The Endless Knot by Gail Bowen

8. - 374.) The Endless Knot by Gail Bowen – What could be better – a Joanne Kilbourn mystery featuring a mid-50’s criminal lawyer who is also her passionate love interest. Zack Shreeve has become the focus of Joanne’s life. He is defending charismatic evangelical, Sam Parker, on an attempted murder charge with regard to a bullet that just missed Kathryn Morrisey who wrote a trashy bestseller on the struggling lives of Canadian celebreties. Sam’s son Glen is becoming Glenda and the anguish over the publicity has overwhelmed Sam. Joanne, on sabbatical from university, covers the trial for NationTV. At home Taylor is a precocious almost 11 year old who has a troubled 13 year old friend/acquaintance, Ethan. The trial features skilful cross-examinations. There are a couple of errors in procedure but it is well done. What is most intriguing about Zack is that he is a paraplegic succeeding as a lawyer and a skilled lover in the bedroom. The murder is almost incidental. Unlike most mystery series Bowen's characters actually grow in their lives during the series. Bowen is even more unique in her willingness to develop a family. A full generation’s experiences have been chronicled in the series. Excellent. Hardcover. (Jan. 28/07) (2nd Best Fiction of 2007)