The Presence of Enemies - Softcover
Set in Detroit, this is the story of Jake Martin, a senior associate in a high-flying law firm, who finds his career and marriage are at stake when the chance of a partnership arises.
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About the Author:
William J. Coughlin, a former defense attorney and judge in Detroit for twenty years, was the author of sixteen novels. He lived in Grosse Point Woods, Michigan, with his wife, Ruth, an author and book critic.
From Kirkus Reviews:
A precariously placed Detroit lawyer with no trial experience finds himself thrust into the courtroom defense of a billionaire client's will. When Jake Martin videotaped banker Augustus Daren's latest will, it seemed a routine precaution; despite a stroke, the old man was clearly in full possession of his faculties when he decided to vest voting control of his controlling interest in giant Hanover Square Bank in his third wife, Elizabeth, instead of splitting the power with his two children as well. But now that foreign banks are sniffing around H.S.B. hoping for a merger or a buyout, whiny Chip and cautious Gussie, despite the millions they're sure to inherit, are trying to keep control of their shares--and the fabulous power they confer--by claiming their father was incompetent at that signing. Jake, who's up for a partnership in prestigious Sperling Beekman, is confident of victory only because he doesn't know that (1) Elizabeth's neighbors in upstate Eagle County, where he plans to enter the will for probate before a jury, would love to see her lose the case; (2) Chip's insider at H.S.B. has turned the two witnesses to the signing against Jake; (3) Chip's insider at Sperling Beekman has stolen both copies of the tape; and (4) the all-star litigator who's supposed to be trying the case for Sperling Beekman is about to pull out. As Jake struggles to hold his own in the often riotous courtroom scenes, his wife is suing for divorce, luscious Elizabeth is coming on to him, and Chip's suave veteran trial lawyer T.G. (Tiger) Sage is quietly turning the local newspapers against him. Guess how it all turns out. Less assured than Shadow of a Doubt (1991) and Death Penalty (1992); the ending comes too easily despite too many unresolved subplots. But Coughlin, who died early last year, keeps you burning the midnight oil up to the very end. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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- PublisherPan Macmillan
- Publication date1989
- ISBN 10 0283998237
- ISBN 13 9780283998232
- BindingPaperback
- Rating
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In the Presence of Enemies
Published by
Sidgwick & Jackson, London
(1989)
ISBN 10: 0283998237
ISBN 13: 9780283998232
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Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Hardcover. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Sidgwick & Jackson, London, 1989. First Edition. *** CONDITION: The book itself is in near fine condition and comes in very good dust jacket. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: When billionaire banker Augustus Daren dies, a history of front-page scandal lives on with his controversial will. At the center of the conflict is his beautiful widow, Elizabeth, left with control of the bank and now accused by her rich and embittered stepchildren of holding Daren in her thrall after his severe stroke. Not only are billions at stake, but also the power to lead Daren's bank to dominate the international banking scene. Living in her remote northern Michigan estate, Elizabeth is as threatened by the ambition and greed of those who work for her as by her known enemies. To Jake Martin, a partner at a prestigious Detroit law firm, the case appears watertight, and he has a videotape of the signing of the will as proof. But when the tape disappears and key witnesses begin changing their stories, Jake finds that his own future is on the line. Unrealized resources of strength and determination force him to continue - to fight not simply the opposition, but the growing attraction he senses between himself and Elizabeth. As the court date approaches, Jake's position becomes increasingly isolated as Elizabeth's enemies become his own. *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Fiction; Thrillers; ISBN: 0283998237. ISBN/EAN: 9780283998232. Inventory No: 07110447. The photo of this book is of the actual book for sale. Seller Inventory # 07110447
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