Rebellious defense

Author: [USA] Scott Lin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-08-01
Features: Lisa Scott Lin, winner of the Edgar Award for Best Mystery Novel in the United States. The Rebel's Defense is her fifth work. In this novel, she deliberately seeks innovation and compellingly records the perilous ordeal of a female lawyer at a women's law firm. The story unfolds when criminal defense attorney Mata is just one step away from success. She is confident, believing the jury will declare her client, the millionaire and business magnate Elliot Steele, innocent. But unexpectedly, Steele, in his triumph, carelessly reveals that he had feigned innocence in court, while the victim of the case—a homeless man who attempted to hijack his car—was indeed killed by him. Enraged, Mata resolves to find more evidence before the jury reaches a verdict and reindicts Steele. The situation is dire, and Mata must act swiftly. Meanwhile, on the same day, a rare blizzard strikes Philadelphia in ten years. She borrows two reinforcements from the Rosato Women's Law Firm: Mary and Judy. The two young female lawyers trudge through knee-deep snow to the crime scene to gather evidence and investigate. Partner Betsy Rosato of the Rosato Law Firm learns that Mata is determined to prosecute her own client, which could jeopardize the entire firm's future. She intervenes to prevent Mata's plan, instead vowing to seek justice for Steele in her own way. Elliot Steele is far from a good man. To rise in the ranks of real estate magnates, he has resorted to every underhanded means. What are a few lawyers to him? For his own gain, he can destroy everything. Even in prison, Steele manages to orchestrate a murder plot. He engages in a full-scale confrontation with the lawyers.