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Vol. 73, No. 3, March 2000 |
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Book Reviews
This Month's Featured Selections
With Intent to Kill
By Nancy Kopp
(New York, NY: Signet/Penguin Group, 1998).
Novel. 384 pgs. $5.59.
Reviewed by Patricia L. Grove
The cover of Nancy Kopp's novel touts the book as "electrifying
legal suspense!" I put this to the test by reading it at
Disney World. The result: a page-turner from beginning to end,
with engrossing characters, snappy dialogue, and intriguing legal
drama.
The story unfolds in Oakwood, Wis., a picturesque town where
murder just doesn't happen. Detective Jeff Gardner is summoned
to investigate the brutal slaying of 4-year-old Jeremy Barker,
son of Oakwood's most prominent widower, Tom Barker. Gardner
joins forces in his investigation of the slaying with Liz Stanfeld,
Oakwood's attractive assistant district attorney, herself
a prominent resident due, in large part, to a recent and lucrative
divorce settlement.
After her divorce, Stanfeld left Milwaukee's largest
law firm, moved to Oakwood to simplify her life, and joined the
D.A.'s Office. With her considerable trial experience, Stanfeld
is tapped by the D.A., who is seeking to become the next U.S.
Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and with whom
Stanfeld has become romantically involved, to prosecute this
high-profile murder.
Gardner and Stanfeld square off in a comical but trite "cops
versus lawyers" pursuit of whodunit. Initially, Stanfeld
is bothered by Gardner's investigative techniques, and the
two are frequently at odds over who and how to investigate. Kopp's
amusing, clever dialogue breathes life into the characters.
The investigation turns to the usual suspect, a ne'er-do-well
whose glasses were found at the crime scene, and whose alibi
leaks. Stanfeld considers him the prime suspect. Gardner disagrees
and their difference in perspective contributes to animosity
between the police and the D.A.'s Office.
As the novel progresses, a subplot involves the growing personal
interest between Stanfeld and Tom Barker. Kopp handles this relationship
skillfully, with the result that readers care whether their professional
relationship develops into a personal one.
Meanwhile, Gardner continues the investigation by interviewing
virtually every town resident, including children, to uncover
a lead. Two teenage boys, sons of prominent families, become
prime suspects. Oakwood rallies to support the two unlikely young
killers, chastising both the police department and the D.A. for
their seemingly politically incorrect arrests.
Kopp skillfully details the extreme contrast in characters
of the two suspects. One is shy, inarticulate, and clearly in
over his head. The other is self-assured, charismatic, and has
an I.Q. of 150. Gardner is convinced the second suspect is truly
evil but his investigation turns up nothing but accolades for
the teen - until Gardner locates a former teacher. The teacher,
of course, has personal baggage that Stanfeld fears may make
him a cross-examiner's dream.
The suspect's family hires a high-powered attorney to
square off against Stanfeld. The legal maneuvering that follows
is absorbing, thanks to the fact that Kopp is an attorney herself.
As the tension mounts to bring the suspects to justice, Stanfeld
and Gardner become allies in pursuit of meeting the burden of
proof. Stanfeld comes to admire Gardner for his tenacity, and
Gardner grows to respect Stanfeld for her legal talents and mental
toughness in pursuing an unpopular conviction in the midst of
a hostile community.
Stanfeld and Gardner need a break to find some evidence to
crack the case in this seemingly uphill legal battle. You will
have to read the book to discover how the case and relationships
turn out. Kopp has woven a neat legal thriller that one would
expect to unfold on the big screen.
Patricia L. Grove, Tulsa 1981, practices
with Halling & Cayo S.C., Milwaukee.
Wisconsin Insurance Law, 4th Edition
By Arnold P. Anderson
(Madison, WI: APA Publishing, 1998).
941 pgs. $245. To order, (877) 757-2528.
Reviewed by Claude J. Covelli
I have been practicing insurance law in Wisconsin since 1973
and, for most of my career, I have relied upon Arnold Anderson's
prior editions of Wisconsin Insurance Law as a quick,
thorough, and authoritative reference. The fourth edition of
the text is a comprehensive resource on the broad topic of insurance.
The subjects covered include the construction of insurance contracts,
automobile liability, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverages,
general liability coverages, fire and property coverages, the
insurer's duty to defend, first party and third party bad
faith issues, the responsibilities of insurers and insureds,
subrogation, and the responsibilities of insurance agents.
This book has the advantage of being written by an experienced
Wisconsin insurance litigator. This has enabled Anderson to place
new developments in Wisconsin law in the context of what has
gone before. The law applied in Wisconsin can be found quickly
and directly. While the law of other states is set forth to the
extent needed to explain Wisconsin law, the law of other jurisdictions
does not interfere with the book's primary focus as a Wisconsin
reference.
The fourth edition looks different from the third. Although
bearing the same title and red cover, the fourth edition is larger
and more comprehensive. It has a looseleaf rather than a bound-book
format. This will make updating the book easier, as I found the
pocket parts for former editions almost as large as the book
itself.
When I first began using the fourth edition, I was concerned
that I might have lost an old friend. However, now that I have
used it for several months and have had an opportunity to consult
each chapter in my day-to-day practice, I have found that the
fourth edition kept the best and improved the rest. The general
organization of the book is unchanged, though some topics are
expanded and rearranged within chapters. Prior experience locating
information in past editions serves me well; I can locate information
as quickly and efficiently as I did with prior editions.
Most important, it is unusual to have an insurance question
that Wisconsin Insurance Law does not address. The book
covers nearly every insurance issue faced in day-to-day practice.
The coverage issues are well-defined and then clearly answered
with citation to the most recent controlling Wisconsin cases.
This, coupled with Anderson's clear, concise, and easy-to-read
writing style, makes his book the definitive source on Wisconsin
insurance law. I recommend it to all practitioners, both experienced
and less experienced. I believe Anderson's Wisconsin Insurance
Law should be in everyone's library, except of course those
of my opponents. I still need every advantage I can get.
Claude J. Covelli, U.W. 1972, practices
with Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP, Madison.
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