Rampage

by William P. Wood

An explosive courtroom thriller from bestselling novelist and former California deputy district attorney William P. Wood—now a major motion pictureA killer so savage (and so sly) that the brutal frenzy of his crimes makes an unassailable insanity defense—such is the opponent facing Tony Fraser, a young district attorney willing to risk anything, everything, for a sentence of death. Plotted against by court psychiatrists, tormented by vanishing evidence and fugitive witnesses, his own wife a target, Fraser finds himself checkmated by the accused—until he seizes an opportunity to go beyond the letter of the law.To experience the final, stunning climax of Rampage is to thrill to the tensions of a high-stakes capital case, to go behind the scenes of our justice system, and to find a dark and terrifying clockwork there.“Clear and compelling.” —NewsdayWILLIAM P. WOOD is the bestselling author of nine novels and one nonfiction book. As a deputy district attorney in California, he handled thousands of criminal cases and put on over 50 jury trials. Two of Wood’s novels have been produced as motion pictures, including Rampage, filmed by Academy Award–winning director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Rules of Engagement), and Broken Trust, filmed by Jane Fonda Films with the screenplay by Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne. Wood’s books have been translated into several foreign languages. He lives in Sacramento, California.

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

WILLIAM P. WOOD is the author of nine thrillers and one nonfiction book. As a deputy district attorney in California, he handled thousands of criminal cases ranging from disturbing the peace to murder. He served as chief counsel to the Secretary of State of California, the Commissioner of the California Department of Corporations, and the Undersecretary of the Office of Secretary of State.

Wood's literary works include "Rampage" (1985), "Gangland" (1988), Fugitive City (1989), "Court of Honor" (1991), "Stay of Execution" (1994), "Quicksand" (1998), "Pressure Point" (2004), and "The Bribe" (2006). His latest book is "Sudden Impact."

A nonfiction book, "The Bone Garden" (1994), is the definitive account of serial killer Dorothea Puente, who was the subject of a nationwide hunt after nine bodies were dug up from her Sacramento, California yard. Wood earlier sent Puente to prison for drugging and robbing the elderly.

Many of Wood's novels have been optioned for film/TV and two were produced. The first, "Rampage" was directed by Academy Award-winner William Friedkin ("The French Connection" and "The Exorcist"). "Court of Honor" was adapted into the TV-movie "Broken Trust" by Jane Fonda Films, starring Tom Selleck and Elizabeth McGovern. The screenplay was written by Joan Didion and her husband John Gregory Dunne.

Upon the release of "Sudden Impact" many of Wood's previous and acclaimed titles will be released in paperback during 2014.

Caliban’s Flight (Willowbank Books), an international suspense thriller is his latest novel. Turner Publishing has reissued all of Wood’s earlier works in paperback and as audible books. He currently lives in Sacramento, California, where he is working on his next novel. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

Reviews

[Marina Walter]

ohhhhhhhhh snap crackle and pop this was good

[Jonathan Trinder · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some spoilers below.

I read this to see how it had been adapted into the Friedkin film. Some of the issues the movie had stem from the source material - the murderer's psychology is barely explored except through legal arguments, and the Fraser character's relationship problems with his wife quickly become tedious. Still, the book commits no major sins until the end, when the protagonist lawyer (who had earlier manufactured evidence) decides to act as judge, jury and...you know the rest. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

Also, in the preface the author tells us that his characters are entirely fictitious, when it's obvious (at least in the age of Google) that the murderer is based on Richard Chase. To use real atrocities to sell a book without acknowledging the real victims is despicable. Stick with Thomas Harris.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good story of crazed killer, trial, prison, and faked suicide.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 stars

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, but disturbing