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Scott Fenney #1
The Color of Law
A partner at a prominent law firm is forced to choose between his enviable lifestyle and doing the right thing. Former college football star Scott Fenney has worked his way to the top of the heap at the Dallas firm of Ford Stevens. But when Clark McCall, wayward son of a Texas politician, gets himself murdered after a night of booze, drugs, and rough sex, Scott is assigned to defend the prime suspect, a heroin-addicted hooker named Shawanda Jones. The powers that be want her convicted—and Scott’s future at the firm may depend on it. But unfortunately for Scott, Shwanada claims she’s innocent, and he believes her.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 18, 2005
411 people are currently reading
3215 people want to read
About the author
Mark Gimenez
19 books496 followersMark Gimenez grew up in Galveston County, Texas, and attended Texas State University and Notre Dame Law School. He practiced law and was a partner in a large Dallas firm. He is the author of ten novels—The Color of Law, The Abduction, The Perk, The Common Lawyer, Accused, The Governor's Wife, Con Law, The Case Against William, The Absence of Guilt, and End of Days (Con Law II)—as well as a children's novel, Parts & Labor: The Adventures of Max Dugan. His books have received critical acclaim around the world. They have been bestsellers in the UK, Ireland, Australia, India, and South Africa and have been translated into fifteen foreign languages. The Perk won a spot in Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery Novels, edited by John Connolly and Declan Burke.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 580 reviews
November 10, 2023
3.5 stars
This enjoyable thriller reads a lot like a John Grisham novel with a dash of Perry Mason thrown in.
Dallas lawyer A. Scott Fenney was a star football player in college. This helped propel him into his job as an attorney at the elite Ford Stevens law firm where he happily learned less-than-ethical techniques to benefit his clients and bring in fees of 3 million dollars a year.
Thus Scott and his family live in a mansion in classy Highland Park, he and his wife Rebecca drive expensive cars, and Rebecca aspires to be hostess of the glamorous Cattle Barons Ball.
To top it off Scott has a whip-smart daughter he adores, 9-year-old Boo. Scott feels like he's living the perfect life.
Then United States District Court Judge Samuel Buford appoints Scott to be the pro-bono lawyer for black prostitute Shawanda Jones.....
.....who's accused of killing Clark McCall. Clark is the bad-boy son of Senator Mack McCall, who's determined to become the next President of the United States.
Moreover, Senator McCall is friends with Scott's boss Dan Ford, who's poised to become the attorney of the next President.
Scott tries to get rid of Shawanda as a client by urging her to cop a plea. But Shawanda insists she's innocent and wants a trial. From here the book takes a predictable, but still entertaining, turn. The Senator is determined that his son's past as a druggie who hits and rapes women doesn't become public knowledge. Thus the Senator pulls a few strings and Dan Ford urges Scott to throw the case.
When Scott gets a twinge of conscience and refuses his life starts to go downhill at breakneck speed.
Though the story plays out much as expected I enjoyed the book, which is well-written with engaging characters. Some of the most likable characters in the story include Scott's old law school buddy Bobby - who helps with the case;
Shawanda's endearing daughter Pajamae - who Scott takes into his home during the trial;
and Boo - who supplies the conscience Scott sorely needs.
The rascals in the tale include Dan Ford - whose sole interest in life is making money;
Tom Dibrell - Scott's best client, who never met a pretty woman he couldn't harass;
and Senator McCall - who would do anything to get his way.
The book has the requisite courtroom scenes, which add interest to the story. I liked the book and recommend it to fans of legal mysteries.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
October 12, 2023
Demasiados clichés.
Dicen que va camino de mejorar a John Grisham en cuanto a novelas sobre juicios, y puede ser cierto, pero, leyendo esta novela, mi opinión es que le queda mucho camino por recorrer.
El problema es que, siendo la trama altamente interesante, llena el relato de estereotipos y clichés hasta hacerla abusiva. Todos los ciudadanos blancos de la parte “rica” de Dallas están corrompidos por el dinero y el poder, mientras que los negros y miserables que viven en los suburbios aparecen descritos como personas con corazón y alma, incluso la prostituta negra heroinómana acusada de matar al hijo del gobernador tiene un corazón de oro, y sólo se preocupa del bienestar de su hija, y así sucesivamente. Empalagoso.
Además el propio autor confiesa que ha querido hacer una especie de homenaje al gran clásico del género “Matar a un ruiseñor”, aunque cambiando el final y adaptándolo a los nuevos tiempos. Flaco favor, ya que el resultado no es comparable ni de lejos. También tiene ínfulas de “La hoguera de las Vanidades”, pero el resultado es el mismo.
En cualquier caso, mi calificación es de tres estrellas, ya que salvando todas esas distancias, la novela es altamente entretenida, tiene algunos diálogos muy brillantes y un humor solapado que la hace muy llevadera. Además la parte final, en donde por fin se desarrolla el juicio, si que podría equipararse, aunque de forma lejana, a Grisham, que sigue siendo uno de mis autores de Legal Thrillers preferidos.
Espero que en otras novelas el autor haya evolucionado de forma más consistente. Le daré otra oportunidad.
PD. La verdad es que han pasado 8 años y todavía no se la he dado. Intentaré buscar algo suyo pronto.
3 🌞🌞🌞
Dicen que va camino de mejorar a John Grisham en cuanto a novelas sobre juicios, y puede ser cierto, pero, leyendo esta novela, mi opinión es que le queda mucho camino por recorrer.
El problema es que, siendo la trama altamente interesante, llena el relato de estereotipos y clichés hasta hacerla abusiva. Todos los ciudadanos blancos de la parte “rica” de Dallas están corrompidos por el dinero y el poder, mientras que los negros y miserables que viven en los suburbios aparecen descritos como personas con corazón y alma, incluso la prostituta negra heroinómana acusada de matar al hijo del gobernador tiene un corazón de oro, y sólo se preocupa del bienestar de su hija, y así sucesivamente. Empalagoso.
Además el propio autor confiesa que ha querido hacer una especie de homenaje al gran clásico del género “Matar a un ruiseñor”, aunque cambiando el final y adaptándolo a los nuevos tiempos. Flaco favor, ya que el resultado no es comparable ni de lejos. También tiene ínfulas de “La hoguera de las Vanidades”, pero el resultado es el mismo.
En cualquier caso, mi calificación es de tres estrellas, ya que salvando todas esas distancias, la novela es altamente entretenida, tiene algunos diálogos muy brillantes y un humor solapado que la hace muy llevadera. Además la parte final, en donde por fin se desarrolla el juicio, si que podría equipararse, aunque de forma lejana, a Grisham, que sigue siendo uno de mis autores de Legal Thrillers preferidos.
Espero que en otras novelas el autor haya evolucionado de forma más consistente. Le daré otra oportunidad.
PD. La verdad es que han pasado 8 años y todavía no se la he dado. Intentaré buscar algo suyo pronto.
3 🌞🌞🌞
May 9, 2013
Često ga nazivaju novim Grišamom... Nije Grišam ali piše jednako zanimljivo i knjige mu se gutaju u dahu...
April 30, 2015
I yet still have not decided just how to review this novel because I equally hated and thoroughly enjoyed separate aspects.
For story, pacing, narration and setting i would give 5 stars. But for character development, originality, real-life parallels and tidy conclusions I am leaning towards 2 stars. Thus my formula for the resulting 3.
This is the first novel I have read by this author. Without a doubt any author writing a courtroom drama since 1995 will be compared to John Grisham. Gimenez and Grisham are practically twins based on this one. I think Grisham spends more time in the courtroom than THE COLOR OF LAW did which is to Gimenez's advantage. The courtroom shenanigans were brief and a bit too Perry Mason for my tastes. However the stripping of the riches from our hero--a character you learn to actually like after the stick from his ass is removed--becomes the focus.
I just could not get over these supporting characters! Yeah yeah, it's same old struggle involved Money and Power and Race and the Law. But c'mon, this novel is supposedly set in 2005 yet the way of thinking and speaking was more 1955 or earlier.
Every single non-white character was a criminal. or uneducated. or a combination of both. Cant catch a break. Grew in the projects or in the States illegaly yadda yadda yadda. Then again this could have also been the authors way of showing how the posh, top-of-the-hill, rich white characters viewed the former?
It was too much. Over-the-top. I found myself getting annoyed with this portion and the tidy ending was oh so Tyler Perry I could hardly stand it. But i made it to the end so that says something for the novel.
THE COLOR OF LAW is a great but easily forgotten book. I think i will give Gimenez a second test drive before hiring him onboard. but no time soon.
For story, pacing, narration and setting i would give 5 stars. But for character development, originality, real-life parallels and tidy conclusions I am leaning towards 2 stars. Thus my formula for the resulting 3.
This is the first novel I have read by this author. Without a doubt any author writing a courtroom drama since 1995 will be compared to John Grisham. Gimenez and Grisham are practically twins based on this one. I think Grisham spends more time in the courtroom than THE COLOR OF LAW did which is to Gimenez's advantage. The courtroom shenanigans were brief and a bit too Perry Mason for my tastes. However the stripping of the riches from our hero--a character you learn to actually like after the stick from his ass is removed--becomes the focus.
I just could not get over these supporting characters! Yeah yeah, it's same old struggle involved Money and Power and Race and the Law. But c'mon, this novel is supposedly set in 2005 yet the way of thinking and speaking was more 1955 or earlier.
Every single non-white character was a criminal. or uneducated. or a combination of both. Cant catch a break. Grew in the projects or in the States illegaly yadda yadda yadda. Then again this could have also been the authors way of showing how the posh, top-of-the-hill, rich white characters viewed the former?
It was too much. Over-the-top. I found myself getting annoyed with this portion and the tidy ending was oh so Tyler Perry I could hardly stand it. But i made it to the end so that says something for the novel.
THE COLOR OF LAW is a great but easily forgotten book. I think i will give Gimenez a second test drive before hiring him onboard. but no time soon.
June 5, 2019
I think this book has a lot going for it. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. People compare it to Grisham and Perry Mason, and in some ways it was similar, but I thought it was a lot different, mostly because it had a subtle (or somewhat subtle) humor to it. It made fun of a lot of people, especially lawyers. The main character, a Dallas lawyer named A. Scott Fenney, was a perfect stereotype of what many people imagine lawyers to be like - over-billing, thinking only of money, driving a Ferrari, member of exclusive clubs, beautiful wife, expensive home. And his wife was even worse. He was on top of the world, and expected to keep climbing, the sky was the limit. The only decent thing he cared about was his precocious nine year old daughter, who was a real delight and sometimes helped keep him grounded.
However, one little thing comes along and his conscience peeks in, then his foundation starts crumbling. He began thinking about doing the right thing, although it was a major fight all the way. At first, he really didn't want to do it, but his heart forced him to fight the forces of evil. It almost beat him.
However, one little thing comes along and his conscience peeks in, then his foundation starts crumbling. He began thinking about doing the right thing, although it was a major fight all the way. At first, he really didn't want to do it, but his heart forced him to fight the forces of evil. It almost beat him.
May 29, 2023
A very well written first half, with lots of little facts. Some characters, Rebecca, the senator, Scott (with his astonishing lack of knowledge aboutthe real world) are a bit linear and somehow artificial. The plot is a thin one, the writing lightly childish and pathetical, but the human kindness transparing raises the value of the book. A four mostly as an encouragement...
November 25, 2012
"Color of Law" is a fabulous book! I couldn't put it down. I think Mark Gimenez is my new favourite "lawyer/mystery" author. He crafts a great story with characters you won't forget, and his writing, in my opinion, is superb. I get the feeling he is a good man with decent values; I suspect he's also as tough as he is kind. They say he's "the next Grisham", which seems to me to be sort of demeaning. Maybe what they mean is that his stories captivate as Grisham's do; they are both talented lawyers-turned-writers. I do love John Grisham's books, too. But when I read Mark Gimenez's books, I don't compare him with John Grisham or anyone. He's just good, that's all. His books have taught me a great deal about U.S. minorities and about Texas.
My only regret about "Color of Law" is that I didn't read it FIRST before I read "The Accused". So I finished "Color of Law" (sadly: I didn't want it to end) and read "The Accused" again. Mark Gimenez is a wonderful writer, storyteller and teacher. When you read his books, you'll see what I mean.
p.s. Read "The Governor's Wife" (brilliant!) after you've read "Color of Law" and "The Accused".
My only regret about "Color of Law" is that I didn't read it FIRST before I read "The Accused". So I finished "Color of Law" (sadly: I didn't want it to end) and read "The Accused" again. Mark Gimenez is a wonderful writer, storyteller and teacher. When you read his books, you'll see what I mean.
p.s. Read "The Governor's Wife" (brilliant!) after you've read "Color of Law" and "The Accused".
January 6, 2016
If there were a "write a cheap thriller by numbers" kit in the art stores, then you could almost bet that Mark Gimenez was using it when producing this story. It is so full of clichés in every direction that it's possible to get eye-rolling fatigue from reading just a couple of chapters.
The main character, A. Scott Fenney Esq, would be utterly unlikeable except that he's utterly unbelievable. The other characters, from the cold hearted wife to the endearing awkward daughter to the single minded father figure head partner to the drop out ex best friend criminal lawyer to EVERYBODY else in this sad tale could be cut from cardboard with stick on clothing (and characteristics).
There's no actual thriller until about 5 pages from the end when our unbelievable hero accidentally stumbles onto the Truth. Oh did I mention he was cross examining a key witness on the stand at a death penalty murder trial at the time of this Truth Stumbling? How this guy ever got a law license is beyond me. Perhaps it was the 193 yards he ran in his college football hey days, which was only mentioned, oh, about once every 3 pages. Oh yes, the story would be somewhere else entirely -- at say a business luncheon, but those 193 yard would come up! Ugh. Despicable person, A. Scott, for whom the A meant "nothing" until those last 5 pages when we discover it's for Atticus. Oh yes, THAT Atticus, Mr Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird fame. Can we collectively throw up now we know this, as our main man finds a moral centre (at LAST) and becomes a Good Man and a Good Lawyer, doing Good with his life.
This was so saccharin, predictable and downright silly that it could almost be mistaken for a parody of a courtroom thriller. Read only if confined to bed with a terrible head cold impeding your ability to think straight and with no other reading material available.
The main character, A. Scott Fenney Esq, would be utterly unlikeable except that he's utterly unbelievable. The other characters, from the cold hearted wife to the endearing awkward daughter to the single minded father figure head partner to the drop out ex best friend criminal lawyer to EVERYBODY else in this sad tale could be cut from cardboard with stick on clothing (and characteristics).
There's no actual thriller until about 5 pages from the end when our unbelievable hero accidentally stumbles onto the Truth. Oh did I mention he was cross examining a key witness on the stand at a death penalty murder trial at the time of this Truth Stumbling? How this guy ever got a law license is beyond me. Perhaps it was the 193 yards he ran in his college football hey days, which was only mentioned, oh, about once every 3 pages. Oh yes, the story would be somewhere else entirely -- at say a business luncheon, but those 193 yard would come up! Ugh. Despicable person, A. Scott, for whom the A meant "nothing" until those last 5 pages when we discover it's for Atticus. Oh yes, THAT Atticus, Mr Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird fame. Can we collectively throw up now we know this, as our main man finds a moral centre (at LAST) and becomes a Good Man and a Good Lawyer, doing Good with his life.
This was so saccharin, predictable and downright silly that it could almost be mistaken for a parody of a courtroom thriller. Read only if confined to bed with a terrible head cold impeding your ability to think straight and with no other reading material available.
January 17, 2021
Honestamente he disfrutado tremendamente de este libro, por supuesto me gusta mucho el thriller jurídico y esperaba tal vez algo como Grisham, pero no, para nada, me he encontrado a un escritor que utiliza los temas jurídicos para señalar a una sociedad hipócrita.
Scott Fenney es un abogado guapo, inteligente, exitoso, tiene todo, es socio del mejor despacho jurídico de Dallas, tiene un Ferrari, una mansión en la mejor zona de la ciudad y tiene la esposa florero perfecta, pero cuando un buen día le imponen atender un caso federal para defender a una prostituta negra y adicta a la heroína acusada de asesinar nada menos que al hijo de un Senador, su vida da un vuelco de 180 grados.
Más allá de todo lo que le sucede a Fenney después de haber aceptado este caso, tengo que señalar la manera tan cruda en que el autor pone en relieve una sociedad blanca y rica que es xenófoba, racista, clasista y hasta antisemita, señala a un sistema político corrupto y super poderoso, no solo porque ostentan ese poder político si no porque tienen poder económico.
No fue bonito, para nada, no es nada que no se sepa, pero verlo tan crudamente señalado fue como si me hubiera estado leyendo un libro ubicado en un Estados Unidos de los años cuarenta o cincuenta, sin embargo, tampoco podemos negar que debajo de toda la hipocresía que ostentan, esto no es más que la realidad de la sociedad de ese país.
Ell autor sin embargo también revela esa gran esperanza y fe que tiene en la verdadera justicia de los tribunales de Estados Unidos, algo que por cierto, también siempre presumen, donde todos son inocentes hasta que se pruebe lo contrario y este libro va por sobre cualquier otra cosa, sobre eso, la reivindicación de un abogado, que un día abre los ojos y se da cuenta que la justicia debe ser para todos de igual manera y que dentro de él todavía existe un poco o un mucho de ética y buen corazón.
Así que, nuestro autor, se nota a leguas, es un enamorado no solo de su profesión si no de la fe en la justicia, nos presenta el típico caso de película donde a pesar de tener todo en contra, la verdad siempre triunfa.
Me encanta Scott Fenney, es un personaje que me ha llegado, me cae bien, pero todavía más me encanta Boo, su hija, una niña inteligente, aguda y con una inocencia digna de una niña de su edad que le ha puesto mucho color a toda la historia.
Me alegra haber dado con este libro y espero poder leerme los demás libros de la serie muy pronto.
Scott Fenney es un abogado guapo, inteligente, exitoso, tiene todo, es socio del mejor despacho jurídico de Dallas, tiene un Ferrari, una mansión en la mejor zona de la ciudad y tiene la esposa florero perfecta, pero cuando un buen día le imponen atender un caso federal para defender a una prostituta negra y adicta a la heroína acusada de asesinar nada menos que al hijo de un Senador, su vida da un vuelco de 180 grados.
Más allá de todo lo que le sucede a Fenney después de haber aceptado este caso, tengo que señalar la manera tan cruda en que el autor pone en relieve una sociedad blanca y rica que es xenófoba, racista, clasista y hasta antisemita, señala a un sistema político corrupto y super poderoso, no solo porque ostentan ese poder político si no porque tienen poder económico.
No fue bonito, para nada, no es nada que no se sepa, pero verlo tan crudamente señalado fue como si me hubiera estado leyendo un libro ubicado en un Estados Unidos de los años cuarenta o cincuenta, sin embargo, tampoco podemos negar que debajo de toda la hipocresía que ostentan, esto no es más que la realidad de la sociedad de ese país.
Ell autor sin embargo también revela esa gran esperanza y fe que tiene en la verdadera justicia de los tribunales de Estados Unidos, algo que por cierto, también siempre presumen, donde todos son inocentes hasta que se pruebe lo contrario y este libro va por sobre cualquier otra cosa, sobre eso, la reivindicación de un abogado, que un día abre los ojos y se da cuenta que la justicia debe ser para todos de igual manera y que dentro de él todavía existe un poco o un mucho de ética y buen corazón.
Así que, nuestro autor, se nota a leguas, es un enamorado no solo de su profesión si no de la fe en la justicia, nos presenta el típico caso de película donde a pesar de tener todo en contra, la verdad siempre triunfa.
Me encanta Scott Fenney, es un personaje que me ha llegado, me cae bien, pero todavía más me encanta Boo, su hija, una niña inteligente, aguda y con una inocencia digna de una niña de su edad que le ha puesto mucho color a toda la historia.
Me alegra haber dado con este libro y espero poder leerme los demás libros de la serie muy pronto.
October 12, 2023
Fantástico.
Me había equivocado y había leído antes el que debería ser el segundo, Acusada, y ni aún sabiendo muchas cosas de antemano ha perdido nada.
Los lectores de Fantasía dirían seguramente que es un "viaje del héroe" de manual ... y ésa creo que es la magia de este libro ¡¡ de abogados !! ... la transformación total del protagonista.
Ahora son tardar mucho habrá que ir a por el tercero ;)
Me había equivocado y había leído antes el que debería ser el segundo, Acusada, y ni aún sabiendo muchas cosas de antemano ha perdido nada.
Los lectores de Fantasía dirían seguramente que es un "viaje del héroe" de manual ... y ésa creo que es la magia de este libro ¡¡ de abogados !! ... la transformación total del protagonista.
Ahora son tardar mucho habrá que ir a por el tercero ;)
April 6, 2015
Because I am a John Grisham fan, I can appreciate the premise of this book. Rich, prominent attorney in Dallas whose identity is really based on who he works for...other powerful, prominent men who have much more than he does. Only in his early 30's, Scott has been very successful (monetarily), has a beautiful wife in a former SMU cheerleader and has never had to make any really tough choices personally. Overall, he's a good dude, just spends way too much time chasing after 'the dream'. Scott Fenney didn't grow up rich, but he grew up around the rich and he knows and understand that money can buy you any kind of life you want. So he went to the best school that would afford him that life, SMU, AND he played football and was a star running back. And in Dallas, being an all-star football player is akin to being governor. Scott has the 'perfect' life (think The Firm by John Grisham), but it's all at a price. He is forced to take a case defending a black prostitute hooked on drugs who was accused of killing the rich, privileged son of a US Senator and Presidential candidate. Scott must revisit his former life and work with a childhood lawyer friend who lives the opposite life as Scott, defending those with not much money and not many choices. In order to 'do right' by his poor, less fortunate client, he has to give it all up and loses a lot in the process.
I liked the book overall, however, the author spent WAY too much time describing the lifestyles of the rich and famous instead of really getting into the murder. It took a very long time to even begin the real investigation of the murder of the son. Chapter after chapter he talked way too much about country club lifestyles and neighborhoods of the rich and charity balls and the best schools. He put a lot into the descriptions of the houses and shopping districts and on and on. In my opinion, he could have used the first few chapters to set the tone. After that, the rest of the book should have been about the murder. The book was about 100 pages too long. I can appreciate what he was trying to do, but considering that the case and the murder itself was somewhat weak, he should have spent more time developing a more complicated and compelling reason for the murder and made it a bit more suspenseful. Also, many of the relationships were VERY stereotypical (Hispanic nanny/maid, black servers and caddies at the country club (yes suh, mista Fenney), poor blacks living in the 'hood/projects, typical 'big, black football players' as teammates and the random characters who can't speak proper English. Not a properly educated minority in the bunch and honestly, I suppose that can be real life for some...maybe those in the prominent, rich circles don't come in contact with educated, well-read minorities??? Why should they? They really only deal with minorities as 'the help'.
But I do like the relationships he developed between Scott's daughter and the daughter of the accused and I am actually looking forward to reading the next chapter Scott's life. Scott's daughter was not as jaded as her father or mother and accepted the prostitute's daughter like a 'sister'. Overall, this wasn't bad for the author's first book. I just needed a bit more depth.
I liked the book overall, however, the author spent WAY too much time describing the lifestyles of the rich and famous instead of really getting into the murder. It took a very long time to even begin the real investigation of the murder of the son. Chapter after chapter he talked way too much about country club lifestyles and neighborhoods of the rich and charity balls and the best schools. He put a lot into the descriptions of the houses and shopping districts and on and on. In my opinion, he could have used the first few chapters to set the tone. After that, the rest of the book should have been about the murder. The book was about 100 pages too long. I can appreciate what he was trying to do, but considering that the case and the murder itself was somewhat weak, he should have spent more time developing a more complicated and compelling reason for the murder and made it a bit more suspenseful. Also, many of the relationships were VERY stereotypical (Hispanic nanny/maid, black servers and caddies at the country club (yes suh, mista Fenney), poor blacks living in the 'hood/projects, typical 'big, black football players' as teammates and the random characters who can't speak proper English. Not a properly educated minority in the bunch and honestly, I suppose that can be real life for some...maybe those in the prominent, rich circles don't come in contact with educated, well-read minorities??? Why should they? They really only deal with minorities as 'the help'.
But I do like the relationships he developed between Scott's daughter and the daughter of the accused and I am actually looking forward to reading the next chapter Scott's life. Scott's daughter was not as jaded as her father or mother and accepted the prostitute's daughter like a 'sister'. Overall, this wasn't bad for the author's first book. I just needed a bit more depth.
August 10, 2012
I don't know where I found this...but when I read the dedication, it included "to Harper Lee, whose great novel inspired me to become a lawyer and to write this story" I was hooked. A book affected a man's life calling! This author is new, but very good. A college football hero whose conscience has been checked out for years, becomes a lawyer and catches a case that makes him choose between his lush lifestyle and doing what is right at a terrible cost on a pro bono case.
I love his style, the reality of his characters and a story about someone who has to struggle with his choices in life. I am looking forward to whatever else he writes.
I love his style, the reality of his characters and a story about someone who has to struggle with his choices in life. I am looking forward to whatever else he writes.
August 28, 2020
I love the characters and their progress in the book, be it for negative or positive. I love how the book held me until the final pages and never let the surprise fall out.
I love Boo and I love Pajamae. And I love how they are so ahead of their times in their thinking and knowledge of stuff i.e. typical Gen Z kids!
I grew to love Scott Fenney!
One of my good picks in legal fiction!
I love Boo and I love Pajamae. And I love how they are so ahead of their times in their thinking and knowledge of stuff i.e. typical Gen Z kids!
I grew to love Scott Fenney!
One of my good picks in legal fiction!
December 6, 2012
My first taste of Mark Gimenez's work and I am sure it will not be the last. Loved the book from start to finish.
November 22, 2023
2.5 🌟
Good writing, good main character. Good story. Twist at the end seemed fairly obvious due to lack of characters. But it made for an easy read!
Good writing, good main character. Good story. Twist at the end seemed fairly obvious due to lack of characters. But it made for an easy read!
October 23, 2010
I got given this book free with a newspaper (a free newspaper, actually.) I'm not sure anyone has really read this, even though The Times said he was 'the next Grisham.' And he well could be, you know - but Grisham isn't really my thing and neither was The Colour of Law, although I did still read it (and quickly, too.) It was entertaining, even though it's a) really rather predictable b) not incredibly well written. Still, although the characters are complete cliches, they are still likeable enough and you root for them.
However, the 'twist' - the key to proving the poor black prostitute did not kill the rich white senators son - is immediately obvious to anyone who has read To Kill a Mockingbird which The Colour of Law continuously makes incredible heavy handed references to throughout the novel. Although The Colour of Law tries to be a modern version of Harper Lee's classic, it falls woefull short. I do love the title though. The hero's boss says that the colour of law used to be white, but now it's green - money. Awesome! Terrifying! Stupid!
But, having said all that: I think this book could be really enjoyed by the people who like this sort of thing. For that, I think it's a shame that it's not more well known. This book is also the first one is a series and they may well get better.. but I won't bother to find out.
However, the 'twist' - the key to proving the poor black prostitute did not kill the rich white senators son - is immediately obvious to anyone who has read To Kill a Mockingbird which The Colour of Law continuously makes incredible heavy handed references to throughout the novel. Although The Colour of Law tries to be a modern version of Harper Lee's classic, it falls woefull short. I do love the title though. The hero's boss says that the colour of law used to be white, but now it's green - money. Awesome! Terrifying! Stupid!
But, having said all that: I think this book could be really enjoyed by the people who like this sort of thing. For that, I think it's a shame that it's not more well known. This book is also the first one is a series and they may well get better.. but I won't bother to find out.
September 4, 2020
It's a yes from me.
You know, sometimes legal drama can be a bit of a bore, but this one bucked that trend. There was enough actual law in here to make it feel real without making me feel like I'd sat through a years worth of lectures. I think this book has two half's to it. The first part is a voyage of discovery for A.Scott. He is finding out who he is as a man, who the people he admires are and what substance his life really has.
The second part of the book is the story of the court case and it is here we can see why so many people refer to Perry Mason and the like. It has more than a pinch of those black and white shows sown into the ending. That is not necessarily a bad thing; I like Perry Mason.
Finally the characters. They are a little stereotypical, but they work. My favorite by far are the two little girls. They shone off the page.
So, Mr Gimenez, I think you did well and I would recommend this book to others,
You know, sometimes legal drama can be a bit of a bore, but this one bucked that trend. There was enough actual law in here to make it feel real without making me feel like I'd sat through a years worth of lectures. I think this book has two half's to it. The first part is a voyage of discovery for A.Scott. He is finding out who he is as a man, who the people he admires are and what substance his life really has.
The second part of the book is the story of the court case and it is here we can see why so many people refer to Perry Mason and the like. It has more than a pinch of those black and white shows sown into the ending. That is not necessarily a bad thing; I like Perry Mason.
Finally the characters. They are a little stereotypical, but they work. My favorite by far are the two little girls. They shone off the page.
So, Mr Gimenez, I think you did well and I would recommend this book to others,
February 4, 2020
A.Scott Fenney has the perfect life. Cushy job as a high paid attorney, resides in his dream million-dollar home with his trophy wife and daughter. Everything is perfect until Shawanda Jones enters his life. She is accused of murdering the state senator’s son. This story covered so many issues. This is a legal thriller that will have you second guessing everything you thought you knew about the legal system and courtroom procedures. I enjoyed this literature rollercoaster ride to the very last page!
August 26, 2008
"Oh, the Humanity!"
Scott Fenney's got it made. A hotshot young lawyer in a prestigious Dallas law firm: the multi-million dollar mansion in Dallas' most exclusive neighborhood, the Ferrari, the seven-figure salary, the trophy wife. A. Scott lives the American dream - from humble blue-collar origins to Dallas God thanks to his steely-eyed determination and a knack for knocking over would be tacklers on the SMU gridiron. On the other side of the ledger, Shawanda Jones, black hooker and heroin addict from the wrong side of Dallas who is also accused of murdering the son of US Senator and aspiring presidential candidate Mack McCall. A wily old judge traps the unsuspecting Fenney into representing Shawanda, pro bona, setting off alarms of indignation and outrage from Fenney's white-shoe law firm. Not a bad set up, more than worthy of a gripping Grisham fable of crime scene reconstruction and courtroom drama.
But it's down hill from there. "The Color of Law" reads like Gimenez starts out wanting to be John Grisham, shifts to Tom Wolfe along the way, but soon is sounding a lot like Michael Moore. While billed as a legal thriller, it is really merely a tired rant on the evils and inequities of American society, one man's indignant but hardly profound discovery that "wow, life just isn't fair!" Unlike Wolfe's acerbic wit which skewers evenly without regard to race or social strata, crusader Gimenez spreads the stereotype so thick on his plastic caricatures of characters that his message backfires, becoming a parody of the injustices he tries so earnestly to condemn.
In Gimenez's fantasy world, all that is evil stems from white wealth and power - from the country clubs and boardrooms of Scott Fenney and his ilk. Meanwhile, for purity, righteousness, and honor, you need to travel to only as far as Dallas' projects or caddy shacks, where virtue is found among whores and dope addicts whose only crime was being born the wrong color. Like "Pretty Woman's" Julia Roberts, Gimenez's Shawanda has a heart of gold, a dedicated and doting mother whose heroine addiction is merely the price one pays for living in the projects. But of all the cardboard characters, none are more (unintentionally) entertaining than Scott's wife Rebecca, uber-bitch and social climber of Olympic caliber, a human being so shallow and mean that by comparison Leona Helmsly is Mother Teresa. Rebecca's pretentious persona is so over-the-top she could step into the frames of "South Park" as is. But unlike "South Park's" darkly humorous satire, Gimenez is dead serious, and expects the reader to share his indignation. Fenney's pending downfall and concurrent social awakening are all too painfully obvious as the author preaches and proselytes from a pulpit of self-righteousness only a true liberal could appreciate. When Gimenez finally gets around to a trial, there are initially some genuinely suspenseful moments, but this also soon drifts into ham fisted made-for-TV-movie-like schmaltz, complete with an actual Perry Mason moment.
In the final analysis, a mind numbing fairy tale of dated platitude. If you are looking for some truly engaging legal drama, try Michael Connelly's outstanding "The Lincoln Lawyers'. Or, if you'd prefer biting social satire with believable characters, witty dialog, and a rapier edge, Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities" is still the classic that Giminez, one would guess, tried to emulate while failing so miserably.
Scott Fenney's got it made. A hotshot young lawyer in a prestigious Dallas law firm: the multi-million dollar mansion in Dallas' most exclusive neighborhood, the Ferrari, the seven-figure salary, the trophy wife. A. Scott lives the American dream - from humble blue-collar origins to Dallas God thanks to his steely-eyed determination and a knack for knocking over would be tacklers on the SMU gridiron. On the other side of the ledger, Shawanda Jones, black hooker and heroin addict from the wrong side of Dallas who is also accused of murdering the son of US Senator and aspiring presidential candidate Mack McCall. A wily old judge traps the unsuspecting Fenney into representing Shawanda, pro bona, setting off alarms of indignation and outrage from Fenney's white-shoe law firm. Not a bad set up, more than worthy of a gripping Grisham fable of crime scene reconstruction and courtroom drama.
But it's down hill from there. "The Color of Law" reads like Gimenez starts out wanting to be John Grisham, shifts to Tom Wolfe along the way, but soon is sounding a lot like Michael Moore. While billed as a legal thriller, it is really merely a tired rant on the evils and inequities of American society, one man's indignant but hardly profound discovery that "wow, life just isn't fair!" Unlike Wolfe's acerbic wit which skewers evenly without regard to race or social strata, crusader Gimenez spreads the stereotype so thick on his plastic caricatures of characters that his message backfires, becoming a parody of the injustices he tries so earnestly to condemn.
In Gimenez's fantasy world, all that is evil stems from white wealth and power - from the country clubs and boardrooms of Scott Fenney and his ilk. Meanwhile, for purity, righteousness, and honor, you need to travel to only as far as Dallas' projects or caddy shacks, where virtue is found among whores and dope addicts whose only crime was being born the wrong color. Like "Pretty Woman's" Julia Roberts, Gimenez's Shawanda has a heart of gold, a dedicated and doting mother whose heroine addiction is merely the price one pays for living in the projects. But of all the cardboard characters, none are more (unintentionally) entertaining than Scott's wife Rebecca, uber-bitch and social climber of Olympic caliber, a human being so shallow and mean that by comparison Leona Helmsly is Mother Teresa. Rebecca's pretentious persona is so over-the-top she could step into the frames of "South Park" as is. But unlike "South Park's" darkly humorous satire, Gimenez is dead serious, and expects the reader to share his indignation. Fenney's pending downfall and concurrent social awakening are all too painfully obvious as the author preaches and proselytes from a pulpit of self-righteousness only a true liberal could appreciate. When Gimenez finally gets around to a trial, there are initially some genuinely suspenseful moments, but this also soon drifts into ham fisted made-for-TV-movie-like schmaltz, complete with an actual Perry Mason moment.
In the final analysis, a mind numbing fairy tale of dated platitude. If you are looking for some truly engaging legal drama, try Michael Connelly's outstanding "The Lincoln Lawyers'. Or, if you'd prefer biting social satire with believable characters, witty dialog, and a rapier edge, Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities" is still the classic that Giminez, one would guess, tried to emulate while failing so miserably.
October 8, 2017
This book was very entertaining. Scott Fenney is a former football hero who has become a very successful lawyer. Now he has it all - mansion, Ferrari, country club, trophy wife and daughter who he loves dearly. The life he has always dreamed of has become a reality. He has achieved all this through "creative lawyering" as he calls it, which generally means winning settlements for his rich clients at all costs - sometimes through various questionable legalities. But when he is assigned by a judge to defend a poor black woman who is charged with murder, he wants to find a way out. She is a prostitute and a heroine addict and Scott Fenney believes that she is guilty. But as he gets drawn deeper into the case, he believes she acted in self-defence and does not deserve the death penalty. She needs a good lawyer. Outside forces do not want him to present evidence that might exonerate her because this evidence would jeopardize political and financial aspirations of others. He is pressured by threats of financial and personal ruin. He has to decide if he is willing to give up everything he has worked for to save a poor black woman's life. This book showed many of Scott Fenney's foibles with great humour, but it also revealed a man who had deeper values than even he realized. While others have criticized this book as having one-dimensional characters, I agree. But to me it was a hilarious parody of such characters. I also agree that Scott Fenney's transition from being a self-absorbed lawyer only interested in success and fortune to a man willing to forgo everything for deeper values, was far-fetched. But it was written in such an entertaining way that this seemed like a small price to pay for a good read.
May 26, 2017
I like legal thrillers and court room dramas. I've read a lot of Grisham books, and was looking for an author who can do better. Although most of Grisham's books aren't really good, they're masterpieces compared to "The Colour of Law."
Short version: I cannot recommend this book.
Long version: *spoilers ahead*
The main issue with this book is that it's so full of cliches and caricatures:
The receptionist is a 'Blonde blue-eyed beauty painting her nails.
The lawyer negotiates a settlement for his sexual harassment client over speaker phone while practicing his golf swing in his office.
The nanny is fired and the wife says "who will make my coffee now?" The family loses the house and she says "Now I can't host the party ans I will lose my face". And of course she's sleeping with the golf trainer.
The loyal, but fat and unattractive friend.
The prick US Attorney.
And of course the handsome, athletic, smart lawyer, who came from a poor background, grew into an arrogant, rich guy and redeems himself in the end.
Other annoying stuff:
- The lawyer used to be a football player, ran 193 yards in a match, and for some reason thinks that achievement should make him respectable as a lawyer.
- The lawyer goes on live national TV with false accusations against a presidential candidate and this national news network would air the slanderous interview without any fact checking whatsoever.
-A federal judge can make a corporate lawyer defend a suspect in a murder case without any experience in the matter, because if the lawyer refuses, that judge will take revenge on his firm somehow.
- Law firms can make contributions to judges' election campaigns and like that get favorable rulings.
I don't know if those last two points are true, but if so, that's really disturbing.
This book is the first in a series, but I won't bother.
Short version: I cannot recommend this book.
Long version: *spoilers ahead*
The main issue with this book is that it's so full of cliches and caricatures:
The receptionist is a 'Blonde blue-eyed beauty painting her nails.
The lawyer negotiates a settlement for his sexual harassment client over speaker phone while practicing his golf swing in his office.
The nanny is fired and the wife says "who will make my coffee now?" The family loses the house and she says "Now I can't host the party ans I will lose my face". And of course she's sleeping with the golf trainer.
The loyal, but fat and unattractive friend.
The prick US Attorney.
And of course the handsome, athletic, smart lawyer, who came from a poor background, grew into an arrogant, rich guy and redeems himself in the end.
Other annoying stuff:
- The lawyer used to be a football player, ran 193 yards in a match, and for some reason thinks that achievement should make him respectable as a lawyer.
- The lawyer goes on live national TV with false accusations against a presidential candidate and this national news network would air the slanderous interview without any fact checking whatsoever.
-A federal judge can make a corporate lawyer defend a suspect in a murder case without any experience in the matter, because if the lawyer refuses, that judge will take revenge on his firm somehow.
- Law firms can make contributions to judges' election campaigns and like that get favorable rulings.
I don't know if those last two points are true, but if so, that's really disturbing.
This book is the first in a series, but I won't bother.
January 18, 2015
LOVED this book! I am so glad I discovered this author! A. Scott Fenney is a rich Dallas lawyer, and he has what he always thought of as the perfect life. A beautiful wife, a smart and amusing little girl named Boo who calls her daddy A. Scott, and all the money he needs. He and his family live in the elite Highland Park area, and he drives a red Ferrari. Shawanda Jones and her street smart daughter Pajamae (it's french) live in the projects of Dallas, Shawanda supports them by walking the Harry Hines daily and has no car. When Scott is asked personally by a judge to defend Shawanda in her murder trial, everything changes. Suddenly Scott doesn't know who he is or what to do, and the consequences will have you glued to this book until the final page! Great court room drama, as well as the drama of life. New friends gained, old friends lost. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! Where-as, A. Scott! (You'll get it when you read the book!)
April 13, 2015
This was a easy 5+...I had been searching for a book like some of the early John Grisham's .. A Great story that got you attention from page one and you never hit a lull... I needed a break from having to read the first 100 pages to get the book going... although I know that is necessary in some books.
This book is for anyone...Heck its just good...Read and you will agree... I am reading the next book by Gimenez now ... same story he got me on the first page...
This book is for anyone...Heck its just good...Read and you will agree... I am reading the next book by Gimenez now ... same story he got me on the first page...
April 21, 2013
I enjoyed this novel from start to finish--and finished it in no time because it was so engaging.
October 27, 2021
This book was my first time reading Mark Gimenez and i couldn't put it down. highly recommend
February 8, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Mr. Gimenez paints a rather bleak portrait of the law profession but it plays to the moral dilemma of Scott Fenney, the main character. Despite some aspects of the book that seemed implausible, it was a good read. A good mystery combined with interesting courtroom drama. Particularly liked the two daughters depicted as they brought heart and humor to the story.
September 13, 2018
3.5/5
Grisham+Mason. What I liked about the book was the introspection of Scott. That was very well developed and I kind of enjoyed reading it. The court-room stuff was left to bare minimum. I could easily visualize the narrative taking place before my eyes which is what makes things smooth and easy.
Grisham+Mason. What I liked about the book was the introspection of Scott. That was very well developed and I kind of enjoyed reading it. The court-room stuff was left to bare minimum. I could easily visualize the narrative taking place before my eyes which is what makes things smooth and easy.
November 24, 2018
Really enjoyed Gimenez's the Color of Law. Don't mean to compare him to other authors -- but the book has a Grisham / Turow flavor. I liked the characters, and the change in the main character. Although the plot was somewhat simplistic, I loved how the story carried out!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel, YOU CHOOSE
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the crime novel, YOU CHOOSE
March 26, 2019
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this but it could do with some tidying up. As I was reading I couldn’t help thinking it would work much better as a movie. Which is a shame.
March 1, 2021
Good story with a lot of background info on the lifestyle of high powered lawyers
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