From Gerry Spence, one of America’s greatest trial attorneys and the New York Times bestselling author of How to Argue and Win Every Time, comes an explosive courtroom thriller of murder, passion, and the twists and treachery of law and justice. Lillian Adams is going on trial for the murder of her wealthy husband before Judge John Murray, to whom she has been like a daughter since childhood. … daughter since childhood. Despite this long, shared history, both the prosecutor and defense attorney agree that Murray should sit on the case, and Murray himself knows he must. For he believes that if he steps down and another judge is appointed, there will be little hope for Lillian. The prosecutor is a sadistic psychopath who will pervert the law to convict Lillian and do everything in his power to hurt Judge Murray. And Murray must save Lillian.
Gerry Spence takes readers through shocking twists and suspenseful courtroom scenes that only the great maestro of the courtroom himself could create. Court of Lies goes beyond being a great legal thriller. It questions the very basis of our legal system and its ability to discover the truth and deliver justice.
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I am a criminal defense lawyer. I have been a Judge and have tried war crimes cases in The Hague. Spence’s new novel is incredible. His character development is superior. As you read you think you know the answer and then something changes and you were wrong and this goes on and on until a brilliant ending that is a big surprise.
Court of Lies by Gerry Spence
In 1954 Jackson Hole, Wyoming we meet Judge Murray talking about his life and as the story progresses we meet the man who will become his law partner, the woman who will become his wife, a man that will be a thorn in his flesh for decades and a woman that is as close to him as a daughter. aa story is narrated by a true storyteller but one that is not in a hurry to share the tale. I had moments when I questioned if it would be worth the time to read this book but have to say that it definitely was.
My emotions were definitely involved as I read about abuse, misuses of power, lies, hate, bigotry and more. I was warmed by the love and friendship and caring of some for others. I felt anger more than once and wanted to reach in and smack some of the characters. I guess the main thing I felt at the end of the book is that the law is not always all that it could and should be but that people can be good even when they sometimes choose not to stay within the law’s boundaries.
This is a book that will stay with me for awhile and one that I will ponder. I can relate to the older characters in the book and how they are looking at the world in a way that I perhaps might not have been able to a couple of decades ago.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read another book by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Tor-Forge for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
Court of Lies by author Gerry Spence is an interesting story of courtroom drama, games, and negotiations during a case in Jackson Hole, WY circa 1956. Lillian Adams has been arrested for the murder of her husband. Lillian had helped to market and increase the success of her husbands business. Horace Adams III is found in his home office dead of a gunshot wound. Lillian is there, with blood and gunpowder residue on her hands. Did she shoot Horace or is the residue the result of her moving his body? Read the evidence and arguments as the trial goes forward.
Lillian has a reputation for being aggressive and impulsive. Maybe she is misunderstood, but the townspeople all have their own opinions because of her past history. Judge Murray has cared for Lillian as if she were his own daughter. The animosity between prosecutor Sewell and Judge Murray is very well known in the community. Read Court of Lies and the story of how Lillian’s troubled past and the personal prejudices of Prosecutor Sewell test defense attorney Timothy Coker’s best intentions in this trial.
I enjoy the books written by Gerry Spence. He possesses the art of a true storyteller!
Publication Date: February 19, 2019