THE JURY MASTER
By Robert Dugoni
Warner Books;
$24.95, hardback, 438 pages; ISBN 0-446-57869-X (2006).
You would think from this book's title that it would be a legal thriller. Although there are a few courtroom scenes and the main character is a lawyer, the book is more of an action and suspense novel – one that just happens to be about a lawyer. (The author is a former civil litigator in San Francisco and Seattle. This is his first work of fiction. His second book, False Justice, will be published next year.)
That the book isn't a legal thriller shouldn't be interpreted as a shortcoming. Quite the contrary -- this book is dynamite. Dugoni has woven an imaginative story with rich, vibrant characters that propel the reader forward. David Sloane is a lawyer with a silver tongue who can make juries believe anything he wants them to – even when he must convince them to excuse the unsavory conduct of his own client. His victories in the courtroom are bringing him fame and fortune – but at what price?
With his conscience nagging at him over his latest court victory, Sloane gets a call from a stranger that changes his life. Joe Branick, the special assistant and longtime friend of the President of the United States, calls Sloane just a short time before he commits suicide. Or is it really suicide? Detective Tom Molia of the Charles Town police investigates the scene where Branick is found and his gut tells him something is wrong. Molia's feeling is confirmed when he gets a call from Assistant U.S. Attorney Rivers Jones who demands that he cease any further work on the case and transfer it to the Department of Justice. Reflecting on his conversation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jones, Dugoni reveals Molia's thoughts:
Molia removed the pencil from behind his ear and sat forward, sticking the pencil in a half-eaten hamburger on a piece of grease-strained yellow wax paper. He'd pushed a button, as intended, and Jones didn't have the brains or temperament to talk his way out of it. People with something to hide were either evasive or aggressive. Jones was both. In the process he'd likely made two mistakes, letting Molia know there was an investigation and that the White House was involved. His stomach was never wrong.
In addition to calling him, Branick sends Sloane a package that others want to take away from him. Soon Sloane's home is broken into and searched, an innocent neighbor is killed, and a hit man is trailing him. If he is going to save himself, Sloane must find out what his connection is with Branick and why the President is attempting to squash any investigation. Joining forces with Detective Molia, Sloane discovers a conspiracy – one in which he plays a central role.
This highly entertaining thriller combines believable character with plenty of action. It's highly recommended.
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