This is the first in a series starring defense attorney Sharon Hayes. I was introduced to the series with a later book, Capitol Scandal, which was excellent. I recommend this book, and the series, to anyone who enjoys legal suspense novels.
After an altercation with a co worker over sexual harrassment, Sharon Hays quits her job, hires on at another law firm, and has to face her aggressor in court. So many ups and downs in this thriller.
First-time author Gregory has written a fast-paced, rather gripping story. Beautiful attorney Sharon Hays has a new job with Russell Black, "firm of jaw and rugged of countenance" and a new client, 16-year-old Midge Rathermore. "She seemed mentally only a baby, and not a particularly bright one at that, a grossly obese little girl whom the system was about to decide was a mature and remorseless killer." It is now up to Sharon and Russell to prove that pathetic Midge acted in self-defense to save herself and her sister from her father's continued sexual abuse when she bribed young men to murder him. Whirling about this perfectly good premise is the subplot of a crazed sexual psychopath, Bradford Brie, who is out to get Sharon and her 11-year-old daughter. In her response to Brie's harassments, Sharon loses credibility by reacting in ways which are not at all consistent with the character Gregory has labored so hard to develop. It's a shame, because the main story bravely clips along and even provides a few surprises and twists that make it a worthwhile tale. Gregory shows real promise as a novelist.
