Small southern Alabama county. White people stoked fear of those not like themselves. Towns whose residents can be manipulated into following the will of the prosecution, or suffer terrible consequences. One of the least populated counties in the country with the highest rate of death-penalty cases resulting in legalized killing. This was the environment that Eddie Flynn, ex-con artist and dedicated defense attorney, was dropped into and he was in the fight of his career. At the request of a well-placed but secretive homeland security honch, Eddie and his team were tasked with defending the life of Andy Dubois, college scholarship winner, and part-time bar dishwasher. The case was solid-two confessions, DNA evidence, testimony of the County Coroner, and town racism. Did he kill the beautiful white college girl who worked with him at the bar? Was the confession forced and the jury manipulated? Prosecutor Korn's only goal in life was to see justice done and his victims tortured in the electric chair-he's after a quick conviction with only hotshot New York lawyer Eddie standing in his way, and a young black man's life on the line. But some residents in the town now have bigger fish to fry, "The Pastor" has been planning for this day for months where many things will end, but will also usher in a new shiny beginning for his deserving followers. And the two incidents might be related.
At first, this book was almost too painful to read. With the deck so stacked against Eddie and with Korn tasting victory and another legal murder, the tension was overwhelming. If you also feel this way, stick it out because the payoff is absolutely worth it. To watch Eddie and his team of experts battle the odds of the case is riveting. The only problem with this book was that it ended and I wanted to follow Eddie as he defends more deserving people. The good news is that there are eight others in the British series by author Cavanagh (and Devil's Advocate is being newly re-published in the United States). Another fascinating series to become immersed in!
Reviewed by Donna Ballard
August 5, 2025
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