Customer Reviews

Trial of Passion

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The central courtroom drama and the barrister hero's existential struggle mingle nicely around the eternal phallic problem in this yarn that almost, but not quite, transcends the crime genre.
Arthur Beauchamp, impotent and ex-alcoholic discarded husband, intends to retire like a rusticated Ancient Roman to a Gulf Island, but he is lured back by an old friend's trial on rape, bodily harm and kidnap charges.
The rape trial's outcome is strictly politically incorrect, but Deverell's Rumpole-like hero (and his randy client) get away with it through sheer priapic nerve.
The two female leads achieve pelvic thrills in the final pages, and the leading men leave our attention well stiffened for an all-round reading gratification.

Well, I shoved the rest of my life aside for this one. What a treasure! Charming, witty, with hilarious portrayals of Arthur Beauchamp's island neighbours....On the other hand, an extremely intelligent and surprising examination of sexual passion gone awry -- with a courtroom trial that ended in a way that I'd never have suspected. A thoroughly engrossing story, written with depth and compassion for every character. A sumptuous feast -- read it!

Trial of Passion has just been awarded the Hammett Prize from the North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers, honoring a work of literary excellence in the crime writing field. If you like a intelligent, literate, and witty novel, this one's for you.