Former Federal Prosecutor Diane Munson and former NCIS Agent and undercover agent for the DEA David Munson collaborate to "factionally" expose the underbelly of DC politics in their legal thrillers. Confirming Justice, published by FaithWalk Publishing in 2006, is one of many legal thrillers written by this duo.
Federal Judge Dwight Pendergast and wife Christine have a few secrets from each other but nothing they feel will ultimately affect their marriage until a friend of theirs, who Judge Pendergast feels is inimitably qualified, is nominated to the Supreme Court but withdraws his nomination under scrutiny and in a tirade when his wife is assaulted with a pie in her face during the hearings.
Suddenly, Judge Pendergast is the next nominee. He learns his wife has been receiving terrible notes about her brief past relationship in college with a mutual friend of theirs of which Dwight had no knowledge. And Dwight's health issues haven't been completely revealed to his family.
Judge Pendergast is forced to dismiss a trial of a guilty individual when the prosecution can't find its star witness FBI Agent Frank Williams. After Special Agent Griff Topping and his partner Sal discover what's happened and find the agent, although it's too late for the trial, the judge summons Griff to see if he will agree to work for him on a private project which involves the judge's health. Shortly after Griff agrees to do this, the judge is nominated to the Supreme Court.
This is only a brief summary of half of the plot elements in this complex story. With many characters, locations, criminal scenarios, and some tense moments, Confirming Justice is a satisfying account of the working of the justice system, those who try to find an angle to exploit it and those who operate within it, the typical political hacks and those who lust after power over principles, while those who truly want justice lay down their lives to keep the law and follow it.
Faith issues were introduced organically and became prominent throughout.
From the writing standpoint, I'm a stickler for contractions in conversations and in general. Without them the language seems stilted and obtrusive, slowing me down as a reader. Now if either the "I" or the "am" (for example) is there for emphasis, I would prefer italics to clue me in, same with cannot or do not, etc. Otherwise it feels like a first grade reader.
There was a lot going on in this novel and sometimes the break-off points seemed forced and perhaps a bit late or too early, making it difficult to resume my place with the following scene or the return to what has passed.
Those points don't really take away from the story itself but rather present a little reading interference for this reader.
There were a few stereotypical characters, but that's got to be expected when dealing with criminals and politicians where sometimes there is no recognizable separation between the two.
Confirming Justice is a good read for those who enjoy political thrillers - I would classify this as political suspense - with complex storylines and a wide cast of characters. The Munsons clearly know the way things work on the inside of DC, and it was a pleasure to read from their perspective.
Father, please continue to give the Munsons the stories you have for them to tell. May they be blessed for their experience and their wisdom and their multi-talents under your direction. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.