Fresh out of prison for insider trading, disbarred lawyer Mike Stratton returns to his Encino home only to discover his wife with Gordon Heller, his former partner and best friend who was a co-participant in the insider trading scheme. After attacking Heller, Stratton is found by police in his travel trailer in Cardiff-by-the Sea, his hometown. In his trailer, the body of 35-year-old Diane Lawson is also found, which leads to his arrest in her murder. The problem? He didn't do it and has amnesia about what happened prior to and after his arrival in Cardiff-by-the Sea.

Hot shot lawyer C. J. Hagerty is appointed to defend Stratton. But Stratton wants to find out who killed Lawson and conducts his own investigation figuring that's the only way to get out of the mess he's in. He enlists the help of contacts from his lawyer past and from his prison days, including chess-playing Sheriff Sam Wiggens.

Author Richard Hicks has written a finely crafted murder mystery that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride with Mike Stratton. This book will keep readers on the edge of their seats waiting to find out what will happen next. Hicks leaves readers with a truly satisfying ending.  I would recommend the book to all lovers of courtroom drama and murder mysteries.