Review of The Impossible Mock Orange Trial
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Review of The Impossible Mock Orange Trial
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Impossible Mock Orange Trial" by Thad G. Long.]
The small Phoenix County town of Groveton must grapple with the aftermath of the unimaginable when a devastating car crash occurs. Bess Johnson had borrowed a van from Sherriff Sam Johnson, her cousin, to complete a productive day in town. On the drive home, Bess is lulled into comfort by the hum of happy kids playing and the friendly conversation of Doretta Anchrum. They were ripped from their blissfulness when the left rear tire blew out, and the van collided with a mock orange tree at full speed. A beautiful four-year-old child, Serena Miller, was killed instantly. A young Jimason Anchrum suffered a head injury that left him with permanent damage. All others in the accident escaped with slightly less debilitating injuries.
Before the dust settles, lawyers descend upon the victims, smelling the opportunity of an easy win and large payouts, for which Pheonix County had become well known. The slippery duo of Fred Bates and Jack Ripps led the plaintiffs in a gripping battle against the defendants Universal Tire Company and Tergano Motor Corporation. Ted Born, an experienced attorney anchored in old-school beliefs, is head of the defendant team. The trial quickly condenses to that of sympathetic compensation versus morality. Was it the tire that caused the accident? Were Bess Johnson’s limited driving skills and inexperience with the van to blame? Did the van’s structural design fail to keep passengers safe? Was the fatal accident due to neglect from the owner? These questions lead the characters through the game of law in The Impossible Mock Orange Trial by Thad Long.
This story, at face value, is a legal thriller. As it unfolds, the depth of the plot reaches into the exploration of a flawed judicial system and racial influences. Long tactfully peals back the tangled layers of racial conflict while leaving the reader with impactful contemplations. He also creates a window into the trial process, showing what happens from start to finish.
I rate this book a 3.0 out of 4 stars. Editing for the book was insufficient. Character dialect was difficult to stumble through. As a novice reader of legal books, the advanced terminology at times caused processing difficulties. Character development was minimal and periodically awkwardly placed. However, Long did such an exemplary job portraying racial conflict and tension that I earnestly recommend this book to anyone interested in law and the crime genre.
******
The Impossible Mock Orange Trial
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The small Phoenix County town of Groveton must grapple with the aftermath of the unimaginable when a devastating car crash occurs. Bess Johnson had borrowed a van from Sherriff Sam Johnson, her cousin, to complete a productive day in town. On the drive home, Bess is lulled into comfort by the hum of happy kids playing and the friendly conversation of Doretta Anchrum. They were ripped from their blissfulness when the left rear tire blew out, and the van collided with a mock orange tree at full speed. A beautiful four-year-old child, Serena Miller, was killed instantly. A young Jimason Anchrum suffered a head injury that left him with permanent damage. All others in the accident escaped with slightly less debilitating injuries.
Before the dust settles, lawyers descend upon the victims, smelling the opportunity of an easy win and large payouts, for which Pheonix County had become well known. The slippery duo of Fred Bates and Jack Ripps led the plaintiffs in a gripping battle against the defendants Universal Tire Company and Tergano Motor Corporation. Ted Born, an experienced attorney anchored in old-school beliefs, is head of the defendant team. The trial quickly condenses to that of sympathetic compensation versus morality. Was it the tire that caused the accident? Were Bess Johnson’s limited driving skills and inexperience with the van to blame? Did the van’s structural design fail to keep passengers safe? Was the fatal accident due to neglect from the owner? These questions lead the characters through the game of law in The Impossible Mock Orange Trial by Thad Long.
This story, at face value, is a legal thriller. As it unfolds, the depth of the plot reaches into the exploration of a flawed judicial system and racial influences. Long tactfully peals back the tangled layers of racial conflict while leaving the reader with impactful contemplations. He also creates a window into the trial process, showing what happens from start to finish.
I rate this book a 3.0 out of 4 stars. Editing for the book was insufficient. Character dialect was difficult to stumble through. As a novice reader of legal books, the advanced terminology at times caused processing difficulties. Character development was minimal and periodically awkwardly placed. However, Long did such an exemplary job portraying racial conflict and tension that I earnestly recommend this book to anyone interested in law and the crime genre.
******
The Impossible Mock Orange Trial
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: East Wind, 2nd Edition by Jack Winnick
