Lion Plays Rough (Leo Maxwell)
In Smith’s debut (Bear Is Broken, 2012), fledgling San Francisco attorney Leo Maxwell earned his investigative chops by tracking down the shooter who incapacitated his genius attorney brother, Teddy. Now Leo’s life is feeling hopelessly tame: he’s arguing defense cases for his sister-in-law’s firm and living with Teddy, who’s struggling to recover. So, when a femme fatale pleads with him to prove her brother is being framed for murder by a dirty cop and a drug kingpin, he squashes ethical misgivings and takes the case. Using the sister’s information, Leo snaps damaging photos of the pair. But when he triumphantly delivers his evidence to the DA, the game changes. His supposed client doesn’t have a sister and is already being represented by the city’s most feared underworld attorney. With the DA investigating Leo’s ethics, and the drug lord in question out for blood, Leo’s only option is uncovering the “sister’s” motives. This entry bears less emotional weight than the debut but boasts greater polish in its blend of ironic narration, classic noir overtones, and artfully drafted characters. --Christine Tran