It’s obvious that Pamela Wechsler has legal background and television writing experience. She’s written for Law and Order and other legal TV shows. She was a criminal prosecutor. She brings all of that knowledge to The Graves, following up, Mission Hill, the book that introduced Boston Assistant District Attorney Abby Endicott.
Abby’s background in a privileged Boston family is not usual for an assistant district attorney who prosecutes criminals. In fact, Abby’s family has cut off her funds after her injury on her last case. She’s recuperating, spending time with her musician boyfriend. But, she can’t resist when Detective Kevin Farnsworth calls, saying they found a body, quite possibly the second from a killer. She’s the second college girl to disappear, be raped, murdered, and left posed at a crime scene. When another girl goes missing, Abby and Kevin, and the city of Boston, are guessing there’s a serial killer.
The case takes an interesting turn when the team discovers the girls were working as call girls. Then, they discover a senator’s son is involved. Abby faces political pressure from her boss, who is running for mayor, and from other people with clout. At the same time, she’s dealing with her family’s disapproval of her career choice, and personal problems. But, she’s determined to bring the case to court. For Abby Endicott, the victims are her clients, and she wants justice for them.
The Graves is a fast-paced novel that combines the investigation and the legal case. Wechsler develops the storyline and the characters as adeptly as Law and Order did. If you appreciate Linda Fairstein’s legal novels, Wechsler’s books will be right up your alley. If you read Hank Phillippi Ryan for the Boston setting, try The Graves. Setting, character and suspense are successfully combined in Wechsler’s latest.
Pamela Wechsler’s website is www.pamelawechsler.com
The Graves by Pamela Wechsler. Minotaur Books. 2017. ISBN 978125007782 (hardcover), 304p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review it for a journal.
