Ben Kincaid wants to be a lawyer because he wants to do the right thing. But once he leaves the D.A.'s office for a hot-shot spot in Tulsa's most prestigious law firm, Ben discovers that doing the right thing and representing his client's interests can be mutually exclusive.
An explosive legal thriller that takes readers on a frantic ride of suspicion and intrigue, PRIMARY JUSTICE brings morality and temptation together in one dangerous motion.
In his fiction debut, Bernhardt, a lawyer, delivers an appealing mystery with a wry perspective on corporate law and unlikely moments of high adventure. Sanguine Enterprises v-p Jonathan Adams and his wife Bertha want to adopt Emily, whom Jonathan found wandering on an empty lot; she is afflicted with memory loss, possibly as the result of emotional trauma. The case is handed to Benjamin Kincaid on his first day with a high-powered Tulsa, Okla., law firm; later that same evening Jonathan's mutilated body is discovered in a dumpster. Bertha is determined to keep Emily, and Joseph Sanguine assures Ben of his sympathy and assistance. But Ben's superiors instruct him to lay off investigating the murdere.g. p. 120 . His uneasiness escalates when he learns that Jonathan received mysterious phone calls and worked odd hours just prior to his death. Gradually Ben is drawn into an extracurricular (and illegal) investigation of Emily's past and Sanguine's finances. The tale is enlivened by characters like Christina McCall, an engaging, streetwise legal assistant, and Darryl Tidwell, a Sanguine employee and the author's revenge against people who tell lawyer jokes. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
Ben Kincaid wants to be a lawyer because he wants to do the right thing. But once he leaves the D.A.'s office for a hot-shot spot in Tulsa's most prestigious law firm, Ben discovers that doing the right thing and representing his client's interests can be mutually exclusive.
An explosive legal thriller that takes readers on a frantic ride of suspicion and intrigue, PRIMARY JUSTICE brings morality and temptation together in one dangerous motion.
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.
Primary Justice was William Bernhardt's debut novel. It was also the novel that introduced us to attorney Ben Kincaid and his sidekick, Christina McCall as they try to solve the mystery of a not so typical adoption case. The story is fast paced, written with humor, and Mr. Bernahrdt has no trouble humanizing Ben. If you read a "Justice" novel, you need to start with this one, as Mr. Bernhardt does carry characters and information over from one Justice novel to another.
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I wanted to go back after reading one and start with his first book. I found it OK but not what I would have expected. It had the young lawyer and interestng characters but it seemed to lack something. Even with the surprise ending well done it still left me with a little wonder. He certainly has written many more so I will continue to proceed.
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You won't be dissapointed with this series which has it all: humor, suspense and great characters. These books are very easy to read and you will find yourself finished with them sooner than you expected.
I hope you give this series a try!
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