Heaven Is High

Barbara Holloway gets involved in a deportation case in Wilhelm's solid 12th legal thriller featuring the Eugene, Ore., D.A. (after Cold Case). When former NFL football player Martin Owens and his wife, Binnie, who was born mute, arrive on Barbara's doorstep, she's moved by their plight. Three years earlier, while cruising with five teammates on a rented yacht near Haiti, Martin found Binnie hiding in his stateroom. He helped smuggle her into the U.S., and they fell in love. Now INS wants to deport her, even though Binnie isn't a Haitian citizen. Barbara agrees to take the case, despite her lack of experience in immigration law. Realizing that the truth lies in Belize with Binnie's family, Barbara sets off for the Central American nation, where she's soon up against corruption and violence in the jungle. In spite of this far-fetched scenario, Wilhelm manages to keep everything on course. (Feb.)