The Advocate's Daughter by Anthony Franze

I really liked this suspenseful novel centering around nominations for the Supreme Court.

Sean Serrat, a Supreme Court lawyer, finds out he is on the short list for a nomination to that high court. At the same time, his daughter, a law student, goes missing. She is found horribly murdered and the police arrest the boyfriend. They are sure they have their man but Sean is not convinced. He begins to investigate on his own. He works his way through secrets and lies, putting his own life in danger to find the killer.

Franze has given us a well crafted novel. The plot is complex but then, so are the lives of people in places of power. I really liked the way the truth of the murder is uncovered bit by bit like the layers of an onion. We readers become aware of each aspect of the mystery right along with Sean. And it is a mystery to the very end, with lots of twists and turns.

The characters are well crafted. I really liked the older son of Sean and his wife. Ryan is a smart kid and has his dad's back. I was a little unsure of Sean's behavior as some of it seemed irrational for a man up for the Supreme Court. But then, his daughter had been horribly murdered and he was doing everything he could to find the person responsible.

I appreciated Franze's note on the authenticity of events and places in his novel. Based on his own experience at the Supreme Court and additional research, he has done an excellent job of taking readers right into that branch of government.

I highly recommend this novel to those who like a suspenseful novel about the atmosphere surrounding a nomination to the Supreme Court. You'll enjoy a well crafted novel, learn much about the setting of the Supreme Court, and even get a couple of good jokes thrown in.

I am taking part in a tour of this book. Click here to view the 'The Advocate’s Daughter' Tour Participants

My rating: 5/5 stars.

Anthony Franze is known for his work as a lawyer in the Appellate and Supreme Court practice of a major law firm. He has been a commentator on court issues for several periodicals. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area. You can find out more at www.anthonyfranzebooks.com.

Minotaur Books, 320 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Tours for the purpose of an independent and honest review.