Bino's Blues

Bino Phillips, a middle-aged Dallas lawyer with predilections for loud clothes and pretty women, finally prevails here with brain power and a sweet toughness that readers will find appealing. Gray gives Bino (short for albino, thanks to his white hair) much to prevail against, including a ruthless U.S. attorney, a corrupt fellow lawyer and judge, a hit man under Federal protection, an ex-wife married to a Mafia don and a jealous, occasional-bedmate secretary. A crooked cop is trying to drag down Bino's clean-cop client, and the U.S. attorney is out to make his reputation any way he can. Bino's investigation, however, exposes murder, corruption and conspiracy on both sides of the law. The plotting and writing are crisp, and Bino serves up the just desserts in fine, funny style. Gray (Bino) knows Texas, the law and law enforcement; his fast-moving story is first-rate. (Apr.)