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Fogbound
Once more, the author of Irreparable Damage combines thrills, vivid characters, and a plot that leaves the reader breathless.
A Lincoln Navigator carries three well-dressed people through the barren New Jersey salt flats. The trip is uncomfortable but necessary. Their target has no phone, certainly no e-mail, and never answers his rare mail. But August Jorgenson is no country bumpkin. Before retiring, he was one of the most famous judges in the country, and only opinions like his fierce opposition to the death penalty kept him from a seat on the Supreme Court.
Now his visitors, from a reality show called Trial TV, have come to enlist his aid. They are excited about an idea they have that promises to strike a serious blow against the death penalty (and boost their ratings past those of Court TV).
The judge agrees to help. But as he digs into the facts of the case he becomes their enemy - an enemy who must be removed as a serious threat to their plans.
A Lincoln Navigator carries three well-dressed people through the barren New Jersey salt flats. The trip is uncomfortable but necessary. Their target has no phone, certainly no e-mail, and never answers his rare mail. But August Jorgenson is no country bumpkin. Before retiring, he was one of the most famous judges in the country, and only opinions like his fierce opposition to the death penalty kept him from a seat on the Supreme Court.
Now his visitors, from a reality show called Trial TV, have come to enlist his aid. They are excited about an idea they have that promises to strike a serious blow against the death penalty (and boost their ratings past those of Court TV).
The judge agrees to help. But as he digs into the facts of the case he becomes their enemy - an enemy who must be removed as a serious threat to their plans.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2003
129 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Joseph T. Klempner
11 books22 followersHis full name is Joseph Teller Klempner, and he is also published as
Joseph Teller , at which web site further biographical information may be found.
Joseph T. Klempner is a former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Drug Enforcement Agency) and later as a defense attorney in New York City.
Joseph Teller , at which web site further biographical information may be found.
Joseph T. Klempner is a former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (now the Drug Enforcement Agency) and later as a defense attorney in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
December 23, 2021
I enjoyed this story, especially the character of the Judge. What’s not to love about an old retired judge who lives in a lighthouse and whose best friend is a loyal dog? This story explores the debate about the death penalty; the ending was fast paced and exciting!
December 7, 2019
Really liked this story. Well-written. Good topic on whether mentally handicapped individuals should be on death row if they are not aware of their circumstances.
November 14, 2018
Nebelverhangen
Der alte Richter Jorgenson lebt mit seinem Hund Jake in einem Leuchtturm an der amerikanischen Atlantikküste. Völlig überrascht ist er als ein Fernsehteam bei ihm auftaucht und ihn überreden will, einen zum Tode verurteilten zu vertreten, der sein letztes Gnadengesuch einreicht. Allerdings ist die Geschichte des Häftlings so ungewöhnlich, dass Jorgensen doch zu der Überzeugung kommt, er muss die Vertretung des Verurteilten übernehmen. Schnell merkt er jedoch, dass die jungen Leute ihn nur als Potemkinsches Dorf brauchen, um ihre Zwecke zu erreichen. Und so macht sich der alte Richter auf, herauszufinden was vor sechzehn Jahren wirklich geschah.
Richter Jorgenson und sein Hund wirken etwas wie der alte Mann, sein Hund und der Nebel. Und doch scheint der Auftrag um den Todeskandidaten Jorgenson wachzurütteln. Es steckt noch das alte Feuer in ihm, der Wunsch, der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen. Und auch seine Eigenwilligkeit hat er nicht verloren. Zwar sieht er das, was die TV-Anwältin und ihre Berater ihm darstellen, als richtig an. Seine eigene Meinung will er sich aber selbst bilden. Umso mehr als er merkt, dass nicht alle Informationen an ihn weitergeleitet werden. Und so macht er sich mit seinem treuen Jake auf in die Vergangenheit des Delinquenten.
Ein Gerichtsthriller, der bereits vor fast zwanzig Jahren erstmalig erschienen ist, in guter Tradition von anderen Büchern dieser Art. Gerichts-TV, Supreme Court, Anwälte, Richter und ein Plot, der sich anders entwickelt als man zunächst meint. Da lacht das Leserherz, auch wenn die Handlung manchmal nicht zum Lachen Anlass gibt. Die Machenschaften der Beteiligten sind nicht immer leicht nachzuvollziehen. Oder geht das Recht der Allgemeinheit wirklich vor dem Recht des Einzelnen. In diesem Fall wohl eher nicht, denn der Preis wäre einfach zu hoch. Dieser spannende Thriller gibt ein ungefähres Abbild des Amerikanischen Gerichtswesen, das nicht immer von Gerechtigkeit und der Suche nach der Wahrheit geprägt ist. Doch hier haben wir den aufrechten Richter, der der Wahrheit zu ihrem Recht verhilft.
Der alte Richter Jorgenson lebt mit seinem Hund Jake in einem Leuchtturm an der amerikanischen Atlantikküste. Völlig überrascht ist er als ein Fernsehteam bei ihm auftaucht und ihn überreden will, einen zum Tode verurteilten zu vertreten, der sein letztes Gnadengesuch einreicht. Allerdings ist die Geschichte des Häftlings so ungewöhnlich, dass Jorgensen doch zu der Überzeugung kommt, er muss die Vertretung des Verurteilten übernehmen. Schnell merkt er jedoch, dass die jungen Leute ihn nur als Potemkinsches Dorf brauchen, um ihre Zwecke zu erreichen. Und so macht sich der alte Richter auf, herauszufinden was vor sechzehn Jahren wirklich geschah.
Richter Jorgenson und sein Hund wirken etwas wie der alte Mann, sein Hund und der Nebel. Und doch scheint der Auftrag um den Todeskandidaten Jorgenson wachzurütteln. Es steckt noch das alte Feuer in ihm, der Wunsch, der Sache auf den Grund zu gehen. Und auch seine Eigenwilligkeit hat er nicht verloren. Zwar sieht er das, was die TV-Anwältin und ihre Berater ihm darstellen, als richtig an. Seine eigene Meinung will er sich aber selbst bilden. Umso mehr als er merkt, dass nicht alle Informationen an ihn weitergeleitet werden. Und so macht er sich mit seinem treuen Jake auf in die Vergangenheit des Delinquenten.
Ein Gerichtsthriller, der bereits vor fast zwanzig Jahren erstmalig erschienen ist, in guter Tradition von anderen Büchern dieser Art. Gerichts-TV, Supreme Court, Anwälte, Richter und ein Plot, der sich anders entwickelt als man zunächst meint. Da lacht das Leserherz, auch wenn die Handlung manchmal nicht zum Lachen Anlass gibt. Die Machenschaften der Beteiligten sind nicht immer leicht nachzuvollziehen. Oder geht das Recht der Allgemeinheit wirklich vor dem Recht des Einzelnen. In diesem Fall wohl eher nicht, denn der Preis wäre einfach zu hoch. Dieser spannende Thriller gibt ein ungefähres Abbild des Amerikanischen Gerichtswesen, das nicht immer von Gerechtigkeit und der Suche nach der Wahrheit geprägt ist. Doch hier haben wir den aufrechten Richter, der der Wahrheit zu ihrem Recht verhilft.
January 16, 2018
The protagonist, August Jorgenson, is a former celebrated judge and outspoken advocate for the abolition of capital punishment. Now in his 80's and a widower, he has lived in relative isolation for the past 10 years in a remote lighthouse in Outer Banks, North Carolina, content to tend his garden and sail with his devoted dog Jake. He's an irascible but loveable main character. At times, the plot stagnates. To quote the Kirkus reviewer, "For Klempner..., any point worth making is worth beating to death."
The prose is good, but there are events that I found unbelievable while others were hackneyed and to be expected. The epilogue was rather a nice touch though.
On balance, it was a good and easy book. The narrator David de Vries does an excellent job.
The prose is good, but there are events that I found unbelievable while others were hackneyed and to be expected. The epilogue was rather a nice touch though.
On balance, it was a good and easy book. The narrator David de Vries does an excellent job.
April 20, 2019
Execellent Study in Mystery and Humanism
When the book started I had no place as to where the author was taking me but knew twists and probable character flaws or strengths would change. I was proud of the morals, ethis, strengths, of the judge and he left me with hope while the other characters were raising my bile confirming what is going on right now with a certain political party willing to leave so many dead to make a point. There are twists I never saw possible given certain restraints even though gifts were great. The author lead you with silent hope through the fog. Do you reach sunshine or will it be too late because of years of criminal odds. My heart ached. Such a study in crime, the mystery of it, witnesses, failures of law enforcement, the justice system, and the secret agenda behind our media, power brokers, their attorneys....you know the legal criminals and the pawns they use because they believe any means justifies what ever end they want...even if it your life they are willing to extinguish. And this book makes you ask...how many are dead because of legal criminals that exist in our political and media power brokers.
When the book started I had no place as to where the author was taking me but knew twists and probable character flaws or strengths would change. I was proud of the morals, ethis, strengths, of the judge and he left me with hope while the other characters were raising my bile confirming what is going on right now with a certain political party willing to leave so many dead to make a point. There are twists I never saw possible given certain restraints even though gifts were great. The author lead you with silent hope through the fog. Do you reach sunshine or will it be too late because of years of criminal odds. My heart ached. Such a study in crime, the mystery of it, witnesses, failures of law enforcement, the justice system, and the secret agenda behind our media, power brokers, their attorneys....you know the legal criminals and the pawns they use because they believe any means justifies what ever end they want...even if it your life they are willing to extinguish. And this book makes you ask...how many are dead because of legal criminals that exist in our political and media power brokers.
March 9, 2018
Started well, the failed in the end
The book started well with the characters though somewhat stereotyped at least well defined. The retired jurist Begin to Fall Apart. A man of tremendous intellect and breadth of knowledge who is now living a simple life in a lighthouse with a super dog is technologically inept and yet apparently very skilled in Arcane activities. At the end, the author is painted himself into a corner and escapes by Deus Ex machina efforts. He saves his aged hero from certain death and miraculously gets him to the Supreme Court in time to save the case and the life of a severely autistic man who then becomes his sailing partner and housemate. The dog, who has been his faithful first mate, now accepts his role as Lookout and doesn't resent being demoted. None of this agrees with my experience of either humans or dogs.
The book started well with the characters though somewhat stereotyped at least well defined. The retired jurist Begin to Fall Apart. A man of tremendous intellect and breadth of knowledge who is now living a simple life in a lighthouse with a super dog is technologically inept and yet apparently very skilled in Arcane activities. At the end, the author is painted himself into a corner and escapes by Deus Ex machina efforts. He saves his aged hero from certain death and miraculously gets him to the Supreme Court in time to save the case and the life of a severely autistic man who then becomes his sailing partner and housemate. The dog, who has been his faithful first mate, now accepts his role as Lookout and doesn't resent being demoted. None of this agrees with my experience of either humans or dogs.
September 12, 2018
Normally have had good luck using Goodreads ratings in choosing books to read. This was certainly an exception. It seems I am deviating from the crowd, but I found this barely tolerable. Yes, I was hooked at the beginning and despite some early plausibility signs, continued to have high hopes that the author would pull it all together. Instead the story continued to unravel until it finally came crashing down with an ending so absurd as to defy logic. I don't profess to know the inner workings of the US Supreme Court, but I do know that this version was completely ridiculous. The producers of Perry Mason would have found this story to be too over the top.
I half expected to see a "Gotcha!" from the author at the end. Instead of a "Made you look!", there would have been a "Made you waste your time!".
I half expected to see a "Gotcha!" from the author at the end. Instead of a "Made you look!", there would have been a "Made you waste your time!".
March 5, 2018
I loved this book. A retired curmudgeon of a judge living peacefully with his faithful lab, jake, in a lighthouse on the shore of the barrier islands is conned by some sharp lawyers into presenting a case before the courts of a man accused of murder. Only this man is no ordinary man. He is black and suffers from autism. He cannot speak, does not engage with anyone but has an incredible talent for art. As the judge looks into the notes of the defendant and after doing a bit of research on his own, he becomes convinced he is innocent. This is a great book putting quite a bit of spin on sharp legal practice and leaving me with some faith in the justice system. And it has an ending that is heart warming. A full five stars.
March 7, 2018
Wow - A Great Read!
I started this with no real expectations. The blurb on the cover says "Just Like Grisham," which actually annoyed me. But the truth is, once started, I could not put it down. It grabbed me and held on. If you ever studied law, or were interested in justice, or just think occasionally about people different from you, you might like this story. I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it to nearly everybody. And - it is NOT "Just Like Grisham." This novel is marvelous, original, and very, very good. It is not "just like" anything else. Read it for yourself and see. Someone should make it into a movie.
I started this with no real expectations. The blurb on the cover says "Just Like Grisham," which actually annoyed me. But the truth is, once started, I could not put it down. It grabbed me and held on. If you ever studied law, or were interested in justice, or just think occasionally about people different from you, you might like this story. I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend it to nearly everybody. And - it is NOT "Just Like Grisham." This novel is marvelous, original, and very, very good. It is not "just like" anything else. Read it for yourself and see. Someone should make it into a movie.
March 27, 2019
I love August Jorgensen!
A delightful and light legal drama, with a reclusive, retired judge as the protagonist who is tricked into appealing a “dead man walking” case before the Supreme Court by several characters with dubious motivations. Easy read and very enjoyable time spent with the cranky old judge with a heart of gold and Jake, his happy, intelligent best friend, a black lab who loves to sail with his best buddy and help him whenever he’s needed. Very enjoyable read from an author with a good sense of humor.
I had to give this five stars because it’s a lovely novel that swept me away from the ugliness of the political climate under the present administration.
A delightful and light legal drama, with a reclusive, retired judge as the protagonist who is tricked into appealing a “dead man walking” case before the Supreme Court by several characters with dubious motivations. Easy read and very enjoyable time spent with the cranky old judge with a heart of gold and Jake, his happy, intelligent best friend, a black lab who loves to sail with his best buddy and help him whenever he’s needed. Very enjoyable read from an author with a good sense of humor.
I had to give this five stars because it’s a lovely novel that swept me away from the ugliness of the political climate under the present administration.
Read
May 3, 2021When you run 3-4 hours a day, as I will be during The Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee, audiobooks make the time fly by and incrementally increase the fun. This is one I just finished. A retired judge in his 80s is asked to appear before the Supreme Court to argue against the death penalty (using the 8th Amendment) for an autistic person accused of rape and murder 16 years ago. It delves into autism, the death penalty, the 8th Amendment and has some mystery elements as well. I thought it was excellent, really enjoyed it and it's only about 8 hours so not that long. Got me through two runs. LOL
February 15, 2020
I found this quite a slow-moving book, with lots of narration in the early chapters, but not much action. The first half was 3 stars at the most, but then it picked up in the second half, with more action and more suspense, and I was glad I'd stayed with it. It then finished in a big flurry, but I think it worked. And I actually really liked how things ended up right at the end. I didn't see it coming (even though I'd seen pretty much every plot point in the first half coming) and it brought a smile to my face.
October 13, 2018
This is a short, fairly predictable, but engaging story of a retired judge drawn out of retirement to plead the case of an autistic young man falsely accused of murder. However, what seemed like a noble quest to challenge the death penalty if corrupted by the executives of Trian TV who have other outcomes in mind when they asked the judge to take the case. While not the most creative ead, it was a good diversion and an easy read
May 15, 2019
The read didn't live up to the book description
The premise of this book sounded very exciting. The topic of the death penalty and of disability could have been handled in a more interesting manner though. The retired country bumpkin judge seemed very unbelievable and more bumpkin then smart former judge. There was just too much that was difficult to believe but it still was an interesting tale with worthwhile elements. I would rate it at a 2.5.
The premise of this book sounded very exciting. The topic of the death penalty and of disability could have been handled in a more interesting manner though. The retired country bumpkin judge seemed very unbelievable and more bumpkin then smart former judge. There was just too much that was difficult to believe but it still was an interesting tale with worthwhile elements. I would rate it at a 2.5.
Read
September 7, 2019I, for some reason, bought this audiobook months back and never listened to it. Being short on books, I went to my library and found this surprise. An elderly Judge is persuaded to come out of retirement to take on a death case being heard before the Supreme Court. Nothing stops this guy even the bad guys who do not want him to win the case. Narration was very good and overall, I found the book very enjoyable.
June 7, 2022
A Life Condemned by Powers Forsaken
Thoroughly enjoyed Fogbound has sat in my ‘To Read’ case for some time now sorry I didn’t read earlier. What a story/plot was utterly enthralled by Jorgensen and his ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ ethics to find justice for the unjustifiable wrongs of those unable to defend themselves against those pertaining to care and help. 100% must read this.
Thoroughly enjoyed Fogbound has sat in my ‘To Read’ case for some time now sorry I didn’t read earlier. What a story/plot was utterly enthralled by Jorgensen and his ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ ethics to find justice for the unjustifiable wrongs of those unable to defend themselves against those pertaining to care and help. 100% must read this.
October 31, 2022
This is my first book by Klempner and I have mixed feelings about his writing style. The concept of the story had me from the beginning even though I felt that the writing was somewhat repetitious. I really liked the main character Judge Jorgensen and his dog Jake. Jorgensen was asked to come out of retirement to speak before the Supreme Court on behalf of a young autistic African American on death row. The book had a few twists I didn't expect. I enjoyed the story and it was a quick read.
March 2, 2018
An autistic genus is caught in the gears of the justice system
August Jorgenson lives the life of a content hermit in a lighthouse on a barrier island. After years as a federal judge he retired, burnt out with the injustices of the court system. Along comes a chance to push against the system that had failed so many, but the agenda is unclear, or you could even say foggy.
August Jorgenson lives the life of a content hermit in a lighthouse on a barrier island. After years as a federal judge he retired, burnt out with the injustices of the court system. Along comes a chance to push against the system that had failed so many, but the agenda is unclear, or you could even say foggy.
September 24, 2019
Hurry! White justice railroaded old dude of color!.We.can save.him If we hurry
This was another formula book about an innocent man of color
on death row, when a last chance ( lawyer. Investiatgors, cop} comes.up.with previously unnoticed evidence..Lots of variations on this theme. An ok reador
This was another formula book about an innocent man of color
on death row, when a last chance ( lawyer. Investiatgors, cop} comes.up.with previously unnoticed evidence..Lots of variations on this theme. An ok reador
August 26, 2021
3.5 I enjoyed the story. But for me it was a slow start. As I grew to like the main character I considered what as t it would be to unplug from technology and live simply by the sea. I believe I would love it! The writer had me feeling the mist, the cold , the isolation and the enveloping fog all while spinning a mystery.
November 13, 2021
I tried. It seemed like my wheelhouse I just couldn’t anymore. You know the deal…you try like 5 different times and each time you remember why you stopped listening. And then the author lost me a few times with some really soft material and that was the drop that overfilled the bucket. And again…..I have it a deep bucket. My apologies.
December 10, 2017
Since there was a 4th Circuit Court of Appeals connection, I recommended this book to my hubby, who also works there. The characters are well-developed and the main one (a retired judge) is very likable.
February 12, 2018
Justice --great story, wry commentary, and a continuing disgrace
Among the many issues in this enjoyable book lies one which continues to infect US criminal law. The existance and application of the death penalty. Joseph Klempner takes it and runs, Worth reading!
Among the many issues in this enjoyable book lies one which continues to infect US criminal law. The existance and application of the death penalty. Joseph Klempner takes it and runs, Worth reading!
April 4, 2018
Hard to put down!
With several twists and turns, this was a fascinating read. Did not get bogged down (nor fogged in) with legalese, but Klempner obviously has a background in the law.
He also knows a thing or 2 about sailing.
Great read.
With several twists and turns, this was a fascinating read. Did not get bogged down (nor fogged in) with legalese, but Klempner obviously has a background in the law.
He also knows a thing or 2 about sailing.
Great read.
May 11, 2018
Aging jurist is enticed to leave retirement to argue a death penalty case before the US Supreme Court. The defendant is a fascinating figure, the judge and his dog are now personal favorites of mine, and the plot twists and turns.
Couldn't put it down!
Couldn't put it down!
June 22, 2018
Great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book... The story line, the characters and the extremely satisfying ending! Well done, Klempner! Well done! I'll be looking for more of your works now...
I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book... The story line, the characters and the extremely satisfying ending! Well done, Klempner! Well done! I'll be looking for more of your works now...
August 28, 2018
Excellent tale
The writing and development of the story was very comfortable to me. I liked the way the judge was drawn into committing to his role as advocate for the convicted though innocent and unfortunate prisoner.
The writing and development of the story was very comfortable to me. I liked the way the judge was drawn into committing to his role as advocate for the convicted though innocent and unfortunate prisoner.
March 21, 2019
Enjoyed it beginning to end
Loved the characters, the plot and tale. I live in the Texas dessert land, so most of the references to the coastal lands and sailing were foreign to me, they were not lost to my imagination. This book reminded me of Grisham’s earlier works.
Loved the characters, the plot and tale. I live in the Texas dessert land, so most of the references to the coastal lands and sailing were foreign to me, they were not lost to my imagination. This book reminded me of Grisham’s earlier works.
March 27, 2019
Excellent read
I have been looking for a good read for awhile and this book filled the bill. A good legal suspense with interesting, thought-provoking information on both autism and the death penalty.
I have been looking for a good read for awhile and this book filled the bill. A good legal suspense with interesting, thought-provoking information on both autism and the death penalty.
February 29, 2020
This was very good book and in the end uplifting, as well. I expected it to end "well", but if in the beginning I was convinced I figured it all out before the protagonist did, there was a very convincing twist the the plot which added to the tension.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews