Anatomy of a Murder

By: Robert Traver

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 19 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

First published by St. Martin's in 1958, Robert Traver's Anatomy of a Murder immediately became the number one best seller in America, and was subsequently turned into the successful and now classic Otto Preminger film. It is is not only the most popular courtroom drama in American fiction, but one of the most popular novels of our time.

A gripping tale of deceit, murder, and a sensational trial, Anatomy of a Murder is unmatched in the authenticity of its settings, events, and characters.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Griffin

"The characters are as fresh as when they were first created, the tension high, and the cross- examinations and legal chicanery full of suspense. The novel is simply what it says on the cover. A classic." (Tangled Web)

©1958, 2014 Robert Traver (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"For the lay reader, the entertainment lies in the action...but for the lawyer, undoubtedly the greatest pleasure stems from the author's obvious competence in, and love for, the law." (University of Miami Law Review)

Twisty

Lots of ups and downs in this story. Did he didn't he what happened. you can tell it was written in a differnt time frame but its a great story.

Old-school courtroom thriller: Still Brilliant

Extremely well written legal drama, set in the UP, with great vintage characterizations.
Long but well worth it.

MY FAVOURITE COURTROOM DRAMA

A small percentage of books and movies not only survive the test of time, but you look forward to reading or viewing them again and again. This is one of them.
I first read the book and saw the movie of Robert Traver’s ANATOMY OF A MURDER in the 1960s, and as I listen to Jason Culp narrating this Audible book some 60 years later, even though it is a fine reading, it is Jimmy Stewart’s voice I hear.
The majority of readers over 45 will have at least seen the movie, but give yourself a treat and read the book, which transfers very well to the audio format. For those used to John Grisham, Scott Turow and William Bernhardt, all of whom are excellent, this is a different style of courtroom drama.
Set in and around Thunder Bay, a small town on the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, which becomes another character in the unfolding story with Paul Biegler, the recently deposed DA. Biegler enjoys nothing more than fishing in this quiet rural terrain and discussing points of law with his friend Parnell McCarthy, while imbibing in a libation to lubricate their legal larynxes. However, his quiet routine is disrupted when he agrees to defend Frederick Manion who has shot Barney Quill after the said Quill raped his wife, Laura. Unlike many courtroom dramas we know who died and who did it from the beginning, but the manner Robert Traver, a pseudonym for John D Voelker, a Michigan lawyer who drew on one of his own cases for the novel, develops the characters and their interactions, for me, is a sheer delight.
Whilst grounded within the four walls of justice there is a wry humour that permeates the pages with an inherent irony and leads to a most satisfying denouement.
Highly recommended. Happy reading, Eric.

Excellent study in human behavior, the law, and a very funny lawyer. Loved it !

Excellent study in human behavior, the law, and a very funny lawyer. Loved it ! Read it !!!!

The intricate details of a complicated case.

I actually appreciated the conclusion. I felt the story unfolded exactly like it would have, had this been real life.

Awesome!!!

I have listened to probably 125 books on audible and this would be in the top ten. One thing I like is when a book hooks me quickly and this book did just that, after a few minutes I found myself looking for opportunities to listen. The narrator does a very good job with the different characters and his voice was perfect. Even though the book is 19 hours long, it went by so quickly that it seemed like a much shorter book. The story had many layers and reminded me of a Grisham type book, but the character development was much superior, like a Scott Turrow. My only complaint is there was a bit of swearing, and I felt I needed to keep my headphones on so others would not hear, not as much as a Scott Turrow but more than a Grisham. What a find!!

A slow build

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I was a little disappointed with the ending. It was a long build and the last "twist" was a little anticlimactic.
The narrator was pretty good overall. I felt like he confused some of the character voices a little bit until he got going. If you like courtroom dramas and an old-fashioned book, set in 1959, you will enjoy listening.

Here Ye, Hear Ye!

While certain mores have changed since the book was originally published—(thankfully) a woman can now dance barefoot without scandal—the drama surrounding crimes of passion, especially a murder, remains immutable. As a former trial lawyer, I can attest that few books more accurately chronicle the life and rhythm of a trial from unpredictability of the witnesses to the inscrutability of a jury to the highs and lows of participating in the drama. While there are many books fashioned around the law, Robert Traver shows us how the law itself—the charges, defenses, and rules of evidence—is the true arbiter of the story that unfolds. For the non-lawyer it is an exposition of the tools and trade. For the practicing lawyers and former lawyers among us, it is a reminder of our craft.

Excellent book

I have given this book probably the highest rating of the books I've reviewed on Audible. it's not a "perfect" book - a good editor would likely have been a plus; The author tends to meander a bi and the text sometimes feels like a stream of consciousness. On the plus side, the book has aged well. While clearly set in the 1950s, the legal case remains timely, particularly in the legal process - the way the protagonist and his partner work through the case - and the ethical questions which plague the case. The book is a page-turner despite the occasional wordiness. I've seen the film of the same name and the foreknowledge provided by the film little affected my reading experience.

In discussing the narrator, a few reviewers have mentioned the actor, Jimmy Stewart, who appears in the film as the protagonist. Nope, there's no comparison - and for good reason since the protagonist is snarky and a cynic. It's a wonder if these reviewers have seen a Jimmy Stewart movie. Stewart, an all American icon, who seemed to embody the best of the American spirit was simply not a cynic and couldn't play one. His performance in the film was excellent but the ability of the Audible narrator to capture the character of the protagonist is better.

I recommend this book as well as the film. Lee Remick was likely miscast despite her performance but viewers are likely to enjoy the other differences Stewart and Otto Preminger brought to the movie.

Still seems relevant

I was sure when I started this book it would seem outdated like Perry Mason. However, the events of the story seem more, not less, contemporary.
Great characters that feel like real people. Light hearted yet informative.