cover image An Unequal Defense

An Unequal Defense

Chad Zunker. Thomas & Mercer, $15.95 trade paper (268p) ISBN 978-1-5420-0005-5

In Zunker’s solid sequel to 2010’s An Equal Justice, altruistic lawyer David Adams struggles to maintain his fledgling practice after quitting the richest law firm in Austin, Tex., to focus on serving the homeless community. With a client list of ragtag characters who mostly spend their nights in shelters or alleys, David is rarely paid for his services. When persuaded by one of his beatnik legal team to represent a schizophrenic 37-year-old drifter accused of killing county prosecutor Luke Murphy, David experiences the full weight of the DA’s office bearing down on him and fears he’s committed to “an unwinnable juggernaut case” that could destroy his company. But as he investigates his client’s abstruse connection to Murphy, an informant tips him off to dangerous, corrupt power players, and a bigger, more sinister plot emerges—one that strengthens David’s belief in his client’s innocence and makes him determined to expose the truth. Zunker breaks no new ground, but he sustains a disciplined focus on plot and character. John Grisham fans will appreciate this familiar but effective tale. (May)