Book Review ‘The Neon Lawyer’ by Victor Methos

If you enjoyed John Grisham’s, The Rainmaker, you’ll like The Neon Lawyer.

However, I would be remiss if I did not warn; unlike Grisham’s, the crime against the child in The Neon Lawyer is disturbing and gruesome, but please understand it is detailed, briefly.

Based on a true story, author Victor Methos captures the interior of his characters in a compelling story quick 178 page read that is just a little longer than a novella. 

Brigham Theodore transfers from Tulane University in New Orleans to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

After graduation, he relocates to nearby Salt Lake City, Utah to study for the bar examination. Broke, he feels as if he’s hit rock bottom working as a janitor until he passes the bar. Soon, after passing the bar and begging for a job at the local firms; young Brigham learns he must settle for a job at a questionable firm and he isn’t sure which job is worse.

Nevertheless, without delay, the novice lawyer lands his first murder case. A wounded female veteran, in plain sight, shoots the pedophile that assaulted and murdered her six-year-old daughter. As one might imagine, the case is heart wrenching and fortunately, the author’s excellent skill captures the mother’s emotional trauma as well as that of Brigham as a clever rookie in the courtroom. 

 

In fact, Brigham’s personality is quite entertaining throughout the novel. His acclimation to adult life inside and outside the legal profession is most interesting and enjoyable.

If you can handle the crime against a child, this is a very good read for a long evening or weekend. The audio duration is about 41/2 hours and narrator, Nick Podehl, is excellent.

Published by Thomas & Mercer, The Neon Lawyer is available on Amazon, Audible, and other book retailers.

Review by Sammy Sutton