Clarissa’s husband is Dr. Townsend Easterbrook, a highly placed surgeon with the Oregon Health Science’s University teaching hospital. When he left for the hospital, Clarissa was still in bed so he doesn’t know her schedule. Because their dog Griffey is also missing, it seems possible she disappeared while walking the dog. Griffey is soon found in a part of the city that is usually considered unsafe for a woman to walk along.

Samantha and the police start digging into Clarissa’s case files. They learn that she had been receiving threats from a father, Melvin Jackson, who had been evicted from public housing. When Clarissa’s body is discovered, Jackson becomes a suspect. The police are also looking at Townsend because violence against women often involves the husband or lover. Townsend retains a lawyer, Roger Kirkpatrick, Samantha’s ex-husband. Samantha is now involved with Chuck Forbes, a police detective.

The investigation turns up few clues, and Clarissa’s supervisor is obstructing Samantha’s access to Clarissa’s cases. Evidence seems to be building against Melvin Jackson; he is arrested and charged with murder. Nevertheless, Samantha wonders if there’s more to the case that they have missed.

This is the second mystery featuring Samantha Kincaid. Written in first person from Samantha’s point of view, the book is mostly plot-driven rather than character-driven. Samantha’s attention is sometimes distracted by her difficulties settling into her new position, her relationships with boyfriend Chuck and her best friend Grace, and her sudden distance from her father. The main focus of the book, however, is the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Judge Easterbrook.

The story is a cross between a legal thriller and a police procedural. There are courtroom scenes to satisfy those readers who enjoy legal maneuvering, but the police and Samantha’s own investigation into Clarissa’s personal and professional dealings doesn’t end with the arrest of a suspect. Unexpected plot twists and turns keep the story line moving. Samantha’s observations on people and events give some additional liveliness to the narrative.

I thought the first book in this series, Judgment Calls, was acceptable but not much more. This second one, however, is a considerable improvement. Missing Justice stands well on its own so readers don’t necessarily have to have read the previous book. This one gets a strong recommendation.

--Lesley Dunlap