Conflict of Interest

by Clair M. Poulson

Law student Rob Sterling is an innocent man trapped in a nightmare-accused of murder. The court has appointed one of the state's most successful criminal lawyers to represent him. Rob should feel fortunate.

Ambitious and arrogant, defense attorney Dan Smathers will do whatever it takes to protect his own interests, even if it means sentencing an unsuspecting Rob to prison-or even death. But he hasn't taken into account the unwavering loyalty of Rob's best friend, Raul, or the personal integrity of Haley Gordon, the rising-star prosecutor assigned to the case.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Suspense, Mystery, Lds, Fiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Clair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.

He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.

In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.

Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.

Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.

Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.

Reviews

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kept my interest throughout, very captivating.

[Sal4gal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you listened to the audio book. A lot of this short story centered around court room drama.

[Kevin Smith]

Another good book but with a twist ending.

[Jamille Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many twists and turns! You think you know something but then it gets turned on your head.

[Lawana Sisam · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is hard to know who to trust when things go terribly wrong. When you keep working and trying to solve problems you are led to those you can trust. You need to be brave and let them!

[MQR · Rating 1 out of 5]

Easy reading, not really my genre of interest. Been a long time since I read it, but it seems all that the author devoted to character development was to declare the character's church membership and/or church calling which I found disturbingly, or even possibly dementedly, simplistic approach to character development. Other than that, I suppose that the story line could have been interesting, if it had been at all more descriptive or suspenseful, but it was neither. I only read it because I had nothing else to really do that summer, and the person I was staying with at the time was making sure I read it, and there was nothing else to read, or do, seriously. I suppose also so they didn't feel the money spent on it was a waste for them, but it probably still took all summer. I only give it a three star because it had some potential, but really it should be two or one.

[Rachael Dorronsoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rob Sterling married a beautiful woman Jennifer and when she is murdered, he is accused and sent to prison. Dan Smathers is appointed Rob’s attorney but seems to be doing anything but helping Rob. Haley Gordon is assigned to Prosecute, and luckily for Rob, she is more interested in the truth than her career. This story is an amazing weave of characters, suspense, mystery and the light only the truth can bring. As I read this story there was one person, I knew who definately didn’t commit the murder, I really wasn’t sure who did till the end. This book is well worth the read. This is another clean read.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This definately fits into the cheesy-mormon-lit category. I found some enjoyment in it despite the annoying cliche phrases and small amount of predictibility. However after reading the many positive reviews I wonder if much of my criticism is a result of the audio narrator rather than the writing. She spoke words ubruptly and also seemed to be straight out of a 1980's LDS video for youth.

I do have to praise the author for creating interesting characters. I might try reading another of his books but will definately stay away from an audio version. I think John Grisham fans may like it.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - this was really great - i really like this author. He keeps your interest and the information keeps coming in keeping you guess as to "who dun it". This author catches your attention early in the book and holds it until the very end. These books are easy reads and fast which is good because you can't put them down. 2nd Book read during the Oct. blizzard.

[Ryviera Shayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clair delivers again! This book is a great weaving of a story! Although I did figure out a lot of the plot, Clair is a master at details and knows just how and when to add them. If you like his books, you will really enjoy this one!

[Andrew Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine loaned this to me back when I was in Iraq, it was enjoyable. It's been a while since I read it, but I think I'll try to read more by this author. Anyone have suggestions about which of his other books to read next?

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. This was my first book to read by Poulson and I really enjoyed it. In fact, it kept me turning pages when I should have been doing other things, so I read it in only a few days. It flowed well, was intriguing, had lots of twists and turns, and kept me guessing.

[Marsha Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in my effort to see what this hometown author has to say. It was a fun book to take on a trip--not too demanding but compelling and fast-paced. I liked it and now my husband is reading it.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by this author and I really liked it. I have read all of his books and I enjoy them because they're quick reads which keep me entertained.

[Chera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clair Poulson is another of my guilty pleasure reads. He worked as a sheriff and for the FBI, so his stories are fun and exciting. He's pretty good at creating some suspense.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was wonderful to read a mystery of this type written by an LDS author. Exciting from start to finish.

[Annika Paxman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked how this book didn't give itself away with all the twists and turns! Definitely an entertaining quick read!

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot. It's a good mystery and has a good twist.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good versus evil!! There are some really great characters in this story.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Poulson's.

[Drew]

Conflict of Interest by Clair Poulson (2003)

[Tirzah Evangelista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one kept me guessing until the end

[Dorine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I have liked everything of Poulson's that I have read.

[Nellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Clean great. Rob is framed for killing his wife.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Clair Poulson. In the few spare moments I get in a day I am trying to pick up the book to see what happens next. I haven't had a book like that to read in a while.

[Nadine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book intriguing. I liked the main characters and their stand for truth and justice.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man is accused of killing his wife. He didn't do it but he gets sent to jail and needs help finding who did. Through a lot of corruption he finds the killer and is set free.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thrilling story of a law student, who is framed for murder.

A good summer page turner.