Offer of Proof

by Robert Heilbrun

A riveting thriller, the debut novel of a high–profile Manhattan public defender with a gift for writing about the law in ways that are vastly entertaining, witty, sardonic and wise. A beautiful young businesswoman is murdered on the streets of New York after shopping for art in Chelsea, and in her final words to the police, she identifies her assailant. Or does she? Arch Gold, dedicated public defender, gets the biggest case of his life when he's assigned to represent the accused killer, Damon Tucker, a young black kid from Harlem. Damon claims he's innocent, and Gold puts his reputation on the line to save his client and find the real killer.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 16, 2003

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fast pace, but total airport-read fluff - when your chapters don't even reach a page in length, you know you're padding.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte King is robbed and murdered in New York City. The police see a black man running down the street nearby and bring him back to the victim. She seems to identify him as her killer before she dies.

Arch Gold, a veteran defense attorney gets the case.

The accused, Damon Tucker, believes that the police are setting him up and is outraged with his incarceration. Arch must prove Damon's innocence and so looks into the killing.

After checking Damon's story, Arch is able to verify the things Damon states and so comes to believe him. The case against Damon is circumstantial but there is a new prosecutor and they are going for the death penalty.

Arch checks Charlotte's history. He learns from her mother that Charlotte had been sleeping with her boss, David Yates. Yates owns a PI firm which he expects to go public next year and that could make him millions.

Could Yates have killed Charlotte? Will Damon be found guilty?
These are the parts of the story that the reader should find for themselves so as not to reveal plot elements.

The story is well written. The author is an attorney himself and writes with realism. The characters are well described, Arch in his knowledge and compassion, Damon in his anger and self-righteousness.

Well done.

[David Linzee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dedicated lawyer defending a man he believes is innocent sets out to solve the murder himself. It's a good old set-up, and there's no reason it shouldn't work again. The best parts of the book are set in the criminal courts building. When the action moves out into the streets, the clichés set in.

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great 1st effort here, looking forward to more from him.

[Sue Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Dave Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. Very fast-paced... Explosive ending!
Never saw it coming.
Highly recommend!!

[Cam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced and engaging. Great change of pace from what I've been reading lately. Definitely brought back law school memories.

[Hanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Courtroom thriller

[Hali Garnaas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the boom, easy reading, don't know the whole thing until the end.

[Chay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's to say? But how, oh my gosh it was...AMAZING! Like I didn't even expect that twist. I mean I read that there was going to be a twist but when it got to what 'almost' looked like the end (but wasn't) the whole thing just turned around. Like I was just wow, no words, lol. I think I hit the book a few times but only because I wasn't expecting that. No harm done though, the book is still intact. I must admit that I got a bit fiery or in other words heated up when Arch went against Stoddard in the case. I was of course on Arch's side and the whole time I just wanted to grab Stoddard and shake her. But, I know she was just doing what she had to do. But, I couldn't help the smirk and sometimes huge grin when Arch got a point in or when she would object or whine about something that Arch said and the judge would reject her. I just couldn't help but snicker along.
Arch was an amazing protagonist let's just be honest about that. I thought I wouldn't really connect with him since I don't really read this type of genre, but I did and I'm glad I did. I connected to Arch in a way that I just felt for him and couldn't help but want to protect him from all the people that didn't believe in the case or dis encouraged him from keeping on. To put it in sweet terms, it was just simply nice and refreshing with a twist I didn't expect at all. Like who would've thought? It ended though like as if there was still more, no spoiler alert. IF there is more...well all I can say is just bring it up.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good read by Heilbrun. Enjoyed the characters and the interplay between and among them. The main character can't take too many more novels because of the damage done to him in this one, but there are real possibilities with a return engagement in a second book because many things are left unfinished. A good read.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder mystery told by Public Defender.

[Bob]

from Susan

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crime novel for vacation or the beach

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy 5 stars; Ron 5 stars

[Matthew Sciarrino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good legal thriller written by a very good attorney.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending was very unexpected. Very enjoyable book.