The Darkest Flower

Kira Grant, a suburban Virginia mom and narcissistic PTA president, shares narrative duties with straitlaced single mom Allison Barton, the lawyer Kira hires to defend her after she’s charged with attempting to poison another PTA mom at a fifth-grade graduation party, in this enjoyable psychological thriller from Wright (Lying Beneath the Oaks). Allison’s only goal is to win the case and use its publicity to land a better job, but she begins to doubt Kira’s integrity once her client indicates a willingness to do anything or harm anyone to ensure a favorable outcome. Bound by silence as Kira’s lawyer, Allison increasingly struggles to represent Kira the more she uncovers her client’s lies. Allison’s attraction to the prosecutor in the case adds some delicious complications. The author, herself a lawyer in suburban Virginia, writes convincing courtroom scenes and presents the two very different women as fully realized characters. The whodunit remains tantalizingly unclear right up to the surprise ending. Those who like their legal dramas with a light touch will be satisfied. [em]Agent: Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (June) [/em]