Marcia Clark added this fictional title to her Rachel Knight series in 2015, about a school shooting in the L.A. area. Sadly and horribly there have been many such shootings since this book was published. But in her story, 2 people, believed to be boys who were students at the school where the shootings occurred, appear to be trying to one-up the shooters at Columbine High School in Colorado, with more killings and damage done than that inflicted in the earlier crime. Rachel, an assistant prosecutor, and her closest friend Bailey, a law enforcement detective, set out on an investigation into who the shooters were, and even more importantly, and increasingly threateningly, where they are.
There are other shootings, and the team of Rachel and Bailey keep hitting dead ends. The hunt takes them to different parts of the state, and then across state lines.
This was a story that grabbed me and held me till the end. Ms. Clark uses her own experiences to make the stories very real, and she is also a very talented writer. I hope to read more in this series.

THE COMPETITION - Marcia Clark

#4 in the Rachel Clark mystery series

Intense! - 4 stars

Plot - 4 stars - A Columbine-style shooting at a high school in the San Fernando Valley has left a community shaken to its core. Two students are identified as the killers. As Rachel and Bailey interview students at the high school, they realize that the facts don't add up. Could it be that the students suspected of being the shooters are actually victims? And if so, does that mean that the real killers are still on the loose?

Writing - 4 stars - I especially like the short, intense chapters. To my mind, that moves the story ahead quickly, focusing on each short section, one at a time. Clark caught my attention right from the beginning, then kept my interest by releasing a little bit of new information at a time.

Characters - 4 stars - As always, Rachel is a devoted investigator and prosecutor, but she has a softer and empathetic side that makes her much more personable. She is an experienced lawyer, so her look at an investigation always includes the knowledge of whether or not she'll be able to use information in a trial. Secondary character of Bailey is an excellent partner for Rachel since she's also a relentless investigator, but she also has a warmer side. Their witty banter often lightens what would otherwise be a serious and intent storyline.

Title - 4 stars - This is a fairly subtle title since it refers to the competition that the killers are supposedly having with previous mass murderers and their desire to beat them at their own game, going down in history as better and more successful.

Cover - 3 stars - I'm not sure why the drink is the main focus of the cover. Sure, Rachel and Bailey get a drink from time to time, but I don't think it's an integral part of the story.

Overall - 4 stars - This is an intense book because it deals with such a currently hot-button issue. The idea of mass murders has become commonplace in the past couple of years, so this book simply highlights those feelings. It's good to see law enforcement in action. Rachel and Bailey are familiar and very likeable characters, with intelligence and charm. It felt comfortable to "work" with them and share their thoughts and abilities. Plus, Clark was smart to use their witty banter to lighten the mood from time to time.

The book started off really good but kinda fell flat and I lost interest about a little less then half way through the book. I actually stopped reading the book and just recently started reading it again, I did not want to add it to my DNF pile. Marcia Clark is a great writer she just seems to drag things out to long.

This story captured my interest from the beginning chapter—in pleasant contrast to crime thrillers I’ve been reading by other authors lately. The sleuths ADA Rachel Knight and her “bestie” homicide detective Bailey Keller have an easygoing camaraderie that makes for enjoyable reading as they embark on the trail of a copycat mass murderer/ serial killer. For my taste, however, the suspense lagged during sections relating to the police investigation. Fans of police procedurals may enjoy those sections more than I do. Also, for my part, the antagonist stayed too far in front of the investigation —so much so that Knight and Keller seemed to have little chance of catching up. (I won’t say more so as not to create any needless spoilers). I’m glad I pushed through to the end finally for a satisfying ending and therefore recommend it to anyone who likes a crime thriller and has a few lazy afternoons to spare.

Clark takes a major issue and turns it into a gripping suspenseful story. Well written.
Many thanks to Mulholland books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Clark saves the best for last (for now) with the fourth Rachel Knight novel. This time, Rachel and Bailey are trying to solve a case of teen killers who are trying to prove they can do it better than some infamous teen killers before them. It all adds up to a tale of twists, turns and still-to-real violence that rings true month after month in these turbulent times. Recommended.

My second book by Ms.Clark and she does a good job of spinning a suspenseful tale. When a homeless man is stabbed on a busy street Rachel Knight and the other members of her team work to identify the killer. What is the motive for the murder and what does it have to do with the ax murder of a cop. The main suspect was his wife but she was found not guilty now the cops brother is killed what is the motive for the deaths and why is Rachel at risk.

Having read the first two I was skeptical of reading the competition by Marcia Clark. I can say I was pleasantly surprise that it seems it got better than the first two. The story doesn't bounce around as much, and while some of it isn't exactly believable (Not staying a day or two at the office). It's still pretty good and the flow is there. Rachel is investigating a shooting that looks like Columbine style school shooting. Yet once they start investigating it turns out to be more than that and they have to dig deeper and it takes a toll on them.

Clark wrote out how the families felt and it strikes a bit deep since there's been several school shooting since when this book was written and now. It captures a lot of things and it's told in a unique way as well. Definately on the better books in my opinion. I do like how things flowed in the investigation, there were some things like LAPD going around everywhere that wasn't in their area. I would think the DA would work with multiple agencies instead of focusing on one. But it's still a rather decent book to read.

I am really eager to begin to read this one because I am hoping to find out the answers to a past that has haunted her.

I can empathize with her ability to keep from letting the occasional curse word escape. LOL I can relate to her being cold all the time and dressing for warmth. I do too. I crave 80 degrees.

These characters have grown on me in a big way. This is my fourth book in the series and I have enjoyed watching Marcia Clark’s writing grow and develop. This is the best one yet.

The Competition deals with a sensitive subject…school shootings.

It took me a while to figure out the last villain standing and even more what would be the villains fate. It was so obvious in hindsight, but isn’t that always the way it always is?

Marcia Clark does a fantastic job misdirecting me.

I still have questions about Lilah and Romy, so I guess there must be another story to come.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Competition by Marcia Clark.

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I am reading everything I can find by this author now. The book was well paced and I enjoyed the protagonist very much. Will be looking forward to more in this series.

Not a fan of this one. I had a hard time getting through it. I loved the premise of the book but it was such a let down.

The fourth book of this very good series left me with a lot of questions…such as “will there be more in this series?” I enjoyed this intense and suspenseful story that brings Rachel and Bailey face to face with a killer, psychotic and diabolical while appearing innocent. The setting of a mass murder at a high school leaves charged emotions and intense fear for all of the characters in this story. I especially enjoyed how methodic Rachel and Bailey are in hunting down and following up on the clues amidst all of the chaos and confusion surrounding them. The clock is ticking and it’s only a matter of time before the killers strike again. How much time is the question, so every minute is precious.

The author does an excellent job of capturing the terror and horror of the situation as well as the emotions of all the characters on both sides of the investigation. The plot flowed smoothly and kept me intrigued all the way to the end. The characters are well written and easy to relate to and empathize with. I truly hope there will be more books in this series in the future as there are a lot of loose ends that haven’t been addressed.

My Final Verdict: I highly recommend this series to readers who enjoy complex storylines and characters with multiple layers that are revealed as the reader gets to know them.

District Attorney Rachel Knight and Detective Bailey Keller investigate a high school shooting in San Fernando Valley, CA. The two students that they were told were the killers also both happen to be dead.

Rachel and Bailey interview students of San Fernando Valley high school, and they soon realize the facts just are not adding up. Could it be possible that the two dead students that were identified as the killers actually the victims?

The Competition by Marcia Clark is a mystery/thriller that was loosely based on some of the most horrific school shootings seen in the media over the past few years, The Columbine and Sandy Hook school shootings. Ms. Clark told this story in such a way, that the focus was on the capture of the individuals and what goes on during the prosecution of such crimes. The story did not dwell on all the tragic details. This story was very fast paced and it throws you right into the middle of the aftermath of the crime.

The story has an authentic feel for what goes on in processing such a grizzly crime scene. There is a twist in the story that will have the reader questioning what they thought to be true. The Competition by Marcia Clark was a very good read, although it had technical terms of the law I was unfamiliar with. I would recommend this book to readers that are interested in different facets of the justice system or just fans of a great murder/mystery!!

I felt the book was weak compared to the others. I halfway kept my interest but just did not really pull me in.

The Competition is an excellent addition to the Rachel Knight mystery series. It begins with a horrifying high school shooting, and when the shooters seem to have ended their spree with a murder/suicide, it seems to be just a matter of identifying them. But when things don’t seem to add up, the hunt is on to find the real killers. Again, the same smart characters, humor, and action was there from the other books in the series. As I did before, I combined reading with listening to the audiobook, which is again narrated extremely well by January LaVoy. This was an excellent continuation of the series. Sadly, it seems that it might be the end of the series, since it’s been 3 years since this was published and Clark has moved on to a new character & series. I’d love to see one more Rachel Knight book, though, to get the ongoing mysteries tied up.

Copy provided by Netgalley and Mulholland Books in exchange for an unbiased review.

As the fourth installment in the Rachel Knight series, <I>The Competition</I> brings something new to the table. While the book still centers around the same main characters as the other three books, this storyline goes a bit darker. DA Rachel Knight and her detective partner are on the hunt for a mass murderer after a brutal school shooting.

I must admit, this one stayed with me. I found myself wanting to get back to the story once I had left it because I just needed to know. Unfortunately, this is almost like a ripped from a headline story which makes it even that much more captivating.

The chase for the bad guy was long and drawn out at times. The book seemed like it was longer than it needed to be and I may have skimmed a little bit to get to the good stuff. But this was certainly a departure from Clark's earlier work and one that I admire. It was definitely my favorite out of the series. I do hope that this isn't the last of Rachel Knight. But if it is, it was a good way to end her run (even if there is a loose end we still need to have tied up!).

Sorry I was not able to read you book but it went to archive before I could get to it. Sorry once again.

I got all four of these when they were offered....and they just weren't for me. I'd hoped for something different, and they were, the writing was good...I just wasn't feeling it.