Product Description

A Page-Turning Courtroom Thriller By Award-Winning Author Randy Singer.

Thomas and Theresa Hammonds believe in tough love and old-fashioned discipline. They do not believe in doctors. When their controversial religious practices lead to personal tragedy, however, the Hammonds face heartbreaking loss, a crisis of faith–and a charge of negligent homicide by a relentless prosecutor.

Defending Thomas and Theresa is freewheeling African American lawyer Charles Arnold. Charles believes in grace and mercy. But nothing in his colorful past has prepared him for the challenges of this shocking case, or for the dangerous conspiracy at its heart.

Cultures and Lawyers Collide…

Teaming with Nikki Moreno, the court-appointed guardian for the Hammonds children, Charles pursues intractable questions. Who is responsible for Joshie Hammonds’ death? Will this family’s tragedy lead to their destruction? Which will triumph–mercy or judgment? The answers hang on the traitorous testimony of a key witness…and on a dying declaration that will revolutionize the lives of everyone who touches the case.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #653987 in Books
• Released on: 2004-05-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Singer, who won the 2003 Christy Award in the suspense category for Directed Verdict, hits pay dirt again with this taut, intelligent thriller for the Christian market. When fundamentalist Christians Thomas and Theresa Hammond decide not to take their desperately ill toddler to the emergency room and rely solely on healing through prayer, tragedy ensues. They are indicted on murder charges and team up with maverick defense attorney Charles Arnold, who is assisted by Nikki Morenofrom Directed Verdict, a sexy, manipulative, Erin Brockovitch of a legal assistant who talks tough but has a heart of gold. As the plot unfolds, readers learn about complications in the case that may lead to the Hammonds' acquittal: the ambitious prosecutor has unscrupulously engineered evidence and carried on a clandestine affair with a key witness, while another witness may have manufactured testimony to ensure a particular outcome to the case. The novel isn't perfect; the first half is a bit slow, and the Hammonds' five-year-old son, Tiger, is implausibly wise and precocious. The "Barracuda" (prosecuting attorney Rebecca Crawford) is disappointingly one-dimensional, a stereotyped villainess who cares for nothing but furthering her career. Still, this is a groundbreaking book for the Christian market, with otherwise complex and well-drawn characters, a strong but subtle approach to matters of faith, and ingenious plotting, particularly in the last 50 pages. Singer is clearly an up-and-coming novelist to watch.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Singer won a Christy in the suspense category for Directed Verdict (2002), and Dying Declaration is every bit as good. The premise is that two very fundamental Christians, Thomas and Theresa Hammond, try to cure their little son's appendicitis with prayer. When at last they take him to the hospital, septicemia has set in, and he dies. The Hammonds are accused of murder, and their other children are taken away. Singer's prison scenes are believable, gripping, and even funny; his maverick defense attorney, Charles Arnold, a black corporate lawyer who has seen the light and now preaches the gospel on the street, is a fine creation. Though Singer pillories the prosecutor, Rebecca Crawford, aka " the Barracuda," for the most part, he delivers a fresh approach to the legal thriller, with subtle characterizations and nuanced presentations of ethical issues. And he's no slouch with a plot. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Praise for Dying Declaration
And Previous Novels by Randy Singer


“An explosive fusion of legal ploys, passion and power. With Dying Declaration, Singer’s well-earned reputation for masterfully crafted stories and compelling characters shines brighter than ever.”
–Brandilyn Collins, author of Brink of Death,
Eyes of Elisha and Dread Champion

“Randy Singer has done it again. Dying Declaration grabs you on the first
page and doesn’t let go, bringing you to the intersection of faith, medicine, and courtroom drama in a story that could be on tomorrow’s front pages. Singer delivers Grisham-like plotting buttressed by a worldview that clarifies the dilemmas that bombard us daily. Don’t miss this book.”
–Hugh Hewitt, author, columnist, and radio host
of the nationally syndicated “Hugh Hewitt Show”

“In Dying Declaration, Randy Singer once again crafts a gripping tale of life and law, and it’s a joy to read.  But he also takes readers with him on a thought-provoking exploration of the difficult balance between justice and mercy.  The book continues to challenge us long after the last page has been turned.”
–Jeff Brauch, Dean, Regent University School of Law


“This is ‘plot weaving’ at its best! Randy Singer has written a story that is disturbing, intriguing, and impossible to put down. The characters draw you in, keeping you guessing until the very end as to what they are up to and what will happen next. You’ll turn the pages without realizing you are reading.”
–Eva Marie Everson, author of The Shadows Trilogy

Praise for Irreparable Harm

“An accomplished novel. Randy Singer combines edge-of-your seat action with a powerful message. Highly recommended.”
--T. Davis Bunn, author of Winner Take All

“Legal thrillers seem to have found a home with CBA readers, and Singer once again adds a strong voice to this growing genre in the evangelical Christian market.”
--Publishers Weekly

“In this second book by Randy Singer, he again paints an intriguing and thought-provoking look at issues that are hot buttons around the country. He pulls us into the storyline with believable characters, as well as a few we know from his first book, Directed Verdict. Hold on to your seats, this one will be a ride!”
--Christian Library Journal

“…[A] legal thriller that matches up easily with the best of Grisham.”
--Christian Fiction Review

Praise for Directed Verdict

“Directed Verdict is a well-crafted courtroom drama with strong characters, surprising twists, and a compelling theme. Randy Singer’s novel is engaging, memorable, and highly significant.”
--Randy Alcorn, author of Deadline, Safely Home,
and Edge of Eternity

“There is plenty of room in evangelical Christian fiction for fresh voices, and debut novelist Singer is a promising one.”
--Publishers Weekly

“A riveting courtroom drama…”
--CBA Marketplace

“This is the best legal thriller I’ve read. Highly recommended.”
--Church Libraries