FICTION

The Perfect Alibi

Minotaur: St. Martin's. Mar. 2019. 320p. ISBN 9781250117526. $27.99; ebk. ISBN 9781250117533. SUSPENSE
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Margolin's second Robin Lockwood novel (after The Third Victim) finds the mixed-martial-arts (MMA) fighter-turned-lawyer representing Randi Stark, rape victim of the all-American premed college football player Blaine Hastings, and suing Hastings's family for damages. However, the case becomes increasingly complicated when Blaine's DNA is found on another rape victim while he is behind bars. Blaine disappears after posting bail but becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Frank Nylander and disappearance of Doug Armstrong, lawyers in the office that failed to defend Blaine against the rape conviction. Robin begins looking into the murder of Nylander, who seems to have very few ties to the Hastings case, and the strange reappearance and amnesia of Armstrong. Though Robin knows Blaine is capable of a violent crime, her investigation into the Frank's murder leads her further from Blaine and into a web of suspicious deals, pharmaceutical companies, and more murder.
VERDICT Margolin introduces so many players so quickly it's difficult to keep track of everyone. Short chapters made to keep the story moving only lead to more confusion. An interesting mystery, but a miss for Margolin. Purchase only where Margolin fans clamor for more. [See Prepub Alert, 9/10/18.]
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