Rory Gallagher was an investigative journalist, aka muckraker, who died from a fatal dose of a powerful antipsychotic drug called Lucitrol. The flamboyant reporter and his long-time lover, Jane Barrett, were seen arguing the night he died. Now, she has been arrested and accused of killing him.

Jane insists they only had a few drinks and then she went home. However, someone said a woman who fit Jane’s description was seen entering Rory’s house later that night, and during the investigation detectives found his home computer wiped clean.

Mark Angelotti is a blind psychiatrist who has enrolled in a drug trial in an effort to restore his eyesight. In the meantime, he is also helping Hallie Sanchez defend Jane, her long-time friend.

Mark and Hallie are able to get Jane released on bail while they continue to prepare their defense. Unfortunately, they run into an increasing number of challenges as they move toward freeing Jane, including attempted murder.

While concentrating on the murder case, Mark is also concerned about an elderly man who hands him his newspaper every morning when Mark arrives at his office building. Mike has not been seen for over a week, and Mark and others who are used to seeing him every morning are growing more concerned by the day. A short time later Mark officially reports Mike as a missing person.

Dante’s Poison, A Mark Angelotti novel was written by Lynne Raimondo, author of Dante’s Wood. Her own years in the courtroom have provided her with plenty of knowledge and material to work with as she builds realistic scenes inside and outside the courtroom.

Raimondo has created an intriguing cast of characters to populate her unique series. Mark’s struggle with his eyesight adds a layer of depth to the main mystery stories she writes. The author is adept at showing the challenges Mark faces as he maneuvers from his psychiatrist office to his local watering hole; from the courtroom to something as simple as walking down the street.

Tension builds throughout the story, with numerous unexpected twists and turns keeping readers turning pages, especially towards the later part of the book. I literally could not stop reading the last few chapters as tension built.

Although this was the second in the series, readers could choose to enjoy the book as a stand-alone if they wish or check out Dante’s Wood first.

A special thank you goes to Seventh Street Books for providing a complimentary copy of Dante’s Poison.

You can find Lynne Raimondo’s books on Amazon.com.