A male lead falsely accused of murder, a female lead
faithfully awaiting her husband’s return(from where? keep guessing), a
determined lawyer who doesn’t even expect the pay he rightfully deserves, and
four "villains" who are responsible for the crime in real. Before
you assume this book to be "just another flick", let me assure you
that it is most certainly not. I will not be exaggerating even if I said this
is the best of Archer’s tales. Research is well carried out as is seen clearly in the book. Courtroom suspense
deserves 5 stars. All the characters remain alive in your mind long after you
have turned the last page, as promised by the summary, which in fact, gives a
very vague idea as to what to expect from the book. I suggest you read the
prologue before you decide whether or not the book is "your type". If
you are anything like me, you will love it. The characters are well described,
each one significant in the turn of events that finally leads to the
breath-taking ending. The story revolves around the life of Daniel Cartwright,
who is accused of committing the ultimate sin and sent to Belmarsh prison, from
where no prisoner has ever been foolish enough to attempt an impossible escape
- except Daniel. Now comes the first con. I find it hard to believe that such a
jail, reputed for its impeccable security, would not have had a single
"screw" who could win a game of "6 differences". And isn’t
it too far-fetched(or should I say near-fetched) for a prisoner to just switch
names on the files of two fellow prisoners so as to make one of them escape? If
this is what "tight security" means in Belmarsh, I pity the other
prisoners for not coming up with naive ideas such as this.
The role of Elizabeth Cartwright could have been given more importance.
She seems to be nothing but a loyal wife, for which she will be admired, no
doubt, but remembered? I don’t think so.
The cunning Spencer Craig, the
not-so-bright Gerald Payne, the dim-witted drug-addict Toby Mortimer and the
oh-so-attractive Lawrence Davenport have been well characterized. But then
again, nobody is perfect. Spencer Craig, a reputed lawyer and a soon-to-be QC
not having anticipated to get caught for a murder so immaturely carried out seems
to me a tad too unbelievable.
The one character that I find no fault in is Sir Matthew Redmayne, father of
the lawyer representing Daniel. Though he plays a very small part in the book,
he undoubtedly captures the undivided attention of the jury as well as the
readers! His amusing ways fail to astound none, and his wit remains
unparalleled.
It is what you could call a typical Jeffrey Archer ending, which happens to
always be unpredictable. He has proved yet again the fact that he is the King
of Twists and Turns!