She applied the Page 69 Test to her new novel, Justice in June, and reported the following:Page 69 highlights one of the three cases that comprise the plot in this second Mary Magruder Katz mystery series. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include the hot romance Mary has going with her hot Latin boyfriend, Carlos.Learn more about the book and author at Barbara Levenson's website.
The protagonist, Mary Magruder Katz, a criminal defense lawyer in Miami is representing Judge Liz Maxwell who is under investigation for fixing drug cases. Mary is at a meeting with the state attorney, Jason Jimenez Jones. (I told you this is a Miami story where every one is an ethnic mixture.)
Jason is outlining all the reasons he believes Liz is a dirty judge:“I thought you knew me better than to think I’d go on a witch hunt. I couldn’t ignore the fact that more than one of my prosecutors believe something funny is going on in Maxwell’s division. Since she came back to the criminal bench six months ago, several cases involving drug dealers have been dismissed without any reason at a very early stage in the litigation. Some of these cases were dismissed after the filing of perfunctory motions to dismiss by the defense. No hearings were held, and the orders were form orders with no reasons stated for the dismissals. In some cases form orders were signed right after the arraignments.-----Then there was the murder of the informant in an important state case. Judge Maxwell directed the state to produce the guy. She could have tipped off someone about the time and place he would be produced. Things began to add up.”Mary, ever the advocate for her clients appears undaunted, although she is terrified of losing the case of a woman judge who, up to now, has a flawless reputation.I was feeling a little shaky. It looked like the state was not just on a fishing expedition, and Liz was a big catch. “What added up?,” I asked. I assumed as haughty an attitude as I could muster.”Page 69 shows the reader what Mary is up against in this case, and gives some insight into her outer façade of toughness. Can Mary win this case, along with the case against an alleged terrorist? Will Mary and Carlos keep their hot romance going? To find out, read Justice In June.
Check out the complete list of books in the Page 69 Test Series.
--Marshal Zeringue
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