Trial: A Novel [Hardcover]

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.

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 329 pages
• Publisher: Summit Books; First Edition edition (September 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671664220
• ISBN-13: 978-0671664220
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,323,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clifford Irving is the author of twenty published books, half a dozen of them New York Times best-sellers, including "Fake!", "Trial", "Final Argument", and "Tom Mix and Pancho Villa", and several screenplays. His most famous book was the hoax "Autobiography of Howard Hughes" which brought the billionaire out of seclusion and landed the author in three U.S. prisons. He traveled three times around the world before most people living in it today were born, and was recently the subject of The Clifford Irving Show at the Cine 13 theater in Paris. Yet he may be one of the last professional people on this planet who has no cell phone.

The New York Times Book Review said: "Clifford Irving is a born storyteller." The L.A. Times called him "a master." In 1986 William Safire named "Trial" "the novel of the year." "Fake!" is the super-sophisticated tale of the most successful art forger of the 20th century, a gay Hungarian whose Picassos and Matisses hang in art collections worldwide. Many people believe the Hughes autobiography caused the Watergate break-in and the downfall of Richard Nixon.

In mid-December 2011, Clifford's oldest son, Josh, a computer geek, will create a unique publishing event. Twelve of Clifford's books, published and unpublished, will be made available simultaneously on Kindle. And soon you'll find the author on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. (Josh twisted his arm.)

He was born in Manhattan, went to the High School of Music & Art and Cornell University, lived for nearly two decades on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Ibiza, has been married more times than he cares to think about, has three grown sons, has lectured worldwide on subjects as diverse as the art market and the justice system, counts among his finest achievements earning a draw against the chess champion of Spain and 25 years ago driving in the winning run in the annual Artists v Writers Softball Game in East Hampton, NY.

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.