Author: Allison Leotta
Genre: Thriller, mystery
Published on: October 12, 2010
As a big fan of procedural/mystery novels, Law of Attraction caught my eye while browsing the Kindle Store. This is the first entry in a series focusing on Anna Curtis. She's a relatively new Assistant U.S. Attorney working in D.C. As a prosecutor, Anna mostly handles domestic violence cases. She's a big believer in justice, but wouldn't color outside the lines to get the outcome she wants. The other main characters in Law of Attraction are Nicholas "Nick" Wagner and Jack Bailey. Nick is a public defender who went to law school with Anna. Jack is the chief Homicide prosecutor where Anna works.
Anna's latest case involves D'Marco Davis, a man who keeps beating up his girlfriend, Laprea Johnson. Despite that, he claims to absolutely love her. After the latest beating results in a lawsuit, Anna resolves to put a stop to this cycle of violence. To her surprise, Nick is representing D'Marco in the trial. The latter has been Nick's client for years. Anna can't believe how Nick could defend a man as wicked as she believes D'Marco to be. Nick counters that everyone deserves a defense attorney.
Anna's latest case involves D'Marco Davis, a man who keeps beating up his girlfriend, Laprea Johnson. Despite that, he claims to absolutely love her. After the latest beating results in a lawsuit, Anna resolves to put a stop to this cycle of violence. To her surprise, Nick is representing D'Marco in the trial. The latter has been Nick's client for years. Anna can't believe how Nick could defend a man as wicked as she believes D'Marco to be. Nick counters that everyone deserves a defense attorney.
Nick ends up winning the trial, much to Anna's deep disappointment. She gets over the loss eventually. Over the weeks that follow, Anna and Nick continue seeing each other. They end up falling for each other. Anna thinks theirs is a very Romeo and Juliet romance. AUSAs and OPD attorneys don't date, especially not in D.C. Anna and Nick are discreet about their relationship, though. It really does seem like they may be together for the long run. Unfortunately, something happens that brings their romance to a screeching halt.
Months after the DV case, Laprea turns up dead outside D'Marco's building. Anna hears about the news soon afterward. She feels devastated at having failed to protect Laprea. This is when she first meets Jack Bailey. The higher-ups at the USAO assign him as the lead prosecutor in Laprea's murder. Anna is made his second chair due to her relationship with the Johnsons. After that, the police head out to arrest D'Marco. Upon seeing them at his place, he panics and runs away.
Laprea's murder case draws apart Anna and Nick, perhaps definitively. Anna can't fathom how Nick is willing to defend a true murderer. She thought Nick would at least have the decency to decline the case. Of course this doesn't happen, and what ensues is a months-long trial. Yes, criminal trials take place over ages, despite what The Flash may have you believe. It doesn't take long before you get an inkling that Nick is unusually invested in wanting to win the case. Even if D'Marco is innocent, Nick seems to want to see him in jail.
At the time I first read Law of Attraction, I hadn’t read many legal thrillers. This was also the first one that was set in D.C. I found it fascinating, partly because of Anna. She’s not just a pretty face, she knows her stuff. Anna also obviously loves what she does for a living. She has a passion for the job that’s easy to see, and a genuine care for her clients. Another upside about this book is how layered the case is. As you progress through the story, you start to see how things weren’t what they seemed. There’s one twist I didn’t see coming, but looking back it explains a lot. Overall, Law of Attraction is a great novel. Anna Curtis is now one of my favorite fictional characters who work in the criminal law field. I look forward to her next cases.
Months after the DV case, Laprea turns up dead outside D'Marco's building. Anna hears about the news soon afterward. She feels devastated at having failed to protect Laprea. This is when she first meets Jack Bailey. The higher-ups at the USAO assign him as the lead prosecutor in Laprea's murder. Anna is made his second chair due to her relationship with the Johnsons. After that, the police head out to arrest D'Marco. Upon seeing them at his place, he panics and runs away.
Laprea's murder case draws apart Anna and Nick, perhaps definitively. Anna can't fathom how Nick is willing to defend a true murderer. She thought Nick would at least have the decency to decline the case. Of course this doesn't happen, and what ensues is a months-long trial. Yes, criminal trials take place over ages, despite what The Flash may have you believe. It doesn't take long before you get an inkling that Nick is unusually invested in wanting to win the case. Even if D'Marco is innocent, Nick seems to want to see him in jail.
At the time I first read Law of Attraction, I hadn’t read many legal thrillers. This was also the first one that was set in D.C. I found it fascinating, partly because of Anna. She’s not just a pretty face, she knows her stuff. Anna also obviously loves what she does for a living. She has a passion for the job that’s easy to see, and a genuine care for her clients. Another upside about this book is how layered the case is. As you progress through the story, you start to see how things weren’t what they seemed. There’s one twist I didn’t see coming, but looking back it explains a lot. Overall, Law of Attraction is a great novel. Anna Curtis is now one of my favorite fictional characters who work in the criminal law field. I look forward to her next cases.
My rating: ★★★★
4 stars - Definitely enjoyed it!
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