The Hamptons lawyer

Patterson and Lupica's third Jane Smith book (following Hard To Kill) finds criminal defense attorney Jane defending her repeat client Rob Jacobson, who has once again been accused of murder. Thanks to Jane's sharp handling of his previous case, he was acquitted of a gruesome triple homicide, but now incontrovertible DNA evidence from that grisly scene implicates him in a new crime. Rob maintains that he has been framed, and Jane thinks he may be right, but the real challenge is convincing a jury. Even as she goes through an experimental drug treatment for her cancer, Jane, who has never lost a trial, is determined to fight on and win this case, which she fears may be her last. Characters from previous books reappear, including ex-NYPD detective Jimmy and Jane's impulsive sister, who is still involved with Rob. Kaminsky skillfully voices the wide-ranging characters, including a wisecracking octogenarian jury consultant, Jane's lover who hopes to marry her, and the unlikable and unlucky Rob. VERDICT With snappy action, memorably quirky characters, and plenty of nefarious criminals, Patterson and Lupica's latest legal thriller delivers.--Ilka Gordon