The 7th Canon by Robert Dugoni

 In San Francisco’s seamy Tenderloin district, a teenage street hustler has been murdered in a shelter for boys. And the dedicated priest who runs the struggling home stands accused. But despite damning evidence that he’s a killer—and worse—Father Thomas Martin stands by his innocence. And attorney Peter Donley stands with him.

For three years Donley has cut his legal teeth in his uncle’s tiny, no-frills firm, where people come before profits. Just as Donley is poised to move on to a lucrative dream job, the shocking case lands in his lap, and he must put his future on hold while putting his courtroom skills to the test. But a ruthless DA seeking headlines and a brutal homicide cop bent on vengeance have their own agendas. Now, as he unearths the dirty secrets surrounding the case, Donley must risk his neck to save his client’s life…and expose the face of true evil.

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Robert Dugoni is an author that I really enjoy. My Sister’s Grave is one of my favourite mysteries, which I would highly recommend. So I was excited to see that he had a standalone novel, especially one that looked like a court battle. Sadly, this was not a legal thriller, but it certainly was entertaining and had me on the edge of my seat!

Peter Donley works for his uncle and has a whole 3 years of law experience under his belt. So when he has to take on a priest who is being accused of murder, he knows that he is way over his head! Donley gets the help of PI Frank Ross and together they have to figure out who is the true murderer of a teenage homeless boy.

I enjoyed all of the characters in this novel and liked how they all had a difficult past that they needed to overcome. The mystery was excellent and had different layers added so that there was more to uncover, even when the murderer was revealed. I also liked how there was action right up until the very end. It was hard to put down and I ended up finishing the novel over my lunch break (I couldn’t wait for the commute home!).

4 calculators out of a potential 5. If this sounds interesting to you, pick it up! Also pick up My Sister’s Grave!!

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