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Blogs by Gabriel Boutros
Braggin' on Myself 4/8/2014 2:21:57 PM
Lately I've spent a lot of time reviewing books by others, mostly independent authors like me; so today I thought I'd include a very positive review that my novel, The Guilty, recently received on Amazon.com. Hey, I'm an indie author too! I love a book which bristles with authenticity. The Guilty by Gabriel Boutros clearly showcases the author's real-life experience and this for me was its most outstanding feature. While not endearing me to Montreal in the winter, the setting was a suitably chilly - or chilling - backdrop to the drama that develops in this well-paced and well presented courtroom drama.
There are two dramas in one here - firstly in the main character Robert Bratt's professional life (interesting choice of surname, because he is portrayed as a brat, at least to start with) and one in his personal life, in the breakdown of relationship with his daughter that ultimately leads him to question just how far he will bend the truth to defend a client. Bratt at the beginning of the story is a hard-bitten and successful defence lawyer with an excellent reputation and great prospects of becoming a judge, his life's ambition. All he has to do is win a case he doesn't want, and can't easily win, which he takes on at the last minute. A case in which he's convinced the client is guilty. But how far is he prepared to go to ensure his client is not convicted?
What I enjoyed: The characterisation is solid and realistic throughout. Even the minor characters are drawn to a suitable depth; no caricatures here. The story moves at a good pace and there is little padding. The plot twists and turns, and is well supported by the minor plots involving Bratt's love life and the relationship with his daughter, which is soured when her best friend is raped and subsequently humiliated by a lawyer in court. Bratt defended the rapist successfully several years before; now the past comes back to haunt him as the rapist is once more acquitted. As I said above, the story is deeply authentic and well-written. The editing is sound throughout.
I found the ending a little abrupt and would have preferred a little more resolution to the different threads in this novel. However this is a personal preference and for me did not detract from what is a solid and satisfying novel that plumbs the depths of its characters. It is not just a cut-and-thrust courtroom drama, but a human drama where the reader is drawn into caring about and believing in the characters.
I'd recommend this novel highly to anyone who enjoys a good legal / courtroom drama. For disclosure I received a free review copy in exchange for my honest, non-reciprocal review.
By March Secchia, posted April 7, 2014 on Amazon.com
