Reviews of Death Pact
Attorney Richard Coleman is asked by client Franklin Fox to be the legal trustee
for his 17-year-old daughter Erica Fox if anything should happen to him. Less
than a week later, Richard gets a call in the early morning hours from a John
Paul Moitz with the American Consulate in Berne, Switzerland, telling him that
Franklin Fox had been killed in a skiing accident, and that Erica was quite
distressed and claiming that Richard was her guardian.
Richard goes to Switzerland and brings Erica home. Shortly after they return to
the States, Erica seduces Richard and even though he knows that it is wrong, he
lets it happen. Before long they are in love. Richard knows that he could lose
his license if word of their liaison gets out; they are able to keep it quiet
for quite a while until Erica's Aunt Martha finds out. Aunt Martha really only
wants the money. She could care less about Erica's
feelings so she decides to start a lawsuit against Richard and have him removed
as trustee of the estate.
Before Aunt Martha can reach her son Arnold about the lawsuit, she is murdered
in her hotel room and Erica's purse is found in the room. At about the same time
Richard is found unconscious in an alley. The next day when he comes to, he
remembers nothing about what happened to him. While he is watching a news
broadcast, he hears that Erica has been arrested. He knows without a doubt that
Erica could not murder anyone; he has to leave the
hospital and find the real killer. Erica convinces Richard that if she is
convicted they should make a death pact. Richard really doesn't want to die, so
he knows that he must find the killer before it's too late. This is where the
storyline really takes off!
Death Pact is so wonderfully written with plenty of surprises. I was guessing
till the very end, and what an unexpected, shocking end it was! The setting is
in Dallas in the 1980's, and from the author's descriptions, I felt as if I was
there.
The characters are really well defined and believable, especially Aunt Martha --
The more that I read about her meanness, the less guilty I felt that she died so
she couldn't cause any more trouble. The romance was very fiery and passionate
between Richard and Erica. You could almost feel the warmth radiate through the
pages.
Death Pact is a grand read. My highest score is a 5 and this book
definitely deserves a HIGH 5 rating. ---Pam Stone
Dallas lawyer-turned-author William Manchee has been compared to John Grisham enough times in the past two years since his first novel, Twice Tempted, was published that his next book just might feature a lawyer-turned-author who starts knocking off reviewers who compare him to Grisham. The comparison isn’t unfair though. Manchee’s stories are suspenseful and most involve lawyers. And he’s as proficient as Grisham. However, Death Pact, Manchee’s latest, seems a bit racier than standard Grisham fare. It involves a tryst between a 17-year old girl and the older trustee of her estate, lawyer Richard Coleman. When a relative who discovers the affair is murdered, the lovers become prime suspects and vow to take a cyanide pill if either is convicted. Sounds a little rash. Guess we know who’s wearing the pants in that relationship. --Shannon Sutlief, Dallas Observer.
DEATH PACT. By William Manchee. Top Publications, $19.95. Be careful what you wish for. Especially if it involves love and money. You might get too much of each. Then life’s too good and people get suspicious. As they do about the relationship between Dallas attorney Richard Coleman and Erica Fox Franklin, a 17-year-old for whom the middle name is appropriate. Daddy gives her a new Porshe for college, then dies in a ski accident, leaving Erica millions. Coleman, as the trustee of the estate, rushes to calm and counsel Erica. Then Cupid gets ideas. They have an affair. Wait a minute! Coleman's messing with a minor? One who's a client? Erica's West Texas aunt Martha wants to be appointed guardian, gets snoopy and finds out about the romance. She wants Coleman disbarred, thrown in the slammer. And she's got just the attorney to handle it: son Arnold. Before she gets her wish, she gets her ticket to Heaven. The death isn't accidental. Whodunit? Well, Rich and Erica had motives, and the cops pin it on Erica. Circumstantial? Erica admitted being there and having had an argument. The author weaves his engaging plot through Swiss chalets, Caribbean marinas, Texas court rooms and captivating characters before twisting readers toward a curious conclusion. In this romantic mystery, Manchee's killer seem's so certain. Then a sail from the Bahamas turns it upside down. But what a ride along the way. Terrific take on temptation and contemporary consequences in Texas. --The Book Reader.
Move over Grisham. As John Grisham has climbed higher on his political soapbox with each new book, it is only a matter of time before another writer comes along to take his place on the best-seller lists. That writer may be William Manchee, author of "Death Pact," a story that involves a lawyer, a large trust fund and its 17-year-old beneficiary, and the complications that can arise when the 17-year-old sets out to compromise the young attorney but then falls in love with him. Add the murder of the young girl's relative, cast blame hither and yon, sprinkle with a suicide pact, and you have a real page-turner. Kim Cool
#24 of Top 100 favorite Crime Novels as of 7/15/01
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