Synopses & Reviews
Eastern philosophy and legal thinking meet in this mystery novel in which Max Macarthur faces the greatest challenge of his young career when he must serve as defense counsel to cult leader Shiva Ram Acharya. In a grisly echo of Jonestown, 20 members of a cult are found savagely executed in an isolated island on Canada's west coast, and Acharya, who was there, claims to have amnesia when questioned about the events. As Macarthur falls under the sway of the brilliant and enigmatic Acharya, he becomes convinced of the cultist's innocence and embarks on a danger-ridden quest to find the true murderer.
Review
"Deverell's lean-mean style gives off sparks." —
Publishers WeeklySynopsis
Twenty members of a cult are found massacred on an isolated island on Canada's West Coast. Their leader, Shiva Ram Acharya, is brought to trial, and the great Arthur Beauchamp defends him, assisted by his junior counsel Max Macarthur. Shiva claims to have amnesia and refuses to participate in his own defence. But Macarthur gradually becomes convinced of his innocence, embarking on the greatest challenge of his career a dangerous quest for the true murderer and falling under the sway of the brilliant, enigmatic Shiva. Is Shiva a madman or a messiah?
About the Author
William Deverell is the author of "Needles," "Platinum Blues," and "Trial of Passion." He is the recipient of the Dashiell Hammett Prize. He lives in Pender Island, British Columbia.