In the Presence of Enemies

Posthumously published, this legal thriller lacks the authority of Coughlin's previous books, in particular his riveting Shadow of a Doubt . Here 32-year-old Jake Martin, an associate lawyer hoping for a partnership in his prestigious Detroit law firm, is assigned to an important case and then left pretty much out on a limb. Multimillionaire banker Gus Daren has died after a series of strokes, leaving control of his bank, with its extensive holdings, to his young fourth wife, Elizabeth. Gus's grown children and some of the bank officers are disturbed by Elizabeth's intentions to take command of the institution and guide it in a new, international direction. Daren's son contests the will, leading to a jury trial, which is held in the northern Michigan town near the family estate. Jake, a probate expert who has never tried a case before, assembles this one on his own and tries it, relying on wit and on recourse to a book on trial law published by the defense attorney. Although the scenario is improbable and readers will spot the villains well before the hapless advocate does, Coughlin deftly conjures up the North Woods setting and the secondary cast of eccentric locals, who are more convincing than the lead characters. (Mar.)