THE BIRD TABLE

Having driven a rape suspect to suicide with her relentless cross-examination, British attorney Sally Doone subsequently finds herself the victim of the same crime. Questioned mercilessly by barrister Jeremy Scott, Sally cannot convince the jury that she is telling the truth, and the defendant goes free. It’s a shattering experience for the wife, mother, and career woman--and there’s more to come. Gerri Halligan keeps the tension going throughout this well-plotted legal thriller, in which events, people, and motives are all hard to pin down. Halligan slips easily into the voices and thoughts of Sally and Jeremy, as well as those of children, police, judges, and the rapist. It’s difficult to imagine how this could have been done better. J.B.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 03]