The situation is revealed. Judge Pitt is hearing a high profile case. A Catholic priest has been accused of raping children in his former parishes. Pitt has been hand picked to try the case because she is neither male nor Catholic, eliminating two of the most likely sources for a claim of partiality.

Pitt has a problem that she wants taken care of quietly, and, since she has been friends with Shel since law school days, he is the man she wants. Shel see a problem with this selection. He was once Pitt’s lover, and would rather have capable, young Mairead handle the case. The young clerk assigned to Pitt is Catholic, and, coincidentally, Pitt’s latest lover. The law clerk in question, Chuck Vareika, is missing and she wants him found, without revealing their personal relationship to the public. Complicating the matter even further is the rest of Pitt’s “team” for the case, Florinda Altamira, the administrative clerk, who is straight laced to the point of often being compared to an army drill sergeant. Pitt does NOT want her to discover her personal relationship with Vareika.

Enter Pontifico (Pope) Murizzi, a private investigator in Gold’s employ. Despite his prickly relationship with Pitt, the Pope is really the man for this job. He can dig up information quickly and discreetly. He is also as tenacious as a bulldog in ferreting out complete details of relationships. The upshot of Pope’s investigation is not surprisingly the body of Chuck Vareika which adds another dimension to the case.

The Stain Upon the Robe brings to the forefront one of the current issues of the day, that of Catholic priests molesting young men. Through this subject is not the main focus of the book, the author makes many salient points regarding this problem. It is appropriate that it is set in Boston, a Catholic stronghold, where there are bound to be opinions on both sides of the question. As this theme is developed, it is easy to see how complex this issue really is, despite the seemingly black and white versions often portrayed in the media.

Boston is as important a main character in the book as any person. The Big Dig plays a central role in the plot. Not only does the Big Dig make it difficult to maneuver through the city, but it provides easy burial sites. The author gets his opinion in about the practicality and ultimate benefit of the project to the city.

This book is definitely written with a lawyer’s knowledge and perspective. Many legal terms are used undefined, assuming the reader’s familiarity with the jargon. This tactic is a blessing and a curse. The expertise is evident and the courtroom scenes authentically described. Those readers unfamiliar with the law may be confused, though a complete understanding of such sentences as “…the Commonwealth will rest on its brief regarding the limitations issue.” Or “Ex parte communication from the court about litigational strategy of the defendant.” will not preclude his understanding of the main thrust of the plot. Lawyers or well informed laypersons should enjoy the authenticity.

The characters exhibit their own personalities and are unique beings. The Pope is a perceptive individual who is definitely his own person. He is little influenced by what others think of him and is not afraid to go against convention. I suspect there are many of us who secretly wish we could be more like him. Shel and Mairead, while nice people, can’t hold a candle to Pope.

Terry Devane is a pseudonym of a Boston attorney and award winning novelist. I wonder how many readers can identify him through his writing style?

--Andy Plonka