A story within a story, both of which are intertwined via the main character Dutch Francis.
Both stories involve consequences, either accidental or considered and deliberate.
Dutch is a Lawyer who usually practices David and Goliath compensation cases fighting for the little man, but he has a reputation for being a brilliant Defence Attorney in his occasional criminal case practices.
He is also married to the beautiful Ginnie, the local TV News anchor, and is generally accepted as being a nice reliable man who everybody aspires to be like.
His professional life and his private life are perfect until……..
Dutch is defending a Judge, Carlos Garcia, who is accused of murdering his wife by Poisoning her.
On the morning this tricky case is about to start Ginnie announces she’s pregnant and isn’t sure she wants the baby, she’s at the height of her fame and wants to continue her career, and she doesn’t think a child is conducive to that.
Dutch leaves the house on an unhappy note, but is happier after a phone call from his wife who assures him they can talk about it that night.
Unfortunately Ginnie doesn’t make it home, she’s kidnapped.
Dutch is facing the biggest trial of his life, and one he can’t get out of at this late stage. He’s also receiving demands from the kidnapper, and has people helping him investigate her disappearance outside of the Police Investigation, whilst trying to get the ridiculously unrealistic ransom demand money together.
Dutch is obviously finding it hard to keep his mind on the day job and give his client the best defence. Meanwhile the story of the Judges late wife, and their relationship is exposed in the Court, and Dutch is blindsided more than once.
People obviously have issues with a Judge and the list of possible alternative suspects is huge, even though the Police have only ever had one suspect.
Likewise Ginnie has her haters. She reports the news put has psychos regularly sending her, personally or via the TV station, threats.
Is Ginnie’s kidnap coincidental and a completely unrelated event, or is it designed to put Dutch of his game whilst representing the Judge.
At 293 pages this is a relatively short book, but it packs one hell of a story into those pages.
A great story which is very much like a succinct Grisham.
And watch out for the last page.
Publisher: Ocean View. Print length: 293 pages. Publish date: 5th July 2022
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