Moment of Truth

Starred review from February 28, 2000
A bullet-proof premise distinguishes this expert crime thriller from Scottoline (Mistaken Identity): handsome, successful estates lawyer Jack Newlin frames himself for the murder of his heiress wife in order to shield the real killer, their 16-year-old daughter, Paige. It doesn't matter to Jack that Philadelphia's hyper D.A., Dwight Davis, wants the death penalty--Jack is determined to protect his girl, a legally emancipated model who dabbles in crystal meth despite her recently discovered pregnancy. But not everyone is buying Jack's eager confession. Something about his story bothers veteran detective Reginald Brinkley, who's convinced that the traces of physical evidence at the murder scene point to Paige, and possibly to her preppy boyfriend, Trevor. And Mary DiNunzio, the young lawyer Jack hires for her presumed inexperience, finds herself Jack's "worst enemy" as she, too, begins focusing on the jittery teenager. Scottoline cuts a few corners: it's implausible that Mary, schooled only in "the law according to Steven Bochco," would be running such a big case unsupervised, or that this lapsed Catholic with hardwired guilt would allow herself to represent Paige while fighting for Jack, on whom she's developed an unprofessional crush. But Mary is a most appealing crusader, with a highly developed working-class wit ("she struck Mary instantly as the kind of girl for whom the delicate cycle was invented"). Sharp, funny characters, crafty plot twists, and a flavorful depiction of high- and lower-middle Philadelphia society will keep readers riveted to this tense, often mischievous page-turner. Agent, Molly Friedrich.

November 26, 2001
What does a struggling Washington, D.C., attorney do when a high-profile client offers her one hundred thousand dollars to clear him of a two-year-old murder? Take the case! With bills to pay and a 13-year-old daughter to support, that's exactly what Kate Logan does, but unfortunately, her client is Todd Buchanan, the youngest son of a Supreme Court Justice. Todd, a smart aleck rich boy with a taste for trouble, had disappeared after his wife Molly was found murdered in a sleazy motel room by someone she met online in a sexually themed chat room. Molly is also the sister of Detective Mitch Calhoon, the man in Kate's life. As Kate expects, Mitch reacts badly when she tells him she's taken the case, but then he surprises her by offering his support even though the case will open old wounds and reveal family secrets he'd just as soon keep hidden. Gathering evidence to clear Todd takes Kate into the inner circles of D.C.'s rich and powerful and gives Kate, as well as the reader, an up close and personal look at the dark world of cybersex and sexual addiction. Although the novel's plotting isn't as seamless as one would expect from an author of Heggan's skill and following, its provocative subject matter, likeable characters and swift pacing override any shortcomings.