Kate Donovan, Spin Control

Spin Control

Kate Donovan

Silhouette Bombshell, September 2006, $4.99

ISBN: 0373514190

In Northern California, Judge "Taylor the Jailor" informs FBI agent Justin Russo, just because he fires his lawyers in court that he will not receive any delay to prepare his new representation. Justin asks Judge Taylor to appoint attorney Suzannah Ryder, who is in court having worked on another case, to defend him. The Judge gives her no choice, so she reluctantly agrees to be his defense lawyer, as he is on trial for second degree murder. Worse, the judge frees him on bail into her custody.

Hearing his facts, and with no other information, Suzannah begins her defense by spinning the image of the accused into that of a handsome heroic hunk who she hopes a predominant female jury will desire and free. However, when she looks into his eyes, she begins to wonder if he committed the act, especially as the evidence mounts against her client. With Taylor pushing to end the trial fast, and allowing her no flexibility, she wonders if perhaps this time she is defending a heated killer, though she finds whatever SPIN she takes she still wants the Fed.

This is a terrific investigative legal thriller that hooks the audience from the opening prologue, and it never slows down until the final confrontation. The exciting storyline is filled with action, but it also contains a terrific romantic subplot. Like his lawyer, readers will slowly begin to believe that Justin is guilty, as Kate Donovan spins a strong romantic suspense thriller.