Rating: 
Summary: A real page turner!
Review: Successful corporate lawyer Wyatt Matthews wants a taste of the "real world," so he decides to do some pro bono work at the public defender's office. His first case, an apparently simple armed robbery, becomes a high-profile capital case when his client is accused of being a serial rapist and killer. Wyatt gets more than his share of reality as his investigation takes him away from his suburban comfort zone and into the poverty and violence of the inner city. We follow his detective work and legal maneuverings as he attmempts to dismantle the state's case against his client.Wyatt is so naive, you wonder how he ever got so far in life, and he shows appalling lack of judgment. The female characters are one-dimensional. The plot - which for the most part has an air of plausibility - hinges on unlikely favors and coincidences, as if the author doesn't trust his protagonist to pull off the defense on his own. The subplot regarding the effects of Wyatt's decision on his family is cumbersome (and family therapy sessions should never be depicted in a thriller). Having said all that... I literally could not put this book down! As the plot threads come together the story becomes more engrossing until you can't turn the pages fast enough. If you're looking for in-depth, subtle characterizations, you won't find them here. But if you are looking for an engaging legal thriller - with lots of action outside the courtroom, and some effort at addressing the social and political context in which the story takes place - then you will enjoy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: The worst legal thriller I've ever read
Review: This book was the worst legal thriller I've ever read. The author has unbelievable charecters, an unbelievable plot an the writing is unbelievably bad. As a lawyer, for me, one of the worst parts about this book are the courtroom scenes. If I tried any of the stunts described in the book, I'd be locked up and lose my law license. This was one of the worst books I've read in a long time. What a pity I can't get my money back.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book by a great writer
Review: This is my first Freedman book, and it was very good. The man knows how to write and sustain a compelling plot. Yes, courtroom trials depicting lawyers trying to save innocent men has been done over and over, but Freedman manages to keep things fresh and interesting for over six hundred pages. I'll definitely read more of his work. Highly recommended over Grisham!
Rating: 
Summary: great book
Review: This is the first J.F. Freedman book I read and I loved it. The relationships between the main character and the other lawyers are enough to keep you reading. If you haven't read any of Freedman's books yet, this one should be the first one you read.
Rating:
Summary: Great Thriller!
Review: This was a really good read. The characters were interesting, the plot was fast paced, and there was always something happening to keep your interest, forcing you to read a little bit more. My only small complaints are that it was a little long, and also the author has multiple points of view in many of the segments, which can be slightly disconcerting. But overall, it is a great book and I look forward to reading more of his books in the future.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story; amateurish writing
Review: This was my first Freedman novel and I found the story fun; but there were factual errors and basic writing gaffes which detracted from the experience. Some phrases were straight out of a bad romance novel, for example, "She was a beast; but when he closed his eyes, she was a woman." Is the author still in high school? Dialog for some characters was inconsistent and in some cases, overly stereotyped. For pure entertainment, it was fine; but if you're looking for a well-written novel, there are plenty of others to choose from.
Rating:
Summary: Another good summer read
Review: This was my second J. F. Freedman book I have read and am ready to buy his other books. He is a good storyteller and the plot always thickens. His writing skills keep you turning the pages unable to put the book down. This book was enjoyable because there was much more action than just courtroom drama.
Rating:
Summary: evidence
Review: Why didn't Matthews pick up on the fact that Marvin was not a smoker and that only one cigarette was missing from the pack when he was booked. The cigarette that Violet saw him smoking in the parking lot (p33).
Rating:
Summary: Freedman Fan For Life!
Review: WOW! This is the first book I've read in a long time that kept me up past midnight. The relationships between all the characters are truly phenomenal and makes you believe totally that they are real persons. If you like to believe in justice, but love the stomach twisting events that lead to the final solution, you'll find this book completely fulfilling.
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