Russian businessman Filyp Vasiliev was on trial for the heroin and other incriminating evidence found in his used-car dealership by the Drug Enforcement Agency. When the judge unexpectedly granted that much of the prosecution's evidence was to be suppressed, Vasiliev was, in essence, a free man. On his way out of the courtroom, he imperceptibly connected with a spectator, with a nod and smile.

The wife of attorney David Sloane was murdered a year ago in Seattle. Sloane has recently returned from a three month getaway to Mexico that helped him deal with his tragic loss. Now he is making his first speech since the murder, dreading that he had ever accepted the speaking engagement in the first place.

After his speech he literally ran into an old advisory, lawyer Barclay Reid. David was opposing lawyer in the Kendall Toys case. As they began to get reacquainted, they found a strong attraction to one another that ultimately led to an unlikely relationship.

Reid was grieving the loss of her daughter due to a recent heroin overdose, and asked Sloane to represent her in a wrongful death suit against Filyp Vasiliev. She firmly believed Vasiliev sold her daughter the deadly drug and sought revenge.

A short time later, Vasiliev was murdered and Reid arrested for the crime. Sloane found himself defending Barclay against a murder charge instead of the wrongful death suit. Joining Sloane in his first criminal case was private investigator Charles Jenkins, a close personal friend who was seeking evidence that could help set her free.

Murder One was written by the bestselling author Robert Dugoni, who also wrote Wrongful Death and Bodily Harm. Dugoni writes a strong legal thriller in the tradition of John Grisham, whom many favorably compare him to. Solid writing and a strong plot with plenty of twists will keep readers entertained while they try to solve the case.

Dugoni does not waste words as he lays out the courtroom scenes, police investigations, and personal relationships that make up the heart of his novels.

There are any number of red herrings and surprise turns throughout Murder One, and the ending is absolutely brilliant. This talented author continues to prove he deserves to be at the head of the pack.

A special thank you goes to Touchstone for providing a complimentary copy of Murder One for our review. If you would like to purchase any of Robert Dugoni's novels, they are available at Amazon.com.