Review: A CLASSIC 'WHO-DONE-IT'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 5, 2011
DEFENDING EVIL by CHARLES SHEA is one CLASSIC 'WHO-DONE-IT' that I guarantee you will not put down until you've relished the last word.A plot that was meticulously thought out, with characters so well developed you feel as though you are walking in their shadows, listening to their every word, and knowing their deepest secrets.  TRAVIS KNIGHT is a thirty-something Defense Attorney in Atlanta, who has developed the reputation of being THE LAWYER you would hire, without question of fee, AFTER you have committed MURDER.  Travis and his wife of just over a year, Julie, a Surgeon live in an upscale suburb of Atlanta with their chocolate Labrador, Dixie.  Like Earle Stanley Gardner's PERRY MASON, it seems Author CHARLES SHEA's TRAVIS KNIGHT and his partner, RAY CRAFT take on very high profile murder cases, and their clients are well-heeled . . . enough to pay the seven-figure fess charged by Knight & Craft. The clients; an Outfielder for the Atlanta Braves accused of murdering his cheating wife; a CEO of a Fortune 500 company accused of killing his aging partner, and an Interior Decorator, wealthy in her own right, and with wealthy parents, involved in a love-triangle is accused of killing her stockbroker boyfriend.  Travis's commitment to his clients is admirable, and the client gets what they pay for - a 'NOT GUILTY' verdict.  One client, benefiting from Travis Knight's magic is caught red-handed killing another innocent woman.  This brings in Detective Thomas Brikler and Detective Lewis Gordon, who despise Knight's ability to get his "guilty" clients accquitted.  His work also causes serious problems in his marriage.  Soon, his accquited clients start turning up dead - - - killed in the same manner as their alleged victims.  Soon, Detective Bickler receives e-mails from an Archangel, claiming responsibility for the killings of Knight's clients, and suggesting Knight may become a target himself, IF he does not cease defending killers.  Near the end of the book, I had a final suspect - - - boy, was I ever wrong!  As a former law enforcement officer and Chief Investigator for a prominent Miami Law firm that specialized in criminal defense and having worked on two murder cases for the firm, I can attest to the fact that Author CHARLES SHEA knows the inner workings of Criminal Defense Lawyers and homicide detectives.  This is a great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat . . . I bet you a dollar to a dougnut you will not finger the real ARCHANGEL!  This book deserves a spot on the New York Times Best Seller List and it should be looked at with a keen eye by Martin Scorccese, or someone of equal talent.Michael Phelps