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Summary
Summary
Defense attorney Jason Kolarich is back in another edge-of-your seat thriller...and this time he may find himself in over his head, in more ways than one.
James Drinker is a bit of an oddball. A funny-looking, geeky loner, he walks into Jason Kolarich's office one day with a preemptive concern: two women have recently been murdered, seemingly by the same killer, and Drinker thinks he will be the police's main suspect. One woman was his ex-girlfriend, he says, and the other was a friend. He's the only link between the victims and he has no alibi for the night of either murder--surely the police will realize it soon. Believing he's the target of a frame-up, Drinker hires Kolarich for his defense.
Something about James Drinker seems off from the start, but Kolarich doesn't give it too much thought. Until another murder occurs. And then another. And as he begins to probe his client's life and story more closely, it quickly becomes clear that nothing about James Drinker is what it seems...and that the target of the frame-up isn't Drinker, but Kolarich.
Unable to stop a serial killer--and prove his own innocence--without breaking his sworn attorney-client privilege, Jason Kolarich must hunt for the truth about James Drinker, the series of brutal murders, and why he's been set up to take the fall. The answers will be beyond anything he could have imagined.
Summary
David Ellis is the author of eight thrillers, including most recently Guilty Wives, written with James Patterson.
Author Notes
David Ellis is an attorney and author. He prosecuted and convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich in the Impeachment trial before the Illinois Senate. He currently serves as Special Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and has argued dozens of cases at the trial and appellate levels, specializing in constitutional law.
Ellis won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best First Novel for Line of Vision. His other novels include Life Sentence, Jury of One, In the Company of Liars, Eye of the Beholder, and the Jason Kolarich series. He has written several books with James Patterson including Guilty Wives, Mistress, Invisible, The Murder House, and The Black Book.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Bestseller Ellis conceals and reveals information like a skilled poker player in his strong fourth legal thriller featuring Midwestern attorney Jason Kolarich (after 2012's The Wrong Man). Jason, who's on trial for murder, is sure of only one thing: if he testifies, he won't tell the truth. The clock turns back six months to when Jason meets beautiful court reporter Alexa Himmel, whom he's soon dating. He also has an odd-looking new client, James Drinker, who tells Jason that he's afraid that he'll be accused of murder. Jason and his partner, Shauna Tasker, begin to suspect that Drinker is guilty of murder, though the victim's identity isn't revealed until halfway through the book. Meanwhile, Jason appears to be battling a simple illness that turns out to be something a lot more sinister. Ellis's own background as an attorney gives weight to the courtroom scenes, and the plot twists keep readers guessing throughout. Agent: Susanna Einstein, L.J.K. Literary Agency. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
From Edgar winner Ellis, a complex courtroom thriller filled with tension and twists as the protagonist stands trial for murder. The story opens with the trial but moves back and forth in time. As the reader quickly learns, a man calling himself James Drinker asks attorney Jason Kolarich to represent him for a murder that no one has accused him of, because he "knows" someone is going to frame him. How do people even go about framing a person, Drinker asks conversationally, and Kolarich mentions a variety of ways. But Kolarich soon finds himself on trial for the slashing murder of five women. He's been framed. Can you guess who framed him? Yep, that's right. But why? And how can Kolarich defend himself? He can't talk about Drinker without violating attorney-client privilege, which would destroy Kolarich professionally and not help him legally. It's a great premise made even better by flaws in Kolarich's character that Drinker exploits to the hilt with malicious delight. Many of the short chapters focus on the trial itself, where the prosecution presents a powerful case for sending Kolarich to prison for life. The defendant, by all appearances, has been a successful and honest lawyer. But, in this case, he might have to take liberties with his ethics, including telling lies. And then there is his problem with oxycodone, which can turn out to be almost as dangerous as the murder charge. Luckily, his law partner, Shauna Tasker, has his back. But is that also true for his girlfriend, Alexa, the court reporter? Tasker doesn't think so, suspecting that Alexa may not have her partner's best interests at heart. Hero and villain are both smart and motivated, making for an even match in this exciting drama. Ellis ranks among the best writers in the genre, and this book will keep readers entertained from start to finish.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Defense attorney Jason Kolarich (The Wrong Man, 2012) has always thrived on the courtroom's adrenaline rush, but pain and medications from a recent injury have dulled his interest. So, when new client James Drinker claims he's being framed for murder, Jason is not firing on all cylinders. As a preemptive strategy, he maps out the techniques the killer may be using to implicate his client. But Jason has missed cues suggesting that Drinker isn't who he claims to be, leaving Jason the unsuspecting target when Drinker uses those techniques to incriminate his lawyer in a string of murders on Chicago's North Side. Jason's clouded memory holds the key to Drinker's identity and motive for revenge, but he can't retrieve it in time to avoid arrest. The playing field then moves to the courtroom, Jason's turf, where he responds with an impressive but risky volley of Perry Masonesque maneuvers. Ellis' plotting is playful yet airtight and infused with enough warped psychology to provide lip-chewing thrills. This fourth Jason Kolarich novel is an excellent choice for readers who seek connections with powerful characters.--Tran, Christine Copyright 2010 Booklist
