Anatomy of a Murder

SPOILER ALERT: Eloquent writing style but not much intrigue. A few chameleon characters who began as hostile witnesses and turned friendly for some reason. At least two unnecessary subplots about a previous divorce and a potentially contested will. Reader led to believe that the defendant was unduly influenced by his attorney to cop a temporary insanity plea but jury was not aware of that fact so they acquitted him. The deceased deserved to be severely punished but murder was not justified in my opinion.

I've seen and enjoyed the movie version of Anatomy of a Murder many times, and I finally decided to read the novel. It's as good as I had hoped. If you've seen the movie, you know it's a simple story - a man is arrested for murder, and we follow his defense attorney as he investigates the killing and then pleads the case at trial. But it's the telling of that simple story that makes this novel unique and compelling. We hear the story from the attorney, a delightful narrator with a wry sense of humor and realistic (somewhat jaded but still vaguely idealistic) view of how the justice system works. As he tells the story, we're introduced to a delightful cast of characters and we really start to care about what happens to all of them. It's a legal drama all the way - there are no shootouts or corrupt judges or vengeful cops mucking things up - but if you enjoy reading about legal strategies and courtroom debates, this is the book for you.One other note, for fans of the movie. Having seen the movie is great preparation for reading the novel, as you can hear the actors' voices in your head saying the dialogue. But be warned that there are changes in the screen version, and some of your favorite scenes from the film may not be in the book. But most of them are.

The best courtroom drama I've ever read and one of the best murder mysteries I've read lies within the pages of Anatomy of a Murder by Robert Traver, released over half a century ago. Compelling and moving steadily from beginning to end, the book never lets up in its tension and suspense and I was surprised what I learned about courtroom procedures.Down on his luck ex D.A. Paul "Polly" Biegler receives a call from Laura Manion, wife of U.S. Army Lieutenant Frederic Manion, pleading for help because she claims to have been raped and beaten by hotel and bar owner, Barney Quill. Her husband is in jail for walking into Quill's barroom and killing him by shooting him several times. Laura wants Polly to speak to her husband. Polly does, and agrees to take the case to defend him. Polly enlists the help of my favorite character, Parnell McCarthy, an older lawyer who drinks and rarely has a case now. He is full of wonderful quotes, loves the law and works the law books for Polly like a young man.Polly and Parnell face a prosecution team made up of the new D.A. Mitch Lodwick and hotshot state attorney Claude Dancer. The courtroom drama that is laid out in the book is tense and never a sure thing. Expert witnesses battle it out and provide some humour amidst the tension and suspense of the trial.All of this takes place in a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan amidst pristine forests that attract tourists to Barney Quill's hotel and bar. Descriptions of the area and Polly's fishing trips are a nice addition to this wonderful book that shot to the top of bestseller lists when it was first released and was also made into a movie.Most of the book, except for the beginning third, I'd say, is the story of the trial and a good look into the lives and minds of the characters. By the end of the book I felt that I knew them well.A wonderful book that I highly recommend and that should be on those lists of "Books to Read Before You Die."

"Good book but my god it could've used about 80% less adverbs" - he wrote cooly.

If you love the law as I do, you will love this book! A lesson in character and human frailties! Highly recommend!

Have watched the movie several times over the years on Turner Classic Movies and will watch it again whenever it comes on; it is just that good.Jimmy Stewart, Lee Rimmick, and a real Michigan judge playing the judge give outstanding performances. Had the book for years and wanted to see if the old adage stood true that the book is always better than the movie, in this case it wasn't.Still it was a good read. The story is basically the same but I find that where the movie and book differ I really think the movie was better. Otto Preminger, the director of the movie, did a superb job with cast and crew and I even enjoyed the jazz soundtrack even though I have never really been a big fan of jazz.I would recommend the movie (5 stars) or the book (4stars) to anyone interested.

Follows the defense attorney of a man convicted of murder. The defendant doesn't stand a chance. Follows the lawyer as he investigates and defends his man to the fullest extent of the law. Simple story.I liked it. A little bit too long. I'm not afraid of a little length. If a book needs 500 pages, so be it. If it needs 1,400 pages, that won't deter me. But this story lacked any real twists or turns to compensate for how long the story is. We learn about a very straightforward murder, see how everything the lawyer learns about the murder holds true, and then relates this all in the court. Not much stuff.That being said, the book is actually fantastic. The characters aren't iconic, but very enjoyable. Simple people from the Upper peninsula of michigan who are tossed together in this tale. The banter and actions are realistic but fun too. The law jargon is no problem. Traver clearly knows his stuff, but he doesn't want the reader to be in the dark about it. Rather, he explains everything he talks about in layman's terms. They are even in a way that the law is interesting.No spoilers for how the book ends. I recommend it. Classic courtroom drama. Doesn't sound like much but it holds a certain magic to it that can only be comprehended, not explained.

Competetive and argumentativem the prosecution are determined to get a conviction to sent a soldier to prison for murder, Equally the defence are fighting to get him aquitted of murder. The soldier is Manny Manion an army Lieutenant who has shot dead Barny Quill dead for raping his wife Laura Manion. Small town lawyer Paul Biegler takes the case for the defence of Manny Manion. Prosecuting lawyer Dancer from Lancing is out for a conviction. It is extremley interesting how they each mount their case. Lawyer Dancer to convict and at the same time discredit the soldiers wife as a loose easy women who encourages men to persue her. Voluptuous sensual the prosecuting lawyer describes Laura Manion. The defence lawyer counters with his own convincing argument discrediting the rapist Barnt Quill as a wonaniser partial to a drink who is a crack shott with his collection of pitols. As always the DVD is no whare as good as the book, the concluding argument it not so convincing and the rebuttal not so intense and dambing. The book will keep you wondering and you will take sides when you realise how corrupt the prosecuting council do become to secure a conviction. There are some subtle happenings in the book that the DVD misses. Rivetting entharaling sound tough argument.

Enjoyable read with my bookclub. Very well written and I would certainly recommend this book. Now to watch the film !

A very well planned book. It won awards, and deservedly. Although the writing is not up to the standards of, say, Dickens, it is OK, and the thing is coherent in a way that most are not. The author knows what he is writing about, but the dialogue tends towards the style of a mini-lecture at times. Still, well worth it.

You better believe me when I say that this is an astonishing piece of work. Every page rings with excitement and emotion. I've never read anything written so equally brilliantly using the heart and the head.

A classic. Tends to be a bit prosy at times (after all, it was written by a lawyer). And all the stuff about how wonderful the law is seems a bit ironic, given that the hero got a murderer off the hook. I think in some ways the plot of the film improved on the original plot. Very readable, though.