The Good Fight

Murder and a missing person disrupt a high-profile lawyer's climb up the ladder of success in this mystery by the author of The Smart Money.

Everything's falling into place for attorney Laura Di Palma. She's about to become a partner at her prominent firm, she has a great apartment, and she's paid off her Mercedes. Then disaster strikes. Her sick boyfriend goes missing from his hospital bed, and her firm's detective—who's also her ex—is eager for a second chance.

Meanwhile, work only adds to Laura's tension. Her newest client, activist Danny Crosetti, is accused of murdering an FBI agent, and her firm's top partner threatens to fire her if she doesn't drop the case. But Danny's an old friend from Laura's days of protesting. She can't turn her back on him.

When another murder is thrown into the mix, juggling her demanding career and missing lover while keeping her ex at a distance—even though she really needs his help—will prove to be quite the challenge for Laura. But time is of the essence: she must find the killer before everything comes falling down . . .

"The Good Fight is sharply written, brilliantly observed." —John Leonard, NPR's Fresh Air

"Extraordinary, thought-provoking. Laura Di Palma is one of the most compelling characters in recent mystery fiction." —The Baltimore Sun

"Compelling . . . Matera writes with passion about debts to old lovers and old causes." —New York Daily News
"A satisfying blend of emotion, suspense and mystery." —The Pittsburgh Press