Indefensible: A Novel

RetailIn the bestselling tradition of Defending Jacob, this taut legal thriller follows the trail of a man determined to protect his community—and his family—at any cost. Sometimes a simple walk in the woods can lead you down the deadliest of trails… When birdwatcher Cassandra Randall stumbles upon two men digging what appears to be a grave in a state park, she immediately reports it to the authorities. Federal prosecutor Nick Davis is initially incredulous about her claims, but he agrees to investigate. To his surprise, the far-fetched account turns up a body, and Nick is drawn into a case that will shake both his morals and his personal life to their very core. One body quickly leads to another. The danger Cassandra has uncovered is just the beginning of a game of deadly stakes that implicates small-time drug dealers, petty thieves turned murderers, domestic abuse perpetrators, child pornographers, the highest offices of the legal system…and a criminal who is closer to Davis than he can even imagine.**From BooklistAssistant U.S. Attorney Nick Davis, in a moment of weak parenting, decides to take his teenage daughter, Lizzie, along to a possible grave-site search in the woods. In a nice departure from the usual teenage-girl angst, Lizzie is mature and kind, and has a close relationship with her father. Nick doesn’t expect to find anything on this venture, but a body does turn up, and the bird-watcher who reported it is killed. A couple of drug dealers are the main suspects, but the story twists further when more bodies are found. As the case develops, Nick starts to suspect some of his own coworkers, prompting an attack of serious paranoia. In a bizarre twist, Nick’s most ardent opponent, a pugnacious defense attorney, becomes his sounding board and counsel. Nick has always put his faith in the justice system, but this case truly tests him, and he finds himself reexamining his own beliefs and those of almost everyone around him. Attorney Goodman easily makes the transition to fiction writer, as have his brethren Scott Turow and John Lescroart. --Stacy Alesi Review"Goodman takes the reader by the hand and leads them into a frightening world they will never forget.... This book is top notch!" (Suspense Magazine) "Complex and intelligent, fantastically well-plotted. Indefensible is as good as it gets." (John Lescroat, New York Times bestselling author) "Indefensible is the kind of gem we all love to stumble on, anovel that delivers its story flawlessly. Lee Goodman has created characters wecare about deeply; when he puts them through the wringer, we feel their pain.Add to this a compelling insider’s look at prosecution and lawenforcement, language that sings, a stunning series of plot twists, and theresult may well prove to be the outstanding debut novel of the year." (William Kent Krueger, New York TimesIndefensible, be sure to put on your helmet and fasten your 5-point harness. You're in for a wild ride." (Walter Walker, author of Crime of Privilege)