Directed Verdict

by Randy Singer Narrated by Cameron Beierle

Overview

Moved by the injustice inflicted on a missionary family in the Middle East, young hotshot attorney Brad Carson files an unprecedented civil rights suit against Saudi Arabia and the ruthless head of the Muttawa, the Islamic Religious Police. The lawsuit unleashes powerful forces that will stop at nothing to vindicate the Arabian kingdom. Now, as Brad navigates a maze of treachery and deceit, he must gamble his case, career, and the lives of those he loves--including his beautiful and talented co-counsel Leslie Conners--on the ability of his team bring justice to one family, challenge the religious intolerance of a nation, and alter the course of international law. He must find a way to accomplish this despite insurmountable odds.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

There is plenty of room in evangelical Christian fiction for fresh voices, and debut novelist Singer is a promising one. The story opens with some fairly graphic violence as Sarah and Charles Reed, missionaries to Saudi Arabia, are tortured for their Christian faith and framed for cocaine use. Charles dies, and after returning to the U.S., Sarah's life insurance company refuses to compensate her for his death, citing his "addiction." Desperate for the means to raise her two children, she hires attorney Brad Carson, who seizes the opportunity to sue the nation of Saudi Arabia for their persecution of the Reeds. The resulting lawsuit ends up in the courtroom of the Hon. Cynthia Baker-Kline, a prochoice judge who had an earlier run-in with Carson over a prolife protester he represented. Despite opening the novel with a few stereotypes, Singer eventually smashes others, as in his depiction of Carson's legal secretary (who, with her overweight physique, pack-a-day cigarette habit and constant scowl is no Della Street). There's the requisite witnessing, but some suspense as to who does and doesn't convert to Christianity. The pacing would have been improved by some judicious pruning and tightening, but the story is compelling, and the reader is left guessing until the last chapter about the identity of a potential double-crossing informant. Legal thrillers are gaining ground in the evangelical Christian market, and this is an agreeable addition to the genre. (Oct.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169696783
Publisher:	Books in Motion
Publication date:	03/15/2003
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos