What do you think?
Rate this book
Under Oath
The "code of silence" remains sacred in Charlestown, one of the most historic yet insular neighborhoods of Boston. Gangster Billy Malone stand accused of killing Trevor Shea, a suspected FBI informant, with a potent dose of heroin.Prosecutor Annie Fitzgerald must crack the infamous code of silence and battle seasoned criminal defense attorney Buddy Clancy, who unleashes reasonable doubt with his penetrating cross-examinations. The trial explodes into a high-energy race to justice when Annie's chief witness is killed, jurors defy their instructions, and FBI cover-ups obscure the truth. While the jurors are deliberating, Annie discovers incriminating evidence against the Malones. Time is of the essence...but will justice prevail? Former prosecutor Margaret McLean combines the best of John Grisham's legal thrillers and Dennis Lehane's Boston crime novels in Under Oath.At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
- GenresMystery
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2004
2 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Margaret McLean
10 books10 followersMargaret McLean was born and raised in Rome, New York. She graduated magna cum laude from Boston College and earned her law degree from Boston College Law School. McLean practiced law as a criminal prosecutor and currently teaches law at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. In 2010, she was hailed as one of the next faces of Boston crime fiction by The Boston Globe. She has cowritten a dramatic courtroom play based on her second novel, Under Oath, which is in development with the Playwrights/Directors Unit at the Actors Studio in New York City. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts, with her three children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 4, 2012
In Charlestown, Massachusetts, everyone knows you're supposed to keep quiet. That's why there are so many unsolved murders in the town. But now gangster Billy Malone is on trial for the murder of Trevor Shea, and prosecutor Annie Fitzgerald is determined to finally make a case against him. It's going to be a tough job, though, as witnesses fear for their lives and the seasoned defense attorney some tricks up his sleeve.
Under Oath by Margaret McLean is an engaging courtroom thriller that takes us not only into the mind of Annie, but also the minds of jurors, witnesses and other key characters. These characters are very well-drawn and likeable, for the most part. Even defense attorney Buddy Clancy seems like a decent guy, despite the fact that he's defending Malone. And there are times when McLean even makes the reader feel for Malone. The interactions between characters feel real, as does the dialog. And I especially enjoyed seeing the trial from the perspective of two of the jurors.
I really enjoyed Under Oath. McLean's writing is easy to read and follow, yet there are plenty of twists and moments of suspense that leave the reader guessing what's going to happen next. The suspense rises as Annie and Detective Callahan search for the evidence they need to convict Malone, even as the trial moves forward in the courtroom. The use of paintings to tell part of the victim's story is unique and brings the reader closer to Trevor, who is dead before the book even begins.
If you're looking for a courtroom thriller with interesting characters and plenty of suspense, I highly recommend Under Oath.
Under Oath by Margaret McLean is an engaging courtroom thriller that takes us not only into the mind of Annie, but also the minds of jurors, witnesses and other key characters. These characters are very well-drawn and likeable, for the most part. Even defense attorney Buddy Clancy seems like a decent guy, despite the fact that he's defending Malone. And there are times when McLean even makes the reader feel for Malone. The interactions between characters feel real, as does the dialog. And I especially enjoyed seeing the trial from the perspective of two of the jurors.
I really enjoyed Under Oath. McLean's writing is easy to read and follow, yet there are plenty of twists and moments of suspense that leave the reader guessing what's going to happen next. The suspense rises as Annie and Detective Callahan search for the evidence they need to convict Malone, even as the trial moves forward in the courtroom. The use of paintings to tell part of the victim's story is unique and brings the reader closer to Trevor, who is dead before the book even begins.
If you're looking for a courtroom thriller with interesting characters and plenty of suspense, I highly recommend Under Oath.
February 12, 2013
Won my copy of this in a giveaway here on goodreads, and am so glad I did. This book was one of the most enjoyable reads I have come across in a long time. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who's considering reading it!
July 8, 2025
The story is well worth reading. It is interesting from beginning to end.
Read
January 7, 2017I just finished reading Margaret McLean's novel, Under Oath. It is a compelling courtroom drama that will take the reader through some of the more intricate details of how the court works in a dramatic public trial. This was a different kind of read from what I generally like, but it was very good and kept my interest throughout. This story is of one very important trial involving a known criminal in the Boston area who is up on murder one charges. I recommend it to those who like court trial stories.
May 29, 2012
In the extremely successful novel, Under Fire, readers met the ‘defensive’ side of law enforcement in the form of D.A. Buddy Clancy. In this new Boston courtroom drama, Ms. McLean offers a new twist on things. Although still a legal thriller, this is written from the prosecution’s side of the fence and features Annie Fitzgerald. But, take heart everyone, Buddy’s back, too.
Charlestown, which is a neighborhood of South Boston, has been the site of 33 unsolved murders between the years of 1975 to 1992. This area also has the dubious honor of never producing any witnesses to these crimes; there was never one arrest in any of the cases. There was a time in this area known only as The Code of Silence, meaning see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil…especially to the police.
Buddy Clancy, aforementioned D.A., is hired to defend Billy Malone - a killer and drug dealer in that area. Prosecutor Annie Fitzgerald is joining up with the Boston Homicide Department Detective Mike Callahan who has been after Malone to put him out of the crime business for many years. Malone is on trial for the killing of a young artist, Trevor Shea, who painted extremely lifelike portraits of the locals, and Annie brings one of the portraits into the courtroom as she believes that the pictures will tell the Judge and Jury exactly ho was responsible for Trevor’s death.
As stated before, it’s difficult to find witnesses who will testify against Malone, and Attorney Clancy is very adept in creating doubt in the minds of the Jury. With Annie’s most important witness murdered and the FBI interfering at every turn, she and Callahan are finding it almost impossible to try the case.
This is a very intriguing read that will keep legal/thriller readers super-busy. The scenes in Charlestown are mind-boggling and the justice system is put on trial, covering all the questions that exist in today’s legal system. McLean writes some exceptional trial scenes but doesn’t make the whole book take place in a courtroom, which many legal thrillers tend to do. Sometimes courtroom scenes go on and on and the reader loses the story line. MacLean knows this, and makes sure to keep this action fully-loaded right up until the last word.
Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “Tallent & Lowery - 13” and owner of The Write Companion.
Charlestown, which is a neighborhood of South Boston, has been the site of 33 unsolved murders between the years of 1975 to 1992. This area also has the dubious honor of never producing any witnesses to these crimes; there was never one arrest in any of the cases. There was a time in this area known only as The Code of Silence, meaning see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil…especially to the police.
Buddy Clancy, aforementioned D.A., is hired to defend Billy Malone - a killer and drug dealer in that area. Prosecutor Annie Fitzgerald is joining up with the Boston Homicide Department Detective Mike Callahan who has been after Malone to put him out of the crime business for many years. Malone is on trial for the killing of a young artist, Trevor Shea, who painted extremely lifelike portraits of the locals, and Annie brings one of the portraits into the courtroom as she believes that the pictures will tell the Judge and Jury exactly ho was responsible for Trevor’s death.
As stated before, it’s difficult to find witnesses who will testify against Malone, and Attorney Clancy is very adept in creating doubt in the minds of the Jury. With Annie’s most important witness murdered and the FBI interfering at every turn, she and Callahan are finding it almost impossible to try the case.
This is a very intriguing read that will keep legal/thriller readers super-busy. The scenes in Charlestown are mind-boggling and the justice system is put on trial, covering all the questions that exist in today’s legal system. McLean writes some exceptional trial scenes but doesn’t make the whole book take place in a courtroom, which many legal thrillers tend to do. Sometimes courtroom scenes go on and on and the reader loses the story line. MacLean knows this, and makes sure to keep this action fully-loaded right up until the last word.
Reviewed by Amy Lignor, author of “Tallent & Lowery - 13” and owner of The Write Companion.
April 28, 2012
Under Oath by Margaret McLean
Another superb courtroom drama with volatile emotional context from Margaret McLean.
Annie Fitzgerald is prosecuting a despicable criminal figure in Boston’s infamous Charlestown section. She has a personal ax to grind and is obsessed with getting a conviction. She is assisted by homicide detective Callahan who is grinding his own ax. Together they share the obsessed cause of convicting Billy Malone.
Buddy Clancy would top the list of interesting people anyone has encountered. He and his golden retriever, Rehnquist, both sport bow ties and both have a sweet tooth. Buddy was more likeable in McClean’s previous book, Under Fire. Buddy seems more contentious. His folksy style fades against the counterpoint of the killer he is defending. Buddy seems to undergo a crisis of conscience with his defense of what may be a multiple murder suspect.
The plot is complicated and believable. There are a wealth of seedy characters that provide grit and grime to the story line. Sadly the story has a ring of truth which probably is the reason it is so captivating. Charlestown exhibits many of the characteristics of small towns and insular communities. Ms. McLean did an exceptional job in painting the atmosphere of this type of neighborhood.
The murdered artist Trevor Shea tells his own poignant story through out the book. The thread of his work is what ties this book so very neatly tight.
This was a very good book and an outstanding courtroom drama.
I highly recommend it.
Another superb courtroom drama with volatile emotional context from Margaret McLean.
Annie Fitzgerald is prosecuting a despicable criminal figure in Boston’s infamous Charlestown section. She has a personal ax to grind and is obsessed with getting a conviction. She is assisted by homicide detective Callahan who is grinding his own ax. Together they share the obsessed cause of convicting Billy Malone.
Buddy Clancy would top the list of interesting people anyone has encountered. He and his golden retriever, Rehnquist, both sport bow ties and both have a sweet tooth. Buddy was more likeable in McClean’s previous book, Under Fire. Buddy seems more contentious. His folksy style fades against the counterpoint of the killer he is defending. Buddy seems to undergo a crisis of conscience with his defense of what may be a multiple murder suspect.
The plot is complicated and believable. There are a wealth of seedy characters that provide grit and grime to the story line. Sadly the story has a ring of truth which probably is the reason it is so captivating. Charlestown exhibits many of the characteristics of small towns and insular communities. Ms. McLean did an exceptional job in painting the atmosphere of this type of neighborhood.
The murdered artist Trevor Shea tells his own poignant story through out the book. The thread of his work is what ties this book so very neatly tight.
This was a very good book and an outstanding courtroom drama.
I highly recommend it.
May 30, 2012
If you're a fan of John Grisham novels, then you need to take note of the sophomore efforts of author Margaret McLean. I was sent a copy of Under Oath by her publisher and I'm excited to share my honest opinion with you.
Under Oath is the thrilling story of young prosecutor, Annie Fitzgerald and a high profile murder case with trial law scenes at their best. I felt like I was sitting in the courtroom hearing testimony and I loved how McLean showed both sides of the case so well, that at times I wasn't sure who was innocent and who was really guilty. I definitely couldn't predict how the case would pan out. Only a former prosecutor could write scenes like these with such accuracy, and McLean's experience shines through.
I also liked how McLean took me along the ride for behind the scenes investigative action with Annie--this chick is smart and incredibly courageous--definitely a heroine to root for.
McLean possesses a great writing style with a knack for using triggers to place the reader right in the scene so you experience the story with all of its anxiety-riddled plot twists.
This book does have some content--swearing, mild violence, but it wasn't overdone and it felt authentic to the plot
If you're looking for an edge of your seat read, pick up Under Oath
Under Oath is the thrilling story of young prosecutor, Annie Fitzgerald and a high profile murder case with trial law scenes at their best. I felt like I was sitting in the courtroom hearing testimony and I loved how McLean showed both sides of the case so well, that at times I wasn't sure who was innocent and who was really guilty. I definitely couldn't predict how the case would pan out. Only a former prosecutor could write scenes like these with such accuracy, and McLean's experience shines through.
I also liked how McLean took me along the ride for behind the scenes investigative action with Annie--this chick is smart and incredibly courageous--definitely a heroine to root for.
McLean possesses a great writing style with a knack for using triggers to place the reader right in the scene so you experience the story with all of its anxiety-riddled plot twists.
This book does have some content--swearing, mild violence, but it wasn't overdone and it felt authentic to the plot
If you're looking for an edge of your seat read, pick up Under Oath
November 10, 2012
I really liked this book. It was one of the most realistic books I felt I have read in a long time. It actually felt like I was in the story and I was getting a little too involved and had to slow down so I wouldn't give myself nightmares. The killer in the book I felt was guilty since day 1 however he has the power over all of the town because everyone who witnessed the crime are either too scared to testify or dead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2008
this is interesting
May 17, 2012
okay, nothing outstanding
June 4, 2012
really good if you like courtroom drama
July 1, 2012
This is a rather plodding and sometimes boring courtroom drama that fails to develop any real sense of tension or suspense.
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/0...
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2012/0...
July 18, 2012
Great book!
December 9, 2015
The story was ok, but drawn out and repetitious. The book didn't need to be as long as it was.
August 12, 2014
Enthralling legal thriller.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews