Steve Martini has developed-the character Paul Madriani through many novels. He is a criminal defense attorney in the San Diego area, Del Coronado is his main stomping ground. He seems to have a knack for falling into high profile murder cases worthy of a novel. Guardian of Lies is no exception.

In this novel his partner Harry plays mostly a bit part. Their investigator plays a major supporting role. Paul has a chance encounter with Katia Solanez, a Costa Rican beauty, in a supermarket one Sunday. She is looking for some fruit to practice making a dinner at the home of Emerson Pike with whom she...