Product Description
A fight for life. A battle for right.
Attorney Mitchell Taylor is trapped in a lose-lose situation.

Bright but inexperienced attorney Mitchell Taylor is torn between warring personal and professional interests. Can he help his client–a young surrogate mother–and save the child she carries without sealing the fate of others? The compelling answer lies in Randy Singer’s new legal thriller Irreparable Harm.

When Dr. Nathan Brown and his wife, Cameron, undergo a controversial method of in vitro fertilization, some of their cloned embryos are used to achieve a pregnancy in surrogate Maryna Sareth while the others are cryogenically preserved. Dr. Brown’s premature death, however, and mounting evidence that the baby has Down’s Syndrome unleash a legal, ethical, and moral firestorm that will determine the future of thousands of unborn children.

Dr. Brown’s dying wish is that the remaining embryos be used for stem cell research. His wife wants to force the abortion of the baby Maryna carries in hopes that one of the remaining embryos can produce a “healthy” child. Meanwhile, Mitchell wrestles with an agonizing ethical dilemma: Can he protect the embryos, which requires that a federal legislative ban on cloning be overturned, while at the same time helping the beautiful young surrogate save the child she carries–possible only if the ban is upheld?

With time running out, Mitchell and Maryna must run a gauntlet of bioethical nightmares, corporate treachery, and life-threatening confrontations if they are to save the unborn and avoid Irreparable Harm.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 11 reviews)

Fantastic Author

Randy Singer is masterful at weaving the legal thriller. Not as famous (yet) as John Grisham, but could be well on his way. Anyone who likes legal thrillers, or likes stories that are not afraid to tackle issues from a Christian perspective, should read this book. After reading this one, pick up one of his other books as well.
January 02, 2008

Short Review - Good Book - Good Story

As both an author and reader of fiction, I was impressed with "Irreparable Harm". Maybe it is because I have always enjoyed a book that could hold my attention and make me think at the same time. Give this book a try.
The fiction book that I have written main story theme is about ten years in the life of a little girl who was "chosen by God" to be the next Madonna in the second coming of Christ. Yes it has cloning in it.
Tommy Taylor

December 12, 2007

This Novel Solidifies Singer As My Favorite Novelist

It took one novel for Randy Singer to tie Alistair MacLean as my favorite novelist. It took two for him to surpass MacLean.

This novel has several common characters with Singer's first novel, "Directed Verdict". Those who were major players in both stories were paralegal Nikki Moreno and judge Cynthia Baker-Kline (aka Ichabod). Two minor characters from the first novel -- attorneys Winn MacKenzie and Bill "The Rock" Davenport -- are main characters in this novel.

One thing is that there is no real formula between the two novels. For one thing, "Directed Verdict"s main character, Brad Carson, was not a Christian at either the beginning or ending of the story, while Mitchell Taylor, in this story, is. Another thing is the trial is the focus of the first novel, taking half the story. There is only a preliminary hearing that starts 2/3 of the way through this one, and it never had the chance to continue.

The theme of this book is ethics, especially in the area of the starting of life. Cloning, abortion, etc. are the focal point here. The issue is handled well. Not unlike Frank Peretti's "Prophet", there is a pro-choice person who sides against the extreme of the abortion on demand side, and the hypocrisy of some in that movement.

Singer is wise in having non-Christian protagonists in the stories, with Nikki Moreno being an excellent example. I also like that Singer has few true villains among his antagonists. Most of the antagonists are allowed to show a human side, so you don't utterly despise them.

There are two ways that authors create suspense in a book. One is to hide as much as possible, so you are surprised at the turns. The other is to set up obvious confrontations early on in the book, and then see how the author gets you out of it. Singer uses the second method very effectively.

I will admit that I liked "Directed Verdict" better, partially due to the theme and partially due to the story crafting. The finale of the book reminded me of a novel by Catherine Coulter, for example. However, I have a hunch that other Singer fans prefer this one.

One reviewer complained that this book was sermonizing and promoting the point of view. I have a hunch that people who are pro-choice feel that way about any book that deals with abortion and has a protagonist opposed to it (same with stem cell research). But those who are open minded will see that there are pro-choice characters, including one of the good guys (technically, good girl), and those that are not good guys (or gals) are not such because they support abortion and/or stem cell research but because of other personality characteristics such as hypocrisy. One of those points out that one should not judge all pro-choice people because of their criminal activity any more than one should judge all pro-lifers because of a handful of abortion clinic bombers. If anything, the book actually creates understanding for those who have differing views on the issue.
March 31, 2007

Meaty Read

I enjoyed this novel, but at times I found it hard going. The issue of cloning is complex, and at times I found it difficult to understand certain procedures that were occurring. That said, the story zips along at a good pace, the ensembled cast of characters are colourful, well written, and believable, and are great examples of living out your faith in the real world. One last point, I also like the fact that Randy doesn't allow all the characters featured, who are non-Christians, to become believers. If/when they do, you can trace and understand why they have taken this step. This mirrors the real world, and increases my enjoyment, of this novel. Enjoyable./
September 22, 2006

Fast paced Grisham style suspense

Irreparable Harm by Randy Singer is a slamdunk Christian suspense novel. Singer is able to take on two controversial topics and handle them both with delicacy and care. Mitchell Taylor, just out of law school, ends up representing Maryna Sireth in a case involving both cloning and abortion. The characters are well-balanced and realistic (except for Blaine, but you always have to have a bad guy) and the Christianity is used as a foundation for the characters, not as a soapbox. Maryna's Buddhism is handled with respect. This is loosely a sequel to Directed Verdict, but you certainly don't have to read that one to enjoy this one, only a few characters return. The ones that do come back are rounded out better, and I look forward to the next book in the series. Grisham has nothing on Randy Singer. This has fast-paced action, lots of legal talk, romance, and it's just enjoyable to read. A definite must read!
April 19, 2006

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Directed Verdict
by Randy D. Singer

Self Incrimination
by Randy D. Singer

Dying Declaration
by Randy D. Singer

False Witness
by Randy D. Singer

The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney
by Randy D. Singer