From Publishers Weekly
A San Antonio criminal lawyer, Brandon is among the best in the legal thriller business at catching the real atmosphere of a trial—that combination of tedium and terror that makes the courtroom such a popular literary arena. His latest book about San Antonio district attorney Chris Sinclair (after 2003' s
Sliver Moon) has an absolute aura of authenticity, even though the plot contains many typical thriller elements. Because of Sinclair's zeal, police officer Steve Greerdon was sent to prison eight years earlier for taking part in an armed robbery. When new DNA evidence surfaces proving that Greerdon was innocent, Chris swallows his chagrin and gets him out of jail fast. But is Greerdon really the victim of bad justice or an incredibly clever killer? When two police officers who served with him are murdered, he's found on the scene, claiming a high-level police conspiracy to cover up the real criminals. Sinclair's lover, child psychiatrist Anne Greenwald, also gets involved in the case because of privileged information from a client, and Chris's teenage daughter finds herself being attracted to Greerdon's son. None of this is particularly new or earth-shaking, but Brandon makes his story move along smoothly by creating an involving portrait of a criminal justice system staffed (mostly) by people trying to do the right thing.
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Review
"An undersung hero of courtroom drama returns with an admirably complex novel about bitter betrayal and sweet revenge. Laboring long under the shadows of Grisham and Turow, Brandon has yet to earn the recognition he deserves. But his 13th case--featuring multifaceted characters caught in page-turning dilemmas--just might be lucky."
--Kirkus Reviews on Grudge Match
"Brandon is among the best in the legal thriller business at catching the real atmosphere of a trial-that combination of tedium and terror that makes the courtroom such a popular literary arena. His latest book about San Antonio district attorney Chris Sinclair has an absolute aura of authenticity."
-- Publishers Weekly on Grudge Match
"I read Grudge Match the minute I received it. I really, really enjoyed it. The Greerdon character was wonderful--layered and complex. And I've always liked Chris Sinclair. Thanks for writing it!"
--Barbara D'Amato, author of Death of a Thousand Cuts
"Having held two of the Bexar County offices Jay Brandon writes about, District Judge and District Attorney, I can say he nails the jobs and life on the head while at the same time spinning a compelling story. I enjoyed the book tremendously."
--Susan D. Reed, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney, on Grudge Match
"A roller coaster ride of a plot with twists and gasps right up to the last page."
--Mary Willis Walker, Edgar, Hammett, and Macavity winner, author of The Red Scream, on Grudge Match
"Brandon does courtroom drama as well as John Grisham or Scott Turow. And he does love stories better."
--Philadelphia Inquirer on Defiance County
"Brandon writes with verve and authority. He knows the law. And he knows how to grab the reader and keep those pages turning"
--The Houston Chronicle on Executive Privilege
"I've long been persuaded that Jay Brandon is the finest writer of legal thrillers in the country."
--Jeremiah Healy, author of The Only Good Lawyer and Spiral, on After-Image
