Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Conviction - Robert Dugoni - Review AND Giveaway

I picked up Robert Dugoni's debut novel The Jury Master back in 2006. I quite enjoyed it, but for some unknown reason, I hadn't read another of his books until I picked up his latest - The Conviction. (I know I've missed a lot of good reads in between.)

Lawyer David Sloane is Dugoni's recurring character. He's known as 'the lawyer who does not lose'. In the courtroom maybe, but in his personal life Sloane has suffered some losses. His partner Tina was brutally murdered - in front of her son Jake. Jake is dealing with his grief by abusing drugs and alcohol and engaging in petty crimes that are rapidly escalating. Sloane had raised the boy with Tina. In a last ditch effort to keep him out of detention, Sloan agrees to get him sucessfully through rehab this time. When an old friend, Detective Tom Molia, invites Sloan and Jake on a camping trip with him and his son T.J., it seems like a great idea.

And it was....until Jake decides that breaking into a local business in the small town of Truluc is a good idea...and he has T.J. was with him. Unbelievably, the boys are caught, tried and convicted within six hours and sent to Fresh Start, a local boot camp, for six months. All without their fathers' knowledge.....

Oh, this was such a page turner! Although, sometimes I didn't want to turn the page, fearing the worst, but needing to know to know what would happen next.  As Sloane and Molia work feverishly on the outside to get the boys released, Jake and TJ struggle to survive inside the camp. And I feverishly kept turning pages.

Dugoni's main premise for The Conviction has it's basis in reality. Stories of abusive youth detention camps are fact -  not fiction.

I had forgotten how much I liked the David Sloan character. I'm fascinated by the courtroom drama and legal machinations. (And Dugoni does these well - he worked as a litigator before turning to writing.)  But for me the best legal stories have elements outside of  the courtroom as well - legal thrillers seems to be an apt description. Sloan is a bigger than life character in both arenas, willing to do whatever it takes to free the boys. He's the guy you'd want in your corner.

The Conviction has it all - great plotting (with twists I didn't see coming at all), non stop action, chills, thrills, strong characters and a clearly defined good vs. bad dynamic that will have you on the edge of your seat and staying up late to finish.

The Conviction can certainly be read as a stand alone, but if you're like me, you'll be hunting down the previous books in the series. Highly recommended. Read an excerpt of The Conviction.

You can find Robert Dugoni on Facebook and on Twitter.

And thanks to the great folks at Touchstone, I have a copy of The Conviction to giveaway. Simply leave a comment to be entered. Open to US and Canada, ends August 18/12.

26 comments:

traveler said...

A compelling novel which I would enjoy. thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

this book interests me greatly. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

scottsgal said...

I've never read this author - sounds like a book I'd really enjoy
msboatgal at aol.com

Piero G. said...

Your review of this book left me intrigued. WOW! Simply amazing, I want to read more of The Conviction. I want to read a page turner that will keep me spellbound, and this book has the makings of being an awesome read.

Becky said...

I seriously can't believe that I haven't heard of this one before. It looks like something I would really love. I am just finishing up "The In-Ko-Pah Spirit" by Wally Runnels, a great action thriller with a story plot that centers around the Mexican cartel, in the In-Ko-Pah Mountains, an isolated region on the Mexican/American Border. As soon as I am finished I am definitely checking out "The Conviction." Thank you for suggesting it.
http://www.wallyrunnels.com/

Anonymous said...

Hadn't heard of this author...but count me in please! Liene @ LLucane at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

What a high recommendation! I've got to read this book. I have never read anything by Rober Dugoni but I would love to start with this book. I really enjoy books that have intrigue and twists. Thank you for the good review and this nice giveaway.

Carl Scott said...

This sounds like a terrific book and Robert Dugoni sounds like an author I should get to know better. Please enter my name for the chance to win a copy.
carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

lag123 said...

Please enter me. I love page turners!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Karen B said...

This sounds like a fascinating thriller!

kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Martha Lawson said...

A new to me author, I love finding them! His book sounds amazing, please enter me. Thanks for the chance.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Jessica T. said...

This doesn't sound like light reading, but I'm game! Thanks for the chance.
reklaw422 at hotmail dot com

Thoughts of Joy said...

I've never heard of this author, but the book sounds right up my alley. :) Thanks for offering a giveaway. Please enter me! Thoughtsofjoyblog at gmail dot com

dlhaley said...

This books sounds like a good read.

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

skkorman said...

I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

kat said...

I love books that keeps in reading and I think this one will! Thanks for the giveaway!
kat_emerick@yahoo.com

Anita Yancey said...

This is a new author to me, I haven't heard of him before now. But his book sounds really good, and I'd love to read it. I really like that they try to get the boys out of the camp. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Mrs Mommy Booknerd said...

Another fabulous giveaway!

greenhome said...

I would so love to win and read this

Nancy said...

Love a good series. I'd like to give this one a try.

nanze55 at hotmail dot com

Maureen said...

I have never read any of this author's stories but it looks like a good book.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

greenhome said...

sounds like a great book

kat said...

Sounds like another winner. Thanks for the chance to read it.
kat_emerick@yahoo.com

Daniel M said...

sounds like an interesting read - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Darlene said...

It sounds like a great thriller, and I think I would enjoy the series.

Thanks for the giveaway!

darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com