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Butch Karp #9
Irresistible Impulse
Butch Karp, chief of the Manhattan District Attorney's Homicide Bureau, and his private detective wife, Marlene Ciampi, find themselves the center of publicity when their two latest cases collide in a racially charged murder trial. Reprint.
448 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
About the author
Robert K. Tanenbaum
51 books284 followersRobert K. Tanenbaum is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five legal thrillers and has an accomplished legal career of his own. Before his first book was published, Tanenbaum had already been the Bureau Chief of the Criminal Courts, had run the Homicide Bureau, and had been in charge of the training program for the legal staff for the New York County District Attorney’s Office. He also served as Deputy Chief Counsel to the Congressional Committee investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. In his professional career, Tanenbaum has never lost a felony case. His courtroom experiences bring his books to life, especially in his bestselling series featuring prosecutor Roger “Butch” Karp and his wife, Marlene Ciampi.
Tanenbaum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship, and remained at Cal, where he earned his law degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. After graduating from Berkeley Law, Tanenbaum moved back to New York to work as an assistant district attorney under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan. Tanenbaum then served as Deputy Chief Counsel in charge of the Congressional investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blockbuster novel Corruption of Blood (1994), is a fictionalized account of his experience in Washington, D.C.
Tanenbaum returned to the West Coast and began to serve in public office. He was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 1986 and twice served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. It was during this time that Tanenbaum began his career as a novelist, drawing from the many fascinating stories of his time as a New York ADA. His successful debut novel, No Lesser Plea (1987), introduces Butch Karp, an assistant district attorney who is battling for justice, and Marlene Ciampi, his associate and love interest. Tanenbaum’s subsequent twenty-two novels portrayed Karp and his crime fighting family and eclectic colleagues facing off against drug lords, corrupt politicians, international assassins, the mafia, and hard-core violent felons.
He has had published eight recent novels as part of the series, as well as two nonfiction titles: The Piano Teacher (1987), exploring his investigation and prosecution of a recidivist psychosexual killer, and Badge of the Assassin (1979), about his prosecution of cop killers, which was made into a movie starring James Woods as Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum and his wife of forty-three years have three children. He currently resides in California where he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure at the Boalt Hall School of Law and maintains a private law practice.
Tanenbaum was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He attended the University of California at Berkeley on a basketball scholarship, and remained at Cal, where he earned his law degree from the prestigious Boalt Hall School of Law. After graduating from Berkeley Law, Tanenbaum moved back to New York to work as an assistant district attorney under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan. Tanenbaum then served as Deputy Chief Counsel in charge of the Congressional investigations into the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.
The blockbuster novel Corruption of Blood (1994), is a fictionalized account of his experience in Washington, D.C.
Tanenbaum returned to the West Coast and began to serve in public office. He was elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 1986 and twice served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. It was during this time that Tanenbaum began his career as a novelist, drawing from the many fascinating stories of his time as a New York ADA. His successful debut novel, No Lesser Plea (1987), introduces Butch Karp, an assistant district attorney who is battling for justice, and Marlene Ciampi, his associate and love interest. Tanenbaum’s subsequent twenty-two novels portrayed Karp and his crime fighting family and eclectic colleagues facing off against drug lords, corrupt politicians, international assassins, the mafia, and hard-core violent felons.
He has had published eight recent novels as part of the series, as well as two nonfiction titles: The Piano Teacher (1987), exploring his investigation and prosecution of a recidivist psychosexual killer, and Badge of the Assassin (1979), about his prosecution of cop killers, which was made into a movie starring James Woods as Tanenbaum.
Tanenbaum and his wife of forty-three years have three children. He currently resides in California where he has taught Advanced Criminal Procedure at the Boalt Hall School of Law and maintains a private law practice.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 27, 2024
Mr. Tanenbaum's earlier works are his best. 6 of 10 stars
May 9, 2011
This is one of the earlier Karp\Ciampi novels and not really one of the best. We have the introduction of a recurring character- Tranh, which was pretty interesting since he plays an important part in later novels. Once again, Marlene is out avenging women who have been wronged and there are just too many incidents of violence against those who would abuse women (no less than five separate incidents) .. Essentially, these incidents, which SHOULD add to the novel instead distract..
Meanwhile, the author attempts to weave a bad guy into the story, but does in such a way as to immediately raise the suspicion of the intelligent reader. I really thought as I read this that the author was trying to make it seem too obvious so that he could jerk the rug out from under the reader.. Alas, it was just too obvious.. the bad guy was exactly who I thought he was... I was never fooled...
Surrounding this story is a story within the story as karp is prosecuting a young man who has murdered a number of African-American women and is trying to get off by reason of insanity. Some of the political machinations are interesting.. but even the courtroom sequences don't redeem this novel.
While I enjoyed reading this.. on reflection it was pretty mediocre. At times, Tanenbaum is much more interesting.. but I wonder, how many men can Marlene kill under the guise of self-defense before she stands trial? The philosophical discussions between Karp and his wife are interesting, but in this novel seem trite and ridiculous.. "I love you, but I'm going to keep doing what I am doing."
This one is worth reading.. but just barely so.. I still find the characters interesting.. Since Marlene only has one eye.. she is an interesting woman. (makes me wonder how she lost her eye and if I keep reading this series I may find out someday.)
Meanwhile, the author attempts to weave a bad guy into the story, but does in such a way as to immediately raise the suspicion of the intelligent reader. I really thought as I read this that the author was trying to make it seem too obvious so that he could jerk the rug out from under the reader.. Alas, it was just too obvious.. the bad guy was exactly who I thought he was... I was never fooled...
Surrounding this story is a story within the story as karp is prosecuting a young man who has murdered a number of African-American women and is trying to get off by reason of insanity. Some of the political machinations are interesting.. but even the courtroom sequences don't redeem this novel.
While I enjoyed reading this.. on reflection it was pretty mediocre. At times, Tanenbaum is much more interesting.. but I wonder, how many men can Marlene kill under the guise of self-defense before she stands trial? The philosophical discussions between Karp and his wife are interesting, but in this novel seem trite and ridiculous.. "I love you, but I'm going to keep doing what I am doing."
This one is worth reading.. but just barely so.. I still find the characters interesting.. Since Marlene only has one eye.. she is an interesting woman. (makes me wonder how she lost her eye and if I keep reading this series I may find out someday.)
July 2, 2008
Since I enjoyed Falsely Accused, I tried this one. Also by Michael Gruber, not Tanenbaum. It's equally good with a similar multi-stranded thread of stories tied together at the end.
May 2, 2018
Butch Karp is back at work in the Manhattan DA's office as Chief of the Homicide Bureau. He can't resist the challenge of facing one of the country's best defense attorneys in a politically charged trial of a rich young white man accused of making a habit of murdering elderly black women. Meanwhile, his wife Marlene Ciampi, is running her business as security and protection for victims of stalkers, putting her life in danger, as well as the lives of her children, and pushing Butch's tolerance to the limit.
This plot was so complex, it's impossible to give a short accurate summary. I did have some difficulty getting into it for the first half, with all the legal discussions between Butch and his colleagues, as well as details of the trial. (Readers who enjoy court dramas would definitely love this.) I also found myself becoming exasperated with Marlene as she so recklessly set up and confronted the sleazy stalkers, putting herself and especially her children in danger, always thinking that her "job satisfaction" came first. But eventually all elements of her cases and Butch's case came together and worked to a highly enjoyable climax and resolution, with some humorous hints at what the future holds for both of their careers.
This plot was so complex, it's impossible to give a short accurate summary. I did have some difficulty getting into it for the first half, with all the legal discussions between Butch and his colleagues, as well as details of the trial. (Readers who enjoy court dramas would definitely love this.) I also found myself becoming exasperated with Marlene as she so recklessly set up and confronted the sleazy stalkers, putting herself and especially her children in danger, always thinking that her "job satisfaction" came first. But eventually all elements of her cases and Butch's case came together and worked to a highly enjoyable climax and resolution, with some humorous hints at what the future holds for both of their careers.
July 11, 2019
Not my favorite by far but still enjoying this series! I read this so out of order I think it clouds my judgement sometimes. Hey but I’ll say this one of The Who done it Floors me!!! I mean mouth open floor!! It also got Marlene so I don’t feel so bad!!!! Ha ha! Not as much political or hot button in this one and I guess that was part of my well ok attitude. I will also say these books were written like 20 years ago so what was hot button then definitely is not now because it’s a norm!!!
December 6, 2013
The back of the book tells about what Butch and Marlene are working on: "two wildly different cases are about to collide" and I thought, "Yeah, so what else is new?" But it was a new twist because they trucked along as their own separate cases until the very end. It was a good read with familiar characters and the addition of a new one--Tranh, whom I think will make a great addition in future stories. I'm finding Marlene's behavior a little tedious with her constant rush to break the rules and fight violence with violence. It clashes so much with her by-the-book husband so much. I was happy that the two of them quit their constant bickering that was in the early novels but now it looks like this difference of doing business will be the source of bitching, bad behavior and tension. I get enough of that crap in real life; I don't need it in my novels.
April 29, 2016
It wasn’t irresistible, but still a decent read. A little heavy on the S-M sex game and bizarre lifestyles of the rich and famous, but the intertwining plots held interest. Butch Karp loses his case against a serial killer, while Marlene barely manages to prevent the kidnapping of a woman she’s been hired to protect. Almost no one else in this book is who he/she seems -- whether a doctor, a security guard, or an investigator.
July 31, 2012
Another delightful adventure with Butch & Marlene, #9 in the series, and they have yet to disappoint me in any way. Beautifully written. "Roland couldn't teach a cat to lap cream" for example. Plenty of interesting characters and lots of suspense. Tanenbaum/Gruber make a fine team. They send me to the dictionary (which I appreciate) more than almost any other author.
February 7, 2017
I'm confused by this book.... there are so many different, separate stories going on, it's hard to really tell what the book is about. And the incident that opens the book, that seems to be what will be the main storyline, is basically forgotten about and not really resolved as it gets lost among all the other incidents.
July 25, 2009
Marlene and Tranh are possibly my favorite characters in this series, and they meet in this book. They don't do anything TOO exciting, but give them time...
March 20, 2015
ok not really that good
October 13, 2011
Good read and I did figure out who was the stalker before Marlene.
June 7, 2012
Fast paced thriller. Enjoyed the couple's work relationship, and the ethnic New York City neighborhood the couple lived in with their family and assorted friends and co-workers.
June 5, 2025
This is a Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi legal thriller. Not the first of the series.
There are two ongoing cases with some overlap. Tanenbaum throws surprises at the reader toward the ending of both cases. I did not see the conclusion of Marlene’s stalker case coming.
The characters are well-drawn and interesting. I had no trouble jumping into this book, though it’s several into the series of these two characters. The story is also well-done, though it dives into demented sexual depravities and goes into more detail than necessary.
If you like legal thrillers and can put up with the lewdness, this is a good read.
There are two ongoing cases with some overlap. Tanenbaum throws surprises at the reader toward the ending of both cases. I did not see the conclusion of Marlene’s stalker case coming.
The characters are well-drawn and interesting. I had no trouble jumping into this book, though it’s several into the series of these two characters. The story is also well-done, though it dives into demented sexual depravities and goes into more detail than necessary.
If you like legal thrillers and can put up with the lewdness, this is a good read.
April 20, 2020
Interesting read. For me it started out fast paced but lagged a little for about a quarter of the book but then clearly took off and finsished with a unexpected bang! Lucy is a little pistol and Tranh is starting to really amaze me. Overall a very good read with they typical back and forth between Butch and Marlene, good dual plot stories and unexpected turns.
September 1, 2022
One of the better books I’ve read this summer. I liked the main characters (who are apparently reoccurring characters in other books) and I would read another by this author. However, a common theme with books I’ve read lately is that the are very wordy, build up to a crescendo and then disappointingly end quickly without much fan fare. Less words, better endings would be more satisfying.
June 23, 2026
Thrilling expose of two married lawyers, one a prosecutor and the other has turned private detective. Action and legal nuances, all about actual and planned murder with some self defense thrown in. An unusual mix of characters.
December 31, 2018
Another great one in the series, luckily there are a bunch more to read.
This ends my reading for 2018
This ends my reading for 2018
June 22, 2019
I love Mr. Tanenbaum’s writing. He injects humor and absurdity into a District Attorney story that meanders through the book. The book was a pleasure to read.
July 3, 2019
The main plot is much-too-detailed legal quibbling that's impossible to care about. The secondaries are too coincidentally connected. And again, the evil is just too dark.
January 1, 2020
This book surprised me with some of the twists. In my opinion, the author made some wrong choices. I won't say what so I don't give away any of the plot. It is my favorite in the series so far.
May 1, 2021
an annoying amount of SAT vocabulary words. I'm the personification of the erudite expostulating the supernumerary contrivance of arcane lexicon within a legal thriller.
Read
September 6, 2021I enjoyed it. Have to go back and start at the beginning of the series.
April 12, 2023
This duet of crime fighters never disappoints. Lots of stories and lots of solutions.
July 24, 2026
Loved the characters in this book. I will look forward to reading another in this series.
Always enjoyed Tanenbaum novels.
Always enjoyed Tanenbaum novels.
October 25, 2015
Better than others, like the previous one in this series better.
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
his is one of the earlier Karp\Ciampi novels and not really one of the best. We have the introduction of a recurring character- Tranh, which was pretty interesting since he plays an important part in later novels. Once again, Marlene is out avenging women who have been wronged and there are just too many incidents of violence against those who would abuse women (no less than five separate incidents) .. Essentially, these incidents, which SHOULD add to the novel instead distract..
Meanwhile, the author attempts to weave a bad guy into the story, but does in such a way as to immediately raise the suspicion of the intelligent reader. I really thought as I read this that the author was trying to make it seem too obvious so that he could jerk the rug out from under the reader.. Alas, it was just too obvious.. the bad guy was exactly who I thought he was... I was never fooled...
Surrounding this story is a story within the story as karp is prosecuting a young man who has murdered a number of African-American women and is trying to get off by reason of insanity. Some of the political machinations are interesting.. but even the courtroom sequences don't redeem this novel.
While I enjoyed reading this.. on reflection it was pretty mediocre. At times, Tanenbaum is much more interesting.. but I wonder, how many men can Marlene kill under the guise of self-defense before she stands trial? The philosophical discussions between Karp and his wife are interesting, but in this novel seem trite and ridiculous.. "I love you, but I'm going to keep doing what I am doing."
This one is worth reading.. but just barely so.. I still find the characters interesting.. Since Marlene only has one eye.. she is an interesting woman. (makes me wonder how she lost her eye and if I keep reading this series I may find out someday.)
THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY
his is one of the earlier Karp\Ciampi novels and not really one of the best. We have the introduction of a recurring character- Tranh, which was pretty interesting since he plays an important part in later novels. Once again, Marlene is out avenging women who have been wronged and there are just too many incidents of violence against those who would abuse women (no less than five separate incidents) .. Essentially, these incidents, which SHOULD add to the novel instead distract..
Meanwhile, the author attempts to weave a bad guy into the story, but does in such a way as to immediately raise the suspicion of the intelligent reader. I really thought as I read this that the author was trying to make it seem too obvious so that he could jerk the rug out from under the reader.. Alas, it was just too obvious.. the bad guy was exactly who I thought he was... I was never fooled...
Surrounding this story is a story within the story as karp is prosecuting a young man who has murdered a number of African-American women and is trying to get off by reason of insanity. Some of the political machinations are interesting.. but even the courtroom sequences don't redeem this novel.
While I enjoyed reading this.. on reflection it was pretty mediocre. At times, Tanenbaum is much more interesting.. but I wonder, how many men can Marlene kill under the guise of self-defense before she stands trial? The philosophical discussions between Karp and his wife are interesting, but in this novel seem trite and ridiculous.. "I love you, but I'm going to keep doing what I am doing."
This one is worth reading.. but just barely so.. I still find the characters interesting.. Since Marlene only has one eye.. she is an interesting woman. (makes me wonder how she lost her eye and if I keep reading this series I may find out someday.)
September 9, 2012
I love Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi and their children. The dialog between Butch and Marlene makes me laugh out loud sometimes. The situations are great genre reading, plenty of twists and turns and surprises and tension. This is an earlier book in the series, and it was fun to go back and revisit it several years after having read it the first time – which to me is the sign of a solid entry in the entertaining fiction category!
May 27, 2016
#9 in the NYC ADA Butch Karp and Marlene Ciampi series
Butch Karp / Marlene Ciampi legal thriller - Karp prosecutes serial killer of elderly black women while Marlene investigates the stalking of a renowned cellist
Butch Karp / Marlene Ciampi legal thriller - Karp prosecutes serial killer of elderly black women while Marlene investigates the stalking of a renowned cellist
October 8, 2016
Not sure why they're called "Butch Karp" thrillers when the real star is Marlene Ciampi. I just love that character! This is one in the series I somehow missed five years ago, and I was glad to pick it up. It's like meeting with old friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews