Capitol Murder

By: William Bernhardt

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

William Bernhardt's best-selling novels featuring Oklahoma defense attorney Ben Kincaid capture the bare-knuckles reality of high-stakes criminal defense, as lofty ideals of justice clash with power, corruption, and wealth. In Capitol Murder, Bernhardt's hard-charging hero takes on his most shocking, headline-making case yet.

Kincaid's legal success has earned him a dubious reward: a journey through the looking glass into the Beltway. Here, in the heart of the nation's capital, a powerful U.S. Senator has been caught first in a sordid sex scandal, then in a case of murder.

Senate aide Veronica Cooper was found in a secret Senate office beneath the Capitol building, on Senator Todd Glancy's favorite couch, blood pouring from the knife wound in her throat. The young woman's death comes on the heels of the release of a sordid videotape depicting her and Senator Glancy in compromising positions.

With the senator's reputation in tatters, the evidence against him, as a sexual predator and possibly a killer, mounts. By the time a nationally televised murder trial begins, Kincaid and his team know they're facing the challenge of a lifetime. According to public opinion, and even in Kincaid's most private thoughts, Glancy is one more politician who cannot admit his own culpability.

But while a dramatic trial unfolds in the courtroom, loaded with pitfalls, traps, and an astounding betrayal, another trial is taking place on the mean streets of D.C., as Kincaid's investigator pursues a young woman who was a friend of Veronica Cooper's, plunging Kincaid into a bizarre world of Goths, sadomasochists, and a community of self-proclaimed vampires. Somewhere in this violent underworld lies the secret behind Veronica Cooper's demise...and the crux of Senator Glancy's innocence or guilt.

In a case that pits Kincaid and his freewheeling partner Christina McCall against the brutal machinery of Washington politics, the answers they seek are hidden in a murderous maze of lies and hidden motives. And in William Bernhardt’s best novel yet, getting to the truth is an unparalleled experience in pure, satisfying suspense.

©2006 William Bernhardt (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Series fans will be satisfied." (Booklist)

"Bernhardt keeps his foot flat on the accelerator, producing action at every turn." (Orlando Sentinel)

classic bernhardt

This was a thoroughly engaging read...The author created a complex plot with quirky, well drawn characters. I also loved his commentary on politics as usual in Washington. It gave me a lot more to ponder than just a who done it.... This is a treat.

Excellent courtroom drama!

Great writing, excellent reader, keeps you hooked from start to finish. Because this is a series, it also ties up some loose ends from previous book "Criminal Intent," which I found very satisfying. I hope this author keeps writing. The characters just get more interesting with each book he writes!

Intrigue and Suspense

A very good read and on the high level of intrigue and suspense that I have come to expect from this author. The clues are all there and Mr.Bernhardt does an amazing job of almost making you like a generally despicable man who places power and excess above the people he is supposed to be serving. Bashing polititions is so much fun because they so richly deserve our distain. Don't worry about the liberal/conservative retoric, just sit back and enjoy the ride because it is well worth your time.

Not Bernhardt's best

This book was disappointing. The plot is very flimsy, and the characters are more likc caricatures. I had a hard tme finishing it.

Worth buying but not the best

The person who was reading this book didn't have the best of voices. At times his voice could almost put me to sleep. The story was 'ok' but there were two stories going on at the same time and the author flips back and forth between the two which was, at times, confusing. It wasn't exactly a "clif hanger" but there were a few moments in the story with suspense. All in all it was an average listen and since I got it on sale I was ok with it. I have downloaded another book by the same author "Capital Threat" and I found the similarity in the titles confusing. Perhaps the author just likes to write about things related to Washington D.C., but personally, I'd like the titles not to be so much the same. After I listen to the new book, I'll have a better idea if I enjoy this author enough to try him again.

not worth it...

If you are looking for more bashing of Republicans, Bush, War in Iraq, Homeland Security then this is for you. I didn't realize this was a forum for the author to rally against those who oppose his political view. I was looking for a thriller, a good read and some relief from the news commentators. Very disappointed.

Wow. Unbelievably bad.

Flimsy, ridiculous plotting, bulky sections in which characters unbelievably give lengthy (silly) documentary speeches to eachother describing the subcultures that the characters encounter. Just plain dumb and not well paced enough to overlook it and be entertained.