Friendship and the life choices we make are the basis for John F. Dobbyn's "Frame Up."  Boston lawyers John McKedrick and Michael Knight have been best friends since childhood, yet John chooses to defend clients with ties to the mob while Michael is a straight-arrow lawyer working for legendary attorney Lex Devlin, his mentor.

John is killed and Michael seriously injured in a car bombing of dubious origins. Mob boss Dominic Santangelo's son is charged with John's murder and he wants Lex to defend his son. Friendship again comes into play here as Dominic and Lex were close friends as young men, along with Matt Ryan, former fighter turned priest.

But the story centers on Michael, out to find John's killer. His unlawyer-like efforts lead him to discover John's involvement in an art fraud of international proportions all while dodging several attempts on his own life.

Dobbyn has created a cast of engaging characters in this crime thriller. Michael is a worthy hero and readers will be rooting for him. The fast-paced mystery offers a bit of romance, too. I thoroughly enjoyed Dobbyn's "Frame Up" and hope to read more of Michael Knight's escapades. I would recommend this book to all mystery lovers.