Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: Overlooking the handful of typos and the predictablity of the story, I give "The Trial" 4 stars. This was the first trial in a narrative that I did not find monotonous but quite interesting. Despite the evidence, I was somewhat (but not totally) surprised by the verdict. Keep in mind that the story line was predictable.The author uses quite a bit of "fluff", describing what the characters had for lunch, directions to certain locations, etc. If that doesn't bother you, give this book a try.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: Overlooking the handful of typos and the predictablity of the story, I give "The Trial" 4 stars. This was the first trial in a narrative that I did not find monotonous but quite interesting. Despite the evidence, I was somewhat (but not totally) surprised by the verdict. Keep in mind that the story line was predictable. The author uses quite a bit of "fluff", describing what the characters had for lunch, directions to certain locations, etc. If that doesn't bother you, give this book a try.
Rating:
Summary: Raising the Bar
Review: Robert Whitlow handles legal, spiritual, and southern details with style. He brings his world to the written page in a credible manner, fueling the plot with the intricacies of a murder trial. The twists and turns are minor, but satisfying, and the Georgia/Tennessee settings serve as a colorful backdrops. Although the spiritual lessons come on strong and a bit pedantic, the characters (and Whitlow) breathe reality into what might usually pass as stale religious lines. I closed the last page feeling challenged and edified by the story's morals. The emotional details are the ones that occasional trip me up in his writing. The conflicts are real, the characters believable and likeable, but the resolutions seem to come a bit too easily and/or quickly. I do recognize the aspect of the miraculous in some of this, but, for example, I would've liked to see Mac McLain's suicidal struggles progress more consistently. I prefer to see a bit more of what's going on in the characters' heads. That said, Whitlow's minimalist approach does avoid becoming melodramatic or sappy. Some might prefer the numerous courtroom scenes in "The Trial"; personally, I enjoyed the variety of "The List." The good thing is that Whitlow, like Grisham, doesn't seem satisfied with a formula. He continues to raise the bar for Christian legal fiction, continues to try new things in the process. I anticipate his next book, knowing I won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Raising the Bar
Review: Robert Whitlow handles legal, spiritual, and southern details with style. He brings his world to the written page in a credible manner, fueling the plot with the intricacies of a murder trial. The twists and turns are minor, but satisfying, and the Georgia/Tennessee settings serve as a colorful backdrops. Although the spiritual lessons come on strong and a bit pedantic, the characters (and Whitlow) breathe reality into what might usually pass as stale religious lines. I closed the last page feeling challenged and edified by the story's morals. The emotional details are the ones that occasional trip me up in his writing. The conflicts are real, the characters believable and likeable, but the resolutions seem to come a bit too easily and/or quickly. I do recognize the aspect of the miraculous in some of this, but, for example, I would've liked to see Mac McLain's suicidal struggles progress more consistently. I prefer to see a bit more of what's going on in the characters' heads. That said, Whitlow's minimalist approach does avoid becoming melodramatic or sappy. Some might prefer the numerous courtroom scenes in "The Trial"; personally, I enjoyed the variety of "The List." The good thing is that Whitlow, like Grisham, doesn't seem satisfied with a formula. He continues to raise the bar for Christian legal fiction, continues to try new things in the process. I anticipate his next book, knowing I won't be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Whitlow is Amazing!
Review: Robert Whitlow is the first author I have ever read who can combine mystery, suspense, inspiration and God and make it work! Higgins-Clark is a wonderful mystery writer, King is an expert on suspense, and Nicholas Sparks has the market on inspiration, but Whitlow puts all three elements into one story and the outcome is outrageously entertaining. His characters come to life and are portrayed in a way that readers get to know them; they become people we would (or not) like to know personally, from the lawyer who needs a reason to stay alive to the accused he strives to keep alive. A good mystery keeps me reading, a touch of suspense is scary and invigorating; and inspiration makes me feel good about life in general. This book pushes all three buttons at once. What more could a reader want, except maybe a sequel? Mr. Whitlow's first book, The List, was equally entertaining. He has a way of telling a story which might be an ordinary story except for the miraculous events which take place during the course of it. It is no secret that money and greed are the downfall of many good men, and Whitlow weaves a story that shows the effects of these evils on generations of families all tied together by a secret, the "List." His story is rich in faith and hope and how one young man, after discovering the pure evil lurking behind the "List," becomes determined not to succumb to it. It is a tale of love and the power of prayer (the "prayer closet" was delightful) and of a young man growing spiritually and accepting God as his first priority (with help from some unforgettable friends). Mr. Whitlow displays a remarkable ability in making miracles seem like everyday occurrences. May God bless him and keep him inspired to write stories that will touch those who read them in a very special way. Debby Lilley
Rating:
Summary: God in the Court room ?
Review: The suspenseful style & thriller of John Grisham makes this book a good read. It keeps you on the edge of your chair and quickly turning pages well into the night time hours. For those who are tired of trashy, vulgar, profain, sexual novels and want a good read that's suitable for everyone this book is a wonderful change. Some of his characters have deep spiritual convictions and it shows that a thriller can be wholesome and very entertaining. Better than "The List" his first novel. Trusting that this author will continue writing and not let the publishers rush him into writing fast or trashy just to please their book sales and pound out another book for 2002. Mr. Whitlow, Write well and at your own pace. We'll buy it, we'll wait.
Rating:
Summary: God in the Court room ?
Review: The suspenseful style & thriller of John Grisham makes this book a good read. It keeps you on the edge of your chair and quickly turning pages well into the night time hours. For those who are tired of trashy, vulgar, profain, sexual novels and want a good read that's suitable for everyone this book is a wonderful change. Some of his characters have deep spiritual convictions and it shows that a thriller can be wholesome and very entertaining. Better than "The List" his first novel. Trusting that this author will continue writing and not let the publishers rush him into writing fast or trashy just to please their book sales and pound out another book for 2002. Mr. Whitlow, Write well and at your own pace. We'll buy it, we'll wait.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, Rich, Entertaining
Review: The Trial exhibits one of the finest pieces of creative writing that I have seen in the Christian market. Whitlow, the author, combines a legal thriller style with a personal, down-home touch without losing the quality of either. His characters and wit keep the book well-rounded, while a powerful story plot carries the reader through to the very end. Perhaps most importantly, Whitlow never allows his religious faith to become dogmatic, but rather works it into the story in a very real and profound way. I also recommend The Great Divide by T. Davis Bunn.
Rating:
Summary: Hmm... This is awesome!
Review: This is a book that keeps the pace moving. This was the third Whitlow book I'd read, and I consider it his personal best. Warning to all readers: You will get caught up in this book! Gun or pills? Pills or gun? How do you kill yourself when you have nothing to live for? Those are the questions that attorney Kent "Mac" McClain asks himself one Friday afternoon. Pills or gun, gun or pills..... Then the phone rings!
Mac is offered the case of a lifetime. Killing yourself can wait until later, because Mac is offered a case against the Hightower family, a family he took on once before, and lost against. He meets a Christian psychologist to do some evaluations on the accused, Peter Thomason. The question is this; Did Peter Hightower really kill anyone, or was he somehow set up? Whitlow is always a winner. Whitlow is always a supreme witness for Jesus and he doesn't leave you bored between pages either. This is a good book to start with if you want to read Robert Whitlow!
Rating:
Summary: Delaware Reader
Review: This is the best book I ever read. It was easy to follow and Whitlow is superb at describing the obvious. You don't have to be a student of law to enjoy this one. I recomend this one for all.
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