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Trial: An action-packed legal drama
Sometimes the real trial happens outside the courtroom… A cop with a secret to hide… A thief caught in a robbery gone wrong… A suffering wife trapped in a toxic marriage… A defence attorney willing to do anything to win his case… And in the background, a closely fought race for the keys to Ohio’s Governor’s mansion that could change everything. From celebrated mystery novelist William Harrington, Trial captures the issues facing 1970s America of racial tension, political scandal, and sexual revolution and focuses them around one trial that will change lives forever. Praise for ‘Harrington blends all his disparate themes skilfully, holding the reader’s attention riveted and constructing his story tightly’ — Publishers’ Weekly William Harrington (1931-2000) was born in Ohio and studied law at Ohio State University. An attorney for nearly 20 years, he became a full-time writer in 1980. Harrington published almost thirty novels during his career, including The English Lady (1982) and a series of six novels featuring fictional TV detective Columbo.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2018
308 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
William Harrington
50 books10 followersWilliam Harrington is mainly known as the author of Murder at the President’s Door, his specialty was mainly in detective stories. He was a lawyer from 1958 to 1976, an electoral adviser from 1962 to 1965 in Columbus, and finally an attorney from 1978 to 1980. His first novel The Justice Which, Which the Thief, published in 1963, received positive critics. It was a real case story about a couple of jewelry robberies in Ohio.
His other popular book was published in 1982, The English Lady, it is an espionage novel about Winston Churchill and her confidante spying on the Germans during the Second World War. Between 1993 and 1998, he wrote the Columbo series, inspired by the television series American Columbo. He Co-authored with Elliot Roosevelt on the investigations of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Between 1963 and 2001, he has written over 20 interesting and captivating books.
His other popular book was published in 1982, The English Lady, it is an espionage novel about Winston Churchill and her confidante spying on the Germans during the Second World War. Between 1993 and 1998, he wrote the Columbo series, inspired by the television series American Columbo. He Co-authored with Elliot Roosevelt on the investigations of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Between 1963 and 2001, he has written over 20 interesting and captivating books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 6, 2021
A tale of consequences
As a seasoned detective, Clem has no idea that his life is about to change on the night he is called to a shooting in a grocery store. That night changes everything; for him, for the guy with the gun, for the City. As events unfold it becomes apparent that a single action can alter destiny.
As a seasoned detective, Clem has no idea that his life is about to change on the night he is called to a shooting in a grocery store. That night changes everything; for him, for the guy with the gun, for the City. As events unfold it becomes apparent that a single action can alter destiny.
July 30, 2018
Not what I was expecting, but had interest.....
This novel is set in the early 70’s and just for that it was interesting to note the change in society then and now - racism, homophobia, smoking anywhere and everywhere. I found the first 40% a yawn and struggled to continue, but it did improve after that. The trial of the title lasted about 5 pages and was unsatisfying, but you could say the main character suffered through a ‘trial’ of his own.
This novel is set in the early 70’s and just for that it was interesting to note the change in society then and now - racism, homophobia, smoking anywhere and everywhere. I found the first 40% a yawn and struggled to continue, but it did improve after that. The trial of the title lasted about 5 pages and was unsatisfying, but you could say the main character suffered through a ‘trial’ of his own.
October 2, 2018
Not as described
This was a long drawn out tale about a lot of things, but it certainly wasn't about a trial and it certainly wasn't an action-packed legal drama. The trial itself only lasted a few pages and the rest of it meandered between political campaigns, homosexuality and the final death scene. Altogether too long and self-indulgent and even though I skimmed a lot of pages, which I rarely ever do, it was still boring.
This was a long drawn out tale about a lot of things, but it certainly wasn't about a trial and it certainly wasn't an action-packed legal drama. The trial itself only lasted a few pages and the rest of it meandered between political campaigns, homosexuality and the final death scene. Altogether too long and self-indulgent and even though I skimmed a lot of pages, which I rarely ever do, it was still boring.
May 21, 2019
Well done!
The author portrayed an uneducated, talentless, seriously flawed man, for whom society, joy, peace and kindness never existed.
This hapless man would be characterized as illiterate, Godless, suffering human being was created by us: our failing, as a society, to embrace those who cross our paths and assuage their pain results in undesirable consequences. We fail. Often.
The author portrayed an uneducated, talentless, seriously flawed man, for whom society, joy, peace and kindness never existed.
This hapless man would be characterized as illiterate, Godless, suffering human being was created by us: our failing, as a society, to embrace those who cross our paths and assuage their pain results in undesirable consequences. We fail. Often.
September 19, 2019
Fascinating reminder of how society has changed in the last 3 decades
Extremely well written with believable characters.
Allegorical is many parts if you squint your eyes and look sideways.
Very prescient in identifying attitudes in the throes of change, and of issues and institutions that today are showing the effects of these societal changes.
Very enjoyable and at times challenging and thought provoking.
Extremely well written with believable characters.
Allegorical is many parts if you squint your eyes and look sideways.
Very prescient in identifying attitudes in the throes of change, and of issues and institutions that today are showing the effects of these societal changes.
Very enjoyable and at times challenging and thought provoking.
August 6, 2018
Poor character development/depressing read
I usually like legal thrillers, but not this one. The characters were either shallow, depressing or without merit. The relationships and the plot were poorly developed. Not a good read.
I usually like legal thrillers, but not this one. The characters were either shallow, depressing or without merit. The relationships and the plot were poorly developed. Not a good read.
July 12, 2018
I liked this book for its departure from the too common cookie-cutter, cardboard characters found in legal stories these days. The author is comfortable letting them be complex and realistic, without assigning "good guy/ bad guy "status. The plot is engaging, and spurs reflection on capital punishment without a preachy agenda.
August 11, 2018
A simple man
Action packed. All kinds of f emotions, and human faults. A description of what we often miss as in goes on around us. Provokes thought. Some of it hard to think about.
Action packed. All kinds of f emotions, and human faults. A description of what we often miss as in goes on around us. Provokes thought. Some of it hard to think about.
April 27, 2018
Didn't finish that explains what i thought about this book
June 17, 2018
Trial
Lots of things I did not understand in this book.
A very good story, not enough lead up to help
You understand.
First book I have read from Wm Harrington.
Lots of things I did not understand in this book.
A very good story, not enough lead up to help
You understand.
First book I have read from Wm Harrington.
August 31, 2020
Brilliant
At first I thought of putting book down,but it was compelling, it was very well written, I liked the story
At first I thought of putting book down,but it was compelling, it was very well written, I liked the story
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews