cover image Breach of Trust

Breach of Trust

Bonnie MacDougal. Pocket Books, $23 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-671-53720-3

Attorney MacDougal's first novel shows more than promise. In a large Philadelphia law firm, young associate Jenny Lodge is working with (and silently worshipping) brilliant, hard-driving partner Dan Casella. She helps Dan win a complicated case, and the two fall madly in love. But when Dan insists that she leave their law office if they're going to continue their affair, Jenny, angered, jumps to another firm. The plot doesn't shy away from such soapy elements--Jenny, it turns out, is carrying Dan's baby--but soon legal intrigue takes center stage. There's conniving and betrayal aplenty, with lots of old Main Line money and old secrets. Sharp readers may spot the crucial connection that results in a murder followed by a suicide. No one will be surprised, but everyone will cheer when Jenny and Dan reunite; the real pleasure here, however, is in experiencing MacDougal's sure grasp of the ups and downs of the legal life. (Sept.)