Shawna Blood

Marcia Clark, known for her role as lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson trial, authored "Blood Defense" in 2016. This legal thriller introduces Samantha Brinkman, a defense attorney who operates with a more flexible approach to the law compared to Clark's earlier protagonist, Rachel Knight. Brinkman is characterized by her morally ambiguous nature and a willingness to explore darker themes, reflecting Clark's interest in noir and complex characters.

The novel draws upon Clark's early experiences as a defense attorney. "Blood Defense" was published by Amazon Publishing's imprint Thomas & Mercer, a departure from the traditional publishers Clark used for her previous series. Clark expressed a desire for enhanced marketing and a stronger digital presence, noting that the fast-paced nature of thrillers suits readers who consume content quickly, similar to binge-watching.

The series was developed with a strategy of releasing multiple books annually to maintain reader engagement. "Blood Defense" was the first in a planned series, with its sequel, "Moral Defense," released later in 2016. The books have also been optioned for television adaptation.

Marcia Clark contrasted the protagonist of "Blood Defense," Samantha Brinkman, with her earlier creation, Rachel Knight. While Knight was designed as a straightforward prosecutor committed to the rules, Brinkman is presented as "morally ambiguous." Clark stated that Brinkman's character was inspired by an interest in noir and darker figures, and that Brinkman views the law more as a suggestion than a strict code. This approach allows for greater narrative freedom, as defense attorneys, unlike prosecutors, are not solely bound by the evidence but can creatively construct a defense. Brinkman is described as reckless, daring, and willing to push boundaries to achieve her goals. Clark also aimed to explore the contemporary role of a defense attorney, incorporating the influence of social media and public opinion accessed through platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

The publication of "Blood Defense" by Thomas & Mercer, an Amazon Publishing imprint, marked a strategic shift for Clark. She sought improved marketing and a larger footprint in the digital market, believing this model better suited the genre and reader consumption habits. Clark outlined a plan to release two books per year, a demanding pace she acknowledged but considered a smart marketing strategy. She reasoned that in an era of streaming and binge-watching, consistent output is crucial for authors to remain in readers' minds and build a loyal following, especially within the mystery thriller genre where readers tend to consume books rapidly.

Upon its release, "Blood Defense" received positive reviews. Publishers Weekly described the series as "promising," highlighting Clark's ability to incorporate surprising twists. Critics noted the portrayal of Samantha Brinkman as a believably flawed, "ethically flexible" character, and praised the novel's conclusion and its depiction of the relationship between the Los Angeles legal system and the media. The novel's focus on celebrity trials, media attention, and the inner workings of the justice system was also a point of commentary. The success and premise of "Blood Defense" led to its adaptation into a TV series, with Clark co-writing the scripts for an NBC pilot commitment.

“I also wanted to write a character who was a lot more twisted than Rachel Knight ... She really doesn't believe that the law is anything but a suggestion, which she chooses to not follow most of the time. It's a really fun character to write because she is so far out there, but she's a great lawyer—she has the loyalties she has, she has the personal issues that she has.”

“You have a lot more leeway with a defense attorney than with a prosecutor ... The prosecution has to go with the evidence and the facts and tell the story as it happened. The defense has more creative freedom. All you have to do is look for a defense that works. But it doesn't have to be the truth.”

“The fact that she is a defense attorney creates a lot of new possibilities for me as a writer. She's also sort of reckless and daring and she pushes things far, in terms of the lengths that she will go to to get things done.”

“I particularly wanted to show what a defense attorney's job is in this age of social media, as well as the ability of a lawyer to access public opinion through Twitter and Facebook. I wanted to use all of today's tools to show what it's like to be a defense attorney in this world.”

“I wanted better marketing. I wanted a bigger footprint in the digital market ... this is a book for you to have fun, sit on the beach and read and take you away, or read on the airplane ... those books sell best on Kindle ... Amazon is phenomenally organized, it's a powerful machine, and they really know what they're doing.”