Actual Innocence (Greg Monarch)

The title of L.A. Times reporter Siegel's second legal thriller refers to an actual legal term intending not only to find fault with the state's case but to prove "actual" innocence. A novel idea. His series protagonist, successful California defense attorney Greg Monarch might be wiser to refer his emotionally troubled old flame Sarah Trant's death row appeal to someone more neutral, but even a little poking around stirs up a murk of conspiracy and corruption in the small Eden-like community of El Nido. When he finally gets past the stonewalling of the sheriff and DA, he discovers that the wealthy rancher who seems so sympathetic to Sarah was the prosecution's star witness, recipient of the dying man's last accusatory words. Better yet, a look at the autopsy photos shows a severed carotid artery - the man could not have spoken. Withheld evidence, doctored reports, witness tampering - a miscarriage of justice could hardly be more easy to prove. But whatever the powers-that-be in El Nido are trying to hide, it binds enemies together in a conspiracy of silence. Monarch finds his case falling apart on the witness stand. Tense courtroom drama, an underlying sense of menace and a mystery that grows more labyrinthine with every development makes this a well-written page-turner.

Highly recommendable book. However, be prepared to go for a walk to get the anger and sense of injustice out of your system! Just can't believe that legal processes are more important than the state saving face...

This book will get you glued to it until you reach the end.

Having four leisurely days of holiday in Singapore this was exactly the sort of book I needed; a very well written, fast paced thriller.Attorney Greg Monarch is handed a "final appeal"of a woman sentenced to death for murder by a federal judge who, although not seeing exactly how to appeal legally senses that there is some truth in the story of the women.It turns out that the simple murder case was part of a conspiracy much beyond what was obvious in the first place and it turns into a story of greed and selfishness of a whole community.Mr.Siegel, like in his first book, has a tremendous capability of drawing believable characters into a well conceived storyline. A book which entertains and will not dissapoint.It is not a story of good guys versus bad guys ( although there are some genuinely despicable people) but more of a number of people in doubt of the right course to take leading to enormous consequences.Highly recommendable indeed for a couple of hours next to a swimming pool!

Even when Central California Federal Judge Daniel Solman asks for his help, attorney Greg Monarch says no even though this is the woman's last appeal. Five years ago, a local jury convicted the death row inmate of killing an elderly geologist. Six months from now she will visit the chair. As he reads her petition, an angry Greg knows he must dive into another death row case because the convict is his former lover, the tumultuous Sarah Trant. Greg begins to attain background information, but finds roadblock after roadblock. Sarah's attorney refuses to cooperate. The sheriff and the District Attorney reject Greg's inquiries. However, Greg immediately sees a fatal flaw in the prosecution's case. The victim's alleged final words accuse Sarah of murdering him, but his gutted throat made it impossible to speak. As Greg digs deeper, he realizes that other individuals had stronger motives to kill the victim, However, with official inertia slowing him down Greg wonders if he has enough time to prove his client's innocence. ACTUAL INNOCENCE is an intriguing legal thriller that centers on a small town's conspiracy to hide a scandal. Though it's obvious what is going on, the story line is well written and provides insight into the bumbling efforts of the leading town officials to hide their ignominy.Harriet Klausner