Catherine Landauer, a defence attorney is
particularly adept in finding flaws in the investigation leading to prosecuting
her clients. She finds a loose thread in the investigation and pulls at it
unravelling the case against her clients and earning either a reprieve or a
negotiation for them. Her obsession with complete and thorough investigation is
entirely personal because of her own nightmare experience in the past. A past
that she keeps well-hidden since by not socialising at all and thereby not
allowing anyone close. Prosecutor Starr Rio is known to take shortcuts
to being perps to the court. Her methods are borderline but her passion is
justice for the victim. Catherine is not particularly impressed with Starr and makes
no bones about it. The two are at opposite sides of the ring till the
twelve-year-old daughter of the Mayor is kidnapped. Catherine’s worst nightmare
has come true and she has to reach out to Starr who is in charge of the case.
This is mostly a taut thriller with Catherine’s past being
unfolded as the case for the missing girl proceeds. Catherine's persona is
slowly unfolded giving her characterisation a satisfactory depth. Two-thirds of
the book is extremely engrossing and then it goes a little sideways with a very
abrupt leap into bed. This is quickly followed by the kidnapper-Catherine drama
– without enough groundwork to explain why Catherine was always looking over
her shoulder and why the kidnapper would be obsessed by Catherine. Conclusions
have to be drawn for that.
This book could’ve done with some more detailing for both,
the growing attraction between the MCs and for plausibility of the climax. But
still, an okay read.
⭐⭐⭐
