Shadow of a Doubt

Seldom does mystery/thriller fiction ring as true as in this lucid, emotionally demanding book from federal judge Coughlin ( Her Honor ). Attorney Charley Sloan has lost his lucrative Detroit practice, three wives and a considerable fortune--all to demon rum. Narrowly escaping disbarment, he has retreated to AA and the suburbs to pull his life together. Up pops Charley's high school girlfriend, Robin, who has gone from the backseat of his jalopy to the bed of multimillionaire septuagenarian Harrison Harwell. The mogul's daughter has just been arrested for his murder, and Robin offers Charley the chance to represent Angel Harwell--the media case of the decade--and reestablish his legal reputation. But the DA sees the case as a ticket to a congressional seat and drives full-tilt to discredit Charley. Coughlin so ensnares the reader that every threat--and they are fearsome and many--to Charley's legal success and precarious sobriety sends anxiety levels skyrocketing. The courtroom action soars and plummets its way to the trickiest, most unexpected denouement since Witness for the Prosecution. (Aug.)