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Defense of an Other
Defense of an Other begins in the French Quarter with a day in the life of a young lawyer named Matt Durant gone horribly awry. After a few beers, Matt works up the courage to visit a gay bar, where he meets a stranger named Joey Buckner. When Matt and Joey duck into an alley behind the bar to take a leak, three drunks target them for a hate crime and beat up Joey, which forces Matt to attack and kill one of the men. Matt is then arrested for murder, thrown in Orleans Parish Prison and calls his boss for help, forcing him out of the closet. The novel then follows the course of his trial and explores its consequences.
312 pages, Paperback
First published November 13, 2018
58 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Grace Mead
1 book31 followersI'm a practicing lawyer born and raised in Louisiana who graduated from Dartmouth College and then became the Editor-in-Chief of The University of Chicago Law Review. My 20-plus career has included a one-year clerkship for the appellate court with jurisdiction over Louisiana federal trial courts and 16 years of civil litigation.
Defense of an Other is my debut novel.
As a reader, my tastes are contemporary, and I read far more fiction than nonfiction. I try to only rate books to which I'd give four stars or more, though some of my unrated books were loaded long after I read them so I've not assigned a rating. Those rated four stars or above are recommend for anyone interested in that genre. I suspect only about a quarter to a third of the books I begin receive a four star rating or higher. I follow what I've gleaned is Publisher's Weekly's approach over the years--I try to evaluate a book based on what it aspires to be. Five stars may not mean it's the most thought-provoking read ever, but simply that it's a heckuva a science fiction book or lescom.
Defense of an Other is my debut novel.
As a reader, my tastes are contemporary, and I read far more fiction than nonfiction. I try to only rate books to which I'd give four stars or more, though some of my unrated books were loaded long after I read them so I've not assigned a rating. Those rated four stars or above are recommend for anyone interested in that genre. I suspect only about a quarter to a third of the books I begin receive a four star rating or higher. I follow what I've gleaned is Publisher's Weekly's approach over the years--I try to evaluate a book based on what it aspires to be. Five stars may not mean it's the most thought-provoking read ever, but simply that it's a heckuva a science fiction book or lescom.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
April 29, 2019
What a great story!! I actually finished this in about 2 days. It was extremely gripping and I flew through it! Although I’m not usually a huge fan of courtroom drama, or attorneys in general, this story focuses so much more on the characters.
Besides the trial, this is a story of questioning sexual orientation, family and a mother’s unconditional love. She shows her support to Matt even under the most trying conditions. In turn, he reacts to her love with upmost respect and maintains his generosity and need to help others less fortunate than himself.
I highly recommend this book and am very appreciative to NetGalley and publishers for the free book in exchange for my honest review.
Besides the trial, this is a story of questioning sexual orientation, family and a mother’s unconditional love. She shows her support to Matt even under the most trying conditions. In turn, he reacts to her love with upmost respect and maintains his generosity and need to help others less fortunate than himself.
I highly recommend this book and am very appreciative to NetGalley and publishers for the free book in exchange for my honest review.
January 14, 2019
Defense of An Other is gripping book ripped from today’s headlines. Sort of.
Matt is an up and coming young attorney practicing in post-Katrina New Orleans for a prestigious law firm. While his career is on the fast track, his personal life is not. He has just ended a long-term relationship with his girlfriend and is exploring his attraction to men – something he has felt since he was a young boy. He has not, of course, come out to anyone, not even to himself. After a tough day at work, he decides to go to a gay club in the French Quarter where he meets Joey. The two don’t necessarily hook up but they do spend a nice, fun night at the club together. When they step out back to take a leak – the men’s room being stuffed full – they are attacked by three thugs looking to beat up some “faggots.” One of them ends up dead and Matt is arrested for the murder – first degree murder, no less. It is, after all, the south in the early 2000s – not that much has changed since then – and it is the word of the “bubbas” against “gay boy” Matt. You can see where this story is going, right?
The author is a successful attorney herself, very intelligent, and it shows throughout the book. The legal aspect of the pre-trial and courtroom drama is spot-on and captivating. I love legal thrillers and, from that aspect, Defense of An Other, is terrific and well written. I also spent half of my life in Arkansas, a stone’s throw from New Orleans, and nearly every summer of my adult life we traveled down to NOLA. The description of New Orleans, the French Quarter, the people there is vivid and real. I could almost smell the stench of the garbage and vomit of Bourbon Street and remember how amazing the Café du Monde looked and smelled at dawn. However, when it came to the actual characters of the book, I thought Mead drew up short. Matt and his mother never were quite angry enough to be believable. If it was me or my son, I would have been livid. Everyone stayed so calm, cool, collected. I have been arrested on false charges – that’s a story for another post – and my son has been arrested for protesting. I know first hand how these characters should have reacted and calm and cool were not in our wheelhouse on those occasions. You also had a mother who, in a round-about manner, just found out that her son may or may not be gay and she just shoved that discussion aside and talked about going back to work instead. Totally bizarre. From a legal stand point, the book is brilliant. From a personal perspective it was lacking and that missing element made all the difference in the world for me. The ending, too, was abrupt and unfulfilling. I’m unclear if it was meant to be a cliffhanger or if we were meant to extrapolate our own interpretation of what would come next but, either way, it simply didn’t work.
Defense of An Other is being billed as a legal thriller and LGBTQ. It is legal fiction that features a young man who was in a gay bar and is tried as a gay man. I’ve read a lot of other books featuring LGBTQ characters that were not labeled as such for the simple premise that they are, in fact, human beings just like the rest of us. I’m not sure I appreciated the distinction for this particular work. While his sexual orientation is the reason for the beating and storyline in this particular instance, Matt could just as well have been African American or a prostitute or Asian American or a liberal or Muslim or, or, or An Other that Southern Bubbas find offensive. “They” are the issue, the point – if you will – not his sexual orientation. Three stars, middle of the road, because of the great legalese versus the poor character development.
Matt is an up and coming young attorney practicing in post-Katrina New Orleans for a prestigious law firm. While his career is on the fast track, his personal life is not. He has just ended a long-term relationship with his girlfriend and is exploring his attraction to men – something he has felt since he was a young boy. He has not, of course, come out to anyone, not even to himself. After a tough day at work, he decides to go to a gay club in the French Quarter where he meets Joey. The two don’t necessarily hook up but they do spend a nice, fun night at the club together. When they step out back to take a leak – the men’s room being stuffed full – they are attacked by three thugs looking to beat up some “faggots.” One of them ends up dead and Matt is arrested for the murder – first degree murder, no less. It is, after all, the south in the early 2000s – not that much has changed since then – and it is the word of the “bubbas” against “gay boy” Matt. You can see where this story is going, right?
The author is a successful attorney herself, very intelligent, and it shows throughout the book. The legal aspect of the pre-trial and courtroom drama is spot-on and captivating. I love legal thrillers and, from that aspect, Defense of An Other, is terrific and well written. I also spent half of my life in Arkansas, a stone’s throw from New Orleans, and nearly every summer of my adult life we traveled down to NOLA. The description of New Orleans, the French Quarter, the people there is vivid and real. I could almost smell the stench of the garbage and vomit of Bourbon Street and remember how amazing the Café du Monde looked and smelled at dawn. However, when it came to the actual characters of the book, I thought Mead drew up short. Matt and his mother never were quite angry enough to be believable. If it was me or my son, I would have been livid. Everyone stayed so calm, cool, collected. I have been arrested on false charges – that’s a story for another post – and my son has been arrested for protesting. I know first hand how these characters should have reacted and calm and cool were not in our wheelhouse on those occasions. You also had a mother who, in a round-about manner, just found out that her son may or may not be gay and she just shoved that discussion aside and talked about going back to work instead. Totally bizarre. From a legal stand point, the book is brilliant. From a personal perspective it was lacking and that missing element made all the difference in the world for me. The ending, too, was abrupt and unfulfilling. I’m unclear if it was meant to be a cliffhanger or if we were meant to extrapolate our own interpretation of what would come next but, either way, it simply didn’t work.
Defense of An Other is being billed as a legal thriller and LGBTQ. It is legal fiction that features a young man who was in a gay bar and is tried as a gay man. I’ve read a lot of other books featuring LGBTQ characters that were not labeled as such for the simple premise that they are, in fact, human beings just like the rest of us. I’m not sure I appreciated the distinction for this particular work. While his sexual orientation is the reason for the beating and storyline in this particular instance, Matt could just as well have been African American or a prostitute or Asian American or a liberal or Muslim or, or, or An Other that Southern Bubbas find offensive. “They” are the issue, the point – if you will – not his sexual orientation. Three stars, middle of the road, because of the great legalese versus the poor character development.
January 16, 2019
If you have an intense interest in law, criminal justice, LGBTQ issues and especially the LSU Tigers, this is the book for you. Originally self-published by lawyer Grace Mead in 2007 and rereleased now in 2019, it centers around a case of a lawyer who killed an attacker outside a gay bar in New Orleans and the resulting constitutional questions. It was striking to me how things have changed in just 12 years. The book is extremely well-thought out and detailed, in all aspects such as the main character’s questioning of his orientation to blow-by-blow descriptions of LSU football games. I enjoyed the book but others who do not have as great of interest in some of the topics may not be as interested. I would love to read another book by this author that highlights trans inssues.
Thanks to NetGalley, Clink Street Publishing, and the author Grace Mead for an electronic review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley, Clink Street Publishing, and the author Grace Mead for an electronic review copy.
December 9, 2018
This book review is from my blog. I received this book in exchange for an honest review:
So first and foremost, I was so onboard to read this book because it is written by a fellow transgender individual. You know I had to support my transgender sister, but that was only part of the equation. This book sounded like it would be good. I wasn’t disappointed either. Just to put it in perspective and have you, my readers, understand why I gave my first 5-magic ball review for this book since starting rating books, I read this book in the matter of 2 days. I am a slow reader usually. It isn’t because I devour every single word and let them gestate or something like that, I am just unfortunately a slow reader. The publicist reached out to remind me that I was being a part of the tour and I e-mailed back that I had not received a copy. This was literally just a few days ago! I was worried I would not be able to get it done before the time of review. I let the publicist know this and she offered to send an extract of the book, if I couldn’t do that. Well, lo and behold, I started the book and devoured it. I found myself entrenched into this world that Mead created for Durant.
This is not a one-note book. You are taken on an emotional journey with a character. You feel compassion, sadness, happiness, and every single emotion that one can feel while reading a book. This book, however, is about more than just a journey of a singular character, it is an important book. It showcases, I wish I had more eloquent words than I do, just how vital it is to have protections for sexual orientation. This book was more than a book, it was an educational experience. It is a book that is so vital to be out on the market. Not only because we see what it means to not have protections for sexual orientation in the law, but also because Mead showcases ways to protect yourself and also at the end of the Kindle (.mobi) version that I received, there was an inclusion of important questions regarding the content of the book. These questions linked back to important aspects of law and gave me pause, even as an already aware transgender individual. They made me think deeper about the book and understand why this book was so important to find an audience to read it. This book needs, no begs, to be read by the masses.
Yes, the book has some of the obvious cliches of any book within the LGBT family. Coming out drama? Yes, this is here. Shame because of who they are? Yes, that is here. These cliches though, do not feel like unnecessary aspects of the story. These feel like very important notches engraved into the very spine of the main character and the story’s heart. We, the reader, see so much more than what characters see. We know what truly happened to the main character, Matt Durant. I felt for this main character at every single vital moment of this book. I felt gut-punched when he did. He was not a perfect character either. This character was flawed. He made horribly bad decisions, but they always felt like natural decisions that anyone could have made. He had to make decisions sometimes based on his very left, especially during the latter part of the book. While I have not been in the exact situation he found himself within, I found that I could identify strongly with this character. I could see aspects of the realities of being LGBT woven in, which is probably helped by the fact that the writer is part of the community. I knew these pains. That shame you hold onto, even after you come out. It goes away with time, but it takes a while. Mead really captures all of these feelings so effortlessly, which is why I was able to read the book within such a short amount of time. I wanted, no needed, to see what would happen to Matt. I needed to know how the story ended. The ending made me cry because I had journeyed with the character to that moment. I had seen the world through his eyes and understood it. I felt his pain and knew that he would get through this, he was a survivor and resilient. To have that level of connection with a character highlights why this book is so good.
The book, however, is deeper. Highlighting the issues LGBT people face in terms of the law. Yes, some of these aspects have changed, since the book focuses on 2007. The fact, however, is LGBT people still face discrimination. We still have to fear that someone will use a loophole to make us lose our jobs, arrest us, or any number of things to make our lives more difficult. This book highlights these struggles. I commend Mead for writing a truthful work of fiction. For creating something so refreshing honest, that it hurts. Thank you for giving a voice to marginalized individuals that have suffered similar fates to your fictional character, Matt. You gave a voice to them and I appreciate that so much. This book feels so deeply personal to me. It moved me. I am truly beyond thankful that I get to be on this blog tour for this book, so that I can tell you just how truly honestly it is. I don’t know why Mead wanted to hurt me so deep by this book, but you did Grace Mead and I thank you for it. It reminded me what a book is capable of. I highly recommend reading this book and to set with the contents afterwards. Read Mead’s questions, if they are available in your edition. Understand the context of everything that happens and hopefully be changed for the better because of it.
So first and foremost, I was so onboard to read this book because it is written by a fellow transgender individual. You know I had to support my transgender sister, but that was only part of the equation. This book sounded like it would be good. I wasn’t disappointed either. Just to put it in perspective and have you, my readers, understand why I gave my first 5-magic ball review for this book since starting rating books, I read this book in the matter of 2 days. I am a slow reader usually. It isn’t because I devour every single word and let them gestate or something like that, I am just unfortunately a slow reader. The publicist reached out to remind me that I was being a part of the tour and I e-mailed back that I had not received a copy. This was literally just a few days ago! I was worried I would not be able to get it done before the time of review. I let the publicist know this and she offered to send an extract of the book, if I couldn’t do that. Well, lo and behold, I started the book and devoured it. I found myself entrenched into this world that Mead created for Durant.
This is not a one-note book. You are taken on an emotional journey with a character. You feel compassion, sadness, happiness, and every single emotion that one can feel while reading a book. This book, however, is about more than just a journey of a singular character, it is an important book. It showcases, I wish I had more eloquent words than I do, just how vital it is to have protections for sexual orientation. This book was more than a book, it was an educational experience. It is a book that is so vital to be out on the market. Not only because we see what it means to not have protections for sexual orientation in the law, but also because Mead showcases ways to protect yourself and also at the end of the Kindle (.mobi) version that I received, there was an inclusion of important questions regarding the content of the book. These questions linked back to important aspects of law and gave me pause, even as an already aware transgender individual. They made me think deeper about the book and understand why this book was so important to find an audience to read it. This book needs, no begs, to be read by the masses.
Yes, the book has some of the obvious cliches of any book within the LGBT family. Coming out drama? Yes, this is here. Shame because of who they are? Yes, that is here. These cliches though, do not feel like unnecessary aspects of the story. These feel like very important notches engraved into the very spine of the main character and the story’s heart. We, the reader, see so much more than what characters see. We know what truly happened to the main character, Matt Durant. I felt for this main character at every single vital moment of this book. I felt gut-punched when he did. He was not a perfect character either. This character was flawed. He made horribly bad decisions, but they always felt like natural decisions that anyone could have made. He had to make decisions sometimes based on his very left, especially during the latter part of the book. While I have not been in the exact situation he found himself within, I found that I could identify strongly with this character. I could see aspects of the realities of being LGBT woven in, which is probably helped by the fact that the writer is part of the community. I knew these pains. That shame you hold onto, even after you come out. It goes away with time, but it takes a while. Mead really captures all of these feelings so effortlessly, which is why I was able to read the book within such a short amount of time. I wanted, no needed, to see what would happen to Matt. I needed to know how the story ended. The ending made me cry because I had journeyed with the character to that moment. I had seen the world through his eyes and understood it. I felt his pain and knew that he would get through this, he was a survivor and resilient. To have that level of connection with a character highlights why this book is so good.
The book, however, is deeper. Highlighting the issues LGBT people face in terms of the law. Yes, some of these aspects have changed, since the book focuses on 2007. The fact, however, is LGBT people still face discrimination. We still have to fear that someone will use a loophole to make us lose our jobs, arrest us, or any number of things to make our lives more difficult. This book highlights these struggles. I commend Mead for writing a truthful work of fiction. For creating something so refreshing honest, that it hurts. Thank you for giving a voice to marginalized individuals that have suffered similar fates to your fictional character, Matt. You gave a voice to them and I appreciate that so much. This book feels so deeply personal to me. It moved me. I am truly beyond thankful that I get to be on this blog tour for this book, so that I can tell you just how truly honestly it is. I don’t know why Mead wanted to hurt me so deep by this book, but you did Grace Mead and I thank you for it. It reminded me what a book is capable of. I highly recommend reading this book and to set with the contents afterwards. Read Mead’s questions, if they are available in your edition. Understand the context of everything that happens and hopefully be changed for the better because of it.
January 21, 2019
Defense of an Other, written by Grace Mead is a fictional legal thriller of sorts, but not in the real sense. In my opinion, this book could definitely read as a nonfiction book. Defense of an Other will keep you on the edge of your seat in ways that you won't anticipate. After reading the synopsis of this book I knew exactly what the book was about, the law, how it is, at times, behind the times, unfair to some communities and biased. This book was exceptionally well written and thought out, paying particular attention to the period and the social issues of those times. The characters were well developed and stayed true to themselves throughout the book. I was easily able to relate and feel empathy for the main character. I do not think that you need to be part of the LGBTQ community to enjoy this book. Actually, I think that this book can help people see that we all have a responsibility to all communities to ensure they are treated equally including when it pertains to our judicial system.
Matt Durant, the main character, is a successful lawyer who is struggling with his sexuality and is attempting to explore his sexual orientation by going to a gay bar. Through a series of unfortunate events, Matt kills a man and is then put on trial. The author through her writing enables the reader to feel the happiness, sadness, compassion and sheer willpower to overcome the ignorance that her characters experience in this book. I felt entirely connected to Matt as a person. Mead did not make this man perfect, far from it, he definitely had flaws, but in my mind, it made his character more believable and relatable. As a mother, I could feel the depth that Matt’s mother felt for what her son had to go through, not just during the trial but also with his struggle to acknowledge that he was gay. The relationship that the two shared was extraordinary, and the author captures it perfectly.
I found the trial part of the book fascinating, and the detail that the author put into this part of the book was terrific. The constitutional questions that the author set forth and the way she did it was pure genius. My favorite part was the back and forth dialogue between Matt’s lawyer, Farrar, and Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Scalia and Justice Ginsburg. I felt this part gave the reader an accurate glimpse into the Supreme Court's process
Defense of an Other engaged me on so many levels I was unable to put it down and read it in about three days, I am a slow reader, so that is pretty fast for me. This is the type of book I will remember for a long time to come. It is not an easy book to stomach because of all the bigotry and hate, but it is so worth it to experience how the human spirit can rise above it all. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
***I kindly received a copy of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***
Matt Durant, the main character, is a successful lawyer who is struggling with his sexuality and is attempting to explore his sexual orientation by going to a gay bar. Through a series of unfortunate events, Matt kills a man and is then put on trial. The author through her writing enables the reader to feel the happiness, sadness, compassion and sheer willpower to overcome the ignorance that her characters experience in this book. I felt entirely connected to Matt as a person. Mead did not make this man perfect, far from it, he definitely had flaws, but in my mind, it made his character more believable and relatable. As a mother, I could feel the depth that Matt’s mother felt for what her son had to go through, not just during the trial but also with his struggle to acknowledge that he was gay. The relationship that the two shared was extraordinary, and the author captures it perfectly.
I found the trial part of the book fascinating, and the detail that the author put into this part of the book was terrific. The constitutional questions that the author set forth and the way she did it was pure genius. My favorite part was the back and forth dialogue between Matt’s lawyer, Farrar, and Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Scalia and Justice Ginsburg. I felt this part gave the reader an accurate glimpse into the Supreme Court's process
Defense of an Other engaged me on so many levels I was unable to put it down and read it in about three days, I am a slow reader, so that is pretty fast for me. This is the type of book I will remember for a long time to come. It is not an easy book to stomach because of all the bigotry and hate, but it is so worth it to experience how the human spirit can rise above it all. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
***I kindly received a copy of this book by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***
January 13, 2019
This was one of those books that you literally inhale without taking a breath! Young lawyer, Matt has just broken up with his longtime girlfriend and seeks confirmation about his sexuality as he's always been attracted to men. Hoping to find solace in a gay bar in the French Quarter, he meets Joey and things are going well until they step out back to relieve themselves. Confronted by three thugs who are anxious to beat up a couple of gay men, Matt makes a split-second decision that literally changes his life forever. I powered through this book not only because it's compelling, but also because it's an important look at the judicial and prison systems, and an even greater look at the inequality that exists in our gay and lesbian communities. While the ending was ambiguous, I get that Mead needed to end it this way. This is one that will stay with me for a long time and I certainly look forward to more from this author!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
January 25, 2019
This is a solid 4.5 stars, raised to a 5. Matt Durant is a young attorney working at a successful practice in New Orleans. He had recently broken up following a long term relationship with a girlfriend who left the area. The breakup and the fact that he had always been attracted to men led him to wonder whether he was gay. He goes clubbing one night on his own and end up at a gay bar where he meets a man who makes a play for him. After a long night of drinking and talking the two men go into the alley behind the bar where they are accosted by three men. Matt, who is an experienced boxer, goes after one of the men and the man dies as a result of his actions. There is an arrest and trial, all of which are well covered by the novel, followed by an incarceration at Wheaton, a State prison on the grounds of Angola, while the case is being appealed ultimately to the US Supreme Court. I will not go into any of this, fascinating though it is, because of spoilers, but I highly recommend the novel as a gripping read. At many times I found myself wondering if there may not be a lot of reality in this piece of fiction. Thanks to Net Galley and Clink Street for an e-Galley for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2018
I agreed to read this book because I enjoy stories about trials/lawyers. However, this turned out to be so much more than that. It was an eye-opening look at how sexual orientation can still be a factor in the justice system. I would suggest that everyone who reads the book also read through the questions at the end and answer them to see what you learn about yourself along the way--and then check out some of the recommended resources as well.
I would have to say this is one of the best books I have read this year.
I would have to say this is one of the best books I have read this year.
February 25, 2019
Matt Duran is a successful criminal attorney in New Orleans. One night, he decides to throw caution to the wind and go to a gay bar, though he's not entirely sure he's gay. Once there, he drinks, starts to relax, meets a guy. They chat, then go outside to do what everyone does in New Orleans. Pee in the alley.
There, they are set upon by three large, burly rednecks who have decided they want to hurt someone. Preferably someone different. Matt's friend gets his nose broken, Matt fights back, and ends up killing one of them.
That is the premise of this book. I loved this idea, I love that it's set in New Orleans, and best of all, I loved the title. I can always be gotten with a play on words, and the title was too good to pass up. Title Buys are the sister of Cover Buys.
And most unfortunately, I really, really didn't like this book.
For one thing, events move far too quickly. And by that, I don't mean it's fast paced. This is like if the author sent the rough draft outline to her publisher, and they decided, "Yep, this is it" and published it. The most in depth part of the book is the copious amounts of legal jargon, which do not flow. This is like if I (a non bar member) were to write a book about the law. I know this, and I know this, and I know this. I also know this, but it has nothing to do with the plot, so I'll find another place to work that in.
I mean, if you're sending this out, resume style, to law firms to tell them what your legal experience is, props to you.
But more than that, the trial takes up 30% of the book. We get a bit of the legal prejudice you would expect from this subject matter, but it goes QUICKLY, and then the ramifications are not revisited, as I think they should have been.
The remaining 70% of the book is so disjointed and stuttery. It's so disappointing, on levels I can't even put into words.
Also, the Louisiana stuff made my jaw clench. I realize she set this book 2 years after Katrina. The time frame doesn't really make sense, unless you want to set it before the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. Even then, that was WELL after 2007. Unless she did it so she could reference Katrina constantly. Which.
Pet. peeve.
Katrina has NOTHING to do with this book. NOTHING that happens in this book is because of Katrina. We get references to scaffolding and rebuilding and people moving. It has nothing to do with the murder, the trial, the prison time. There's not even a mention of what Katrina did to Angola (if I remember right, it didn't do anything, actually...).
Just because something references New Orleans does not mean Katrina needs to be brought up ad nauseum.
Seriously, every. fucking. time. I hate it, and it makes me angry.
Also, there's a scene where someone eats a beignet with a knife and fork, and why would you do that that is not a thing it is NOT A THING.
Yeah, I can't really recommend this to anyone. Disappointing. What a waste of an awesome title.
There, they are set upon by three large, burly rednecks who have decided they want to hurt someone. Preferably someone different. Matt's friend gets his nose broken, Matt fights back, and ends up killing one of them.
That is the premise of this book. I loved this idea, I love that it's set in New Orleans, and best of all, I loved the title. I can always be gotten with a play on words, and the title was too good to pass up. Title Buys are the sister of Cover Buys.
And most unfortunately, I really, really didn't like this book.
For one thing, events move far too quickly. And by that, I don't mean it's fast paced. This is like if the author sent the rough draft outline to her publisher, and they decided, "Yep, this is it" and published it. The most in depth part of the book is the copious amounts of legal jargon, which do not flow. This is like if I (a non bar member) were to write a book about the law. I know this, and I know this, and I know this. I also know this, but it has nothing to do with the plot, so I'll find another place to work that in.
I mean, if you're sending this out, resume style, to law firms to tell them what your legal experience is, props to you.
But more than that, the trial takes up 30% of the book. We get a bit of the legal prejudice you would expect from this subject matter, but it goes QUICKLY, and then the ramifications are not revisited, as I think they should have been.
The remaining 70% of the book is so disjointed and stuttery. It's so disappointing, on levels I can't even put into words.
Also, the Louisiana stuff made my jaw clench. I realize she set this book 2 years after Katrina. The time frame doesn't really make sense, unless you want to set it before the Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage. Even then, that was WELL after 2007. Unless she did it so she could reference Katrina constantly. Which.
Pet. peeve.
Katrina has NOTHING to do with this book. NOTHING that happens in this book is because of Katrina. We get references to scaffolding and rebuilding and people moving. It has nothing to do with the murder, the trial, the prison time. There's not even a mention of what Katrina did to Angola (if I remember right, it didn't do anything, actually...).
Just because something references New Orleans does not mean Katrina needs to be brought up ad nauseum.
Seriously, every. fucking. time. I hate it, and it makes me angry.
Also, there's a scene where someone eats a beignet with a knife and fork, and why would you do that that is not a thing it is NOT A THING.
Yeah, I can't really recommend this to anyone. Disappointing. What a waste of an awesome title.
December 18, 2018
Excerpts from two other reviews:
"I have to admit that I read through this book in a little less than entire day because I was so into the story I just couldn't put it down." --Jessie at Infinite Pages.
"I found Defense of An Other is an unputdownable nail biting read. 100% recommend this book to crime fans or those who are interested in a lawyer's world." @fayerogersuk at Bookread2day.
"I have to admit that I read through this book in a little less than entire day because I was so into the story I just couldn't put it down." --Jessie at Infinite Pages.
"I found Defense of An Other is an unputdownable nail biting read. 100% recommend this book to crime fans or those who are interested in a lawyer's world." @fayerogersuk at Bookread2day.
January 23, 2019
Grace Mead wrote five essays in which she discusses her life experiences. The essays are On Identity, On Religion, On Depression, On Kindness, and On Happiness. I have provided excerpts from each essay below but encourage readers to take the time to read each essay in its entirety. Refer to the following page of Grace Mead's website: https://www.defenseofanother.com
On Identity: “In Defense of an Other, I have placed words in some secondary characters’ mouths that I desperately needed to hear; validation that no one is blameworthy because of their race or sexual orientation or gender identity; validation that those viewpoints are fundamentally wrong; and validation that when the State acts based on those viewpoints it is unjust.
Diversity has value for many reasons, including that a diverse cast of characters makes for a more interesting story and opens up more plot possibilities. But a novelist will always bring her individual perspective to bear on those characters; unlike the collaborative work of the movie Brokeback Mountain or the television show Pose, my novel is inevitably written from a more restricted viewpoint. But I couldn’t imagine writing a story worthy of this subject matter without people of various colors, of different genders, of different sexual orientations, or of different backgrounds. The use of dialect is also intentional—the cadences of a person’s speech and words chosen are telling. Most obviously, people with prejudices use slurs.
I am a transwoman, a lawyer, a reader, a thinker, a writer, and many other things, but we are all human. And that remains transcendent.”
On Religion: “Because I was too reactive to the possibility of hell and those that threatened it, as a teenager, I was atheist. In college, I took a course on modern Jewish history and the professor skillfully revealed the author of the principal secondary text to be anti-religious. I was compelled to admit that no one can disprove the existence of God and that many religious people, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. or Billy Graham or Mother Theresa, have been an enormous force of good. Many I’ve known personally are wonderful. And so for a while I was an atheist striving to become agnostic, until sometime in my 20s or 30s I became trusting enough to call myself agnostic. I now hope to be spiritual.
Though I now rule out few possibilities, I will be surprised if I will ever feel safe embracing the religion of my childhood. But I hope, in my lifetime, my being will stop being regarded as a sin.”
On Depression: “At 18, I swallowed a bottle of pills and tried to kill myself—it’s now the failure of which I’m proudest, surviving the epidemic of depression, dysphoria, and discrimination that has killed far too many women like me. Most differ from me in two ways—they are women of color and of humble means. But neither difference deserves death.
But I remained depressed and both desperate for medical help and afraid of it—lurking in the back of my mind wasn’t the prospect of conversion therapy but rather schizophrenia. So I became a psychology major, and in the midst of my depression sought out the chair of the department, from whom I’d taken a class. He recommended my college therapist, from whom I’d taken abnormal psychology.
She saved my life, though I was too frightened to admit any transgender ideation to her. In her presence, I may not have smiled, but for the first time I crossed my legs at the knee in front of someone else. While under the stress of concealing my transgender ideation from a brilliant therapist, I also experienced a hypomanic episode of about a week. But, aside from too little sleep and some hyperactivity, there were few consequences—I quickly saw a psychiatrist who prescribed me Wellbutrin and Depakote. Though the drugs prevented any hypomania or mania, and my depression lifted enough to make it through the day, she and I well knew the depression still plagued me. But we couldn’t find a solution, and I was off to The University of Chicago Law School after being admitted off the wait list.
Others have made it through what you’re surviving and found happiness—if you’re queer, you can look, as I did, to Janet Mock; if you have a mood disorder, you can look, as I did, to Kay Redfield Jamison; and if you are schizophrenic, you can look to Elyn R. Saks. All have written books, and Elyn Saks gave a TED Talk. And, for each, know that there are many more who have found happiness but choose to live quieter, more private lives.”
On Kindness: “To find my fears unfounded has been humbling. I should have expected better from those around me. After beginning at Stearns Weaver Miller in 2007 but long before the announcement of my transition, in 2008 and 2010, I voluntarily admitted myself to the hospital for two bouts of mania, each lasting about two weeks. The discretion and consideration surrounding my health and privacy was astonishing.
A transition is a transition, and no one passes in the beginning all the time. You receive funny looks; at times, you’re discouraged from using safe restrooms; some regard you with disgust; and strangers can be unkind. But then I had an insight—whether I pass or I’m read I always need carry myself with at least the pretense of confidence and attempt to show courtesy and kindness. It worked.”
On Happiness: “I’ve always known I was fortunate for many reasons, but since transitioning, for the first time, I feel fortunate.
I read and heard many things before beginning my transition about the impact on those who are prepared—job performance improves, dysphoria can abate, depression can subside, but I was least prepared for happiness.
Yet a funny thing happened about 18 months into presenting authentically full-time—I became happy.
My perception of the world has fundamentally changed, as if I no longer see in black and white but now see the entire color spectrum, ranging from infrared to ultraviolet. I think of myself as seeing beyond the color spectrum because, as I’ve thought through my transition and lived it, I’ve found some maladaptive behavior falling away but have also tried, with a measure of self-awareness, to retain adaptive behaviors.”
My Review:
Defense of an Other is Grace Mead’s debut novel that she self-published. Mead readily admits “all views and any errors are hers.” Aside from a few editorial errors, Defense of an Other is a superbly written novel. The Publisher and the Author’s Website (https://www.defenseofanother.com) provide adequate information on the description of the novel.
Thank you to Clink Street Publishing, Grace Meade and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
For my complete review of Defense of an Other please visit my blog https://dbmoone.com/2019/01/19/book-r...
On Identity: “In Defense of an Other, I have placed words in some secondary characters’ mouths that I desperately needed to hear; validation that no one is blameworthy because of their race or sexual orientation or gender identity; validation that those viewpoints are fundamentally wrong; and validation that when the State acts based on those viewpoints it is unjust.
Diversity has value for many reasons, including that a diverse cast of characters makes for a more interesting story and opens up more plot possibilities. But a novelist will always bring her individual perspective to bear on those characters; unlike the collaborative work of the movie Brokeback Mountain or the television show Pose, my novel is inevitably written from a more restricted viewpoint. But I couldn’t imagine writing a story worthy of this subject matter without people of various colors, of different genders, of different sexual orientations, or of different backgrounds. The use of dialect is also intentional—the cadences of a person’s speech and words chosen are telling. Most obviously, people with prejudices use slurs.
I am a transwoman, a lawyer, a reader, a thinker, a writer, and many other things, but we are all human. And that remains transcendent.”
On Religion: “Because I was too reactive to the possibility of hell and those that threatened it, as a teenager, I was atheist. In college, I took a course on modern Jewish history and the professor skillfully revealed the author of the principal secondary text to be anti-religious. I was compelled to admit that no one can disprove the existence of God and that many religious people, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. or Billy Graham or Mother Theresa, have been an enormous force of good. Many I’ve known personally are wonderful. And so for a while I was an atheist striving to become agnostic, until sometime in my 20s or 30s I became trusting enough to call myself agnostic. I now hope to be spiritual.
Though I now rule out few possibilities, I will be surprised if I will ever feel safe embracing the religion of my childhood. But I hope, in my lifetime, my being will stop being regarded as a sin.”
On Depression: “At 18, I swallowed a bottle of pills and tried to kill myself—it’s now the failure of which I’m proudest, surviving the epidemic of depression, dysphoria, and discrimination that has killed far too many women like me. Most differ from me in two ways—they are women of color and of humble means. But neither difference deserves death.
But I remained depressed and both desperate for medical help and afraid of it—lurking in the back of my mind wasn’t the prospect of conversion therapy but rather schizophrenia. So I became a psychology major, and in the midst of my depression sought out the chair of the department, from whom I’d taken a class. He recommended my college therapist, from whom I’d taken abnormal psychology.
She saved my life, though I was too frightened to admit any transgender ideation to her. In her presence, I may not have smiled, but for the first time I crossed my legs at the knee in front of someone else. While under the stress of concealing my transgender ideation from a brilliant therapist, I also experienced a hypomanic episode of about a week. But, aside from too little sleep and some hyperactivity, there were few consequences—I quickly saw a psychiatrist who prescribed me Wellbutrin and Depakote. Though the drugs prevented any hypomania or mania, and my depression lifted enough to make it through the day, she and I well knew the depression still plagued me. But we couldn’t find a solution, and I was off to The University of Chicago Law School after being admitted off the wait list.
Others have made it through what you’re surviving and found happiness—if you’re queer, you can look, as I did, to Janet Mock; if you have a mood disorder, you can look, as I did, to Kay Redfield Jamison; and if you are schizophrenic, you can look to Elyn R. Saks. All have written books, and Elyn Saks gave a TED Talk. And, for each, know that there are many more who have found happiness but choose to live quieter, more private lives.”
On Kindness: “To find my fears unfounded has been humbling. I should have expected better from those around me. After beginning at Stearns Weaver Miller in 2007 but long before the announcement of my transition, in 2008 and 2010, I voluntarily admitted myself to the hospital for two bouts of mania, each lasting about two weeks. The discretion and consideration surrounding my health and privacy was astonishing.
A transition is a transition, and no one passes in the beginning all the time. You receive funny looks; at times, you’re discouraged from using safe restrooms; some regard you with disgust; and strangers can be unkind. But then I had an insight—whether I pass or I’m read I always need carry myself with at least the pretense of confidence and attempt to show courtesy and kindness. It worked.”
On Happiness: “I’ve always known I was fortunate for many reasons, but since transitioning, for the first time, I feel fortunate.
I read and heard many things before beginning my transition about the impact on those who are prepared—job performance improves, dysphoria can abate, depression can subside, but I was least prepared for happiness.
Yet a funny thing happened about 18 months into presenting authentically full-time—I became happy.
My perception of the world has fundamentally changed, as if I no longer see in black and white but now see the entire color spectrum, ranging from infrared to ultraviolet. I think of myself as seeing beyond the color spectrum because, as I’ve thought through my transition and lived it, I’ve found some maladaptive behavior falling away but have also tried, with a measure of self-awareness, to retain adaptive behaviors.”
My Review:
Defense of an Other is Grace Mead’s debut novel that she self-published. Mead readily admits “all views and any errors are hers.” Aside from a few editorial errors, Defense of an Other is a superbly written novel. The Publisher and the Author’s Website (https://www.defenseofanother.com) provide adequate information on the description of the novel.
Thank you to Clink Street Publishing, Grace Meade and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
For my complete review of Defense of an Other please visit my blog https://dbmoone.com/2019/01/19/book-r...
May 19, 2019
Matt Durant is a brilliant young lawyer in New Orleans who has just broken up with his girl friend, becomes conflicted about his sexual orientation, and got drunk at a gay bar that ended in a deadly fight. What else could have happened? What follows is betrayal and a trial which involves bias against gays in jury selection where a guilty verdict could lead to the death penalty and time in prison would expose a gay person to brutality. Matt has to deal with all of this and it's not easy. The book was spell binding and kept me guessing. Thank you Grace Mead and Clink Street Publishing.
January 26, 2019
2.5 or 3 stars. I thought this book lacked focus; it was trying to be too many things at once: a legal fiction, a look at injustice in our legal system, a look at the hazards LGBTQIA folks risk in daily life and in prison. As a look at the legal system and the ways police investigations and trials can be biased against someone, it was pretty good. For me, however, there was a bit too much legal jargon--it's clear the author is a lawyer! As a novel, I thought it fell short mostly in the characters and the dialogue. Nobody felt real, even the main character, Matt. Their interactions seemed stiff and everybody felt like an example of a type of person: the friendly and supportive coworker, the religious mother who loves her son no matter what, the prison gang leader, etc. It felt like the author was taking a legal case and trying to put a human face to it, but it needed more of the humanity. I wanted the story to be about Matt, for the author to let me become Matt while reading it, and to feel what he felt, but that never happened.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.
April 26, 2020
3.5 stars
Eye opening story about an ambitious, well educated, young Louisiana lawyer who ends up in Angola prison after one unfortunate night of drinking. While trying to save the life of a person he had just met, Matt accidentally kills another man.
This book takes you through the questions that invade and pursue Matt's life. The same questions that put him in that precarious position in the first place, then follows him through his trial and imprisonment.
Grace Mead is a new author and this is her debut. If she keeps up this level of writing her name will be very well known.
Eye opening story about an ambitious, well educated, young Louisiana lawyer who ends up in Angola prison after one unfortunate night of drinking. While trying to save the life of a person he had just met, Matt accidentally kills another man.
This book takes you through the questions that invade and pursue Matt's life. The same questions that put him in that precarious position in the first place, then follows him through his trial and imprisonment.
Grace Mead is a new author and this is her debut. If she keeps up this level of writing her name will be very well known.
May 21, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy for my review!
So this book truly sucked me in from the first chapter. I started it on the Trans-Siberian railway, knowing there was a 6 hour ride ahead. The friend who was with me can testify that I pretty much refused to speak to her until I finished it.
As the blurb says, this is the story of a young talented lawyer who one day kills a man after being attacked for being gay. The book does a good job of taking us through all the steps, from the murder itself to the trial.
As the author is an accomplished lawyer herself, seeing legal matters through that lens added a lot. I know others may not but I enjoyed reading the legal parts. True, it's chunks of words in legal jargon but it was fascinating and because I was invested in this case, I found that I cared deeply about what was being said.
There are some issues I'd like to talk about but they are spoilery and therefore, I'll wrap the review up now for whoever hasn't read the book and then elaborate on them.
All in all, this is an interesting legal thriller. Matt is a pleasant character. He's a little cold but you do feel for him. The plot moves quickly. I recommend this book if you don't mind some legal scenes!
What I'm Taking With Me
- Lawyers are kind of terrifying.
- Gayness makes every book better, this is a fact.
- America's justice system is tragic.
Okay, spoilers.
I felt like this book sets out to have a conversation about LBGT+ (or just gay men) who are at risk to be discriminated in the justice system. That's a great thing to fight for but I feel it didn't manage to do that.
Ultimately, the case rested on a "he said" "she said" type of situation. Can we say that he got this verdict because he was gay? I'm not sure. Perhaps the jury simply believed he was trying to buy drugs and that that's why he killed the guy.
I realize that the jury scene is meant to show that the jury is homophobic but still, if they were also very anti drugs, wouldn't have Matt gotten the same punishment?
Additionally, when did Matt become gay? How did he date the girl for so long without being attracted to her? Why is this book scared to say the word bisexual? I mean, Matt goes from "I have a long time relationship with a girl" to "hm, I find guys attractive but idk" to "I am gay and that's who I am" in seconds.
This book made me scared of justice systems. In the situation presented to him, Matt did everything right and still, this is the justice that he got. His gayness doesn't seem to matter, as it could have been any other violent situation really. If this is an accurate representation of how courts work, I feel like something has to change.
In the book, lawsuits are portrayed as such a strategical endeavour. The characters spend time figuring out whether someone would lie and how. It's interesting because I had always assumed courts really punish people once they find out they're lying.
There's a conversation here about the "lowlifes" of society vs the educated and privileged. It hinges on the idea that as Matt is in the high class, he will lie in order to save himself. That the other guy's life is worth less because he's not a fancy lawyer. That in prison, his high class works against him. I would have liked to see this developed more.
I did enjoy this book but yeah, that's what I found myself thinking about it.
So this book truly sucked me in from the first chapter. I started it on the Trans-Siberian railway, knowing there was a 6 hour ride ahead. The friend who was with me can testify that I pretty much refused to speak to her until I finished it.
As the blurb says, this is the story of a young talented lawyer who one day kills a man after being attacked for being gay. The book does a good job of taking us through all the steps, from the murder itself to the trial.
As the author is an accomplished lawyer herself, seeing legal matters through that lens added a lot. I know others may not but I enjoyed reading the legal parts. True, it's chunks of words in legal jargon but it was fascinating and because I was invested in this case, I found that I cared deeply about what was being said.
There are some issues I'd like to talk about but they are spoilery and therefore, I'll wrap the review up now for whoever hasn't read the book and then elaborate on them.
All in all, this is an interesting legal thriller. Matt is a pleasant character. He's a little cold but you do feel for him. The plot moves quickly. I recommend this book if you don't mind some legal scenes!
What I'm Taking With Me
- Lawyers are kind of terrifying.
- Gayness makes every book better, this is a fact.
- America's justice system is tragic.
Okay, spoilers.
I felt like this book sets out to have a conversation about LBGT+ (or just gay men) who are at risk to be discriminated in the justice system. That's a great thing to fight for but I feel it didn't manage to do that.
Ultimately, the case rested on a "he said" "she said" type of situation. Can we say that he got this verdict because he was gay? I'm not sure. Perhaps the jury simply believed he was trying to buy drugs and that that's why he killed the guy.
I realize that the jury scene is meant to show that the jury is homophobic but still, if they were also very anti drugs, wouldn't have Matt gotten the same punishment?
Additionally, when did Matt become gay? How did he date the girl for so long without being attracted to her? Why is this book scared to say the word bisexual? I mean, Matt goes from "I have a long time relationship with a girl" to "hm, I find guys attractive but idk" to "I am gay and that's who I am" in seconds.
This book made me scared of justice systems. In the situation presented to him, Matt did everything right and still, this is the justice that he got. His gayness doesn't seem to matter, as it could have been any other violent situation really. If this is an accurate representation of how courts work, I feel like something has to change.
In the book, lawsuits are portrayed as such a strategical endeavour. The characters spend time figuring out whether someone would lie and how. It's interesting because I had always assumed courts really punish people once they find out they're lying.
There's a conversation here about the "lowlifes" of society vs the educated and privileged. It hinges on the idea that as Matt is in the high class, he will lie in order to save himself. That the other guy's life is worth less because he's not a fancy lawyer. That in prison, his high class works against him. I would have liked to see this developed more.
I did enjoy this book but yeah, that's what I found myself thinking about it.
September 14, 2019
This is a freely offered review. I received a copy of the book as a result of winning a drawing.
A legal procedural set in Louisiana, a young lawyer kills a thug during a night of drinking. The death occurs in an alley in New Orleans behind a gay club. Drugs are found at the scene.
The lawyer is convicted in a jury trial, and the latter half of the book deals with his life in prison.
The characters are drawn pretty well, with the focus being on Matt, the lawyer. The incident is pretty graphic, and the details of the period of discovery, jury selection and the trial are well written. he prison scenes give enough detail without boring with the tedium too much time doing too little. Matt is a sympathetic antihero, and his though processes indicate great intelligence. His principles are commendable.
A legal procedural set in Louisiana, a young lawyer kills a thug during a night of drinking. The death occurs in an alley in New Orleans behind a gay club. Drugs are found at the scene.
The lawyer is convicted in a jury trial, and the latter half of the book deals with his life in prison.
The characters are drawn pretty well, with the focus being on Matt, the lawyer. The incident is pretty graphic, and the details of the period of discovery, jury selection and the trial are well written. he prison scenes give enough detail without boring with the tedium too much time doing too little. Matt is a sympathetic antihero, and his though processes indicate great intelligence. His principles are commendable.
April 13, 2019
I was first drawn to read this book because its setting is New Orleans. I loved this city, and the French Quarter in particular, before I ever had the chance to actually visit. It all started when I played the video game Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers that required visiting various locales to finish. Then, of course, there was Anne Rice, not totally because of her infamous vampire novels, but because of THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS an historical novel of the city in the 1840s. New Orleans' place in history comes from both actual events and a rich folklore.
As I started reading, anticipation was high. As I read, that anticipation was not fulfilled. As a general rule, I don't do spoilers. For the most part, I want my reviews to reflect the quality of the read and not the retelling of the tale. I'm going to do spoilers.
I'm not sure about what the author was attempting to convey through her main character Matt Durant. Matt, a 28-year-old lawyer in New Orleans might be gay, he's not sure. He's broken up with a long-time girlfriend but has been attracted to his own sex since middle school. He finds men attractive but does everything and anything to dampen those feelings. He, apparently, never experimented at all with a same-sex relationship. So is this a coming of age and coming out novel?
One of Matt's distractions from his confusion is boxing for the exercise and discipline. His routing does not include actually striking his sparring partner.
Matt Durant decides to have a few beers at home and then go to a gay bar in the French Quarter. It is not his first visit to Drink; he previously went there at the behest of the ex-girlfriend. This time he goes solo in hopes of figuring out his sexual orientation. He's 28 years old and still confused?
While sitting at the bar, Matt is approached by another patron offering to buy him a drink. One thing leads to another, so they move to a table away from the loud music to continue a conversation. A long line for the men's room encourages the two men to use the back alley as their toilet. They are approached by three thugs who decide it's time to beat up some gay guys. So it's a book about a hate crime? Joey Buckner, openly gay, gets his nose smashed so badly that it takes two reconstructive surgeries to repair it. One of the thugs approached Matt with a knife. Matt is holding a beer bottle and reflexively uses it as a weapon when attacked. He jams the unbroken neck of the bottle into the thugs neck not once, but twice, killing him. He does not flee the scene but returns to the bar to call the police.
The sham police investigation provides the District Attorney with a drug deal scenario that never happened, the trial for capital murder is scheduled for a mere six weeks after Matt's arrest. Matt is found guilty but is not sentenced to death. He gets life without parole. Is this a courtroom thriller? The trial seems to consist of four witnesses against the defendant… the investigating detective, Joey Buckner whose life Matt probably saved, and the two thugs who attacked Matt and Joey in the alley. So you have three eyewitnesses and a cop who suggested the drug deal gone bad to the thugs before questioning them together. Incompetence or corruption? Either way, I've watched enough "Law & Order," along with more dead body shows that are police or forensic procedurals to shake my head at the notion. The courtroom scenes lack drama and seem totally perfunctory.
Forgive me if I sound harsh, but as fiction goes I wasn't thrilled. One of the reasons I don't read a book blurb very carefully is that I want to discover the book without preconceived notions. I do look for key words like specific locations and/or specific plot lines. Words like crime and murder sort of jump off the page (or screen) at me. For that reason, I had no idea who the author was before I started reading.
Very near the end of the book, Matt's lawyer argues a case before the Supreme Court narrowly drawn from his Louisiana court case. During voir dire, the prosecutor uses a peremptory challenge to excuse a gay juror for no apparent reason other than that potential juror's sexual orientation. The arguments made by both sides were, for me, the most riveting part of the book. The lawyers and Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Scalia, and Justice Ginsberg sparred in totally believable exchanges. I did read the after material at the end of the book where Ms. Mead states that the Supreme Court transcript is fictional. In every instance where the argument was raised to move gay rights forward throughout the book, I found clear and compelling legal opinion. I am not, nor have I ever been, a lawyer. I have a dear friend who is, and who has worked for years on issues of gay rights. He has mentioned to me the need for the LGBTQ community to be declared a suspect class by the Supreme Court. Ms. Mead's legal writing here is spot on.
Now the question is how many stars? From a factual point of view, I would have to give this book 5 stars. However, the fiction does fall flat in a number of ways. I found Matt to be a less than believable character and way too whiny. I more, or less, feel that he ranks somewhere very close to Bella, in the Twilight series. All of the surrounding cast is too superficial. The plot goes in too many directions without delving deeply into any of them. Some of the exposition boils down to TMI. Am I sorry I read it? No. Would I recommend it? That would depend on who was asking.
As I started reading, anticipation was high. As I read, that anticipation was not fulfilled. As a general rule, I don't do spoilers. For the most part, I want my reviews to reflect the quality of the read and not the retelling of the tale. I'm going to do spoilers.
I'm not sure about what the author was attempting to convey through her main character Matt Durant. Matt, a 28-year-old lawyer in New Orleans might be gay, he's not sure. He's broken up with a long-time girlfriend but has been attracted to his own sex since middle school. He finds men attractive but does everything and anything to dampen those feelings. He, apparently, never experimented at all with a same-sex relationship. So is this a coming of age and coming out novel?
One of Matt's distractions from his confusion is boxing for the exercise and discipline. His routing does not include actually striking his sparring partner.
Matt Durant decides to have a few beers at home and then go to a gay bar in the French Quarter. It is not his first visit to Drink; he previously went there at the behest of the ex-girlfriend. This time he goes solo in hopes of figuring out his sexual orientation. He's 28 years old and still confused?
While sitting at the bar, Matt is approached by another patron offering to buy him a drink. One thing leads to another, so they move to a table away from the loud music to continue a conversation. A long line for the men's room encourages the two men to use the back alley as their toilet. They are approached by three thugs who decide it's time to beat up some gay guys. So it's a book about a hate crime? Joey Buckner, openly gay, gets his nose smashed so badly that it takes two reconstructive surgeries to repair it. One of the thugs approached Matt with a knife. Matt is holding a beer bottle and reflexively uses it as a weapon when attacked. He jams the unbroken neck of the bottle into the thugs neck not once, but twice, killing him. He does not flee the scene but returns to the bar to call the police.
The sham police investigation provides the District Attorney with a drug deal scenario that never happened, the trial for capital murder is scheduled for a mere six weeks after Matt's arrest. Matt is found guilty but is not sentenced to death. He gets life without parole. Is this a courtroom thriller? The trial seems to consist of four witnesses against the defendant… the investigating detective, Joey Buckner whose life Matt probably saved, and the two thugs who attacked Matt and Joey in the alley. So you have three eyewitnesses and a cop who suggested the drug deal gone bad to the thugs before questioning them together. Incompetence or corruption? Either way, I've watched enough "Law & Order," along with more dead body shows that are police or forensic procedurals to shake my head at the notion. The courtroom scenes lack drama and seem totally perfunctory.
Forgive me if I sound harsh, but as fiction goes I wasn't thrilled. One of the reasons I don't read a book blurb very carefully is that I want to discover the book without preconceived notions. I do look for key words like specific locations and/or specific plot lines. Words like crime and murder sort of jump off the page (or screen) at me. For that reason, I had no idea who the author was before I started reading.
Very near the end of the book, Matt's lawyer argues a case before the Supreme Court narrowly drawn from his Louisiana court case. During voir dire, the prosecutor uses a peremptory challenge to excuse a gay juror for no apparent reason other than that potential juror's sexual orientation. The arguments made by both sides were, for me, the most riveting part of the book. The lawyers and Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Scalia, and Justice Ginsberg sparred in totally believable exchanges. I did read the after material at the end of the book where Ms. Mead states that the Supreme Court transcript is fictional. In every instance where the argument was raised to move gay rights forward throughout the book, I found clear and compelling legal opinion. I am not, nor have I ever been, a lawyer. I have a dear friend who is, and who has worked for years on issues of gay rights. He has mentioned to me the need for the LGBTQ community to be declared a suspect class by the Supreme Court. Ms. Mead's legal writing here is spot on.
Now the question is how many stars? From a factual point of view, I would have to give this book 5 stars. However, the fiction does fall flat in a number of ways. I found Matt to be a less than believable character and way too whiny. I more, or less, feel that he ranks somewhere very close to Bella, in the Twilight series. All of the surrounding cast is too superficial. The plot goes in too many directions without delving deeply into any of them. Some of the exposition boils down to TMI. Am I sorry I read it? No. Would I recommend it? That would depend on who was asking.
October 22, 2020
In Defense of an Other by Grace Mead
Brief Summary: Matthew Durrant, an early career lawyer, is exploring his attraction to other men and decides to visit a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He spends the night talking to another man and when they are attacked in the alley behind the bar, he attacks in self-defense and kills one of their attackers. Unfortunately, the case is turned against him and he is put on trial for murder. I initially requested this galley because of my interest in diversity and my love of Law and Order SVU.
Highlights: I first learned of the lack of civil rights protections for LGBT when Dr. Hayburn gave Grand Rounds at the Medical Center where I work, and was initially shocked. This book, set in 2007, highlights the lack of protections under the Equal Protections Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This book also does an excellent job of highlighting the biases people hold against LGBTQ individuals and the injustice of our legal system. I am a huge civil rights enthusiast and I was riveted to this page turner. I read the last 75% of the novel in one day! Of course, it was set in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans, and the author brings a city I love to life. Next time I visit I will absolutely go to Jacques-Imo’s Café and the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club. It was fitting to learn that the author is a transgender lawyer and has firsthand experience with the diversity population she wrote about. She also did a great job highlighting what the loved ones experience through Matt’s mom’s perspective.
Explanation of Rating: 5/5; this book really appealed to my civil rights and social justice values. As soon as I finished the acknowledgements, I went straight to download another book on LGBT civil rights. I can’t say enough good things about this book and it’s the perfect schedule clearing legal thriller read you can finish in a weekend. In my opinion this novel didn’t get the press it deserve; it was self published by an #ownvoices author.
My personal message to the author is this: Grace Mead, I beg you for a sequel of Matthew Durrant doing LGBTQ legal civil rights work!
Thank you to Net Galley and Clink Street Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Brief Summary: Matthew Durrant, an early career lawyer, is exploring his attraction to other men and decides to visit a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He spends the night talking to another man and when they are attacked in the alley behind the bar, he attacks in self-defense and kills one of their attackers. Unfortunately, the case is turned against him and he is put on trial for murder. I initially requested this galley because of my interest in diversity and my love of Law and Order SVU.
Highlights: I first learned of the lack of civil rights protections for LGBT when Dr. Hayburn gave Grand Rounds at the Medical Center where I work, and was initially shocked. This book, set in 2007, highlights the lack of protections under the Equal Protections Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This book also does an excellent job of highlighting the biases people hold against LGBTQ individuals and the injustice of our legal system. I am a huge civil rights enthusiast and I was riveted to this page turner. I read the last 75% of the novel in one day! Of course, it was set in one of my favorite cities, New Orleans, and the author brings a city I love to life. Next time I visit I will absolutely go to Jacques-Imo’s Café and the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club. It was fitting to learn that the author is a transgender lawyer and has firsthand experience with the diversity population she wrote about. She also did a great job highlighting what the loved ones experience through Matt’s mom’s perspective.
Explanation of Rating: 5/5; this book really appealed to my civil rights and social justice values. As soon as I finished the acknowledgements, I went straight to download another book on LGBT civil rights. I can’t say enough good things about this book and it’s the perfect schedule clearing legal thriller read you can finish in a weekend. In my opinion this novel didn’t get the press it deserve; it was self published by an #ownvoices author.
My personal message to the author is this: Grace Mead, I beg you for a sequel of Matthew Durrant doing LGBTQ legal civil rights work!
Thank you to Net Galley and Clink Street Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
January 17, 2019
This book was the first book this year that evoked so much emotion within me. Matt a lawyer in a firm from Louisiana finds himself in a bad situation when he decides to adventure out to a gay bar. Something goes very wrong for Matt he becomes a victim of a hate crime and the legal system fails him. The book takes you through a roller coaster ride through the legal system for the LGBTQ community in the south. Potential jurors are biased against gays for religious reasons. Gays and GOD in their eyes does not mix in the south. There where a lot of truths in the reality of what happens in the criminal justice system for the LGBTQ community in this book. Even though all the characters where made up for this book.. I love legal thrillers and this one is one of the best I have read this year.. I found myself angry at times for the injustices Matt faces. I found myself sad for Matt for the pain he endures. I found happiness in Matt and Eric's new found relationship..
Grace Mead thank you for making this book come to life and waking me back up to the injustices the LGBTQ face and still face today in the legal system. Your characters came to life as I turned each page. I liked the mixture of real events like the Angola rodeo which some people reading would not know that it is a real event. Even though gay marriage is legal and I am married I still live in my closeted self after i leave my house every day. I live in the South the dangers are real for the LGBTQ community. I know things can go awry in a minute if your are not prepared. I think so much more needs to be done in the legal system to protect LGBTQ individuals.
I want to thank Netgalley and Clink Street Publishing for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Grace Mead thank you for making this book come to life and waking me back up to the injustices the LGBTQ face and still face today in the legal system. Your characters came to life as I turned each page. I liked the mixture of real events like the Angola rodeo which some people reading would not know that it is a real event. Even though gay marriage is legal and I am married I still live in my closeted self after i leave my house every day. I live in the South the dangers are real for the LGBTQ community. I know things can go awry in a minute if your are not prepared. I think so much more needs to be done in the legal system to protect LGBTQ individuals.
I want to thank Netgalley and Clink Street Publishing for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2019
Authored by a transwoman lawyer, this was a book I downloaded on NetGalley for a review. The premise grabbed me. I wasn't aware of the author's personal bio as a long time practicing attorney and herself in transition at the time book was authored. It's exciting to see material written by queer community members.
I had mixed emotions throughout the book. Generally I was compelled to keep going and the story evolved in a way that described the injustic and homophobia in the outraged my sense of justice, albeit certianly true to life given a flawed justice system and society. The author weaves in themes of coming out, conservative social values, religion, prison dynamics.
The sections detailing the trial and legal elements were thorough and suspenseful. Would be likely more appreciated by attorneys as it can get a little technical.
Stylistically the non-legal parts especially in the first half of the book -- eg: interpersonal communications, painting the scene, were a bit incongruent with the overall flow - it had the romance-novelly feel -- which was a bit clunky or cheezy and required a bit of adjustment and some skip through on my part.
I'd give it a solid 3.5 stars, but rounded up to 4 -- in that the story didn't sugarcoat and didn't necessary provide a feel good ending which would have been easy to have tied up in a knot. Plus the fact that the trauma of this story stuck with me throughout and after the read.
I had mixed emotions throughout the book. Generally I was compelled to keep going and the story evolved in a way that described the injustic and homophobia in the outraged my sense of justice, albeit certianly true to life given a flawed justice system and society. The author weaves in themes of coming out, conservative social values, religion, prison dynamics.
The sections detailing the trial and legal elements were thorough and suspenseful. Would be likely more appreciated by attorneys as it can get a little technical.
Stylistically the non-legal parts especially in the first half of the book -- eg: interpersonal communications, painting the scene, were a bit incongruent with the overall flow - it had the romance-novelly feel -- which was a bit clunky or cheezy and required a bit of adjustment and some skip through on my part.
I'd give it a solid 3.5 stars, but rounded up to 4 -- in that the story didn't sugarcoat and didn't necessary provide a feel good ending which would have been easy to have tied up in a knot. Plus the fact that the trauma of this story stuck with me throughout and after the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2019
I received an advanced copy (ebook) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the beautiful city of New Orleans, this gripping procedural follows the story of Matt , forced to commit a crime in order to save a man he just met. This leads to a spiral of tough situations forcing Matt to examine closely his life and choices, but mostly whether or not he is gay.
This book had sprints and lulls for me, the action was fast, gritty, and compelling. I was really turned off by the lengthy descriptions of football but the trial made up for it. Real trials are sometimes so boring its hard to tell when you're actually hearing the exciting parts, but not so in this book, a light touch is given to the procedural portions and more time is spent tricking the terrible witnesses into telling the truth against their will. YES! The deck really seems stacked against the protagonist, Matt, and that could not have been more life-like. I felt the injustices of his situation soo keenly; the cringe-worthy way people give micro-expressions, micro-reactions and each one of them cuts. This book is great!
Set in the beautiful city of New Orleans, this gripping procedural follows the story of Matt , forced to commit a crime in order to save a man he just met. This leads to a spiral of tough situations forcing Matt to examine closely his life and choices, but mostly whether or not he is gay.
This book had sprints and lulls for me, the action was fast, gritty, and compelling. I was really turned off by the lengthy descriptions of football but the trial made up for it. Real trials are sometimes so boring its hard to tell when you're actually hearing the exciting parts, but not so in this book, a light touch is given to the procedural portions and more time is spent tricking the terrible witnesses into telling the truth against their will. YES! The deck really seems stacked against the protagonist, Matt, and that could not have been more life-like. I felt the injustices of his situation soo keenly; the cringe-worthy way people give micro-expressions, micro-reactions and each one of them cuts. This book is great!
January 13, 2019
This book made me feel all the feels, including rage that a hate crime was not prosecuted as such. That a man is convicted based on the biased testimony of three other criminals with a lot to gain from lying. Sadness that a gay man is not allowed to live his truth and the one time he tries to explore his sexuality his life is forever changed.
This book details the trial of a gay lawyer who finds himself on trial for murder, after a night at a gay club. The man he protected is testifying against him, to save his own hide. It explores the legal system in a less tolerate Louisiana in 2009, before some legal protections were put in place.
This book is heavy on legalize, but it is not so much as to detract from the human side of this story. My only criticism is that it is peppered with a lot of religious references which I personally don't like. The end also feels a little abrupt, I wanted to know a little more of what happens after, I ended with a lot of questions.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book details the trial of a gay lawyer who finds himself on trial for murder, after a night at a gay club. The man he protected is testifying against him, to save his own hide. It explores the legal system in a less tolerate Louisiana in 2009, before some legal protections were put in place.
This book is heavy on legalize, but it is not so much as to detract from the human side of this story. My only criticism is that it is peppered with a lot of religious references which I personally don't like. The end also feels a little abrupt, I wanted to know a little more of what happens after, I ended with a lot of questions.
I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2019
I liked the writing and I liked the main character, Matt, but something about the whole story didn't click with me. I enjoyed the trial and the gathering of evidence but as a whole I found the whole thing pretty odd. Why was such a rush and determination to convict a lawyer of good character?
The fourth part of the story (as it was divided in 4) was irrelevant to me; and even more irrelevant was Matt's journey trying to find out if he was gay or not. Was this a thriller or psychological journey?
I think that the whole gay dating thing and support should've been a different book because the way it is described in the summary, this story is about a man being accused of murder for trying to save his and someone else's lives.
I know that in trials things get distorted to fit an agenda but I was given no reason of why the jurors believed what they believed (and I can't say more because then I would give away the story).
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this title.
The fourth part of the story (as it was divided in 4) was irrelevant to me; and even more irrelevant was Matt's journey trying to find out if he was gay or not. Was this a thriller or psychological journey?
I think that the whole gay dating thing and support should've been a different book because the way it is described in the summary, this story is about a man being accused of murder for trying to save his and someone else's lives.
I know that in trials things get distorted to fit an agenda but I was given no reason of why the jurors believed what they believed (and I can't say more because then I would give away the story).
Thanks Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this title.
January 21, 2019
Outside a gay bar in New Orleans, a young lawyer and a man he met only hours before are confronted by a group of drunks that have targeted them for a hate crime. So begins Grace Mead's Defense of An Other. Admittedly, this book frustrated me in the beginning. In the first few chapters leading up to the inciting incident, plenty of the dialogue and character interactions fell flat. After the fight that ultimately ends a man's life, our protagonist is thrown in jail. Then the book really takes off.
Mead lays out the trial proceedings and events that follow in the riveting way I'm sure only a lawyer of 17 years could do. She presents vivid drama with none of the theatrics or hyperbole that I've found pervasive in other legal thrillers. Instead, reading Defense of An Other felt like sitting in the court alongside all the other spectators, reeling as the case transpired, hoping for a not guilty verdict.
I received my copy of Defense of An Other from Clink Street Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mead lays out the trial proceedings and events that follow in the riveting way I'm sure only a lawyer of 17 years could do. She presents vivid drama with none of the theatrics or hyperbole that I've found pervasive in other legal thrillers. Instead, reading Defense of An Other felt like sitting in the court alongside all the other spectators, reeling as the case transpired, hoping for a not guilty verdict.
I received my copy of Defense of An Other from Clink Street Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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February 5, 2019I was given a copy of Defense of An Other for free in exchange for an honest review.
Defense of An Other gave me mixed feelings. After reading the synopsis, I was expecting the entire book to surround the trial, but that wasn't the case. In fact, the act in question and the subsequent trial are all over with half the book left to go. I'm usually a fan of fast-moving plots, but this one was too quick. It left me struggling to bond with the characters. Actually, I found myself bonding with Eric more than Matt.
All of that being said, however, I must say that this books is very well written. You can tell that the author has more than basic knowledge of court room and law proceedings and laws. The amount of detail and all too often glanced over things given this story a sense of authenticity that a lot of other legal thrillers are lacking.
One thing I would like to mention is that I found the ending a bit lacking, and unfinished. Very frustrating.
Overall, I think this is a great book.
Defense of An Other gave me mixed feelings. After reading the synopsis, I was expecting the entire book to surround the trial, but that wasn't the case. In fact, the act in question and the subsequent trial are all over with half the book left to go. I'm usually a fan of fast-moving plots, but this one was too quick. It left me struggling to bond with the characters. Actually, I found myself bonding with Eric more than Matt.
All of that being said, however, I must say that this books is very well written. You can tell that the author has more than basic knowledge of court room and law proceedings and laws. The amount of detail and all too often glanced over things given this story a sense of authenticity that a lot of other legal thrillers are lacking.
One thing I would like to mention is that I found the ending a bit lacking, and unfinished. Very frustrating.
Overall, I think this is a great book.
April 7, 2020
Defense of an Other is about a young lawyer Matt Durant who lives in New Orleans. He has a job he loves as an attorney and a promising career ahead of him. He has been questioning his secuality and after a recent break up decides to visit a local gay bar. While at the club he meets a man named Joey and spends the evening getting to know him. Later they are attacked in an alley by three guys and Matt kills one while defending Joey.
The story then drags on and on through what a good guy Matt his, how much his mother loves him, the dangers he will face in prison and how he learns to cope ( or not)
The story fell a little flat for me, the fight, trial and conviction were done the time you reached 50% point of the book. The author was writing different books, one an unjust conviction and the other the struggles of coming out and the struggle for gay rights. Both are important issues but I ended up bored instead of engaged with his struggle.
The story then drags on and on through what a good guy Matt his, how much his mother loves him, the dangers he will face in prison and how he learns to cope ( or not)
The story fell a little flat for me, the fight, trial and conviction were done the time you reached 50% point of the book. The author was writing different books, one an unjust conviction and the other the struggles of coming out and the struggle for gay rights. Both are important issues but I ended up bored instead of engaged with his struggle.
January 12, 2019
Wow.
This book comes with the detached, distant writing style of someone more familiar with writing nonfiction than fiction. But that doesn't make the story any less meaningful or important. I read this book in a matter of hours because every time I would set it down to go do something else, I couldn't stop thinking about it. This novel not only reflects the inner turmoil and anxieties that LGBTQ+ people deal with, but the very real ways in which straight people push hatred onto them, and the ways in which the system is built against them.
Obviously this book comes with a clear message, but it is never angsty or preachy. It simply presents its case and leaves you to draw your own opinions.
I'd also like to just briefly note that this book was written by a trans woman! Trans representation in the world of fiction is still really limited, despite the surge in LGB literature. It always makes me smile to see that a book was written by someone like me. I hope to see more from Grace Mead in the future. Thank you so much!!
This book comes with the detached, distant writing style of someone more familiar with writing nonfiction than fiction. But that doesn't make the story any less meaningful or important. I read this book in a matter of hours because every time I would set it down to go do something else, I couldn't stop thinking about it. This novel not only reflects the inner turmoil and anxieties that LGBTQ+ people deal with, but the very real ways in which straight people push hatred onto them, and the ways in which the system is built against them.
Obviously this book comes with a clear message, but it is never angsty or preachy. It simply presents its case and leaves you to draw your own opinions.
I'd also like to just briefly note that this book was written by a trans woman! Trans representation in the world of fiction is still really limited, despite the surge in LGB literature. It always makes me smile to see that a book was written by someone like me. I hope to see more from Grace Mead in the future. Thank you so much!!
February 12, 2019
A great legal thriller! Matt has just broken up with his girlfriend and goes to a gay bar to pursue what might be the next avenue of his life. He meets Joey there and after awhile they step out back where a heinous hate crime occurs and, in defense, Matt ends up killing one of the offenders. The story then centers on Matt's journey through the legal system which is also sadly a bird's eye view of our system's inequalities and biases towards gays and lesbians in our society. This book really highlights the serious inconsistencies and discrimination against certain individuals and groups. The legal aspect of this story were extremely interesting. Great story and lots of description throughout Matt's legal process. Kept me very interested! Highly recommended! THANKS TO NG FOR THE ARC!!!!
March 12, 2019
Defense of An Other is my first novel by Grace Mead. It is a legal thriller with a bit of a twist, to me anyway. The story follows Matt, who has broken up with his longtime girlfriend and is exploring his sexuality. He goes to a gay bar and meets a guy named Joey who he spends the evening with. When they go out in the alley to take a leak, they are attacked by men simply because they are gay. Someone ends up dead and Matt is arrested for the murder.
This felt like watching/reading an actual court proceeding. The descriptions and details were great and you really felt like you were there watching everything unfold.
I did struggle with the characters and the way they reacted within the situation. I don't know, but I struggled to find them relatable and sometimes believable. However, this was still an intriguing story and did keep me glued throughout the story.
This felt like watching/reading an actual court proceeding. The descriptions and details were great and you really felt like you were there watching everything unfold.
I did struggle with the characters and the way they reacted within the situation. I don't know, but I struggled to find them relatable and sometimes believable. However, this was still an intriguing story and did keep me glued throughout the story.
April 6, 2019
Defense of an Other is Grace Mead's debut novel and a gripping legal thriller that raises interesting and important questions surrounding the treatment of LGBTQ people and the legality of discrimination against LGBTQ people.
Defense of an Other follows the story of Matt Durant in two ways: his personal turmoil in exploring and coming to terms with his sexuality, as well as his trial and its legal consequences. Both are thoughtfully written and compelling. As a practicing lawyer herself, Grace Mead thoroughly describes the legal issues at hand, while at the same time not sacrificing the humanity behind the story. The story is fast-paced and was hard to put down as I quickly became invested in Matt Durant's life. Overall, I found this an enjoyable read and am curious about the author's future writing plans.
Defense of an Other follows the story of Matt Durant in two ways: his personal turmoil in exploring and coming to terms with his sexuality, as well as his trial and its legal consequences. Both are thoughtfully written and compelling. As a practicing lawyer herself, Grace Mead thoroughly describes the legal issues at hand, while at the same time not sacrificing the humanity behind the story. The story is fast-paced and was hard to put down as I quickly became invested in Matt Durant's life. Overall, I found this an enjoyable read and am curious about the author's future writing plans.
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