THE JURY IS OUT by Wayne P. Libhart, published by the author, 360 pages, $9.95 paperback.

Many people spend their lives knowing they have a book inside them, but they never get a chance — or take the time — to let it out.

Wayne Libhart of Seal Cove is not one of those people.

After retiring from his law practice in 1993, Libhart set the tone for his retirement by beginning to write a 360-page novel set in Down East Maine. In 1996 his dream of being an author became reality when he published the book.

A former trial lawyer, Libhart has brought his years of courtroom observation and experience to this clever mystery. And he has concocted a must-read for those who delight in the works of local authors.

As the story begins, Dan Hardy, a prominent Ellsworth lawyer, meets with Harry Longfellow, a shrewd businessman who has made a fortune on blueberry lands Down East.

Harry is aging and in declining health. His nephew, Hank, whom he raised like a son, manages the business for him. Hank is also Dan’s best friend.

Harry also raised a niece, Sandy Conners. Harry is devastated when he finds that Sandy wants to marry a longtime business rival, Jack Crabtree.

Harry summons Dan to his farm one afternoon to confide some truths he has never before shared. Dan learns that Harry’s hatred for Crabtree comes not from business dealings but from an early romantic rivalry. His heart broken from Sandy’s relationship with his rival, Harry’s health suffers. He asks Dan to represent his estate upon his death.

A few days later, Harry is found dead. The characters are swept up in allegations of murder, dogged by doubts and suspicions. Hank goes to trial for murder.

Dramatic testimony is heard from characters who could quite possibly be in the defendant’s chair themselves. By the time the case goes to the jury, we’re convinced the jury will find Hank innocent.

Does that happen, or will the jury’s own intrigues cloud their ability to make a fair judgment?

Libhart’s light mystery offers an insider’s view of the jury system. It shows how truth and fact can be twisted, distorting reality. It also shows how easy it is for juries to let opinions, emotions, pride and perceptions cloud their judgments.

“The system isn’t perfect,” Libhart says. “It’s probably the best-devised yet, but it isn’t perfect.”

Libhart’s life has been one of hard work and determination. Born in Brewer in 1927, he attended local schools until joining the Navy in his teens. He advanced through Navy programs and schools, hoping one day to return to Maine to attend the university. Lack of a high school diploma (due to mismatched requirements) caused him to fall short of university admission.

Undaunted, Libhart applied at Harvard and was accepted. Three years later he graduated. During those years he met and married his wife, Virginia. They started their family, which eventually grew to include three children.

After Harvard, Libhart spent three years in the Korean War. After the war, and with a young family in tow, he returned to Harvard Law School. “I was from a very poor family and always wanted to be a lawyer. But I always wanted to live in Maine.”

After completing his law degree, he moved to Maine and practiced for many years as a trial lawyer in Aurora. Libhart’s successful career came to an abrupt halt in 1993 when he was injured in an automobile accident and suffered a concussion that left him with permanent memory loss. Although fragments of his memory continue to come back, the loss forced him to discontinue his law practice and head into an early retirement.

“The Jury is Out” is a testament to Libhart’s commitment to and love for the practice of law.

“This was written before O.J. Simpson even happened. I wanted to write something that was simple, direct and realistic, with good law,” Libhart said. “I’ve found myself writing at 2 o’clock in the morning. Once you get relaxed, you know where you’re going, you know the message you want to convey … but you still have to do a lot of rewriting. Thank God for the word processor.”

Libhart has received letters from up and down the Maine coast, complimenting him on his first work and pleading with him to produce others. Readers who enjoy “The Jury is Out” will be pleased to know that Libhart’s second book is in the works. Still untitled and with 25 chapters written, the murder mystery is near completion.

“My lawyer friends call and tell me that they are just going to go out and buy my book — they’re not going to wait until other friends get done reading their copy. I tell them, `I published this thing and you guys are passing around one copy like a library or something,”‘ Libhart says with a chuckle.

For those who want to have their own copy of “The Jury is Out,” the novel is distributed by Magazines Inc. in northern Maine. Copies can be found at Mr. Paperback and other bookstores throughout midcoast Maine.