For genre study.

Decent read. I guessed the conclusion a little early, but was slightly throw off the trail (which I appreciate). I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick, but interesting, read.

This was a fairly good book but a bit slow. I am new to Steve Martini but i definitely will read more of the Paul Madriani series.

Good but slow moving plot. I enjoyed it and the characters. Yes i would recommend this book and Steve Martini books.

Best in Series to Date

So far, I think this one is the best in the series. There is quite a twist at the end.

3.5. Enjoying this series. On to the next one.

A corrupt California state senator resides in Paul's neighborhood. Said politician happens be Paul's former brother-in-law and the ex of his deceased wife's sister Laurel. Paul is close to his sister-in-law (but not that close) and his teenage niece and nephew are two of his motherless daughter's favorite people. Laurel is embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with the crooked politician. When his (with child) buxom and promiscuous new wife ends up dead, a warrant is issued for her arrest. She proves to be a less than cooperative client and even though you are sure she is not the murderer, Laurel's behavior is puzzling right up until the final plot twist that I did not see coming.
The story has Paul striking up a relationship with a lovely college or law school acquaintance who also happens to reside in the neighborhood and is privy to an investigation in to his former brother in law's crooked dealings. Her reluctant testimony during Laurel's trial is pivotal to her defense.
There is another mysterious husband and wife duo in the neighborhood where the murders took place. They vanish after the murder. Trying to track them down results in Paul nearly being blown up by a bomb at a USPS facility and brings him to Maui where he dodges an assasin's bullit intended for the better half of said couple. Ultimately, the collosal federal law enforcement leak and or blunder which seemingly puts the couple at the center of the murder mystery, is actually kind of a red herring.
This is the First or second attorney Paul Madriani novel I have read and it was solid.

To many surprises and an overly dramatic ending

A story with a good plot but overly dramatic ending. The protagonist motivation wasn't explained very well in the final pages.

I really enjoyed this book. I began last year reading the series in order. Number 3 is my favorite to date.

I am a fan of his writing although when I first start sometimes I feel like he has overuses his thesaurus but by the end, I am enjoying the rhythm of his writing. This is similar to his other work. Strong, some suspense, fun characters with reasonable depth

I enjoyed the book and love the characters. There’s times that the book drags on and one of my negatives will be with this book as well on the last book is the endings. Lots of dark hallways, doors, just a lot going on when Paul is looking at getting murdered. And that just drags on a little too much in as good as the book was the ending kills me. Also when Paul did go to his brother-in-law‘s house after the murder he did notice Dana speaking with the Merlot‘s. As the book went on only had to figure that they were in protective custody. Also there was a lot of witnesses and tapes from the government where Jack was acknowledging that his wife was having affairs with many men.

Martini can write legal procedurals! I love this character and Martini's complex and multi-faceted plots.

These series is simply the best one I've read in a long time. And I love Paul Madriani.

If you enjoy courtroom drama, read this because it's so entertaining.

Just when I thought all the strings were tied up, they come loose. Then once again they're tied up and come loose again.

The storyline is amazing and I loved reading this book.

Can't wait to read the next in the series but need to get a Dave Robicheaux in. He's been waiting for me.