The President's Lawyer
A Novel
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3.9 • 263 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
Edgar Award Finalist for Best First Novel!
A Washington, DC, litigator is hired to defend his best friend, the former President of the United States, against a murder charge in this novel that is “clever and thrilling with a shocking twist” (People).
After a long career as one of DC’s most powerful litigators, Rob Jacobson is faced with the case of a lifetime: the former President of the United States—his childhood best friend—has been accused of murdering his mistress.
Rob knows he’s the only one who can prove his friend’s innocence, but he is soon overwhelmed as he attempts to devise a strategy to defend an authoritative man with a taste for infidelity, serious anger issues, and unconventional sexual appetites. As the high-profile case unfurls, the troubled, intertwining pasts of the two men complicate Rob’s efforts and soon, doubts begin to grow in his head. Could his oldest friend truly be capable of murder or is something even darker at play? “Robbins...keeps the pace fast and the courtroom scenes convincing” (The New York Times Book Review) in this sensational thriller by a true DC legal insider.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A former president is accused of murder in this legal nail-biter. When the cops arrest former president Jack Cutler for killing his mistress, he calls on his high school chum, dogged defense attorney Rob Jacobson. But Rob’s reluctant efforts are complicated by their rocky past—along with the ex-president’s kinky tastes and serious mean streak, which leave Rob fearing he may be representing a guilty man. As a litigator who’s argued before the Supreme Court, first-time author Lawrence Robbins brings verve and authenticity to the courtroom proceedings. But what really wowed us about this suspenseful tale is his character work. We especially loved the tension between the shrewd, nebbishy Rob and his cavalier schoolmate Jack. Their complicated relationship—and Rob’s romance with the murdered woman— muddy the case both legally and emotionally. As suspicions grow, the truth gets more personal. Prepare for a courtroom roller coaster set within the highest halls of power.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Attorney Robbins debuts with a taut legal thriller that recalls the work of Scott Turow and John Grisham. Criminal defense attorney Rob Jacobson is offered the "case of the century" when his former mistress, White House lawyer Amanda Harper, is murdered, and President Jack Sherman Cutler—Rob's lifelong friend—is charged with the crime. Though Rob has spent a lifetime in Jack's shadow, including as the victim of his teenage cruelty, he fervently believes in Jack's innocence. Other suspects abound, including Rob's schizophrenic son, Amanda's drug dealer, and former first lady Jessica Friedland (another of Rob's old flames). Initially, Rob exploits those possibilities to sow reasonable doubt, but when the jury hears about Cutler's depraved sexual kinks and his closest ally testifies against him, the case against the president starts to look like a slam dunk. Robbins falls victim to some clumsy pacing and a smattering of legal thriller clichés, but his courtroom scenes crackle with authenticity, and the climactic reveal is sensational. Despite a few missteps, the verdict comes down decisively in Robbins's favor.
Customer Reviews
Bad Ending
Really good read until the very end.
A good premise but…
Not such a good execution. The author did not give credit to his readers that we might have some knowledge of the justice system, and he went over every aspect in too much detail. I found myself flipping through the pages just to get to the end. The authors law credentials are stellar, but I saw this book as a good first draft only. It needed the help of a good editor.
Phenomenal Ending!
DO NOT PUT this book down before the ending. Stay up late; who needs sleep? This is The Usual Suspects twisty. The book is legally sound, fast paced and keeps the guessing going throughout. Well done.