The Advocate

Rating:
Summary: Read it before you see the movie.
Review: Absolutely fabulous! I found this book to be a classic drama. The author has created a gripping storyline containing interesting characters and a blockbuster finale.

Like most of the rest of us I have become somewhat of a courtroom junky. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to Chicago, Illinois with Attorney Larry Axelrood. Having worked on both sides of the criminal justice system he obviously posseses the insite to "Give us just the facts ma'am." However, his writing style is what creates a story that brings you deep inside the complex and intriguing Chicago legal system.

This book is exactly the type of story Hollywood makes movies about. I'm sure some savvy producer will snatch it up. Do what I did and read it before you see the movie.

Rating:
Summary: The Law and True Justice
Review: Achieving justice is much more than proving guilt or innocence; it is mosaic how much innocence can you afford; personal relationships with the titans of justice, and how a case is presented in court. This is the premise of an exciting new novel by Chicago attorney Larry Axelrood. This well-plotted courtroom expose is, The Advocate, tears the curtain of mystery off courtroom tactics employed by high-priced legal experts, revealing a panorama of human emotions, greed, retainer driven strategies, and the all-too-human aspects of applying the law to to both the innocent and guilty. Mr. Axelrood draws on his experience both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney to examine a murder-for-money scheme, accented by a look at big-city mob culture. And what a surprise ending! For an honest look at court and legal sleight-of-hand, read The Advocate.

Rating:
Summary: Don't start this late at night.
Review: As an avid reader of all sorts of mysteries, I find that the greatest compliment that I can give a book is: I stayed up all night just to finish it, so I could see if I was correct in my guesswork. Luckily for me I started this book in the early evening. Being from Chicago, this book pulled me in deeper and deeper as Mr. Axelrood gives concise descriptions of some of Chicago's most famous institutions. (i.e. Union League Club) Not being an attorney, I found his descriptions of the court systems to be thoroughly thought provoking and entertaining. Now I consider myself to be fairly sharp, but although you find yourself saying "I knew that was what would happen" If you can figure out the final suprise that awaits you, I think you should be considered for your own Psychic Friends Show. It was a truly enjoyable read.

Rating:
Summary: Quick, Entertaining and Well Written
Review: I generally find myself annoyed while reading legal books, they are either poorly researched attempts written by non lawyers who know nothing about how the legal world works or they are horrible ego strokes written by, well some of the big names out there in legal fiction and usually have dumb women who need to be saved by the super testosterone driven brilliant male attorney.

Thank goodness The Advocate is such a breath of fresh air. The look into the legal world is pretty accurate although it does come from a very specific perspective (that of the defense attorney). Despite that, I did think it provided a pretty balanced view of the foibles of both the prosecutorial mindset as well as the mindset of the defense attorney and neither is perfect to say the least.

Darcy Cole is a high profile Chicago defense attorney who has just won a murder case for cool as ice Lynn Tobias only to have a US Attorney with eyes on the Governor's mansion make an end run and charge her with insurance fraud with murder as a related offense.

Add to that the fact that a mob boss' out of control son has placed a hit on his life and a mid life crisis and you get several interesting and quirky characters and a strong main storyline with a few nice side threads to keep things moving.

The legal stuff is authentic and I've pretty much seen every single one of the characters in real life. From the no nonsense hardass judge to the grandstanding US attorney, I was impressed that the book lacked the superhero know it all attorney so common in other books.

The case was nicely written, enough technical stuff to satisfy picky people like me but not too much as to slow the story down. Good twists and turns. The end was surprising, although I'd already guessed part of it, but not a total and utter shock.

All in all, I really enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to my friends in the legal community who are as tired as I am of the run of the mill legal thriller.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and well-written
Review: If you are expecting the typical Grisham or Turow style legal thriller you in for a pleasant surprise! This is quite simply a great book.

As an attorney I have met every single one of Larry Axelrood's characters at one time or another in my career. They are written as three dimensional and quite human. Axelrood does an especially good job at portraying his gay character Patrick as a real person who happens to be gay. He does not stereotype Patrick or make him a victim. This is a refreshing change from the typical gay character who is written as either a monster or a wimp.

The book is fast paced and does not inundate you with overly descriptive narratives. Axelrood gives you a glimpse of the Chicago legal community and how it works without boring the reader or losing him in overly technical lingo.

The ending is a real surprise and from someone who prides himself on always being able to call the plot two chapters into a book I was thrilled to be caught unawares.

This is a great book to read on a plane because you will become so engrossed in the adventures of Darcy Cole you will have landed before you know it.

Bravo to Larry Axelrood and as I said earlier, Run ... do not walk to buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: If you like courtroom drama and mysteries, you'll enjoy The Advocate. I guessed a few outcomes, hoped for others and was thoroughly surprised by the ending. The characters are well defined, so you feel like you know them. The settings are easy to picture. The legal terms and proceedings are well described. There is a lot of narative, so it reads quickly. The best part for me is thinking about the book for the next few days after I finish it, and this one is certainly thought provoking. Thanks Larry!

Rating:
Summary: Look out John Grisham!
Review: If you think this is just another courtroom drama, THINK AGAIN! This expertly woven story is equal parts drama, thriller and mystery. The incredibly crafted characters take you on a journey that leaves you wanting more by the time the book ends. Hopefully this new author will deliver on the goods and we'll be hearing more about the trials of Darcy Cole in the very near future! Luckily, the shocking ending gives me ample reason to re-read The Advocate while I wait for the sequel.....If you like to watch "The Practice" on t.v. or read the novels of John Grisham, you're SURE to love this book. Sooo? What are you waiting for? Order one now!

Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs Up for Axelrood's Advocate
Review: Larry Axelrood has written a book which is destined to be the first in a series of legal thrillers. This book should not be started by those who have a habit of reading themselves to sleep, because this one is simply too gripping of a read. Axelrood takes us through Chicago (with picturesque detail) on a legal adventure with enough side plots to keep you wanting more, but not too many to distract you. The Advocate's protagonist, Darcy Cole, is a human you can understand and cheer for; not some character you can predict. The Advocate is a winner.

Rating:
Summary: The Advocate: An insider's view of the courtroom
Review: Larry Axelrood uses his years of experience in the criminal courtrooms of Chicago to give the reader a very realistic and exciting view into the criminal court system. His writing captures your attention through his ability to familiarize you with the characters. In an intense way, he places you into the minds of the main subjects.

There is an interesting twist at the end that caught this reader by surprise. I found the book a fast read as each particular segment of the story seemed to launch me into the next. There is excellent descriptive detail, for example, demonstrating how the slightest change in the facial expression of a juror can create havoc in an attorney's mind. There are the racing thoughts of a prosecutor versus a defense attorney that expose everything from pride to paranoia and the vicious extents an attorney will go to to defend his or her position.

I found the story quite interesting, while the use of the author's first hand experiences over time, his detailed observations, perhaps his own anxious moments, contribute greatly to the effectiveness of his ability to bring the reader directly into the story.

Rating:
Summary: There's a new writer in town
Review: Move over Mr. Turow, there's a new "writer" in town.

Having read and enjoyed all of Scott Turow's works, and being a native Chicagoan, attorney and avid reader, I thought that I'd give Larry Axelrood's book a quick read. My mistake!

I found this to be an incredibly gripping novel from start to finish. Axelrood's character development was impressive, descriptive and fixating; particularly between the the "Advocate", Darcy Cole, and the "Doe" boys. Their dialogue through out the book will leave the reader anxious to find out what they'll do next, with fabulous "one-liners" that could only have come from Axelrood's personal experiences.

The book reads quickly, flows well and has twists and turns that compel the next chapter. Anyone that has lived in or visited Chicago will appreciate the scenes, landmarks and other "local elements" that Axelrood incorporates in the storyline. The finish is fabulous, unpredictable and left this reader hanging for more.

This one goes on my holiday gift list!