Lincoln's Last Trial/ Dan Abrams/ 287 pgs

This was a book discussion title that details the very last trial Abraham Lincoln participated in before he ran for president in 1860. I found all of the historical details fascinating but the walk through of the trial itself to be a bit tedious. As well, Abrams repeats a lot of anecdotes. The trial took place in Springfield, IL and a man named Robert Hitt transcribed it using a form of shorthand. Hitt had done the same with the Lincoln and Douglas debates. Abrams used this transcript (found in an attic) to recreate the trial on the written page. A man named Quinn Harrison was on trial for the murder of Greek Crafton. Lincoln's strategy was self-defense and it was interesting to see how he handled the trial and to see how the law and the way trials run have evolved since 1859.

The Brass Verdict/Michael Connelly/422 pgs/Mystery

This is my first time reading a Michael Connelly novel.  I happened to choose one in the infamous Lincoln Lawyer series and I liked it.  Mickey Haller is the Lincoln lawyer and in this story he has been out of his “Lincoln office” for over a year.  The Lincoln office is a small fleet of three Lincoln cars and a driver that Haller finds easiest to work from instead of a traditional attorney’s office.

Haller had been shot, needed an additional surgery during his recovery, and ended up with an addiction problem.  With treatment and a strong determination to overcome his addiction, Haller is ready one year later to begin taking a case or two.

Much to Haller’s surprise, an attorney acquaintance has been murdered and Haller is the lawyer of record that is handed all the deceased attorney’s cases.  The biggest case is that of a Hollywood film mogul accused of a double murder.  What Haller doesn’t know is if he too is in danger from the person who murdered his aquaintance while he defends the accused.

It was difficult not to picture Matthew McConaughey with his smooth style as I read.  Not a bad visual.

Legal Tender / Lisa Scottoline 295 p.

Legal Tender / Lisa Scottoline 295 p.

Bennie Rosato is still reeling from her breakup with lover and law partner Mark Biscardi when he is found murdered in his office. Bennie is the chief and only suspect. When the weapon is found in her home, that puts paid to her innocence. She has no alibi as she was out rowing alone. It is up to her to foil the case the police is building against her. This fast-paced features a gutsy strong woman who can get herself out of hot water...with a little help from friends. Interwoven into the story is the story of her caring for her deranged mother. This is the 2nd in the Rosato and Associates novels series.

The Lincoln Lawyer/ Michael Connelly/ 404 pages

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly presents the reader with the American justice system as worked by a defense lawyer.  Mickey Haller doesn't waste money on a fancy office, he operates out of his Lincoln and has an ex-wife for a secretary.  He's good at what he does, and his biggest fear is not recognizing an innocent client when he has one.  When he meets Louis Roulet things start to fall apart.  This book is definitively a page turner.  Anyone who likes police procedural and suspense will enjoy this offering from Michael Connelly.  For more information and read a likes, visit the SCCCLD website.

Dreams of Perfection / Rebecca Heflin / 263 pages

This is a really delightful modern romance with down-to-earth (though more successful than average) characters.  Darcy Butler is the romance novelist with a ticking biological clock.  Josh Ryan is the successful lawyer with a heart of gold.  Darcy's friends and family all play their parts in this wonderful story.  I found myself able to relate to the characters; many of them were just like my own friends and family.  The story had a bit of mystery along with the romance - how could Darcy Butler's book character have come to life?  The author leads the readers without giving the whole plot away.  The new Dreams Come True series will be on my must-read list.

Midnight Before Christmas, William Bernhardt, 224 pages

Lawyer Megan McGee has plans for a quiet Christmas with her adopted bulldog when Bonnie Cantrell shows up at her office.  Claiming to be a battered wife, Bonnie wants a restraining order to keep her ex husband Carl away from her and her son.  When the reader meets Carl he seems to be everything that Bonnie describes.  As Megan interacts with Bonnie and Carl, she develops some doubts about the couple.  This book was a interesting read with some twists and turns that the reader may not see coming.

Last to die / Grippando / 369 p.

The third in a lawyer-as-detective series featuring Jack Swyteck, this title falls squarely in the middle of the action-detective genre. Readers who enjoy their mysteries with a little more grit, masculinity, and violence (but not too much gore) will enjoy this book.

Synopsis
Lawyer Jack Swyteck is asked to defend an accused murderer by the murderer's brother, whom Swyteck saved from death row. The wealthy victim of the murder in question leaves a will with six beneficiaries, all of them former enemies. The one to inherit the money will be the last one alive. Thus ensues a murderous game to eliminate the other inheritors. Jack's client has a nasty past that makes him the chief suspect and so Jack must use his best lawyerly wiles to keep his client free while he searches for the real killer. There are a plethora of twists and turns in the fast-paced plot that will surprise the reader until the book ends in a satisfying conclusion.

Analysis
I have not read the first two books in this series, but this books stands very well on its own merits. Though some characters' backstories must have been covered in the previous two books, those backstories do not interfere with the plot in this volume. Instead, those backstories are intriguing enough to make the reader want to read those previous titles as well.

For a books that involves involves violence and some unsavory characters, I found this book to be quite charming. With none of the sense of foreboding that seems to accompany too many novels of this kind, Grippando constructs a storyline that reflects a hope for humanity along with the suspense that readers seek. That sense of hope allows the reader to enjoy the ride without feeling dirty afterward.

Swytek is flawed and is aware of his own failings, but is utterly likable. He is surrounded by characters who are also flawed. But not all of them are likable. The bad guys are clearly bad. Characters do not switch loyalties. All the switching happens in the plot. That plot is a bumpy, unpredictable ride all the way to its surprising end.

Set in Florida, this would be a great summer beach read. I highly recommend this book for readers of mystery and suspense. It will not leave you looking over your shoulder and is relatively light on the gore, despite it's violence, but it will still leave you wanting more.

Dirty Blonde / Lisa Scottoline / 358 pgs /

Cate Fante is a character that has everything going for her.  She young, beautiful, and intelligent; she is also one of the youngest women to be appointed to serve as a federal judge.  However, because of her prodigious job, she tries to keep her private after hour activities a secret.  When a high-profile court case turns into a murder-suicide; Cate's life is scrutinized and thrown out to the masses by the media. 

There were some problems with the mystery elements in this book.  For example there must be some really lazy police work going on if it's "completely obvious" for one cop to determine that someone was murdered while the rest of the force determines it was a suicide and calls it a day.  Also, a known offender is sending threats and breaking into a character's house, but the police are "positive" that this person will not attempt to hurt the character, and does not provide any protection.  I was also bothered that no clues were left to let the reader know who the killer really was.  The villain just reveals themselves which made all the previous (and wrong) detective work the main character went through meaningless. 

The Litigators / John Grisham / 385 pgs.

Law firm partners Oscar Finley and Wally Figg see a chance for huge financial gain when they learn of a pending class action lawsuit against the makers of Krayoxx, a popular cholesterol-reducing drug suspected of causing heart attacks.

This was my first John Grisham book, and even though it was about the dry subject of product liability; I was still thoroughly entertained.  The main characters Finley and Figg are the stereotypical "ambulance chasers" who do some real slimy underhanded things; like play divorcing couples off each other to string out the fight and thus rack up more court and client fees.  This makes it hard to like the characters and want to see them succeed against the "big, bad corporation".  However, this makes this novel different and even humorous at times; and I think I enjoyed this version better than the sappy, inspirational David vs. Goliath story. 

Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem / Rosalyn Schanzer 144 p.

Tells the story of the victims, the accused witches, the politicians, the judges, and officials of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Two children have fits, mutter strange gibberish and experience frightful contortions of their backs, necks, and arms. The fits do not respond to anything so locals begin to be accused of being witches. When the accused insist they are innocent, they are put in jail. Families would provide food and other necessities. Some accused asked to be sold as indentured servants in order to pay their bill. The number of accused grew and grew. One minister was brought a great distance to be tried and hung. Ultimately, many were convicted and hung. The rest of the accused were left in poverty. Schanzer enhances the story with actual courtroom testimony. She also describes several possible theories of causes. “What Happened Next” concludes the story of the primary players.

2012 Notable Children's Books

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer / John Grisham / 263 Pages

Theodore Boone is not your average 13-year-old.  He wants to be a lawyer when he's an adult.  His parents and other family members are lawyers, and his classmates come to him for advice when they are having problems.  After Theodore finds out he has privileged information regarding the biggest murder trial the town has seen in years, what will he do?  Protect his friends, or rely on his parents for help with something too big to handle?

I found this book to be entertaining enough to keep my attention, and I think it's great how aspects of the law and how trials are conducted are explained so that children can understand it.