Conviction

A Novel

By: Richard North Patterson

Narrated by: Patricia Kalember

When the body of nine-year old Thuy Sen is found in the San Francisco Bay, the police quickly charge Rennell and Payton Price with her grisly murder. A twelve-person jury, abetted by an incompetent defense lawyer, is nearly as quick to find the brothers guilty, and to sentence them both to die for their crimes.

Fifteen years later, overworked pro bono laywer Teresa Peralta Paget, her husband Chris, and stepson Carlo, a recent Harvard law graduate, become convinced not only that Rennell didn't receive a fair trial but that he may well be innocent. Racing against the clock and facing enormous legal obstacles, Teresa, Chris, and Carlo desperately try to stay Rennell's execution, taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court, and to an enormously moving and powerful conclusion.©2005 Richard North Patterson; (P)2005 Random House, Inc.

CONVICTION

Don't waste your time. the book goes on, and on, and on.

Why write this story?

Not only is the underlying crime revolting, one must listen to a variety of other child molestation (forced oral copulation) crimes. I practiced law and briefly wrote criminal appeals, but the main crime at the core of this story was very disturbing. And it kept on and on as we had to hear about other victims of the true culprit and about the daughter of the appellate attorney. If you need to read this for a book group discussion (as I did), I do recommend this abridged version. At least 3 of the 9 book group members aren't even going to the meeting. I can't see what there is to discuss re this book. The man who the appellate team is trying to save is mentally retarded And innocent, so there goes a potential moral dilemma. On the positive side, there is good discussion of the appellate process and the author (a lawyer himself) wrote accurately as far as I recall. The characters are either very likable or despicable. The writing is also very competent. The problem was the story itself and lack of nuance in my opinion.

Boring & Dissapointing

If you are a lawyer perhaps you would enjoy the constant droning on in legalese, for the rest of us this book is tedious. I listened in pain waiting for something interesting to happen it never did. Perhaps the writer is trying to expose how unfair & politically polluted our court system.Who knows? When I purchase a book I want to be entertained . This is not the book.

Long, Slow & Politically Liberal

A reverse tour through a 15 year old heinous murder with a laborious trip through the courts of appeal. A resound cry against he death penalty and a bashing of the American court system. Stereotypical race and gender players. Would have given it NO STAR if I could.