Sleight of Hand

At the start of Wilhelm's compelling eighth novel to feature DA Barbara Holloway (after 2003's Clear and Convincing Proof ), Wally Lederer, a former pickpocket who once served jail time, has retired from a successful Las Vegas stage career and returned home to Eugene, Ore., with his devoted wife, Meg, only to be accused of the theft of a valuable antique by an old childhood friend, Jay Wilkins. When someone kills Jay with a blow to the head, the police charge Wally, who turns for help to Barbara and her team. Their investigation unearths secrets about Jay and his family that will force Barbara to make a challenging ethical decision. The fast-paced plot, marred only by Barbara's inability to deal effectively with her relationship with her boyfriend, leads to an exciting trial with closing arguments sure to delight any legal-thriller fan. (Sept.)