The Trial of Alex Lord

This was a very different book from The Last Mango in Texas or the Flabbergasted series. To be totally truthful I would rate the book 3/5 except the ending redeemed it somewhat. The story itself was well told, not to mention gritty.Just don't expect it to be a light summer read.

After discovering that this book was based on a screenplay, and not something originally Ray Blackston's, I had my doubts. Then, I discovered that Ray was going all serious on us, and I thought I wasn't going to like this work. However, as it rolled along and the tension rose and rose, I couldn't wait to see what else would happen to Alex Lord. I could feel what it must have been like for him to watch his world fall apart, and no matter what he did, he couldn't stop it. The treachery in the firm just made me want to scream!I was a little disappointed in the end, just because it didn't turn out 'happier.' As I reflected on the outcome, I realized that it was more like real life, not always so neat and tidy. But there was also a sense of hope, like you could just see that Alex's future was going to be so much brighter in the end.If the screenplay ever gets made into a movie, I would love to see Jeffrey Donovan as Alex. I think he could really pull this off. Ray did an excellent job, as usual. The only bad thing is, now I have to wait until his NEXT book comes out!

My lightly used edition of The Trial of Alex Lord arrived in perfectly acceptable shape from the supplier. As I was in the process of reading a novel when Alex Lord arrived, I tabled it with anticipation. It was next in my reading line. When I picked up the pleasantly thin novel (tomes stress me out) I couldn't put it down for a couple of days. I was gripped. Blackton's dry humor and quick wit captured my attention in his previous, "lighter" novels with quirky, college-age fun; it was the neon bright colors that first attracted me to his novels. But Alex Lord is edgier, grittier, of a more serious nature. Redeeming qualities in some of the characters make the book more appealing for me. As I read I visualized Matthew McConaughey in The Lincoln Lawyer and young Tom Cruise in The Firm. Keep up the good words, Mr. Blackston!

This story is quite a departure from Ray's previous comedic, light-hearted novels.Mr. Blackston has a way of narrating a story that really draws one into the life of the main character and makes it a believable intimacy. Well told and with valuable lessons without being preachy or cheesy. As a matter of fact, I'd rather hoped for Alex to find salvation in the pen (though, who says Otis won't bring him to that place on a subsequent visit?!) and reconciliation with his wife (but, again, it seemed that the story hinted at that possibility down the road somewhere). Over all, great pacing and character development, intriguing story line and plot development, too. A winner!

Every book that Ray Blackston writes should be read by fans of John Grisham, Scott Turow, or anyone into legal thrillers. This is an exceptional piece of work, but the real difference is, it contains a twist, off-the-wall humor, some different varieties of interest, and, most importantly, you have fun while reading it. Even while you are hanging by a thread, wondering "oh God, what's going to happen next"It is just a spectacular piece of writing. I have read all of Ray's books, and once again, this does not disappoint. He is exceptional.

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One of my favorite authors. I look forward to each of his books!A great perspective on life! Highly recommended.

Can you take Ray Blackston seriously? Don't answer that question. If you've read his prior work, he writes with a humor that is hard to match, and usually adds a grain of salt to the finished product to make it interesting. This time around, he does away with the exotic covers, and he lets you know he's dead serious. Ok, is he really serious? Read "The Trial of Alex Lord," and find out for yourself.Alex Lord is a hard worker, and he's bound to go far. He takes his work quite seriously to the point of possibly becoming a partner at a pretty large firm. But does he take his marriage seriously? There isn't exactly a positive answer on that note. But all in all, Alex does seem to have it all together. And a man who's lost his home and takes Alex's firm to court is about to change his tone permanently. It suddenly becomes more than simply a court case, it even involves restraining orders, and Alex Lord is grasping for straws. And all the while, his best buddy, Austin, seems to be looking on while it happens. What kind of advice can a good lawyer possibly take? Alex finds himself on the receiving end of lots of bad stuff.Ray Blackston made sure he kept his edge in this one. I'm convinced of that. He took this seriously, but he had some moments of good humor in the midst of it all. When all was said and done, though, I can't say I was completely satisfied with the final outcome. But it was very good to the point where I polished it off within 24 hours. So in saying all of that, I'm really looking forward to what Ray Blackston has to offer. And I'm dead serious about that!