Book Review: Actual Innocence

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Actual Innocence     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Barry Siegel
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Legal Setting
Series: Greg Monarch # 2
Ballantine, Nov 1999, $24.95, 288 pp.

Even when Central California Federal Judge Daniel Solman asks for his help, attorney Greg Monarch says no even though this is the woman’s last appeal. Five years ago, a local jury convicted the death row inmate of killing an elderly geologist. Six months from now she will visit the chair. As he reads her petition, an angry Greg knows he must dive into another death row case because the convict is his former lover, the tumultuous Sarah Trant.

Greg begins to attain background information, but finds roadblock after roadblock. Sarah’s attorney refuses to cooperate. The sheriff and the District Attorney reject Greg’s inquiries. However, Greg immediately sees a fatal flaw in the prosecution’s case. The victim's alleged final words accuse Sarah of murdering him, but his gutted throat made it impossible to speak. As Greg digs deeper, he realizes that other individuals had stronger motives to kill the victim, However, with official inertia slowing him down Greg wonders if he has enough time to prove his client’s innocence.

ACTUAL INNOCENCE is an intriguing legal thriller that centers on a small town’s conspiracy to hide a scandal. Though it’s obvious what is going on, the story line is well written and provides insight into the bumbling efforts of the leading town officials to hide their ignominy.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner