Publication
New York : Random House Large Print, [2015]
Collection
Call number
Large Print Fiction G
Physical description
452 p.; 24 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
"On the right side of the law. Sort of. Sebastian Rudd is not your typical street lawyer. He works out of a customized bulletproof van, complete with Wi-Fi, a bar, a small fridge, fine leather chairs, a hidden gun compartment, and a heavily armed driver. He has no firm, no partners, no associates, and only one employee, his driver, who's also his bodyguard, law clerk, confidant, and golf caddy. He lives alone in a small but extremely safe penthouse apartment, and his primary piece of furniture is a vintage pool table. He drinks small-batch bourbon and carries a gun. Sebastian defends people other lawyers won't go near: a drug-addled, tattooed kid rumored to be in a satanic cult, who is accused of molesting and murdering two little girls; a vicious crime lord on death row; a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team that mistakenly invaded his house. Why these clients? Because he believes everyone is entitled to a fair trial, even if he, Sebastian, has to cheat to secure one. He hates injustice, doesn't like insurance companies, banks, or big corporations; he distrusts all levels of government and laughs at the justice system's notions of ethical behavior" --… (more)
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Clara53
I am not even sure why I continue trying to read Grisham anymore... Probably with some hope to be surprised and see him revert to his older captivating writing, instead of the dark and super cynical one that he has once again produced in this new novel.
LibraryThing member flourgirl49
Love John Grisham, loved this book. The hero of the tale, Sebastian Rudd, is indeed a rogue. Very entertaining.
LibraryThing member BrendaKlaassen
I read this book because everyone was saying it was so good. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for a lawyer story because I found this book to be very average. Most of the time when I have read this author's other works, I found myself not wanting to put the book down. This feeling never came to me while
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reading this book. The characters seemed to be flat to me. I only finished reading this book out of respect for the author. Show Less
LibraryThing member whoizme8
I do not think that this is the best book Grisham has written, but it is interesting. We have a lawyer who defends people who have probably committed the crime they are being tried for, or another crime anyway. It is a series of crimes and trials with an underlying theme or two. The characters are
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"
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interesting and the plot is pretty good.J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"
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LibraryThing member mikedraper
It appears that John Gresham saw the success of Michael Connelly's "Lincoln Lawyer" so decided to have his own attorney working out of his car.
In "Rogue Lawyer" Sebastian Rudd works out of his bulletproof van. His driver is his bodyguard and is Rudd's only friend.
In this work, he goes through the
His next case involves defending a crime lord who had killed a judge. When Rudd takes on this case, the man is on death row after being sentenced to death.
Maybe he needed more excitement because the next case he takes on is defending a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team who had mistaken this man's home.
Rudd is a knowledgeable, wise cracking attorney who most people accused of crimes would want on their side.
However, neither Rudd nor many of his characters are described enough to create sympathy from the reader. In most cases, I didn't care of Rudd won the case or not.
In "Rogue Lawyer" Sebastian Rudd works out of his bulletproof van. His driver is his bodyguard and is Rudd's only friend.
In this work, he goes through the
Show More
process of defending a number of people who no one else wanted to defend. One of his defendants is an eighteen-year-old tattooed, brain damaged social outcast.His next case involves defending a crime lord who had killed a judge. When Rudd takes on this case, the man is on death row after being sentenced to death.
Maybe he needed more excitement because the next case he takes on is defending a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team who had mistaken this man's home.
Rudd is a knowledgeable, wise cracking attorney who most people accused of crimes would want on their side.
However, neither Rudd nor many of his characters are described enough to create sympathy from the reader. In most cases, I didn't care of Rudd won the case or not.
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LibraryThing member pammykn
TITLE: Rogue Lawyer
DATE READ: 12/21/15
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS Legal mystery/2015/Random House/344 pages
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: SA - maybe the 1st in a series?
CHARACTERS AUTHOR: Sebastian Rudd/rogue lawyer
TIME/PLACE Present/ undetermined maybe Houston or Dallas area?
FIRST LINES
COMMENTS: It's been a few years since I've read John Grisham… This one reminded me a little of Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer. Sebastian Rudd works out of his customized van, doesn't have an office, takes on the cases no one else wants. He has no staff except his driver who also serves as his bodyguard/friend/law clerk etc. The format of the book is sectioned off into separate cases w/ some connections. Rudd is the one you want when despite all odds no one else believes you even if the whole town (as in the 1st case) is bound & determined to tie up the murder of 2 little girls and put away Rudd's client. We also get a glimpse into Rudd's personal life w/ his x-wife & son. I wouldn't mind meeting up w/ Rudd again in a future book.
DATE READ: 12/21/15
RATING: 4.5/B+
GENRE/PUB DATE/PUBLISHER/# OF PGS Legal mystery/2015/Random House/344 pages
SERIES/STAND-ALONE: SA - maybe the 1st in a series?
CHARACTERS AUTHOR: Sebastian Rudd/rogue lawyer
TIME/PLACE Present/ undetermined maybe Houston or Dallas area?
FIRST LINES
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.My name is Sebastian Rudd, & though I am a well-known street lawyer, you will not see my name on billboards, on bus benches, or screaming at you from the yellow pages.COMMENTS: It's been a few years since I've read John Grisham… This one reminded me a little of Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer. Sebastian Rudd works out of his customized van, doesn't have an office, takes on the cases no one else wants. He has no staff except his driver who also serves as his bodyguard/friend/law clerk etc. The format of the book is sectioned off into separate cases w/ some connections. Rudd is the one you want when despite all odds no one else believes you even if the whole town (as in the 1st case) is bound & determined to tie up the murder of 2 little girls and put away Rudd's client. We also get a glimpse into Rudd's personal life w/ his x-wife & son. I wouldn't mind meeting up w/ Rudd again in a future book.
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LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
I have not read a Grisham book in a long time, and now I wonder why. This book was fantastic! The main character of the book is like no lawyer I have ever met, which is a very good thing. Sebastian Rudd represents people no other lawyer would even go near, and does so very successfully too often
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for those around him to be happy. The result is that a stationary office is out of the question as the last one was bombed. Instead he and his one employee, a former client accused of murdering a cop, travel the area in a customized van seeking not only justice, but also a quick buck. The action is intense and the cases Rudd finds himself in the middle of are way beyond the norm, making this a book hard to put down. In fact, I did not, and finished it the same day I started it. I can’t wait for a sequel! Show Less
LibraryThing member heritagebook
Sebastian Rudd is not your typical street lawyer. He works out of a customized bulletproof van, complete with Wi-Fi, a bar, a small fridge, fine leather chairs, a hidden gun compartment, and a heavily armed driver. He has no firm, no partners, no associates, and only one employee, his driver,
Sebastian defends people other lawyers won’t go near: a drug-addled, tattooed kid rumored to be in a satanic cult, who is accused of molesting and murdering two little girls; a vicious crime lord on death row; a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team that mistakenly invaded his house. Why these clients? Because he believes everyone is entitled to a fair trial, even if he, Sebastian, has to cheat to secure one. He hates injustice, doesn’t like insurance companies, banks, or big corporations; he distrusts all levels of government and laughs at the justice system’s notions of ethical behavior.
Sebastian Rudd is one of John Grisham’s most colorful, outrageous, and vividly drawn characters yet. Gritty, witty, and impossible to put down, Rogue Lawyer showcases the master of the legal thriller at his very best.
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who’s also his bodyguard, law clerk, confidant, and golf caddy. He lives alone in a small but extremely safe penthouse apartment, and his primary piece of furniture is a vintage pool table. He drinks small-batch bourbon and carries a gun.Sebastian defends people other lawyers won’t go near: a drug-addled, tattooed kid rumored to be in a satanic cult, who is accused of molesting and murdering two little girls; a vicious crime lord on death row; a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team that mistakenly invaded his house. Why these clients? Because he believes everyone is entitled to a fair trial, even if he, Sebastian, has to cheat to secure one. He hates injustice, doesn’t like insurance companies, banks, or big corporations; he distrusts all levels of government and laughs at the justice system’s notions of ethical behavior.
Sebastian Rudd is one of John Grisham’s most colorful, outrageous, and vividly drawn characters yet. Gritty, witty, and impossible to put down, Rogue Lawyer showcases the master of the legal thriller at his very best.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
Rogue Lawyer, John Grisham, author, Mark Deakins, narrator
Sebastian Rudd is the rogue lawyer who defends hard to defend plaintiffs, plaintiffs that most lawyers reject. Once married to a woman who left him for another woman, he is the father of a second grader. His ex-wife, Judith, is also a lawyer
The book is about a series of his cases involving murder, drugs, kidnapping, bribery, the mentally unstable, the guilty and the innocent, and all are among a gamut of other crimes, as well. It plods along without too much excitement as it exposes the corruption and incompetence that exists within the legal system. The variety of cases are interesting and from those he describes, one has to come away with the uncomfortable feeling that the entire justice system is not only blind, but it is also rife with smoke and mirrors, easily hijacked by dishonesty and very easily bought by different players.
The book is vintage Grisham as it is clear and concise as it dissects the dishonesty in our world with all of its warts and foibles. If you believe the author’s presentation, everyone has a price, and everyone has the capacity to be dishonest: the cops, the lawyers, the judges, the wardens, the guards, and the criminals. It is hard to know which one is the worst of the bunch!
Rudd is not likeable since he thinks nothing of defrauding the system he is sworn to uphold. He wears his politics on his sleeve and uses his disgust with the injustices of the system to stretch the rules himself. The cases that the author has chosen to highlight most probably are used to expose his own beliefs about law enforcement, the jury system, the expert witnesses, the lawyers, the business world, and the thugs. Since he was once a practicing lawyer, one has to assume he knows from whence he speaks so that even when a story seems implausible, the reader has to pause and question their incredulity. Grisham must have witnessed variations of these miscarriages of the justice system in person.
Grisham makes it feel like the courtroom is almost a venue for entertainment, where lawyers perform, and justice be damned! Politically, the views lean heavily to the left. The narrator did an admirable job, although there were times when the dialogue was confusing as one or another character spoke in the same tone of voice. This book is a great beach read, so pack a bag, toss it in, and go on your way.
Sebastian Rudd is the rogue lawyer who defends hard to defend plaintiffs, plaintiffs that most lawyers reject. Once married to a woman who left him for another woman, he is the father of a second grader. His ex-wife, Judith, is also a lawyer
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in a lesbian firm, and she comes to his aid when he pushes the envelope and winds up in jail himself, as he attempts to defend his clients, clients he believes are entitled to a fair shake, no matter how heinous their crime. However, in all other matters Judith is his enemy, constantly suing him for custody of their child, a child she always refers to as hers.The book is about a series of his cases involving murder, drugs, kidnapping, bribery, the mentally unstable, the guilty and the innocent, and all are among a gamut of other crimes, as well. It plods along without too much excitement as it exposes the corruption and incompetence that exists within the legal system. The variety of cases are interesting and from those he describes, one has to come away with the uncomfortable feeling that the entire justice system is not only blind, but it is also rife with smoke and mirrors, easily hijacked by dishonesty and very easily bought by different players.
The book is vintage Grisham as it is clear and concise as it dissects the dishonesty in our world with all of its warts and foibles. If you believe the author’s presentation, everyone has a price, and everyone has the capacity to be dishonest: the cops, the lawyers, the judges, the wardens, the guards, and the criminals. It is hard to know which one is the worst of the bunch!
Rudd is not likeable since he thinks nothing of defrauding the system he is sworn to uphold. He wears his politics on his sleeve and uses his disgust with the injustices of the system to stretch the rules himself. The cases that the author has chosen to highlight most probably are used to expose his own beliefs about law enforcement, the jury system, the expert witnesses, the lawyers, the business world, and the thugs. Since he was once a practicing lawyer, one has to assume he knows from whence he speaks so that even when a story seems implausible, the reader has to pause and question their incredulity. Grisham must have witnessed variations of these miscarriages of the justice system in person.
Grisham makes it feel like the courtroom is almost a venue for entertainment, where lawyers perform, and justice be damned! Politically, the views lean heavily to the left. The narrator did an admirable job, although there were times when the dialogue was confusing as one or another character spoke in the same tone of voice. This book is a great beach read, so pack a bag, toss it in, and go on your way.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MarlaAMadison
This wasn't my favorite Grisham read, but the book did keep me reading once I got past the first 1/4 of it. I have to agree with an earlier reviewer who said the story started out like a collection of short stories. I also was't crazy about the storylne about the cage fighter, which as it turned
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out, was the major storyline. Things picked up though and I must say the ending was satisfying. Show Less
LibraryThing member ewhatley
I've been reading John Grisham for many years and never disappoints. Even after all these years, his is still a genius at character development and complex plotting. And I still want to use the term page turner - I zoomed through it. Of course, this is a must read for Grisham fans and if you're not
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already a Grisham fan, pick this one up and get on board. Show Less
LibraryThing member Twink
I've been a John Grisham fan from his first book. Now, I must admit - I haven't loved every one (last year's Gray Mountain was a miss for me.) But I really enjoyed his newest book - Rogue Lawyer.
My favourite characters are the non-conformists, those who colour outside of the lines. You just never
Rogue Lawyer is almost a collection of short stories, but they're bound together as common threads are found in each - past cases and clients, Rudd's personal life, his ongoing dealings with the cops and prosecutors. I really enjoyed this format. Rather than one long, drawn out case, there were numerous and varied cases - all of them equally gripping - murder, abduction, death row, home invasion and more. I found myself eagerly awaiting the next trial, curious to see what Grisham would throw next at Rudd.
And yes, some of his motives are questionable, but I just couldn't help but like the guy. (I'd like to hear more from this character - a second book and a new slew of cases would be great.)
The courtroom scenes all benefit from Grisham's expertise. I am always fascinated by the behind the scenes look at the legal wrangling. And I wonder how many of the 'iffy' stratagems really do happen?
I chose to listen to Rogue Lawyer (the drive to work and back seems much shorter listening to a book instead of a radio station.) The reader was award winning narrator Mark Deakins - he has an 'attitude' to his voice that suited the mental image I had created for Sebastian. His reading is very expressive, capturing the tone, the pacing and the action of Rogue Lawyer. Listen to an excerpt of Rogue Lawyer. Me? I really enjoyed it.
My favourite characters are the non-conformists, those who colour outside of the lines. You just never
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know where such a character will take a story. Lawyer Sebastian Rudd definitely walks a questionable line. His clients are usually the ones no one else will take on, his office is a bulletproof van, his driver is his bodyguard/paralegal and he's not above chicanery and deals to get his clients off. Readers of legal thrillers may notice a resemblance to Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer character. But Grisham puts his own spin and stamp on things.Rogue Lawyer is almost a collection of short stories, but they're bound together as common threads are found in each - past cases and clients, Rudd's personal life, his ongoing dealings with the cops and prosecutors. I really enjoyed this format. Rather than one long, drawn out case, there were numerous and varied cases - all of them equally gripping - murder, abduction, death row, home invasion and more. I found myself eagerly awaiting the next trial, curious to see what Grisham would throw next at Rudd.
And yes, some of his motives are questionable, but I just couldn't help but like the guy. (I'd like to hear more from this character - a second book and a new slew of cases would be great.)
The courtroom scenes all benefit from Grisham's expertise. I am always fascinated by the behind the scenes look at the legal wrangling. And I wonder how many of the 'iffy' stratagems really do happen?
I chose to listen to Rogue Lawyer (the drive to work and back seems much shorter listening to a book instead of a radio station.) The reader was award winning narrator Mark Deakins - he has an 'attitude' to his voice that suited the mental image I had created for Sebastian. His reading is very expressive, capturing the tone, the pacing and the action of Rogue Lawyer. Listen to an excerpt of Rogue Lawyer. Me? I really enjoyed it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jfe16
Since someone torched his office, Sebastian Rudd has found it necessary to be creative; he now meets clients in an office in a bulletproof cargo van whose interior has been suitably altered to serve this purpose. The charges his clients face are as varied as the people: capital murder in a case
Thanks in part to his trial tactics and his propensity to question arbitrary legal reasoning, Sebastian counts few friends among his colleagues or law enforcement folks; his clients may be despised, but since everyone is entitled to a defense, they, too, have need of a lawyer to handle their cases. And Rudd, unconventional renegade street lawyer that he may be, nevertheless advocates for the powerless and has no regard for police who overstep or prosecutors who hide facts in order to win their cases.
A parallel storyline shows Sebastian's difficulties in dealing with his estranged wife, a conniving lawyer waging an on-going battle to deprive him of his visitation rights and determined to keep the father out of his young son’s life.
Rather than a detailed focus on one specific case, readers are treated to snippets of the lawyer’s case history, enabling them to make the acquaintance of several unsavory characters. Rudd may not be the most lovable character Grisham has ever penned, but he definitely has his moments.
The writing is top-notch, the case stories focus on weighty issues involving the justice system and are intriguing enough to keep the pages turning.
Highly recommended.
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involving a satanic cult and the brutal deaths of two young girls . . . a man defending his home and family against an elite police force who battered down the door of the wrong house in the wee hours of the morning . . . a Mafia mobster on death row and accused of murdering a judge.Thanks in part to his trial tactics and his propensity to question arbitrary legal reasoning, Sebastian counts few friends among his colleagues or law enforcement folks; his clients may be despised, but since everyone is entitled to a defense, they, too, have need of a lawyer to handle their cases. And Rudd, unconventional renegade street lawyer that he may be, nevertheless advocates for the powerless and has no regard for police who overstep or prosecutors who hide facts in order to win their cases.
A parallel storyline shows Sebastian's difficulties in dealing with his estranged wife, a conniving lawyer waging an on-going battle to deprive him of his visitation rights and determined to keep the father out of his young son’s life.
Rather than a detailed focus on one specific case, readers are treated to snippets of the lawyer’s case history, enabling them to make the acquaintance of several unsavory characters. Rudd may not be the most lovable character Grisham has ever penned, but he definitely has his moments.
The writing is top-notch, the case stories focus on weighty issues involving the justice system and are intriguing enough to keep the pages turning.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member labdaddy4
I generally have enjoyed all the novels by John Grisham. They are often somewhat formulaic but always entertaining. I simply could not get into this book. The characters were not enjoyable or engaging, there was no cohesive plot, and it was closer to a short story collection than a novel. I hope
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the author gets back on track. Show Less
LibraryThing member Judiex
ROGUE LAWYER is six novellas than a typical John Grisham novel.
The law says that everyone is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. Everyone is entitled to be defended by a competent lawyer. Sebastian Rudd defends the clients that nobody else wants to defend. He operates out of his
Rudd does not like corruption or incompetence. He frequently encounters both in ROGUE LAWYER. In Part One, he is trying to defend a brain-damaged eighteen-year-old, drugged-addicted, school dropout who is accused of the horrible murders of two young girls. His client insists he is innocent. But the police stopped looking for any other potential perpetrators after he was arrested and adjust their evidence and stories to prove their case, the town is looking for fast vengeance, the judge does not display the required impartiality, and the client’s friends don’t make good witnesses because of their appearance.
Grisham observes, “If a defense lawyer is caught cheating, he or she gets nailed with sanctions by the court, reprimanded by the state bar association, maybe even indicted. If a prosecutor gets caught cheating, he either gets reelected or elevated to the bench.”
In Part Two, a vicious serial killer is set to be executed within a few hours. He has other plans and is able to show his power while he sits in jail awaiting his fate. He is upset with Rudd because he expected to get off. The book discusses the fate of people sent to prison for non-violent crimes, often drug-related. “Our prisons are packed. Our streets are filled with drugs. Who’s winning the war? We’ve lost our minds.”
Part Three tells the story of out-of-control police who, when given heavy-duty equipment, like to use it. Looking for drugs, a SWAT team breaks into the home of a late middle-aged suburban couple at 3:00 A.M.. (Their next door neighbor’s son had piggybacked onto their computer wireless router.) Panic and bullets follow resulting in the deaths of the family’s dogs, the wife, and a policeman. The husband is arrested for killing the police officer. Rudd finds it hard to accuse the police because after 9/11...”any criticism of those in uniform...is stifled. Being labeled soft on crime or soft on terror is a politician’s curse.” This attitude is in the process of changing because of all the recent shootings and beatings of unarmed civilians by the police.
Part Four focuses on the disappearance of daughter of an assistant chief-of-police. A former client said he can provide some information about the location of her body in exchange for cash. It also involves an attack on a referee in a cage fight. Rudd has a financial interest in the defendant. A third point is the use of Professional Experts, people who travel the country giving evidence in court cases in hopes of getting the defendant off or getting a hung jury.
Part Five goes into more detail about the relationship between Rudd, his ex-wife, and their eight-year-old son.
Part Six wraps up the case of the cage-fighter as well as tying up the loose ends of other cases. Sometimes bargaining can be quite involved.
ROGUE LAWYER is a fast-read. Some of the situations seem too contrived, e.g.,how can someone who is able to know so much about where Rudd is at any given time manage to avoid the police who are actively looking for him. There is a big of repetition. His ex-wife’s behavior and actions are unbelievably awful. The book lacks the continuity that Grisham’s full-length novels but the shorter stories, with some interweaving of them in other parts, does make for a fulfilling reading experience.
The law says that everyone is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. Everyone is entitled to be defended by a competent lawyer. Sebastian Rudd defends the clients that nobody else wants to defend. He operates out of his
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fully-equipped van and lives in hotel rooms, which he changes frequently, because there are many people out to get him, sometimes clients or their families, sometimes victims or their families, sometimes people involved in the legal system. He has one friend: his bodyguard and paralegal, Partner.Rudd does not like corruption or incompetence. He frequently encounters both in ROGUE LAWYER. In Part One, he is trying to defend a brain-damaged eighteen-year-old, drugged-addicted, school dropout who is accused of the horrible murders of two young girls. His client insists he is innocent. But the police stopped looking for any other potential perpetrators after he was arrested and adjust their evidence and stories to prove their case, the town is looking for fast vengeance, the judge does not display the required impartiality, and the client’s friends don’t make good witnesses because of their appearance.
Grisham observes, “If a defense lawyer is caught cheating, he or she gets nailed with sanctions by the court, reprimanded by the state bar association, maybe even indicted. If a prosecutor gets caught cheating, he either gets reelected or elevated to the bench.”
In Part Two, a vicious serial killer is set to be executed within a few hours. He has other plans and is able to show his power while he sits in jail awaiting his fate. He is upset with Rudd because he expected to get off. The book discusses the fate of people sent to prison for non-violent crimes, often drug-related. “Our prisons are packed. Our streets are filled with drugs. Who’s winning the war? We’ve lost our minds.”
Part Three tells the story of out-of-control police who, when given heavy-duty equipment, like to use it. Looking for drugs, a SWAT team breaks into the home of a late middle-aged suburban couple at 3:00 A.M.. (Their next door neighbor’s son had piggybacked onto their computer wireless router.) Panic and bullets follow resulting in the deaths of the family’s dogs, the wife, and a policeman. The husband is arrested for killing the police officer. Rudd finds it hard to accuse the police because after 9/11...”any criticism of those in uniform...is stifled. Being labeled soft on crime or soft on terror is a politician’s curse.” This attitude is in the process of changing because of all the recent shootings and beatings of unarmed civilians by the police.
Part Four focuses on the disappearance of daughter of an assistant chief-of-police. A former client said he can provide some information about the location of her body in exchange for cash. It also involves an attack on a referee in a cage fight. Rudd has a financial interest in the defendant. A third point is the use of Professional Experts, people who travel the country giving evidence in court cases in hopes of getting the defendant off or getting a hung jury.
Part Five goes into more detail about the relationship between Rudd, his ex-wife, and their eight-year-old son.
Part Six wraps up the case of the cage-fighter as well as tying up the loose ends of other cases. Sometimes bargaining can be quite involved.
ROGUE LAWYER is a fast-read. Some of the situations seem too contrived, e.g.,how can someone who is able to know so much about where Rudd is at any given time manage to avoid the police who are actively looking for him. There is a big of repetition. His ex-wife’s behavior and actions are unbelievably awful. The book lacks the continuity that Grisham’s full-length novels but the shorter stories, with some interweaving of them in other parts, does make for a fulfilling reading experience.
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LibraryThing member jwmacdougall
Borrowed from library e-book
LibraryThing member Olivermagnus
Attorney Sebastian Rudd is the lens through which readers will examine the criminal justice system, and it will not be a flattering portrait. Rudd is a unique character, a solo practitioner who does not even have a law office. His vehicle, a large Ford cargo van, serves as his office. Rudd has a
Grisham has multiple targets in his criticism of the criminal justice process. He has chosen to present his case using an episodic format; the result is a series of short novellas with Rudd’s battles with police, prosecutors and judges being the overarching theme binding them together. But as the book progresses, it doesn't matter who is on trial. Rudd narrates his adventures with a cocky, flippant attitude rather than typical attorney-client conversations. Sebastian is always the smartest and funniest person in the room, with an endless parade of idiots circling around him.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this strange sort of Grisham novel. I found Sebastian entertaining but not realistic at all. If you're looking for a quick novel where the police and the lawyers are most often the bad guys, this can be quite readable. If you're looking for a much better lone wolf criminal defense lawyer who operates out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, who defends clients of every kind, then I highly recommend the first book of the Mickey Haller series by Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer.
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legion of enemies, both former clients and police officers who have seen their professional lives heavily damaged by his “take-no-prisoners” approach to trials. Sebastian defends people other lawyers won’t go near: a drug-addled, tattooed kid rumored to be in a satanic cult, who is accused of molesting and murdering two little girls; a vicious crime lord on death row; a homeowner arrested for shooting at a SWAT team that mistakenly invaded his house. Why these clients? Because he believes everyone is entitled to a fair trial, even if he has to cheat to secure one. He hates injustice and distrusts all levels of government while laughing at the justice system’s idea of ethical behavior. Sebastian believes he is fighting for his clients' lives while also battling corrupt police and court officials who would rather have closure than the truth. Grisham has multiple targets in his criticism of the criminal justice process. He has chosen to present his case using an episodic format; the result is a series of short novellas with Rudd’s battles with police, prosecutors and judges being the overarching theme binding them together. But as the book progresses, it doesn't matter who is on trial. Rudd narrates his adventures with a cocky, flippant attitude rather than typical attorney-client conversations. Sebastian is always the smartest and funniest person in the room, with an endless parade of idiots circling around him.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this strange sort of Grisham novel. I found Sebastian entertaining but not realistic at all. If you're looking for a quick novel where the police and the lawyers are most often the bad guys, this can be quite readable. If you're looking for a much better lone wolf criminal defense lawyer who operates out of the backseat of his Lincoln Town Car, who defends clients of every kind, then I highly recommend the first book of the Mickey Haller series by Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer.
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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
This is a strange one - I liked the book, but I hated the "hero" of it! I actually found myself disturbed by almost everything about him! Especially that he is a horrible father, and doesn't seem to care! A total dick!
The book is a good read, despite him. It's kind of like a bunch of short stories
The book is a good read, despite him. It's kind of like a bunch of short stories
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all threaded together. The lawyer/dick tells us about the cases and how he prepares and deliberates each one. It's a good read, but the "Rogue Lawyer" himself? A total asswipe! Show Less
LibraryThing member Doondeck
I always enjoy Grisham's work. This legal thriller is a different, focusing on a number of crimes. Rudd is a different character also, not the usual Grisham hero. I suspect we have not heard the last of him.
LibraryThing member shazjhb
Preachy and basically telling us what we know about the police and the justice system. Not sure if there is an answer and certainly not provided in the book. Many of the stories seemed somewhat far fetched. He has written better books. I did like the main character.
LibraryThing member ajlewis2
The main character is fascinating. He is a defense lawyer who fights hard and dirty. He is a father of a child who he sees once a month and whose mother is also a lawyer. She sees him as totally unfit as a parent and she may be right. The cases in the story show some of the injustice in the system.
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Being a defense lawyer seems not to make one well liked. Excellent read. Show Less
LibraryThing member LivelyLady
Well done in the usual Grisham, style. Sebastian Rudd is an attorney with an eclectic practice. He and his body guard drive his office around, a van set up as an office. He picks and chooses his cases as much as his clients pick him. Add to the mix, his ex-wife who tries to keep him from seeing his
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one son as much as possible. Very good, entertaining, hard to put down. Show Less
LibraryThing member cmparkhurst
Typical Grisham formula. Fun read, but nothing exciting. Easy to read.
LibraryThing member Writermala
I'm a huge fan of John Grisham. Having said that, I hasten to add that "Rogue Lawyer" didn't start out much to my liking- neither the lawyer nor the client impressed me. I'm glad I persevered though, because the book grows on you. The characters are sketched out so well that they do exactly what
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the author sets out to do and that is make you hate them! The side story of Lawyer Rudd's battle with his wife for time with his son is also fascinating. It adds humanity to the character of Sebastian Rudd - that he wants to be a good father. All in all a very intersting book. I wouldn't mind a sequel:-) Show Less
LibraryThing member justacatandabook
Sebastian Rudd is not your typical lawyer per se -- he works out of his car or home, has (and needs) a bodyguard, and spends much of his time trying to bend the law as much as he can. Sebastian defends those who others will not: mostly criminals our society immediately condemns as guilty. He
This book was an interesting one. I almost didn't pick it up, as I'd read some negative reviews. In that respect, I found the book a pleasant surprise. It certainly surpassed most of the reviews I'd read. Good to start with low expectations perhaps? One of the biggest surprises about this novel is the disdain for the police, and truly, much of the legal system, that comes across via Sebastian. Not always something you see in a Grisham book. It's a theme that's hit over and over (it gets to be a bit much after a while). However, Sebastian has a bit of a right to be disgruntled - the novel weaves together a few different separate stories of his various clients - and several certainly aren't treated fairly by the legal system, or the police.
It's a daring choice to to put Sebastian as a rogue lawyer who works out of his van - your brain can't help but going immediately to Connelly's Mickey Haller (the "Lincoln Lawyer"). In that respect, Sebastian and the book fall short. It's hard to surpass a Connelly character. But Sebastian has his own unique charm and the novel grew on me as it went on. The story picks up considerably and I found myself drawn into the tales and Sebastian's woes. It's not the most uplifting of books- there's no amazing court battle victory here, and not a lot of characters you can root for - but the interconnected stories are intriguing and Sebastian is a complicated character who kept me thinking. I'll be curious if Grisham does a follow-up book on him.
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believes all are entitled to a fair trial and as a result, he finds himself hated by the police, other lawyers (especially the DA and all associated with the office), and much of his town. In addition, Sebastian struggles as a father, spending limited time with his young son, who is being raised by Sebastian's ex-wife. This book was an interesting one. I almost didn't pick it up, as I'd read some negative reviews. In that respect, I found the book a pleasant surprise. It certainly surpassed most of the reviews I'd read. Good to start with low expectations perhaps? One of the biggest surprises about this novel is the disdain for the police, and truly, much of the legal system, that comes across via Sebastian. Not always something you see in a Grisham book. It's a theme that's hit over and over (it gets to be a bit much after a while). However, Sebastian has a bit of a right to be disgruntled - the novel weaves together a few different separate stories of his various clients - and several certainly aren't treated fairly by the legal system, or the police.
It's a daring choice to to put Sebastian as a rogue lawyer who works out of his van - your brain can't help but going immediately to Connelly's Mickey Haller (the "Lincoln Lawyer"). In that respect, Sebastian and the book fall short. It's hard to surpass a Connelly character. But Sebastian has his own unique charm and the novel grew on me as it went on. The story picks up considerably and I found myself drawn into the tales and Sebastian's woes. It's not the most uplifting of books- there's no amazing court battle victory here, and not a lot of characters you can root for - but the interconnected stories are intriguing and Sebastian is a complicated character who kept me thinking. I'll be curious if Grisham does a follow-up book on him.
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Awards
NPR: Books We Love (2015)
Language
Original publication date
2015
ISBN
9780804194792