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STAIN UPON THE ROBE, A
by Terry Devane (Jeremiah Healy)
G. P.Putnam's Sons, September 2003
295 pages
$24.95
ISBN: 0399151087


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

The Honorable Barbara Quincy Pitt has been given a controversial trial. Dooley is a priest currently accused of molesting over 20 young boys. He also has a bombshell that he feels will show his actions towards the young boys caused no lasting damage. As if this was not time consuming enough, her research clerk, Chuck Vareika, has gone missing. Pitt cannot turn to the police because she had been having an affair with Vareika. If the public knew of this affair, she would lose credibility for this case. Pitt turns to Sheldon Gold, a friend from law school. Gold calls in his entire outfit for this investigation: Mairead O'Clare, Billie Sunday and Pontifico Murizzi. As the search for the missing clerk progresses, they realize that much about Vareika is not as clear-cut as it once seemed. He has secrets that threaten to destroy Pitt and her family. In addition, the controversy surrounding the trial threatens to over spill into every aspect of the case. O'Clare and company must find Vareika's whereabouts before Dooley's bombshell is dropped in court and a child molester walks free.

Mairead O'Clare is a refreshing protagonist. Her character might seem a little conservative; however, she knows what must be done to solve a case. Although she has been compared to Stephanie Plum, the heroine of Janet Evanovich's books, this does not present her true character. Unlike Plum, O'Clare remains strong and resilient without having to resort to having others save her. She is eager to please and make a difference; yet, not willing to sacrifice anything vital to her. O'Clare transcends the stereotypical female protagonist. As an orphan, she grew up in a church sponsored orphanage; hence this case hits home for her. Her experiences at the orphanage continue to influence her today as Dooley's victims are still influenced as well.

A STAIN UPON THE ROBE is enjoyable. The humor is witty rather than slapstick and does not insult the reader's intelligence. The court scenes and actual law discussed in the book seem realistic and demonstrates the author's familiarity with the subject. It takes a strong writer to be able to mix law with mystery without sacrificing something. The legal elements do not overwhelm the story; yet, the law does influence the book greatly. In addition, the story is presented in such a manner that the characters seem real rather than simple stock characters. This book is a step above the traditional legal thriller where it is all action and little substance.

A STAIN UPON THE ROBE is the third book in the Mairead O'Clare series. Terry Devane is the pseudonym of a famous Boston writer with law experience, Jeremiah Healy.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, September 2003

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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