Guilt by Degrees

In Clark’s latest, Los Angeles Deputy DA Rachel Knight and her best gal pal, homicide detective Bailey Keller, struggle to solve the murder of a homeless man. Complicating their investigation: the victim’s identity is unknown. Additionally, Rachel has to deal with a vain, lazy co-worker who resents her, a relentless hit man who’s stalking her, a very clever villain who wants her dead, and a boyfriend who doesn’t know what he wants. January LaVoy turns in an energized, standout performance. Knight’s insouciant attitude hides the fact that she’s playing for keeps, and LaVoy perfectly captures this. Totally in tune with Clark’s zingy prose, LaVoy seems to be channeling Knight. And listeners will feel as if they’re sitting down with the tenacious DA as she recalls all the things—some weird (it’s L.A., she keeps reminding us), some thrilling, some happy, some sad—that happened during her most recent case. Like any good conversationalist, LaVoy’s version of Knight makes delightful company. A Mulholland hardcover. (May)