The Color of Law

A Novel

By: Mark Gimenez

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

A poor-boy college football hero turned successful partner at a prominent Dallas firm, who long ago checked his conscience at the door, catches a case that forces him to choose between his enviable lifestyle and doing the right thing in this masterful debut legal thriller.

Clark McCall, ne'er-do-well son of Texas millionaire senator and presidential hopeful Mack McCall, puts a major crimp in his father's election plans when he winds up murdered, apparently by Shawanda Jones, a heroin-addicted hooker, after a tawdry night of booze, drugs, and rough sex.

Scott Fenney, who's worked his way to being a partner at an elite Dallas law firm, is assigned to provide Shawanda's pro bono defense after the federal judge on the case hears him deliver an inspiring, altruistic, and completely insincere, speech to the local bar association. Scott plans to farm the case out to an old law school buddy, do-good-attorney Bobby Herrin. But his plans go awry when Shawanda puts her foot down in court and refuses to be passed off to the lawyer she considers the lesser attorney.

As the case unfolds, pressure is exerted on Scott to deter him from being too aggressive in his defense of Shawanda. That pressure becomes palpable as Scott is slowly stripped of the things he's come to care for most. Will he do the right thing, at a terrible cost, or the easy thing and keep his hard-earned fabulous life?

With echoes of early John Grisham, The Color of Law is a provocative listen that marked the stunning debut of a major new talent.

©2005 Mark Gimenez (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"This is a well-calibrated contemporary morality play, set in get-rich-quick Dallas, with tours of country clubs and gated communities, and knowledgeable forays into Darwinian legal tactics. Gimenez also gives us a hateful character who becomes more sympathetic the more he fails. Fast-paced and thought-provoking fare." (Booklist)

A Delight

Having never heard of the author, I took a chance and was rewarded by a listen that was well-crafted, entertaining and had a serious message that could be a wake-up call for our society. Yeah, the plot is a little predictable and the good guy is a little bit of a cartoon character, but this one is worth it.

Easy listening

I have listened to this book twice. Just found it to be pleasant enjoyable book. Not a thriller or suspensful story, but a good story of people who's world gets turned upside down and have to make some tough decissions for the best.

Carlsbad reader

The story line is predictable, but the character development is good, and it held my interest. However, it had such a Perry Mason ending as to make it totally unbelievable. It almost seemed as if the author said that the book had to end now, and just pulled out an "I can't tell a lie...I did it!" ending. Very disappointing!

best ever

i tead this book 3x and listened to it on audible. it is one of the best books ever

Great writing, plot and characters

Fresh characters, compelling integration of strong story and the ethical struggles for lawyers.

Great story and great characters.

If you like Grisham you will like Gimenez. Lots of character depth and setting the surrounding atmosphere. The story keeps a good pace and you are never bored

Great

Compelling, hard to put down. The narration adds to the story. Highly recommended

Enjoyable read

Very enjoyable book .... and there's nothing wrong with a Perry Mason ending. Even the author was aware of that.

Awesome!

The narrator a great picture painter! You could visualize scene after scene. Absolutely love it!
Unfortunately, the storyline is more true than fiction.

Very Entertaining

I loved this book. Like other reviewers have said, it’s very “Grisham like”. It moved along and held my attention and it was amusing in places as well. It won’t go down as one of the greatest novels ever written but if you are looking for an enjoyable read, this is it.