The Best Defense

The third book by Sarah Gregory guides the reader through the legal maze of Texas, California, and federal laws as Sharon Hays represents a Hollywood starlet accusssed of murdering her boyfriend.Great Ending!!!

Darla Cowen and Sharon Hays were struggling performers in New York, who went down different paths. Darla became a famous erotic actress in Hollywood while Sharon became a Texas defense attorney. Sharon is also the mother of a thirteen-year old teen she conceived outside wedlock. TV star Rob Stanley sired the lass, whom he wants nothing to with. Rob's agent arranges for Sharon, her daughter, and some friends to attend the grand opening of Planet Hollywood to make up for the lateness of the child support check. Darla attends the gala also and the two former friends meet. Darla is escorted by her boy friend, an abusive boy toy, David, whom she plans to drop soon. Darla returns to her hotel room to pack and quickly leaves. David is found dead with the authorities believing that Darla killed him. She swears that she did not do it and retains Sharon to defend her. Sharon plans to obtain an acquittal even if it means going out and placing herself in danger as she seeks the real culprit. Although this novel is a serious legal procedural and an excellent work of psychological suspense, THE BEST DEFENSE is also a black comedy. People are more interested in getting parts in movies or obtaining roles for family members than in keepin the courtroom as a place where justice is served. These so-called spontaneous tryouts lead to humorous moments, but Sarah Gregory never loses sight of her story line. The ultimate strength in this book is the depth and compexity of the prime characters. The sub-plots within the tale make for a multi-layered plot. Ms. Gregory demonstrates that she is a superb storyteller, who is well worth reading.Harriet Klausner