Rating: 
Summary: There's MUCH better legal thrillers out there
Review: This is supposed to be a "deep" legal thriller due to all sorts of philosophy within. Rather than truly engaging the ideas of Socrates and others, however, they are almost thrown in at random to provide the illusion of an intellectual depth which is really not there. Otherwise a pretty standard, and admittedly enjoyable legal thriller, but I was expecting a lot more. Finally, the rather important plot twist at the end was a little too predictable and utterly implausible. If you want to think while reading courtroom tales, stick with Scott Turow.
Rating: 
Summary: FOR THE DEFENSE -- JOE ANTONELLI
Review: This is the first book by D. W. Buffa, an Oregon defense attorney turned author. It reads so well for a first novel, that you just know that Buffa is going to be around for quite a while.The best part of this book is the main character Joe Antonelli. Like Buffa, he's a defense attorney. One thing that separates him from most other defense attorneys, however, is the fact that he's never lost a case and he's proud of passing this information on to anyone interested. I usually find this lack of humility in characters to be less than endearing but, for some reason, I think it adds to Antonelli's overall makeup. As is usual with most legal thrillers, there are enough twists and turns to give you a stiff neck. Somehow though, Buffa keep you guessing. This case involves a less than desirable subject matter as Joe defends Johnny Morel, who is accused of raping his 12 year old stepdaughter. He has agreed to represent Morel at the request of his mentor, Judge Leopold Rifkin. The events surrounding this case will cause disastrous ramifications years down the road for all involved. The saying "what goes around, comes around" is definitely evidenced in the end of the book. Unfortunately, some innocent people will be hurt, an attorney will be left disenchanted and the reader will anxiously await the return of Joe Antonelli in Buffa's sequel, The Prosecution. I do recommend reading these books in order just to get a better idea of what really makes Antonelli tick -- a character greatly admired by this reader.
Rating:
Summary: FOR THE DEFENSE -- JOE ANTONELLI
Review: This is the first book by D. W. Buffa, an Oregon defense attorney turned author. It reads so well for a first novel, that you just know that Buffa is going to be around for quite a while. The best part of this book is the main character Joe Antonelli. Like Buffa, he's a defense attorney. One thing that separates him from most other defense attorneys, however, is the fact that he's never lost a case and he's proud of passing this information on to anyone interested. I usually find this lack of humility in characters to be less than endearing but, for some reason, I think it adds to Antonelli's overall makeup. As is usual with most legal thrillers, there are enough twists and turns to give you a stiff neck. Somehow though, Buffa keep you guessing. This case involves a less than desirable subject matter as Joe defends Johnny Morel, who is accused of raping his 12 year old stepdaughter. He has agreed to represent Morel at the request of his mentor, Judge Leopold Rifkin. The events surrounding this case will cause disastrous ramifications years down the road for all involved. The saying "what goes around, comes around" is definitely evidenced in the end of the book. Unfortunately, some innocent people will be hurt, an attorney will be left disenchanted and the reader will anxiously await the return of Joe Antonelli in Buffa's sequel, The Prosecution. I do recommend reading these books in order just to get a better idea of what really makes Antonelli tick -- a character greatly admired by this reader.
Rating: 
Summary: I love this book
Review: This just happens to be the best book I have read in some time. The three main caretures were so intriguing and the tipe of people I wish I knew. I found myself not wanting to but it down.I'll make sure to get get each of his books as soon as they come out.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read!
Review: Well written. Buffa appealed to my 'problem solving' side. I think we should be so lucky like the reader from Mt. View, CA, who had it all figured out! Pahleeze! He should read scientific research then! Cast of characters are very believable. Worth the time and energy to read. Looking forward to D.W.B.'s 'Prosecution'.
Rating:
Summary: Plausible until Antonelli commits perjury
Review: What causes anyone to struggle against the self-conscious of right and wrong? Survival. There's no better medium to express the extremities of our fragile human emotions than the justice system and it's presumption of innocence over the accused until the prosecutor can prove otherwise. But the heinous crimes committed in 'The Defense' seem almost superfluous in comparison to the actions of those representing justice itself. 'The Defense' is about something far greater than that of the exploration of thrilling crime writing, it manages to touch and express the concept of right/wrong and our soul/deception. Antonelli follows his passion and becomes a lawyer and he becomes the epitome of defence to anyone accused of a crime. Antonelli believed in a system created to protect innocence and as such he celebrated the glory of rightousness and human morality.The years of perfection in Antonelli's career lead him to defend Johnny Morel, not a very nice man, accused of raping his 12 year old stepdaughter, Michelle. As the case begins, so does the deception and Antonelli finds himself in the precarious role of defending someone he finds difficult to believe didn't do it. Antonelli fights for Morel's freedom, but he also questions his passion to believe in himself, only to begin to believe in systems designed to protect the innocent. Plausable crimes of lust, carnel knowledge, murder, deception, drugs, blackmail, abuse, violence, tyrany and extortion, then the last few pages twists itself into a very surprising finale. As reviewed in SHOTS volume 1 Number 3 in Britain's No 1 crime fiction magazine
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