This is a debut novel by this Author, and the first courtroom drama that I have read in a very long time after becoming jaded by Baldacci and Grisham who seem to churn out cookie cutter books by the dozen now. However, after reading this, I am sure I’ve rediscovered my love for this genre and, if this Author keeps up this level of writing, he will be knocking the aforementioned two off their very high pedestal.

Right from the opening of this novel, the main male lead is anything but likeable; think of all those Lawyer jokes you’ve heard or told, and they all apply to him. He is the one that would give the shark a stomach ache. This ‘man’ is arrogant, has no humanity about him whatsoever, and is not afraid to let anyone within earshot know that it’s his way or the highway. He knows he is a clever and skilled Lawyer, and wants everyone to know this, whether they like it or not. As unlikable as he is, the reader is drawn to him to see why he became this way, if he will be redeemable and, if not, to have a ringside view when his demise and total ruin take place. This character does not have any Perry Mason or Ben Matlock qualities about him at all, and that is just fine; this is a gritty and disturbingly honest view of one reprehensible human being. The remaining cast of characters in this novel have just as much time invested in their development; there are those that you will love and those that really renew your faith in the human race; and then there are those like our lead who you would like to see locked away for a very long time.

Unlike some courtroom drama novels, this one doesn’t have any episodes of high velocity action, and that works really well with the writing style of the Author; things definitely do happen in the book but nothing that would have you gripping the edge of your seat. Because of the writing skill and style of the Author these action sequences are not needed, and their absence only serve to make the reader more aware that they are taking a glimpse into a world the Author has personal knowledge of; although not in the guise of our despicable lead we hope. It is apparent from the way in which the courtroom scenes are described, and the way the justice machine in this part of the country moves along, that the Author has pulled from his own experiences in the legal arena and this makes the book more genuine and believable.

In this novel, the reader will find all the trappings of an epic courtroom drama that is also loosely based on actual events that took place in Montreal in the 1990’s; it is gritty, gripping and makes you want to keep reading on to the stunning conclusion. However, readers need to be aware this is not a novel you will be able to pick up and dip into for a few chapters. Due to the writing skill demonstrated and authenticity brought about by the experiences of the Author, the reader will find themselves being immersed totally into the story line, and needing to carry on reading regardless. This book made me neglect things I needed to do, and stay up far too late so I could finish it, which in my opinion is the hallmark of a truly outstanding book.

At its core, it is so simple. Courtroom dramas are about the battle between good and evil, justice and injustice, right and wrong. Sometimes the case deals with an unimaginable crime. Sometimes it takes a look at the complexity of the human mind. Whatever the case, a person’s life is on the line. And with the help of complex characters and a great storyline, this novel has it all; it deals with extremes... and that makes for an intense story.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of Baldacci and Grisham, also to those who have never picked up a courtroom drama before. I am looking forward to seeing what this Author produces in the future.

Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/review-the-guilty-gabriel-boutro...


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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This is a debut novel by this Author, and the first courtroom drama that I have read in a very long time after becoming jaded by Baldacci and Grisham who seem to churn out cookie cutter books by the dozen now. However, after reading this, I am sure I’ve rediscovered my love for this genre and, if this Author keeps up this level of writing, he will be knocking the aforementioned two off their very high pedestal.

Right from the opening of this novel, the main male lead is anything but likeable; think of all those Lawyer jokes you’ve heard or told, and they all apply to him. He is the one that would give the shark a stomach ache. This ‘man’ is arrogant, has no humanity about him whatsoever, and is not afraid to let anyone within earshot know that it’s his way or the highway. He knows he is a clever and skilled Lawyer, and wants everyone to know this, whether they like it or not. As unlikable as he is, the reader is drawn to him to see why he became this way, if he will be redeemable and, if not, to have a ringside view when his demise and total ruin take place. This character does not have any Perry Mason or Ben Matlock qualities about him at all, and that is just fine; this is a gritty and disturbingly honest view of one reprehensible human being. The remaining cast of characters in this novel have just as much time invested in their development; there are those that you will love and those that really renew your faith in the human race; and then there are those like our lead who you would like to see locked away for a very long time.

Unlike some courtroom drama novels, this one doesn’t have any episodes of high velocity action, and that works really well with the writing style of the Author; things definitely do happen in the book but nothing that would have you gripping the edge of your seat. Because of the writing skill and style of the Author these action sequences are not needed, and their absence only serve to make the reader more aware that they are taking a glimpse into a world the Author has personal knowledge of; although not in the guise of our despicable lead we hope. It is apparent from the way in which the courtroom scenes are described, and the way the justice machine in this part of the country moves along, that the Author has pulled from his own experiences in the legal arena and this makes the book more genuine and believable.

In this novel, the reader will find all the trappings of an epic courtroom drama that is also loosely based on actual events that took place in Montreal in the 1990’s; it is gritty, gripping and makes you want to keep reading on to the stunning conclusion. However, readers need to be aware this is not a novel you will be able to pick up and dip into for a few chapters. Due to the writing skill demonstrated and authenticity brought about by the experiences of the Author, the reader will find themselves being immersed totally into the story line, and needing to carry on reading regardless. This book made me neglect things I needed to do, and stay up far too late so I could finish it, which in my opinion is the hallmark of a truly outstanding book.

At its core, it is so simple. Courtroom dramas are about the battle between good and evil, justice and injustice, right and wrong. Sometimes the case deals with an unimaginable crime. Sometimes it takes a look at the complexity of the human mind. Whatever the case, a person’s life is on the line. And with the help of complex characters and a great storyline, this novel has it all; it deals with extremes... and that makes for an intense story.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of Baldacci and Grisham, also to those who have never picked up a courtroom drama before. I am looking forward to seeing what this Author produces in the future.

Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/review-the-guilty-gabriel-boutro...


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
( )

Free on Kindle. Spoilers. This is a pretty slow-moving & detailed story of a successful lawyer in Canada who confronts some of the realities of his profession. He witnesses a rape trial where the defendant's lawyer acts as he himself would have acted, but the woman who was raped is his daughter's friend so he feels the ugliness of the treatment she receives. He gets hired to defend a young man who is accused of crime-related murders and finally has to take a stand against the suborning of perjury that the defendant's mother is coordinating. So he gets it exposed & quits the law & goes to Costa RIca.

Robert Bratt once defended a man on rape charges and gets him off. Now that same man rapes Claire, a friend of the family and his daughters best friend. Robert watches as the Claire is painted as a bad person, someone who asked for this to happen. And as the man once again gets off Roberts daughter turns on him saying this is his fault and moves out. Now Robert struggles with what he does for a living and questions how far will he go to defend those he knows to be guilty. But then he gets a case that could further his career but only if he wins.

This is an exciting, fast paced legal thriller that gets you from the first page and holds you till the last. The characters are well written and I really like Robert Bratt. You watch him struggle with his inner self trying to come to terms with what he does for a living, his pain on his daughter moving out and not knowing where she is. And then there is the guilt about Claire because he defended the man years before. The courtroom scenes will have you on the edge of your seat and towards the end I could not read fast enough. The ending will leave you satisfied and with a smile on your face. I would definitely read another book about Robert Bratt. This is the kind of book that when you are done it's hard to start another because you keep thinking how good this one is. Even if you are not a fan of legal thrillers you should read this book. It will be worth it. ( )

This was an excellent book. It's a drama about a murder trial, and the main character is a lawyer who is becoming very conflicted about his work and the kind of clients he defends. His work causes conflicts with his daughter and his girlfriend, as well as his conscience, but he has to prepare for a murder trial, where he is defending this very nasty gang member. Lots of dramatic twists and turns, and the trial scenes are very tense. Big thumbs up from me. ( )