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Missing Witness
In this electrifying debut thriller, a brilliant defense lawyer takes on a murder case with ingenious twistsPhoenix, Arizona, 1973. A beautiful woman, armed with a gun and accompanied by her twelve-year-old daughter, enters a house. Shots are fired. The woman and her daughter leave the house. Inside, her husband lies dead.
The case seems open and shut. The cops, the attorney general's office, and the media are certain the woman is guilty. The only witness to the shooting is in a catatonic state and cannot testify. But the murdered man's wealthy father believes he owes the woman something and hires Dan Morgan, the best lawyer in Phoenix, to defend her.
When the legendary criminal attorney takes on a case it's to win, no matter what the odds. But for Morgan and his young protégé, Doug McKenzie, there are no easy answers, only mysteries, and the question of innocence and guilt take on profound new meaning.
Combining the riveting suspense of Presumed Innocent with the raw ambition and power of All the King's Men, this full-bodied novel introduces a writer of great skill and insight into the human character.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
April 4, 2025
Catching up…
I never heard of this author, until his book was dropped off as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed. Even though the book was published in 2007, I thought it might be an interesting read since I am a fan of legal thrillers and courtroom dramas. And, having learned that the author is a practicing lawyer, I figured this might be a compelling read, considering that he would most likely write from experience.
The book is set in 1973, Scottsdale, Arizona. The action begins immediately when a woman enters a house with her 12-year-old daughter. When they leave a man is dead inside.
Who? What? And, why?
This is also a story about a young, naïve protégé lawyer, Doug McKenzie, working with a legendary attorney, Dan Morgan, who opt to defend the person “responsible” for killing the man. Even as everyone around feels that this is an open and shut case.
But is it really?
What if anything would make her kill this individual? And, could that reason be enough to get a non-guilty verdict?
Readers will find themselves in the midst of twists, memorable, well-developed, but deeply flawed characters; and, questions about how it is determined if a person is truly guilty vs. being innocent?
And, the ultimate question of, ‘how can anyone defend someone they believe, or know, to be guilty?’ Would the attorney rather not know the person’s guilt status, or does knowing help that attorney find an excuse for the crime, for their client’s best interest defense? Or, is it the system that demands a fair trial, regardless of guilt or innocence? Which made this also a moral dilemma reading experience. Most likely suitable for book discussion groups.
Because there is always more to consider about the crime and the people involved and their motives. And, nothing is as it seems.
Like…perhaps readers might wonder if the more appealing question might be what took place in that house that could possibly lead to a person’s death? And, this might be the best defense for the defendant.
Readers will have a chance to experience trial preparation as well as testimony regarding the murder. As well as, a young, naïve attorney, doing everything he can to look into what really happened. How will his actions affect his partnership with lead attorney, Dan Morgan?
The story was well-paced, with great explanations about legal procedure and the court, which made it easy to follow along as a layman. As mentioned earlier, the characters are flawed, and some of their actions don’t read well. However, saying all this, it still was a gripping and absorbing story.
3.5 stars
I never heard of this author, until his book was dropped off as a donation to my Little Free Library Shed. Even though the book was published in 2007, I thought it might be an interesting read since I am a fan of legal thrillers and courtroom dramas. And, having learned that the author is a practicing lawyer, I figured this might be a compelling read, considering that he would most likely write from experience.
The book is set in 1973, Scottsdale, Arizona. The action begins immediately when a woman enters a house with her 12-year-old daughter. When they leave a man is dead inside.
Who? What? And, why?
This is also a story about a young, naïve protégé lawyer, Doug McKenzie, working with a legendary attorney, Dan Morgan, who opt to defend the person “responsible” for killing the man. Even as everyone around feels that this is an open and shut case.
But is it really?
What if anything would make her kill this individual? And, could that reason be enough to get a non-guilty verdict?
Readers will find themselves in the midst of twists, memorable, well-developed, but deeply flawed characters; and, questions about how it is determined if a person is truly guilty vs. being innocent?
And, the ultimate question of, ‘how can anyone defend someone they believe, or know, to be guilty?’ Would the attorney rather not know the person’s guilt status, or does knowing help that attorney find an excuse for the crime, for their client’s best interest defense? Or, is it the system that demands a fair trial, regardless of guilt or innocence? Which made this also a moral dilemma reading experience. Most likely suitable for book discussion groups.
Because there is always more to consider about the crime and the people involved and their motives. And, nothing is as it seems.
Like…perhaps readers might wonder if the more appealing question might be what took place in that house that could possibly lead to a person’s death? And, this might be the best defense for the defendant.
Readers will have a chance to experience trial preparation as well as testimony regarding the murder. As well as, a young, naïve attorney, doing everything he can to look into what really happened. How will his actions affect his partnership with lead attorney, Dan Morgan?
The story was well-paced, with great explanations about legal procedure and the court, which made it easy to follow along as a layman. As mentioned earlier, the characters are flawed, and some of their actions don’t read well. However, saying all this, it still was a gripping and absorbing story.
3.5 stars
April 26, 2011
Doing something I seldom do, I am giving 4 stars to a author's first book.
This book has several strong points. First, the story is told in the first person by Morgan's young protege, Doug McKenzie. He is only a year out of law school, so Dan Morgan explains things to him--and thus to the reader. We see Dan Morgan through Doug's eyes; and I feel it gives a better sense of the man that if told from Dan Morgan's prespective.
A second strength is legal jargon, while present, is kept to a minimum. I found this much better handled than in some other legal thrillers, where I feel I at least need a class in Legal Theory 101 before continuing. Mr. Campbell avoids this and explains things very, very well, yet simply.
The third strength is I find his writing style concise and easy to read. The writing is crisp and to the point. I espcially enjoyed his use of dialogue.
Add some really ingenious twists to the plot and you have a legal thriller well above average.
Recommended for mystery fans as well as fans of legal thrillers.
This book has several strong points. First, the story is told in the first person by Morgan's young protege, Doug McKenzie. He is only a year out of law school, so Dan Morgan explains things to him--and thus to the reader. We see Dan Morgan through Doug's eyes; and I feel it gives a better sense of the man that if told from Dan Morgan's prespective.
A second strength is legal jargon, while present, is kept to a minimum. I found this much better handled than in some other legal thrillers, where I feel I at least need a class in Legal Theory 101 before continuing. Mr. Campbell avoids this and explains things very, very well, yet simply.
The third strength is I find his writing style concise and easy to read. The writing is crisp and to the point. I espcially enjoyed his use of dialogue.
Add some really ingenious twists to the plot and you have a legal thriller well above average.
Recommended for mystery fans as well as fans of legal thrillers.
January 26, 2018
PROTAGONIST: First year attorney Doug MCKenzie
SETTING: Phoenix
RATING: 4.5
WHY: Doug McKenzie is a first year associate who turns down a job with a prestigious San Francisco law firm in order to work with esteemed defense attorney Don Morgan in Phoenix. They partner in a case where a witness has seen a mother and daughter enter the husband's home, hears a shot and then sees them both come out. One or the other had to murder the man. Morgan does a brilliant job in representing the mother. The tables turn when the victim's father then asks them to represent the daughter in a second trial. As you can imagine, the legal aspects of all of this were quite perplexing. Campbell did a fine job in presenting a unique legal mystery. My only problem was the inconsistent actions of the judge in the second trial which colored the conclusion.
SETTING: Phoenix
RATING: 4.5
WHY: Doug McKenzie is a first year associate who turns down a job with a prestigious San Francisco law firm in order to work with esteemed defense attorney Don Morgan in Phoenix. They partner in a case where a witness has seen a mother and daughter enter the husband's home, hears a shot and then sees them both come out. One or the other had to murder the man. Morgan does a brilliant job in representing the mother. The tables turn when the victim's father then asks them to represent the daughter in a second trial. As you can imagine, the legal aspects of all of this were quite perplexing. Campbell did a fine job in presenting a unique legal mystery. My only problem was the inconsistent actions of the judge in the second trial which colored the conclusion.
August 5, 2011
Trial attorney Gordon Campbell delivers an intriguing, wonderfully written new legal thriller that's sure to please both fans of the genre and casual readers who could use a little mystery in there life.
In Missing Witness, up-and-coming attorney Doug McKenzie must work with star trial attorney Daniel Morgan to defend the wife of a murdered man. The case seems simple enough: a woman and her daughter enter a house that is empty, save for the woman's husband, gun shots are heard and a few moments later, the mother and daughter leave the house -the man is dead. However, when the dead man's father hires McKenzie and Morgan to defend his seemingly guilty daughter-in-law, McKenzie knows that this case isn't what it seems,
Even though this is a debut novel, it certainly doesn't feel like it. Campbell handles fictional prose like a trained expert, even though at times the novel gets a little bogged down with legal technicalities, it's enjoyable and satisfying. I think that Campbell puts together some of the most complete and complex characters that I have ever read in a legal thriller, so rather than reading primarily because of the plot, I was draw into the struggles of the characters, particularly the main character, and lost myself in Campbell's skilled prose.
Sadly, this book seems like it hasn't received very much attention, despite being nominated for an Edgar Award (and loosing out to Tana French's In the Woods). I think this is because it's so overshadowed by the other giants in the legal thriller/thriller genre. It'll take time for Campbell to establish himself as a well-known name in the genre, but I definitely think that he has potential to get there.
In Missing Witness, up-and-coming attorney Doug McKenzie must work with star trial attorney Daniel Morgan to defend the wife of a murdered man. The case seems simple enough: a woman and her daughter enter a house that is empty, save for the woman's husband, gun shots are heard and a few moments later, the mother and daughter leave the house -the man is dead. However, when the dead man's father hires McKenzie and Morgan to defend his seemingly guilty daughter-in-law, McKenzie knows that this case isn't what it seems,
Even though this is a debut novel, it certainly doesn't feel like it. Campbell handles fictional prose like a trained expert, even though at times the novel gets a little bogged down with legal technicalities, it's enjoyable and satisfying. I think that Campbell puts together some of the most complete and complex characters that I have ever read in a legal thriller, so rather than reading primarily because of the plot, I was draw into the struggles of the characters, particularly the main character, and lost myself in Campbell's skilled prose.
Sadly, this book seems like it hasn't received very much attention, despite being nominated for an Edgar Award (and loosing out to Tana French's In the Woods). I think this is because it's so overshadowed by the other giants in the legal thriller/thriller genre. It'll take time for Campbell to establish himself as a well-known name in the genre, but I definitely think that he has potential to get there.
November 7, 2007
Full disclosure first: I'm soon to be the son-in-law of the author, so I'm a bit biased. Regardless, this is a great murder mystery. While some reviewers have compared it to early Turow or Grisham, I found the story similar to something from Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett. It has a bit of that masculine detective noir feel to it, but with lawyers instead of private detectives.
You can find plot summaries elsewhere, so I'll skip that. You should read this book because it's a thrilling page-turner, because it has wonderful, well developed characters, and because it does some worthwhile grappling with the age-old ethics issues that defense attorneys deal with.
You can find plot summaries elsewhere, so I'll skip that. You should read this book because it's a thrilling page-turner, because it has wonderful, well developed characters, and because it does some worthwhile grappling with the age-old ethics issues that defense attorneys deal with.
August 7, 2015
A well written courtroom drama that had the right amount of suspense, realistic characters, and a really good narrative flow. This was a first novel and it was nominated for both the Edgar and Barry Best First in 2008.
November 20, 2020
Книгата е интересна и поднася по странен начин изненадите. Изненади, които читателят не очаква и дори е възможно да се запита "На тази случка мястото ѝ тук ли е?". Един сериозен минус на линията на сюжетно развитие е частта, посветена на защитата на Миранда - някак си тези глави изглеждат крайно откъснати от цялостния роман. Ако не друго, то борбата на главните герои с личните им проблеми измества фокуса от основната история до такава степен, че читателят на моменти дори може да забрави за подсъдимото момиче.
Абстрахирайки се от това, за книгата е съвсем очаквано да събере положителни оценки от читателите - историята предлага необходимата динамика и богата сюжетна събитийност.
Абстрахирайки се от това, за книгата е съвсем очаквано да събере положителни оценки от читателите - историята предлага необходимата динамика и богата сюжетна събитийност.
August 7, 2022
This one kept me up until 4 am this morning. I could criticize a few things, but not necessary. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've visited Phoenix numerous times so enjoyed references to streets and sights like Taliesen West. I very much liked the viewpoint of the young lawyer, chosen as second chair by a partner and seeing Dan through Douglas's eyes. None of the reviews I've read here mention my favorite character: the ailing senior partner of the firm, who helps Douglas analyze the case and map out strategies.
June 8, 2015
What a terrific legal thriller this is. The author is an attorney and writes convincingly of the legal process and strategies. Make no mistake - this is NOT a detective story. It's all lawyers. If you're after gunfights, car chases, and the like, don't look here. But if you're like me and enjoy the battle of wits in the courtroom (and outside sometimes, too) this is your sirloin steak.
The outcome of the trials is never really in doubt, but the road there is full of so many twists and turns your head will spin. The writing is learned and intelligent. Lawyers write so much better than writers, surprisingly, although usually they don't tell stories that are as good. Here, the author does both well, but I will admit that I probably enjoyed it more than most people because I am, or at least used to be, a lawyer.
Despite my legal training I must say I've never bought the [insert epithet here] about truth and justice being found through the adversary system, or, for that matter, by a jury of one's peers. My sympathies are entirely with those who ask criminal defense lawyers how they can look themselves in the mirror every morning. In a perfect world everyone in the justice system would be trying to bring out all facts and evidence relevant to a criminal trial, rather than hiding the ones that are harmful to their client. A lawyer with a guilty client should be helping society by working toward conviction and appropriate punishment rather than acquittal, but we all know that's not how the system works. This is not a perfect world. It's America. Lawyers, knowing what is in their own financial self-interest, work toward is in the best interest of their client, even if that means making him or her able to resume criminal activities sooner and with greater success. They're like fences - associates who are part of the service industry making crime pay. Then they convince themselves it's unethical to do anything else.
But I digress. The narrator in this case is an idealistic young trial lawyer sitting second chair in a spectacular murder trial, his first trial, under the tutelage of Dan Morgan, a legendary defense advocate. Morgan is one of those all-too-familiar antiheroes we see in novels - the hard-drinking, chain smoking, philandering play-by-his-own-set-of-rules kind of guy. Our neophyte gets some hard lessons in ethics, or the lack thereof.
I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll leave it there. Have fun with this one.
The outcome of the trials is never really in doubt, but the road there is full of so many twists and turns your head will spin. The writing is learned and intelligent. Lawyers write so much better than writers, surprisingly, although usually they don't tell stories that are as good. Here, the author does both well, but I will admit that I probably enjoyed it more than most people because I am, or at least used to be, a lawyer.
Despite my legal training I must say I've never bought the [insert epithet here] about truth and justice being found through the adversary system, or, for that matter, by a jury of one's peers. My sympathies are entirely with those who ask criminal defense lawyers how they can look themselves in the mirror every morning. In a perfect world everyone in the justice system would be trying to bring out all facts and evidence relevant to a criminal trial, rather than hiding the ones that are harmful to their client. A lawyer with a guilty client should be helping society by working toward conviction and appropriate punishment rather than acquittal, but we all know that's not how the system works. This is not a perfect world. It's America. Lawyers, knowing what is in their own financial self-interest, work toward is in the best interest of their client, even if that means making him or her able to resume criminal activities sooner and with greater success. They're like fences - associates who are part of the service industry making crime pay. Then they convince themselves it's unethical to do anything else.
But I digress. The narrator in this case is an idealistic young trial lawyer sitting second chair in a spectacular murder trial, his first trial, under the tutelage of Dan Morgan, a legendary defense advocate. Morgan is one of those all-too-familiar antiheroes we see in novels - the hard-drinking, chain smoking, philandering play-by-his-own-set-of-rules kind of guy. Our neophyte gets some hard lessons in ethics, or the lack thereof.
I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll leave it there. Have fun with this one.
June 28, 2009
So many courtroom mysteries begin in comparison with "Presumed Innocent" that it is easy for the reader to look for something fresh.
"Missing Witness" by Gordon Campbell offers that freshness.
Doug McKenzie turned down an offer from a well known law firm in California in order to work with Dan Morgan.
Then, while playing in the state amature golf championship and having Dan caddy for him, Dan gets word that Ferris Eddington's daughter in law, Rita, has been arrested for killing Ferris' only son and Ferris wants Dan to defend her.
Dan accepts and Doug is assigned to work with him. It is a good mixture of Dan's savy and Doug's knowledge of the people involved since he had practically grown up on the ranch.
They learn that Rita and her twelve year old daughter, Miranda go into a shack on the ranch where her husband, Travis, was living. Shots were fired and Rita is seen leaving the house with the gun in her hand.
The trial begins. The prosecution is led by a rather pompus, sterertypical bumbler, Maximillian Hauser.
Danny is a wonderful character, charasmitic and if the story were to be filmed, think, Clint Eastwood.
The writing style is precise and in tune with the characters who are well drawn and likable. The author also provides us with some excellent plot twists and his courtroom drama is well done.
Recommended.
"Missing Witness" by Gordon Campbell offers that freshness.
Doug McKenzie turned down an offer from a well known law firm in California in order to work with Dan Morgan.
Then, while playing in the state amature golf championship and having Dan caddy for him, Dan gets word that Ferris Eddington's daughter in law, Rita, has been arrested for killing Ferris' only son and Ferris wants Dan to defend her.
Dan accepts and Doug is assigned to work with him. It is a good mixture of Dan's savy and Doug's knowledge of the people involved since he had practically grown up on the ranch.
They learn that Rita and her twelve year old daughter, Miranda go into a shack on the ranch where her husband, Travis, was living. Shots were fired and Rita is seen leaving the house with the gun in her hand.
The trial begins. The prosecution is led by a rather pompus, sterertypical bumbler, Maximillian Hauser.
Danny is a wonderful character, charasmitic and if the story were to be filmed, think, Clint Eastwood.
The writing style is precise and in tune with the characters who are well drawn and likable. The author also provides us with some excellent plot twists and his courtroom drama is well done.
Recommended.
July 18, 2015
Long, but good
As a lawyer and an author myself, I was eager to go on the journey with rookie attorney Doug McKenzie, as he passed by other opportunities to work with master defense lawyer Dan Morgan. The author is a lawyer himself, as is his daughter, and his wife is a judge, so I'm not going to question the final twist in the third part of the story which kept me literally glued to the pages. It got a little slow in the middle, but it was well worth wading through it for that fantastic ending.
As a lawyer and an author myself, I was eager to go on the journey with rookie attorney Doug McKenzie, as he passed by other opportunities to work with master defense lawyer Dan Morgan. The author is a lawyer himself, as is his daughter, and his wife is a judge, so I'm not going to question the final twist in the third part of the story which kept me literally glued to the pages. It got a little slow in the middle, but it was well worth wading through it for that fantastic ending.
March 10, 2008
People who don't live in Phoenix might not enjoy this book as much as I did, but I really liked it. It's a good story no matter where you live. It's a court drama/mystery -- kind of like Grisham before he got so formulaic. I read it in a day (actually I finished it at 1 am, so I guess technically that's two days)
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October 9, 2008Cathy G says:
I could not put this down! Absorbing and well written tale of mystery, fascinating exploration of legal ethics, as well as some of the how-tos of being a trial lawyer. Can't wait for his next book!
I could not put this down! Absorbing and well written tale of mystery, fascinating exploration of legal ethics, as well as some of the how-tos of being a trial lawyer. Can't wait for his next book!
April 15, 2023
I usually enjoy trial books, but this one was a bit long in the tooth for me. I was not expecting the twist mid-way through, so that was interesting. However, the relationship of all the characters got a bit confusing and I had to reread parts to try and understand who was who. The ending summation was too long and involved, so I honestly skimmed most of it, knowing what the outcome was going to be. It was a good story overall, but like I said, too many words to get to the ending for me.
August 11, 2019
Good writing, unexpected ending
June 19, 2022
Repulsive main characters, but an interesting case/plot.
February 12, 2016
Wealthy Phoenix rancher Ferris Eddington has hired nationally renowned lawyer Dan Morgan to defend his daughter-in-law, Rita, who has been accused of murdering her husband, Ferris' son, Travis. Mr. Eddington insists that Morgan allow Doug McKenzie, a new hire at Morgan's law firm and an Eddington family friend, to assist in Rita's case. The facts are that Rita and her 12-year-old daughter, Miranda, had been doing some target shooting with a handgun that Rita had recently purchased. The two then went to the house in which Travis, Rita's now estranged husband, was living. Ranch hands saw the two enter the house, heard gunfire, and when the two left the house Rita dropped the gun in the dirt. Rita was quickly arrested and since Miranda was with her mother at the time of the arrest she was also taken to the police station until her grandfather could come get her. While awaiting the arrival of Mr. Eddington, Miranda crawled under a bunk and wrapped her hands around the steel bars. Miranda, who had a long history of mental problems, slipped into a catatonic state so severe that the bars had to be cut with a welder's torch to remove her. Not knowing if it was Rita or Miranda who committed the murder, Morgan and McKenzie took Rita at her word that she herself did not fire the gun six times into her husband. Since the hospitalized Miranda was still in her catatonic state the lawyers rushed to go to trial before Miranda might awaken and dispute her mother's story. Morgan, a seasoned trial lawyer, pulled out every trick in his arsenal to have Rita acquitted, while McKenzie, at first on board with his mentor's methods, begins to have doubts as to who the guilty party really is.
What a well plotted legal mystery this is! I don't think I have enjoyed a 'who-done-it' quite so much in a very long time. I was constantly wondering if Rita did it? Did Miranda? Did Rita set it up to look like Miranda murdered her father? I was mostly sure I knew the answer but the final courtroom showdown was very interesting indeed. Unfortunately, it seems as though this is the only book this author has written. I certainly would love to read more of his work.
What a well plotted legal mystery this is! I don't think I have enjoyed a 'who-done-it' quite so much in a very long time. I was constantly wondering if Rita did it? Did Miranda? Did Rita set it up to look like Miranda murdered her father? I was mostly sure I knew the answer but the final courtroom showdown was very interesting indeed. Unfortunately, it seems as though this is the only book this author has written. I certainly would love to read more of his work.
September 24, 2017
In 1973, the son of a wealthy Arizona rancher is murdered in his house and there are two suspects, his wife and his daughter. Prior to the killing ranch workers observed as the two practiced with a pistol. Others watched the mother and daughter walk into the house, heard the shots, then watched the mother drop a pistol in the dirt as she walked out of the house. But no one saw who pulled the trigger.
At the jail where the two suspects have been taken, the daughter enters a catatonic state and is removed to a mental hospital. The murder victim’s father hires the best defense attorney in Arizona to represent his daughter-in-law. The attorney brings in a young lawyer to assist with the case and soon learns that this new fellow knows the victim and his family, but as their develop their defense the young lawyer finds out he doesn’t know them very well. They also discover that the prosecuting attorney is not a nice fellow and may be withholding evidence.
As you might guess, most of Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell (William Morrow 2007) addresses the legal and personal battles of preparing to defend the victim’s wife, who was charged with the murder. The narrative takes the reader through office politics, strategy sessions, and a few clandestine excursions. The courtroom scenes are full of competitive arguments between opposing attorneys. But when the first trial is over, a new one begins and therein lie the twists that give the book its suspense.
The author is an attorney with a law firm in Salt Lake City, and this is his first published novel. It is easy to read and held my interest, but the book is not among the best courtroom novels I’ve read. Nonetheless, I would read another book by the author.
At the jail where the two suspects have been taken, the daughter enters a catatonic state and is removed to a mental hospital. The murder victim’s father hires the best defense attorney in Arizona to represent his daughter-in-law. The attorney brings in a young lawyer to assist with the case and soon learns that this new fellow knows the victim and his family, but as their develop their defense the young lawyer finds out he doesn’t know them very well. They also discover that the prosecuting attorney is not a nice fellow and may be withholding evidence.
As you might guess, most of Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell (William Morrow 2007) addresses the legal and personal battles of preparing to defend the victim’s wife, who was charged with the murder. The narrative takes the reader through office politics, strategy sessions, and a few clandestine excursions. The courtroom scenes are full of competitive arguments between opposing attorneys. But when the first trial is over, a new one begins and therein lie the twists that give the book its suspense.
The author is an attorney with a law firm in Salt Lake City, and this is his first published novel. It is easy to read and held my interest, but the book is not among the best courtroom novels I’ve read. Nonetheless, I would read another book by the author.
March 15, 2008
Dad, what were you trying to tell me with this book? "Missing Witness" is told from the perspective of a newbie lawyer who collaborates with a partner known for being a savvy trial lawyer to defend a woman on trial for murdering her husband, hoping to create reasonable doubt by showing that the couple's twelve year old and mentally disturbed daughter could have done the crime.
I had been putting off reading this book since I received it as a gift in January for some reason, but I picked it up Wednesday evening and finished it 2.5 days later. Very fun, quick read about the ethical dilemmas of a criminal defense lawyer. How can you sleep at night defending someone you know is guilty?, the protagonist's grandmother queries, and is not swayed by the same response I gave to my own grandmother when I told her I was considering that line of work. The book takes that common question through a couple of twists and turns before arriving at a partially satisfying non-answer to it. That part didn't bother me too much; I'm familiar with the concept that criminal defense is ethically challenging. It bothers me that some might mistakenly conclude from the book that criminal defense lawyers *are* to be scorned as a general rule, but those who take that away were likely already victims of that preconception.
As for the trial-crime drama aspect, I found a lot of the plot completely unrealistic, legally and otherwise. The ultimate truth of the story was not as delicious and intriguing as I'd hoped. A bit shallow, really. There really isn't too much more I can say about it without spoiling the story. But very enjoyable light reading.
I had been putting off reading this book since I received it as a gift in January for some reason, but I picked it up Wednesday evening and finished it 2.5 days later. Very fun, quick read about the ethical dilemmas of a criminal defense lawyer. How can you sleep at night defending someone you know is guilty?, the protagonist's grandmother queries, and is not swayed by the same response I gave to my own grandmother when I told her I was considering that line of work. The book takes that common question through a couple of twists and turns before arriving at a partially satisfying non-answer to it. That part didn't bother me too much; I'm familiar with the concept that criminal defense is ethically challenging. It bothers me that some might mistakenly conclude from the book that criminal defense lawyers *are* to be scorned as a general rule, but those who take that away were likely already victims of that preconception.
As for the trial-crime drama aspect, I found a lot of the plot completely unrealistic, legally and otherwise. The ultimate truth of the story was not as delicious and intriguing as I'd hoped. A bit shallow, really. There really isn't too much more I can say about it without spoiling the story. But very enjoyable light reading.
October 27, 2008
Though this book some time to get into--I'm not much for legal books that bore you with the legalese that they're usually written in--I found it to be quite enjoyable, for the most part, once the story got going.
Doug is a new lawyer, working at firm in Arizona and finds himself on the ride of a lifetime when an old friend calls on the firm to represent his daughter-in-law, who is charged with killing the man's only son. Doug is immediately on board, working with his idol and realizes that all is not what it's made out to be in the world of law.
Throughout the book, I wanted to scream, "pick up your cellphone, you idiot." or "You could find that on the internet" before remembering that the story was set in 1973. Other than those casual reminders, there was nothing to suggest that the book was written in that era. No talk about Vietnam. Few references to Watergate. It was a weird time setting because the author didn't pull a lot of the essence of the times into the book and so it read as though it was set today.
There was a lot of drinking, smoking and slamming of Mormons, apparently a requirement to making the Reader's Choice List at the local library. The author is a local lawyer in Utah and, though the story was set in Arizona, a lot of the Utah culture spread throughout the story. I'm not so sure that in other parts of the country, much of the culture would be understood.
All in all, I did find it to be a very interesting book with some twists I never saw coming.
Doug is a new lawyer, working at firm in Arizona and finds himself on the ride of a lifetime when an old friend calls on the firm to represent his daughter-in-law, who is charged with killing the man's only son. Doug is immediately on board, working with his idol and realizes that all is not what it's made out to be in the world of law.
Throughout the book, I wanted to scream, "pick up your cellphone, you idiot." or "You could find that on the internet" before remembering that the story was set in 1973. Other than those casual reminders, there was nothing to suggest that the book was written in that era. No talk about Vietnam. Few references to Watergate. It was a weird time setting because the author didn't pull a lot of the essence of the times into the book and so it read as though it was set today.
There was a lot of drinking, smoking and slamming of Mormons, apparently a requirement to making the Reader's Choice List at the local library. The author is a local lawyer in Utah and, though the story was set in Arizona, a lot of the Utah culture spread throughout the story. I'm not so sure that in other parts of the country, much of the culture would be understood.
All in all, I did find it to be a very interesting book with some twists I never saw coming.
January 13, 2011
Doug McKenzie returns to Phoenix, his home town to practice law and work with Dan Morgan, a legendary criminal defense lawyer. Dan is asked by wealthy rancher Ferris Eddington to defend his daughter-in-law, Rita Eddington, who is accused of murdering his son, her husband, Travis Eddington. Ranch hand Juan Menchaka saw Rita and her daughter Miranda enter the house, heard shots, and then saw Rita drop a gun as she and Miranda left the house. Miranda has had some mental problems and goes into a catatonic state. The only defense for Rita is to claim that Miranda did the shooting. The ambitious young prosecutor is determined to convict one or the other of the women. There is good suspense as the trials go on, and Doug takes on a bigger role than he thought he would.
March 6, 2008
Dustins got me a copy from the author as he visited the US attorney's office. Camplell is a lawyer in Utah and this is his first novel. If you like legal suspense, Campell's twists and turns are every bit as good as Grishams! If you begin you will have to finish this one. The most negative thing is that I didn't get his references/allusions to BYU and Mormons in general. They didn't add to the sotsry and almost seemed out of place unless he really was trying to use them to reinforce his sense of place.
February 14, 2013
Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell is set in Arizona during the 70’s. Young attorney Doug McKenzie is thrilled to be working with legendary trial lawyer Dan Morgan. Doug is getting more experience than he planned, their first case together is a doozy. Travis Eddington was shot dead. Did his beautiful wife Rita kill him? Or was it his disturbed daughter Miranda? The only people in the cottage where Travis died are the victim, his daughter and his wife. Attorney Gordon Campbell put in plenty twists and turns.
February 15, 2015
Delightful twists and turns in the plot; the best legal mystery I've read in quite some time. I didn't see the narrative climax coming. A great read.
Four stars, not five:
* because the several references to "drunken Indians" contributed nothing to the story but bigotry.
* because the several references to Mormons also seemed to needlessly stereotype, without really contributing to the character or narrative development.
* because the epilogue was a little too predictable after such a riotous ride, especially the last page.
Four stars, not five:
* because the several references to "drunken Indians" contributed nothing to the story but bigotry.
* because the several references to Mormons also seemed to needlessly stereotype, without really contributing to the character or narrative development.
* because the epilogue was a little too predictable after such a riotous ride, especially the last page.
March 24, 2015
There are courtroom dramas and there are legal thrillers, and this falls smack dab in the middle. Fantastic read and the dynamic between the lead and the other lead was intriguing with a satisfying conclusion. There wasn't much of a whodunit but it was a thriller all the same. Definitely one of the best in the genre. i got this from this discussion https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... and now psyched to go through the rest mentioned in there.
December 19, 2007
From the book:
In this electrifying debut thriller, a brilliant defense lawyer takes on a murder case with ingenious twists. (NOT)
Phoenix, Arizona, 1973. A beautiful woman, armed with a gun and accompanied by her twelve-year-old daughter, enters a house. Shots are fired. The woman and her daughter leave the house. Inside, her husband lies dead.
I didn't finish this - don't waste your time.
In this electrifying debut thriller, a brilliant defense lawyer takes on a murder case with ingenious twists. (NOT)
Phoenix, Arizona, 1973. A beautiful woman, armed with a gun and accompanied by her twelve-year-old daughter, enters a house. Shots are fired. The woman and her daughter leave the house. Inside, her husband lies dead.
I didn't finish this - don't waste your time.
October 30, 2008
I was excited to read this book as the author works for a local law firm in my town. The book got some amazing pre-publication reviews and press, but didn't really live up to all the hype. The story is reminiscent of early Grisham or Turrow, but after reading through one trial, I was a little bored with the second one.
The book was a good exploration of legal ethics and the role of defense attorneys in the system, but it didn't really wow me.
The book was a good exploration of legal ethics and the role of defense attorneys in the system, but it didn't really wow me.
August 4, 2009
Along the lines of a John Grisham novel. Story of a young law school graduate starting off with a law firm who takes on a big case with the best defense lawyer. I wanted the plot to develop more and there to be more twists to the story. Language was bad. I thought all the Mormon references were kind of funny. I guess the author lives in Utah so he thinks we are crazies or something and had to throw it in there. A lot.
I would try another of his books.
I would try another of his books.
July 24, 2008
This book was written by the husband of the local judge, Tena Campbell. He picks on Mormons quite a bit throughout the story, but in a funny way that I did not find offensive. There is some bad language, but for a lawyer book, it had great twists and was a fun read. The first few chapters were kind of strange and didn't make any sense at all, but after you get past that, it's a good story.
September 20, 2008
I'd put this between 3-4 stars. 4 for character development...3 because I actually got a bit tired of the story midway through at the big twist, but still was curious how the author would tie it all up. And be prepared for language and reference to sick crime (well, it is a crime book after all!)
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