A dead partner, a murdered client...it's more than attorney Joe McGuinness bargained for when he signed on at one of Pinnacle Peak, Arizona's most prestigious law firms. The ink on Joe's bar license is barely dry when the death of his firm's senior partner puts the young lawyer's job in jeopardy. Soon even more is at stake. While on a date with Mia Ortiz, personal assistant to one of the firm's wealthiest clients, Joe walks into a grisly murder scene. Mia's boss, Cordelia Barrett, and her son lie sprawled in a pool of blood. Joe knows Cordelia has recently changed her will, turning off the flow of money to her hotheaded son. But the police don't agree with Joe's theory of murder/suicide and arrest Mia for murder. Meanwhile, fellow lawyer Jerry Dan Kovacs is determined to prove the death of the firm's senior partner wasn't an accident. While Joe works fervently to free Mia, another body turns up and he must unravel a web of secrets to discover who is using murder to claim the rights of heir apparent.
Just a note that I loved this book. I was disappointed to learn that this was the first by this author - I wanted more! A great combination of legal work and sportsmanship. I can't wait to read about the mountain biking and other adventure sports the author has tried out!Thanks, Twist, for a great read - hope the next one comes out soon!
Nothing's apparent in this twisting mystery!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
When his law firm downsizes, Joe McGuiness worries none of the other firms in town might accept him. An average student, this opportunity had been a godsend. His girl friend, on the other hand, is ready to celebrate his possible layoff, longing to move to San Diego where he can accept a position with her father. Although he narrowly escapes the threat of layoff, Joe soon has much bigger concerns.A rodeo accident left Joe's horse dead and his shoulder severely injured. He returns to riding to participate in a team-roping event with Reilly, his best buddy since law school. Unfortunately, rodeo does not compete with the glittery world his girl friend would prefer, making Mia Ortiz that much more attractive when he meets her. Their immediate connection and common interests seem promising, until they return from their first date and she is arrested for murder.Twist Phelan brings her deft skill of resolving complexities in the courtroom to her first novel, HEIR APPARENT. Her background as a lawyer and as an athlete lend HEIR APPARENT a convincing reality even as she weaves a tale filled with surprising twists and convolutions. The novel begins at a measured pace, creating a world that cleverly overlaps the world of a law firm with the world of rodeo cowboys. Rich characterizations provide an abundance of suspects that will keep readers guessing. Especially memorable are Joe's first girl friend with the perfect white tennis shoes, Trudy who wears politically incorrect t-shirts to work, and lawyer Jerry Dan who argues the Doppler effect as an excuse for running a red light. Very highly recommended.
Well-written, original
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
The book is very well written, the story development is original, and the characters are interesting and well defined. I truly enjoyed HEIR APPARENT and will be looking forward to future Pinnacle Peak Mysteries.
Deft plotting, good characterization
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Twist Phelan brings a deft skill of resolving complexities in the courtroom to HEIR APPARENT, weaving a convincing tale filled with surprising twists and convolutions. The novel begins at a measured pace, setting a scene that cleverly overlaps the world of a law firm with the world of rodeo cowboys. Rich characterizations provide an abundance of suspects that will keep readers guessing.
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