What Color Justice

By Andrew P. Baratta

Book Overview

Eleven-year-old Darnell Cooper, malnourished and uneducated, is plucked by chance from the abusive horrors of a Philadelphia slum by Lionel, a brash, young, black lawyer struggling to find his own identity. Darnell is discovered to be phenomenally intelligent, and he also becomes the best high school basketball player in the country. But Darnell famously spurns the NBA and chooses to attend the University of Pennsylvania. Overnight, he becomes an American icon.

Darnell's unparalleled success as a student-athlete culminates when he falls in love with Kelly, a Penn freshman and the daughter of a Philly cop. But when Kelly's dead body turns up on the night she and Darnell first make love, he is charged with her rape and murder.

The District Attorney believes it his duty to seek the death penalty despite doubts that Darnell is capable of murder. Lionel believes Darnell is guilty, but loves the boy too much to allow him to be convicted. Kelly's father only wants revenge. Their fight is not only against each other but against each man's perceptions of race and justice-where Darnell's life hangs in the balance.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595674399
• ISBN13: 9780595674398
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Make it 10 Stars!!!!!!

Move over Grisham and Patterson because Andrew P. Baratta is the next superstar. What Color Justice is masterfully created with superb character development. It has it all: murder, suspense and very thought provoking. And the ending, lets just say it's the best ending of a book that I've read in years!!!!! Stop reading my review and get yourself a copy of this book. It is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Duke Charles

It is a rough but realistic story of the different perceptions of the various characters who come in contact with Darnell Cooper. The story is full of twists and turns that hold the readers attention and provides a very good read.

legal thriller

This is a fantastic book and a gripping read in the tradition of Scott Turow. The author (a lawyer) shares many insights into how the legal system actually works, in particular how legal strategies are developed and courtrooms operate. The emotional discussion of race forces the reader to think about these issues from many different perspectives. The plot is fast moving and the twist at the end completely unexpected!

Review of Andrew Baratta's "What Color Justice"

I really enjoyed the writing in this book. Rich character development and a thoroughly thought out plot with a terrific twist at the end. Great read for all-

Powerul!

I couldn't put this book down. I am a huge an of courtroom drama's and bought the book or that reason. I was wonderfully surprised to find a book that not only had a gripping courtroom drama, but even more impressively, opened my eyes to the varying perspectives one can have on race and racism. It truly caused me to re-evaluate my own opinions and perspectives in that area. The ending, with a complete surprise twist, is also a full-circle example of how we allow racism into our thoughts with no apparant malice. WOW!