COMPELLING EVIDENCE [Hardcover]

Steve Martini (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Jove Books (1993)
• ASIN: B0018WSX58
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,227,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Martini was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area. An honors graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz, he holds a law degree from the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.

Martini's first career was in journalism. He worked as a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles and as a correspondent at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, specializing in legal issues. In 1974 he entered private law practice in California, where he appeared in both state and federal courts. During his legal career, he worked as a legislative representative for the State Bar of California, served as special counsel to the California Victims of Violent Crimes Program, and was an administrative law judge and supervising hearing officer.

In 1984 Martini turned his talents to fiction, quickly earning positions on bestseller lists. All but his first book spent time on the New York Times Bestsellers list. To date, he has authored twelve novels, including eight featuring his popular lawyer alter ego, Paul Madriani.
In 1996 Undue Influence aired as a four-hour miniseries on CBS, followed by The Judge on NBC in 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great courtroom debut for Martini, January 25, 2001

By 

Jeff Edwards "RadioJeff" (Twin Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Compelling Evidence (A Paul Madriani Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, October 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Compelling Evidence (A Paul Madriani Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

I've read all of Martini's books and they are all excellent, much better than anything Grisham has written. This story definately stands out as one of the best and it starts off the exploits of Attorney Madriani. Consistent throughout Martini's books are intricate storylines with many twists and turns, surprise endings and very compelling courtroom scenes.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this one, July 22, 2001

By 

Robert Von Gerds "robgerds" (Cincinnati, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Compelling Evidence (A Paul Madriani Novel) (Mass Market Paperback)

This was my first Steve Martini book. The book is about Paul Madriani, a divorced criminal trial lawyer, who had an affair with Talia, his boss' wife, and was eventually let go from the firm. He is on his own when Ben, his former boss, is brutally murdered and Talia is accused of the crime. He defends her in court.

The storyline behind this courtroom thriller is absolutely fantastic. It took about 100 pages for the book to get really interesting, but once the story took off, I couldn't let go of the book. I can't wait to read one of his other books and I hope you enjoy 'Compelling Evidence' as much as I did.