The Arraignment

Some people didn’t like this as well as Steve Martini’s other books but I found it very interesting reading. I enjoyed the book with the plots and twists.

This book is different than the others in the Madriani series - which probably annoys most Madriani fans. It concentrates less on legal strategy, and more on adventure. I was not enjoying it much, until he went to Mexico to uncover the truth about a shady operation that involved his murdered friend. The action in Mexico in the last half of the book was excellent, bring the book up from a 2 to a 4 star rating in my opinion.

I'll have to say I've enjoyed some of Martini's other work better than this one. But still, I read the book almost without stopping because I enjoy this author's style of writing. I think what disappointed me more than anything is the fact I had the plot figured out from the beginning and the story ended as I thought it would. Regardless, I would recommend the book to anyone for a good read and I'll be waiting for another Martini book in the future. I'll have to admit the beginning of Chapter 7 on page 82 really tickled me. Apparently, Martini/Madriani has his own views on journalism's "spin" nowadays.

Some of his earlier books were much better. Compared to other authors, this is a good book. compared to his earlier work, this is just OK.

The law firm of Madriani and Hinds of Coronado, California consists of two partners, Harry Hinds and Paul Madriani. They are an ethical pair who refuse to accept drug cases. At the coaxing of his trophy wife, Nick Rush, a criminal attorney at the legal giant Rocker, Dusha and DeWine, asks Paul to take on the case of Gerald Metz, a business man entangled with a grand jury probe. Nick explains he is unable to provide Metz with legal support because of a conflict of interest.Paul has doubts but meets Metz. Paul quickly figures out that his potential client is lying to him and that he might be indicted for money laundering. After consulting with Harry, they agree they want no part of the case. Paul reluctantly tells Nick he won't represent the man. A few minutes later as Paul is walking away from the scene, someone kills Nick and Metz in a drive-by shooting. Though he knows he has no reason to, Paul feels guilty and decides to investigate Nick's death. He almost gets himself and Harry killed in the process.Crime thriller fans will find Steve Martini's latest work exciting and so engrossing that it is impossible to put down until the last page is turned. Paul Madriani is the Perry Mason of the new millennium, an attorney with ethics who goes the extra mile for his client and will even work for free to see justice occur. THE ARRAIGNMENT is realistic and believable, yet so vivid a novel with strong believable characters that the storyline would make an exhilarating movie. Harriet Klausner