Review: Gone, but Not Forgotten

Betsy Tannenbaum, a Portland attorney, has just won her third high-profile case. Martin Darius is one of the city's richest men. Betsy firmly believes that all people deserve the best defense they can get, even if they are guilty. When Darius makes an appointment to see her, Betsy is astounded by the size of the check he offers with little explanation as to why he might want her to represent him in the future when no criminal charges have yet been filed.

Flash back to the past, and a series of disappearances and two murders in Hunter's Point. When wealthy attorney Peter Lake (husband and father of the two murder victims) insists on being part of Nancy Gordon's investigation team, no one is happy about it. Lake arouses all kinds of warning signs to Gordon, who lost her on finance to murder. Eventually, the disappearances and murders are tied to a slightly retarded flasher in Hunter's Point who was killed by police. The case is closed.

The tie in between the two cases is a black rose left on each victim's pillow with a note that reads, "Gone, but not forgotten". A national search brings Gordon to see Alan Page, District Attorney in Portland. She is convinced the two sets of brutal crimes were committed by the same person. But then she disappears! Bodies start turning up in Portland - brutally tortured victims. Is Betsy defending a man capable of torturing his victims? Should she continue representing him, after her long-time stance of defending women? The investigation begins to twist and turn as more information comes to light, and Darius continues to insist that someone is framing him.

This one kept me up far past my bedtime. The characterizations are deftly done, both for Betsy, Darius, and the local DA's office. The plot twists and clues ring with authenticity and keep the reader guessing as to what is really going on. Definitely a page-turner that brings to light some of the complex, conflicting problems for a DA's office trying to stop a serial killer, the lawyers involved, and the rush to find victims who may still be alive.

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Book Review: Gone, but Not Forgotten