Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Under Oath by Margaret Mclean

Charlestown is a small historic neighborhood in Boston with a problem.  Mob rule has intimidated its citizens into a code of silence- a fear of reporting any mob crimes to the authorities.  Finally gangster Billy Malone is indicted for the murder of Trevor Shea, a local artist, heavy drug user and suspected FBI informant.  Shea died of a heroin overdose purportedly at Malone’s design.

Annie Fitzgerald, prosecutor and native to Charlestown must break the code of silence and encourage witnesses terrified for their lives to testify against Malone.  Shea has also left clues of Malone’s reign of terror in his paintings.  But Malone even from prison manages to eliminate witnesses.  With few remaining credible witnesses, a clever defense attorney, and a vengeful detective, Annie struggles to overcome the reasonable doubt criteria required for the jury.


Mclean does an acceptable job of laying out the plot and leading us through the legal process.  However, as with so many aspects of the law, the details are a bit dull.  Further, her character development is unimpressive.  I just didn’t find the characters that likeable or even interesting.  I finished the book because I’m always hopeful but this time I ended up disappointed.  There’s just nothing special here.

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