The Trial

The story about the trial was good. Unfortunately, the author included a lot of religious content. It started out as a little bit that went with the story but by the end, it was as much as the actual story. I found it off-putting and found myself skipping those pages. It also took away from the story about the trial and finding the guy who did it.

The only "Christian" fiction I've enjoyed is that of C.S. Lewis. I fell into this work for sheer content of the sample and the high reviews, and soon realized this was an author who is a believer! Mr. Whitlow, in my opinion, is a better author than Grisham. His characters are not syrupy "thee, thy, and thou" people and reveal warts and all. The writing is strong; the plot is terrific; the praying characters are down to earth, relatable.

Boy, am I glad I stuck with this one!

This novel was excellently written. The characters were well developed and the plot moved along and I didn't deduce who was the actual murderer until about three quarters along. The plot was very heavily religiously based, which at first bothered me as I am an atheist, but as I was reading fiction, I decided to accept the religion as part of the plot, since both the plot and religion are fiction anyway. I don't think I'll read another one of his novels, if they are all based around the scriptures, but the author has an excellent ability to spin a tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ins and outs of the the legal system.

I wish I had known this book was a Christian evangelical novel with some legal and ethical issues thrown in, before I bought it. It's subject matter had potential, but got completely bogged down in religion. Definitely not my cup of tea.

I wish I'd noticed the word CHRISTIAN in the publishing house name prior to purchasing. While I don't care what you do religiously, I never would have bought a book that centers around it. In my opinion, it overshadows what could honestly be a terrific novel. But, as there's so much of it, I skim. A lot. Which is too bad, because I love a good mystery book. Now I know

What a pleasant surprise...Besides being agood read,this book had NO bad language..even had ;quotes of passages from the bible...How long has it been since you read a book without cussing?

Woould give this book stars for that alone.

What a pleasant surprise...Besides being agood read,this book had NO bad language..even had ;quotes of passages from the bible...How long has it been since you read a book without cussing?

Woould give this book stars for that alone.

The story line was good, the writing was good, in fact I enjoyed everything about this book if the author had stuck to the story. The author however felt it necessary to make the book a religious message. I did not mind the christian references as this became part of the story and was somewhat necessary. What was not necessary was the in-depth borderline sermonizing. It was boring and detracted from the story line and I skip read entire pages to get back to the story line. A five star book became a three.

If I'd known this was such a religiously slanted story, I would not have purchased. I wanted a trial mystery, not a sermon. The writing and story line was okay if all of the religious content was removed. I found it distracting from the storyline,

I was very uncomfortable with the religious slant. If I had known how "preachy" this book was, I never would have read it. The plot & story weren't too bad, but I'm an atheist and didn't like the whole "everyone got saved" secondary message.

Terrible book. Preachy and evangelical. Multiple plot lines poorly stitched together until a rushed conclusion -- followed of course by an overly religious epilogue. Author should stop writing and go be a preacher.

Anyone who calls this author a Christian Grisham has it half right. The courtroom scenes are good, not great. The story is predictable enough that I wouldn't call it a thriller. If you love Christian lit, go ahead and read it. If not, be prepared for long passages of increasingly intrusive Christian enlightenment as the book progresses. Although I finished it, it would have been helpful if the book description had identified the genre.

I would call this book rather misleading. It is half legal thriller and half self serving evangelical preaching. All the main characters are devout christians who speak directly to god. It seems as if the entire town lacks any other kind of spiritual depth. No jews ,catholics,moslems, atheists and agnostics. The legal thriller parts were well done and should not have suffered from the religious filler which added nothing to the story itself. Some might argue that the story was just a vehicule to preach about Jesus and gather in some new converts. This book should have been in the religious category and not the thriller category.

I absolutely agree with "Reads4fun".......if I had wanted to read the Bible I would've picked up the Bible.....when I want to read a mystery I don't want to be "preached to" or have to read whole excerpts from the Bible, next time I will make sure NOT to download a Kindle book where it says
"Christian" in the synopses; this is a "preaching" story more than anything else.

The beginning of this book was intriguing and fairly well written, but it became very clear later in the story that the author's intent was increasingly religious in the message. What could have been a good novel was more about proselytizing.

I started reading this book while I was in jail, and didn't finish before I was bailed out. They wouldn't let me take the book home, so I had to buy the book. It was far too religious-based for my tastes. Nonetheless, I read it cover-to-cover and would rate it as a rather ordinary read, bordering on boring.

This started of and developed as a great courtroom drama. Unfortunately the author pandered to a christian sub reader group and diluted and distracted the narrative. A great story ended up being unrealistic. By all means pander to a reader group. Just don't ruin it for those who like a great legal drama.

With each of Robert Whitlow's books I read, I grow increasingly impressed. His 2006 book The Trial deals with small-town power, trust fund corruption, and a drive for conviction, no matter what the facts show. Mac MacClain gets stuck with defending a young man accused of killing his friend, an heiress whose family wields considerable power in their little town. In a way, it's open-and-shut, guilty as charged, but more and more details put a question in Mac's legal mind.

Suffering from his own loss of his wife and two sons a few years before, dealing with another family's loss amplifies his struggles with desperate feelings. Thankfully, an expert witness on the case catches his eye and offers friendship that points him toward salvation.

Whitlow has written a strong legal thriller, with bad guys lurking in the background, their existence only hinted at throughout much of the book. He offers just enough misdirection to lead the reader to suspect one character, but upon the revelation of the true villain, it all comes together nicely.

But what sets Whitlow apart from other writers of legal fiction is the way he weaves the characters' faith into the story. Some of the characters are people for whom their Christian faith and church life are more than tangential, but are central to the way they live and work. Whitlow doesn't throw the gospel in the readers' faces, but writes realistically about how average people engage their faith in daily life, and how their faith in Jesus helps them respond to crisis.

The Trial has all the elements of enjoyable legal fiction, with the added bonus of believably presentating of the character's faith without distracting from the plot. Pick it up.

Attorney Kent "Mac" MacClain is on the brink--nine years earlier, he was at the wheel in a horrible accident that took the lives of his wife and children. Mac is having a spiritual crisis--feeling unable to deal with the deep pain and hurt the accident placed upon his heart and soul and decides the time has come to end his own lfie, when the phone rings in his office. He has been asked to take on the case of Pete Thomason, a man who is accused of killing Angela Hightower, the daughter of a family of high power and prestige in the small town in which Mac lives and works. Against Pete is not only a mountain of compelling evidence but also the fact that he cannot recall any details of the events leading up to the death of Angla.

Both men face a spritual crisis. Both men are fighting for thier lives.

So begins Robert Whitlow's second novel, "The Trial." After thoroughly enjoying his work on "Lfie Support" I was eager to find more of Mr. Whitlow's work. I'm happy to say that the great storytelling, character development and page-turning suspense of "Life Support" are also very much at work here in "The Trial." Whitlow balances a lot of separate story threads--Mac's spiritual crisis, his budding relationship with Anna Wilkes, a pyschologist who evaluates Pete, the story of Pete and what is happening to him in the prison and the pain and suffering of the Hightowers as they try to make sense of what happened on that night to take their daughter. "The Trial" is more than just a legal thriller, it's also a murder mystery that will keep you turning the pages to find out who did it and why.

But, as with "Life Support" the greatest parts of "The Trial" are not the moments in which we have the stunning revelations of who commited these acts and why, but insted Whitlow's character creations and the building of his setting for the novels. As with "Life Support" it's the little details that make this books so compelling to read. It's easy to see bits and pieces not only of yourself but people you might know in your daily walk in the characters who inhabit Whitlow's novels. Mac is a man who goes to church on Sunday, but his attendance is dictated on how the Gerogia football team did the following day and he has a Sunday School class full of fellow fans (and despite my beign a die-hard Tennessee fan, I didn't mind this too much...esp. since the Tenenssee-Georga game that Whitlow tells about his book has the Vols winning...but I digress). We see prayer circles that pray for Mac, we see Mac meet Anna and her young son, who awaken some long forgotten feelings deep inside him.. We see Mac serve as a mentor to a new young attorney and we see him fight for the life of his client. All of this while struggling with his own internal demons. Mac is a compellng character, as are all the characters in this novel. "The Trial" resists the urge to give us one-dimensional characters. Instead, each character is uniquely human with his or her own strengths and weaknesses, all of which are on display here in the novel.

"The Trial" of the title not only refers to the court case that Mac wants to win but the spiritual war that goes on in both his and Pete's soul. The novel features a lot of twist and turns, but Whitlow always keeps them grounded and feeling authentic, something that can be difficult to do.

The other great strength of this novel is that Whitlow superbly uses the elements of a typical Christian thriller and makes them fresh and new. He never strays into the cliches. As the novel progresses and certain events happen, they feel natural, coming out of not only the flow of the narrative but also on what we know about the characters from the previous chapters.

All in all, "The Trial" is a compelling and dynamic read. It is a novel that I heartly recommend to anyone looking for a great legal thriller inhabited by compelling and interesting characters. Whitlow has captured the imagination of this reader and I cannot wait to read the next of his novels. If I wasn't a fan before, I most certainly am now...

Robert Whitlow handles legal, spiritual, and southern details with style. He brings his world to the written page in a credible manner, fueling the plot with the intricacies of a murder trial. The twists and turns are minor, but satisfying, and the Georgia/Tennessee settings serve as a colorful backdrops. Although the spiritual lessons come on strong and a bit pedantic, the characters (and Whitlow) breathe reality into what might usually pass as stale religious lines. I closed the last page feeling challenged and edified by the story's morals.
The emotional details are the ones that occasional trip me up in his writing. The conflicts are real, the characters believable and likeable, but the resolutions seem to come a bit too easily and/or quickly. I do recognize the aspect of the miraculous in some of this, but, for example, I would've liked to see Mac McLain's suicidal struggles progress more consistently. I prefer to see a bit more of what's going on in the characters' heads. That said, Whitlow's minimalist approach does avoid becoming melodramatic or sappy.
Some might prefer the numerous courtroom scenes in "The Trial"; personally, I enjoyed the variety of "The List." The good thing is that Whitlow, like Grisham, doesn't seem satisfied with a formula. He continues to raise the bar for Christian legal fiction, continues to try new things in the process. I anticipate his next book, knowing I won't be disappointed.

My father-in-law recommended this title as a good book about lawyers. The basic part of the story is about a man who has been framed for the murder of powerful, local businessman's daughter. The main theme seems to be a bit larger than that however.
As a "lawyer" story, it is ok. I found the routine they follow to get the evidence and make a case to be interesting. Much of it seems too good to be true though. For instance, they find a former soldier who helped frame the accused years ago. He agrees that what he has done is wrong and decides to clean up his ways (enters AA and tells the truth). This is a bit too easy.
The larger picture is about Christianity and how it affects us. We see it personally in the lawyer's life and in the accused. Running counter to this trial is a church prayer group who records all the prayers and results. There is too much detail given for these sessions for this to be a side issue. These sessions, and how they turn out for the trial and the lawyer, are the main focus for the story.
If you are looking for an intense crime story, you should probably look for someone like John Grisham. If you are looking for a religious story about inner triumph and the power of prayer, then this book is for you.

This is a book that keeps the pace moving. This was the third Whitlow book I'd read, and I consider it his personal best. Warning to all readers: You will get caught up in this book!
Gun or pills? Pills or gun? How do you kill yourself when you have nothing to live for? Those are the questions that attorney Kent "Mac" McClain asks himself one Friday afternoon. Pills or gun, gun or pills.....
Then the phone rings!

Mac is offered the case of a lifetime. Killing yourself can wait until later, because Mac is offered a case against the Hightower family, a family he took on once before, and lost against. He meets a Christian psychologist to do some evaluations on the accused, Peter Thomason. The question is this; Did Peter Hightower really kill anyone, or was he somehow set up?
Whitlow is always a winner. Whitlow is always a supreme witness for Jesus and he doesn't leave you bored between pages either. This is a good book to start with if you want to read Robert Whitlow!

Whitlow's first book, The List, was a smash hit, but this second one really out does the first. The TRIAL delves into the life of a 56-year old attorney appointed to defend a young man accused of murder. The Trial is happening on two fronts: in the courtroom and in the heart of the defense counsel, Kent McClain. This book has humor, romance, intrigue, and spirtual truth. I would say the Trial has writing styles of such authors as Grisham and Baldacci. Whitlow's two books stands out among anyone in fiction today. I cannot wait for more titles from him. I also recommend TWO great stories for readers, which are The Great Divide by T.Davis Bunn and Stone Ponies by Tom Willard
Thanks for a helpful yes on this review.
TRIPP

Move over, John Grisham! Now we get a suspenseful courtroom drama, engaging characters, an enthralling plot and a real-life look at the power of a loving God all in one book! Whitlow's first book, "The List" was a great read, but in "The Trial" his writing style has become smoother and more professional. The characters are real and believable, and they grow and change in a satisfying manner from the beginning of the book to the end. If you pick this book up, I hope you don't have any plans for the rest of the day!

I love legal thrillers and The Trial was a great one! The characters were well developed and the story line was complex. I stayed up late into the night to finish the book!
I appreciated that I did not have to wade through curse words and sex to get to the meat of the story. Thank you, Robert Whitlow for your creativity, faith and values!

Mr. Whitlow is the first author I have read with the ability to successfully combine mystery, suspense, and God in one story. Stephen King may be the master of suspense, Mary Higgins-Clark the queen of mystery and Nicholas Sparks may have the market on inspiration, but Mr. Whitlow has managed to combine all three elements in one story and the outcome is absolute entertainment. His characters unfold in a personal way and become people we would (or not) want to know, from the lawyer who needs a reason to stay alive to the accused that he strives to keep alive. A good mystery is challenging, suspense is invigorating and inspiration makes us feel good about life in general. This book pushes all three buttons at once and the result is . . . Whitlow.
Mr. Whitlow's first book, The List, was equally entertaining. He has the ability to tell a story that might possibly be just an ordinary tale if not for the miraculous events that occur during the course of it. It is no secret that love of money and greed have been the downfall of many good men. This is the story of the evil forces behind that greed and the effects it has on several generation of families, all of whom are tied together by a secret, a "List." The main character, having just "inherited" the right to have his name on the List by the death of his father, is discovering the evil connected with it, and is forced to put his priorities in order and trust in God when making important decisions in his life. The friends who help him through this journey are unforgettable and the "prayer closet" is delightful. A great story of the goodness of our God and the mighty power of prayer.

Robert Whitlow demonstrates once again his gifted writing talents in his award winning book The Trial. It is a suspense story and love story combined, and has a number of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The true to life style of his book make reading his novels even more interesting. The Trial has somewhat of a surprise ending, one which I didn't anticipate.

As the author of another Christian legal thriller, Illegal Procedure, Robert Whitlow has been an inspiration. His books The Trial and The List are Christian versions of "The Firm", by John Grisham, and are edge of the seat page turners. Although he has ventured a bit away from the legal thriller genre and into more traditional suspense Christian fiction of late, all of his works are top notch. I'm hoping he will head back to his earlier days of grittier legal fiction, but will read anything he publishes.

i watched the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it even it was a lukewarm movie with a very slow pace. the movie itself showed the state of georgia like a vacuumed bubble without anything but courtroom, almost empty prison, beautiful scenery, nice lawns and houses, even the cemetery looked nice, not too much traffic or too many pedestrians. i also found out that there was not too much propaganda of the christian stuff putting everything related to god, and that's really good.

Although the author does show you that when you learn to trust the Lord, he "does" make the crooked way straight. "Mac" is one of many people who has lost hope in God when tragedy strikes and you lose those you love dearly. You do lose faith in God, but He also shows his compassion to "Mac" and to others that his LOVE runs deeper than we realize. The Lord "always" brings the right people into our lives, and brings victory when hit with defeat!!

I read Robert Whitlow's first book, The List, and waited patiently for his next book. The Trial was worth the wait! Being from north Georgia (Mr. Whitlow practiced law in my hometown) made this book especially interesting for me. Whitlow has the amazing ability to spin mystery, suspense and spirituality into a novel that keeps the reader turning the pages. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a Grisham or Peretti fan. You will not be disappointed.

The suspenseful style & thriller of John Grisham makes this book a good read. It keeps you on the edge of your chair and quickly turning pages well into the night time hours. For those who are tired of trashy, vulgar, profain, sexual novels and want a good read that's suitable for everyone this book is a wonderful change. Some of his characters have deep spiritual convictions and it shows that a thriller can be wholesome and very entertaining. Better than "The List" his first novel.
Trusting that this author will continue writing and not let the publishers rush him into writing fast or trashy just to please their book sales and pound out another book for 2002. Mr. Whitlow, Write well and at your own pace. We'll buy it, we'll wait.

Overlooking the handful of typos and the predictablity of the story, I give "The Trial" 4 stars. This was the first trial in a narrative that I did not find monotonous but quite interesting. Despite the evidence, I was somewhat (but not totally) surprised by the verdict. Keep in mind that the story line was predictable.
The author uses quite a bit of "fluff", describing what the characters had for lunch, directions to certain locations, etc. If that doesn't bother you, give this book a try.

I liked the book - thought it was very well written and kept my interest. BUT - I could have done without the last 4 pages. They just seemed really unnecessary, like he was trying too hard to tie up loose ends.

This is the first fiction I have read in a long time. I could not put it down waiting for the plot to unfold. How refreshing to have God's Word interwoven with suspense and a touch of romance. I will now read his first book The List. I love his style of writing. Perfect for summer reading. Enjoy

Maybe I didn't read the description well enough; this was perhaps a Christian thriller? I don't mind, but was surprised. The religious overtones were not part of the main story, but were interwoven as a backstory/side story type thing.

The main story itself was very good. I usually don't read courtroom drama type novels, but I was really caught up in this and found it fascinating.

The main characters were extremely likable.

I don't know if it was planned that way, but I was able to figure out the twist of whodunit a bit before the novel got to that point.

All in all this definitely deserves four stars and is worth reading! It was hard to put down and I was very satisfied with the ending.