|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
Q: When is a lawyer joke not funny? A: When no lawyers are harmed in the writing of the joke Let's face it. Everyone loves to hate lawyers, right? But who hates them enough to kill them? That's the question author Mary Jane Maffini poses for legal advocate Camilla McPhee at the beginning of LAW AND DISORDER; the sixth book in the Camilla McPhee series. Camilla is looking forward to spending a few enjoyable days in court, watching notorious bad guy Lloyd Brugel finally get his at the hands of the Canadian justice system. But alas, it's a pleasure denied when court is adjourned due to the absence of Brugel's chief council. Apparently, sleazy lawyer Rollie Thorston has died in a boating accident, and the case is now in the hands of his assistant, Jamie Kilpatrick. The nervous young lawyer interprets Thorston's death as a warning to those who'd dare displease Brugel, and immediately resigns from the case. When Camilla's favorite client, Bunny the ex-thief, arrives with an urgent request to meet with her, Camilla is mystified. Why is everyone so jumpy? Bunny reluctantly admits he has been receiving bizarre lawyer jokes in the mail, which would be odd enough, if they weren't followed by the names of people who had all met supposedly accidental deaths. When Alvin cheerfully confirms that Camilla has been receiving the same notes, the chase is on, and she begins to look for a common link between the victims. Brugel, perhaps? How far does his reach extend beyond the prison yard? The supporting cast we have come to know in this series is in place, but for this book, is mostly in absentia. Camilla's perfect and perfectly annoying sisters are out of town and the dependable and stalwart Mrs. Parnell is recovering in hospital from a broken hip. Even Camilla's inept Newfie assistant Alvin is staying close to home where he can concentrate on his latest hobby, testing heritage recipes. That leaves the sleuthing up to Camilla and gives her a chance to shine. If the case was all she had to concentrate on, it may not have been so bad, but just as in real life, fate overfills our plates when we most want to concentrate on one helping. Enter the daughters of Camilla's boyfriend Ray, in town to compete in the city's Dragon Boat Festival, and expecting to stay with Camilla for the duration. One of the true gems in this book is the subplot concerning the sale of Camilla's house by the persistent and annoyingly picky realtor, Jacki Jewell. She's guaranteed to get under Camilla's skin; invasive and disapproving of Camilla's home decor and her house guests' ill-timed visit. Jacki serves as Camilla's antithesis in this book, and allows author Maffini the opportunity to take a sly jab at the popular home hunter shows, that imply that presentation is everything and any imperfection of the home-for-sale, no matter how slight, a calamity. I must admit that I was initially disappointed by the missing over-the-top plot points that I have come to expect from this series, but the fiendishly clever solution to the crimes more than compensated for them. As well, Maffini has thoughtfully included a lawyer joke as an introduction to each chapter. Hmmm.. when I think of it, I suppose a ruinous house fire, an almost successful hit and run and the climatic boat bombing might be considered a bit extreme by some. But I've come to expect disaster to follow Camilla McPhee and look forward to the next adventure.
Reviewed by Merrill Young, December 2009
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
