Customer Reviews

The Trial

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Robert Whitlow handles legal, spiritual, and southern details with style. He brings his world to the written page in a credible manner, fueling the plot with the intricacies of a murder trial. The twists and turns are minor, but satisfying, and the Georgia/Tennessee settings serve as a colorful backdrops. Although the spiritual lessons come on strong and a bit pedantic, the characters (and Whitlow) breathe reality into what might usually pass as stale religious lines. I closed the last page feeling challenged and edified by the story's morals.

The emotional details are the ones that occasional trip me up in his writing. The conflicts are real, the characters believable and likeable, but the resolutions seem to come a bit too easily and/or quickly. I do recognize the aspect of the miraculous in some of this, but, for example, I would've liked to see Mac McLain's suicidal struggles progress more consistently. I prefer to see a bit more of what's going on in the characters' heads. That said, Whitlow's minimalist approach does avoid becoming melodramatic or sappy.

Some might prefer the numerous courtroom scenes in "The Trial"; personally, I enjoyed the variety of "The List." The good thing is that Whitlow, like Grisham, doesn't seem satisfied with a formula. He continues to raise the bar for Christian legal fiction, continues to try new things in the process. I anticipate his next book, knowing I won't be disappointed.

Attorney Kent "Mac" MacClain is on the brink--nine years earlier, he was at the wheel in a horrible accident that took the lives of his wife and children. Mac is having a spiritual crisis--feeling unable to deal with the deep pain and hurt the accident placed upon his heart and soul and decides the time has come to end his own lfie, when the phone rings in his office. He has been asked to take on the case of Pete Thomason, a man who is accused of killing Angela Hightower, the daughter of a family of high power and prestige in the small town in which Mac lives and works. Against Pete is not only a mountain of compelling evidence but also the fact that he cannot recall any details of the events leading up to the death of Angla.

Both men face a spritual crisis. Both men are fighting for thier lives.

So begins Robert Whitlow's second novel, "The Trial." After thoroughly enjoying his work on "Lfie Support" I was eager to find more of Mr. Whitlow's work. I'm happy to say that the great storytelling, character development and page-turning suspense of "Life Support" are also very much at work here in "The Trial." Whitlow balances a lot of separate story threads--Mac's spiritual crisis, his budding relationship with Anna Wilkes, a pyschologist who evaluates Pete, the story of Pete and what is happening to him in the prison and the pain and suffering of the Hightowers as they try to make sense of what happened on that night to take their daughter. "The Trial" is more than just a legal thriller, it's also a murder mystery that will keep you turning the pages to find out who did it and why.

But, as with "Life Support" the greatest parts of "The Trial" are not the moments in which we have the stunning revelations of who commited these acts and why, but insted Whitlow's character creations and the building of his setting for the novels. As with "Life Support" it's the little details that make this books so compelling to read. It's easy to see bits and pieces not only of yourself but people you might know in your daily walk in the characters who inhabit Whitlow's novels. Mac is a man who goes to church on Sunday, but his attendance is dictated on how the Gerogia football team did the following day and he has a Sunday School class full of fellow fans (and despite my beign a die-hard Tennessee fan, I didn't mind this too much...esp. since the Tenenssee-Georga game that Whitlow tells about his book has the Vols winning...but I digress). We see prayer circles that pray for Mac, we see Mac meet Anna and her young son, who awaken some long forgotten feelings deep inside him.. We see Mac serve as a mentor to a new young attorney and we see him fight for the life of his client. All of this while struggling with his own internal demons. Mac is a compellng character, as are all the characters in this novel. "The Trial" resists the urge to give us one-dimensional characters. Instead, each character is uniquely human with his or her own strengths and weaknesses, all of which are on display here in the novel.

"The Trial" of the title not only refers to the court case that Mac wants to win but the spiritual war that goes on in both his and Pete's soul. The novel features a lot of twist and turns, but Whitlow always keeps them grounded and feeling authentic, something that can be difficult to do.

The other great strength of this novel is that Whitlow superbly uses the elements of a typical Christian thriller and makes them fresh and new. He never strays into the cliches. As the novel progresses and certain events happen, they feel natural, coming out of not only the flow of the narrative but also on what we know about the characters from the previous chapters.

All in all, "The Trial" is a compelling and dynamic read. It is a novel that I heartly recommend to anyone looking for a great legal thriller inhabited by compelling and interesting characters. Whitlow has captured the imagination of this reader and I cannot wait to read the next of his novels. If I wasn't a fan before, I most certainly am now...

Move over, John Grisham! Now we get a suspenseful courtroom drama, engaging characters, an enthralling plot and a real-life look at the power of a loving God all in one book! Whitlow's first book, "The List" was a great read, but in "The Trial" his writing style has become smoother and more professional. The characters are real and believable, and they grow and change in a satisfying manner from the beginning of the book to the end. If you pick this book up, I hope you don't have any plans for the rest of the day!

My father-in-law recommended this title as a good book about lawyers. The basic part of the story is about a man who has been framed for the murder of powerful, local businessman's daughter. The main theme seems to be a bit larger than that however.

As a "lawyer" story, it is ok. I found the routine they follow to get the evidence and make a case to be interesting. Much of it seems too good to be true though. For instance, they find a former soldier who helped frame the accused years ago. He agrees that what he has done is wrong and decides to clean up his ways (enters AA and tells the truth). This is a bit too easy.

The larger picture is about Christianity and how it affects us. We see it personally in the lawyer's life and in the accused. Running counter to this trial is a church prayer group who records all the prayers and results. There is too much detail given for these sessions for this to be a side issue. These sessions, and how they turn out for the trial and the lawyer, are the main focus for the story.

If you are looking for an intense crime story, you should probably look for someone like John Grisham. If you are looking for a religious story about inner triumph and the power of prayer, then this book is for you.

Robert Whitlow is the first author I have ever read who can combine mystery, suspense, inspiration and God and make it work! Higgins-Clark is a wonderful mystery writer, King is an expert on suspense, and Nicholas Sparks has the market on inspiration, but Whitlow puts all three elements into one story and the outcome is outrageously entertaining. His characters come to life and are portrayed in a way that readers get to know them; they become people we would (or not) like to know personally, from the lawyer who needs a reason to stay alive to the accused he strives to keep alive. A good mystery keeps me reading, a touch of suspense is scary and invigorating; and inspiration makes me feel good about life in general. This book pushes all three buttons at once. What more could a reader want, except maybe a sequel?

Mr. Whitlow's first book, The List, was equally entertaining. He has a way of telling a story which might be an ordinary story except for the miraculous events which take place during the course of it. It is no secret that money and greed are the downfall of many good men, and Whitlow weaves a story that shows the effects of these evils on generations of families all tied together by a secret, the "List." His story is rich in faith and hope and how one young man, after discovering the pure evil lurking behind the "List," becomes determined not to succumb to it. It is a tale of love and the power of prayer (the "prayer closet" was delightful) and of a young man growing spiritually and accepting God as his first priority (with help from some unforgettable friends).

Mr. Whitlow displays a remarkable ability in making miracles seem like everyday occurrences. May God bless him and keep him inspired to write stories that will touch those who read them in a very special way.

Debby Lilley

This is the best book I ever read. It was easy to follow and Whitlow is superb at describing the obvious. You don't have to be a student of law to enjoy this one. I recomend this one for all.

I read Robert Whitlow's first book, The List, and waited patiently for his next book. The Trial was worth the wait! Being from north Georgia (Mr. Whitlow practiced law in my hometown) made this book especially interesting for me. Whitlow has the amazing ability to spin mystery, suspense and spirituality into a novel that keeps the reader turning the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Grisham or Peretti fan. You will not be disappointed.

Whitlow's first book, The List, was a smash hit, but this second one really out does the first. The TRIAL delves into the life of a 56-year old attorney appointed to defend a young man accused of murder. The Trial is happening on two fronts: in the courtroom and in the heart of the defense counsel, Kent McClain. This book has humor, romance, intrigue, and spirtual truth. I would say the Trial has writing styles of such authors as Grisham and Baldacci. Whitlow's two books stands out among anyone in fiction today. I cannot wait for more titles from him. I also recommend TWO great stories for readers, which are The Great Divide by T.Davis Bunn and Stone Ponies by Tom Willard

Thanks for a helpful yes on this review.

TRIPP

The Trial exhibits one of the finest pieces of creative writing that I have seen in the Christian market. Whitlow, the author, combines a legal thriller style with a personal, down-home touch without losing the quality of either. His characters and wit keep the book well-rounded, while a powerful story plot carries the reader through to the very end. Perhaps most importantly, Whitlow never allows his religious faith to become dogmatic, but rather works it into the story in a very real and profound way. I also recommend The Great Divide by T. Davis Bunn.

Mr. Whitlow is the first author I have read with the ability to successfully combine mystery, suspense, and God in one story. Stephen King may be the master of suspense, Mary Higgins-Clark the queen of mystery and Nicholas Sparks may have the market on inspiration, but Mr. Whitlow has managed to combine all three elements in one story and the outcome is absolute entertainment. His characters unfold in a personal way and become people we would (or not) want to know, from the lawyer who needs a reason to stay alive to the accused that he strives to keep alive. A good mystery is challenging, suspense is invigorating and inspiration makes us feel good about life in general. This book pushes all three buttons at once and the result is . . . Whitlow.

Mr. Whitlow's first book, The List, was equally entertaining. He has the ability to tell a story that might possibly be just an ordinary tale if not for the miraculous events that occur during the course of it. It is no secret that love of money and greed have been the downfall of many good men. This is the story of the evil forces behind that greed and the effects it has on several generation of families, all of whom are tied together by a secret, a "List." The main character, having just "inherited" the right to have his name on the List by the death of his father, is discovering the evil connected with it, and is forced to put his priorities in order and trust in God when making important decisions in his life. The friends who help him through this journey are unforgettable and the "prayer closet" is delightful. A great story of the goodness of our God and the mighty power of prayer.