"A THRILLER WITH NONSTOP ACTION." --The Armchair Detective When mobster Al Moroconi is charged with orchestrating a heinous crime against a young woman, the first defense attorney on the case mysteriously disappears. Now, Travis Byrne--a smart Dallas cop who recently traded his badge for a law degree--is appointed by a federal judge to speak for the defense. But just as the trial is getting under way, Moroconi shoots his way out of court custody, steals a car, and vanishes into the Dallas underworld--taking Travis's reputation with him. Suddenly the FBI is after Travis for a murder he didn't commit. The mob wants to kill him for a secret hit list he doesn't have. Running for his life, Travis comes to a horrifying realization: the charge against Moroconi is just a cover for something much bigger and more foul.... "Two lawyers on the lam from the mob, the cops, and the FBI move this tale through Dallas neighborhoods and corrupt institutions faster than a hanging judge can bang a gavel. . . . This novel proves as engaging as Bernhardt's earlier work, with its appealing pair of heroes." --Publishers Weekly "A straight-ahead thriller . . . A fun ride." --Tulsa World
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Two lawyers on the lam from a rape victim's family, the mob, the cops and the FBI move this tale through Dallas neighborhoods and corrupt institutions faster than a hanging judge can bang a gavel. Forsaking his popular series hero, attorney Ben Kincaid (Perfect Justice), Bernhardt here gives fictional life to cop turned defense attorney Travis Byrne, who's aided by skip-chaser (one who tracks down people who have violated their bond) turned federal prosecutor Laverne Cavanaugh in a quest to spring Byrne from a crafty frame-up. When the court appoints Byrne to defend loathsome Alberto Moroconi against charges of having raped and mutilated a coed, the case seems merely routinely repugnant to the veteran attorney. Soon, though, Byrne is roughed up by mafia goons, leaned on by the FBI, abused by the judge, threatened by the victim's brother and smeared by the press. The capper comes when Moroconi kills a guard, bursts out of jail and spreads mayhem that gets blamed on Byrne, who goes on the run to clear his name. Soon he's joined by Cavanaugh, at first forcibly, as Byrne, who's gone to her for help, ties her up to keep her from turning him in; and later willingly, after they are attacked and Byrne's car is blown up. Cavanaugh's grasp of the information superhighway, her old skip-chaser connections and Byrne's street savvy keep the pair a half-step ahead of pursuers as they work their way through a puzzle that hinges on a mysterious list. Despite some minor flaws?the plot turns on a few weak devices, an important relationship between Travis and a young girl isn't solidified, the humor doesn't always work?this novel proves as engaging as Bernhardt's earlier work, with its appealing pair of heroes deftly set up for a sequel in the courtroom finale. $100,000 ad/promo. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
After a string of paperback best sellers featuring attorney Ben Kincaid, Bernhardt's hardcover debut, Perfect Justice (Ballantine, 1993), sold 40,000 copies. His latest legal thriller is the first in a new series. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
I love my job. Even on the worst day when I can't seem to put together a coherent sentence, I am grateful for having been given this magnificent opportunity to participate in the literary exchange of ideas. My mother says I was telling people I wanted to be a writer when I was seven. I know that seems incredible, but she's my mom, so we have to believe her. I never missed an opportunity to visit the library, which was blissfully near my home, and the librarians there took a great interest in this nerdy, shy, bespectacled kid who kept reappearing almost every day. They encouraged me to read widely and to read the best of everything, and that is exactly what I did and have continued to do all my life.
I sent off my first submission when I was eleven, to Highlights Magazine. This was a poem of which I was particularly proud concerning the Oklahoma Land Run. They turned me down. Yes, that was my first rejection letter. Over the next twenty years, I collected over 400 more of them. No, I'm not exaggerating. I still have them. Every last one. There was a reason, I realize now, why all those compositions were being rejected. They weren't very good. But they improved over time. I didn't know it, but during the entire torturous process of submission and rejection, I was learning how to write.
I finally had my first novel published (by Ballantine, a division of Random House) when I was thirty-one. To some, this may seem an early age to publish, but if you clock it from my first rejection, it took twenty years. That was a great year--my first son, Harry, was born in August, and my first book, Primary Justice, was born in December. The book surprised everyone and the follow-up did even better and before I even realized it I had accomplished my goal--I was a real honest-to-gosh writer. I've been writing ever since. I've written more than twenty novels, edited two anthologies, done two books for children, and published numerous stories, essays, puzzles, and poems. I have three children now, and this job allows me to be present when they come home from school and available when they need me during the day, which is a blessing I could not have anticipated back when I was a seven-year old gazing dreamily at author photos on dust jackets, wishing I could see myself there.
My goals for the future are to continue to learn, to grow, to find new ways of doing my work and doing it better. I think the current interest in thrillers provides a marvelous opportunity to spin bigger and more exciting stories. I've learned that I enjoy teaching, which has led to the William Bernhardt Writing Programs and The Fundamentals of Fiction DVDs, as well as many speaking and teaching engagements throughout the year. My interest in mentoring aspiring writers led me to start the Small-Group Seminars and Master Classes, which allow me to teach my favorite subject all across the nation. And in my personal life, my goal is I to be the best parent possible to Harry, Alice, and Ralph, and the best possible partner to my wife, Marcia. I'm very excited about the future--my personal life with these extraordinary people, and my professional life, creating new stories for you wonderful people who still understand the importance of storytelling and the written word. ------- William Bernhardt is the author of more than twenty novels, including Primary Justice, Murder One, Criminal Intent, Death Row, Capitol Murder, Capitol Threat, Capitol Conspiracy, and Nemesis. He is one of fewer than a dozen recipients of the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He is also one of the country's most popular writing instructors, teaching at various conferences throughout the year. A former trial attorney, Bernhardt has received several awards for his public service. He lives in Tulsa with his wife, Marcia, and their children.
This review is from: Double Jeopardy (Mass Market Paperback)
As an avid reader of several genres, I was completely disappointed with Berhhardt's (Bryne?)Double Jeopardy. I suppose the jeopardy was in buying the book. The first few pages,including the opening trial scene were fairly good - then the plot becomes increasingly incredible, implausible, and just plain silly. A crime/legal/murder novel should at least have some plausibility - this book has zero. I only kept reading it to see how inane the plot would become. I ended up hating the book so much, I would not have been displeased had the hero been put out of his misery - that ending might have redeemed the book.
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The legal thriller genre has been overshadowed by the Grishams of the land, unfortunately obscuring some very skilled writers like William Bernhardt. This novel begins as a courtroom drama but soon develops into a fast-paced chase plotline a la The Fugitive. There's an edge here that Grisham seems to have lost; readers disappointed by Grisham's latest overly planned-out novels will find a fresh sense of recklessness, uncertainty and spontanaeity in Bernhardt. Well-written, deft characterization, and satisfying plot twists. Two thumbs up
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This review is from: Double Jeopardy (Mass Market Paperback)
I love GOOD mysteries - especially those involving court cases; cops and lawyers and Bernardt certainly gives me all that in his books. He also respects his characters - and I love the fact that, be it Travis Byrne or Bern Kincaid (his main lawyering men), uphold the law and fight for the rights of the defendant no matter how much we hate the crime. The law is the law! I totally appreciate the fact that the secretary/paralegal/female attorney character's in his book(s) are treated with respect and given intelligence and a sense of humor. All of Bernard's books have the same theme - and that is that justice does prevail and one way or another and that crime does not pay. Good stuff Bernardt. I can't wait till I tackle the next own. So glad to know that the caliber of writing I respect is out there and that Bernardt provides it.
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