Show No Fear

October 6, 2008
Set in 1990, O'Shaughnessy's intriguing 12th legal thriller to feature crusading lawyer Nina Reilly (after Case of Lies
) takes a look at Nina's early career. An attractive single mom, Nina lives with her preschool-age son, Bob, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif., where she works as a paralegal while pursuing a law degree. She worries about her mother, Ginny, who's struggling with a circulatory disease and recovery from a botched acupuncture treatment. When Nina's ex-lover, criminal defense attorney Richard Filsen, resurfaces after four years, demanding a paternity test and shared custody of Bob, Nina seeks help from her current crush, Jack McIntyre, and his sexy girlfriend, Remy Sorensen, who's angling for a judgeship. Everything explodes when first Richard and then Ginny are murdered. The pseudonymous O'Shaughnessy (Pamela and Mary O'Shaughnessy) offers some surprising twists involving the ambitious Remy. Nina's first brush with a future love, detective Paul van Wagoner, adds spice.

November 1, 2008
In this prequel to the Nina Reilly mystery series (e.g., "Case of Lies"), young Nina tackles her first mystery, as a single mom juggling law school and paralegal work. Former husband Richard reappears, trying to claim joint custody of her son. Then, Nina's mother, Ginny, decides to take legal action against the acupuncturist she believes cost her the use of her hand. Nina naturally advises her mother to talk to one of the attorneys at her firm, the experienced and steely Remy Sorensen, who agrees to take the case. Meanwhile, Nina finds herself interested in both law partner Jack McIntyre and Det. Paul van Wagoner. Romance is the last thing on her mind, though, when Richard and then Ginny are found dead; suddenly, Nina wonders if she's next and decides to begin sleuthing on her own to find justice. O'Shaughnessy treats fans to the backstory of a popular character, which acts as a good starting point for those new to the series, too. Nina's balancing act and independent streak make her an admirable heroine in a solidly plotted book that gets the job done.Amy Brozio-Andrews, Albany P.L., NY

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2008
Theres a lot going on in the new Nina Reilly thriller (which takes us back to 1990, and the beginning of her career). Ninas mother is having medical problems and is suing her doctor; the father of Ninas young son has returned and is demanding joint custody; and a woman who has apparently committed suicide may actually be the victim of murder. Its strange, though, that a book with so much happening in it turns out to be so dull. Despite its multiple story lines, the novelmoves at a snails pace, crawling where it should be racing. This is a very successful series, with a popular heroine and a devoted group of fans, butOShaughnessys pedestrian writing, always a problem, is even worse here.This novel contains sentencesindeed, sometimes whole paragraphsthat cry out for a rewrite. In places, the novel reads like a first draft: the raw material is in place (engaging characters, intriguing plot), and all thats left to do is the actual writing. Hardcore fans of the Reilly series may enjoy this one for its portrayal of a young, eager, and somewhat naive Nina, but the novel definitely wont win over any new readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)