ORIGIN & CAUSE

Reuben’s mystery centers on the arson death of media titan Stanfield Standish and the lawsuit filed by his heirs against the remanufacturer of the Dusenberg in which his charred body was found. The novel is intense and fast-moving. However, the author makes incessant attacks on injured persons, who are decried as lying money-grubbers, and their lawyers, who are characterized as incompetent and unethical. Adams Morgan’s flawless reading is the book’s saving grace. He is especially effective at characterizing the arrogant Max Bramble, defense attorney, who triumphs over every plaintiff, despite his unexplained ignorance of the rules of procedure and the canons of ethics. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 03]