Harmless Error

Rating:
Summary: Very highly recommended
Review: Defense attorney Derek Graniger comes to the courthouse not to hear the verdict of George Perry's case, the father stands accused to the kidnapping and murder of five-year-old Amy, but to gauge the reaction of the victim's mother. Sure enough, Veronica Keys Perry's sneer of satisfaction reminds Derek how fortunate he had been to escape the psychotic woman. In fact, only Derek and George could understand the harm of allowing an innocent child to grow up in Veronica's twisted grasp. Two weeks later Derek finds himself at the prison planning to explain to George that he cannot provide appellate representation. George changes his mind, however, when he reveals that not only is Amy alive, but that Derek is the father. If the appeal succeeds, George will reveal Amy's location.

Derek needs a creative, imaginative lawyer that can provide a flash of inspiration. Derek is the technician; he knows the law in all its infinite logical detail. Now he needs a renegade like Laurel Banyon, who has never lost a case. He admires Laurel's competitive, gutsy style and believes she can look beyond the logic of the transcripts to find the "emotional error" that will justify an appeal. While he needs Laurel's skill, he also must control while carefully challenging her curiosity. He must keep her focused on the drama of the transcript rather than the drama behind it, or Laurel will guess the facts Derek prefers to remain concealed. Indeed, Derek risks his license to practice law with this case; in hiring Laurel he also risks his heart.

While novels with legal backgrounds abound, Kate Donovan's masterful display of creative lawyering and romancing lends HARMLESS ERROR delightfully fresh and original qualities. The characters are markedly believable without falling into the predictable traps frequented by romance authors. For example, Laurel learns of Derek's paternity, she doesn't waste a lot of emotional energy berating him for not revealing the whole story, thereby proving her professionalism and understanding of the implications of such knowledge. Further, while many plots involve men who become unwitting fathers, this method is highly original. Indeed, Veronica's obsession with her appearance and her sexual perversions lend the novel not only a fascinating plot, but also an intriguing villain. HARMLESS ERROR comes very highly recommended.