Book Review: Officer of the Court

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Officer of the Court     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Leila Kelly
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Legal Setting   Thriller
Series: Laura Chastain # 3
Kensington, Nov 2001, $6.99, 400 pp.

Laura Chastain left a high salaried position as a lawyer to become the Fulton County, Georgia Assistant District Attorney. She prefers placing criminals behind bars rather than earning top dollars defending them even when she knew they were guilty.

Her latest case involves the brutal death of a prominent African-American businessman, who was found stuffed inside the trunk of his car. Petty thief Roland Jervis happened to be driving the vehicle when he was pulled over and arrested for murder.

The DA and his second in command believe they have an easy conviction and since the DA is running for reelection he wants no digging that would prove otherwise. Laura agrees with the assessment that Jervis is a killer, but soon finds the evidence fails to support that theory. Staying with her convictions, her actions free Jervis, but force her to resign. Laura joins Jervis' team in a wrongful arrest suit in civil court while she tries to uncover the identity of the real culprit.

When it comes to writing dynamic realistic legal dramas, few authors pack the wallop of Lelia Kelly. Her heroine cares more about justice than personal rewards and accolades. The complex plot is filled with twists and turns that lead the audience on a cleverly designed serpentine path that has the reader says "wow" after finishing this tale.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner