Customer Reviews

Justice Deferred

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First novel inspired by the real life events experienced by the author. Williams is the former CEO of Coca-Cola New Zealand, among other companies, and his son was kidnapped. A prison inmate, in for life on the three strike rule for theft, claimed he had killed the boy and offered to show Williams the grave. It turned out to be a bogus claim being used as an escape attempt, and Williams was horrified by the implications of the three strike law putting a man in prison for life for a nonviolent crime like robbery. He turned that story into this fascinating prison epic/legal thriller. Billy Ray Billings is a cracker from Mobile, Alabama and for the first half of the book we follow his life, starting with reform school and ending with life in prison for stealing small appliances. But the life sentence never should have been given - it was forced by the way the local cops were handling their cases to make their conviction rate look good. Enter Harry Brown, lawyer and free lance crime reporter for the local newspaper, who's interest in this case is quite personal. The rest of the book deals with the legal maneuverings to get those life sentences overturned and have justice prevail. Williams draws the reader in from the first page and doesn't let go - even after the last page, these characters will stay with you.  

This was a good book, just not a great one (an above reviewer astutely noticed that it isn't fine literature). Billy Ray, a small-time thief who has a knack for hanging out with the wrong crowd, keeps getting himself into trouble. Some crooked cops twist the three-strike law to suit their purposes (and careers), and Billy Ray finds himself behind bars for life. Sweet revenge follows, while Bily Ray rehabilitates and educates himself. The plot is engaging (I liked the prison escape scene best) and fast-moving. As a thriller the novel works great and in fact excels; the revenge angle echoes "The Count of Monte Cristo". As a legal thriller it falls a little short. The writing is too terse and often the events described are implausible--it doesn't have John Grisham's stamp of authenticity, in my opinion.

Bottom line: good effort from a first time novelist. If you like crime thrillers, check this book out. If you're into legal thrillers, I would suggest John Grisham's work instead. This book is straightforward and superficial--if you're trying to enrich your life or discover a mind-boggling epiphany, then this isn't the book for you--try some good literature instead, like "The Brothers Karamazov."

Len William's first published novel takes apart the "three strikes" law being enforced at this moment in a number of states in the US. He weaves a fictional story (interwoven with some realities in the author's own life) that throws into question this legislation that at face value sounds reasonable and prudent, but in practice can be manipulated by our legal system and law enforcement agencies to entrap individuals whose crimes become overshadowed by the injustice of the punishment meted out to them.

Life in prison without parole (after committing and being convicted of a third felony) is the focus of this book. The words flows easily over the mind and the characters come across as very real, but flawed humans, doing dumb things - yet there is hope. The story makes us consider how justice is sometimes doled out in the US of A, or at least taps into that wary streak in us that says all is not well with our legal system.

I can see this book being made into a movie. It looks familiar, engages the mind, moves quickly, and appeals to those rooting for the underdog when the game is so obviously rigged.

No one reading this novel, based on real events in len Williams' life, will remain unapposed to 3-strikes laws, cruellest statutes since the Rockefeller Drug Laws. Williams demonstrates how even people sentenced for routine crimes end up with draconian sentences which should not be tolerated, in any society, let alone a free and democratic one.
The writing is brisk, eloquent, and heartfelt in this important page-turner.

I really enjoyed this book and it is too bad that Len Williams has not written more books (that I can find, anyway). I thought that it was very much like Michael Connelly's "Lincoln Lawyer." It is gripping and evocative. I would (and have) recommend(ed) "Justice Deferred" to others. It might be JUST what YOU want to read, too!

Fine literature it isn't. It's a good story and moves along swiftly -- maybe too swiftly, because the characterizations could use a generous helping hand, not to mention that the corrupt, good ol' boy Southern law enforcement aspect could have used a little more atmosphere or ambiance (I mean, the descriptions of Jackson and Mobile are just sad; they could be anywhere USA [or maybe that was the point?]). But if you're a Grisham fan (I'm not) this book should be at the top of your reading list. If your taste runs more to Robert Crais or Michael Connelly you might want to skip this one. However I will check out this author's next book because (1) this was a very solid first effort and (2) the way Billy Ray finally (and legally) stuck it to the Chief of Police put me forcibly in mind of my favorite of Erle Stanley Gardner's creations, Donald Lam. Lam was a brilliant detective & lawyer (albeit disbarred) and when his rights were trampled could institute some serious legal retaliation, just like Billy Ray. I recommend this book with caution but look forward to better from this author.

I had to read the jacket to find out that it was just based on a story. See this is what I am talkin about. Here you got a down south, redneck, uneducated white boy. gets in trouble goes to jail, escape from jail, lives in the swamps for months, comes out goes to college gets a degree, not just any degree but a law degree, who motivates him, a black man. who helped him to go to jail, in the first place, a black man. who does he go back and help to get out of prison because he shouldn't be there in the first place, a black man. and who are the crooked people who set him up White police officers. Only in America can this kind of stuff happen. that's why I thought it was real.