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Joseph Antonelli #4
Fear Itself
Mild-mannered Paris Minton is delivered a pile of trouble when Fearless Jones shows up with a simple request: help find a beautiful woman's husband. Lending a hand gets him hit upside the head, hogtied, kidnapped, and threatened with a gun the size of a cannon. Now he's wondering whom he should fear more: the people he's looking for or the people he's working for. Tangled up with cops, rival millionaires, several corpses, and one of L.A.'s wealthiest women, Paris Minton is in a corner-and not even his invincible friend Fearless can save him.
340 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
2 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
D.W. Buffa
35 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 13, 2019
D.W. Buffa has done well, writing both legal and political thrillers. Now, I have the chance to see him blend these two sub-genres in the explosive fourth novel in the Joseph Antonelli series. After his cousin reaches out to him, Antonelli agrees to travel to San Francisco to consider representing a young man accused of murder. While this would not seem to pose any issue, the fact that the victim is a United States senator adds drama and intrigue to the case. Senator Jeremy Fullerton is well known around California, though he is by no means a favoured son. He was involved in a run for the governorship and hoped to use that office to springboard his campaign for president. As Antonelli arrives and gets a lay of the land, he discusses the case with his potential client, Jamaal Washington, who says that he was walking home from work one foggy night and came upon the slain senator. From there, things take an odd turn that sees Washington shot by SFPD and his fingerprints on the murder weapon. As Antonelli agrees to act as defense counsel, he begins preparing his case, which will be more difficult than he could have imagined. Antonelli is pulled into the political realm to see just what Fullerton was like and how many people disliked him for a handful of reasons. Accusations from all corners paint quite a picture, none more than the revelation of his congressional assistant, who has taken over running in the gubernatorial race. By the time court proceedings commence, Antonelli is subjected to an aggressive feud between the District Attorney and the judge, making it clear that they’re no longer in Portland. While Antonelli effectively presents his case, he cannot help but wonder if the merits of his client’s innocence will prevail, or if a young black man will be sandbagged and sent to die because of circumstantial evidence. Another stellar courtroom thriller with Buffa’s signature slow reveal, forcing the dedicated reader to use patience as they learn the truth. Recommended to series fans and those who enjoy the darker side of politics.
Many will know that I have read and enjoyed novels by D.W. Buffa in the past, both political and legal thrillers. The mix has added a new level of intrigue for me, particularly with Joseph Antonelli in the mix. The reader, who has learned much about Antonelli in the past, is subjected to something a little different. The opening chapter retells some of his early memories from childhood, as well as the annual trips he took to San Francisco to visit family. Now, with a handle on criminal defense work, he is back, though his family life takes a backseat—save for a paragraph long explanation of what happened to his fiancée after the end of the previous novel. Rather, Antonelli is forced to dive into the world of politics and legal work in the ‘big city’. Antonelli finds himself wandering around, learning scraps here and there, while also trying to use this to distract from his client being accused of a capital crime. As with the past novels, the masterful courtroom work is what makes Antonelli such an interesting character. Others pepper the pages of the book and offer interesting tangential narratives, exploring more about the victim and how politics can change someone. While the impatient reader may complain about too much weighing things down, it is Buffa’s style to slowly draw the reader in with characters whose lives are anything but simple. The story held my attention throughout, mixing criminal law with the mudslinging of politics. Buffa never makes reading his novels easy, but the narrative is full of nuggets to keep the reader on their toes, with rewards for remaining dedicated. The legal arguments are presented well and leave the reader to wonder where the truth can be found. I am fully committed to the series and cannot wait to see what else Buffa has for his protagonist, with new approaches to criminal defence emerging. Not a courtroom thriller series for all, though surely perfect for a reader who enjoys being an active part of the journey.
Kudos, Mr. Buffa, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what comes in the next novel you have in this series.
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/...
Many will know that I have read and enjoyed novels by D.W. Buffa in the past, both political and legal thrillers. The mix has added a new level of intrigue for me, particularly with Joseph Antonelli in the mix. The reader, who has learned much about Antonelli in the past, is subjected to something a little different. The opening chapter retells some of his early memories from childhood, as well as the annual trips he took to San Francisco to visit family. Now, with a handle on criminal defense work, he is back, though his family life takes a backseat—save for a paragraph long explanation of what happened to his fiancée after the end of the previous novel. Rather, Antonelli is forced to dive into the world of politics and legal work in the ‘big city’. Antonelli finds himself wandering around, learning scraps here and there, while also trying to use this to distract from his client being accused of a capital crime. As with the past novels, the masterful courtroom work is what makes Antonelli such an interesting character. Others pepper the pages of the book and offer interesting tangential narratives, exploring more about the victim and how politics can change someone. While the impatient reader may complain about too much weighing things down, it is Buffa’s style to slowly draw the reader in with characters whose lives are anything but simple. The story held my attention throughout, mixing criminal law with the mudslinging of politics. Buffa never makes reading his novels easy, but the narrative is full of nuggets to keep the reader on their toes, with rewards for remaining dedicated. The legal arguments are presented well and leave the reader to wonder where the truth can be found. I am fully committed to the series and cannot wait to see what else Buffa has for his protagonist, with new approaches to criminal defence emerging. Not a courtroom thriller series for all, though surely perfect for a reader who enjoys being an active part of the journey.
Kudos, Mr. Buffa, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what comes in the next novel you have in this series.
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 4, 2017
Author D.W. Buffa is a former defense attorney and, not surprisingly, he is at his best in the courtroom. The courtroom scenes in “The Legacy” are riveting, with an interesting behind-the-scenes look at those moments in a criminal trial that the general public seldom sees, like the private conversations between the judge and the attorneys in the judge’s chambers, and the interaction between the prosecutor and defense attorney during tense moments of the trial, which the author describes as only somebody who has “been there” can possibly do.
The author's skillful use of setting enhances the plot and the mood of the story. Buffa’s San Franciso is not the romantic city of rolling hills, cable cars, and the Golden Gate Bridge that most tourists see, but a city where greedy, power-hungry politicians will stop at nothing---including the framing of an innocent man for murder---to help them get ahead in a city (and state) of ruthless ambition. The city figures so prominently in every scene that it is almost like an additional character.
The skillful use of setting and fast-paced courtroom scenes make for some interesting reading, and I wish I could say the same for the rest of the novel.
The story gets off to a slow start, with long tedious blocks of dialogue which, in my opinion, could have been compressed or broken up with blocks of exposition to make things move a little faster. Not to sound like a writing instructor---especially with a novelist as accomplished as Buffa---but pacing is everything in a novel of this genre, and overly long blocks of description, dialogue, or exposition slow down the action and kill the suspense. The Andrei Bogdonovich story line was confusing to me. It was almost as if this character were thrown in as an afterthought to help pull some of the other story lines together.
Fortunately the pace picks up when the action shifts to the courtroom, where the author is clearly in his own element, and the suspense builds until the surprises at the end.
The author's skillful use of setting enhances the plot and the mood of the story. Buffa’s San Franciso is not the romantic city of rolling hills, cable cars, and the Golden Gate Bridge that most tourists see, but a city where greedy, power-hungry politicians will stop at nothing---including the framing of an innocent man for murder---to help them get ahead in a city (and state) of ruthless ambition. The city figures so prominently in every scene that it is almost like an additional character.
The skillful use of setting and fast-paced courtroom scenes make for some interesting reading, and I wish I could say the same for the rest of the novel.
The story gets off to a slow start, with long tedious blocks of dialogue which, in my opinion, could have been compressed or broken up with blocks of exposition to make things move a little faster. Not to sound like a writing instructor---especially with a novelist as accomplished as Buffa---but pacing is everything in a novel of this genre, and overly long blocks of description, dialogue, or exposition slow down the action and kill the suspense. The Andrei Bogdonovich story line was confusing to me. It was almost as if this character were thrown in as an afterthought to help pull some of the other story lines together.
Fortunately the pace picks up when the action shifts to the courtroom, where the author is clearly in his own element, and the suspense builds until the surprises at the end.
October 22, 2012
This slow moving and very dry court room murder mystery was set in San Francisco. An upscale law firm brings in a lawyer / friend from Oregon to defend a young guy accused of murdering a U.S. Senator. Half way through the book I didn't care if he did it or not. Too many loose ends hanging. Characters very stiff almost lifeless. Didn't seem to be any passion to the plot either. 479 very long pages. I had to force myself to read it through to the end. 1 star out of 5- leave this one in a bin !
May 3, 2009
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS.
Black med student charged w. murder, defended by Antonelli, who leaves his usual habitat in NW for San Fran.
Interesting twist at end - Antonelli locates a surprising someone in Italy, who's thought not to be alive.
Black med student charged w. murder, defended by Antonelli, who leaves his usual habitat in NW for San Fran.
Interesting twist at end - Antonelli locates a surprising someone in Italy, who's thought not to be alive.
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April 19, 2010I liked this book mainly because of its setting--San Francisco and many characters that "could have" been the killer.A surprise ending made it a good read!
July 28, 2010
Interesting, fast-paced. Lawyer takes on case of young black man accused of killing a U.S. senator and discovers a high-level conspiracy.
September 10, 2010
All of Buffa's books are fantastic, but this is the best. Takes place in SF and has all cliffhangers and suspense you get from Grisham times 5.
March 7, 2015
Great book. Buffa did it again.
May 31, 2015
After a senator is killed (who was about to become govenor then president) a Lawyer from Oregon defends a young man setup for the murder.
December 5, 2017
Good courtroom and suspense.
February 8, 2022
I REMEMBER READING THIS!!!!!!! (You have no idea how hard i tried over the past number of hours to remember both the name and the writer to this going only by what i vaguely remember of it which was that there was a main character named Jamal Washington in it!) (I can't believe I found it quite honestly--God Bless the Human Mind's Ability To Retain Unimportant Details Years later!!!)
March 9, 2023
I was unaware this book was book 4(?). I finished it. The first half of the book mainly consisted of descriptions of San Francisco and the *history* of people. Also the in(s) and out(s) of the political scene. Sigh....we didn't get to the Legal portion until quite late. And the ending.....of course. I will let you read it and make a decision on your own.
November 16, 2019
Awesome courtroom scenes. Great thriller.
January 8, 2021
Not good.
November 16, 2021
Why did no one think of testing the accused for gunshot residue? That could prove he didn’t fire the handgun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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February 12, 2026review text for 652
April 28, 2025
Good, but not my favorite of Buffa’s books. I felt like there were some obvious points that were not made in the trial, and at least one obvious ‘surprise’ at the end. But I will continue reading his other books.
January 17, 2018
"Conosco i segreti di tutti, e a tutti dico menzogne."
Buffa è sempre più bravo. Stavolta il caso giudiziario si intreccia con la scena politica americana e Buffa è bravissimo a sviscerarne i complicati meccanismi. L'avvocato Antonelli si troverà davanti ad un caso quasi impossibile e dovrà dar fondo a tutte le sue risorse.
Ma la bravura di Buffa non si mostra solo nel costruire un caso avvincente: stavolta sviscera a fondo i personaggi, soprattutto quello della vittima che, pur non essendo più fisicamente presente sulla scena, domina tutto il libro.
Affascinante davvero.
Buffa è sempre più bravo. Stavolta il caso giudiziario si intreccia con la scena politica americana e Buffa è bravissimo a sviscerarne i complicati meccanismi. L'avvocato Antonelli si troverà davanti ad un caso quasi impossibile e dovrà dar fondo a tutte le sue risorse.
Ma la bravura di Buffa non si mostra solo nel costruire un caso avvincente: stavolta sviscera a fondo i personaggi, soprattutto quello della vittima che, pur non essendo più fisicamente presente sulla scena, domina tutto il libro.
Affascinante davvero.
January 29, 2015
I was lucky enough to win this book in the Authors Summer Reading List contest, and rate it 4½ stars. Buffa is a new author to me, but the quality of his writing is enough send me searching for his three previous books. The Legacy was suspenseful to the end (and a very satisfying ending it was!) as attorney Joseph Antonelli works to win acquittal for his client, a young black college student accused of murdering a candidate for the US Senate.
June 2, 2024
Libro como de abogado juicio asesinato. Se me hizo un poco largo tirando para el final y el final es poco satisfactorio. No está mal pero me alejó un poco del género. Siento que son más entretenidos los de detectives que abogados pero desde al principio a la mitad es muy bueno ir siguiendo como avanza el caso, mezclándose con corrupción y cosas asi
February 10, 2011
slow to develop
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews