Notorious

Martinez, Michele. Notorious. Another ARC from Wm Morrow/Harper Collins, this novel is the fourth in a series about Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas. It began with a bang and ended with a whimper. Almost literally.

Vargas is standing on the steps of the federal court house steps in New York having a conversation with Lester Poe, the defense lawyer, who gives her some information that links his client, former drug dealer turned rap star to a known terrorist. As Poe leaves Melanie, the man she had noticed earlier walking a dog points his cell phone at Poe's car. Melanie tries to warn him, but it is too late.

The attorney appointed to replace Poe is a one dimensional bad guy, but there are plenty of other complications that Melanie must unravel as well. Somehow, the attempts to involve the reader personally-- missed with me. Much of the novel seemed too contrived and stilted.

Fiction. Mystery/legal thriller. 2008. 336 pages.