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Summary: I'm sorry but the book was horrible. I couldn't get into it
Review: It was horrible. One of the worst books ever. Thank youBelly Up
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Summary: THE BEST MARTINI'S ENDING
Review: IT'S BY FAR THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN BY S.M.I'VE READ ALL FOUR MADRIANI'S TRIALS AND THIS ONE HAS THE BEST ENDING.NO FIGHTS AND HEROISM,LIKE IN THE SEQUELS,JUST LOGICAL MOVES:ATTORNEY MADRIANI(MARTINI'S ALTER EGO) USE HIS MIND TO DISCOVER THAT THE KILLER IS THE LAST PERSON EVER SUSPECTED.IN ADDITION,AT THE END I FELT SUMPATHY FOR THE KILLER
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Summary: Great courtroom debut for Martini
Review: My introduction to Steve Martini came with his next novel, 'Prime Witness'. But after reading that in record time (for ME anyway) and getting bitten by the legal/thriller bug, I went in search of more by Mr. Martini and came across Paul Madriani's first case in print. The opening chapter is set in the gas chamber viewing a convicted murderer's last moments...a sobering way to start off a murder/mystery to be sure. The description was SO vivid I felt as though I had actually witnessed an execution myself. From there we get to know attorney Paul Madriani, a fantastic character not because of his strengths, but mostly due to his faults and shortcomings. FINALLY! A lead character I can identify with (except for the affair part). Paul Madriani has problems--a LOT of problems. He has been fired from his previous job mostly due to an affair with one of the partner's wives (I guess that is a naughty thing to do) and in his private practice, he ends up being encouraged to represent the woman he had an affair WITH as she is charged with murdering her husband who also just happened to be up for a Spot on the California Supreme Court. It's just one twist after another, and aside from the almost campy bedroom scenes, the courtroom drama is fresh--even if some of the investigative techniques ARE dated (read and you'll figure out) Steve Martini is a natural storyteller with flare and if you like this story, you will be happy to know he just gets BETTER--but I'd recommend reading the Madriani novels IN order (the next is 'Prime Witness' followed by 'Undue Influence', 'The Judge' and finally 'The Attorney'). Fans of this genre NEED to get to know Steve Martini, definitely one of the brighter stars in the field of Legal/Thrillers.
Rating: 
Summary: Left Field Ending
Review: Not bad. Was actually closer to a 4 star until the end. The ending sort of came out of left field, and what had been a good book turned into a so-so book. All in all, fairly mediocre..
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Summary: A Grisham Intermission
Review: Paul Madriani, the protagonist, abruptly left the law firm of Potter, Skarpellos three years ago when Ben Potter discovered that Paul was doing motel briefs with Ben's vivacious wife, Talia. As the story opens, Ben, on his initiative, meets with Madriani for the first time since Paul left the firm. First, they discuss the disposition of Paul's terminated affair with Talia, and agree never to mention it again. Then, Ben reveals that his being selected to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court will be announced soon, and invites Paul to take over administration of an important trust fund since Ben will not have time for this responsibility in his new position. Paul accepts and they agree to meet again for dinner the following night to discuss the details. Shortly before the appointed hour for their next meeting, however, Ben supposedly blows away the top of his head with a shotgun. No one really believes that Ben Potter killed himself though, and sure enough, we learn that not a shotgun, but a small caliper pistol like the one Talia owns was the true murder weapon. Guess what! Talia is charged with murder and Paul Madriani, assisted by "tell it like it is" Harry are her lawyers. The drama unfolds with manageable twists, turns and surprises. The cops and the DA seemed convinced that Talia did it, but the reader is soon convinced that she's innocent, so the story has a "whodunit" element along with the courtroom drama. Martini sets his story in "Capital City" in an unnamed State, which I suspect allows him to mix and match actual legal rules and proceedings from different jurisdictions to suit his plot and courtroom activity. This is not obtrusive, at least for a non-lawyer. It's a satisfying read; something to do while your waiting for the next Grisham novel.
Rating:
Summary: A Grisham Intermission
Review: Paul Madriani, the protagonist, abruptly left the law firm of Potter, Skarpellos three years ago when Ben Potter discovered that Paul was doing motel briefs with Ben's vivacious wife, Talia. As the story opens, Ben, on his initiative, meets with Madriani for the first time since Paul left the firm. First, they discuss the disposition of Paul's terminated affair with Talia, and agree never to mention it again. Then, Ben reveals that his being selected to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court will be announced soon, and invites Paul to take over administration of an important trust fund since Ben will not have time for this responsibility in his new position. Paul accepts and they agree to meet again for dinner the following night to discuss the details. Shortly before the appointed hour for their next meeting, however, Ben supposedly blows away the top of his head with a shotgun. No one really believes that Ben Potter killed himself though, and sure enough, we learn that not a shotgun, but a small caliper pistol like the one Talia owns was the true murder weapon. Guess what! Talia is charged with murder and Paul Madriani, assisted by "tell it like it is" Harry are her lawyers. The drama unfolds with manageable twists, turns and surprises. The cops and the DA seemed convinced that Talia did it, but the reader is soon convinced that she's innocent, so the story has a "whodunit" element along with the courtroom drama. Martini sets his story in "Capital City" in an unnamed State, which I suspect allows him to mix and match actual legal rules and proceedings from different jurisdictions to suit his plot and courtroom activity. This is not obtrusive, at least for a non-lawyer. It's a satisfying read; something to do while your waiting for the next Grisham novel.
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Summary: Best ever first book.
Review: Rollercoaster, twisting through a great plot. Coop did it.
Rating:
Summary: Best ever first book.
Review: This initial entry in the Paul Madriani series is courtroom drama at its best. Martini's knowledge of the legal system and his ability to explain things in laymen's terms helps this tale move feverishly along. Although I spotted the real culprit early on, it still held me spellbound to see how Madriani is going to get his client, a former lover, off the hook and out of the gas chamber. Speaking of which, the opening prologue in the gas chamber, is chilling and disturbing.
What sets Martini's books above so many other of the genre is his impeccable characterization. His characters, even some of the minor ones, come across realistic and human. I know I will spend many more nights exploring the life of Madriani and his fellow legal eagles.
RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: COMPELLING BOOK
Review: This initial entry in the Paul Madriani series is courtroom drama at its best. Martini's knowledge of the legal system and his ability to explain things in laymen's terms helps this tale move feverishly along. Although I spotted the real culprit early on, it still held me spellbound to see how Madriani is going to get his client, a former lover, off the hook and out of the gas chamber. Speaking of which, the opening prologue in the gas chamber, is chilling and disturbing.
What sets Martini's books above so many other of the genre is his impeccable characterization. His characters, even some of the minor ones, come across realistic and human. I know I will spend many more nights exploring the life of Madriani and his fellow legal eagles.
RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: Well Crafted
Review: This is by far the best of Martini's novels to date. Compelling Evidence is just that, compelling. Gripping courtroom scenarios made it difficult to put down. The characters are truly believable and woven together so well. The ending was unexpected and superbly written. I recommend it to everyone!
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