Dead Man's Rule

Ben Corbin, Book 1

By: Rick Acker

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Chicago lawyer Ben Corbin has just launched his private practice when Dr. Mikhail Ivanovsky, a mysterious Russian scientist, hires him to sue for possession of a safe deposit box. But when the box's owner enlists the city's highest-powered lawyer - and then turns up dead - the Russian confesses: inside the box is an old Soviet biowarfare formula for the deadliest disease known to humankind.

To make matters worse, a technicality called the Dead Man's Rule now forbids the scientist from taking the stand. With no one to testify - and therefore no evidence - the odds against Ben seem insurmountable.

As the threat of a massive bioterrorist attack looms large, Ben and his team race to rebuild their case and rescue the box. To succeed, he'll need all his wits and resources and Dr. Ivanovsky's specialized knowledge - and both men will need to trust in a higher power.

©2016 Rick Acker (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Christian Medical and Legal Thriller

I love Rick Acker’s writing. His courtroom cases always have you hanging on by the seat of your pants. The bad guys in this one were some of the worst. This would make a wonderful movie. I really liked the main character. I would like to see another book with him. And the mad scientist dr was good also. I loved the ending with him. I like how the author always weaves some Christian values into his books. It’s very uplifting to find that. The bioterrorism part interested me because of working as a microbiologist. This part of the book scared me more than the bad guys. Just the thought of a bad virus or bacterium let loose in the world makes me cringe. It’s hard to believe that something that can only be seen under a microscope could wipe out all the living.

If you like audiobooks, the narrator for this one is amazing. He can do accents so well. He really brings the story to life. It was like watching a movie.

Fantastic Book

It's easy to think a novel like this one might bury you with legal language and dry jurisprudence. But don't be fooled by this novel's start. Rick Acker's Dead Man's Rule begins as the story of a litigation lawyer, Ben Corbin, taking on a somewhat hapless property dispute case involving a retired, eccentric Russian scientist, Dr. Mikhail Ivanovsky, and some other Russian ex-pats. But Dead Man's Rule is one legal thriller that packs a serious concealed-carry punch. As the story unfolds, Corbin finds himself dragged into a drama of international intrigue involving the Russian Mafiya, Chechen Islamo-terrorists and one of the Cold War's most dangerous bio-terror creations, the fabled Soviet Ebolapox Virus. It's a fantastic read. The Chicago Russian immigrant community setting is unique and well done. The Russian-American private detective, Sergei Spassky, is a great character. I liked all the characters, although I hope Ben Corbin is a little more developed in the sequel. I just finished Sharon Gilbert's new book, Ebola and the Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse, which goes into considerable detail about Ebolapox, a lab created virus combining the DNA of Ebola and Smallpox. I had no idea Dead Man's Rule was about the same virus. While Dead Man's Rule is a work of fiction, it's based on scenarios developed by the DOD and Homeland Security. Frightening scenarios. Get this book.

Christopher Lane was excellent with the delivery of the story

Book 2 in this legal thriller series is better

Dead Man's Rule has a Chicago lawyer dealing with biological weapons and terrorism in Russia; the effort is too ambitious. Audible rating 3.3 stars; Amazon rating 4.7 stars - I do not understand why. Christopher Lane's narration is superb. Some listeners will object to the strong religious content of this novel. Novel 2 has much less religious content.

Thrilling, the next mission impossible

Ever listened to a faith-based Thriller? You will enjoy every minute wondering what's going to happen next.

Superb!

I highly recommend this book to listeners like myself who are seeking a suspenseful and well written story without the all too common foul language and graphic content. My one complaint to audible are there are too few of these and there is no way to know until purchased. Perhaps, instead of having to read all reviews like the one I am writing to find one, a rating system could remedy this issue? The narration was superb with an engaging change of characters and accents. Thank you for having this book available!

DKR

I loved the fast pace action and well organized plot of this book. It kept me wanting to hear what was coming next. I appreciated the Christian influence presented but it was presented without being preachy. Another reach I choose this book to lesson to was for the science technology which was fascinating to learn about. I pray we as a country and world never have to experience such a world wild epidemic.....

Okay story, a bit hard to follow.

Hmmm this was a bit hard to follow along and there were a lot of characters popping in. I thought some of the story was good but kind of got lost in "translation" as so many people had accents from either Germany, Russia, Czechoslovakian and English. A lot of terrorist action going on with a lot of God talk.

There was some interesting court room action and some torture action going on. I did finish the book but only because I had time invested in it and wanted to see how it ended. But it was confusing and hard to follow.

Doubt I will move on with this series.

As for the narration, it was good, especially since there were so many accents going on. Christopher Lane did a good job on the female voices too. He has a nice reading voice.

Great and scary book.

i enjoyed this book. The story is scary because it could happen. i hope our government pays attention to this kind of problem

Seems like a good idea for a story but

What would have made Dead Man's Rule better?

The story appears to go round and round going no where, I really object to the lawyer praying to God before trial, wife says over and over did you pray to the higher power. If you write Christian books, says so .

Would you ever listen to anything by Rick Acker again?

No

What about Christopher Lane’s performance did you like?

Constant Christian reference.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Waste of good money