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So Help Me God
A young girl raped. A fiery rural attorney who became wealthy by representing victims of medical malpractice, defective products and violent accidents. A conniving preacher passionate about his quest for power. A great defense lawyer who so frequently pulls victories out of thin air that his colleagues have dubbed him "The Magician." What happens when they step into a courtroom to try the biggest case of the decade? Will the verdict alter the nation's judicial landscape and impact the bigger issue of our society's view of abortion and how to cope with it? Lucy Baines Brady, a seemingly perfect Texas teenager, is raped by her boyfriend, whom she met in her church's youth group. She nearly dies of complications from an abortion performed by an overworked doctor at a "Population Planning" clinic. During rehabilitation, her wealthy aunt introduces her to renowned televangelist Thomas Jeremiah Luther, who decides that Lucy's malpractice case is the perfect way to close the doors of abortion clinics across the country, and for him to seize control of the nation's political right wing. From there, the case whirls into a compelling courtroom drama about life itself and when it begins.
- GenresFiction
458 pages, Hardcover
First published January 13, 2004
About the author
Larry D. Thompson
8 books27 followersLarry D. Thompson is a managing partner of the Houston trial firm he founded. He is the proud father of three grown children and admiring brother of the late author Tommy Thompson. He lives in Houston, Texas"
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 3, 2014
"So Help Me God" is one of the best legal thrillers I have read in a long time. It has all the elements of a good legal thriller: a hot-button topic, clever lawyers and a colorful peripheral character to stir the pot. If you are a political junkie like me, this book is a must-read.
December 6, 2011
This should be a movie! It took forever to get to the trial, but the end was totally worth it!
June 1, 2012
Thompson is (or was when I read this) a practicing attorney in Texas. Entertaining legal fiction that tortloving lawyers will enjoy. I liked it so much I called Mr. Thompson-he was very gracious.
July 16, 2012
I am the author of So Help Me God - it is soon to be released once again this time as a Kindle book and an Audio book.
March 23, 2014
True crime
My favorite stories a good courtroom drama. never can tell the outcome till the end. It's a very .good read
My favorite stories a good courtroom drama. never can tell the outcome till the end. It's a very .good read
January 3, 2026
I’ve had this on my TBR for well over a decade, always passing it over due to sheer size, but with the year I was having with books in 2025, I knew this either would close out or start a new cycle of novels for me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a real triumph to sit through.
Positively, it is well written once we get to the trial portion. Thompson clearly knows his way around a court room, and knows how to engage an audience in the proceedings. The dialogue there is snappy, thrilling and engaging from a scientific and theological standpoint.
Now, my biggest grievance is how bloated the book feels. A lot of time spent building up characters we lose track of as the book moves on, especially the plaintiff. When dealing with any conversational dialogue, the book falls stiff and flat, feeling more presentational than anything else. You get the vaguest sense of internal lives from the primary lawyers, but at the end of the day I finished feeling like these were stand ins for an issue debate more than people fighting for a cause.
Also to say it feels like the female attorneys on both sides felt ancillary, used more so men wouldn’t have to interrogate female witnesses on abortion.
Ultimately I’m glad to have conquered one of my white whale books, but it’s not the resounding success or failure I was hoping for. It’s just…. Fine.
Positively, it is well written once we get to the trial portion. Thompson clearly knows his way around a court room, and knows how to engage an audience in the proceedings. The dialogue there is snappy, thrilling and engaging from a scientific and theological standpoint.
Now, my biggest grievance is how bloated the book feels. A lot of time spent building up characters we lose track of as the book moves on, especially the plaintiff. When dealing with any conversational dialogue, the book falls stiff and flat, feeling more presentational than anything else. You get the vaguest sense of internal lives from the primary lawyers, but at the end of the day I finished feeling like these were stand ins for an issue debate more than people fighting for a cause.
Also to say it feels like the female attorneys on both sides felt ancillary, used more so men wouldn’t have to interrogate female witnesses on abortion.
Ultimately I’m glad to have conquered one of my white whale books, but it’s not the resounding success or failure I was hoping for. It’s just…. Fine.
July 10, 2022
Wow, I picked up this book by a little-known author at a garage sale. This was his first novel; it was written in 2004 timeframe and there are only 100 reviews on Amazon. It is a legal, courtroom fiction centered around a hot topic in 2022...abortion! The courtroom drama addresses the issue of when does life begin. Both sides are presented with thoughtful medical, philosophical and religious perspectives. The author is not trying to sell one perspective which I appreciated. I really don't know his opinion at the end of the story. This fiction has strong character development (some might say a bit too much) filled with wit and humor while also addressing a hotly debated topic. I didn't put the book down for two days.
July 6, 2018
Fantastic book. As a Christian, I am sad that yet another book portrays only the minister in this story as the bad guy. Those who perform or assist in abortions, great doctors and nurses, but ministers must only be evil in modern fiction. And I truly hate that. Because that is just not an accurate portrayal of the Church. Of man in general, yes, absolutely. But not of the Church.
Nonetheless, a fantastic read.
Nonetheless, a fantastic read.
May 10, 2020
Excellent Drama.
I began this book and stopped. I can’t remember why. I took it up this weekend and did not put it down until I was finished. I feel like I was in that courtroom in person. Well done Mr Thompson. You made me laugh, concerned, sympathetic and finally understanding more that we are only human and sometimes fall short of the glory of God. I’ll be reading more of your literature for sure.
I began this book and stopped. I can’t remember why. I took it up this weekend and did not put it down until I was finished. I feel like I was in that courtroom in person. Well done Mr Thompson. You made me laugh, concerned, sympathetic and finally understanding more that we are only human and sometimes fall short of the glory of God. I’ll be reading more of your literature for sure.
August 21, 2017
What a great book about a young girl having an abortion, then due to almost dying from an infection. A priest claiming he has healed her miraculously, then hires lawyers to go to court. Suing for large amount of monies, accusing the doctor and facilities for murdering her child
June 29, 2019
Great Story
Mr. Thompson has done it again. He threaded very carefully between all the issues involved in this. Well done, Mr. Thompson.
The legal maneuvering was magnificent and was fair to both sides. Strategy planning sessions were spot on.
I highly recommend his other books. Not all of them are legal thrillers.
John M.
Mr. Thompson has done it again. He threaded very carefully between all the issues involved in this. Well done, Mr. Thompson.
The legal maneuvering was magnificent and was fair to both sides. Strategy planning sessions were spot on.
I highly recommend his other books. Not all of them are legal thrillers.
John M.
January 1, 2013
This is not the first book by this author. I expected to like it, but pretty early on I got an inkling I wouldn't. The plot started out promising with some interesting characters: a televangelist, a couple very experienced attorneys and a high school girl without much brain power. But my interest lessened quickly. The book is heavy on the philosophical/religious aspects of the abortion debate and I'm not interested in either. The dialogue is very stilted and unconvincing. The ending could have used more integration into the story. Although there were pages and pages from the televangelist's POV, what happens late in the book isn't included.
I also have to mention the total lack of editing. There are numerous typos and at the end of Chapter 49 a paragraph is repeated twice on the same page. Also, there are two main characters with names so similar it had my head spinning throughout the book and three female names all begin with the letter J which also features in the aforementioned TJ and Johnny Bob...
I also have to mention the total lack of editing. There are numerous typos and at the end of Chapter 49 a paragraph is repeated twice on the same page. Also, there are two main characters with names so similar it had my head spinning throughout the book and three female names all begin with the letter J which also features in the aforementioned TJ and Johnny Bob...
August 8, 2013
This book, being about a topic that is very important to me, definitely held my interest. However, I was disappointed with the ending. It also had a little foul language, which I did not know was going to be in there. As a sincere conservative, I also didn't like the way the preacher was portrayed in this book, but that's just my personal view. I would have liked to see this conservative character portrayed as a sincere conservative rather than the hypocrite this character was. I would have given it 2 1/2 stars if goodreads had half star ratings. Why don't they have 1/2 star ratings on this site?
March 26, 2013
My wife and I both thought this legal thriller was an excellent read. The lawyers on both sides of the issue were quite likeable characters and the author did a good job articulating both sides of the abortion debate.
My only real critiques are: (1) the televangelist character strethes believabilitiy and (2) the surprise ending has somewhat of a deus ex machina feel.
I'll definitely be reading Thompson's other novels in the coming months.
My only real critiques are: (1) the televangelist character strethes believabilitiy and (2) the surprise ending has somewhat of a deus ex machina feel.
I'll definitely be reading Thompson's other novels in the coming months.
July 25, 2014
*Let me preface by saying I don't read a lot of courtroom legal drama style books but if they are all as good as this one, I might start.*
7 day read
I was on the edge of my seat most of the way throughout the book. I really liked how Thompson described the opposing lawyers, they each had a side to win but outside of the courtroom- they conversed civilly. Both lawyers deeply respected the other and it showed throughout the story.
I will be looking for more of Mr Thompson's books.
7 day read
I was on the edge of my seat most of the way throughout the book. I really liked how Thompson described the opposing lawyers, they each had a side to win but outside of the courtroom- they conversed civilly. Both lawyers deeply respected the other and it showed throughout the story.
I will be looking for more of Mr Thompson's books.
January 24, 2015
GREAT reading
If you are looking for a book with twists and turns,then this is the book for you.
I hated to put this book down, and when I got to the shocking, jaw-dropping ending, I wanted more.
Mr. Thompson is now becoming 1 of my favorite new authors. The book is well worth the read.
If you are looking for a book with twists and turns,then this is the book for you.
I hated to put this book down, and when I got to the shocking, jaw-dropping ending, I wanted more.
Mr. Thompson is now becoming 1 of my favorite new authors. The book is well worth the read.
January 28, 2015
SO HELP ME GOD
One question. Why am I a person who regularly reads romance and mystery so caught up in Mr. Thompson books? One answer. They are great! Again I got this on KU but now I gotta buy because I will re-read. I urge you to read these books. They have kept me spellbound. You will be too.
One question. Why am I a person who regularly reads romance and mystery so caught up in Mr. Thompson books? One answer. They are great! Again I got this on KU but now I gotta buy because I will re-read. I urge you to read these books. They have kept me spellbound. You will be too.
March 26, 2016
Must read if you love legal thrillers!
Mr. Thompson had me on the edge from beginning to end! I enjoyed the descriptive narrative and storyline throughout the entire book, especially in the courtroom! One of the reviews said, "Move over John Grisham!" I am still a huge fan but I'll be making room for Mr. Thompson's books on my electronic bookshelf!
Mr. Thompson had me on the edge from beginning to end! I enjoyed the descriptive narrative and storyline throughout the entire book, especially in the courtroom! One of the reviews said, "Move over John Grisham!" I am still a huge fan but I'll be making room for Mr. Thompson's books on my electronic bookshelf!
August 6, 2011
Compared to a John Grisham novel this is an easy read, but one that still keeps you involved and offers some good questions about the issue of Abortion, although it seems clear which side of the debate that the author might side with. Good ending makes it a good read.
January 9, 2013
I liked this one because I learned a lot about the abortion issue that I was unawear of. It did not change my stance, but it did make me better understand the other side. A book that teaches you something in worth reading.
December 6, 2014
Great read
I was surprised that this was so good, being a random choice. Well written and realistic portrayal of the real nature of "religious" cults. Loved the perspectives, and this book
I was surprised that this was so good, being a random choice. Well written and realistic portrayal of the real nature of "religious" cults. Loved the perspectives, and this book
December 27, 2014
Great read
It usually takes me about a week to finish a book because of family life but I finished this book in one day! I could not put it down. Every page was more exciting than the next. The courtroom drama was so intense. Highly recommended!
It usually takes me about a week to finish a book because of family life but I finished this book in one day! I could not put it down. Every page was more exciting than the next. The courtroom drama was so intense. Highly recommended!
August 19, 2011
veyr good read. i couldn't put it down. Definitely recomend to anyone.
December 20, 2012
I have read all of the books by this author. The punch line on this was the best, but the journey was a little tedious. I forged through the middle and was glad.
August 14, 2012
FABULOUS READ!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews