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Move over Scott Turow and John Grisham there is a new litigator in town. I have not read a legal thriller this delicious since I first read Presumed Innocent! This book deserves all the stars and more!

Rob Jacobson, a powerful defense attorney in Washington, DC is tasked with defending his childhood playmate, who happens to be the former President of the United States. The ex-president is charged with murdering his mistress.

The prosecution certainly appears to have all the evidence necessary for a conviction, but is it enough to send President Cutler to jail for murder beyond a reasonable doubt? Written in the first person of the defense attorney, Rob, readers are taken from the law office to the Oval Office, and from the bedroom to the courtroom.

What I thoroughly expected, but happily did not find, was a great deal of time spent on something that is frequently found in other legal thrillers, but not here...... jury selection. A comprehensive synopsis of the process was provided, but thankfully without going into exhaustive detail. More time is spent on character development and in the courtroom on witnesses for the prosecution and defense and the lawyers' closing arguments.

There are just the right number of red herrings to make the narrative exciting and intriguing. However, there is nothing that can match the shocking ending! It is a true GOTCHA moment! I immediately went back to the beginning of the book and started reading it again to find out what I may have missed.

If there is a Best New Legal Thriller Award, it should go definitely to this author, Lawrence Robbins. I can't wait to read what he comes up with next.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to read this awesome book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.