Defense of Others
THIS TIME, IT'S PERSONAL
One of Seattle's most flamboyant and successful criminal defense attorneys is murdered in his office, and the case lands on the desk of homicide prosecutor David Brunelle. Brunelle isn't about to shed a tear over the death of a longtime rival, but he has a job to do. The only things standing between him and a conviction are the facts and the law.
Once apprehended, the killer tells a story that, if true, would let him walk out the door. The dead man was everything Brunelle amoral, craven, unhinged. The killer and a friend went to him for legal help but things went sideways. Things were said. Tempers flared. The lawyer attacked his friend. He had no choice.
The law of self-defense extends to defending others. If what the killer says is true, he's not guilty of murder. Brunelle is ready to believe everything he said about the victim, so why shouldn't he also believe him about how the killing happened? Brunelle embarks on a voyage of discovery about his late opponent, and himself, to try to bring justice to a man who made a career of obstructing it.
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Stephen Penner
Stephen Penner is an author, artist, and attorney from Seattle, Washington.
Born and raised near Detroit, Michigan, Stephen was writing murder mysteries and fantasy adventures while still in elementary school. In college, he studied languages and spent a year living in Europe. He attended law school at the University of Michigan and moved to Seattle after earning his law degree.
Stephen began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney in downtown Seattle, appearing in federal, state, and municipal courts throughout the State of Washington. After several years of defense work, Stephen 'switched sides' and became a prosecutor. He has been prosecuting cases for over 25 years, working his way up from misdemeanor offenses, to felonies, and finally to homicides. He has conducted over 100 criminal trials and now trains other prosecutors.
As an author, Stephen pens several series of legal thrillers. The Rain City Legal Thrillers deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. The David Brunelle Legal Thrillers feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. And the Talon Winter Legal Thrillers showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. Stephen is also the author of the Maggie Devereaux Paranormal Mysteries, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family.
David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series
David Brunelle Legal Thriller Series consists of eighteen primary books, and includes two additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
