The reader wants to hang out with Jansson and see more of her clear-eyed view of the world. But Lia Matera is funny, too, and that's what sets her apart. The result is like Matera herself, quick- witted and entertaining and deceptively cynical. Matera's protagonists are bracingly real. A delightful romp, and a satiric and satisfying look at the training grounds for the legal profession.
Every word counts, and the pieces of the puzzle fit together with exhilarating precision.
She has a dark side, too . . . Di Palma is one of the smartest, most open- minded sleuths in the lawyering trade. . . . Multiple murders and delightfully complex characters help carry a plot that moves from a striptease bar to the guru's mysterious island retreat . . . A fine, intelligent story. Highly recommended .