Synopses & Reviews
Superior Court Judge Timothy Nash thought the brutal murder trial in his court would be like many he'd presided over before. He didn't know it might lead to his own murder. Nash has been tapped as point man in a federal sting operation against the most powerful and dangerous of prey: corrupt judges. Risking his reputation and his life, Nash digs deep into a morass of dirty deals and uncovers a devastating plot of betrayal. The closer he gets to the truth, the more desperate the judges become--until they fight back with all the power at their command. It's all coming to a head as the murder trial nears its verdict, a verdict that could spell death for not only the defendant but also for Nash himself.
Review
For Sudden Impact: Wood's engaging investigative thriller starts off with a bang, as beloved Sacramento police officer and local hero Tommy Ensor is killed in a late-night hit-and-run in front of the California state capitol building. The driver is charitable and good-natured Judge Frank Stevenson, who happens to be preparing for a meteoric rise through the ranks of California's justice system at the time of the accident. With so much to lose, Stevenson exhausts every available option at his disposal in an attempt to cover his tracks, but detectives Terry Nye and Rose Tafoya-along with the rest of the city's police department-are determined to track down the assailant. Meanwhile, assistant chiefs of police Jerry Nishimoto and Lou Altlander vie for the soon-to-be-vacated spot at the head of the department, threatening to turn the investigation into a political charade. Wood (Stay of Execution) is a must-read for those who love a classic, hard-boiled detective novel. (Feb.) Publishers Weekly
Review
"A spellbinding tale about the men and women who dispence justice from the bench." --Associated Press "Wood combines colorful, behind-the-scenes details with a nonstop plot." --Library Journal "William P. Wood . . . knows the intricacies and ironies of the legal system. He also knows how to employ them to weave a compelling story." --San Diego Union "William P. Wood, a former prosecutor, knows well how to surprise and engross us." --Vincent Bugliosi, international bestselling author of Helter Skelter "Wood clearly knows the inner workings of the judicial system." --Publishers Weekly "What Joseph Wambaugh did for law enforcement, William P. Wood will do for the judiciary." --Tulsa World "Fast-moving . . . Fascinating . . . Convincing . . . Chillingly informative." --Sacramento Bee
About the Author
WILLIAM WOOD is the bestselling author of eight novels and one nonfiction book. As a deputy district attorney in California, he handled thousands of criminal cases and put on over 50 jury trials. Two of Woods novels have been produced as motion pictures, including Rampage, filmed by Academy Award winning director William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Exorcist, Rules of Engagement), and Broken Trust, filmed by Jane Fonda Films with the screenplay written by Joan Didion and her husband John Gregory Dunne. Woods books have been translated into several foreign languages including French, Spanish, Japanese, German, Greek, and Polish. He lives in Sacramento, California.