine and their pact not to discuss work at home (she the FBI & he the criminal defense attorney) collide. They find this arrangement is no longer working for them & her answer is for Jack to give up his criminal defense work.
It was a bit drawn out, the main characters Imani & Shady unlikeable and Andie seemed to come across as a bit of a nag.
October 1, 2024
It was almost a DNF but then it pulled out of the nose dive and settled down!
Miami defense attorney Jack Swyteck is hired by a pop star to defend a copyright issue and then is accused of murder!
Divorce is such a nasty thing! It leads people to say and do mean and cruel things to someone that they promised to love and adore. Once that business of love is over it is really only a business deal and in this book that deal went sour. Imani Nichols, is a Grammy-winning popstar whose marriage to record producer Shakey Nichols is over but the hatred continues.
To get back and Shakey Imani has contrived a "go pirate" attitude and has pissed off her ex husband and several bad guys. This is where Jack comes in... defending Imani.
I have to say that Imani and Shakey had an ugly marriage with lots of bad crap in it so the plot thickens under the Florida sun and includes a 12 year old unsolved murder where the words "goodbye girl" were printed on the dead man's chest. The plot just thickens.
3 stars for an averagely good read
Happy Reading!
Miami defense attorney Jack Swyteck is hired by a pop star to defend a copyright issue and then is accused of murder!
Divorce is such a nasty thing! It leads people to say and do mean and cruel things to someone that they promised to love and adore. Once that business of love is over it is really only a business deal and in this book that deal went sour. Imani Nichols, is a Grammy-winning popstar whose marriage to record producer Shakey Nichols is over but the hatred continues.
To get back and Shakey Imani has contrived a "go pirate" attitude and has pissed off her ex husband and several bad guys. This is where Jack comes in... defending Imani.
I have to say that Imani and Shakey had an ugly marriage with lots of bad crap in it so the plot thickens under the Florida sun and includes a 12 year old unsolved murder where the words "goodbye girl" were printed on the dead man's chest. The plot just thickens.
3 stars for an averagely good read
Happy Reading!
May 27, 2024
3.5 stars. It's been 8 years since I read a Jack Swyteck book so you can tell this is not a series that I regularly follow.
In the opening chapter, law enforcement finds a dead body chained to a concrete piling in the waters off the coast of Florida. A message is written on the body that says goodbye girl.
Twelve years later, lawyer Jack Swyteck attends a private party where pop star Imani performs. She contacts him as she needs a lawyer.
As the story starting talking about master recordings, my mind immediately went to Taylor Swift and a few pages later, the story goes there. I don't really understand pirating and that bogged the story down for me. There's a lot of action in this book as well as courtroom drama.
I'll have to leave it to regular readers of this series to see how it rates among all the other Jack Swyteck stories but I liked it fine.
In the opening chapter, law enforcement finds a dead body chained to a concrete piling in the waters off the coast of Florida. A message is written on the body that says goodbye girl.
Twelve years later, lawyer Jack Swyteck attends a private party where pop star Imani performs. She contacts him as she needs a lawyer.
As the story starting talking about master recordings, my mind immediately went to Taylor Swift and a few pages later, the story goes there. I don't really understand pirating and that bogged the story down for me. There's a lot of action in this book as well as courtroom drama.
I'll have to leave it to regular readers of this series to see how it rates among all the other Jack Swyteck stories but I liked it fine.
January 14, 2024
Goodbye Girl by talented and prolific thriller writer James Grippando is another outstanding legal procedural that combines all the required ingredients to produce a compelling story that keeps the reader glued to the page. Jack Swyteck is a well-known and highly regarded attorney in Miami, Florida. He has been retained to defend a singer who signed a disadvantageous contract at the beginning of her career. The singer wants back the rights to her songs that her ex-husband purchased. The story unfolds involving adultery, past and present crimes, and Russian oligarchs chasing billions of dollars from music pirated from the internet. Grippando has penned another winner, and readers would do well to read Goodbye Girl and the author's comprehensive backlist of equally impressive titles.
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