The Judgment: A Charley Sloan Courtroom Thriller

William J. Coughlin

Apr 1999 · Charley Sloan Courtroom Thrillers Book 3 · Sold by St. Martin's Paperbacks

About this ebook

The death of innocence

In a rural area outside of Detroit, bodies are being found in the snow. One after another. Neatly washed, wrapped in platic, methodically laid out like sleeping angels. And very, very young.

The birth of evil

Forty miles away and at the other end of the world, an honest cop, the deputy chief chief of police, has been framed for a corruption charge. In a world of big-city politics, he wants ace lawyer Charley Sloan to get him off.

The only hope

Pulled into the two very different cases, Charley faces the heat of a perplexnig serial murder investigation and the heavey hitters of the Motor City's inner circle. Interviewing witnesses, putting together clues, Charley Sloan, a man who has been at the bottom and at the top, is about to uncover the explosive difference between true innocence-and the most dangerous guilt of all...

The Judgement

Ratings and reviews

Charley Sloane, at one time a brilliant lawyer, lost almost everything. He escaped being disbarred and only had a year-long suspension. He spent that year becoming a recovering alcoholic. Slowly, bit by bit, he’s gained his self-confidence, won a few cases, and the phone is ringing more often these days. Outside of Detroit, the bodies of young children, wrapped in saran wrap are found buried in the snow. Sue Gillis, Homicide Detective and Charley’s girlfriend, is getting a little perturbed. Seems like every time she brings a suspect in to be interviewed … Charley is their lawyer. As Sue is investigating the childrens’ deaths, Charley is sought out by the Deputy Police Chief who says someone is framing him for a charge of corruption. Seems like over a million dollars is missing from a fund that is kept for paying informants, etc. The only other person who had a key to the safe is his best friend, another cop, Mouse. The problem is that Mouse is testifying against him…. Probably at the mayor’s behest. This is the third in a series that features Charley Sloan and does really well as a stand alone. I’m used to reading crime thrillers, so it was a very pleasant departure to see how the other side works with the cops and suspects. There’s a lot about the law, certain rules, lines that absolutely cannot be crossed. The author expounded on the law without making it dull or boring. The book is very well written with characters that are fully developed. Charley is determined to never hit bottom again. He’s engaging, friendly, honest, and even though he doesn’t have a lot of friends, the ones he does have will go to the wall for him. If legal thrillers are your preferred genre, this one is perfect for you. If not, maybe give it a try and be pleasantly surprised. Many thanks to Endeavor Press and NetGalley who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

About the author

William J. Coughlin, a former defense attorney and judge in Detroit for twenty years, was the author of sixteen novels. He lived in Grosse Point Woods, Michigan, with his wife, Ruth, an author and book critic.