Raising Cain

Gardner Lawson #3

by Gallatin Warfield

On a deserted road in rural Maryland a black man lies dead, the victim of an apparent heart attack. His policeman son, Sergeant Joe Brown, refuses to see it as an open-and-shut case and begins to investigate. The trail leads to CAIN, the Church of the Ark, Incorporated, a fanatical religious cult practicing bizarre snake rituals and mind control, and to the group's powerful, charismatic leader. Then, in an extraordinary twist of fate, Thomas Ruth, the head of CAIN, becomes the next to die.
The county's prosecuting attorney, Gardner Lawson, is convinced that even though Brown had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill Thomas Ruth, he didn't commit the crime. Then, when the cop is charged with the murder, the lawyer makes a decision that will change his life. In a stunning reversal of roles, Lawson's old nemesis, the arrogant, flamboyant defense attorney Kent King, is brought in to spearhead the prosecution of Sergeant Brown - and Lawson must choose between a career built on bringing criminals to justice and a colleague in need of the best possible defense.
Raising Cain takes us into the inner workings of our criminal justice system and the hothouse atmosphere of friends, adversaries, lovers, and family caught up in a struggle of life and death. In it, Gallatin Warfield explores some of the most compelling issues of our time - from the racial, social, and economic crosscurrents of Maryland's Appalachian hill country to the dangerous passions that surround a cult.

345 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Gallatin Warfield earned his law degree from the University of Maryland Law School. He is a former Assistant Attorney General in the criminal division of the Maryland Attorney General's office and a former chief felony prosecutor in the Howard County, Maryland, State Attorney's Office.

Reviews

[eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

i found this in a free books pile at rhe thrift store, now i understand why it was free

[Krishanne Kwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

[Marianne V · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would get a higher review. It starts out with lots of intrigue and keeps you going, but there isn't much to the characters and when it all comes together in the last few pages, it is too pat and too predictable.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raising Cain
Warfield, Gallatin
this is an interesting mystery novel looking into learning about murder and death

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! Will certainly read more books by this author.