"Good Lieutenant" By E.J. Copperman: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

Ever since she moved from New Jersey to practice at a high-end law firm in Los Angeles, attorney Sandy Moss has had a complicated but friendly-ish relationship with LAPD officer Lt. K.C. Trench. No oneʻs more surprised than she though when the Lieutenant calls her asking for help defending him against a charge of murder. Despite the evidence of his fingerprints being on the murder weapon, Sandy is unable to believe that the by the book compulsive rule-follower detective could ever have intentionally killed a fellow officer. Even Trench’s reluctant disclosure that the late Wallace Schaeffer may have been responsible for the death of Trench’s wife doesn’t cause Sandy to waver, though her new police-hating paralegal doesn’t share the same faith. Trench’s refusal to implicate any other LAPD officer or share any actual personal information certainly doesn’t help his defense, frustrating Sandy to no end despite knowing that she shouldn’t expect anything more from the terse detective. 

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With the help of her private investigator Nate Garrigan, Sandy learns that Wallace Schaeffer had multiple exes and enough shady dealings within the department to provide her with options for alternative murder suspects. As she finds precedence for allowing Trench to remain free on his own recognizance and prepares for the actual trial, Sandy also must decide whether to accept a partnership in the Seaton, Taylor, Evans and Wentworth law firm. As much as she might love the opportunity, the expensive buy-in could also put her in an awkward position of debt with her boyfriend, actor Patrick McNabb. Patrick walks through life in a bubble of being a handsome celebrity star, and he is unable to understand why Sandy refuses his repeated offers of marriage. Patrick’s television series may be ending soon, but this also gives him and Sandyʻs best friend Angie an opportunity to move into the production side of the entertainment business.  

According to the author, this sixth is the last entry in the series, which honestly is a tragedy. I have loved reading about the Los Angeles intrigues of this Jersey native attorney, which has often provided courtroom drama along with hilarious observations of the Hollywood entertainment business. Having fallen in love with mysteries through the legal thrillers by John Grisham, John Lescroart, and William Bernhardt, this has become one of my favorite series in a genre that has been dying out. Few authors can make courtroom scenes riveting, and the author who also writes under the name Jeffrey Cohen is a master at it. 

Sharp-witted and hilarious, Sandy’s Jersey Girl irrepressible attitude comes through as she battles the prosecutor with sarcastic – but legally correct – objections. Patrick himself is something of the perfect boyfriend, loyal and supportive if a bit delusional about how his acting roles qualify him for real world professions. These novels featuring Sandy and Patrick have been an outstanding legal series that entertain readers with clever plotting and outstandingly witty dialogue, and readers are always left wanting more. 

To enter to win a copy of Good Lieutenant, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "lieutenant,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 18, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.