– An Open and Shut Case…Maybe –

WHAT IT’S ABOUT

Former law professor Tom McMurtrie has brought killers to justice, and taken on some of the most infamous cases in Alabama’s history. Now he’s tackling his greatest challenge.

McMurtrie’s old nemesis, Jack Willistone, is found dead on the banks of the Black Warrior River. Willistone had his share of enemies, but all evidence points to a forgotten, broken woman as the killer. At the urging of the suspect’s desperate fourteen-year-old daughter, McMurtrie agrees to take the case.

But as seasoned as McMurtrie is, even he isn’t prepared for how personal and dangerous this case is going to get. With the trial drawing near and his sharp young partner, Rick Drake, dealing with a family tragedy, he recruits his best friend, Bocephus Haynes, to help investigate.

As key witnesses disappear and old demons return, time becomes McMurtrie’s most fearsome opponent. Soon loyalties will be tested and the boundaries of law will be broken as McMurtrie fights to save his legacy―and his client’s life―before the truth is buried forever in the muddy waters of the Black Warrior.

My Thoughts

The former law school professor Thomas Jefferson McMurtrie finds himself in a dilemma when a 14-year-old begs him to defend her mother, who is accused of killing Jack Willistone.  After hearing some of the details, the case appears to be air-tight against the girl’s mother, but McMurtrie has a feeling that she may not be guilty, plus, let’s face it, it’s hard to turn down a desperate 14-year-old’s request.

But the Professor isn’t feeling well, his law partner Rick Drake is off due to his father’s accidental death, so how can he even consider taking the case? McMurtrie figures he’ll need lots of help, but his best friend Bocephus Haynes (Bo) has had his law license revoked for the time being so he settles for asking Bo to be his investigator.

That’s still going to be tough for the Professor without the help of another licensed lawyer. And to make matters worse, the judge over the case is one of the Professor’s former students who didn’t feel he was treated right in law school. Nothing about this case is leaning in McMurtrie’s favor.

McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers series

Book 3

What Concerned Me

Nothing. Though this is a stand-alone book, due to the unique character relationships, I would highly recommend starting at the first of this great series. You won’t be sorry.

1. Book 1: The Professor
2. Book 2: Between Black and White

My Conclusion

This is a book based not only on a good mystery but believable characters and relationships. Plus, any book that starts with a bang and has some courtroom action is a winner for me.

Author: Robert Bailey

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (May 2018)

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