I've been reading courtroom thrillers lately and had high hopes for this one based on the positive Amazon reviews. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a dud. The writing is pedestrian and uninspired. The characters lack depth. The dialog is stiff and phony. The story is hackneyed. I put up with these weaknesses for a while, hoping that the plot would unfold quickly enough to hook me. But having reached the 30% mark without feeling at all engaged, I decided to end the torture and move on to something else. To put my reaction in context, I find it equally impossible to read Grisham's books, which have always struck me as third-rate. If you're a Grisham fan, you may respond more positively to Gordon Campbell than I did.

If you're looking for a solid courtroom thriller that grabs you by the throat, try something by Joseph Teller, who actually knows what he's talking about. His debut novel, The Tenth Case, is a compelling yarn that works beautifully right up until the climactic conclusion, which strikes the only false note in the story. His second effort, Bronx Justice (Jaywalker), is also a gripping read and has the virtue of being drawn from the author's own experience as a young trial lawyer. Gordon Campbell, in my opinion, is no Joseph Teller.

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