East Lansing author sets fifth Burr Lafayette mystery in northern Michigan
"Under the Ashes" by East Lansing author Charles Cutter (Mission Point Press, $16.95) is the fifth book in his highly popular series starring attorney Burr Lafayette.
Set mostly in Northwest Michigan, it's a top-notch legal thriller. This time out, he takes on a case where Molly Fagan is accused of poisoning her husband, successful radio station owner and disc jockey Nick Fagan.
Lafayette is now specializing as an appellate attorney. He used to be the head of litigation for a major Detroit law firm but a disastrous affair with a woman ended his career there - and his marriage.
He moved up to East Lansing, bought the old Masonic Temple and located his office and living quarters on the top floor. Lafayette also lives on a sailboat in Harbor Springs, where Molly talks him into helping her.
Nick had a million-dollar policy that the life insurance company is refusing to pay. The savvy businessman died after eating his favorite dish, veal morel, at a fine area restaurant.
Although Nick had provided the self-picked fresh morel, his wife was seen entering the kitchen and adding something to the brewing delicacy. Initially she was not charged with a crime.
Lafayette accepts the challenge of defending Molly, even though he suspects she is not telling him the entire truth. As he investigates the case, he's facing a cranky judge and a slick defense attorney; other suspects surface who may have wanted Nick dead.
In the best Perry Mason tradition of courtroom drama, there are many riveting scenes. Lafayette has his own problems with drinking and strained, sometimes strange relationships.
Charles Cutter is the pseudonym of Charles McLravy, an MSU graduate. He has first-hand knowledge of the radio business and graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law. He is already working on his next Burr Lafayette legal thriller.
More information about earlier titles in the series is available at charlescutter.com.
Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop, has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987. His email address is raywalsh@voyager.net.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: East Lansing author sets fifth Lafayette mystery in northern Michigan
