Her Deadly Game
Robert Dugoni
Thomas & Mercer
396 pages
Published on March 23rd, 2023
♟️♟️♟️♟️♟️
Her Deadly Game is a riveting legal thriller from the author of the fantastic Tracy Crosswhite series – it is set in the same fictional world, and in fact my only disappointment is that Seattle’s finest detective doesn’t appear. I particularly liked the chess metaphors, although you don’t need to play to enjoy them. It’s unclear whether this is a stand-alone alone, or the start of a new series, it works well either way.
Keera Duggan is a chess prodigy and former state prosecutor forced by circumstances to join her infamous father’s struggling criminal defence practice. When a wealthy investment advisor is arrested for the murder of his wife, Keera sees a chance to make her name and help the family firm, but with her vengeful former lover as opposing counsel, and the evidence stacking up against her client, she will need to think several moves ahead to win the case.
This was a clever courtroom drama with an engaging heroine, and I very much hope that Keera will be back for further adventures. There’s a great cast of supporting characters,like her dysfunctional but ultimately loyal family and the conflicted detective who admires Keera’s moves but doesn’t want to see a man he’s sure is guilty go free. The mystery had enough twists to keep me turning the pages, the writing was crisp as usual and the ending very satisfying. 4.5 rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC.

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