This 12th book in the 'Nina Reilly' series is actually a prequel to the other books. It harks back to earlier times, when the defense attorney is still going to law school. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
In this prequel to the popular Nina Reilly legal thriller series, Nina is still living in her hometown of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California and has a lot going on in her life.
Professionally, Nina is preparing for her future career by working as a paralegal during the day and attending law school at night. Personally, Nina is the single mother of toddler Bob; is helping her mother sue the acupuncturist who caused her to lose a hand; is worried about her drug addict brother; and has an ambivalent relationship with her father - who divorced her mom and got a new girlfriend.
To add to Nina's woes, Bob's absentee father - an attorney named Richard Filsen - corners Nina and demands joint custody of the little boy, whom he's previously ignored. Nina, who considers Filsen a slimy dirtbag, is horrified by the idea.
Luckily, Nina is able to get assistance from the attorneys she works for. Her boss Jack McIntyre offers to help Nina fight Filsen's custody demands; and Remy Sorenson - a beautiful blonde who's on the fast track to a judgeship - takes Mrs. Reilly's malpractice suit. In an ironic twist, sleazy Richard Filsen represents the acupuncturist who hurt Nina's mom.
There's trash talk and threats among the litigants and attorneys as papers and writs are prepared, and tempers become heated on all sides.
Before long there are two suspicious deaths associated with the above cases, and Police Detective Paul von Wagoner investigates. Nina takes an active interest in the inquiries and finds evidence that helps solve the murders.....but endangers her life in the process.
The human interactions in the novel are complicated: Nina has a crush on her boss Jack, who's in love with Remy. Remy sleeps with Jack, but also plays the field; Paul - who's a philanderer - is attracted to Nina, but she's holding out for Jack. It reads like a high school soap opera.
Some of the characters introduced here are regulars in the series, and become more mature later on - so readers shouldn't judge by their behavior in this novel.
The book gets off to a slow start, but the action speeds up after the murders, and the story held my attention.
This book is an interesting addition to the series, and the backstories of Nina's mom, dad, and brother round out their personalities and provide some context for Nina's future law career. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to readers who like mysteries, especially Nina Reilly fans.
Rating: 3 stars
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