The Advocate [Paperback]

Larry Axelrood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2002

“Best first mystery novel this year.” —Chicago Sun-Times Criminal defense attorney Darcy Cole is facing one of the biggest cases of his distinguished career, but at the same time he must deal with his own midlife crisis. He has just won an acquittal for his client—the beautiful, self-centered Lynne Tobias—from the charge of murdering her husband, a prominent Chicago attorney. But now Tobias faces federal charges of conspiracy to defraud an insurance company in connection with the death of her husband.

The new charge has been brought by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Owen Dempsey, who is running for governor and knows that prosecuting Tobias will provide him with free, election-year publicity and provide him with the right kind of headlines.

Cole, however, is exhausted, worn out, alone. He has made his career the central focus of his life, and while he appears to be a successful man, he feels old and lost and weary. During his sleepless nights, he sits alone in his penthouse apartment overlooking the lake reflecting on the mistakes he’s made in life and wondering if he has anything to show for it.

By day, however, Cole is energetic and intimidating. He outmaneuvers his opponents and plots brilliant strategies to defend his client. An experienced litigator, he anticipates the dirty tactics of Dempsey’s office and devises a few of his own.

Completing matters is Anthony Benvenuti Jr., the youngest son of Tony “the Babe” Benvenuti, a prominent figure in the Chicago underworld. Tony Jr. is bitter about his conviction for drug-related offenses and blames Cole.

Filled with brilliant legal maneuvering and surprise after surprise, The Advocate spins a complicated, frightening, often humorous path through a spectacular federal trial, ruthless organized crime activity, an unexpected verdict, and a conclusion that will leave even the most avid mystery readers wondering why they didn’t see it coming. MYSTERY 4 3/16” X 6 7/8”, 320 PAGES MASS MARKET ALSO AVAILABLE IN HARDCOVER: $22.95

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Advocate" is a great read with an unforeseeable surprise ending. -- The Champion, Dec. 2000

"The Advocate" seems very real. This book is a must read! -- Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Fall 2000

Axelrood has written the first of, I hope, many Darcy Cole legal thrillers. -- I Love A Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2000

If you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, check out "The Advocate." -- State of the Union, Fall 2000 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

LARRY AXELROOD practices law in Chicago, Illinois, and is a former prosecutor in the state’s attorney’s office in Cook County. A member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, he is a native Chicagoan. Axelrood and his family live in Evanston. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581822928
• ISBN-13: 978-1581822922
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,098,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Advocate: An insider's view of the courtroom, October 2, 2000

By 

richard schmid (Boston, Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Advocate (Hardcover)

Larry Axelrood uses his years of experience in the criminal courtrooms of Chicago to give the reader a very realistic and exciting view into the criminal court system. His writing captures your attention through his ability to familiarize you with the characters. In an intense way, he places you into the minds of the main subjects.

There is an interesting twist at the end that caught this reader by surprise. I found the book a fast read as each particular segment of the story seemed to launch me into the next. There is excellent descriptive detail, for example, demonstrating how the slightest change in the facial expression of a juror can create havoc in an attorney's mind. There are the racing thoughts of a prosecutor versus a defense attorney that expose everything from pride to paranoia and the vicious extents an attorney will go to to defend his or her position.

I found the story quite interesting, while the use of the author's first hand experiences over time, his detailed observations, perhaps his own anxious moments, contribute greatly to the effectiveness of his ability to bring the reader directly into the story.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Advocate - Run, Do Not Walk To Buy This Book!, December 13, 2000

By 

Trev M. Minnaert (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Advocate (Hardcover)

If you are expecting the typical Grisham or Turow style legal thriller you in for a pleasant surprise! This is quite simply a great book.

As an attorney I have met every single one of Larry Axelrood's characters at one time or another in my career. They are written as three dimensional and quite human. Axelrood does an especially good job at portraying his gay character Patrick as a real person who happens to be gay. He does not stereotype Patrick or make him a victim. This is a refreshing change from the typical gay character who is written as either a monster or a wimp.

The book is fast paced and does not inundate you with overly descriptive narratives. Axelrood gives you a glimpse of the Chicago legal community and how it works without boring the reader or losing him in overly technical lingo.

The ending is a real surprise and from someone who prides himself on always being able to call the plot two chapters into a book I was thrilled to be caught unawares.

This is a great book to read on a plane because you will become so engrossed in the adventures of Darcy Cole you will have landed before you know it.

Bravo to Larry Axelrood and as I said earlier, Run ... do not walk to buy this book!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it before you see the movie., November 27, 2000

By 

William S Reid (Sunset, SC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Advocate (Hardcover)

Absolutely fabulous! I found this book to be a classic drama. The author has created a gripping storyline containing interesting characters and a blockbuster finale.

Like most of the rest of us I have become somewhat of a courtroom junky. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to Chicago, Illinois with Attorney Larry Axelrood. Having worked on both sides of the criminal justice system he obviously posseses the insite to "Give us just the facts ma'am." However, his writing style is what creates a story that brings you deep inside the complex and intriguing Chicago legal system.

This book is exactly the type of story Hollywood makes movies about. I'm sure some savvy producer will snatch it up. Do what I did and read it before you see the movie.