When the body of nine-year old Thuy Sen is found in the San Francisco Bay, the police quickly charge Rennell and Payton Price with her grisly murder. A twelve-person jury, abetted by an incompetent defense lawyer, is nearly as quick to find the brothers guilty, and to sentence them both to die for their crimes. Fifteen years later, overworked pro bono laywer Teresa Peralta Paget, her husband Chris, and stepson Carlo, a recent Harvard law graduate, become convinced not only that Rennell didn't receive a fair trial but that he may well be innocent. Racing against the clock and facing enormous legal obstacles, Teresa, Chris, and Carlo desperately try to stay Rennell's execution, taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court, and to an enormously moving and powerful conclusion.
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"James North Patterson is truly one of the better novelists of our time in terms of conveying a message through fiction with solid research and excellent plot and character development. The topic here is the death penalty and he looks at it from all sides."
— John (5 out of 5 stars)
" A well written, compelling courtroom drama about a death penalty case. Eye opening about the details of the death penalty appeal process (I was opposed to the death penalty before reading this book and remain opposed to it after reading it). "
— Amy, 2/11/2014" While I liked this one, I wasn't so happy about how it ended. I won't spoil it...it's a great book though and worth the read. "
— Jenna, 2/6/2014" Great for discussion and debate. I cried, that makes it a 10! "
— Nina, 2/6/2014" Another crime/legal thriller from North Patterson with the recurring Chris Paget character. Race and class issues as they pertain to presumption of guilt are interspersed, but are done so with a light touch - never preachy. "
— Caroline, 2/1/2014" A very good book. Although it is a work of fiction it really makes you think about our legal system. "
— Laurie, 1/30/2014" really not a worthwhile read. "
— Heather, 1/24/2014" Chilling commentary on one aspect of our legal system. A tough read. "
— Margot, 1/24/2014" Fast paced quasi documentary on Capital Punishment "
— Jerry, 1/17/2014" Extremely interesting but very tragic. "
— Michael, 12/23/2013" Gripping novel that reveals more about the court system surrounding death penalty convictions. "
— Kate, 12/14/2013" I've enjoyed Patterson's other "issues" books about presidential & judicial politics in relation to abortion. This one about the death penalty is more like a traditional legal potboiler & is not as good. "
— Marvin, 11/16/2013" A good Novel about our upper criminal justice systems politically motivated decisions. Also,many reasons against Capital punishment are cited , all within a story that is terrible but engrossing "
— Brent, 11/22/2012" As a powerful argument against the death penalty this novel succeeds, but as a legal thriller it does get bogged down in legalese which might have you skipping large sections. "
— Ian, 10/20/2012" I might will like this book better if I have any interest in courts, legal stuff, law terms. I feel the author has good writing skills but it's just not my preference to read those books. I know I won't read books that have any legal terms. Those words are boring. Echh. "
— Andrea, 7/27/2012" Thought-provoking account of death penalty litigation. "
— B, 6/17/2012" This was hard at times to plow through, and the author said he had to dumb it down for the reading non-attorney public! It was a sad commentary on our system of justice regarding the death penalty. "
— Stacey, 5/20/2012" bog downs in legalese.... "
— Lisa, 3/21/2012" Nancy 4.5 stars; Ron 4.5 stars "
— Ron, 2/6/2012" Nancy 4.5 stars; Ron 4.5 stars "
— Nancy, 9/28/2011" I've read this one before, but any discussion of politics in our country inevitably leads me back to my dream world of Richard North Patterson's novels. Of course this one is less about politics than others, but I just finished all the political ones. "
— Christine, 8/17/2011" It was a good book but with a sad ending. I felt the author could have ended it without dragging it out so long, which made it rather boring. This was a new author for me and I may try one more of his books but if drags on like this one I won't get another one. "
— Lea, 2/15/2011" A very good book. Although it is a work of fiction it really makes you think about our legal system. "
— Laurie, 2/2/2011" This is not a book to read if your looking for something fun. It is intense and I could hardly put it down. "
— Barbara, 8/21/2010" While I liked this one, I wasn't so happy about how it ended. I won't spoil it...it's a great book though and worth the read. "
— Jenna, 8/14/2010" A good Novel about our upper criminal justice systems politically motivated decisions. Also,many reasons against Capital punishment are cited , all within a story that is terrible but engrossing "
— Brent, 11/5/2009" Chilling commentary on one aspect of our legal system. A tough read. "
— Margot, 9/12/2009Richard North Patterson is the New York Times bestselling author of The Devil’s Light, In the Name of Honor, The Spire, and a number of other bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, he was the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. Patterson has appeared on such programs as the Today show, Good Morning America, Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Buchanan and Press.