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D.A. Diaries
Set in the courtrooms of our nation’s Capitol, D.A. Diaries explores the explosive combat zone of urban trial law through the eyes of Clay Franklin, an experienced homicide prosecutor.
This story begins with the shooting of a popular and legendary Washington, D.C., teacher. The high-profile trial is assigned to Clay, who is equally dedicated to chasing women as bringing murderers to justice. As Clay confronts his new assignment, he reconnects with the woman of his dreams and struggles unsuccessfully to keep his demons at bay. The euphoria of Clay’s relationship is overwhelmed by a progression of devastating events as witnesses go silent and a corrupt clan of police officers seeks to protect the prime suspect. Clay’s indiscretion with a witness at trial threatens both his personal life and his career, sending the superstar of the homicide unit into an abyss. Clay is a passionate individual who is revealed through his observations and conversations with his cynical pals at the D.A.’s Office, crooked cops, drug-addled witnesses, and his burned-out psychiatrist. He sees the legal system, his dysfunctional family, and our nation’s Capitol with a unique wit that is at once comedic, troubling, and honest.
The author has worked as a prosecutor and defense attorney for the past 30 years. Of course, D.A. Diaries is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Although some real D.C. and Prince George’s County institutions are mentioned, all are used fictitiously.
This story begins with the shooting of a popular and legendary Washington, D.C., teacher. The high-profile trial is assigned to Clay, who is equally dedicated to chasing women as bringing murderers to justice. As Clay confronts his new assignment, he reconnects with the woman of his dreams and struggles unsuccessfully to keep his demons at bay. The euphoria of Clay’s relationship is overwhelmed by a progression of devastating events as witnesses go silent and a corrupt clan of police officers seeks to protect the prime suspect. Clay’s indiscretion with a witness at trial threatens both his personal life and his career, sending the superstar of the homicide unit into an abyss. Clay is a passionate individual who is revealed through his observations and conversations with his cynical pals at the D.A.’s Office, crooked cops, drug-addled witnesses, and his burned-out psychiatrist. He sees the legal system, his dysfunctional family, and our nation’s Capitol with a unique wit that is at once comedic, troubling, and honest.
The author has worked as a prosecutor and defense attorney for the past 30 years. Of course, D.A. Diaries is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Although some real D.C. and Prince George’s County institutions are mentioned, all are used fictitiously.
366 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2011
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 4, 2012
Note: This review is by my husband Jim.
The beginning of Kenneth Eichner’s D. A. Diaries grabs the reader with its snappy dialog, and a lively pace is maintained throughout the book. This is a pretty engaging read, especially coming from a first-time author.
One quality that stands out through the entire novel is its authenticity with respect to legal matters. The writer is a former prosecutor and defense attorney, and he really knows his way around a courthouse. He captures the frenetic pace - punctuated by periods of boredom - of pretrial procedure. In particular, his court clerks, bailiffs, and other support staff are well-drawn. His judges remind me of the ones I encountered in my short stint as a litigator in Chicago. And based on what I heard during my police car ride-alongs in Washington, D.C. with my sister-in-law (a lieutenant in the D.C. Police Force), Eichner's ear for the speech patterns of the criminal class and local cops rings true.
The protagonist, Clay Franklin, is a witty and competent lawyer in Washington, D.C. The other male characters are clever and often hilarious. The female characters, however, are just too perfect. Clay's female partner is tall, beautiful (with “cerulean eyes”), and a law review editor from a top school. The love of his life is a former law student turned artist, also incredibly beautiful. The other women Clay either encounters, seduces, or is seduced by, are also stunning. The protagonist seems to have no trouble gaining the affection of any of the beautiful women he pursues.
The crime portion of the plot revolves around the murder trial of a beloved teacher. The prime suspect is one of the teacher's students, who happens to be the son of a disreputable policeman. The resolution is not particularly surprising.
The trite romantic sub-plot is less satisfying than the rest. It sounds a bit too much like it came out of someone’s fantasies rather than real life. There is not much nuance in it, and the outcome is implausible, given the characterizations preceding it.
Evaluation: The legal portion of the book is very well-done. The book’s credible descriptions of legal procedure and practice are reminiscent of Scott Turow, but the mood is lighter and funnier.
The romantic parts could have used a more skeptical editor, and some of the prose could have used an editor more grammatically astute. In no fewer than three instances, compound objects of prepositions were left in the nominative case. (As in: “No one in the office had been able to tag him for a homicide before the file made its way to Scott and I .”) Ouch! That’s just embarrassing.
Overall, the plot is not exceptionally well-crafted, but the author’s style is entertaining, and he shows promise as a writer of crime fiction if he loses the fantasy obsessions and studies some grammar books.
Rating: 2.5/5
The beginning of Kenneth Eichner’s D. A. Diaries grabs the reader with its snappy dialog, and a lively pace is maintained throughout the book. This is a pretty engaging read, especially coming from a first-time author.
One quality that stands out through the entire novel is its authenticity with respect to legal matters. The writer is a former prosecutor and defense attorney, and he really knows his way around a courthouse. He captures the frenetic pace - punctuated by periods of boredom - of pretrial procedure. In particular, his court clerks, bailiffs, and other support staff are well-drawn. His judges remind me of the ones I encountered in my short stint as a litigator in Chicago. And based on what I heard during my police car ride-alongs in Washington, D.C. with my sister-in-law (a lieutenant in the D.C. Police Force), Eichner's ear for the speech patterns of the criminal class and local cops rings true.
The protagonist, Clay Franklin, is a witty and competent lawyer in Washington, D.C. The other male characters are clever and often hilarious. The female characters, however, are just too perfect. Clay's female partner is tall, beautiful (with “cerulean eyes”), and a law review editor from a top school. The love of his life is a former law student turned artist, also incredibly beautiful. The other women Clay either encounters, seduces, or is seduced by, are also stunning. The protagonist seems to have no trouble gaining the affection of any of the beautiful women he pursues.
The crime portion of the plot revolves around the murder trial of a beloved teacher. The prime suspect is one of the teacher's students, who happens to be the son of a disreputable policeman. The resolution is not particularly surprising.
The trite romantic sub-plot is less satisfying than the rest. It sounds a bit too much like it came out of someone’s fantasies rather than real life. There is not much nuance in it, and the outcome is implausible, given the characterizations preceding it.
Evaluation: The legal portion of the book is very well-done. The book’s credible descriptions of legal procedure and practice are reminiscent of Scott Turow, but the mood is lighter and funnier.
The romantic parts could have used a more skeptical editor, and some of the prose could have used an editor more grammatically astute. In no fewer than three instances, compound objects of prepositions were left in the nominative case. (As in: “No one in the office had been able to tag him for a homicide before the file made its way to Scott and I .”) Ouch! That’s just embarrassing.
Overall, the plot is not exceptionally well-crafted, but the author’s style is entertaining, and he shows promise as a writer of crime fiction if he loses the fantasy obsessions and studies some grammar books.
Rating: 2.5/5
July 19, 2012
I received this book as a gift from a law school friend - I hadn't heard of the author, but the book came highly recommended. Even though I do not typically go for the Grisham-style novels, I decided to give it a shot.
Mr. Eichner clearly has experience as a prosecutor. The courtroom scenes and the protagonist's interaction with witnesses are full of humor and wit. The love story seemed a bit rushed to me, but overall, it was a great quick read. Though not a major character, look for Rich Salsbury - some of his comments are enough to make this book worth reading.
I hope to see another book from Mr. Eichner. His writing style is crisp and journalistic and authentically humorous. He beats Grisham any day of the week.
Mr. Eichner clearly has experience as a prosecutor. The courtroom scenes and the protagonist's interaction with witnesses are full of humor and wit. The love story seemed a bit rushed to me, but overall, it was a great quick read. Though not a major character, look for Rich Salsbury - some of his comments are enough to make this book worth reading.
I hope to see another book from Mr. Eichner. His writing style is crisp and journalistic and authentically humorous. He beats Grisham any day of the week.
November 24, 2012
D.A. Diaries is a wild ride through Washington, D.C. and the characters that make up the Capitol's colorful legal landscape. Cops, investigators, lawyers and judges all come to life through the character of Clay Franklin, a skilled trial attorney and occasionally flawed bachelor on the make. I was impressed by the realistic portrayal of the characters -- the judges and their courtrooms, magnificent and austere, are especially well rendered and memorable. The sharpness of details make you wonder what is real and what is drawn from the imagination. D.A. Diaries is unlike any other crime and legal novel I've read, possessing a wry humor that makes it even more enjoyable. A welcome debut from author Kenneth Eichner.
March 24, 2013
An easy and entertaining read, and a strong start out of the gate from a first-time author. The main character doesn't endear himself to the reader initially, but does redeem himself before the conclusion of the novel. And the numerous character flaws do make for a more relatable story--while reading the inner thoughts and spoken dialog of Clay (main character) I could think of at least a few people I've encountered with similar personalities.
My main criticisms of the novel would be that it lacked some in detail and substance--the pace felt hurried at times; and that the ending was a little too tidy.
My main criticisms of the novel would be that it lacked some in detail and substance--the pace felt hurried at times; and that the ending was a little too tidy.
August 8, 2012
This was a compelling, fast-paced, and really enjoyable read. Eichner's passion for and skill at his work comes through in this novel. I really enjoyed this view of the prosecutorial side of law -- something I hadn't seen before -- and all the prep and strategy that goes into it. The characters are well-drawn and plot and strategy keep you guessing through to the end.
A great, light summer read.
A great, light summer read.
September 12, 2012
was an easy read and enjoyed very much being from DC area made it all that more special
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews