Sunday March 22nd, 2009 Legal Thrillers

The minutes tick by and the defendant's fate hangs in the balance; then the jury comes in and there is that moment just before the verdict is read when time itself seems to stand still. Welcome to the world of the legal thriller. Unlike most detective novels, the lawyer is both sleuth and presenter of the facts, manipulating and controlling much of the action. The lawyers can run the range from crusader to corrupter, each interesting in his or her own way. From the folksy Southern lawyer, the high priced corporate shark , the street front advocate or the tony British barrister, the characters are as interesting and as diverse as the cases they take on.

It was probably watching reruns of Perry Mason as a young girl that started my fascination with legal mysteries. Watching as the evidence stacked up for or against a prisoner on the docket, and how a white lie, a hair or an overheard conversation could send someone to prison always had me on the edge of my seat. Wandering through the stacks at the library, there are always a slew of legal mysteries to challenge even the most seasoned veteran of courtroom suspense, so as Winter slides into Spring, it's a great time to explore the halls of justice.

The Associate- John Grisham

Kyle McAvoy had a future with almost limitless potential, unfortunately for him, Kyle also has a dark secret, which falls into the wrong hands and forces him to take what should be a dream job as associate at the largest law firm in the world. Besides practicing law, Kyle is pushed into a scheme that involves lying and stealing and the knowledge of what is happening may get him killed.



Lethal Legacy- Linda Fairstein

The New York Public Library houses dazzling treasures and deadly secrets. When young woman conservator of rare books was assaulted, and then another woman is found murdered in that same apartment with an extremely valuable book, believed to have been stolen. As Alex pursues the murderer, she is drawn into the strange and privileged world of the Hunt family, major benefactors of the New York Public Library and passionate rare book collectors. Would one of the well-bred Hunts be willing to kill for the treasures? The search takes Alex to the secret tunnels and chambers of the New York Public Library, there Alex comes face-to-face with the killer.

Eclipse- Richard North Patterson

On the eve of his divorce, Damon Pierce, a 40-year-old law partner e-mails Marissa Brand, a woman he was once in love with in college. Marissa is married to a reformer whose Nigeria-like country, Luandia, is awash in oil, an ecological disaster and an evil dictator. When Marissa's husband is arrested for murder, Damon agrees to defend him, throwing himself into the middle of a power struggle between tribal groups, environmentalists, a corrupt petro conglomerate and the sadistic leader of Luandia, all of whom want to see him dead.

Lisa Scottoline- Lady Killer

Philadelphia attorney Mary DiNunzio, agrees to help her high school nemesis, Trish Gambone, because Trish wants to escape from her abusive Mafia-connected boyfriend, Bobby Mancuso then Trish disappears and Mary's investigation is blocked by federal agents. Mary's investigation into Trish's disappearance may turn deadly as forces on both sides of the law don't want her to find the answers.



The Brass Verdict- Michael Connelly

When L.A. lawyer Mickey Haller, inherits the practice and caseload of a fellow defense attorney, who's been murdered, the high-profile double-homicide case against a famed Hollywood producer, takes top priority. As Haller builds a defense, he butts heads with LAPD Det. Harry Bosch, he and Bosch grudgingly agree to work together to solve what could be the biggest case in both their careers and the deeper they dig, the darker the secrets they discover.


Steve Martini- Shadow of Power

Attorney Paul Madriani agrees to represent Carl Arnsberg, a racist facing execution for the bludgeoning of author Terry Scarborough, whose nonfiction bestseller, Perpetual Slaves, has actually led to riots in the streets. Focusing on a secret letter by Thomas Jefferson, a troubled young man and a strange disappearance of a Supreme Court judge, Madriani must survive long enough to find the devastating answers hidden in the shadow of power.


Lori Kauzlarick, Public Services Assistant