Customer Reviews

Colour of Law C

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Mark Gimenez' first novel is a winner on every count. A truly fast-paced legal thriller with a believable plot and characters who almost breathe.

A. Scott Fenney has it all. A fast-rising partner in a top Dallas law firm with a client who pays $3 million a year for Scott's advice; a beautiful if somewhat empty-headed wife; a mansion in an exclusive suburb; a Ferrari, Mercedes and Range-Rover; memberships in all the right clubs and a nine year old daughter who is so perceptive that she becomes one of the few elements in the story that doesn't ring true. But no matter, because Gimenez is so skilled that the reader simply doesn't care.

Fenney attracts the interest of a federal judge when he gives a speech as part of his campaign for the presidency of a bar association. The judge is so impressed by Fenney's impassioned plea for lawyers to do good that he assigns Scott as pro bono counsel in a murder case. Not just any murder case, of course, but one involving a black, heroin addicted prostitute accused of murdering Senator Mack McCall's son. It doesn't help that McCall is about to become a Presidential candidate.

Fenney doesn't want the appointment, but the judge puts him in an untenable position. Refuse the appointment and Scott will be unveiled as a hypocrite, a lawyer who doesn't really care about doing good, but does care about proper appearances and, above all, money. Lots of money. Take the appointment and Scott's law firm --- which just happens to be headed by Sen. McCall's former personal attorney and potential White House lawyer --- may be embarassed.

Gimenez's plotting is flawless. From his initial entrapment, we follow Scott as he deals with his social climbing wife, the insistent moral and ethical questions raised by his unbelievably precocious nine year old daughter, his confrontation with the defendant, his attempt to get a less than successful law school pal to take on the defense and, finally, his need to make a life or death, potentially career destroying decision.

Not a page goes by without Gimenez ratcheting up the tension. His development of Scott, his senior partner and mentor Dan Ford, the federal judge, his wife, his law school buddy are all close to perfect.

The climax is a prize in itself and getting there as a reader is a reward.

It's a delight to read a novel so well executed. Yes, those familiar with the operation of the criminal justice system and trials will find places where Gimenez has distorted things, but as a reader, I don't care. Gimenez has provided me with a great story and earns nothing but praise from me. This is one of the best legal thrillers in years.

Jerry

It is so much fun to discover a new author who shows such promise that you expect he will be writing entertaining novels for some time to come. Mark Gimenez looks as though he may fit that bill. Wisely, Giminez has chosen to write about something he knows about; i.e. the practice of law from the perspective of a member of a large Dallas law firm. A. Scott Fenney is our boy and he has ridden his reputation as a star running back at SMU and his intelligence and ambition to a partnership in one of Dalla's most successful law firms, Ford Stevens arriveing at this apex in just eleven years since joining the firm. He has a Ferrari, a 3 million dollar plus home in Highland Park, memberships in prestigious clubs in the area and a georgeous wife who is as ambitious as he is and whose main goal in life is to be chair of the Cattle Baron's Ball. His main client is a ruthless real estate developer named Tom Dibrell who is good for 3 million dollars in billings a year. A. Scott knows all the tricks of the trade on keeping Dibrill happy and the money flowing in.

As the story opens, A. Scott is giving a speech to members of the Texas Bar Association in which he reminds them that everyone thinks lawyer's jokes are hilarious and challenges them to ask themselves if they as lawyers are really doing good, or are they just doing well? Are they noble guardians of the law or just greedy parasites? Are they making the world better or just themselves richer? He then thunders into a litany of how lawyers are making the world better and are fighting for justice and that hif he is elected President of the Texas Bar that he will remind people that society is better because of lawyers and that he will tell people that "he is proud - damn proud, to be a lawyer...because lawyers - do - good!" Of course he doesn't believe a word of it as is quickly revealed when he remarks to a fellow lawyer who admires his gift of oratory that "you don't get laid or elected by telling the truth."

One member of his audience has been wondering about a problem during A. Scott's speech. That member is US D.Ct. Judge Samual Burford who has been wrestling with the question of who to appoint in his court to defend what may be a very high profile murder case. One in which representation of the defendant may be very difficult and unpopuar. The speech gave him his answer and soon thereafter A. Scott got a call from the judge.

The case involves the murder of the son of Texas's senior US Senator, Mack McCall. Clark McCall is one of Dallas's most eligible bachelors. Rich, handsome, the Chair of a federal agency thanks to his father's influence, Clark is back in Dallas for the weekend to pursue his favorite pastimes; doing drugs and engaging a hooker. This time, his interests have resulted in his murder and a black hooker has been charged.

From this beginning, we watch as A.Scott's world slowly disintegrates and what effect it has on him, his family and his ambitions. Not a new story line in writing novels, but the beauty is in how it is written and how it reads and this story will pull you along as though you were floating in a large raft on a raging river. Giminez has the gift of a geat story teller and he spreads it throughout the book.

I haven't enjoyed a read of this type this much in some time and I hope you will give this new author a look. He has great promise and I for one cannot wait to see how he does with the future novels that will surely follow. If he is more than a one trick pony, we are all in for quite a treat.

The protagonist of "The Color of Law" is Dallas lawyer A. Scott Finney. Scott is a lucky man. He is an acclaimed former jock, a partner in a prestigious firm, the proud owner of a luxurious home and car, and the husband of a gorgeous woman. He defends mostly well-to-do clients, practicing what he calls "aggressive and creative lawyering," which is code for cheating, conniving, and doing whatever it takes to win a case.

When Scott is appointed by a federal judge to represent a black prostitute named Shawanda Jones, he is horrified. Jones is accused of murdering Clark McCall, the spoiled rich son of an influential United States senator. After trying in vain to extricate himself from Shawanda's case, Scott slowly realizes that fate has brought him to a crossroads. Helping Shawanda Jones may give Scott the chance to be the kind of lawyer his mother always wanted him to be--one who is anxious to do good, not just to do well.

In "The Color of Law," Mark Gimenez presents a complex plot featuring a tragic miscarriage of justice, political corruption, family conflict, greed, and the abuse of power. The author also explores the possibility that an arrogant, self-centered, and shallow individual can seek redemption. Gimenez skillfully orchestrates Scot's fall from grace and his gradual reawakening to the value of a principle-driven life. The best scenes in the book show the warm relationship between Scott and the two girls he cares for most--his eight-year-old daughter, nicknamed Boo, and Pajamae, Shawanda's daughter. Scott's decision to fight for Shawanda earns him Pajamae's respect, affection, and gratitude.

"The Color of Law" is not perfect. It is at least fifty pages too long and the conclusion, although satisfying, veers dangerously close to sentimentality. However, the story ultimately works because of Gimenez's fluid writing style, dry wit, and sharp delineation of character. Not only does the author effectively depict the deep chasm between Dallas's haves and have-nots, but he also shows, through Scott's poignant journey, that one need not "check one's conscience at the door" in order to be a successful lawyer.

I have read and reviewed 37 books in 2005 and this book is without a doubt the best and most enjoyable of the lot. You owe it to yourself to read this book! I am not trying to sell more books for Mr. Gimenez, as far as I am concerned you can read this book at the library, but don't miss out this memorable piece of fiction.

The Color of Law is the story of man who grew up poor, although athletically and mentally gifted. His athleticism was the ticket to college and his mind was the ticket to law school and a very successful partnership in a prestigious Dallas law firm. Success though, comes at a steep price, it is like selling your soul to the devil and turning your back on what's right, at least that's what it was for A. Scott Finney, the lawyer around which this book is written.

The senior partner and founder of Finney's law firm tells him that "the color of law isn't black-and-white, it's green! The rule of law is money--money rules! Money makes the law and the law protects the money! And lawyers protect the people with the money!" This is the sort of law that A. Scott Finney practiced for 11 years. And there was none better, that is, until the judge in a federal murder case appoints Finney to represent a prostitute accused of murdering the son of a wealthy U.S. Senator and possibly the next President of the United States. It is the emotional turmoil associated with Finney's decision to properly represent his client, and the fallout associated with that decision, that makes this book so compelling.

Books like this, define the genre, and firmly establish the author as a major writing/marketing force. This book is going to be very popular. Be this first on your block to say "I've already read it!"

Recommended to anyone who enjoys a great story!

Humorous. Delightful. Masterful. One of the best books I have read in a long time. Well done Gimenez - we are ready for your next one.

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I read it cover to cover over a weekend. This is an easy read and can be picked up at anytime. (the problem is putting it down)

The story is basically a morality tale, and I found the author's interpretation on it to be engaging. I would recommend it.

As a member of the legal profession, I found this novel enlightening, candid and one-of-a-kind. I've passed it on to my law buddies. Not sure I want to be Atticus Finch or Scott Fenney but I do want to do good by others. This is a real eye opener for me. Thanks, Mr. Gimenez.

An excellent book, very much a reminder of John Grishams first efforts. Fast moving with excellent character & plot descriptions.

Power, money, sex, drugs - all crippling addictions that require no less than your soul to keep the "fix" coming. The addiction to power and money just happens to look prettier from the outside.

Scott Fenney is the money- and power-addicted lawyer, and Shawanda Jones is the drug-addicted prostitute who sees her precarious position in life with greater clarity than Scott does his. At least Shawanda understands that she prostitutes herself and that her hold on life is fragile. Scott doesn't realize that he also prostitutes himself and that his hold on the "perfect life" is quite possibly even more fragile than hers.

As Shawanda's pro bono lawyer in a federal murder trial, Scott's perfect life becomes a house of cards. With the losses coming one on top of the other in rapid succession, Scott is forced to take stock of what is REAL in his life - not the Highland Park successful lawyer married to a beautiful social-climbing wife life that is more smoke and mirrors than substance.

That's where precious little Boo (his daughter) comes in. Boo centers Scott with her "out of the mouths of babes" wisdom. She gives voice to the part of Scott that vaguely remembers something finer and more true in his desire to be a lawyer, before he sold his soul to the firm. With their matter of fact attitude, Boo and Pajamae (Shawanda's daughter) help Scott find redemption and a life that would make his mamma proud - "doing good", not just doing well.

Scott Fenney did not have the advantages other kids in school had growing up. He did have the superb athletic talent in football to make it big in college. He was recruited out of law school by the influential firm of Forrest Stevens in Dallas. As the years past by, Scott became one of their biggest earners. His world gets turned upside down when he is assigned by a federal judge to represent Shawanda Jones, a heroin addict and prostitute accused of killing Clark McCall; the son of Mack McCall, the powerful senator from Texas and future president. As senator tries to make his life miserable, Scott realizes what's important to him. Terrific novel!