From Publishers Weekly
A corporate takeover leads to a moral dilemma in this archly written but truncated posthumous novel from Coughlin (In the Presence of Enemies). The dilemma belongs to Judge Paul Murray, who unwittingly has received his recently acquired position on the federal bench thanks to his new wife, beautiful socialite Hope Scott. Hope asked powerful corporate raider and old boyfriend Jordan Crandell to recommend Paul for the judgeship; Crandell obliged. Now Crandell is in a headline-grabbing legal fight with takeover king Lew Valentine to buy up the computer company Starwares. As fate and plotting would have it, the Starwares case ends up in federal court, with Paul presiding. Coughlin devotes most of the novel to building up a world where amoral types like Crandell and Valentine will be judged by people who are flawed but essentially moral and upright, like Paul. But what the author offers is nearly all setup: instead of giving it the space and weight it deserves, Coughlin deals with Paul's moral dilemma?to rule on the case or to step down??in only a scant few pages. Perhaps Coughlin's death in 1992 is the reason behind this sketchy and unsatisfying climax; otherwise, the book is a sharply observed tale of self-interested sharks who tear away at each other during a corporate takeover. 75,000 first printing; $75,000 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
Newly appointed federal judge Paul Murray's first case is a corporate takeover war that rivals in magnitude the QVC/Viacom battle for Paramount. It's a media circus and a potential legal nightmare-not to mention a feather in Murray's cap if he handles it well. As the mud flies, a young reporter for the Wall Street Journal quietly digs away, looking for the story of a lifetime while he courts a member of the defense team. Furthermore, Murray's new wife, heiress Hope Scott, is drawn into the case through her long-time friendship with one of the warring moguls and the evil deeds of her trust's executor. Threats to blackmail Murray and his wife make a mistrial a distinct possibility. Should he recuse himself from the case? Another solid legal thriller, this posthumous publication by the author of Shadow of a Doubt (St. Martin's, 1992) yields taut drama and great courtroom action. Fans of this popular genre will love it. Recommended for popular fiction collections.
--Susan Clifford, Hughes Aircraft Co. Lib., Los AngelesCopyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.