The Pardon.

James Grippando, in his new legal thriller, The Pardon, captures the political pressures of today's "tough on crime" society. The tale of drama and intrigue features protagonists Howard Swyteck, governor of Florida, and his son Jack, the public defender. The son's efforts on behalf of the accused in capital cases are a constant irritant to the father, who had campaigned for higher office on a plank that called for "more prison, longer sentences, and more executions as a swift and certain cure for a runaway crime rate."

The governor, a former police officer, is genuinely committed to practicing what he preaches. His routine is very much disrupted, however, when his estranged son implores him to stop the imminent execution of a man whose innocence he emphatically asserts. The story begins there, but the relationship between father and son and the fate of the mm about to be executed serve as jumping off points for this intricate and suspenseful tale of murder and intrigue.

The author, who practices law in Miami, clearly knows his state. The novel covers the length of Florida, from the statehouse in Tallahassee through the back streets of Miami to the annual Fantasy Fest in Key West. Each setting contributes to the tension and the spirit of the story and lends a lot of local color.

Grippando has done a wonderful job of tying together the threads of the plot, leaving nary a one dangling. He writes well, and his dialogue flows as smoothly as the story.

The Pardon is action-packed and full of twists and turns. It is an easy and enjoyable read md has the potential to be a terrific movie. Indeed, the role of one of the lawyers seems to have been created for the late Raul Julia and one can easily picture Tom Cruise as the handsome and energetic young Swyteck.

The legal battle, the struggle between father and son, and the psychological profiles of the primary characters combine well with the fast-paced action of Grippando's drama. The Pardon is great fun and web worth reading.