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Charley Sloan #4
Proof of Intent
Charley Sloan isn't your typical lawyer. But then again, this isn't your typical case. When famous author and hometown hero Miles Dane is arrested for murdering his wife, it seems like an open-and-shut case. With no credible alibi, a mountain of physical evidence, and a motive of millions, it seems the prosecution's case is airtight.
The police suspect that Dane had planned this crime many years ago--and made the mistake of writing it all down...in exact detail. Even Charley begins to question Dane's innocence. But Charley's own investigation gives him reason to believe that his client is being framed and that the real killer is using Dane's own bizarre imagination against him. But why isn't Dane speaking up? What secrets is he hiding?
As the trial begins, it's still unclear where Miles Dane's wild imaginings stop and reality begins. Or whether he is committing the ultimate sacrifice in order to atone for something he did long ago. Only in the crucible of the final, fevered moments of trial will Charley finally put the pieces together and reveal the stunning truth...
The police suspect that Dane had planned this crime many years ago--and made the mistake of writing it all down...in exact detail. Even Charley begins to question Dane's innocence. But Charley's own investigation gives him reason to believe that his client is being framed and that the real killer is using Dane's own bizarre imagination against him. But why isn't Dane speaking up? What secrets is he hiding?
As the trial begins, it's still unclear where Miles Dane's wild imaginings stop and reality begins. Or whether he is committing the ultimate sacrifice in order to atone for something he did long ago. Only in the crucible of the final, fevered moments of trial will Charley finally put the pieces together and reveal the stunning truth...
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 9, 2002
57 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
William J. Coughlin
35 books43 followersWilliam Jeremiah Coughlin (1929-1992), former defense attorney and judge in Detroit for twenty years, was the author of sixteen novels. He lived in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan with his wife, Ruth, an author and book critic.
Also wrote under the pseudonym of Sean A. Key.
Also wrote under the pseudonym of Sean A. Key.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 9, 2023
Walter Sorrells grabs you by the scruff of the neck and doesn't let go for 350 pages.
November 2, 2020
Best Legal Thriller Ever
Why don’t we hear more about this author? I’m a huge fan of Grisham and Turow, but no one writes better dialogue or puts more twists and turns on the pages than this author. And there aren’t so many characters that you need to take notes!
Why don’t we hear more about this author? I’m a huge fan of Grisham and Turow, but no one writes better dialogue or puts more twists and turns on the pages than this author. And there aren’t so many characters that you need to take notes!
May 28, 2011
One of my all-time favorites!!!
July 2, 2020
After a lengthy debate with myself, I decided to round up my 3.5 rating to a 4, because this is an absorbing page-turner of a legal thriller. What it isn't, is a William J. Coughlin novel.
Apparently, Walter Sorrells got the pemission (blessing?) of Coughlin's estate to contine the series using the fictional setting of Pickeral Point, Michigan and Coughlin's protagonist, recovering alcoholic lawyer Charley Sloan. Charley is again pitted against prosecutor Slash Olesky in the courtroom of Judge Mark Evola, who still holds a long-standing grudge against Charley from the days when he opposed Charley as a prosecutor. Mrs. Fenton is back, although her presence is barely felt. No return appearance by Sue Gillis.
The deliberate style and pacing of Coughlin, comparable to Turow's, has been replaced by a fast pace more like Grisham's. Actually, at times I thought of the plotline as amounting to a contemporary reboot of Perry Mason.
So, I'm not trying to warn anyone away from the book, just pointing out that it's a different author utilizing a familiar character and setting. If you like the work of Walter Sorrells, or if you want to check out his work, this is a worthwhile read.
Apparently, Walter Sorrells got the pemission (blessing?) of Coughlin's estate to contine the series using the fictional setting of Pickeral Point, Michigan and Coughlin's protagonist, recovering alcoholic lawyer Charley Sloan. Charley is again pitted against prosecutor Slash Olesky in the courtroom of Judge Mark Evola, who still holds a long-standing grudge against Charley from the days when he opposed Charley as a prosecutor. Mrs. Fenton is back, although her presence is barely felt. No return appearance by Sue Gillis.
The deliberate style and pacing of Coughlin, comparable to Turow's, has been replaced by a fast pace more like Grisham's. Actually, at times I thought of the plotline as amounting to a contemporary reboot of Perry Mason.
So, I'm not trying to warn anyone away from the book, just pointing out that it's a different author utilizing a familiar character and setting. If you like the work of Walter Sorrells, or if you want to check out his work, this is a worthwhile read.
March 4, 2019
Although I saw the tag on the cover - "A Charley Sloan Courtroom Thriller by Walter Sorrells" as I picked up the novel I did not make the immediate connection that William J. Coughlin was deceased. As this is the first novel that I read in the Charley Sloan series I cannot speak to any difference in writing style and/or characterization particularly for Charley Sloan and his daughter Lisa. I enjoyed the novel as a legal thriller stand-alone and will be looking forward to exploring more novels by Water Sorrells. I particularly enjoyed the separation of chapters into categories of "Preliminaries," "Trial," and "Verdict."
In viewing information on the website of Walter Sorrells, his background adds an interesting element to the collection displayed in the office of the novel's author Miles Dane.
In viewing information on the website of Walter Sorrells, his background adds an interesting element to the collection displayed in the office of the novel's author Miles Dane.
A devoted martial artist, Sorrells holds a 3rd degree black belt in Japanese Shito-ryu karate, and has also studied Brazilian jiujitsu, aikido, Tai Chi, various Okinawan kobudo (weapons) systems, and the Japanese sword arts of Iaido and Shinkendo...Sorrells is also a part-time swordsmith who specializes in hand forging swords and knives with a Japanese flavor.
May 9, 2017
Charlie Sloan may be facing his toughest case yet, and the accused man, Miles Dane, isn't helping. The account he gives the police is very different from what he originally told Charlie. Is the novelist's imagination at work, or did he lie to Charlie? Or to the police?
Dane's version of events is eerily similar to the plot of one of his early novels, entitled How I Murdered My Wife and Got Away With It. Charlie doesn't know if his client is innocent or guilty. He will do his best for Dane, but will it be enough?
An interesting subplot is that Charlie's daughter, Lisa, has dropped out of her final year of law school, and is working as his paralegal on the case.
The courtroom scenes are compelling, and the ending may surprise many readers. Proof of Intent is another very good Charlie Sloan thriller.
Dane's version of events is eerily similar to the plot of one of his early novels, entitled How I Murdered My Wife and Got Away With It. Charlie doesn't know if his client is innocent or guilty. He will do his best for Dane, but will it be enough?
An interesting subplot is that Charlie's daughter, Lisa, has dropped out of her final year of law school, and is working as his paralegal on the case.
The courtroom scenes are compelling, and the ending may surprise many readers. Proof of Intent is another very good Charlie Sloan thriller.
June 14, 2025
Can a lawyer go against his client's wishes and defend him against a murder charge using evidence that the client objects to. In this case, mystery writer Miles Dane is accused of murdering his heiress wife. In addition to the fact that the police always suspect the husband first, Dane actually written a book, "How to Murder your Wife and Get Away with It." All the evidence points to Miles as the murderer, and he is very uncooperative with the police and his defense team.
It is up to his lawyer, Charlie Sloan, and Sloan's daughter, a recovering alcoholic and drug user, to mount a credible defense. The ensuing court room drama is riveting. Sorrell keeps you guessing who done it until the surprise ending.
It is up to his lawyer, Charlie Sloan, and Sloan's daughter, a recovering alcoholic and drug user, to mount a credible defense. The ensuing court room drama is riveting. Sorrell keeps you guessing who done it until the surprise ending.
October 13, 2018
If I understand correctly, this wasn't written by Coughlin, who is dead, but it was written in the same style by Walter Sorrells. After only a few pages, you'll notice that the main characters, Charley Sloan, doesn't seem quite the same as he did in Coughlin's other books.
But that doesn't matter much--it's still a good story. It hits all the legal thriller tropes well.
Readers will be happy to find that the MC doesn't spend as much time almost falling off the sobriety wagon.
But that doesn't matter much--it's still a good story. It hits all the legal thriller tropes well.
Readers will be happy to find that the MC doesn't spend as much time almost falling off the sobriety wagon.
April 8, 2019
I can only 'read' via audio books. I really wanted to like this book, but the narrator, Jim Zeigers, had a really annoying nasally quality to his voice. After 2 hours, I couldn't take it any more. I've had more than a few potentially good books ruined by bad narrators.
Thank God that there are lots more books out there.
Thank God that there are lots more books out there.
July 15, 2017
Exciting court room drama. Very good read but a little drawn out.
September 9, 2019
Enjoyed the beginning of the book, but didn’t like the end.
May 20, 2020
Murder mystery with courtroom drama. Well written. Highly suggested.
June 29, 2020
A quick read..kept up my interest.
(Lots of indoor reading happening in this fierce mosquito season!!)
(Lots of indoor reading happening in this fierce mosquito season!!)
July 12, 2020
Pool book-so not read on consecutive days. Main character is likable. There were a few surprises. If you skip over the boring courtroom testimonies, it’s an alright read.
December 6, 2020
It kept me interested.
October 9, 2022
Really enjoyed this book; lots of surprises.
July 29, 2024
4.5⭐️ Simplemente me sentí usada por cómo jugaron con mi mente, no me esperaba ese final…😧
March 20, 2017
Surprise plot.
If you like compelling plots, This book has it plus a surprise ending. I would have ne very guessed the depth of the family situation and how ludicrous the whole situation was.
If you like compelling plots, This book has it plus a surprise ending. I would have ne very guessed the depth of the family situation and how ludicrous the whole situation was.
September 14, 2020
Una historia entretenida con un plot twist final bastante bueno, se lee fácilmente, los personajes no son planos y tienen buenos matices, aunque tal vez me hubiera gustado conocer un poco más de la historia de todos.
December 9, 2012
BEWARE OF SPOILERS. I don't hide or promote my reviews.
Hard to tell from the jacket, but I gather that author William Coughlin put together a novel based on ideas or notes from deceased author Walter Sorrells, with the permission and help of a Ruth Coughlin. (Ruth and Walter hold the copyright. The provenance is a mystery of its own, as jacket and credit page are silent on the relationship between William and Ruth.)
The book, published in 2002, is about a writer of lurid novels accused of the murder of his longtime, supposedly beloved wife.
This book has its own fairly frequent lurid moments. But "Proof" comes off mainly as "old fashioned" in a way that I can't quite pinpoint. I don't know if it's the use of language or what, but I felt like I was reading something written in the 1950s.
And yet, the book is full of modern, post-1950 references to DNA analysis, PTSD, war in Iraq, etc.
Suffice it to say that "Proof of Intent" is structured as a series of reversals.
One layer of the story that I did enjoy was the relationship between the accused man's lawyer, Charley Sloan, who's an alcoholic on the wagon thanks to AA,and Sloan's grown daughter, who has bombed out of law school due, in part, to her own, not yet controlled alcoholism.
Hard to tell from the jacket, but I gather that author William Coughlin put together a novel based on ideas or notes from deceased author Walter Sorrells, with the permission and help of a Ruth Coughlin. (Ruth and Walter hold the copyright. The provenance is a mystery of its own, as jacket and credit page are silent on the relationship between William and Ruth.)
The book, published in 2002, is about a writer of lurid novels accused of the murder of his longtime, supposedly beloved wife.
This book has its own fairly frequent lurid moments. But "Proof" comes off mainly as "old fashioned" in a way that I can't quite pinpoint. I don't know if it's the use of language or what, but I felt like I was reading something written in the 1950s.
And yet, the book is full of modern, post-1950 references to DNA analysis, PTSD, war in Iraq, etc.
Suffice it to say that "Proof of Intent" is structured as a series of reversals.
One layer of the story that I did enjoy was the relationship between the accused man's lawyer, Charley Sloan, who's an alcoholic on the wagon thanks to AA,and Sloan's grown daughter, who has bombed out of law school due, in part, to her own, not yet controlled alcoholism.
March 25, 2016
Because of the difficulty in obtaining exactly what one wants, I am reading these Charley Sloan novels out of order, the 2nd first and the last (According to what I have found on Google, there is a fourth Charley Sloan series, The Court, not very readily available anywhere except at a large cost, but I will keep looking.) second. Further, I can't be sure who wrote it: William J. Coughlin, the series creator, or Walter Sorrells, or the latter off-of left behind notes or pages written by the former before he died. I suspect the later since Sorrells thanks Coughlin's wife in the acknowledgements, but maybe just for the use of the character.
In any case, this novel carries on the Charley Sloan character quite well.
Further, there are enough twists in the story to lead a smart-ass like me to think he figured it all out before my conclusions blew up in my face.
Even though I gave Death Penalty 5-stars and this one only 4, this is still a must read for legal buffs, particularly since the rendition of the trial itself was excellent.
Next to The Judgment which I have been able to find here this week.
In any case, this novel carries on the Charley Sloan character quite well.
Further, there are enough twists in the story to lead a smart-ass like me to think he figured it all out before my conclusions blew up in my face.
Even though I gave Death Penalty 5-stars and this one only 4, this is still a must read for legal buffs, particularly since the rendition of the trial itself was excellent.
Next to The Judgment which I have been able to find here this week.
May 24, 2013
A história desenrola-se em volta do julgamento do homicídio de Diana Dane, onde o principal suspeito é o próprio marido, Miles Dane, um famoso escritor de policiais. O mais interessante nesta história é o facto de este crime estar descrito com detalhe num dos primeiros livros do autor, chamado Como Matei a Minha Mulher e Consegui Ficar Impune.
Miles Dane contrata Charley Sloan para seu advogado de defesa e é a partir dos olhos deste que vemos o enredo avançar. Miles revela-se um cliente difícil, mentindo variadas vezes ao próprio advogado mas, mesmo assim, este consegue proceder com a investigação, enquanto a sua reputação é destruída pelo caso.
Acho que é claro desde início quem foi o assassino de Diana mas a forma como este é descoberto foi muito bem escolhida e preparada pelo autor.
Miles Dane contrata Charley Sloan para seu advogado de defesa e é a partir dos olhos deste que vemos o enredo avançar. Miles revela-se um cliente difícil, mentindo variadas vezes ao próprio advogado mas, mesmo assim, este consegue proceder com a investigação, enquanto a sua reputação é destruída pelo caso.
Acho que é claro desde início quem foi o assassino de Diana mas a forma como este é descoberto foi muito bem escolhida e preparada pelo autor.
July 20, 2014
Took me a few pages to get into this book - but then couldn't put it down. Charley Sloan is hard to like in a way, but grows on you. The author brings in Lisa, his daughter, who like Charley is an alcoholic. The two of them team up to defend a man who evidence says clearly murdered his wife. The ensuing courtroom drama is really something. The book is very well written and full of turns and twists.
February 5, 2013
This is a book from the Charley Sloan series. For some reason it's attributed under two different names, but this is definitely William J. Coughlin. Charley Sloan is defending a Norman Mailer type character....an author who's style of hard-nosed novels are starting to slip in popularity. He's accused of murdering his wife. Lots of satisfying twists and turns. Great page-turner.
November 11, 2014
Not bad
A well known author is accused of murdering his wife. Enter Charley Sloan as the defense attorney. Charley is very likable. He admits his flaws and weaknesses, and he will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I am looking forward to reading the next book featuring Charley.
A well known author is accused of murdering his wife. Enter Charley Sloan as the defense attorney. Charley is very likable. He admits his flaws and weaknesses, and he will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I am looking forward to reading the next book featuring Charley.
March 26, 2010
I didn't even remember what this book was about until I re-read the description. It just wasn't very memorable. The main characters were not all that interesting - especially the "killer". The plot twist at the end was way too obvious.
August 27, 2012
This was a fun page turner. It had interesting twists and turns, but they required a lot of things to fall neatly into place. The characters weren't very deep and the legal maneuvering in the courtroom was pretty implausible. Overall it was fun but not memorable.
May 25, 2014
I really enjoyed this detective, mystery, courtroom drama. The writing pretty much breezed along and I was stumped right up to the end, which was a surprise to me. I recommend this if you enjoy these types of books and are looking for something new, even though this was written in 2002!
November 7, 2008
Fun read if you like a courtroom drama
June 28, 2013
My first book in this series and it was pretty good. Twists to story. Free on amazon
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews