by Joseph T. Klempner
What it's about:
A mildly retarded young man in upstate New York is charged wih the brutal double murder of his grandparents. Defense lawyer Matt Fielder signs on as his defence attorney, who has to fight for his client's life against incriminating evidence.
Why I like it:
Matt Fielder is an engaging and believable character who makes mistakes like the rest of us do, and can still be a good lawyer. I prefer characters who are flawed, because they allow me to treat them in my mind as real people, so I care more about what happens to them. All of Kempner's characters are realistic, so their journey in this book is full of ups and downs that add depth to the story.
The plot is well-conceived, with lots of twists, and although there is a considerable amount of legal procedure offered up, it's done in a conversational style that is easily read and understood. It's never dull or boring - quite the contrary. There is a healthy amount of humor in Klempner's writing, which makes for a great reading experience. I enjoyed the book very much.