Reporter Steve Everett is not usually the type to turn into an heroic do-gooder overnight - he drinks too much, makes love to his boss' wife, and has just stumbled upon a shocking truth that has him literally fighting the clock. He has just discovered that a convicted killer is about to be executed for a crime he didn't commit. Now an imperfect defender must find a way to stall the ultimate end-game.In the cold confines of Death Row, Frank Beachum is preparing himself for the end. He's ready to say goodbye to the wife and child he loves and greet the God he still believes in. He knows that he will go into Eternity with a clear conscience, heart and soul; filled with the knowledge that he did not commit the murder of a convenience store clerk six years ago.But in the interest of justice - unless Steve Everett can find the evidence to halt his execution - Frank Beachum will die by lethal injection. The killing machine is primed; the executioner is waiting and now the battle is on - between the reporter with all his inner demons, and a system with lethal flaws. The prize at the end of this fight will be the life of an innocent man.I really enjoyed this book so much. I have never seen the movie adaptation of the book, I don't usually like Clint Eastwood, but I would definitely be curious to see how the book is interpreted. True Crime is Grade A+! material to my mind and I can't wait to find more of Andrew Klavan's work to read.
One full day in the life of an innocent man condemned to die by lethal injection. This is the second Kaplan book I've read, and it's totally apolitical. I enjoy his characters, all with feet of clay. He takes one through the execution process step-by-step, but not in a textbook fashion, so it creeps you out, but it's not overwhelming for too many pages at a stretch.What makes this book really readable is that it's set in The Lou, and his references to certain places are spot on. He did his research on St. Louis and execution very well.
What do You think about True Crime (2003)?
Tons of suspense. A quick moving plot. An interesting main character out to stop an execution. True Crime reads quick and it's one of the most engrossing thrillers I've read in a while. It's not perfect. I had some issues with point of view [first person with random forays into third] as well as suspension of disbelief [People had phones in the nineties. Not cells, but they still had phones. I'm sure of it. I was there.] But all in all, it's a fast-paced engrossing read. The sort of novel that will keep you reading when you should be sleeping.
—Paige
As is the case most of the time, this book is much better than the movie featuring Clint Eastwood. Klavan's novel is a fast, good read and the reader gets caught up in the reporter's search for truth and justice in attempting to save a death row inmate. Eastwood took the role a bit too far, doing the stereotypical bit of a reporter who drinks and is too cynical for life. I was extremely annoyed at the scene where he takes his daughter to the zoo and then rushes through it. None of that fodder in this book.
—Ken Heard
UNFORGETTABLE, A TIME BOMBThe story is about a comdemned man who is in death row and going to be executed for a crime he apparently did not commit. A journalist from a local newspaper wants to help him out and prove that he is innocent, will he find the evidence before this man is executed ?The plot is terrific, the nail biting tension type mixed with quick action packed suspense. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. The story is so masterly written that I could not forget it so I decided to include it in my listmania.
—Manugw
