From Publishers Weekly
Two lawyers on the lam from a rape victim's family, the mob, the cops and the FBI move this tale through Dallas neighborhoods and corrupt institutions faster than a hanging judge can bang a gavel. Forsaking his popular series hero, attorney Ben Kincaid (Perfect Justice), Bernhardt here gives fictional life to cop turned defense attorney Travis Byrne, who's aided by skip-chaser (one who tracks down people who have violated their bond) turned federal prosecutor Laverne Cavanaugh in a quest to spring Byrne from a crafty frame-up. When the court appoints Byrne to defend loathsome Alberto Moroconi against charges of having raped and mutilated a coed, the case seems merely routinely repugnant to the veteran attorney. Soon, though, Byrne is roughed up by mafia goons, leaned on by the FBI, abused by the judge, threatened by the victim's brother and smeared by the press. The capper comes when Moroconi kills a guard, bursts out of jail and spreads mayhem that gets blamed on Byrne, who goes on the run to clear his name. Soon he's joined by Cavanaugh, at first forcibly, as Byrne, who's gone to her for help, ties her up to keep her from turning him in; and later willingly, after they are attacked and Byrne's car is blown up. Cavanaugh's grasp of the information superhighway, her old skip-chaser connections and Byrne's street savvy keep the pair a half-step ahead of pursuers as they work their way through a puzzle that hinges on a mysterious list. Despite some minor flaws?the plot turns on a few weak devices, an important relationship between Travis and a young girl isn't solidified, the humor doesn't always work?this novel proves as engaging as Bernhardt's earlier work, with its appealing pair of heroes deftly set up for a sequel in the courtroom finale. $100,000 ad/promo. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
After a string of paperback best sellers featuring attorney Ben Kincaid, Bernhardt's hardcover debut, Perfect Justice (Ballantine, 1993), sold 40,000 copies. His latest legal thriller is the first in a new series.Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Author of successful legal thrillers featuring attorney Ben Kinkaid, Bernhardt introduces a new and promising central character, Travis Byrne. An ex-cop one year out of law school, Byrne is already a leading defense attorney in Dallas. On one day's notice, he is appointed by the court to defend one of the lowest crime figures around, Al Moroconi, who is accused of taking part in a gang rape. Disturbing facts are revealed, and bizarre occurrences ensue: Moroconi's prior attorney is found murdered; Byrne is beaten up in the courthouse men's room on the way to his first Moroconi hearing; Mr. Henderson, claiming to be with the FBI, threatens Byrne, encouraging him to botch his defense; Moroconi escapes from prison, killing a guard in his way; eventually, Byrne can't tell the good guys from the bad. Byrne is chasing Moroconi, but everyone else is chasing him; he eludes the Mob and the authorities once too often, though, making him the number-one enemy in the eyes of many. Fortunately, Byrne meets, quite by accident, a colleague from the prosecutor's office, a female lawyer whom he has beaten too often to count. But he is a sitting duck for the manhunt that's targeted him because he is paralyzed by the memory of the death of his fianc{{‚}e}Ee--a violent death he believes he could have prevented. A fast-paced thriller with enough twists to keep you guessing. Mary Frances Wilkens

ANNOTATION

The latest of the Ben Kincaid legal thrillers--from the author of Primary Justice and Deadly Justice.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Travis Byrne, a smart Dallas cop who decided in mid-career to trade his badge for a law degree, has seen a lot of scum in his time - but no one as low, mean, and vicious as Al Moroconi. Moroconi has been hauled in on the charge of orchestrating a monstrous crime against a young woman. The first defense attorney on the case disappears under highly suspicious circumstances. Now, appointed by a federal judge, Travis is obliged to speak for the defense. Much as he despises Moroconi, Travis is a professional: he'll do everything he can to get Moroconi off, even in the face of a death threat from the Mob. But just as the trial is getting under way, Moroconi shoots his way out of court custody, steals a car, and vanishes into the Dallas underworld - taking Travis's reputation with him. No sooner does Moroconi disappear than Travis becomes ensnared in a web of corruption and betrayal, in which nothing is what it appears to be. The FBI is after Travis for a murder he didn't commit. The Mob wants to kill him for a secret hit list he doesn't have. Running for his life, Travis comes to the horrifying realization that the charge against Moroconi is just a cover for something much bigger and more foul....

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly - Cahners\\Publishers_Weekly

Two lawyers on the lam from a rape victim's family, the mob, the cops and the FBI move this tale through Dallas neighborhoods and corrupt institutions faster than a hanging judge can bang a gavel. Forsaking his popular series hero, attorney Ben Kincaid (Perfect Justice), Bernhardt here gives fictional life to cop turned defense attorney Travis Byrne, who's aided by skip-chaser (one who tracks down people who have violated their bond) turned federal prosecutor Laverne Cavanaugh in a quest to spring Byrne from a crafty frame-up. When the court appoints Byrne to defend loathsome Alberto Moroconi against charges of having raped and mutilated a coed, the case seems merely routinely repugnant to the veteran attorney. Soon, though, Byrne is roughed up by mafia goons, leaned on by the FBI, abused by the judge, threatened by the victim's brother and smeared by the press. The capper comes when Moroconi kills a guard, bursts out of jail and spreads mayhem that gets blamed on Byrne, who goes on the run to clear his name. Soon he's joined by Cavanaugh, at first forcibly, as Byrne, who's gone to her for help, ties her up to keep her from turning him in; and later willingly, after they are attacked and Byrne's car is blown up. Cavanaugh's grasp of the information superhighway, her old skip-chaser connections and Byrne's street savvy keep the pair a half-step ahead of pursuers as they work their way through a puzzle that hinges on a mysterious list. Despite some minor flaws-the plot turns on a few weak devices, an important relationship between Travis and a young girl isn't solidified, the humor doesn't always work-this novel proves as engaging as Bernhardt's earlier work, with its appealing pair of heroes deftly set up for a sequel in the courtroom finale. FYI: Like his heroes Travis Byrne and Ben Kincaid, Bernhardt is a trial attorney.

Publishers Weekly

Two lawyers on the lam from a rape victim's family, the mob, the cops and the FBI move this tale through Dallas neighborhoods and corrupt institutions faster than a hanging judge can bang a gavel. Forsaking his popular series hero, attorney Ben Kincaid (Perfect Justice), Bernhardt here gives fictional life to cop turned defense attorney Travis Byrne, who's aided by skip-chaser (one who tracks down people who have violated their bond) turned federal prosecutor Laverne Cavanaugh in a quest to spring Byrne from a crafty frame-up. When the court appoints Byrne to defend loathsome Alberto Moroconi against charges of having raped and mutilated a coed, the case seems merely routinely repugnant to the veteran attorney. Soon, though, Byrne is roughed up by mafia goons, leaned on by the FBI, abused by the judge, threatened by the victim's brother and smeared by the press. The capper comes when Moroconi kills a guard, bursts out of jail and spreads mayhem that gets blamed on Byrne, who goes on the run to clear his name. Soon he's joined by Cavanaugh, at first forcibly, as Byrne, who's gone to her for help, ties her up to keep her from turning him in; and later willingly, after they are attacked and Byrne's car is blown up. Cavanaugh's grasp of the information superhighway, her old skip-chaser connections and Byrne's street savvy keep the pair a half-step ahead of pursuers as they work their way through a puzzle that hinges on a mysterious list. Despite some minor flaws-the plot turns on a few weak devices, an important relationship between Travis and a young girl isn't solidified, the humor doesn't always work-this novel proves as engaging as Bernhardt's earlier work, with its appealing pair of heroes deftly set up for a sequel in the courtroom finale. $100,000 ad/promo. (Mar.)

Library Journal

After a string of paperback best sellers featuring attorney Ben Kincaid, Bernhardt's hardcover debut, Perfect Justice (Ballantine, 1993), sold 40,000 copies. His latest legal thriller is the first in a new series.

BookList - Mary Frances Wilkens