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Proof Positive
An Amanda Jaffe mystery, No. 3

by Phillip Margolin



      Amanda Jaffe works for her father's firm. She has taken on the defense of a homeless man, Jacob Cohen, who has been accused of the murder of forensic employee, Mary Clark, who was killed and dismembered. Defending Jacob also is defense attorney, Doug Weaver, who cannot believe that Jacob, who is mentally ill and intensely religious, could have committed this crime.

At the same time, Amanda's father, Frank, attorney for mobster Martin Breach, represents Art Prochaska, close friend of Breach. Art is accused of murdering an informer. Both men proclaim their innocence. But all forensic evidence proves them guilty. Amanda and Weaver examine the evidence and find a common denominator in the two cases... Bernard Cashman.

Bernard Cashman , forensic expert with the Oregon State Crime Lab, has developed a personal philosophy which allows him to manufacture evidence to insure the successful prosecution of those he feels are guilty, especially if crucial evidence is missing. He thinks he knows more than judge, jury and the legal system. When fellow crime lab employee Mary Clark approaches him about the discrepancies in his work, he adds to his list of methods that insure his cause by killing her and arranging what he believes is a perfect murder by framing Jacob. To continue his activities, more murders are committed. It is up to Amanda and Weaver to prove their allegations and clear the accused in both cases.

This is a compelling and chilling story with a well written plot. There is a large cast of characters, all well developed with their human failings and doubts. The author shows how a crime scene investigator can easily influence the evidence, thereby influencing the outcome of a trial. Clever twists in the story keep the reader in doubt of the outcome until the final unexpected solution.

The Book

Harper Collins
July 3, 2006
Hardcover
0060735058
Suspense
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2006
NOTE:
© 2006 MyShelf.com