Reviews

• A Must-Have Book for Writers of Crime Fiction

  One of the challenges that confronts anyone attempting to write crime fiction is the daunting task of trying to get the legal details right. Whether writing about a criminal trial or attempting to portray correctly the legalities of investigation and arrest procedures, a writer's job is made enormously more complicated by the myriad of overlapping and sometimes conflicting national, state and local legal jurisdictions, laws and practices. Given that, Leslie Budewitz has done a great service to writers--and to crime fiction readers who would like to better understand these complex issues--with her new book, Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure. Budewitz, who is herself a published mystery writer as well as a practicing attorney, carefully walks the reader through the basics of the judicial system in the U.S. and then describes what occurs before a criminal trial. Using a variety of examples to demonstrate the points she makes, she discusses the rules of evidence, the role of witnesses, the required burden of proof and the appeals process. She moves on to treat a number of legal issues that arise during the course of a criminal investigation, lays out the distinctions between various levels of crime and discusses the various punishments a court might mete out, including the death penalty. Budewitz then discusses the role of the civil courts and advises writers on the matters of thinking like a lawyer and like a judge. Given that the law and judicial procedures are constantly evolving, she closes with a very useful chapter on research and references. Given the myriad of legal jurisdictions that exist in the United States, no one book could realistically treat every possible contingency that a writer might encounter in attempting to get his or her legal facts correct. But Budewitz provides an excellent introduction to the topic and then points the writer in the direction of the sources that he or she might use to discover the specific circumstances that would apply in the case of their own work. Anyone who writes crime fiction will find this book indispensible.

• Some needed tips for crime/mystery/thriller authors!

  Having some familiarity with legal, courtroom, and law enforcement procedures, I am all too often frustrated by "They wouldn't DO that!" reactions to how they are presented by some authors. Leslie Budewicz is both an attorney and an author, and her information about how -- for writers outside the profession -- to accurately handle legal issues is much needed. Well-written and accessible.

• Excellent Legal Resource For Writers/General Overview for Everyone

  A definite must have for writers. This is an excellent legal resource for writers. The chapters and sections are well thought out and the index makes it easy to go to the part you need. This is less a 'beginning to end read' (although you can do that if you want), but more of a 'I want to know this now'. It's also a great general overview for any one interested in understanding the legal system and the law. Or for when one encounters legal references and procedures or other aspects of the legal system or the law in newspaper articles, radio or television news, shows or movies.

• Best book of its kind...only one of its kind?

  Excellent resource material for the beginner writer. I had no idea just how much I was lost in the parameters of legal writing prior to purchasing the Ebook version. This is a very practical and easy to follow guide that will help anyone find a starting point as well as navigating the complex world of law. Highly recommend ‘without a shadow of a doubt’.

• Exceptionally useful writer's guide

  I've published 29 romance novels, many with light suspense/mystery elements. I buy/read a lot of writer guides to everything from PIs to poisons and this book is exceptionally useful. The format--with common writer questions, the level of detail is just right--not too much or too little--the overview concepts are useful, the writing style is clean and easy, and the index is solid. I am THRILLED with this book. So are my friends who are attorneys and sick of my questions... Daphne Atkeson w/a Dawn Atkins THE NEW HOPE CAFE, Harlequin SuperRomance, 9/12 [....]

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