"A look back at Nina's early years ...."

Those who have enjoyed the Nina Reilly series of legal thrillers over that last decade or so, will find this latest fascinating. Rather than move ahead, the authors (Pam and Mary) take the reader back to Nina's early years and fill-in some of the questions about her early life.

Nina is living on the Monterey Peninsula where she is working as a paralegal while attending law school. She has a young son, Bob, and is in the midst of getting a divorce. Her mother is not too well physically and Nina is helping the ailing woman go after one of her medical providers with a malpractice lawsuit. Obviously, as in the other novels, Nina has a lot going on in her personal life and her plate is pretty full.

The questionable demise of a woman who is found dead at the foot of a highway bridge along the Bid Sur coast adds to Nina's problems but this is where the "whodunit" element comes in.

With the assistance of Paul van Wagoner, a local homicide cop, Nina will try to figure out what happened to the woman. Also, along the way, Nina and Paul will discover they have more in common than just a thirst for justice hence a longterm relationship begins at novel's end.

This series has been a little uneven with some stories falling well short of the mark set at the outset by the co- authors. Fortunately, this prequel exhibits the qualities that made the early Nina Reilly capers so entertaining and fun to read.

For those who have been a little disappointed in Nina's recent cases, take heart, she is back to her old form so be ready for a riveting, roller coaster ride.

Reviewed by Bob Walch
Posted May 11, 2009