Two resilient New Jersey lawyers find themselves way out of their league when one of their clients proves to be especially hazardous in this engaging first novel from former federal prosecutor Liebman (Shark Tales
). Friends since childhood, Camden residents Junior “Junne” Salerno and Mickie Mezzonatti both worked as cops, both took law courses at Rutgers and both passed the bar—eventually. Their clients are mostly street criminals, and they're fairly adept at working the system as long as the cases are simple. Then they're retained by Rodrigo Gonzales, a jailed Salvadoran drug lord who wants to be released on bail so he can escape. If Mickie and Junne are unsuccessful in obtaining Gonzales's release, they face an unpleasant fate at the hands of vengeful gangsters. Levity is provided by Mickie frequently trying to get the deeply closeted Junne to go out with girls, a subplot that feels artificial in a thriller otherwise rich with sharp, crackling dialogue, memorable characters and local color. (Sept.)
