The Color of Law

A Novel

By: Mark Gimenez

Narrated by: Stephen Hoye

A poor-boy college football hero turned successful partner at a prominent Dallas firm, who long ago checked his conscience at the door, catches a case that forces him to choose between his enviable lifestyle and doing the right thing in this masterful debut legal thriller.

Clark McCall, ne'er-do-well son of Texas millionaire senator and presidential hopeful Mack McCall, puts a major crimp in his father's election plans when he winds up murdered, apparently by Shawanda Jones, a heroin-addicted hooker, after a tawdry night of booze, drugs, and rough sex.

Scott Fenney, who's worked his way to being a partner at an elite Dallas law firm, is assigned to provide Shawanda's pro bono defense after the federal judge on the case hears him deliver an inspiring, altruistic, and completely insincere, speech to the local bar association. Scott plans to farm the case out to an old law school buddy, do-good-attorney Bobby Herrin. But his plans go awry when Shawanda puts her foot down in court and refuses to be passed off to the lawyer she considers the lesser attorney.

As the case unfolds, pressure is exerted on Scott to deter him from being too aggressive in his defense of Shawanda. That pressure becomes palpable as Scott is slowly stripped of the things he's come to care for most. Will he do the right thing, at a terrible cost, or the easy thing and keep his hard-earned fabulous life?

With echoes of early John Grisham, The Color of Law is a provocative listen that marked the stunning debut of a major new talent.

©2005 Mark Gimenez (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is a well-calibrated contemporary morality play, set in get-rich-quick Dallas, with tours of country clubs and gated communities, and knowledgeable forays into Darwinian legal tactics. Gimenez also gives us a hateful character who becomes more sympathetic the more he fails. Fast-paced and thought-provoking fare." (Booklist)

Enjoyable read

Very enjoyable book .... and there's nothing wrong with a Perry Mason ending. Even the author was aware of that.

I love this book

I’ve listened to this book a few times. It’s one of my go to books when I just want to feel good about a happy ending even though it’s bitter sweet.

Great story and great characters.

If you like Grisham you will like Gimenez. Lots of character depth and setting the surrounding atmosphere. The story keeps a good pace and you are never bored

Captivating Story

Great life lessons, irony and suspense.

Most insightful was a statement by one of the law firm partners...."The color of law isn't black or white. It is green. The rule of law is money. Money rules. Money makes the law. And the law protects the money. And the lawyers protects the people with money."

Dallas!

If you are from Dallas or know anything about the city it just makes this book that much more interesting. This book is where you go to find the souls of men!

Awesome thriller

Very good book had to read it for class this was the best choice and awesome!
I recommend this book

Great feel good book by a superb author.

This is the third Gimenez novel that I’ve read or listened to in the last six month. Mark Gimenez is every bit as good an author as Grisham and Baldacci. He deserves to be more widely recognized. Mark, thanks for writing such enjoyable books. Keep writing and be certain that I’ll read them all.

If you like early Grisham you'll like this one

Mr. Giminez does a nice job of telling the story of a selfish self-promoting lawyer who sees the light, loses wealth, status and selfish wife by defending a rather remarkable junkie prostitute.

The main characters may be a little stereotypical, the plot resolution may also be a little stereotypical, but the story is worth telling and there are enough supporting characters and subplots to make for a satisfying listen.

Although the setting is Dallas instead of the deep south, this novel does have the feel of a good Grisham book.

Fabulous Book!

Where does The Color of Law rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best books I've listened to in a long time. I simply didn't want it to end. The author put together a great story which is excellent and highly entertaining. There is nothing slow about this book. You get drawn into the story fast and don't want to put it down. Mark Gimenez is very witty which adds volumes to the book and keeps it highly entertaining despite a serious situation. The characters are developed really well, which makes you root for them, or the reverse. I'm about to start the next book in the series and I'm absolutely thrilled to find another author I like. I recommended this book to friends and family, and it took a while to convince my sister to read it, and when she finally agreed, she couldn't put it down. Five stars all around!

Wonderful book. Always

I’ve listened to this audiobook twice now and in another couple of years I will enjoy it again.