Degree of Guilt

TV journalist Mary Carelli admits that she shot and killed Mark Ransom, one of the world’s most famous authors. She claims it was self-defense. She swears he tried to rape her. Now she has to prove it in a court of law—with her former lover acting as her attorney…Christopher Paget is one of the top lawyers in the country. But defending the mother of his sonin the trial of the decade, he begins to have doubts. Is Mary telling the truth? Did she invent her story about the rape? What is she hiding? With each shocking revelation, Paget is forced to question his defense, his ethics, and the whole legal system. Because no one, not even the judge, is completely innocent. And guilt is a matter of degree…“A page-turner.”—The New York Times Book Review“Compulsively readable.”—People“One intense courtroom clash after another...An intelligent and gripping thriller.”—The Washington Post“Flamboyant and entertaining.”—The Boston Globe“Electrifying.”—The Cleveland Plain Dealer“One of the year’s best thrillers…Superb characterizations and intense dialogue make this utterly compelling reading.”—Library Journal“Absorbing.”—Publishers WeeklyRICHARD NORTH PATTERSONis the author ofThe Spire,Eclipseand fourteen other bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, he was the SEC liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. He lives in San Francisco and on Martha’s Vineyard with his wife, Dr. Nancy Clair.“One intense courtroom clash after another...An intelligent and gripping thriller.”—The Washington Post TV journalist Mary Carelli admits that she shot and killed Mark Ransom, one of the world’s most famous authors. She claims it was self-defense. She swears he tried to rape her. Now she has to prove it in a court of law—with her former lover acting as her attorney…“Compulsively readable.”—PeopleChristopher Paget is one of the top lawyers in the country. But defending the mother of his sonin the trial of the decade, he begins to have doubts. Is Mary telling the truth? Did she invent her story about the rape? What is she hiding? With each shocking revelation, Paget is forced to question his defense, his ethics, and the whole legal system. Because no one, not even the judge, is completely innocent. And guilt is a matter of degree…“Electrifying.”—The Cleveland Plain Dealer