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D.W. Buffa would be a household name in a perfect world --- a world where bookstores
are open at midnight on the eve of his new release, and the masses queue up to
read the latest in a series of novels concerning defense attorney Joseph Antonelli
in the same number and with the same fervor that they read the exploits of bespectacled
wizards' apprentices. The scenario I propose is probably too far removed from
reality to be in reasonable anticipation of occurrence, but I have witnessed miracles
before and continue to hope.
Over the course of six previous novels, Buffa has utilized Antonelli as a vehicle
to explore the culture and mores of the American landscape. While a good deal
of each of Buffa's works concerns the mechanisms of judicial trial, these novels
transcend the "courtroom thriller" genre to which they are often and erroneously
consigned.
So it is with TRIAL BY FIRE, Buffa's newest book. There are echoes within of Dickens,
Dumas and O. Henry, containing elements of the work of each of these authors.
Yet TRIAL BY FIRE is not a pastiche or even a homage to these writers. The commonality
that this novel has with A TALE OF TWO CITIES (which, if it was published today,
might be considered a courtroom thriller) or THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is that
it subtly explores the foibles of the human condition, the ones that many contemporary
authors no longer care to deal with, much less mention, either implicitly or explicitly.
And the man is an absolute joy to read. Buffa coins at least two phrases in TRIAL
BY FIRE, creates an unforgettable minor character within the space of three short
sentences, and gives over a brief paragraph to a physical description of another
secondary character --- a description so complete in every way that it would render
a photograph of the individual superfluous. All of this is interwoven into a narrative
that presents such matters as a short history of Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence, a
visit to a restaurant you will never encounter otherwise, and an ongoing narrative
discourse concerning trial by media --- all the while presupposing the intelligence
of the reader.
But there is far more going on here than stylistic gymnastics. Buffa interweaves
his superior literary style with elements of suspense and mystery into a combination
that makes TRIAL BY FIRE impossible to relinquish until its last word is read.
As with many of Buffa's other works, this one defies an easy summarization, not
because of the complexity of the plot, but rather because the symmetry of the
work is so important to the narrative that one fears that revealing one thing
will reveal all.
TRIAL BY FIRE begins with Antonelli back in San Francisco, practicing law as an
informal partner in a quietly prestigious firm. While reluctantly participating
on a panel for a news television program, Antonelli makes the acquaintance of
Julian Sinclair, a criminal law professor from Berkeley. Antonelli is immediately
struck by the level of Sinclair's acumen and intelligence --- so much so that
he is in immediate agreement when Albert Craven, the lone surviving founding partner
in the firm, suggests bringing Sinclair into their fold.
The hiring never takes place, however. Antonelli is horrified when early on a
Sunday morning he is summoned to Sinclair's home to find a woman --- a married
woman with whom Sinclair has been involved --- brutally murdered. Sinclair protests
his innocence, claiming that the victim was killed by her husband, a wealthy and
powerful icon of the San Francisco business community. Antonelli believes Sinclair
to the depths of his soul and vigorously defends him against the charges. The
media, however, has Sinclair tried and convicted before the charges are even read
in open court.
When Sinclair is indeed tried and convicted, Antonelli, obsessed with the injustice
that has occurred, takes it upon himself to bring the true killer to justice ---
thus placing himself squarely in the path of the murderer. But Antonelli is unstoppable.
As he continues on his quest, several unexpected developments occur, occasioning
a maelstrom of passion, revenge and, in the end, a rough and most appropriate
justice.
TRIAL BY FIRE is a meticulously plotted work with unforgettable characters, both
major and minor, and a resolution that is as equally haunting on the third reading
as it is on the first. This is another major work by one of the best contemporary
wordsmiths of any genre. Very highly recommended.
--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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