The Letter of the Law

Casey Jordan #1

by Tim Green

World-famous criminal law professor Eric Lipton has been accused of the murder of one of his students. He calls on Casey Jordan to represent him. Just when she is tempted to use her privileged information to discover the truth, more bodies turn up.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Legal Thriller, Thriller, Legal, Suspense, Adult

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 5, 2000

About the author

Tim Green, for many years a star defensive end with the Atlanta Falcons, is a man of many talents. He's the author of such gripping books for adults as the New York Times bestselling The Dark Side of the Game and a dozen suspense novels, including Exact Revenge and Kingdom Come. Tim graduated covaledictorian from Syracuse University and was a first-round NFL draft pick. He later earned his law degree with honors. Tim has worked as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports and as an NFL commentator for National Public Radio, among other broadcast experience. He lives with his wife, Illyssa, and their five children in upstate New York. Football Genius is his first novel for young readers. For more updates, visit www.facebook.com/authortimgreen

Reviews

[Ismoil Sadullozoda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is something between romance and detective. There are a serial killer, a law attorney who at first saves him from imprisonment, a police detective, and the father of one of the victims of that serial killer. Although the writing is engaging and smooth, there is not too much mystery in this story. But some details of the legal practice are interesting. For example the court process and how the attorney (Casey Jordan) presents the case and evidence to the jury.

[Season · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF, horrible book. In most stories you at least like or understand the main characters and why they do what they do, but in this book, the only person I remotely liked was Bollinger. Everyone else was spoiled, snotty, privileged, and just plan annoying. I could not stand Casey. Thought she deserved a nice slap across the face among other things.

I could read any more after her supposedly riveting opening statement of the trial. What a horrible character and she wasn't even the bad person. WOW.

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The murder in this novel was extremely sadistic but the development of the plot made for an intriguing murder mystery. The manipulation that a lawyer can use to win a case is unsettling. This renown lawyer made a victim of the murder into an alternate guilty perpetrator which was not to her advantage.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as bad as some of the reviewers have posted - give it 3 and a half stars - I agree that the major characters are not likeable, especially Casey, but she redeems herself at the very end. The fact that the author has evoked such strong reactions from his readers may be exactly what he intended. The bumbling FBI agent, James Unger, is interesting and future escapades should be considered. However, if you like this genre, Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch series is a better option.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Texas attorney Casey Jordan is hired by law school professor Eric Lipton after the father of one of his students, who is brutally murdered, accuses Lipton of killing his daughter. Lipton maintains his innocence throughout the trial. Just as the jury finds him "not guilty," Lipton whispers a confession in Casey's ear. Now, Casey must decide to either protect her client, or join forces with an obsessed father who demands justice.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novels about deranged serial killers are not my cup of tea; plus, its hard to bring them to a profound insights because the heinous crimes speak for themselves. I have a concern about anyone who writes and explores this form of fiction that reaches into the mind of such evil. Won't be on the party invites list.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
It was a decent criminal/law book with a deranged serial killer at the center of the twisted plot. I really disliked Casey for the first half of the book, but she does show some character growth. Some of the plot was a bit... not unrealistic but just felt a bit too forced to make the pieces fit. Overall though, the author has a good writing style and I enjoyed it from that aspect.

[Jeff Brateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I found this on my dad's shelf and read out of boredom. Not the worst thing, but not the best ever. The characters were not complex, the ending predictable, and left me with a pretty unsatisfied feeling. I recommend Grisham over this.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have found a new favorite author. I love Tom Green’s books as much as I love Tess Gerritsen‘a books. Suspenseful to the point I don’t want to put them down. Can’t wait to read the next one in the Casey Jordan series.

[Susan Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defense Attorney, Casey Jordan takes on the defense of her respected law professor who is accused of the brutal murder of a young girl. This turns ugly fast. I hadn't read Tim Green before, I will now go find his others.

[Angela]

A young lawyer gets her ex-law professor off for a murder he actually committed. This serial killer then goes after her. She is helped by the victim's father whom she accused, and the detective from the case
EXCELLENT

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book, loved everything about it, highly recommended

[Kathy Gilliland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off a little slow but got better.

[Lori DuSell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

This was the first book I have read by Tim Green, but won't be the last!
It was fast reading, interesting.....I loved it!

[Larry C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the way Tim Green writes- great storyteller-

[Tomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

There wasn’t a single person in this book that I liked. I found myself hoping the bad guy would take out Casey Jordan.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Close to a 4.

[Nicole Yap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful

[Marsha Vance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down , wow what a thriller

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like some parts of the book were a bit slow moving but it wasn’t slow enough to make me lose interest. I love how Casey was celebratory in serving Taylor divorce papers. He deserved it!

[Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up really enjoying this book. I didn't think I would. It was hard to get into at first, but it got better.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fast read, nothing deep.

[Victor A. Chaungwe Jr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very exciting legal thriller from an author I had never heard of until I picked the book.

[Joellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story that was suspenseful, without being too graphic or evil.

[Avard MacPhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My evaluation of this book is higher than most who rated it. The exceptional defense lawyer who gets her client off and regrets the fact she did. 4.1 Stars

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong characters, action, interesting plot

[Olivermagnus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casey Jordan is the best defense lawyer in Texas. She likes big, headline making cases, those with the biggest clients and the biggest risks. When Eric Lipton, nationally known criminal law professor, is accused of brutally murdering a former student, he hires Casey to defend him and she's thrilled. Lipton was arrested leaving the country with the victim's bloody underwear in his luggage so it's just the kind of headline grabbing, career making trial she likes. Casey does a great job, tearing apart defense witnesses and laying suspicion on the victim's father. Just before the jury foreman reads the not guilty verdict, Lipton leans over and whispers to Casey "I really killed her". As more bodies begin to turn up, Casey is caught in a real bind, her duty to her client as an attorney and her need to see justice done.

This was my first Tim Green book. It had some interesting possibilities but I thought the courtroom scenes seemed unreal compared to many of the other legal thrillers I've read. There was really no character to like or to identify with in the book. It certainly wasn't the worst book I've read of this genre but I would definitely pick up a John Grisham or Scott Turow next time I want an enjoyable legal thriller.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery/legal thriller about a gifted but tragically prideful law professor who thinks he can get away with murder, and hires his star pupil to defend him. The setting is UT Austin and the surrounding area, so it was a fun read for a Texas native and a lawyer.

However, I could not get over the fact that the author's own story seems even more intriguing--English major, valedictorian at Syracuse, NFL star on the Atlanta Falcons, broadcaster and color commentator, and now novelist. I still think Tim Green is more interesting than his books. Can't wait to see what he'll do next.

Would love to know when he became so familiar with Austin and why he chose to set his novel there.

[Jmrathbone · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tim Green should stick to writing about football and baseball, subjects he knows about. He doesn’t display much knowledge about law, lawyers, or even computers. I really didn’t like the characters in this novel. The man accused of a murder is evil; his defense attorney wasn’t very likable; the father of the victim behaved badly. In the end, the father of the victim was made a bit more sympathetic, but not enough to save this book.