The Best Defense

By Ellis Cose

Book Overview

It's a case of office politics turned to murder. Or is it? Acclaimed, award-winning journalist Ellis Cose delivers this provocative and timely courtroom drama in which the passions of ambition, envy, and outrage intertwine, and the best defense isn't always the truth. Cutthroat defense lawyer and rising media star Felicia Fontaine has her work cut out for her. She's agreed to defend John Wisocki, a Manhattan businessman accused of killing his office rival, a Hispanic man, over a question of affirmative action policies at work. With her reputation on the line, not to mention her usually unflappable confidence, Felicia will need to watch her every step if she is to get through this controversial case with her career and pride intact. Unfortunately, her opponent in court is a former flame, now-married prosecutor Mario Santiago. Mario is an underdog assistant district attorney with more than one reason to want to triumph over his ex, Felicia, in the highly publicized trail. As the legal showdown begins, Felicia and Mario are determined to keep their personal lives on the sidelines and face off in the fireworks trial that will explore the difference between justice and revenge. Ellis Cose is the distinguished author of a number of powerful, thought-provoking books on American society. He now turns his, pen to fiction for an outstanding debut novel that probes the fascinating, and sometimes violent, depths of the workplace battle to succeed.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 006017496X
• ISBN13: 9780060174965
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Heard it before, but still a nice story

Legal thriller genre; ambitious defense attorney takes on high profile case with a client who obviously "did it," and in the other corner is the ADA who happens to be a former love interest of the defense attorney. Obviously, all kinds of possibilities exist here. On the positive side, the story is well told with believable characters and a fast moving story line. The courtroom dialogue isn't first rate, but it's compelling enough to make you keep reading. However, there are many minor characters who are nothing more than stereotypes, and certain plots (like the mishandled case from the "old days") go nowhere. This wasn't a great book, but it was definitely a pleasant read.