Is homicide defendable?

This is my first book by Victor Methos. It seems I am venturing out and trying different authors recently. What made me buy this book is that it is based on a true story. The novel is an emotional crime legal suspense thriller with some humor mixed in.

Brigham Theodore has graduated from Tulane Law School and has moved to Salt Lake City, Utah after Hurricane Katrina. He has a hard time finding a job. He finally obtains one with the Law Offices of TTB (Tommy Two Balls) with a neon sign and a bail bonds agency next door. The firm is also part of the public defenders network. Brigham receives no salary just a percentage of the cases he brings into the firm. He is assigned a public defender case of Amanda Pierce, a poor disabled veteran woman whose only daughter was kidnapped and killed. Amanda shoots and kills the man accused of killing her daughter as he walks out of a courtroom; the shooting takes place in front of lots of witnesses.

How is Brigham going to defend her and will she be the first women executed in Utah? The courtroom drama is great with lots of suspense and action as the plot thickens. The inside view of a struggling attorney fighting against a corrupt legal system makes for great human interaction and dynamics. The writing is about typical for a first time author but his character development is great as is the fact it is based on a true story. I discovered the author was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and was a prosecutor in Utah and now is a defense attorney. I have listened to Nick Podehl narrate before and as usual he does a good job narrating this book.

49 people found this helpful

HERE'S THE DEAL

If I was to judge this off of what I've read from the quote unquote best courtroom drama writers lately - Then this book was genius. I.E. Grisham and Sycamore row as of late. At least in this book - The main character in the Neon Lawyer acted like a lawyer and argued points. It took a little bit before i could get into the narrators voice - But once I did - He did fine. He wasn't the best - But I've heard worse for sure.

I'm not saying this book is genius. The book may not be as realistic in some areas as some people would hope - But I did like the court room drama & arguments.

I thought Victor did a fine job with this book and I will look at his others because this was my first by him....

I haven't wrote a positive review for awhile now. Very disappointed by the same old boring stuff.... This was decent enough to stop an give kudos to.

For what its worth... J

191 people found this helpful

Good Court Room Drama!

I really enjoyed this legal thriller/drama... You start getting the meat and potatoes of the story from the first chapter. It is not stuffed with a lot of fluff or filler.

However, I had to suspend my disbelief a good deal, but I didn't mind because the story was very interesting and I wanted to know what happened next. I recognized that some of the court room antics would not be permitted in the real world, but like in most real court rooms there are "back room dealings." The story was very well told in such a way that it kept my interest and I cared about the outcome of the trial and the conclusion of the story.

This story is about how much a mother loved her child who was assaulted and murdered. I think the tactics defense attorney used in his closing argument sealed the deal.

I've heard the narrator before and I think that his performance was okay. I was really into the story but noticed from time to time that he could have used a little more drama or excitement in his voice.

82 people found this helpful

Good Story , I hope the writer is not a lawyer

What made the experience of listening to The Neon Lawyer the most enjoyable?

The narration is great, the story builds up and is exciting. I listened til 3AM.

What could Victor Methos have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

If he had some idea how one of these cases is tried. There were glaring legal errors and the idea of a Judge permitting a tyro lawyer to try a death case is impossble. But..the story carries it well and a few more corrections he could have made. eg the Jury would have to be death qualified, the prosecution cannot put on psychiatrists until the defendant goes forward.. Any criiminal lawyer would know this was never a "death case"

Which scene was your favorite?

Lawyers opening statement. His closing was limp.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No just enjoyed flaws and all.

Any additional comments?

The writer knows how to keep you into the story. He should have had legal advice to avoid the major flaws. We know its not a death case and the offer is impossible to accept.

57 people found this helpful

Total Disappointment

I hate to be so negative, but I found the story to be ridiculous and the narration to be barely better than amateurish. I couldn't force myself to waste more than half an hour or so on this selection.
He graduates from law school and hasn't even begun to look for a job? Does his law school not have a placement office? He visits 30 law offices in one morning looking for a job? 30?! Did he sprint between locations? He is given a woman charged with murder as his second case (his first case was a speeding ticket)? He doesn't seem to know the most basic aspects of courtroom procedure. And thus it goes...

71 people found this helpful

Very unrealistic but still enjoyable

STORY (legal thriller) - I love legal thrillers, and I'm very capable of suspending common sense for the sake of good fiction. Battles in outer space with aliens, check. Talking dogs, check. But this book just has too many things that made me roll my eyes and go "No way." A brand-new lawyer defending an accused murderer on his second case? Asking no questions of the jury panel? Arguing with a judge? And the sentencing of his client, c'mon, really? I also don't care for how he continuously bashed the American legal system. It is NOT perfect, but I think the author portrays it too negatively in this book.

All that aside, the main character is a likeable, idealistic young lawyer who truly believes in justice and tries his best to defend his client. And you will root for his client, a woman accused of killing the man who raped and murdered her young daughter. The story moves along quickly, only about 4 1/2 hours, and held my interest throughout.

PERFORMANCE - Very good job. Good foreign accents and does pretty good female character voices as well.

OVERALL - The worst part of the book is the coroner's description of Tabitha's injuries, but it's short. There are a few F-words but, otherwise, it's a pretty clean book. Recommended for anyone interested in the genre. Legal professionals may want to listen to something else.

31 people found this helpful

Great Book even though short! Terrific Narrator!!

there was no struggle listening to this book! It's based on a true story. it's well written and well narrated! kudos!

3 people found this helpful

Love It! Hooks you right off the bat.

What made the experience of listening to The Neon Lawyer the most enjoyable?

Excellent writing. In the style of Grisham and Mitzner. Terrific narration.

What did you like best about this story?

How the lawyers and judge interact. It's the real world of back room deals and harsh side talk.

Which character – as performed by Nick Podehl – was your favorite?

Certainly Brigum.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The first chapter will certainly move anyone.

Any additional comments?

If you love Mitzner, Grisham, etc. then you'll enjoy this one immensely. Going to listen to the rest of this authors offerings.

12 people found this helpful

Not at all believable

I’m willing to finish it but it’s so unbelievable, it’s embarrassing. The narrator helps because of his youthful voice, I think. Wouldn’t recommend paying for this one.

15 people found this helpful

Enjoyable!

I also really enjoy courtroom dramas/thrillers, eventhough I don't know anything about the law. Therefore, I didn't try to analyze the story, but just enjoyed the telling of it. Not bad at all. I also liked the narrator, which I thought was a perfect voice for the young attorney. He also did a very good job with female voices.

2 people found this helpful