When Nick Downes, a young British lawyer, defends an amnesiac who cannot remember committing a murder, he finds himself attracted to his client's beautiful and manipulative wife. By the author of False Witness. Tour.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Dias did well in the U.K. with his first novel, False Witness, which led to a certain amount of hype to the effect that, as a practicing criminal lawyer, he is Britain's answer to Scott Turow and John Grisham. So far, the score is decidedly in the Americans' favor. Although Dias clearly knows his law and introduces a certain amount of local color concerning the drinking habits of lawyers around the Old Bailey, his plots and characterizations leave a great deal to be desired. Dias's hero is barrister Nick Downes, who seems to be losing the love of fellow barrister Sally Fielding when a remarkable case walks into his life: a man has confessed to a murder, can lead police to the body but doesn't know who it is?or even who he is. The mystery man has a highly seductive wife, who quickly has Nick in thrall?at least when he's not trying to make up with Sally or cozying up to sexy psychologist Ann Barnes (Nick's appeal to the opposite sex is one of the several inexplicable things about this remarkably feckless hero). The plot, involving prostitutes, drugs and a dual personality, is ludicrously far-fetched and quite devoid of suspense. The writing is clunkily trite ("Nick wondered whether the case would be another example of the only other biological law he knew: Boy plus Girl equals Trouble") and flat ("...the claw hammer smashed into Liz's skull, crushing bone, making blood spurt from her head. And making a sickening sound"). "In the style of John le Carre and Scott Turow," claims the publisher. Putting it kindly, Dias is not quite there yet. Major ad/promo.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Fenkl's first novel is based on his boyhood in Korea. Born to a Korean mother and an American GI father, he contrasts a childhood influenced by an extended Korean family and the American way of life as represented by the hamburgers, hot dogs, and Coca-Cola of his father's army base. Elements of this novel are reminiscent of Mishima's writing?young boys portrayed as both emotionally sensitive and cruel, and beyond adult control. Fenkl's own character, however, exhibits compassion and thoughtfulness toward others as he attempts to cope with the consequences of his biracial heritage and the many tragedies that occur among his friends and family. The narrative voice shifts between child and adult, reflecting on the events of childhood?a strategy that is not completely successful. Certain potentially significant parts of the story are not introduced well or not fully developed. For instance, the "ghost" brother does not appear until the end, with no build-up. Despite its weaknesses, this book is a worthwhile addition to academic and public library collections.?Rebecca A. Stuhr-Rommereim, Grinnell Coll. Libs., Iowa
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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