About the Author

Richard North Patterson has written a number of novels including the international bestsellers, Degree of Guilt, Eyes of a Child, The Final Judgement, Silent Witness, No Safe Place, Dark Lady and Protect and Defend. His novels have won the Edgar Allan Poe Award and the Grand Prix de Litterature Polici re. He and his wife, Laurie, live with their family in San Francisco and on Martha's Vineyard.

Reviews

Patterson's novels are rich in multifaceted, believable characters and readable portrayals of the American judicial system, and his latest effort will not disappoint his many fans. San Francisco lawyer Carolyn Masters, featured in Eyes of a Child (LJ 12/94), returns as this story's central character, drawn back to her New England home on the eve of her presidential appointment to the Court of Appeals. Her young niece Brett is accused of brutally murdering the boy she loves, and Caroline comes to her defense. Caroline has had no contact with her family in years and now must confront the sister and father who fatally betrayed Caroline's own young love 20 years before. The result is a well-executed, powerful modern-day tragedy. Essential for all libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 8/95.]-Alice DiNizo, Raritan P.L., N.J.

Patterson's legal thriller of a lawyer defending her niece against a murder charge was a PW bestseller for seven weeks. (Jan.)