Saturday May 12 at 5:00 PM we have the pleasure of presenting Phil Margolin for his latest The Third Victim.
Whisper Lake is a small community in rural Oregon where the population swells in summer when the owners of vacation cabins enjoy the lake. Winter it is deserted and quiet. So Caleb White is shocked when a woman stumbles out of the woods in front of his vehicle, disheveled, blood caked, mud covered, and incoherent. His cousin (remember this is a small community) is a local cop, Caleb is happy to turn the woman over to his care. Meredith Fenner was held against her will in a remote cabin and repeatedly tortured. She bonds strongly with Detective Harry White, relying on his kindness and assurances that she is safe now. Although how will a woman ever feel safe after such an experience?
Meredith lived, worked, and was abducted from Portland; the case becomes even darker when a powerful attorney, the owner of the cabin, is identified as the prime suspect. The evidence against Alex Mason is convincing; Meredith identified his cabin, there is physical evidence inside, and the man’s wife attests that he is sexually sadistic. He can afford the best, and being a local attorney he knows Regina Barrister is as good as it gets. Despite all the damming evidence, Alex Mason protests he is innocent. This is a high profile case with all the attendant stress that implies.
Regina just hired Robin Lockwood who will be helping with her defense. Robin was clerking for Oregon Supreme Court Judge Stanley Cloud when she was offered the job, it was an easy choice. Regina had long been her hero, a role model the younger woman aspired to following, At times watching Regina, Robin feels fortunate to be learning from the best, but then there will be odd things, actions that make her uneasy. This is a thrilling mystery with devious twists that will keep you guessing to the very last page, a masterful puzzle.
However the heart of this story is the bravery of a woman at the top of her game realizing that something is not right in her thought process. Margolin shows these two incredibly strong women, Regina and Robin, one at the pinnacle of a career she loves, the other just getting started and filled with bright promise. One must come to terms with the future she faces, the other must find the courage to confront her boss, her hero, and lay out her concerns over what she has seen as erratic behavior. They both maneuver through some very difficult times with grace, Margolin’s compassionate and realistic exploration of this human drama is heartfelt.
Phil Margolin is a New York Times bestselling author many times over. His stories are more realistic due to his background as a successful defense attorney, arguing death penalty cases and appearing before the Supreme Court. He is also very personable and entertaining, join us for a great event.
Refreshments will be served and there will be drawings for prizes. Sign up to attend this free event by emailing sunriverbooks@sunriverbooks.com, calling 541-593-2525 or stopping by Sunriver Books & Music.