Book Review: The Last Witness

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

The Last Witness     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Joel Goldman
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Lou Mason # 2
Pinnacle, 2003, 384 pp.

The Last Witness is the second Goldman book about Lou Mason, Kansas City attorney. Lou went into business as a sole practitioner at the end of Motion to Kill, renting office space from Blues Bluestone, bar owner and former police officer. When Blues is arrested for the murder of Jack Cullan, local businessman, Lou realizes immediately that the cards are stacked against him and if Blues is to be even released on bail it will be up to Lou to find proof of his innocence.

Goldman weaves the history of Kansas City into his novel including the old office building of political machine boss Tom Pendergast who ran a wide-open town until the late 30’s. Lou quickly discovers that in order to free his friend and landlord he must locate the secret files that Cullen kept on the Mayor of Kansas City, Chairwoman of the Missouri Gaming Commission, owner of a riverboat casino, various judges, police officers and anyone else that Cullen felt he might need to use at some future time.

He is aided throughout this story by an attractive reporter for the Kansas City Star but although Lou is romantically inclined our lady reporter is only interested sexually in other women which makes for some interesting dialogue. Lou has many adventures during his search for the secret files including a brief swim in an icy Missouri River.

The book touches on the political maneuvering in the police department, city hall, etc. which is in existence in Kansas City today even though most people like to act as though it doesn’t exist.

Goldman keeps you interested right up to the dramatic conclusion. Lou also picks up an assistant in this second novel – a PR man who offices in the same building owned by Blues and I look forward to reading more about him in Goldman’s next novel.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM