Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite

A pair of red laces can carry a much darker meaning than anyone might expect. In Red Laces for Doc Martens by Anthony Pond, criminal defense attorney Ryan Jordan is assigned to represent Erickson, a jailed skinhead accused of a brutal stabbing on a California beach. He’s handled gang-related crimes before, but this one is different. The victim survived twenty-seven knife wounds, and racial hatred seems to have played a part in the attack. During their first meeting, the lawyer studies the young man sitting across from him and finds that his mild appearance doesn’t match the violence described in the reports. Erickson talks about being bullied, joining the Aryan Brotherhood, drinking heavily on the night in question, and carrying an unusual dagger. As his client reveals more about what happened, Jordan begins weighing damaging facts against possible strategies that could reduce the charge and sentence. Can he provide the legal representation Erickson is entitled to while confronting everything the offense symbolizes?

I didn’t expect a short story to raise so many difficult questions. Jordan has to defend someone whose words and actions clearly bother him, especially because his own father fought in World War II. One of the most interesting parts was getting inside the attorney’s head. He’s disturbed by what Erickson tells him, but he still pays close attention and considers how each detail could help his client. The writing is direct and realistic, while the sounds and harsh surroundings of the jail add tension. Since everything takes place during one meeting, the pace moves quickly without feeling rushed. John Adams said, “Facts are stubborn things.” That fits because Jordan can’t change the evidence or excuse what happened; he can only examine the facts and ensure his client receives a fair trial. Anyone who enjoys courtroom fiction and difficult questions about justice should pick up Red Laces for Doc Martens by Anthony Pond.