Seattle lawyer Keera Duggan reckons her zillionaire hunky client isn’t guilty, maybe, as she doggedly preps for her first murder trial… but he still gives her a case of the serious creeps.
Even if client Vince didn’t murder his wife Anne, it doesn’t mean he’s not guilty of a lot of other nasty stuff, she figures, knowing all too well her job is to see Vince gets the very best protection of his legal right to presumption of innocence and the absolute best defence she can muster.
The police are certain they have Vince slam-dunked for life without parole. His wife, confined to a wheelchair, sat in her kitchen with her back turned as someone blew off the back of her head. Vince came home and reported finding her dead — so why did he wait so long between being spotted by his surveillance cameras and dialling 911?
Vince doesn’t know Anne had two earlier visitors who will testify they left her alive: a lawyer who confirmed for Anne that their prenup gives her every penny if Vince cheats, and then a woman whom Anne accused of cheating with Vince. Anne had photos. Lots of photos. Oh dear.
Duggan is pretty new to the dark side of defending accused alleged criminals, having been quite the up-and-coming prosecutor until her politically ambitious, arrogant boss wouldn’t accept the fact no means no, stalked her and made her life miserable. She quit.
Keera joined the Duggan family’s dad and two sisters in their high-powered law firm but alas, dad has long been too fond of the bottle and has lost his courtroom edge.
Only Keera can save the firm by ensuring her high-powered client walks.
American author and lawyer Robert Dugoni has built a well-earned reputation for police procedurals, most recently featuring Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite. Even though he’s American, Dugoni doesn’t resolve his murder mysteries with shootouts.
Her Deadly Game is one of the best murder trial tales to come along in recent years. It’s superb.
Maybe it’s giving Dugoni too much credit for social subtlety, but Her Deadly Game is quite the indictment of the American justice system.
No guesses who the prosecutor is. For him it’s personal, it’s vengeance, it’s putting a woman in her place and it’s a big impetus to higher office. Would he cheat to win?
If Duggan wins, accused rich people will flock to her father’s law firm.
It’s all about winning and losing — the notion the American justice system exists to ensure justice is done is only for the blissfully naïve. Although, you know, that one cop, he seems to have honour and principles… no, no spoilers.
Woe betide any accused who can’t afford the hefty billable hours Keera’s firm charges. Money buys you several lawyers and skilled researchers, it buys you Seattle’s top private eye, it buys you lawyers flying off to interview potential witnesses.
Her Deadly Game is rich in characters, rich in suspense and dirt-poor in hokiness — don’t expect someone to jump up in the courtroom and confess all, don’t expect some deus ex machina. As in the best murder trial mysteries, you’ll be sweating when the jury returns with a verdict.
Just hope that you can afford Keera Duggan if you get busted in Seattle.
Retired Free Press reporter Nick Martin was surprised to read gunshot residue is no longer considered reliable in court. But gloves, gloves are still a good idea. Hmmmm…
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