Violent Ward

To my way of thinking, the whole of this book is built around a single idea, a neat legal finesse which allows everything to turn out all right in the end. Maybe it was too good to abandon without wrapping it into a story. It also gives Deighton the opportunity to write about the 1992 LA South Central riots which he witnessed when visiting the city.

The book doesn't grab you immediately because nothing much happens. You gradually get to know the hero, Mickey Murphy, a LA lawyer who is more Philip Marlowe than Perry Mason - he moves down pretty mean streets - and his clients. The story develops as Murphy gets mixed up with several old school chums including Zach and Ingrid Petrovich, who are extremely rich and working away, by hook or by show more crook, at getting richer. Murphy's professional relationship with Zach, who is buying his law firm, is made tricky by the fact that Ingrid was Murphy's high-school sweetheart. There appear to be significant cracks in her marriage to Zach but, fortunately, Murphy seems to be more devoted to his classic red Cadillac than women.

Deighton writes well about Los Angeles, waxing lyrical about the views across the city from the hills around Laurel Canyon as the setting sun burnishes the smog. His descriptions of the riots after the acquittal of the police who beat up Rodney King are effective and convincing. An entertaining book after a slow start - Deighton's last work of fiction. show less

I'm mainly familiar with Deighton as the author of British espionage novels. This story is about LA attorney Micky Murphy as he tries to balance work for his somewhat dicey clients, his murderous ex-wife, and estranged son. Into this mix comes the old girlfriend who he never really got over. She's got trouble and needs Micky's help. The book is written in a semi-comedic style, very unlike his spy novels.

This is a superb book, beautifully written clever descriptive intelligent storytelling with plenty of surprises along the way, excellent characterisation throughout.
Completely recommended.

Fun little mystery that takes place in the early 90's. The author can write and the main character Micky, is a sarcastic, cynical lawyer, perfectly suited to working wth psychopaths in the entertainment industry and other assorted rich people in Southern California.

Unually for Deighton, I found this book a little difficult to get into and to stay with. It has the usual excellent one-liners and well painted characters, but there was just something missing to keep my attention. Set in early 90s LA and revolves around a lawyer and his clients.

A confusing tale of a lawyer in LA caught in a web of conspiracy to steal money, hoodwink partners and get away scott free.

nothing exceptional....typical....Mickey Murphy attorney