Rogue Lawyer

Library Journal 09/01/2015 In his latest, Grisham introduces Sebastian Rudd, a renegade street lawyer with an unconventional yet right-minded approach toward advocating for the powerless. Rudd's cases involve social misfits—all wrongfully accused. There's the drug-addled sexual pervert from a satanic cult, wanted for molesting and drowning two little girls; a Mafia mobster on death row, charged with killing a judge; and a retired homeowner, falsely suspected of drug trafficking and accused of shooting at a SWAT team invading his home. Loathing the legal system and his town's redneck citizens, Rudd intimidates both the local police and judges when seeking a reprieve or dismissal of a case. He also passes choice tidbits to reporters to generate support. However, his most difficult legal battle is with his estranged wife who's waging an ongoing battle to end visitation rights with their young son. VERDICT Grisham devotees will enjoy a compelling and convincing plot propelled by a memorable protagonist who constantly defends his roguish actions and justifies his unconventional behavior. [See Prepub Alert, 4/27/15.]—Jerry P. Miller. Cambridge, MA