DEPTH OF DECEIT

The trials and tribulations of an equestrian Utah attorney.

At 25, Stephanie Saunders wonders if she’s outgrown her love for horses after a nasty fall from riding Kingston that practically breaks her hip. That’s the least of her problems–this “scholar of Perry Mason TV reruns” is struggling as a fledgling defense attorney at the high-profile firm of Connelly and Foster. She takes on indigent, judge-assigned cases, yet her handsome boyfriend of four months, Todd, hasn’t a clue who she really is. To make matters worse, her doctor tells her she’s pregnant, even though she hasn’t had sex in recent memory. Adding insult to injury is Stephanie’s newest defense case Josh Durrant, a swarthy, shady character accused of domestic battery. He also seems to be following her every move. When Stephanie divulges her pregnancy conundrum to Todd, he confesses a far-fetched story about a vengeful friend who spiked both of their drinks with a date rape drug one fateful night, thus causing their sexual slip. His subsequent marriage proposal comes as a surprise, but she accepts. Briggs’ narrative picks up steam after Josh is surprisingly cleared of all charges with the help of Stephanie’s boss Charles. A tragic automobile accident takes Todd’s life, which unveils a host of secrets he’d been keeping from her. As Stephanie contemplates her future juggling single motherhood and a professional law career, an overconcerned Charles suddenly appears to pick up the pieces, but seems to have earmarked other plans for her unborn child. As the sexual tension between Stephanie and Josh mounts, so do her fears that he remains a criminal on the make. Can danger be far behind? Briggs’ narrative tends to be too talky, yet it’s engaging and capably written. Stephanie’s stamina and determination makes her a strong central character, who hooks readers from the first page.

Featherweight, homespun crime fiction anchored by a winning protagonist.