When Laura begins to suspect that the police may be falsifying evidence, she contacts a criminal defense lawyer and suggests that he look into the case. This will have consequences for Laura’s professional career and her personal relationship with an Atlanta police detective.

This is the third Laura Chastain mystery. Mystery series depend on a strong protagonist with whom a reader feels a connection. Laura is a prime example of such a heroine. She’s principled and committed. She’s capable of making mistakes, but she’s dedicated to the law and not self-serving.

As implied by the title, the plot of Officer of the Court focuses on Laura’s moral and legal duty as much as the whodunit. She recognizes that her doubts about Jervis’s guilt and the reliability of the evidence against him will place her at odds with the District Attorney and her immediate supervisor, but she is unwilling to be a party to convicting an innocent man, particularly one who seems to lack even the most minimal legal representation.

Besides Laura Chastain, there are several interesting characters that add to the story’s appeal including a couple of eccentric judges. The lively courtroom scenes are among the most entertaining in the book.

The mystery itself is less intricately plotted than in the previous book in the series, False Witness. Savvy readers will pick up on early clues that play into the eventual solution, but there are unexpected twists and turns that keep the story interesting.

I can recommend Officer of the Court and the other Laura Chastain books to readers who enjoy legal thrillers. I, for one, will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

--Lesley Dunlap