Counsel for the Defense

"Counsel for the Defense" by Leroy Scott is an early 20th-century story that drops readers into Westville, where Dr. David West's life is turned upside down by accusations of bribery linked to the town's new water project. His daughter, Katherine, newly returned home, steps up as his defender, challenging social norms and obstacles to clear her father's name. The narrative begins with Arnold Bruce, "Express" editor, preparing for a celebratory atmosphere that is quickly replaced when Dr. West is arrested. Katherine is shocked by the news of her father's troubles, which motivates her to prove his innocence from the start of the story. Her journey into the legal world is met with doubt from pretty much everyone, legal complexities, and tense interactions, particularly with Bruce. The initial chapters establish a compelling courtroom tale fueled by commitment, honesty, and confronting wrongdoing when readers turn the first pages of the book.