Abiding Conviction: A Dutch Francis Novel

In Murphy’s implausible third novel featuring Manchester, N.H., attorney Dutch Francis (after Alibi), Dutch’s TV newscaster wife, Ginnie Turner, covers her husband’s latest high-profile case, despite the conflict of interest. Dutch is defending Superior Court Judge Carlos Garcia against charges he murdered his wife by poisoning some takeout Thai food. When someone kidnaps Ginnie without issuing any demands, Garcia insists that he still wants Dutch representing him, and the presiding judge denies the lawyer’s request to be relieved. Dutch juggles poking holes in the prosecution’s case—the evidence against Garcia is thin and circumstantial—with his search for Ginnie, even as one of the investigating cops views him as the prime suspect in her disappearance. The pressure mounts as Dutch gets hair and nail clippings he identifies as Ginnie’s in the mail. At one point, he rules out a possible culprit because, when he calls out Ginnie’s name at the suspect’s house, he gets no response. The execution falls short of the book’s dramatic setup. Hopefully, Murphy will do better next time. (July)