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Courtroom Drama Should Delight Genre's Fans

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By K. SUE COLLINS

Published: October 28, 2007

'Missing Witness,' by Gordon Campbell (William Morrow, $25)

Thirty years of legal experience provides the framework for Gordon Campbell's debut novel, 'Missing Witness.' Reminiscent of John Grisham's 'The Rainmaker,' a young lawyer protagonist is thrust into the morally ambiguous world of law.

Set in 1973 Arizona, the story begins with Travis Eddington's murder. His wife, Rita, and his daughter Miranda are suspects or witnesses. As Rita is arrested, Miranda sinks into a catatonic coma. Only she can corroborate or condemn her mother's account. The victim's father hires famed defense attorney Dan Morgan to defend the woman who may have murdered his son.

Morgan's legal wrangling is told through the eyes of his assistant, the novel's narrator, novice lawyer Doug McKenzie. As Doug begins to question and moralize about his idol's actions, the dilemmas become more entangled. How to defend two clients accused of the same crime, when proving the innocence of one confirms the other's guilt?

Readers will inevitably draw comparisons to books by Grisham and Scott Turow. Although Morgan is partially based on an actual lawyer Campbell worked with, legal thriller junkies may associate Morgan more closely with William Diehl's Martin Vail character. Some readers may be put off by the extensive courtroom scenes, but true fans of legal dramas will relish the depth of Campbell's knowledge.

K. Sue Collins of Tampa is a crime novelist.

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