Beyond Terror

by Raoul D. Revord

Attorney David Chartier is enjoying a pleasant weekend away with his family in upstate Michigan when he receives a panicked phone call from his client, Jean Davis. Apparently, Jean is being held at the police station under suspicion of murdering her husband, John. David can't believe it, so he heads home to try and save her from life in prison. Upon his arrival, certain details come to light. Jean claims to be an abused wife, saying that John abused her, physically and psychologically, throughout their entire marriage. If she stayed, she would end up dying at his hand; if she tried to run, he would find her and kill her for her misdeed. As she tearfully explains to David, her only option was murder. Now, he must find a way to make her argument stick in court. Written by a retired trial lawyer, Beyond Terror offers a detailed, painful look at the psyche of an abused woman and the legal process that threatens to protect or condemn. David will do anything to save Jean's life, but will a jury accept her testimony? He must dig deep to find the evidence he needs and, in doing so, travel dark paths he never before considered to tread.

Genres: True Crime

244 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2010

Reviews

[Susan Baranoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fictionalized account of a real trial from the pen of a local Munising, Michigan lawyer writing under a pseudonym. This book details the 1984 trial of a woman accused of murdering her abusive husband. It is a primer in exactly how a trial works and the kinds of things trial attorneys should do in thinking about and preparing for a case. Should be on the required reading list for every 1st year law student in the country. It should also be the basis of Continuing Legal Education for anyone who works in a Domestic, Family, or Criminal Court.

[Anna Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister in law has been bugging me about reading this book for days. It started out subtly—recommending it by saying how much she loved it. Then it skyrocketed to her buying it for me and made me feel guilty if I don't put my hands on it. Guess what? Best decision made ever. Sure, I have enjoyed lots of books that she has recommended over the years, but this is one of those books that I can't put down the moment I started reading it.

This book is about a young lawyer who used everything he could find to defend an abused wife accused of murdering her abusive husband. It uncovers precisely how a trial works and what trial attorneys should do in envisioning and get everything set for a case. I was really overawed by the author's capability to bring each character quickly to life. There is no doubt that he has adeptness and understanding of the inner workings of the legal system. What's even more fascinating is that he was able to share his own vulnerability, apprehension and his inner strength to be victorious over this for the peace of mind of his client.

In addition to providing a very good mystery, the author did a smashing job ending of the story. This book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions that I surely won't be able to take my mind off for days! It was such an eye-opener and very timely to today's society.

I would highly suggest this book to be on the required reading list for every incoming law students all around the globe. To anybody who is into getting to know more about what makes a lawyer tick and all the work and processes that goes into a case, this is definitely the book for you.

[Nancy Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy of this book free through Goodreads. Written by a trial lawyer and based on an actual trial, this is the story of a battered wife who acted out of absolute terror. The author takes us through the trial, right up to the verdict and its aftermath.
All of that being said, I must take issue with whoever edited this. In a couple of places, the author switched from third person to first, using "I" and "we" when obviously the whole narrative is told in third person. Other errors were a distraction from an otherwise well-written story.

[Raoul Revord]

I am the author of this book, written under my pen-name, Ralph Thornton. It is a story of a young lawyer defending his first murder case, that of an abused wife on trial for the alleged murder of her husband.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book free through Goodreads.

A real eye opening account of a very destructive marriage, with historical domestic abuse and a terrible outcome.

This book walks you through the work of the attorney and the whole trial and a shocking ending.
— 0 minutes ago

[Kristina Lassetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love it more, but when it came to the trial it was from an attorney's perspective as if he is going through the trial, in a very monotonous way. I have more insight now as to the goings on of a trial, but it made for dull reading.

[Barbara Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look at what can happen in a abusive marriage where the wife kills the husband. This shows the legal proceedings like you are sitting in the courtroom and ends in tragedy. Received this book from Goodreads First Read.