The Caverel Claim: A Legal Thriller

When Rawlinson (Indictment for Murder) describes the law courts in the Strand and the Chancery Division, his words have authority: he's the former Lord Chancellor of England. In his latest novel, the court must determine whether Sarah Wilson, a black and beautiful young exotic dancer, is really Fleur Caverel, the unknown but legitimate daughter of the openly gay Julian Caverel, who died of AIDS in 1978. If so, she would stand to inherit the family fortune. But then again, she may be a shameless opportunist, manipulated first by a Polish nightclub owner and then by an ace London spin doctor. Rawlinson plays fair, giving evidence for both sides, and his battling lawyers each seem to have a chance to win the case. And there are intriguingly shadowy figures working for each team--for one side, a tall man who doesn't stop at murder, and, for the other, a stout man who whizzes around the world collecting affidavits. The tricky ending is unsatisfactory, however: Agatha Christie might have pulled it off, but Rawlinson leaves too many questions unanswered. (Dec.)