The spellbinding story of an American lawyer who takes on a nearly impossible case: the defense of an African freedom fighter against his corrupt government s charge of murder
Damon Pierce s life has just reached a defining moment: a gifted California lawyer, he s being divorced by his wife and his work often seems soulless. Then he receives a frantic email from Marissa Brand Okari a woman he loved years ago and decides to risk everything to respond to her plea for help.
Marissa s husband, Bobby Okari, is the charismatic leader of a freedom movement in the volatile west African nation of Luandia, which is being torn apart by the world s craving for its vast supply of oil. Bobby s outspoken opposition to the exploitation of his homeland by PetroGlobal a giant American oil company with close ties to Luandia s brutal government has enraged General Savior Karama, the country s autocratic ruler. After Bobby leads a protest rally during a full eclipse of the sun, everyone in his home village is massacred by government troops. And now Bobby has been arrested and charged with the murder of three PetroGlobal workers. Still drawn to Marissa, Pierce agrees to defend Bobby, hoping to save both Bobby and Marissa from almost certain death. But the lethal politics of Luandia may cost Pierce his life instead.
Culminating in a dramatic show trial and a desperate race against time, "Eclipse" combines a thrilling narrative with a vivid look at the human cost of the global lust for oil. Here is Richard North Patterson at his compelling best, confirming his place as our most provocative author of popular fiction."
"Passionate...exciting...eye-opening." ―The Washington Post
Damon Pierce is a gifted California lawyer whose work is starting to seem soulless. Then, from out of nowhere, two life-altering events take place: First, Damon's wife announces that she's leaving him. Next: A woman from his past reappears. Damon could never forget Marissa Brand Okari, his one-time great love. Now, she's in trouble...and Damon decides to do everything in his power to help her.
"COMPELLING AND CREDIBLE...guaranteed to rouse you to thought."―Richmond Times-Dispatch
Marissa's husband, Bobby Okari, is a freedom fighter in a corrupt west African nation―one that's being torn apart by global lust for its vast supply of oil. One day, during a solar eclipse, Bobby leads a high-profile protest rally against an American oil company...only to see everyone in his home village massacred by government troops. Already an enemy of the country's savage dictator, Bobby is promptly arrested. Now it's up to Damon to take on Bobby's case and save him―and Marissa―from almost certain death. And risk his own life in process.
"This stellar legal thriller both informs and entertains...WILL CLING TO READERS LONG AFTER THE FINAL PAGE IS TURNED."―Publishers Weekly (starred review)
