Date: 27 October 2019
Location: Linda & Bob
A goodly bunch (fifteen) Bookers gathered at Bob and Linda’s new home to discuss Robert Bailey’s The Last Trial, the third book in Bailey’s series about law professor Tom McMurtrie. The Bookers had previously read the first two books in the series by the Huntsville author and almost all the group read this one as well.
Most, but not all, of us enjoyed this third book. Some felt that parts of the book, especially early on, were rather trashy, and the frequent references to Alabama football seemed forced and got tiresome.
Also, some of the events did not really ring true, but, as Peggy noted, it is a work of fiction.
On the other hand, Bailey is very good with plot development, and he weaves an interesting story with twists and turns that keep you guessing and maintain your interest. Some wondered where Bailey gets his ideas and insights: were any of these based on actual events or were they simply products of his imagination? One topic the book raised with us was whether there are people who really deserved to be murdered, and, if so, what is a fair punishment for the doer of the deed. We also asked how readers in Jasper or Walker county might have appreciated the book.
Several of us said we were not interested in reading another of Bailey’s books, but Marion had read his fourth book and liked it better than The Last Trial.
As usual we finished off with some very good food: sausage, saurkraut and many other good dishes that had nothing to do with the book but paid homage to Octoberfest.
— Bob