6/27/10 If you're tired of reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books, with all the exploding cars and screwy antics, maybe it's time to switch to Barbara Levenson.
Justice in June by Levenson (Oceanview, $24.95) is a highly entertaining, fast-paced and funny legal thriller.
It's the sequel to Fatal February, which introduced feisty Mary Magruder Katz, a quick-thinking, hard- working Miami criminal defense attorney.
The veteran justice swears she's innocent and is being framed; it's Katz's job to represent her and find out what's really going on.
Meanwhile, Katz's boyfriend, Carlos Martin, asks her to take a case involving Luis Coloma, a young Argentinean family friend who's been accused by the government of being a terrorist.
Katz has difficulty even connecting with Coloma, whose wealthy parents acknowledge that their son has problems, but isn't a terrorist.
As if that's not enough to handle, Katz's problems multiply when her boyfriend, a local developer, is being sued by potential tenants.
There are a variety of other confrontations. Katz is being stalked; a break-in at her house and a warning left in lipstick add to the tension.
After a messy break-up with an earlier boyfriend, Katz also is dealing with Martin, who wants more of a commitment.
Katz is juggling three cases, getting publicity but losing clients because she's being associated with representing a suspected terrorist.
Her actions in that case are especially fascinating, as she attempts to thwart truth-twisting, over-enthusiastic government officials.
The author uses short, action-packed chapters to speed the story.
Levenson, who's served as senior judge in circuit court in Miami-Dade County for many years, has created a likable, quirky main character and an enjoyable, atmospheric mystery.
Ray Walsh
This article also appeared in the Lansing State Journal on June 27, 2010
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