This gripping legal thriller offers an insight into the workings of the legal profession while abounding in action, class action, intrigue, and passion. The main character is former corporate attorney, Jack Ross, who is trying to make it in private practice in Indianapolis, Indiana, a somewhat conservative Midwestern town that suffers from some of the same inner city problems of its more sophisticated neighbors to the north. Jack and his partner and loyal secretary are having trouble paying the bills, when an impressive black minister from a blighted neighborhood walks in and offers them a chance to redeem their firm and themselves, financially and spiritually. When they decide to take his case and help him build the church of his dreams, they must deal with threats from their former partners at the large and powerful corporate law firm, better known as the bastards at Barry and Rehab. They also must contend with the reverend's congregation and the residents of the "hood", a libelous article in the local paper, corrupt city officials,and unscrupulous real estate developers.
If that were not enough, Jack is going through marital problems and fears losing the love of his life, Diane, because he is not ready for fatherhood. I enjoyed the setting and intimate details of life in Indianapolis, and I especially enjoyed getting an insider's look at the legal system including a lawyer's thought processes and strategies. The viewpoint is masculine when it comes to relationships, sports, action, and drama, but both genders will enjoy this book for the gentrification issues and the general geniality of the characters. Doug, Jack's partner, who is a recovering alcoholic and his old friend Bernard Davis (Big Daddy) Money, who grew up in the hood, help him with the case when the going gets rough. This is an entertaining book with realistic action, appropriately placed humor, and well developed characters, setting and plot. The author is an attorney with a degree in theology. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the mysteries of the legal system and a good legal mystery with some spiritual overtones offered by the Rev. Hosea Brown. Discover with Jack if the Rev's "vision" is true, or if he is a "False Prophet."
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