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From The Critics
Publisher's Weekly
A San Antonio criminal lawyer, Brandon is among the best in the legal thriller
business at catching the real atmosphere of a trial-that combination of tedium
and terror that makes the courtroom such a popular literary arena. His latest
book about San Antonio district attorney Chris Sinclair (after 2003' s Sliver
Moon) has an absolute aura of authenticity, even though the plot contains many
typical thriller elements. Because of Sinclair's zeal, police officer Steve Greerdon
was sent to prison eight years earlier for taking part in an armed robbery. When
new DNA evidence surfaces proving that Greerdon was innocent, Chris swallows
his chagrin and gets him out of jail fast. But is Greerdon really the victim
of bad justice or an incredibly clever killer? When two police officers who served
with him are murdered, he's found on the scene, claiming a high-level police
conspiracy to cover up the real criminals. Sinclair's lover, child psychiatrist
Anne Greenwald, also gets involved in the case because of privileged information
from a client, and Chris's teenage daughter finds herself being attracted to
Greerdon's son. None of this is particularly new or earth-shaking, but Brandon
makes his story move along smoothly by creating an involving portrait of a criminal
justice system staffed (mostly) by people trying to do the right thing. Agent,
Jimmy Vines at the Vines Agency. (June 2) FYI: Brandon's novel Fade the Heat
(1990) was an Edgar finalist. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
An undersung hero of courtroom drama (Executive Privilege, 2001, etc.) returns
with an admirably complex novel about bitter betrayal and sweet revenge.
San Antonio DA Chris Sinclair is shaken when he discovers that eight years
ago he helped put an innocent man-a cop, no less-in the slammer. It's no
surprise that life in Huntsville has been nightmarish for Steve Greerdon,
since ex-cops wear a "brutalize-me" patch on their denim backs
assuring them special treatment. Now, however, Greerdon's free to chase the
pound of flesh everyone assumes he's eager to exact from the cops who framed
him and the DA who tried him so successfully. But hold on: Greerdon is saying
astonishing things, like: "Who set me up, why it happened? What difference
does it make?" The past is dead, he insists, and the good life beckons.
For his efforts to spring him once he realized his mistake, Chris Sinclair
deserves only gratitude. It's a nice attitude, even plausible in a way, but
Chris is skeptical. Greerdon is still a certified tough guy. Is his ever-so-rational,
bygones-be-bygones approach to be taken at face value? Or should Chris and
others be deeply worried?Laboring long under the shadows of Grisham and Turow,
Brandon has yet to earn the recognition he deserves. But his 13th case-featuring
multifaceted characters caught in page-turning dilemmas, his best since his
1990 debut, Fade the Heat-just might be lucky. Agent: Jimmy Vines
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Chris's girlfriend, child psychiatrist
Anne Greenwald, is drawn into the deepening mystery when one
of her patients confesses to her facts that could give him the
evidence he needs to break the conspiracy. But she can't violate
doctor-patient confidentiality, even if it might prevent a tragedy.
Time is running out, and murders are piling up. If the killer
can't be stopped, Chris could be next. As Chris and Anne struggle
to balance their personal lives with their professional concerns,
this intense, powerful novel weaves an ever-tightening web of
suspense that will keep readers chasing the truth until the final
page. |
