Nightingale's Gate [Mass Market Paperback]

At first Alice declines to represent Lucas, partially because she feels that the case would be difficult to win especially against her father, a veteran prosecutor. Furthermore, Alice is disturbed by her attraction to Lucas, a known black sheep of his respectable family who has earned his reputation as the owner of a gentlemen's gambling club.

After agreeing to represent Lucas, Alice is a little more than disturbed by his reluctance to disclose to her just why he couldn't have been involved in the murder. As the attraction between Alice and Lucas grows, she begins to believe in his innocence as more clues surface proving the possibility that someone else is likely the killer. While the trial progresses, emotions hit an all-time high as Alice faces off in court with Clark, the prosecutor and her would-be suitor, as well as her father who has taught her much of what she knows.

What a page-turner!!! Linda Frances Lee had me glued to the pages as soon as I began reading. The dark intensity of the hero coupled with the strength and innocence of the heroine are an irresistable combination. Because the innocence of the hero is never entirely clear from the onset of the novel, the introduction of probable suspects and the manner in which they are connected to one another keeps the reader gripping the edge of the chair until the real killer is finally revealed. This is a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy of DOVE'S WAY and SWAN'S GRACE.

As investigation continues, more facts are revealed to piece out the puzzle. Linda Francis Lee throws in some delicious red herrings and prime suspects including Alice's father, Clark - her father's protege and prosecuting lawyer, Bradford Hawthorne -Luca's father. The mystery is spine-tingling and dark given the decadence of the Boston underground. Yet the courtroom drama's magentism cannot be compared to the triumph of passion between Alice and Lucas. Lucas is a brooding hero who despite being the owner of the scandalous club, is a man tormented by the loss of his innocence and a former lover. Alice is capable as the female lawyer who shows courage in her job and her righteousness and intelligence is worthy of emulation. The professional relationship is soon overwhelmed by emotions and desire, yet the question of whether Lucas is the killer hangs in the balance.

Nightingale's Gate is Linda Francis Lee's most solid effort so far in the trilogy after Dove's Way and Swan's Grace. It soars with an emotional and heart-rendering finale and the propulsive intrigue is galvanizing and gritty to keep you awake throughout the night. Already selected by Amazon.com's editors as one of the top ten historical romance in 2001, this book is a high-flyer with reviewers. It is a gem waiting to be unearthed by astute readers.

Forced by his brother Grayson to obtain legal council, Lucas visits young lawyer Alice Kendall, daughter of the famous DA. Alice knows she must refuse to accept Lucas as a client though she could use the money. Alice realizes that defending the notorious Lucas will be construed as a conflict of interest. She also knows that she has no experience with homicide cases. Alice concludes that she cannot mount a proper defense. In spite of what she should do, intrigued by Lucas, Alice accepts him as her client. As they work closely together, the virtuous Alice and the depraved Lucas fall in love, but he cannot escape his past.

NIGHTINGALE'S GATE is an exhilarating romantic legal procedural that readers from both genres will relish. The conflict of interest (at least from a modern day perspective) should have halted the heroine's involvement in the case, but once the audience accepts Alice's entry, the plot turns into a stirring historical tale. Lucas is a tormented individual while Alice is a brave person trying to succeed in an exclusively male world. If justice prevails Linda Francis Lee will receive a cache of new readers wanting more historical romantic legal thrillers like this one.

Harriet Klausner