Customer Reviews

COMPELLING EVIDENCE

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I enjoyed Martini's writing style very much. He really adds a lot of detail and creates vivid images. But, for some reason, the book didn't grab me and pull me in. It took me nearly three weeks to finish the book (which is a long time for me-usually I'm able to finish a good book within a day or two). From the start, you know that the prime suspect (Talia) didn't commit the crime-so you want to figure out 'who done it'. It takes a long time to get to that point. Way too long, actually. However, once you do find out who the killer is, you are full of shock. The ending is by far the best part of the book-and that part is ended much too quickly. For those of you who like court room dramas, this is probably a great choice. If you're looking for something full of mystery and suspense, I wouldn't recommend this book. The ending is really the only part that makes you stop and say, "Oh my God-really?" Other than that, it's just a long book.

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!

If you enjoy simile-ridden narratives of Court TV, you'll probably enjoy this book. Dialogue and narrative are pretty evenly paced, and the storyline keeps the reader modestly engaged. Is it enthralling? By no means. Are there surprises? Only who really did it at the very end, otherwise everything is pretty perfunctory and matter of fact. We know the defendant didn't do it, and the suspicion cast on a third party is too obvious from the beginning to be the real culprit at the end.

The storyline is simple: A separated defense lawyer, who has had a liaison with his former boss's wife, decides against a conflict of interest to defend her against charges that she murdered her husband. The rest is pretty much the ins and outs of the trial - and a few diversionary, inconsequential motifs about another client and the attorney's embittered wife. All in all, a fairly ho-hum read. I even considered ditching the whole enterprise about midway, but am glad I persevered. Will I read another Martini? Only the other one I bought at the same time, but I otherwise wouldn't bother.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I also felt like the character development was a little shallow. However, I did enjoy the courtroom banter during the trial. The author did an excellent job of making the legal process easy to follow, with brief explanations along the way. The book became more interesting and harder to put down as I got deeper into it. I would have preferred a bit more substance to the ending.
I don't appreciate one of the other reviewers giving the ending away. Not cool.

How any one that enjoys legal thrillers could not be crazy about this book I do not know!! The whole Paul Madrianni Series is great. If you want to get the best effect you need to begin with this one. It is suspenseful, exciting and full of courtroom drama. The personal side of the protagonist is very interesting also, and he is a likeable guy. I highly recommend this book to anyone who reads John Grisham or Lisa Scottoline. They are meatier,grittier and a bit darker.

When a future Supreme Court nominee, Ben Potter, is found dead at his prestigious law firm, the initial finding of suicide quickly turns into an indictment of his wife for murder. His spouse, Talia Potter, was anything but faithful, and she had several million (dollar) reasons for wanting him dead. Talia will not be an easy client to defend, and the outcome may well be unfavorable, or at best, a judicial toss up.

Book series defense attorney Paul Madriani takes the case even though he has a 'nexus' with both the deceased and his client. Given Madriani's shaky marriage, and his ties to the parties involved, this is a case he might well have passed on. But Madriani has strong feelings for Talia, and he has a strong ego that presumes himself to be the best attorney for the job. And of course he is right. The court room battle is bruising, with lots of suspicion, lies, suspects and hidden agendas. So who did it?

This fast past thriller is as good as the latter Paul Madriani episodes of THE ATTORNEY and THE JUDGE. A little dated (blood typing instead of DNA), but allot of suspense and adrenaline.

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