Blood Defense

Samantha Brinkman Series, Book 1

by Marcia Clark

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Pub Date May 01 2016 | Archive Date Dec 10 2016

Thomas & Mercer | Thomas & Mercer

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

Description

First in a new series from bestselling author and famed prosecutor Marcia Clark, a “terrific writer and storyteller” (James Patterson).

Samantha Brinkman, an ambitious, hard-charging Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, is struggling to make a name for herself and to drag her fledgling practice into the big leagues. Sam lands a high-profile double-murder case in which one of the victims is a beloved TV star—and the defendant is a decorated veteran LAPD detective. It promises to be exactly the kind of media sensation that would establish her as a heavy hitter in the world of criminal law.

Though Sam has doubts about his innocence, she and her two associates (her closest childhood friend and a brilliant ex-con) take the case. Notorious for living by her own rules—and fearlessly breaking everyone else’s—Samantha pulls out all the stops in her quest to uncover evidence that will clear the detective. But when a shocking secret at the core of the case shatters her personal world, Sam realizes that not only has her client been playing her, he might be one of the most dangerous sociopaths she’s ever encountered.

First in a new series from bestselling author and famed prosecutor Marcia Clark, a “terrific writer and storyteller” (James Patterson).

Samantha Brinkman, an ambitious, hard-charging Los Angeles...

A Note From the Publisher

JoVon Sotak, Editor (Thomas & Mercer):
Samantha Brinkman is scrappy, smart, and strategic—exactly the kind of defense lawyer I’d want if I did a bad, bad thing. And in Blood Defense, there are plenty of characters doing bad, bad things. This feisty attorney combines her professional ambition and unusual sense of justice to handle both her clients and her barely-making-it law practice. And it’s this ambition that lands her a high-profile case.

I love both legal thrillers and courtroom dramas, whether reading or watching them, because—despite my seven eye-opening weeks of law school—I believe in truth and justice. And when so much about life seems disorderly and unfair, I find it reassuring to get lost in a story that demands truth and justice. To discover a book that can do so in a fresh and unexpected way is a good, good thing.

Sam surprised me, doing much of her most impressive lawyering outside the courtroom in the pursuit of justice, and I loved her for it. When I first read Blood Defense, I immediately asked, “Is this novel by the Marcia Clark?” Indeed, this is the Marcia Clark. Talk about street cred—this prominent former LA County prosecutor knows a thing or two about high-profile cases. And luckily for readers, she also knows a thing or two about writing legal thrillers.

JoVon Sotak, Editor (Thomas & Mercer):
Samantha Brinkman is scrappy, smart, and strategic—exactly the kind of defense lawyer I’d want if I did a bad, bad thing. And in Blood Defense, there are...

Advance Praise

“Former L.A. prosecutor Clark kicks off a promising new series with this top-notch whodunit...Clark sprinkles jaw-dropping surprises throughout and impressively pulls off a shocker that lesser writers can only envy.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“[Clark] has the start of another successful series in this page-turner featuring a ballsy protagonist with a secret past.” —Booklist

“Clark’s deft handling of her characters through a multilevel maze of conflicts delivers an exhilarating read.” —Library Journal

“Clark, who served as a prosecutor for the trial of O. J. Simpson, clearly knows this world well. She has the most fun when she’s showing readers the world of celebrity trials, from the media circus, the courthouse crowds, the crazies, and the police to the inner workings of the trial itself. You’ll push yourself to finish the final pages just to keep pace with the defense team’s discoveries.” —Associated Press

“Once again, Marcia Clark has reinvented herself—and the results are stellar. Her knowledge of the criminal justice system is unrivaled, as is her understanding of how the media influences public opinion of high profile trials—and the actions of those involved. But the real magic of Clark’s writing is her dynamic, richly textured characters and the visceral, often gritty settings they frequent.” —Hartford Examiner

“A deftly crafted suspense thriller from first page to last, Blood Defense demonstrates author Marcia Clark (she was the prosecuting attorney in the O. J. Simpson trial) has truly impressive talents as a storyteller.” —Midwest Book Review

“Blood Defense is a great suspense novel with a fun dose of humor and a lot of twists. Readers will enjoy learning more about Samantha as the series progresses. Anyone wanting a riveting murder mystery with realistic characters and an understanding of the routines of a defense attorney should read this book.” —WorkingMother.com

“Former L.A. prosecutor Clark kicks off a promising new series with this top-notch whodunit...Clark sprinkles jaw-dropping surprises throughout and impressively pulls off a shocker that lesser...