Book excerpt: A courtroom drama set in 1966 in Sydney, the novel traces the path of a murder investigation which results in a prominent politician being charged with the murder of his young lover. An inexperienced lawyer is surprisingly engaged to brief a down and out barrister by the accused's wife, and as the facts unfold, the myriad motives of the characters become enmeshed in a legal power struggle. Death, betrayal, passion and perjury combine in a complex web, where legal tactics and ethical obligations collide. BOOK REVIEW: "Cullen writes well and the action and dialogue move along at a steady and lively pace. Unlike some first-time novelists, Cullen manages to keep himself out of the narrative and allows his characters to carry the load. The author excels at creating the ethical and tactical dilemmas faced by defence attorneys. Overall, there is no doubt a jury would deliver a unanimous favourable verdict on The Improbable Advocate." -Foreword Clarion Review.