Levine's second light legal thriller to feature by-the-book Florida attorney Victoria Lord and her partner/lover, bypass-the-book Steve Solomon, isn't quite up to the level of its predecessor, Solomon vs. Lord
(2005), but it's still a smart, enjoyable page-turner. Hal Griffin, an entrepreneur and onetime business partner of Victoria's late father, stands accused of murdering an EPA official with a speargun. There's plenty of evidence pointing to Griffin's guilt, and it's up to Victoria to prove his innocence. Spurning Steve's help, she begins an investigation that leads her to uncover long hidden family secrets. Meanwhile, Steve delves into his own family history as he attempts to discover the truth behind his father's scandalous suspension from the Florida judicial bench. Levine once again supplies plenty of quirky characters and witty banter between Steve and Victoria. (Jan. 31)
