Death Penalty

This was on a recommended list for those that like legal mysteries. I found the mystery totally missing from this book, and other than the main character being a lawyer and some legal misconduct on the part of judges, not much legal intrigue either. The last half is better than the first, thus my rating.

Criminal attorney Charley Sloan had it all - expensive cars and expensive wives, but he drank it all away. He was nearly disbarred, but Judge Palmer intervened and saved Sloan's license. He has pulled himself together and he has a small one person office outside of Detroit. He takes on a tricky appeal for a colleague who is often drunk, but who managed to win a big judgement for a young man injured to the point that he is completely paralyzed and living in a broken down trailer. The friend is afraid of ruining everything during the appeal process so he gets Sloan to do it. A lot of money rides on the decision of a three judge panel that includes Judge Palmer. The friend keeps telling Sloan he has heard rumors of bribery and is pushing show more Sloan in that direction. Sloan doesn't believe it but then a former judge approaches him about a bribe to get the desired decision. Sloan now faces a decision that could end up with him disbarred and in jail. He also knows that the paralyzed young man and his friend have everything riding on the outcome of the appeal. show less

This one is even better than the first Coughlin featuring Charley Sloan. Instead of one huge legal case taking up the bulk of one novel, Coughlin weaves many legal stories into this one book. Sloan continues to be a character I want to read more about. Good thing I've got another Coughlin to go!

3875. Death Penalty A Novel, by William J. Coughlin (read 11 Apr 2004) This 1992 book, by a Detroit prosecutor and defense attorney, really caught me up and is heart-stopping reading. It is not too technical legally, but does not dumb down the legal aspects either. Much better than John Grisham's lawyer-bashing books, this has to be one of the best lawyer fiction books I have ever read.

Well written. Sympathetic, flawed protagonist. Kept a good pace, not too fast and not too slow. Enjoyed it.