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Joseph Antonelli #1
The Defense: A Legal Thriller
Dynamite defense attorney Joseph Antonelli has never lost a case--or felt the sting of conscience for letting the guilty go free. "I can deceive anyone," he says, "and no one more quickly or more completely than myself." Now the man he most admires, the honorable Judge Rifkin, has asked him a favor: Defend a drug dealer accused of raping his twelve-year-old stepdaughter. Yet Antonelli's acceptance of the case sets in motion an explosive chain of corruption, betrayal, and murder that will leave no one unscathed. . . .
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1997
16 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Buffa
34 books68 followersD.W. Buffa (full name: Dudley W. Buffa) was born in San Francisco and raised in the Bay Area. After graduation from Michigan State University, he studied under Leo Strauss, Joseph Cropsey and Hans J. Morgenthau at the University of Chicago where he earned both an M.A. and a Ph. D. in political science. He received his J.D. degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Buffa was a criminal defense attorney for 10 years and his seven Joseph Antonelli novels strive to reflect, from his own experience, what a courtroom lawyer does, the way he (or she) thinks, and the way he feels about what he does.
Buffa had been writing for pleasure for many years when Henry Holt and Co. decided to publish his first novel, The Defense, in 1997. The week it was published, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, the literary critic of the New York Times, called The Defense ‘an accomplished first novel" which ‘leaves you wanting to go back to the beginning and read it over again."
The Defense was followed by The Prosecution and then The Judgment, which was one of the five books nominated in 2002 for the Edgar Award as best novel of the year. While the first three novels are set in Portland, the author's fourth novel, The Legacy, takes place in San Francisco and is as much a political thriller as it is legal thriller. Star Witness tells the story of Stanley Roth, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, who is charged with murder of his famous movie star wife.
Breach of Trust, published in 2004, was considered by one critic as "one of the few books that fifty years from now will really matter." It offers readers a scintillating look at Washington politics. Buffa's seventh Joseph Antonelli novel, Trial by Fire, was released in 2005; in this latest Antonelli book, the focus is on the media and the role that television "Talking heads" increasingly play in very high profile criminal cases. Publishers Weekly says of Trial by Fire, "In this intelligent, gripping legal thriller... fast moving dialogue and fine sense of characterization keep the reader hanging on for the ride."
The author's last several novels reflect a subtle shift in storyline from D.W. Buffa's original 'judicial' arena into the the broader one of politics. Buffa has built a new series around protagonist Senator Bobby Hart, an Antonelli-type everyday hero of strong moral fiber who is willing to take on "The Establishment" for the betterment of his constituents...
D.W. Buffa lives in Northern California.
Buffa had been writing for pleasure for many years when Henry Holt and Co. decided to publish his first novel, The Defense, in 1997. The week it was published, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, the literary critic of the New York Times, called The Defense ‘an accomplished first novel" which ‘leaves you wanting to go back to the beginning and read it over again."
The Defense was followed by The Prosecution and then The Judgment, which was one of the five books nominated in 2002 for the Edgar Award as best novel of the year. While the first three novels are set in Portland, the author's fourth novel, The Legacy, takes place in San Francisco and is as much a political thriller as it is legal thriller. Star Witness tells the story of Stanley Roth, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, who is charged with murder of his famous movie star wife.
Breach of Trust, published in 2004, was considered by one critic as "one of the few books that fifty years from now will really matter." It offers readers a scintillating look at Washington politics. Buffa's seventh Joseph Antonelli novel, Trial by Fire, was released in 2005; in this latest Antonelli book, the focus is on the media and the role that television "Talking heads" increasingly play in very high profile criminal cases. Publishers Weekly says of Trial by Fire, "In this intelligent, gripping legal thriller... fast moving dialogue and fine sense of characterization keep the reader hanging on for the ride."
The author's last several novels reflect a subtle shift in storyline from D.W. Buffa's original 'judicial' arena into the the broader one of politics. Buffa has built a new series around protagonist Senator Bobby Hart, an Antonelli-type everyday hero of strong moral fiber who is willing to take on "The Establishment" for the betterment of his constituents...
D.W. Buffa lives in Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 31, 2019
After reading a few of his more recent novels, I chose to go back into the earlier collections of D.W. Buffa. Always a fan of legal thrillers, I knew this series would pull me in quickly. Joseph Antonelli is quite the defence lawyer, citing that he has never lost a case he ought to have won and was victorious many times when he should have been on the losing side. This cocky attitude served him well when he began practicing in Portland, Oregon, but also painted quite the target on his back. When he is approached by a judge to represent a difficult client, Antonelli leaps at the opportunity to serve as a cog in the wheel of justice. His client, Johnny Morel, is accused of raping his step-daughter, though he denies it vehemently. Antonelli must work his magic in order to ensure justice is met, even if he may not trust that his client speaks the truth. As they prepare for trial, Antonelli engages with his client and prepares him for what is to come, no matter how ugly things could get. In a trial that pits the word of a man against that of a pre-teen, the jury must determine where they see the truth, as Antonelli puts on a great display in the courtroom. Armed with the testimony of Morel’s wife—against her own daughter—Antonelli finds his own form of justice. However, this is not the end of the matter. Five years later, Morel is gunned down in cold blood, seemingly by the woman who sought to help exonerate him, adding questions to the truth that came out in court. In a thrilling tale of courtroom drama and personal vendetta, Antonelli must decide where he stands and how Lady Justice will be seduced by those who use her for their own means. A wonderful introduction to this series by Buffa, exploring justice in all its forms and spinning things effectively until the final sentence. Recommended to those who love a well-developed legal thriller with depth and a bite throughout.
While I have read two books by D.W. Buffa that pertain specifically to the American political situation, this exploration of its legal system was just as interesting and quite telling. In this series debut, Buffa seeks to put the law and justice on trial in the court of public opinion, examining how well they work and whether the system can come together effectively to serve those who need it most. Joseph Antonelli proves to be an interesting character, though his personal life is in shambles. Accused of treating his relationships like his cases—always plotting the next one before the current one has come to an end—he seeks a spark without giving much. He is acutely aware of the law and how things work, bending aspects to ensure they work for him when needed. However, he is not without a soul, never able to cheat the system for a client. I am eager to see how he develops throughout this series, which is sure to have many more revelations. Others in the book help to enrich the narrative, to the point that I am eager to see how many return for the second novel. Legal minds, personal friends, and curious individuals who help propel the story forward are all part of Buffa’s larger plan and keep the reader hooked to the plot. With this deeper and more rooted legal thriller, the reader should expect some mental challenges moving forward, rather than something whimsical and quick to digest. This opening novel chose not to focus on a central case, but rather laid the groundwork for Antonelli’s defence work in general. This could prove a hurdle for some readers, who enjoy the lineal nature of a legal or courtroom thriller, but I suspect it was Buffa’s way to create a foundation for the series. I cannot wait to see what else this series has to offer and how Antonelli will develop throughout!
Kudos, Mr. Buffa, for yet another novel that has me thinking. I am eager to see what twists you have for us in the novels that follow.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
While I have read two books by D.W. Buffa that pertain specifically to the American political situation, this exploration of its legal system was just as interesting and quite telling. In this series debut, Buffa seeks to put the law and justice on trial in the court of public opinion, examining how well they work and whether the system can come together effectively to serve those who need it most. Joseph Antonelli proves to be an interesting character, though his personal life is in shambles. Accused of treating his relationships like his cases—always plotting the next one before the current one has come to an end—he seeks a spark without giving much. He is acutely aware of the law and how things work, bending aspects to ensure they work for him when needed. However, he is not without a soul, never able to cheat the system for a client. I am eager to see how he develops throughout this series, which is sure to have many more revelations. Others in the book help to enrich the narrative, to the point that I am eager to see how many return for the second novel. Legal minds, personal friends, and curious individuals who help propel the story forward are all part of Buffa’s larger plan and keep the reader hooked to the plot. With this deeper and more rooted legal thriller, the reader should expect some mental challenges moving forward, rather than something whimsical and quick to digest. This opening novel chose not to focus on a central case, but rather laid the groundwork for Antonelli’s defence work in general. This could prove a hurdle for some readers, who enjoy the lineal nature of a legal or courtroom thriller, but I suspect it was Buffa’s way to create a foundation for the series. I cannot wait to see what else this series has to offer and how Antonelli will develop throughout!
Kudos, Mr. Buffa, for yet another novel that has me thinking. I am eager to see what twists you have for us in the novels that follow.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 1, 2019
It's a legal thriller. Very much in the same style of John Grisham. This is the first book by D. W. Buffa, an Oregon defense attorney turned author. It reads so well for a first novel, that I'm thinking Buffa is going to be around for quite a while.
The best part of this book is the main character Joe Antonelli who is a defense attorney. One thing that separates him from most other defense attorneys, however, is the fact that he's never lost a case and he's proud of passing this information on to anyone interested. I usually find this lack of humility in characters to be less than endearing but, for some reason, I think it adds to Antonelli's overall makeup--it suits him.
As is usual with most legal thrillers, there are enough twists and turns to give you a stiff neck.
This case involves a less than desirable subject matter as Joe defends Johnny Morel, who is accused of raping his 12 year old stepdaughter. He has agreed to represent Morel at the request of his mentor, Judge Leopold Rifkin. The events surrounding this case will cause disastrous ramifications years down the road for all involved. The saying "what goes around, comes around" is definitely evidenced in the end of the book. Unfortunately, some innocent people will be hurt and an attorney will be left disenchanted...though it's temporary lasting until his next unwinnable case that he takes--which I can only presume is the basis for his next book.
Overall I liked Antonelli and will most likely read more from this author.
The best part of this book is the main character Joe Antonelli who is a defense attorney. One thing that separates him from most other defense attorneys, however, is the fact that he's never lost a case and he's proud of passing this information on to anyone interested. I usually find this lack of humility in characters to be less than endearing but, for some reason, I think it adds to Antonelli's overall makeup--it suits him.
As is usual with most legal thrillers, there are enough twists and turns to give you a stiff neck.
This case involves a less than desirable subject matter as Joe defends Johnny Morel, who is accused of raping his 12 year old stepdaughter. He has agreed to represent Morel at the request of his mentor, Judge Leopold Rifkin. The events surrounding this case will cause disastrous ramifications years down the road for all involved. The saying "what goes around, comes around" is definitely evidenced in the end of the book. Unfortunately, some innocent people will be hurt and an attorney will be left disenchanted...though it's temporary lasting until his next unwinnable case that he takes--which I can only presume is the basis for his next book.
Overall I liked Antonelli and will most likely read more from this author.
July 27, 2009
This book, the first in the Joseph Antonelli series, starts out quite slowly. However, once you get past the first couple of chapters, the pace picks up to a point where you truly can't put it down. Having listened to the book as an audio recording, I especially found this to be the case.
Joseph Antonelli, the main character and narrator, is a Portland defense attorney who does't lose. Unfortunately, in the case that leads off this story, he should'vve lost. However, as we all know, in the world of fiction, if he had lost, the rest of the story never would've come together.
The story starts with his longtime friend, Judge Leopold Rifkin, asking him to take the case of a loser stepdad being accused of molesting his stepdaughter. It's pretty obvious to the reader that the stepdad's guilty as sin. It's likely obvious to Antonelli and Rifkin as well, but everyone gets an attorney, right? This scumbag just happened to get the best.
Fast-forward some years later to a couple of murders, the judge accused, and Antonelli having to do some of the best, and most questionable, work of his life to prove his friend innocent of one charge of homicide.
I initially picked the book up due to its northwest setting. Being an Oregon native, that's what sparked my interest when I was cataloging the book at work. I decided to give it a listen, and have listened to the rest of the series. At the time of this review, I'm currently finishing up the final book in the series.
If you like legal thrillers in the vain of John Grisham, Scott Turow, or Steve Martini, these books will satisfy you nicely.
Joseph Antonelli, the main character and narrator, is a Portland defense attorney who does't lose. Unfortunately, in the case that leads off this story, he should'vve lost. However, as we all know, in the world of fiction, if he had lost, the rest of the story never would've come together.
The story starts with his longtime friend, Judge Leopold Rifkin, asking him to take the case of a loser stepdad being accused of molesting his stepdaughter. It's pretty obvious to the reader that the stepdad's guilty as sin. It's likely obvious to Antonelli and Rifkin as well, but everyone gets an attorney, right? This scumbag just happened to get the best.
Fast-forward some years later to a couple of murders, the judge accused, and Antonelli having to do some of the best, and most questionable, work of his life to prove his friend innocent of one charge of homicide.
I initially picked the book up due to its northwest setting. Being an Oregon native, that's what sparked my interest when I was cataloging the book at work. I decided to give it a listen, and have listened to the rest of the series. At the time of this review, I'm currently finishing up the final book in the series.
If you like legal thrillers in the vain of John Grisham, Scott Turow, or Steve Martini, these books will satisfy you nicely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2010
Like the other Buffa books, the story line was very good and the courtroom scenes were very descriptive. Buffa does a nice job of explaining the law as a part of the narration of the characters in the story and that made everything more interesting.
Read
February 9, 2020What makes the reading tough for me is Antonelli's crisis of conscience on the question of 'is it right that he gets this psychopath off scot free?' Since he's in America, operating within one of the worst legal systems in the world (the adversarial), he's obliged to trash his conscience or quit the profession. Sadly, American lawyers adapt their conscience to a clapped-out system and accept money as their reward for the damage that does to the soul. A third choice would be to militate to change the system, as Evan Whitton did in Australia (in his book 'Our Corrupt Legal System).
I think I got the central idea that the novel hung on. All good stories have one. The author alluded to another one which I found more interesting: why is the American legal system such a corrupt, clapped-out, self-serving entity and why is it so impossible to do anything about it? It took a dictator in Europe to get rid of the inherited British racket of justice that polluted France. Napoleon's system is enjoyed by a civilized Europe today. It seeks the truth, not the enrichment of exploiters with law degrees. Here's Whitton's take on Napolean's improvements to the Inquisitorial system. He compares it to the racket, or adversarial system of the UK, US and most British Empire countries: A comparison:
A. The French system. Trained judges control the process. They use a series of filters to protect the innocent; do not conceal evidence; and do not let lawyers use sophistry to pollute the truth. Witnesses give evidence as a narrative. The common-sense of ordinary people is valued: jurors sit on the bench with judges and can outvote them. Suspects must answer questions. Most hearings take a day or so. About 95% of accused are convicted. Reasons are given for verdicts.
B. The adversarial racket. Lawyers control the process. They can use sophistry to confuse witnesses and jurors and can prolong trials unnecessarily for weeks or months, confirming Professor Fred Rodell's claim that 99.44% of lawyers don’t know the legal trade is a racket. In it, suspects can refuse to answer questions. Judges conceal evidence on the ground that jurors are stupid. It gets sillier; judges sitting without a jury have to conceal evidence from themselves, which is quite a trick and implies that judges are stupid. No argument there. As noted, about 50% of accused – about 75% in rape cases – get off. Jurors do not give reasons. What might have been. If Admiral Villeneuve had followed Napoleon’s instructions in October 1805 and sailed north instead of south, England and its former colonies would probably use the inquisitorial system. The racket persists because lawyers, after 6½ centuries, are still the “dominant influence” in English-speaking legislatures. In the US today, lawyers are 0.2% of the population and 60% of the Senate. Hence the Tammany Hall saying: “More lawyers live on politics than flies on a dead camel.” (end of Whitton quote).
The real significance of this devotion to the adversarial racket is that, like Britain, the US can never become great as long as it maintains the racket system. It's fate is that of a crippled leper, dogged by impotence to defend the common good; to seek the truth above all else. I'll conclude with a quote from Socrates addressing one of the rulers of ancient Athens. It's highly appropriate:
"Oh, my friend, why do you, who are a citizen of the great city of Athens, care so much about laying up wealth, honour and reputation, and so little about wisdom and truth and improvement of the soul? Are you not ashamed?"
I'm French, not American, so I have no need to be ashamed on this score.
I think I got the central idea that the novel hung on. All good stories have one. The author alluded to another one which I found more interesting: why is the American legal system such a corrupt, clapped-out, self-serving entity and why is it so impossible to do anything about it? It took a dictator in Europe to get rid of the inherited British racket of justice that polluted France. Napoleon's system is enjoyed by a civilized Europe today. It seeks the truth, not the enrichment of exploiters with law degrees. Here's Whitton's take on Napolean's improvements to the Inquisitorial system. He compares it to the racket, or adversarial system of the UK, US and most British Empire countries: A comparison:
A. The French system. Trained judges control the process. They use a series of filters to protect the innocent; do not conceal evidence; and do not let lawyers use sophistry to pollute the truth. Witnesses give evidence as a narrative. The common-sense of ordinary people is valued: jurors sit on the bench with judges and can outvote them. Suspects must answer questions. Most hearings take a day or so. About 95% of accused are convicted. Reasons are given for verdicts.
B. The adversarial racket. Lawyers control the process. They can use sophistry to confuse witnesses and jurors and can prolong trials unnecessarily for weeks or months, confirming Professor Fred Rodell's claim that 99.44% of lawyers don’t know the legal trade is a racket. In it, suspects can refuse to answer questions. Judges conceal evidence on the ground that jurors are stupid. It gets sillier; judges sitting without a jury have to conceal evidence from themselves, which is quite a trick and implies that judges are stupid. No argument there. As noted, about 50% of accused – about 75% in rape cases – get off. Jurors do not give reasons. What might have been. If Admiral Villeneuve had followed Napoleon’s instructions in October 1805 and sailed north instead of south, England and its former colonies would probably use the inquisitorial system. The racket persists because lawyers, after 6½ centuries, are still the “dominant influence” in English-speaking legislatures. In the US today, lawyers are 0.2% of the population and 60% of the Senate. Hence the Tammany Hall saying: “More lawyers live on politics than flies on a dead camel.” (end of Whitton quote).
The real significance of this devotion to the adversarial racket is that, like Britain, the US can never become great as long as it maintains the racket system. It's fate is that of a crippled leper, dogged by impotence to defend the common good; to seek the truth above all else. I'll conclude with a quote from Socrates addressing one of the rulers of ancient Athens. It's highly appropriate:
"Oh, my friend, why do you, who are a citizen of the great city of Athens, care so much about laying up wealth, honour and reputation, and so little about wisdom and truth and improvement of the soul? Are you not ashamed?"
I'm French, not American, so I have no need to be ashamed on this score.
January 19, 2018
PROTAGONIST: Joseph Antonelli, defense attorney
SETTING: Portland, Oregon
SERIES: #1
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Defense attorney Joseph Antonelli strongly believes that it is his job to get an acquittal for his clients, regardless of their guilt or innocence or how reprehensible their crime may be. He rarely loses a case. When his mentor, Judge Leonard Rifkin, asks him to take on a con man named Johnny Morel who has been accused of raping his daughter, Antonelli readily agrees and does his usual magic. However, there are many repercussions which he couldn't possibly see. The book spans several years and other trials, with Morel allegedly murdered by his equally duplicitious wife. The book dragged until the point when Antonelli takes on the defense of his mentor, Rifkin. Rifkin was a thoroughly admirable character but I could have done without Rifkin's various lectures. I ended up liking the book much more than I expected to. There are many questions posed to which there are no easy answers, and Buffa did a good job of keeping the reader guessing.
SETTING: Portland, Oregon
SERIES: #1
RATING: 3.75
WHY: Defense attorney Joseph Antonelli strongly believes that it is his job to get an acquittal for his clients, regardless of their guilt or innocence or how reprehensible their crime may be. He rarely loses a case. When his mentor, Judge Leonard Rifkin, asks him to take on a con man named Johnny Morel who has been accused of raping his daughter, Antonelli readily agrees and does his usual magic. However, there are many repercussions which he couldn't possibly see. The book spans several years and other trials, with Morel allegedly murdered by his equally duplicitious wife. The book dragged until the point when Antonelli takes on the defense of his mentor, Rifkin. Rifkin was a thoroughly admirable character but I could have done without Rifkin's various lectures. I ended up liking the book much more than I expected to. There are many questions posed to which there are no easy answers, and Buffa did a good job of keeping the reader guessing.
May 6, 2019
Deeper and Deeper
Defense attorney Joseph Antonelli is great at what he does. Questioning, investigating, planning, writing, and practicing until all the pieces fall into place perfectly, and the jury says, "not guilty." But what if that's the wrong answer? What happens to the victim? What befalls the guilty? What becomes of the brilliant, charming attorney? Relentless, driving storytelling. Irresistible characters. Magnificent book.
Defense attorney Joseph Antonelli is great at what he does. Questioning, investigating, planning, writing, and practicing until all the pieces fall into place perfectly, and the jury says, "not guilty." But what if that's the wrong answer? What happens to the victim? What befalls the guilty? What becomes of the brilliant, charming attorney? Relentless, driving storytelling. Irresistible characters. Magnificent book.
December 21, 2021
Joseph Antonelli is a defense attorney who has never lost a case. This is the story of about 15 years of his life and cases. He wins his cases but not without major challenges that test him severely. It's Buffa's first novel and I sure hope it isn't the last. The characters are fascinating. The start is good. The middle is a tad slow but when you get to the last third of the book, it's one of those you are totally sucked into.
March 23, 2019
What a great debut novel!! This was my first Buffa novel, I picked it up in a free bookshelf in a hotel I was staying in and was hooked from the first page. I definitely will be reading more by D. W.!!
Kudos D. W., kudos!!!!
Kudos D. W., kudos!!!!
July 2, 2020
Best crime and law novel I have read in a very long time. As a retired criminal defense attorney, I can attest to the author's details of crime and insight to his career and the justice system. (He's also a retired crim. def. atty) Can't wait to read #2, The Prosecution.
January 7, 2021
I remember struggling to read this book since at that time I was just used to reading mainstream fictional works. It took me more than a month to get past the first few chapters, I'm just glad I did not give up on it and that I had a friend to discuss it with! Very good read.
September 5, 2022
This was a slow burner of a story. The complexity of ethical behaviour as different from legal behaviour has been beautifully brought out. Never imagined that Plato's writings would be explained so simply and casually entwined in a book of fiction.
November 5, 2017
Went back and read the first, since Trial by Fire was so good. It is a little bogged down, but a good start to a series and it also has a great ending.
August 8, 2019
One of the best books I have ever read.
October 11, 2020
Good author but I had the whole thing figured out about 2/3 the way through.
August 1, 2021
Liked every bit of the story.
December 16, 2022
3.5 really
The writing was great. The problem was that anyone who had read many crimes stories figured out where it was going early in the book. You'd think the brilliant lawyer would have.
The writing was great. The problem was that anyone who had read many crimes stories figured out where it was going early in the book. You'd think the brilliant lawyer would have.
January 9, 2023
Great legal thriller! I was very happy with character development, writing style and the plot! The book was hard for me to put down and I’m anxious to start book #2!
September 4, 2023
Too much philosophy…but with several interesting twists and turns. Since it’s the first, I assume Antonelli comes back as a successful attorney. I’ll try to read more of his books.
October 28, 2023
Intriguing story and plot twist. I did not expect the ending, and it was an enjoyable read.
July 25, 2024
Excellent! First book I have read by this author and I will be reading more.
February 24, 2025
I read this after having loved Breach of Trust. Breach of Trust felt a little better conceived and executed, but I enjoyed this as well.
June 21, 2025
3,75 ⭐
Kirja auttoi paremmin hahmottamaan Yhdysvaltalaista oikeusjärjestelmää. Etenkin oikeussalin tapahtumia :)
Kirja auttoi paremmin hahmottamaan Yhdysvaltalaista oikeusjärjestelmää. Etenkin oikeussalin tapahtumia :)
August 28, 2025
Appointed to defend a rapist. Knew he was guilty. Quite an interesting premise.
November 30, 2025
I had a hard time getting into this book. And about 2/3 of the way through, I figured out the end reveal.
May 15, 2023
Good book; I really enjoyed it.
December 3, 2007
The Defense
His ten years as a defense attorney and his doctorate in political science have always played a major roles in all his books. When reading a book by D.W. Buffa you can always expect excitement with the logicality of his previous job of being a lawyer. A great and relatively new book by D.W. is the Defense. It is about a defense attorney Joseph Antonelli and a case that involves a stepfather and his 11 year-old step daughter who was supposedly raped by him. Joseph, who always wins his cases whether his clients were really guilty or not guilty, now struggles with the morality of defending a guilty man, or the prize of a large legal fee.
The only downfall about a fictional book based on the court system, is being able to understand it. Obviously to someone like Mr.Buffa or any other lawyer, it would be easy to understand the vocabulary that comes with a career in law. But to anyone else the judicial vocabulary can become complex and confusing. But of course, Mr. Buffa always has away of making confusing things make sense.
From the very moment I started reading The Defense, the language was deep and complex but still was enjoyable to read. D.W.’s writing has a way of making yourself ask questions that he knows you’ll later discover for yourself. He doesn’t just write and describe Joseph’s inner battle with right and wrong, but makes you feel that you’re in the same struggle. It’s an experience and not a just a book when you can actually see the characters and feel like you’ve met them once before.
No matter if you’re a lawyer or just someone in need of a good book, The Defense is a thrilling story that makes you step back after you’re done and think, “What would I have done?” It’s an absolute thriller that can be enjoyed by many, especially those who loves TV. shows like CSI or Law and Order. It’s intricate plot line and motley crew of characters truly make the story life like and gripping. If you like stories with a twist, this book is indefinitely for you.
His ten years as a defense attorney and his doctorate in political science have always played a major roles in all his books. When reading a book by D.W. Buffa you can always expect excitement with the logicality of his previous job of being a lawyer. A great and relatively new book by D.W. is the Defense. It is about a defense attorney Joseph Antonelli and a case that involves a stepfather and his 11 year-old step daughter who was supposedly raped by him. Joseph, who always wins his cases whether his clients were really guilty or not guilty, now struggles with the morality of defending a guilty man, or the prize of a large legal fee.
The only downfall about a fictional book based on the court system, is being able to understand it. Obviously to someone like Mr.Buffa or any other lawyer, it would be easy to understand the vocabulary that comes with a career in law. But to anyone else the judicial vocabulary can become complex and confusing. But of course, Mr. Buffa always has away of making confusing things make sense.
From the very moment I started reading The Defense, the language was deep and complex but still was enjoyable to read. D.W.’s writing has a way of making yourself ask questions that he knows you’ll later discover for yourself. He doesn’t just write and describe Joseph’s inner battle with right and wrong, but makes you feel that you’re in the same struggle. It’s an experience and not a just a book when you can actually see the characters and feel like you’ve met them once before.
No matter if you’re a lawyer or just someone in need of a good book, The Defense is a thrilling story that makes you step back after you’re done and think, “What would I have done?” It’s an absolute thriller that can be enjoyed by many, especially those who loves TV. shows like CSI or Law and Order. It’s intricate plot line and motley crew of characters truly make the story life like and gripping. If you like stories with a twist, this book is indefinitely for you.
January 24, 2008
D. W. Buffa, The Defense (Henry Holt, 1997)
It's hard to figure out which side of me is going to win the battle over how to review this book. One side of me wants to harp on the slowest beginning in history. The other side of me wants to harp on the fact that once I got past those opening chapters, I ended up reading most of the rest of it in one long marathon.
After reading the first two interminable chapters of this novel, I was sure that I was going to hate it. I'd give it the fifty page test, toss it in the box of books headed for greener pastures than my ever-messy book room, and give it a two-sentence review along the lines of the infamous one People magazine did for Black Sabbath's Live Evil album. But then I got to page fifty, and kept going. And going, and going and going...
The narrator of the novel is Joseph Antonelli, a cocky defense lawyer who's unused to losing cases. An old friend, Judge Leopold Rifkin, asks him to take on what looks like an unwinnable case, a lowlife accused of molesting his stepdaughter. About the only person who really believes he didn't do it is the defendant's wife, and she's the essence of the unreliable witness. How to get out of this mess?
From there, the book goes in a number of interesting directions. Unlike most trial-type novels, The Defense doesn't stick with just this one trial, but goes on into the further ramifications of it, years down the road, keeping the main players entwined with the family. Buffa also thumbs his nose at the detective/trial genre in the most wonderful of ways (but I can't go into detail without revealing a major plot twist). Once you're out into uncharted territory, Buffa has you at his mercy. He messes with all the conventions of trial novels in the past thirty years, and he does it very well.
Would have gotten a higher rating without those painful first chapters, but it's still a fine read if you can get past them. ***
It's hard to figure out which side of me is going to win the battle over how to review this book. One side of me wants to harp on the slowest beginning in history. The other side of me wants to harp on the fact that once I got past those opening chapters, I ended up reading most of the rest of it in one long marathon.
After reading the first two interminable chapters of this novel, I was sure that I was going to hate it. I'd give it the fifty page test, toss it in the box of books headed for greener pastures than my ever-messy book room, and give it a two-sentence review along the lines of the infamous one People magazine did for Black Sabbath's Live Evil album. But then I got to page fifty, and kept going. And going, and going and going...
The narrator of the novel is Joseph Antonelli, a cocky defense lawyer who's unused to losing cases. An old friend, Judge Leopold Rifkin, asks him to take on what looks like an unwinnable case, a lowlife accused of molesting his stepdaughter. About the only person who really believes he didn't do it is the defendant's wife, and she's the essence of the unreliable witness. How to get out of this mess?
From there, the book goes in a number of interesting directions. Unlike most trial-type novels, The Defense doesn't stick with just this one trial, but goes on into the further ramifications of it, years down the road, keeping the main players entwined with the family. Buffa also thumbs his nose at the detective/trial genre in the most wonderful of ways (but I can't go into detail without revealing a major plot twist). Once you're out into uncharted territory, Buffa has you at his mercy. He messes with all the conventions of trial novels in the past thirty years, and he does it very well.
Would have gotten a higher rating without those painful first chapters, but it's still a fine read if you can get past them. ***
May 3, 2009
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
First of the Buffa books I have read, though not first in the series.
Main character is defense lawyer Joseph Antonelli, who's stepped away fr. the law, due to past trauma, not clearly identified at start. It includes the suicide of a jdge he really liked/respected.
Mystery involves the wife of Antonelli's close friend, a black judge who's a Viet vet who lost a leg during combat.
First of the Buffa books I have read, though not first in the series.
Main character is defense lawyer Joseph Antonelli, who's stepped away fr. the law, due to past trauma, not clearly identified at start. It includes the suicide of a jdge he really liked/respected.
Mystery involves the wife of Antonelli's close friend, a black judge who's a Viet vet who lost a leg during combat.
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