Conflicts of Interest [Hardcover]

John Martel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1995

Accepting an offer to join a prestigious San Francisco legal firm, young Seth ""Cowboy"" Cameron is swept into in a political power struggle between the firm's senior and junior partners and becomes involved with a client. By the author of Partners. Lit Guild.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There's a secular Passion Play being enacted in modern fiction. It involves lawyers, and it's just as ritualized as the New Testament Passion: a taste of success, then a fall from grace, followed by a chance at courtroom redemption. In this second novel from California lawyer Martel (Partners), the format is particularly obvious because everything else that could have brought the story alive seems sketchy and shallow. Small-town lawyer Seth "Cowboy" Cameron dreams of a career in one of San Francisco's upper-class law firms. When he bluffs his way to a high-profile courtroom victory, he lands a job at prestigious Miller & McGrath. He also lands in the middle of a tug-of-war between M&M's young turks and firm dictator Anthony Treadwell, who uses the politically sensitive liability lawsuit of beautiful Elena Barton as an excuse to get Cameron fired. The same lawsuit proves Cameron's ticket to redemption, however, when Elena sues M&M for malpractice and gets Cameron to take the case. The attorney arguing for M&M is Anthony Treadwell?which would have made for a tense, dramatic confrontation if any of the characters were three-dimensionally portrayed or if the narrative proceeded at any speed below that of fifth gear. Martel's characterizations are strictly paint-by-the-numbers, while his dialogue is more glib than clever and his pacing is so relentlessly manic that there seems no time for motivation or thought. Meanwhile, Cameron comes across as a clever lawyer but not much of a human being, making reading his story akin to wolfing down a six-course meal of fast food in rather unpleasant company.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Ace trial lawyer Martel's forgettable but entertaining first novel, Partners (LJ 6/1/88), found a home on numerous beach towels. His follow-up pits scrappy attorney "Cowboy" Cameron against a slew of bad folks who'd like to see Cowboy hang up his briefcase.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Atria; First Edition edition (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671890948
• ISBN-13: 978-0671890940
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,698,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read. Very true to life., November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Conflicts of Interest (Paperback)

This book was very real to me. From the point of view of someone who has worked in a large firm, it is very true to life. I had troubles putting it down. Great read. Looking for more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect read for anyone!, June 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Conflicts of Interest (Paperback)

Great characters, suspense, and plotting. Also terrific, dry wit.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Martel Is Terrific!! Buy This Book!!, September 20, 2001

By 

Joseph L Burke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conflicts of Interest (Paperback)

I read at least several books a week and have for many years. This book snaps and crackles with action, plot twists, great characters, and a sense of urgency that grips the reader. I read the book in one sitting, cover to cover. I can't remember doing that except for Puzo's "Godfather." Martel has a real gift and I defy anyone to see the ending coming in this book. It's a real tour de force from Martel. Frankly, reading it left me limp; I don't know how he managed to write it, but even thinking about it exhausts me. A truly great read if you like legal thrillers and/or a just plain wonderful story.