Review - The President’s Lawyer

Title:  The President’s Lawyer

Author:  Lawrence Robbins

Publisher:  Atria Books

Genre:  Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   October 8, 2024

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A high-stakes legal thriller that is perfect for fans of John Grisham and Scott Turow following a Washington, DC, litigator who is hired to defend his best friend, the former President of the United States, against a murder charge. 

After a long career as one of DC’s most powerful litigators, Rob Jacobson is faced with the case of a lifetime: the former President of the United States—his childhood best friend—has been accused of murdering his mistress.

Rob knows he’s the only one who can prove his friend’s innocence, but he is soon overwhelmed as he attempts to devise a strategy to defend an authoritative man with a taste for infidelity, serious anger issues, and unconventional sexual appetites. As the high-profile case unfurls, the troubled, intertwining pasts of the two men complicate Rob’s efforts and soon, doubts begin to grow in his head. Could his oldest friend truly be capable of murder or is something even darker at play?

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Rob Jacobson has agreed to defend the former president of the United States, Jack Cutler, for the murder of his mistress. Her name was Amanda Harper and she was a junior lawyer and part of his staff. There is something to consider with Rob taking Cutler’s case. The two have been best friends for decades.

Rob will need at least one thing from Cutler now that he has decided to take the case. What Rob will need is complete and total honesty. The ability to defend Cutler will no doubt will be faced with countless obstacles. It is no secret that the former president had an affair with the victim. The fact that Rob at one time also had an affair with her makes things uncomfortable for him as he looks for ways to get Cutler off. Things are not looking good for Rob’s case, yet he is not one to give up. 

The narrative unfolds through a dual timeline, incorporating flashbacks to provide context and background information. While the flashbacks were intriguing, the true heart of the story lies in the courtroom scenes where Rob presents his legal arguments and examines witnesses. These courtroom scenes are compelling and eye-opening, showcasing the author’s skill in crafting a gripping legal thriller.

This book marks a sensational debut for the author. While I’m not typically a fan of legal thrillers, this one has piqued my interest in the sub-genre. Not only does the story feature remarkable courtroom repartee, but it also delves into a sleazy backdrop of secrets involving questionable tastes in the bedroom. The ending is nothing short of spectacular, leaving this reader eager to discover more. 

Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.