Synopses & Reviews
Defending an innocent young man, defense attorney Paul Madriani uncovers a morass of corruption and greed that leads to the highest levels of political power in this electrifying tale of suspense from
New York Times bestselling author Steve Martini.
One of the most successful lawyers in the country, Olinda Serna is a master at managing money as well as her influential clients. After years of fierce combat in the political trenches, Serna knows all the dirty secrets, where the bodies are buried, and how deeply they are stacked. When shes killed in a roadside crash in the high desert of Southern California, powerful heads in Washington begin to panic, worried that their secrets may not be safe anymore.
Alex Ives, a friend of Paul Madrianis daughter, is accused of vehicular manslaughter in Sernas death. Ives claims he had only one drink on the night of the accident, yet he cant remember anything between the time he left for a party north of San Diego and the moment he woke up in a hospital the next morning. Hes still dazed and a little bruised, but also obviously very afraid. After all, a woman is dead, and hes sure he didnt kill her.
To save an innocent young mans life, the brilliant defense attorney must uncover everything he can about Serna and her clients—no matter how unsavory—a search that will lead him into a vortex of corruption, and at its center, a devious killer poised to strike again.
Review
“Martini expertly pulls all the threads together as Madriani navigates an assortment of physical and professional challenges.” Publishers Weekly
Review
Praise for Steve Martini:“Action-packed fun.” Oklahoma City Oklahoman
Review
“You like Law and Order? Or, even a John Grisham novel? Well, Steve Martini is one of the best of the best when it comes to crime thrillers.” Asbury Park Press
Review
“A terrific series. . . . Steve Martini is an expert at good old-fashioned, gimmick-free storytelling.” Steve Berry
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“Martinis proven formula for best-seller success combines the appeal of the legal thriller (Martini is a former prosecutor) with the high-concept adventure of, say, Vince Flynn and James Rollins.” Booklist
Review
“Entertaining... Intriguing premise... Compelling courtroom scenes display a sophisticated knowledge of legal trench warfare.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“One of the most charismatic defense attorneys in thriller fiction. Madriani is a guy who wont quit. . . . Best of all, hes got the heart of a lion: protective, humane, courageous-that makes him such great fun to watch.” Linda Fairstein
Review
“Steve Martini writes first-rate legal thrillers. His plotting is expert, his characters vivid and alive. His courtroom scenes are rich and credible, and so are his villains. . . . Paul Madriani makes a likable and convincing David among the goliaths of crime, corporations and government.” Associated Press
Synopsis
Paul Madriani must come to the aid of young Alex Ives, who was implicated in a deadly motor collision on a deserted Southern California highway. Though Alex swears he had only one drink, all he remembers is that he was supposed to meet a sexy, mysterious woman at a house party. The next morning he woke up in the hospital in police custody, charged with drunk driving and manslaughter. When he discovers that Alex knew the deceased, a connected Washington, D.C., lawyer named Olinda Serna, Madriani realizes his client could face a murder charge.
Washington, D.C., attorney Cletus Proffit knows that Serna protected dangerous secrets involving players moving in the highest reaches of national politics. Now he must ensure that knowledge has died with her. Senator Maya Grimes also hears of the fatal crash and crafts her own web of deceit to suffocate anything that might come back to bite her. Then there's the vicious mercenary who panics when she learns of Serna's death and the manner in which it occurred.
Now Madriani must uncover the corruption and dark deeds that surround Serna's friends and find her killer—before he or she can strike again.
About the Author
Steve Martini is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Trader of Secrets, The Rule of Nine, Guardian of Lies, Shadow of Power, and others featuring defense attorney Paul Madriani. Martini has practiced law in California in both state and federal courts and has served as an administrative law judge and supervising hearing officer. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.