The author gave me a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

At first The Closing seemed a lawyer-in-trouble-lands-into-a-mess-novel. The events in this book happen so naturally that I was lead to believe the story would unfold in a certain way.

But then it doesn’t.

Nate Abbit was a prosecuting attorney in Virginia until an unethical and illegal slip of judgment almost lands him in jail. The judge was a friend who insisted he get his life straight. Nate felt his life was over as he stepped down from his job. To make a living, the only cases he is now saddled with are cases defending the worst of the worst. The story begins with his first case in defending a reputably disgusting, incorrigible man in prison for murder. His lawyer died and it was discovered that he had not defended him correctly. So Nate must handle appeals.

Nate is an alcoholic struggling with “drying out”. The story takes place in the ‘60’s when alcoholism isn’t a disease but a problem that needs to “go away”. Everything in Nate’s personal life is falling apart. If he doesn’t stay away from the whiskey, and get his job done, he’ll lose forever the one thing he holds most dear, his wife.

The killer claims he is innocent and that he was framed by crooked judges, police, and lawyers. Nate doesn’t believe him, but then evidence suggests there might be some truth to his story. From beginning to end the case is not what it appears to be and Nate soon finds himself on the most wanted list of whoever is killing off witnesses.

I was constantly surprised at the twists in the story. I enjoy a well-crafted story that keeps me turning pages. I recommend it especially if you like John Grisham or Tom Clancy.