Ready for the Defense

Mike Langan
Treble Heart Books/WhoooDoo Mysteries (2008)
ISBN 9781932695700
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (6/08)

Do you enjoy extremely entertaining, somewhat dangerous, and never dull quests for truth?  If so, then you will definitely enjoy Mike Langan’s second novel, “Ready For the Defense.”  In this novel, Langan introduces readers to the character of Hank Fisher, a thirty-two year old, first-year criminal defense lawyer who leads a rather adventurous life.  In the opening pages of the book, Hank is in the courtroom representing his law firm’s cleaning lady Marita in a lawsuit against her brother Jorge.  Throughout the proceedings the judge falls asleep, slews of name-calling ensue, Hank is beat up, and then ends up in jail because his cell phone is ringing when the Judge wakes up (this is one of the Judge’s pet peeves).

If the first chapter is not enough to intrigue you, then let’s fast-forward a few pages to the third chapter where we meet Hank’s boss Mac in person, all six-foot-five, 350 + pounds of him.  Hank is in a limo with Mac on his way to meet with their new client, Senator Victoria Serling.  At this point the only information that they have is that Serling is enlisting the firm’s representation because of a “tax problem.”  Not wanting to talk on her cell phone because of fear of someone tapping into the signal, she requested an in-person meeting.  Upon arriving at Capitol Hill, Mac and Hank are met by Vicky’s husband, Lawrence Marshall, and the Senator herself.  Right after the client explains that they think the case might be more complicated than a simple tax violation, a vehicle comes roaring at them, hits Mac throwing him over the vehicle, clips Hank with the side mirror, causes injuries to the Senator that put her into a coma and also wounds her husband.  Hank jumps into the limo to pursue the attacker but miscalculates a u-turn and crashes.

Vowing to find Mac’s killer while representing Senator Serling, Hank sets out on an action and adventure filled investigation that is more characteristic of “Sherlock Holmes than Oliver Wendell Holmes.”  “Ready for the Defense” has it all: humor, excitement, and intrigue.  The author has a true talent for writing descriptive passages as I could completely visualize in my mind all of the characters and the events taking place.  Langan’s characters are very interesting and well developed.  I enjoyed the main character Hank so much that I would love to see a series centered on him.  My verdict is in; “Ready for the Defense” is a winner!