Law and Vengeance: A Legal Thriller

Fans of John Grisham and Steve Martini will welcome Papantonio’s pulse-pounding second legal thriller (after 2016’s Law and Disorder). Angus Moore, of Bergman-Deketomis, is spearheading the Florida law firm’s pursuit of civil justice against Arbalest, the manufacturer of Sight-Clops, billed as the “latest and greatest hologram gunsight.” Sight-Clops has a design flaw—in humid conditions, bullets fired from weapons using it end up significantly off-target—that has already resulted in deaths. The author effectively enlists the reader’s sympathies early on by depicting two such friendly fire fatalities, including the death of a rookie Chicago cop accidentally gunned down by his partner. The deck is stacked against Moore and his colleagues, since Arbalest has powerful allies in law enforcement and politics who have sway over the Department of Justice. Moore’s persistence leads to the death of an important colleague, and an increased role in the investigation for Gina Romano, a fearless and aggressive lawyer. Papantonio, a member of the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, effectively balances litigation strategy and action. Agent: Bill Gladstone, Waterside Productions. (Oct.)