Trial [Paperback]

Clifford Irving (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The courtroom scenes are breathtaking in Irving's ( The Angel of Zin ) new novel. Warren Blackburn practices criminal law in Houston, in the same Harris County courthouse where his late father was a respected judge. When he executes a perjurious affidavit on behalf of a client whom he foolishly trusted, Warren is suspended from practice for a year. Upon his return, he is relegated to the detritus of criminal defense work, until he suddenly becomes counsel to two defendants in murder cases, one celebrated. Warren discovers that one of his clients was likely the actual murderer in the other case, but lawyer-client confidentiality prevents disclosure, and he is trapped in a Kafkaesque dilemma. Although the plot holds few surprises, Irving's development of the trial-related issues is masterful, providing gripping suspense. Similarly, while some of the extralegal parts of the narrative (Blackburn's marital problems, his predictable affair with a court stenographer) are rather contrived, the court proceedings, strategy and testimony are authentic and first-rate; and the cross-examination of the one pivotal "eyewitness" is riveting.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Following the stigma of an ethics probe, attorney Warren Blackburn gets another chance--to assist a famous lawyer in a scandalous murder trial. At about the same time he agrees to serve as public defender for a poor Hispanic accused of capital murder. Wife Charm is getting tired of their lifestyle and leaves. After the famous lawyer dies, Warren takes over the defense of J.F. Boudreau, the beautiful manager of a notorious topless club, accused of shooting her lover. (There are several other crimes, all related.) The author has crowded his narrative with colorful, down-and-dirty characters, including a feisty woman judge, a wino, a court reporter attracted to Warren, and, especially, Boudreau, who is steamy, resourceful, and unforgettable. The legal points are artfully presented, and the story is jet-propelled. Most readers will want to read this at one sitting. Highly recommended.
- Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown & Mmahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: Dell (June 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440210178
• ISBN-13: 978-0440210177
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,711,362 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clifford Irving is the author of 20 published books, among them New York Times best-sellers Fake!, Trial, and Final Argument. Richard Gere starred as Clifford in the movie version of Hoax, the story of Clifford's most famous book, the Autobiography of Howard Hughes, which forced the billionaire out of seclusion, caused the downfall of Richard Nixon, and earned the writer 16 months in three federal prisons.

The L.A. Times called Clifford Irving "a master," and Thomas Keneally (Schindler's List) lauded Irving's The Angel of Zin as "absolutely compelling, a totally engrossing thriller."

This February 2012, as a birthday present, his computer-savvy son, Josh, has created a unique event - 12 of Clifford's works, published and unpublished, will be available simultaneously on Kindle, at remarkably low prices. 12 for 2012.

They include Clifford's thrilling prison journal, Jailing, excerpted in Playboy but withheld in full until now;

I Remember Amnesia, a new courtroom novel set in dangerous, glitzy East Hampton; Fake!, the sophisticated true tale of the most prolific art forger of the 20th century (think forged Picasso, Modigliani, and Matisse in top museums); best-sellers Trial and Final Argument, and, of course, the amazing Autobiography of Howard Hughes, never published in the USA except by a private printing rare enough to sell in hardback for $350, when you can find one.

These are bargain-priced, can't-put-down reads by the famous writer the New York Times Book Review praised as "a born storyteller."

He now lives with his Aussie wife in the Colorado Rockies, on the edge of a forest where he cuts firewood, paints, tends his flower garden, is regularly stumped by hard sudoku puzzles, and is writing a memoir called "Around the World in 80 Years."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good lawyer book., April 30, 2006

By 

Joe Galaxy 88 "Danny" (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trial (Paperback)

Irving writtes good lawyer stuff. Good plot, good court drama, but what makes the book better are Irvings characters. Warren Blackburn is a sympathetic hero. You root for him to win the case. Warren's character matures as the novel progresses and the reader is invited along. I really enjoyed Warren's personnal development. Johnnie Faye Boudreau is mischevious Texas style. The perferct antagonist to Blackburn. And I like how the book ends. William Safire called this book "satisfying" and that it truly is.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great courtroom novel, July 30, 2001

By 

Clifford Irving "[e-mail]" (Telluride, CO) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Trial: A Novel (Hardcover)

This is one of the finest courtroom novels I've ever read. Sol Stein, in his book, STEIN ON WRITING, mentions it as a flawless example of use of point of view. Never mind that -- it's a great read! It captures the seamy side of the legal life, it has excellent characters, and I couldn't put it down! Much better than anything that Grisham has ever written. Clifford Irving is a winner -- just about everything he writes is 5-star. One day he'll be recognized as one of our best novelists.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THIS!!!!!, June 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Trial (Paperback)

I can't believe that noone has reviewed this book. I have read it several times and recommend it to anyone who likes to read.