THE DARKEST PLACE

SYNOPSIS

Robin Lockwood is an increasingly prominent defense attorney in the Portland community. A Yale graduate and former MMA fighter, she's becoming known for her string of innovative and successful defense strategies. As a favor to a judge, Robin takes on the pro bono defense of a reprehensible defendant charged with even more reprehensible crimes. But what she doesn't know―what she can't know―is how this one decision, this one case, will wreak complete devastation on her life and plans.

As she recovers from those consequences, Robin heads home to her small town of Elk Grove and the bosom of her family. As she tries to recuperate, a unique legal challenge presents itself―Marjorie Loman, a surrogate, is accused of kidnapping the baby she carried for another couple, and assaulting that couple in the process. There's no question that she committed these actions but that's not the same as being guilty of the crime. As Robin works to defend her client, she learns that Marjorie Loman has been hiding under a fake identity and is facing a warrant for her arrest for another, even more serious crime. And buried within the truth may once again be unexpected, deadly consequences.

Title: The darkest place

Author: Phillip Margolin

Series: Robin Lockwood #5

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publication date: March 8, 2022

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Each and every time I pick up a new Phillip Margolin book I know I will be done with it in a matter of hours so engrossing are they. The Darkest Place was not any different. It is the fifth installment in the Robin Lockwood series and still as fresh as the first one. Even though it can be read as a stand-alone I still recommend to read them in order to better understand Robin’s journey. 

At the beginning of this story, Robin’s life could not be going better. Her legal practice is going great and she’s engaged to the love of her life, but a shocking event during one of her trials will put her life in tatters, forcing her to take some time off to put her life back together. To achieve this she will go back to her hometown where an old acquaintance will ask for her help defending a woman accused of assault and kidnapping in a surrogacy case, and soon Robin will discover that the defendant has ties to a murder case in Portland.

Margolin writes in such a gripping and fluid way you immediately get drawn into the story, presenting the legal arguments in such an easy way to follow you feel you are another member of the jury sitting there in the courtroom. The short, fast paced chapters contribute to the feeling of being on the edge of your seat the whole story. 

With a story moving at such break neck speed, sometimes character developments remains in the background and I would have loved for a bit more development especially on Marjorie’s character. It was a little hard to feel sympathy for her when knowing so little about her persona.

Although both cases shared elements, somehow it felt liked two disjointed plot lines that could have worked even better as independent lines. Despite this, the great courtroom scenes (you know I’m a sucker for a good courtroom scene) had me biting my nails until the verdict was reached.

Robin is such an interesting lead. She’s smart, tough and resilient and it’s been nice seeing her more vulnerable side. I like how she fights till the end for the truth even though it may not benefit her clients.

Light and fast paced legal thriller with twists and turns that will keep you turning pages until the wee hours of the night.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.