A top-notch Washington D.C. litigator, Rob Jacobson, gets the case lawyers dream about. Unfortunately, he’s in charge of the defense of his longtime friend and former President of the United States, Jack Cutler. He is accused of killing his mistress and unfortunately for him, the government has no other suspects. Jacobson has his work cut out as Cutler is definitely not a saint. Cutler is an egotistical philanderer who enjoys kinky sex and heavy drinking, while also contending with anger management issues. Cutler’s loyal wife has not only had to endure his infidelities, she’s also suffered physical abuse from him as well. To make things even more complicated, the murder victim, Amanda Harper, had also been Jacobson’s former paramour.
The author, Lawrence Robbins, is an accomplished trial and appellate litigator who has argued numerous cases in the United States Supreme Court and the federal circuit courts of appeals. He incorporates his copious courtroom experiences into this story. The courtroom scenes are vibrant and scintillating, providing an authenticity that gives the feeling that the author is recounting actual details from trials he has participated in. The author has also utilized various aspects from stories that have made the headlines, such as the Chandra Levy/Rock Creek Park murder case.
There are enough red herrings and characters with motive to keep one guessing who the murderer is. There are numerous complicated relationships and characters with deep rooted issues. The friendship between Jacobson and Cutler is quite complex and compelling. Cutler hasn’t always been a great friend as the school pranks he played on Jacobson were demeaning and embarrassing. On top of that, Cutler’s wife Jessica had been Jacobson’s first love. As the case progresses, Jacobson’s emotions are pushed to the limit as he discovers the extent of Cutler’s extramarital affairs and abusive behavior. Even though their friendship is strained, Jacobson remains committed to proving Cutler’s innocence, even to the extent of opening up the possibility of Jessica being a murder suspect.
The verdict is in: If you’re looking for a light, fun read that has suspenseful courtroom drama and complex characters, this book is guilty as charged!
Reviewed by Christina Crocker
Publication date - October 8, 2024
No comments:
Post a Comment