April Fool

By William Deverell

Book Overview

An irresistible story of justice heading off the rails. Arthur Beauchamp, the scholarly, self-doubting legend of the B.C. criminal bar (and one of Deverell s most amiable and crafty protagonists), is enjoying his retirement as a hobbyist farmer on B.C. s Garibaldi Island when he is dragged back to court to defend an old client. Nick the Owl Faloon, once one of the world s top jewel thieves, has been accused of raping and murdering a psychologist. Beauchamp has scarcely registered how unlikely it is that the diminutive Faloon has hurt anyone when his own personal life takes an abrupt turn. His new wife, Margaret Blake, organic farmer and environmental activist, has taken up residence fifty feet above ground in a tree she is determined to save for the eagles and from the loggers. Beauchamp shuttles between Vancouver and the island, doing what he can to save the tree and get his wife back and defend Faloon. Part courtroom thriller, part classic whodunit, April Fool sees Deverell writing at the top of his form as he puts these characters through some entertaining and very surprising twists and turns. From the Hardcover edition. "

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 077102715X
• ISBN13: 9780771027154
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart Ltd
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.9" x 1.0" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Deverell - an amusing and creative author

if you like the law and a mystery this is the book for you. Deverell breaks down the stuffiness of the law courts with an interesting and amusing look at the characters, judges, felons etc. Great read.

Very enjoyable crime novel with a unique style and nice sense of place

April Fool marks the return of one of Deverell's most beloved characters; Arthur Beauchamp, a Denny Crane-esque legal legend now retired to a hobby farm on one of British Columbia's Gulf Islands. Beauchamp's quiet life is upturned when his environmental activist wife decides to protest logging by living in a tree, at the same time as a roguish ex-client is accused of a heinous rape and murder. The heroically fallible Beauchamp is forced onto an entertaining rollercoaster combining courtroom thriller with mystery whodunit. For readers, Deverell's unique writing style - melding quirky characters, witty dialogue, contemporary themes, and literary touches into a richly authentic Canadian setting, makes the ride all the more worthwhile. Recommended.

Great follow up

Great follow up book to Trial of Passion. Arthur Beauchamp is again a great pleasure. Another excellent read from Deverell.