By Reason of Insanity

David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series, Book 3

By: Stephen Penner

Narrated by: Paul Costanzo

Sometimes the easiest cases are the hardest.

The defendant absolutely, positively murdered her own mother. She is also absolutely, positively mentally ill. Homicide prosecutor David Brunelle is tasked with holding her responsible despite the best efforts of her defense team, which includes a psychologist who's convinced that she's innocent. As the case proceeds, the pressures mount, and Brunelle begins to question his own sanity. Will Brunelle crack the case, or will the case crack him?

©2013 Stephen Penner (P)2016 Tantor

Good legal thriller with lots of courtroom action

By Reason of Insanity is Book 3 in the David Brunelle legal thriller series. It is the second book in the series I have listened to and reviewed. The novel investigates the issues of whether a deeply mentally ill young woman should be put on trial for her life (she was) and what defense is most effective. The defendant is definitely psychotic. She believed herself to be a zombie when she destroyed her mother's head with a hatchet. Brunelle is the prosecutor. There is a surprise ending. Narration is excellent. This novel is worthwhile; I do recommend it because of the profound legal issues involved.