Unputdownable (The Colour Of Law - Mark Gimenez)

Member Name: stayleyvegas

Product:	The Colour Of Law - Mark Gimenez
Date:	19/05/07 (198 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic debut novel, great well formed characters, asks some moral questions

Disadvantages: leaves you wanting more!

If you like legal books in the early John Grisham mould then you will love this debut novel.

I was immediately hooked from reading the prologue and read the whole book in one sitting.

The story is about a selfish, greedy, Dallas hotshot corporate lawyer in a Dallas law firm (A. Scott Fenney). At 33, he has everything, earns $750k per year, drives a Ferrari and comes home nightly to a mansion in one of Dallas's more exclusive neighbourhoods. Life could not be better as long as the money rolls in and he doesn't have to do any proper legal stuff or believe in justice.

He will step on anyone to get more until one day he is forced to take a case against his will/wishes by a manipulative judge. His initial reaction is to refuse and attempt to wiggle his way out of the case as he is forced to defend a black, heroin addict prostitute for the murder of the local Senator's son and next likely president of the US.

He has to weigh up if he is willing to sacrifice everything he holds dear: lifestyle/money/social standing/family/ferrari etc etc against his belief in justice (which he hasn't actually practiced since becoming a lawyer). Should he refuse the case thereby taking on the wrath of the judge or take it and endure the wrath of his partners and also knowing the father of the deceased will be prepared to test his resolve at every stage?

A very enjoyable book that covers race discrimination, money obsessed lawyers and a yes/no decision that will change both the lawyers and defendants life's forever, whichever way the decision comes down.

The author makes constant references throughout the book to To Kill A Mockingbird and was obviously inspired by Harper Lee. In fact, the daughter of the main character is called Boo and it is not clear what relevence this has got to the story until the end.

All the characters within the book develop very well and it is interesting to see the main character change because whilst he still believes in the principles of justice, this is something he has never had to practice thus far. The details of the case force him to question his own conscience and go down a path he would never have thought possible.

His daughter Boo and the daughter of the accused, who is a similar age, strike up a very close friendship and they are delightful characters who are however, a little too wise beyond their years but this only addds to the plot.

I don't really want to go into any more detail as this may spoil the story - it was unputdownable!! This is a book that will grip you from the start and not let you go.

Hardback version can be picked up on Amazon for 50p (plus p&p). I bought mine from Waterstones for £10 as it had a disclaimer on it saying "better than Grisham or your money back". So I thought there was nothing to lose!

Needless to say I didn't take Waterstones up on their offer.

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (2 Mar 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0316731463
ISBN-13: 978-0316731461
Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.8 x 4.2 cm

Summary: Gimenez is a fantastic new author who knows how to tell a great story