Recommended Reading Path: How to Read David Tunno's Books
Because David Tunno has published in two completely different genres—thriller fiction and legal non-fiction—your starting point depends entirely on what you want to read. There is no continuous storyline or series to worry about, meaning both books function as standalone works. However, to get the complete picture of his writing style, we suggest the following reading path:
- Step 1: Intrepid Spirit (2022) – Start here to experience Tunno's fiction writing. This naval thriller is packed with geopolitical tension, historical elements, and action-adventure themes, highlighting the author's screenwriting roots and passion for sailing.
- Step 2: Fixing the Engine of Justice: Diagnosis and Repair of Our Jury System (2012) – Follow up with his non-fiction work. This book draws directly from Tunno's three-decade career as a trial consultant, offering a critique of the American jury system along with practical, innovative solutions.
Publication Order of David Tunno's Books
If you prefer to read authors in the exact order their books were released to the public, you can follow his publication timeline. Although his non-fiction debut came first, it represents a very different side of his writing career compared to his later fiction debut.
Non-Fiction Works
- Fixing the Engine of Justice: Diagnosis and Repair of Our Jury System (2012)
Standalone Fiction Novels
- Intrepid Spirit (2022)
An In-Depth Look at the Books
Intrepid Spirit (2022)
David Tunno’s debut novel, Intrepid Spirit, is a high-concept action-adventure naval thriller. The story is centered around Lt. Moses Redding, a highly capable but brazen Navy officer who is assigned to command the historic, 200-year-old USS Constitution (famously known as "Old Ironsides") on a Mediterranean goodwill tour as a form of professional punishment for disobeying direct orders. What Redding expects to be a boring public relations assignment quickly turns into a global crisis when terrorists kidnap the Vice President of the United States, Virginia Mitchell, in a bid to spark a worldwide holy war.
Armed only with the wood and canvas of a museum-piece ship, Redding and his crew must navigate high-seas battles and thwart the modern terrorist threat. The novel also features a supernatural element where the historic ship itself appears to assist in the defense of the nation, bridging the gap between the past and present. The book features a strong supporting cast, including Dr. Miriam Hanna, a high-spirited navy historian who clashes intellectually and romantically with Redding.
Fixing the Engine of Justice: Diagnosis and Repair of Our Jury System (2012)
Before turning to fiction, Tunno published Fixing the Engine of Justice in 2012. The book is an analytical and critical look at the structural issues plaguing the American jury system. Tunno uses his 30 years of experience as a high-profile trial consultant to diagnose systemic problems, such as juror competency, systemic bias, juror misconduct, and the financial and personal burdens placed on citizens called to serve.
Rather than simply complaining about the system's flaws, the second half of the book is dedicated to practical, "outside-the-box" solutions. Tunno proposes ideas such as increased juror compensation to prevent economic hardship, tighter standards for hardship exemptions, and even the creation of "jury insurance." Written in an accessible, humorous, and sometimes irreverent tone, the book is designed for legal professionals, law students, and ordinary citizens alike.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into David Tunno's works, there are a few important details to keep in mind regarding their background, availability, and format:
- Screenplay Origins: Intrepid Spirit was originally written as a screenplay shortly after the events of 9/11. The cinematic, fast-paced nature of the story reflects these origins, reading very much like a blockbuster film script.
- Naval and Aviation Realism: Tunno is an experienced blue-water sailor, as well as a licensed pilot for fixed-wing aircraft and hot air balloons. His hands-on experience with navigation, wind, and sailing mechanics gives the naval battles aboard the USS Constitution a strong sense of technical authenticity.
- Trial Consultant Context: As a trial consultant, Tunno frequently commented on some of the most high-profile court cases in modern American history, including the trials of O.J. Simpson, Rodney King, Michael Jackson, and the Unabomber. This real-world exposure to legal strategy and jury behavior is the direct foundation of his non-fiction arguments.
- Current Format Availability: As of recent updates, the physical print and ebook versions of Intrepid Spirit are temporarily out of print while they undergo republication. However, fans of the book can still access the complete story through its widely available audiobook edition.