Presumption of Innocence

David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series # 1

De: Stephen Penner

Narrado por: Paul Costanzo

Homicide prosecutor David Brunelle faces the most difficult case of his career. An innocent young girl is murdered in a heinous, unforgivable way. The only evidence against the killer is the full confession of his accomplice - another young girl he also victimized. But the accomplice is charged with the murder as well, which means that she has the right to remain silent. And she's so scared of the killer, she refuses to take a deal to testify against him.

Brunelle can't just let the murderer walk, but how can he get a conviction when he has no admissible evidence and the killer is protected by the presumption of innocence?

©2012 Stephen Penner (P)2016 Tantor

Talented Narrator

One of the best narrators I’ve listened to. Also very good legal thriller with a very clever twist.

Disappointing

Letting a 15-year old girl go into a jail cell to try and get a criminal to confess without her parent’s consent to do so, was a bit too unrealistic for me. Couldn’t tell if the prosecutor was supposed to come off as inept or just dumb in how he tried the case. Either way, was not a great way to characterize the lead of the story.

Awful case but great story!

Great case, great narration. I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I might find myself listening to more legal thrillers!

Great story line

I enjoyed the variety of characters. I would have not thought to but the mix of personalities together. The storyline moved smoothly without any dead time. Pardon the pun.

Good courtroom action

Good characters woven throughout the story and lots of courtroom action, which is my favorite.

A new author to me –I must read more of his books

Hey create a plot that keeps you guessing until the end which is unpredictable. I'd love that he chose such a great narrator it made the story become alive

Fast paced, well written legal thriller.

What does Paul Costanzo bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Paul Costanzo narrates this perfectly!

Any additional comments?

This is such a good courtroom drama. The lead character is Assistant DA David Brunell. Seems like a good guy but has his weaknesses - women. He is called to the home of a murder involving a 13 year old child. She's been hung upside down, her carotid artery nicked and she has been bled out. The only finger prints belong to that of a 15 year old girl. The police know she did not commit this crime on her own, if for no other reason, she could not have hoisted the girls body and hung it on her own.
At first the girl confesses but once her 20 year old accomplice is arrested she retracts her statement. The guy she was with had completely cleaned up after himself, leaving nothing to connect him to the crime.
The suspense is palpable. I know I'm not the only one who wants to scream when I hear about someone who has committed a heinous crime and gets away without serving a single day due to lack of evidence.
The story is believable and the writing is excellent. I've never read/listened to anything by Stephen Penner before but will certainly purchase the next two in the series on Audible.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
If you found this review helpful please indicate so.
Thank You.

Good story a bit predictable

This was a pretty good formula, legal thriller. Although a bit shorter and less detailed than I prefer, I thought we had good character development and a pretty good storyline to me. It’s running about in the middle of the pack.

Excellent listen.

Interesting and entertaining. Ended too soon. Wanted to keep listening. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent legal thriller

A 14 year old girl is killed in her home and her blood drained from her body. The blood is taken away. A 20 year old man is charged with her murder and his 15 year old girl friend is charged as an accomplice. Prosecutor David Brunelle has a difficult task as the accomplice refuses to testify because her testimony would put her in legal jeopardy. This excellent legal thriller plays out in the courtroom rather than outside it. This is my first Stephen Penner novel but it will not be my last.