Reviews
Words from the Bench and Bar
From members of the American Judges Association:"The best program so far."
"Literature should play an important role in our lives and we do in fact learn from it."
From the San Diego Lawyers Club:
"The membership appreciated Ona's excellent presentation that highlighted the need for compelling storytelling for successful jury trials."
From the San Diego County Bar Association:
"Ona is a knowledgeable speaker, and truly brings a new perspective to those involved in the legal profession."
From Latham & Watkins LLP:
"Dr. Russell's presentation to our lawyers was the fascinating highlight of our firm's internal training series...a powerful reminder of the influence of literature on the law and why so many of us became lawyers in the first place."
Reviews of O'Brien's Desk
"An intriguing and thoroughly researched story that gives us insight into the moral dilemmas of 20th Century America. A well-told story that does not leaveus with easy answers."
—ANNE PERRY, award-winning, bestselling author of the Thomas and Charlotte Pitt and William Monk mysteries
"Sarah Kaufman is an engaging protagonist, thrust into an authentic, sociologically
driven mystery involving issues which still resonate today. The author handles
the societal attitudes of the period with a sure and sympathetic hand, and
with an eye for their parallels in the 21st century."
—MIRIAM GRACE MONFREDO, author of Seneca Falls historical mysteries
"O'Brien's Desk is a terrific read because of its riveting story
and because so much of the author's identity is invested in the events it
so vividly portrays."
—RICHARD LEDERER, author of A Man of My Words, host of NPR's "A Way With Words"
"It was a pleasure to have Ona Russell as a featured speaker for our Writer's
Workshop series. Covering historical fiction, she brought new topics and
concepts to the group that were previously undiscussed. Ona's ability to
engage the class with her examples and exercises made for good conversation
and interaction among the members of the class. They still continue to talk
about it months after her visit."
—KATE KEYES, VROMAN'S (independent bookstore, Pasadena, CA)
"This is an engaging example of that popular cross-genre, the history/mystery...The
daily details, smoothly integrated into narrative, give her tale a pleasing,
authentic ring...Sarah's crusade to save her beloved bosses' sanity (and his
job) in the middle of an election year draws her down some enjoyably puzzling
paths."
—HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY REVIEWS
"When one of Ohio's most well-known judges fathers his first and only child,
a blackmailer precipitates a chain of events resulting in the judge's near-fatal
breakdown. The judge's most trusted friend and colleague, Sarah Kaufman,
must unravel the clues behind the machinations. Confronted at every turn
by polarized forces ranging from progressive reform vs. political corruption
to racial tolerance set against sanctioned bigotry, she learns that the
secret of the judge's success lay in balancing and compromising between
these forces...a role that eventually made him a target, and now she is next.
A thrilling, suspense-filled, and vibrantly told novel."
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
"Author Ona Russell has woven an intricate mystery around real people and
events in Toledo during the first part of the 20th century. She has blended
historical fact with fiction to create an intriguing story of the blackmailing
of a prominent judge."
—TOLEDO BLADE