A Criminal Defense: A Harlan Donnally Novel    by Steven Gore Order:  USA  Can Harper, 2013 (2013) Paperback, e-Book     Reviewed by Jessica Maguire Murders. Mystery. Intrigue. This is what author Steven Gore brings to the table in the second installment of the Harlan Donnally series, A Criminal Defense. Former detective Harlan Donnally finds himself pulled out of retirement to be special head of an investigation at the request of the murdered Mark Hamlin, a slimy criminal defense lawyer with plenty of enemies. But why would Hamlin choose Donnally in the event of his demise? With his investigation revealing money laundering, destroyed evidence, uncooperative witnesses, drugs, and the possibility of a flubbed sexual encounter, what Donnally discovers is that this case has 'everything to do with power.' Author Steven Gore is himself a former private investigator. His experience with cases that deal with everything from murder and fraud to political corruption, plus his training in forensic science, shine through in this novel. Of particular interest to me is the setting, San Francisco. The author's intimate knowledge of the city and surrounding Bay Area made me feel as though I were back in the often fog shrouded city that I miss so much. If you are looking for a complex story full of twists and turns, this is a must read. Happy reading! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews