Alex Cross's Trial

From his grandmother, Alex Cross heard the story of his great-uncle Abraham and his struggles for survival in the era of the Ku Klux Klan. Now, Alex passes the family tale along to his own children in a book he's written - a novel called Trial.

A lawyer in the early - 1900's Washington, D.C., Ben Corbett fights against oppression and racism - and risks his family and his life in the process. When President Theodore Roosevelt asks him to return to his hometown to investigate rumors of the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan there, he cannot refuse.

In Eudora, Mississippi, Ben meets the wise Abraham Cross and his beautiful granddaughter, Moody. With their help, Ben discovers that lynchings have become commonplace. He vows to break the reign of terror - but the truth of who is really behind the killings may break his heart. Written in the fearless voice of Detective Alex Cross, Alex Cross's Trial is a gripping story of murder, love, and bravery. (excerpt back cover).

My Review:

"Let her hang until she's dead!"

"Take her out and hang her now! I'll do it myself!"

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Judge Otis L. Warren wielded his gavel with such fury I thought he might smash a hole in the top of his bench.

"Quiet in the court!" the judge shouted. "Settle down, or by God I will hold every last one of you sons of ******* in contempt."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

It was no use. Warren's courtroom was overflowing with disgruntled white citizens who wanted nothing more than to see my client hang. Two of them on the left side began a chant that was soon taken up by the others:

We don't care where. We don't care how.
We just wanna hang Gracie Johnson now! (page 3).

Alix Cross's Trial by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo is a heart moving story of a white prosecutor who defends the rights of the poor and oppressed within the heartland of Washington. Most of his clients are colored since no one else by Ben Corbett will take their case.

When Ben is asked by the President to investigate the reports of out of control lynchings in Ben's hometown, its not all at the homecoming he would ever dream of. Ben once more finds himself in the heat of battle with the towns prejudged white citizens who feel that trials only waste time when lynching is the best for the convicted.

What Ben doesn't realize is that he is about to fall victim himself in a town that no longer holds any respect for a man willing to defend the colored people in Quarters.

I found this book wonderful and profound in the fact that one man was willing to stand up for his beliefs in what is just and right no matter what it would cost him in the end. Ben Corbett's character is truly believable and I found myself standing in his shoes wondering just where the deceit in the town would end. I rate this a 10 out of 10 and would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves story about defending the underdogs in any situation. This book is a reminder of the story of To Kill a Mockingbird in a more present day format.

I received this book, compliments of Hachette Book Groups and am please to offer three copies as a giveaway to a follower of mine by simply leaving me a comment. This giveaway is limited to residents of the US and Canada only and No P.O. Boxes please. The giveaway will end July 4th. This book is available in HardCover, Paperback, eBook and Audio CD formats.

For more information on this book, the authors and even where to purchase a copy, click on the link below:

http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/books_9780446561808.htm