Blood Defense

Former L.A. prosecutor Clark (The Competition) kicks off a promising new series with this top-notch whodunit leavened with gallows humor. LAPD Det. Dale Pearson turns to Samantha Brinkman, a gifted criminal defense attorney who’s struggling to make ends meet, when he’s charged with a sensational double homicide. Chloe Monahan, a near-superstar actress who overcame a drug addiction to resurrect her career, and her roommate, Paige Avner, were fatally stabbed in their apartment. The police originally believed that the burglar who hit the residence some months earlier was responsible, but they abandoned this idea when they learned that Pearson, who investigated the burglary, was dating Chloe—and was heard arguing with her shortly before her death. Samantha accepts the high-profile case, despite her skepticism that Pearson is being straight with her. Clark sprinkles jaw-dropping surprises throughout and impressively pulls off a shocker that lesser writers can only envy. Agent: Dan Conaway, Writers House. (May)