Rating: 
Summary: great thriller, better than Grisham and Turrow combined
Review: A wonderful mystery which keeps one guessing until the end. As a career prosecutor, I am often wary of stories where the main character is wrongly accused. Most such novels have little basis in reality and play to the general public's belief that the police intentionally seek to convict innocent persons. D.R. Schanker has taken this basic premise and written a believable, yet suspenseful novel.Mr. Schanker, as a former law clerk, portrays the complexities of the appellate system with an accurate desciption of the many pitfalls of legal procedure and practice. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a fresh and exciting murder mystery.
Rating:
Summary: A Shining Debut!
Review: As the author reminds the reader throughout this excellent story, Nora Lumsey is a big-boned woman, and proud of it. She is farm-bred, drives a pickup truck, 26 years old and just out of law school, and lives alone in Indianapolis where she doesn't know a soul. Her job is a plum for any recent law school grad -- law clerk to a judge on the state's Court of Appeals. As this book begins, Nora is assigned to write the opinion denying a poignant, handwritten appeal and affirming the conviction of 10-year-old Dexter Hinton. Dexter, who is deaf, confessed to the murder of an elderly woman and was convicted and sentenced to 55 years, but there were problems with the confession and Dexter and his grandfather now want to "take it back." Once Nora starts wading through the transcripts and case file, she becomes convinced that Dexter's conviction should be overturned, but her judge is adamant that the conviction will stand. Nora is a young woman of uncommon principle, integrity, and ethics, so even she is surprised to find herself emotionally and personally involved in the case. Moreover, she has never known a black person before and getting to know this black child and his family comes as something of an epiphany to her. When she learns that Dexter's grandfather is her neighbor, she gets sucked even deeper into surreptitiously investigating the case and searching for the truth, knowing all the while that what she's doing could get her fired. "The system" alone does not satisfy Nora. She is a person who believes deeply in justice and the incumbency of all who serve it to seek the whole truth. When Nora and her new friend and ally, Owedia, who is Dexter's former teacher, start asking questions in dark and dangerous quarters and irritating some ruthless and powerful people, disbarment begins to look like the least of Nora's worries. This book knowledgeably examines such issues as justice and the seemingly assinine complexities of appellate law, politics, race, religion, and gang violence with great insight while at the same time plotting a highly suspenseful mystery with a thought-provoking ending. Nora Lumsey is a down-to-earth, very realistic, and all around wonderful character. Could it be that this big-boned young warrior symbolizes Lady Justice herself? I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of mess Nora gets herself into next.
Rating:
Summary: A Shining Debut!
Review: As the author reminds the reader throughout this excellent story, Nora Lumsey is a big-boned woman, and proud of it. She is farm-bred, drives a pickup truck, 26 years old and just out of law school, and lives alone in Indianapolis where she doesn't know a soul. Her job is a plum for any recent law school grad -- law clerk to a judge on the state's Court of Appeals. As this book begins, Nora is assigned to write the opinion denying a poignant, handwritten appeal and affirming the conviction of 10-year-old Dexter Hinton. Dexter, who is deaf, confessed to the murder of an elderly woman and was convicted and sentenced to 55 years, but there were problems with the confession and Dexter and his grandfather now want to "take it back." Once Nora starts wading through the transcripts and case file, she becomes convinced that Dexter's conviction should be overturned, but her judge is adamant that the conviction will stand. Nora is a young woman of uncommon principle, integrity, and ethics, so even she is surprised to find herself emotionally and personally involved in the case. Moreover, she has never known a black person before and getting to know this black child and his family comes as something of an epiphany to her. When she learns that Dexter's grandfather is her neighbor, she gets sucked even deeper into surreptitiously investigating the case and searching for the truth, knowing all the while that what she's doing could get her fired. "The system" alone does not satisfy Nora. She is a person who believes deeply in justice and the incumbency of all who serve it to seek the whole truth. When Nora and her new friend and ally, Owedia, who is Dexter's former teacher, start asking questions in dark and dangerous quarters and irritating some ruthless and powerful people, disbarment begins to look like the least of Nora's worries. This book knowledgeably examines such issues as justice and the seemingly assinine complexities of appellate law, politics, race, religion, and gang violence with great insight while at the same time plotting a highly suspenseful mystery with a thought-provoking ending. Nora Lumsey is a down-to-earth, very realistic, and all around wonderful character. Could it be that this big-boned young warrior symbolizes Lady Justice herself? I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of mess Nora gets herself into next.
Rating: 
Summary: A Suspenseful Thriller
Review: D.R. Schanker's debut novel "A Criminal Appeal" is a fast paced thriller that introduces the unforgettably big-boned law school grad & 1st year law clerk Nora Lumsey. As a clerk for an Indiana Court of Appeals judge, Ms. Lumsey is assigned to write an opinion confirming the murder conviction of 10-year-old Dexter Hinton. Dexter is a deaf, Black child who confessed to the crime of killing an elderly white woman in a drive-by robbery and shooting. After Dexter's conviction, his grandfather submits a type-written appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals. When the appeal and trial transcripts find themselves in Ms. Lumsey's hands with explicit instructions from the judge to affirm the conviction, the plot thickens. Nora discovers that Dexter's grandfather, Carl Hinton, lives two houses accross from her. Intrigued by the case, Nora begins to dive into the trial transcripts and starts to question the legality of Dexter's confession and conviction. She comes face to face with Carl then finds herself invited to his church where he meets Owedia, Dexter's former teacher. Owedia is a sweet, kind woman who is as passionate to Dexter's plight as Carl. She slowly pulls Nora farther into Dexter's case. Against Nora's moral and ethical judgement she accompanies Carl on a trip to see Dexter, then she is pulled further into Dexter's world. The story introduces Nora to racial tensions, gang violence and penitentiary life as a juvenile. With pressure from the judge to hand in the affirming opinion, Nora must choose between her professional ethics and her emotional preservations. In a gripping, suspenseful novel, D. R. Schanker keeps the reader guessing about the outcome. Each chapter leaves one wondering just what will Nora's next move be and how far will she go to follow her convictions? The author offers a realistic look into inner-city youth, and has simplified the legal appeals process as well.
Rating:
Summary: A Suspenseful Thriller
Review: D.R. Schanker's debut novel "A Criminal Appeal" is a fast paced thriller that introduces the unforgettably big-boned law school grad & 1st year law clerk Nora Lumsey. As a clerk for an Indiana Court of Appeals judge, Ms. Lumsey is assigned to write an opinion confirming the murder conviction of 10-year-old Dexter Hinton. Dexter is a deaf, Black child who confessed to the crime of killing an elderly white woman in a drive-by robbery and shooting. After Dexter's conviction, his grandfather submits a type-written appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals. When the appeal and trial transcripts find themselves in Ms. Lumsey's hands with explicit instructions from the judge to affirm the conviction, the plot thickens. Nora discovers that Dexter's grandfather, Carl Hinton, lives two houses accross from her. Intrigued by the case, Nora begins to dive into the trial transcripts and starts to question the legality of Dexter's confession and conviction. She comes face to face with Carl then finds herself invited to his church where he meets Owedia, Dexter's former teacher. Owedia is a sweet, kind woman who is as passionate to Dexter's plight as Carl. She slowly pulls Nora farther into Dexter's case. Against Nora's moral and ethical judgement she accompanies Carl on a trip to see Dexter, then she is pulled further into Dexter's world. The story introduces Nora to racial tensions, gang violence and penitentiary life as a juvenile. With pressure from the judge to hand in the affirming opinion, Nora must choose between her professional ethics and her emotional preservations. In a gripping, suspenseful novel, D. R. Schanker keeps the reader guessing about the outcome. Each chapter leaves one wondering just what will Nora's next move be and how far will she go to follow her convictions? The author offers a realistic look into inner-city youth, and has simplified the legal appeals process as well.
Rating:
Summary: A Suspenseful Thriller
Review: D.R. Schanker's debut novel "A Criminal Appeal" is a fast paced thriller that introduces the unforgettably big-boned law school grad & 1st year law clerk Nora Lumsey. As a clerk for an Indiana Court of Appeals judge, Ms. Lumsey is assigned to write an opinion confirming the murder conviction of 10-year-old Dexter Hinton. Dexter is a deaf, Black child who confessed to the crime of killing an elderly white woman in a drive-by robbery and shooting. After Dexter's conviction, his grandfather submits a type-written appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals. When the appeal and trial transcripts find themselves in Ms. Lumsey's hands with explicit instructions from the judge to affirm the conviction, the plot thickens. Nora discovers that Dexter's grandfather, Carl Hinton, lives two houses accross from her. Intrigued by the case, Nora begins to dive into the trial transcripts and starts to question the legality of Dexter's confession and conviction. She comes face to face with Carl then finds herself invited to his church where he meets Owedia, Dexter's former teacher. Owedia is a sweet, kind woman who is as passionate to Dexter's plight as Carl. She slowly pulls Nora farther into Dexter's case. Against Nora's moral and ethical judgement she accompanies Carl on a trip to see Dexter, then she is pulled further into Dexter's world. The story introduces Nora to racial tensions, gang violence and penitentiary life as a juvenile. With pressure from the judge to hand in the affirming opinion, Nora must choose between her professional ethics and her emotional preservations. In a gripping, suspenseful novel, D. R. Schanker keeps the reader guessing about the outcome. Each chapter leaves one wondering just what will Nora's next move be and how far will she go to follow her convictions? The author offers a realistic look into inner-city youth, and has simplified the legal appeals process as well.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, well paced novel
Review: I have just finished reading A Criminal Appeal. It is an excellent, well-paced novel. The characters are developed and believable. The novel has given me insights into life in and around Indianapolis, the intricacies of legal appeals system, and gangs. The book is entertaining to read but most importantly, the ending is thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: continuing the litany of praise...
Review: Let me continue the litany of praise for this first time writier and Edgar nominee. A Criminal Appeal was not just a satisfying read, it was exquisite. It was also realistic. Caution: if you start A Criminal Appeal you better not have any other plans such as sleep because you'll just hate to interrupt this tightly told tale of suspense, legality, conflict, racism, family love set against a backdrop of life-like machinations of the justice system. Oh yes, and let me also join the chorus of praise for big boned women, whom up til now I have apparently overlooked. Camryn Mannheim of the tv's The Practice is a look alike for Schanker's Nora. There were two authors in this genre I would buy in hardcover at $25.00 as soon as I see their books in the bookstore. Now Schanker joins Robert B. Parker and James Patterson in that category. He certainly is getting into their catergory in weaving a tale.
Rating:
Summary: continuing the litany of praise...
Review: Let me continue the litany of praise for this first time writier and Edgar nominee. A Criminal Appeal was not just a satisfying read, it was exquisite. It was also realistic. Caution: if you start A Criminal Appeal you better not have any other plans such as sleep because you'll just hate to interrupt this tightly told tale of suspense, legality, conflict, racism, family love set against a backdrop of life-like machinations of the justice system. Oh yes, and let me also join the chorus of praise for big boned women, whom up til now I have apparently overlooked. Camryn Mannheim of the tv's The Practice is a look alike for Schanker's Nora. There were two authors in this genre I would buy in hardcover at $25.00 as soon as I see their books in the bookstore. Now Schanker joins Robert B. Parker and James Patterson in that category. He certainly is getting into their catergory in weaving a tale.
Rating:
Summary: An ovious talent with a bright future as a writer
Review: Nora Lunsey's first job as a lawyer is working as a legal clerk for Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Albertson. Proud of being a big boned woman, Nora is currently writing an opinion that convicts (as an adult) ten-year old Dexter Hinton, of killing a white woman. The deaf child has confessed he did the crime. Though she knows better, Nora cannot stop herself from getting emotionally involved in the case. She starts to doubt the confession and subsequently that Dexter is the murderer. Nora, with the help of Dexter's teacher, begins to investigate what really happened even though it could cost her more than a lucrative job. Interference could bar her from practicing law and face criminal charges of her own. there are several folks wanting her dead to stop her inquiries, but even all that fails to stop the determined Nora from trying to insure justice and not the law prevails. The story line does justice to the legal thriller sub-genre and should elate fans that a new author with fresh ideas has entered the fray. The characters, who come from all walks of life, are all brilliantly developed and add to the authentic feel of the novel by making Indianapolis and the surrounding areas feel alive. However, what makes D.R. Schanker's debut novel so good is Nora, who is one genre's best new characters. Hopefully, more tales starring Nora will soon follow. P>Harriet Klausner
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