Mark Gimenez - The Color of Law (2005)
Reviewed by David J. Montgomery
At least once a year or so, a new legal thriller hits the shelves with much fanfare. The book is hyped to the stars. Promises that the author will be “the next John Grisham” are made. Usually, the fanfare is wasted, the hype is a lie and the promises fall flat because the book isn’t very good.
Not so with Mark Gimenez’ compelling debut, The Color of Law. Here is a writer who might actually step into Grisham’s very comfortable shoes. The book is as confident, smooth and compelling a first novel as you’re likely to find.
A. Scott Fenney is a hotshot young Dallas lawyer with the world on a string. He’s rich and handsome, lives in a mansion with his beautiful family and commutes to his corner office each day in a Ferrari. Life could not be better, until a judge appoints him to defend a black prostitute accused of murdering the wayward son of a rich white U.S. Senator.
For the first time in his career, Scott develops a conscience, which causes him to defy the wishes of the senator, his senior partner, and just about everyone else in town when he proposes to put on a vigorous defense of the defendant. Doing so puts at risk his comfortable lifestyle, his marriage, maybe even his life itself.
The Color of Law is not a wholly original story, nor is it without an element of cheese about it. The ending is like something from an old episode of Perry Mason, the greedy lawyers are more cliché than character, and the too-cute kids are precocious beyond belief. Nevertheless, it is a compelling and entertaining book that is nearly impossible to put down.
Posted by David J. Montgomery in Book Reviews | Permalink
Comments
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was pleasantly surprised because it was his first book, but he developed the characters so well. When you read a book and get to
know the characters and really like or dislike them, then you know you have a great story. I loved or hated each character, from the corrupt politicians to the children. I also loved Mr. Fenney's change from loving money to having morals and integrity. I hope Mark Giminez continues writing and his next book is just as enjoyable.
Posted by: Karen | Jun 2, 2006 9:25:50 AM
what a very good read . a bit of slow start . then the book goes into overdrive and i couldnt put it down
Posted by: paul stonehouse | Apr 11, 2007 4:55:25 AM
Your book, The Color of Law, was excellent. Keep up the good work. It's hard to believe the world works like that but I know very good and well it does.
Posted by: Carole Boyce | Apr 26, 2007 7:01:41 PM
