Third Coast

Winston Churchill

Third Coast is a prequel to the first two books of the series and is inspired by true events, with a fictitious twist telling Morty Steine’s backstory. This story unfolds with Morty as lead counsel, and the inexperienced Davis pursuing a pharmaceutical malpractice case, involving the misfiling of a prescription of Morty’s childhood friend, Albert Wilson. Early in the case, Morty recognizes that because the client is his lifelong friend, Morty is finding it difficult to be objective, which leads to Davis taking on the role as lead counsel or “first chair”. This is Davis's first important jury trial, and he develops as a lawyer and a person. The reader also gains insight into the background and moral compass of Morty Steine, who is the guiding force in the career and life of Benjamin Davis.

World War I spitfires.

The story begins on Morty’s sixteenth birthday and his receipt of a WWI airplane and flying lessons as a gift from his grandfather. The flashbacks recount how in 1939 Morty and his friend and future client Albert join the Royal Canadian Air-force to fight the Nazis; Morty’s later experiences as a civil rights leader, and his involvement in the music industry as both a lawyer, musician, and member of “Third Coast”.

Similar to the first two books, the story centers on a contentious jury trial, however, unlike the earlier books, much of the story is told from the jury’s perspective, like in the book/movie “Twelve Angry Men.”