The Conviction

By: Robert Dugoni

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

Lawyer David Sloane is a desperate parent. His son Jake, still reeling from the loss of his mother in a brutal murder (Bodily Harm), has spiraled out of control. Sloane needs to reconnect with him - needs to keep him out of jail. So when an old friend suggests a guys-only camping trip, Sloane accepts. Maybe if he and Jake get away they will find needed quality time. Bond. Catch a few fish.

But the trip into the remote reaches of California’s Gold Country takes a turn for the worse when Jake and his buddy are caught vandalizing a general store. Brought to trial in a kangaroo court, the presiding judge tries, convicts and sentences the boys to six months in the county-owned wilderness detention center. For the teen-aged boys, a grueling psychological and physical ordeal begins.

As Sloane fights the conviction, he stumbles into ever-more menacing territory. A clannish town, a judge whose authority seems to extend far beyond the confines of his courtroom, and the emerging story of a juvenile detention center from hell, where the glories of nature cover dark secrets. All standards of lawyerly conduct fail Sloane in Judge Earl Boykin’s court. With his legal options exhausted, knowing the boys’ lives are on the line, Sloane hatches a daring rescue operation that just might get them all killed.

For the lawyer who never loses, this time the only way to win is outside the law.

©2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 2012 Robert Dugoni

Critic Reviews

“With each new novel, Robert Dugoni continues to prove both his talent and his craft. His books remind me of the best of John Grisham - only better! Read him now!” (James Rollins)

“Dugoni has often been described as a challenger to Turow and other big names in the legal-thriller genre, but at this point, he’s claimed his own position on the A-list. A must read for fans of courtroom drama, from Grisham to Turow to Erle Stanley Gardner.” ( Booklist)

“A master of courtroom suspense.” (Lisa Gardner)

Another Good Installment To The Series

This one of the best books I have listened to from Robert Dugoni. I was unable to put this book down.
In 'The Conviction' lawyer David Sloane gets his step-son for the summer. The join in a camping trip with David's detective friend and his son. They travel to a small town which appeared quiet and peaceful which the men needed. The two boys do what boys do and get arrested and shipped off to a rehabilitation camp. The process of arrest, court, and punishment goes so quickly that David and his buddy don't know what happened to their boys. While trying to get the truth of where their boys are they learn more than they wanted to about the judge and his court.
There is some violence that is encountered both by the men and their sons. One son is pushed exceedingly hard to break him. You feel for him. But going through the experience is worth it. Listen to the book and learn what it takes to have a great kid, and the justice system, well......

Dan John Miller was outstanding with the delivery of the story

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A Fishing Trip Takes A Turn For The Worse

Although this story is a bit too simplistic and contrived in places, it was nevertheless a good "feel good" story when it was all said and done. It's about law enforcement corruption and greed.

This story has lots of action and suspense. There is more drama outside the courtroom than inside even though what happened inside the courtroom left me slack jawed... A real kangaroo court. The bad guys ruled the courtroom from the judge to the sheriff and others. The victims are teenage boys caught up in this rural California legal system.

Very nicely narrated by Dan John Miller .

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

The good guys win!

I love it when the evil ones get their comeuppance . Well written with good action in and out of the courtroom.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Robert Dugoni has out done himself with this one.

Would you listen to The Conviction again? Why?

I would listen to The Conviction again. This book is an action packed, edge of the seat, I can't put it down thriller. There are so many twists and turns that I would listen to it again to see if I missed anything the first time through. I listened to this in two sittings on a long drive, to and from San Francisco! I just couldn't stop, it was too exciting.

What other book might you compare The Conviction to and why?

I could compare it to the Jack Ryan novels by Tom Clancy but those are a yawn compared to this book. I would actually compare it to the movie Taken. I don't know if it is in book form too, but the movie was very exciting and I was on the edge of my seat through out. I felt that way with The Conviction too. I have read all of Dugoni's books and this is my favorite, so far!

Which character ??? as performed by Dan John Miller ??? was your favorite?

Well, since I have read and listened to all of Robert Dugoni's novels, I would say my favorite character performed by Dan John Miller is David Sloane. Dan John Miller is consistent in his performance of Sloane. I knew it was David Sloane immediately.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was a book I wanted to listen to in one sitting, I just didn't have the time.

Any additional comments?

This book can be read without reading the other David Sloane books by Robert Dugoni. The way Dugoni writes, you can read his books in the order written or you can read them as a stand alone. I will guarantee, if you read this book you will want to read all of Robert Dugoni's novels. What a thrilling writer. I wish I had his genius!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Best yet!

I'm a new fan of Mr. Dugoni and love the David Sloan series. Purchased this one yesterday and could not put it down until I finished it today.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Excellent action thriller and legal thriller!

The Conviction is Book 5 of Robert Dugoni's attorney David Sloane series. There are lots of action and suspense; there is more outside the courtroom than inside. The bad guys are a judge and a sheriff among others. The victims are teenage boys caught up in a crooked legal system in a rural.California county. In the end it is a feel good story where the good guys win, the bad guys pay the appropriate price, and a troubled teen, Sloane's stepson finds his way. The story is a bit simplistic resulting in a 4 star rather than a 5 star rating .

This is an excellent feel good book..

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Kept us guessing!

What made the experience of listening to The Conviction the most enjoyable?

Being familiar with the characters, and the performer, made it come to life. It was like being with old friends.

Which character – as performed by Dan John Miller – was your favorite?

His ability to create distinctively different sounding voices for so many characters amazes me, Each one fits the character and brings such authenticity! I think David Sloan's and Detective Molia's are my favorites.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was hard to "put it down", so to speak, when we needed to do other things.

Any additional comments?

I'm quite entranced by Robert Dugoni's ability to tell a story. At first, I was interested because I'm from the NW and have been to the same places and restaurants (the Tin Room, etc.). However, after reading the first book, I continued with ALL of his other books because I just love his characterization and how his stories unfold.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

When will this book be made into a Movie?

What did you love best about The Conviction?

How the story unfolded and ended.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Conviction?

When Big Baby confronted Overbay and when Bee Dee dislocated Atkins' knee.

What about Dan John Miller’s performance did you like?

Everything! How his voice conveyed the climate and tone of each scene. The intensity of Jake and how he stopped being self centered and thought about TJ. Each character had a distinctive voice.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Roller coaster of emotions. Anger, fear, anxiety and joy.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great read

Another Dugani book hard to put down. Good story line. Sloan is very interesting and smart. .

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Suspense Builds

David Sloan is a bit out of his element when his son is incarcerated in a boot camp by a corrupt judge. The story moves between David's attempts to get Jake out and what is happening to Jake at the camp. The reason I gave a 4 and not a 5 is that I thought there was too much brutality. But the overall story is good and builds to a suspenseful climax

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Different

I enjoyed the characters in this book. The story line was different with it not being fully based on a court room drama but still plenty of legal drama. The strength of friendships and family support may have been somewhat unrealistic with very little of the blame game going on, was acceptable as it's how we would ideally like real life to be. Good story I jumping from what going on in the sons world to what's happening in the dad's world

Tedious Credit Waster.

Would you try another book written by Robert Dugoni or narrated by Dan John Miller?

No. Narrator was reasonable.

Has The Conviction put you off other books in this genre?

No, I enjoy legal thrillers with a tight, fast paced plot.

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Dan John Miller?

N/A

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Yes, I think this book would better read in print.