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 from Amazon.

As the head of the law firm Seaton, Taylor, Evans and Wentworth’s criminal justice division, Sandy Moss taking on Riley Schoenberg as a pro bono client shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, that would be ignoring the fact that Riley is eleven years old and the recent heiress of 4.7 million dollars, and it’s her father she wants Sandy to represent. The same father who was convicted of murdering her mother, and oh yes, admitted after the trial that he was indeed guilty. Somewhat conned into pursuing the case, Sandy agrees to interview Jack Schoenberg, which soon has her learning that something was indeed hinky about the murder case. Helen Nestor’s invention of the ImagiNails manicure system made her and her company a fortune, and while circumstantial evidence and an obvious motive got Jack convicted for the murder of his wife, there are enough questions remaining to grant him an appeal. While previous cases have somehow managed to put Sandy in an alarming number of perilous situations, it’s disappointing Riley that truly had Sandy worried.

When not being outmaneuvered by a tween and a reluctant client, Sandy attempts to house hunt with soon-to-be-live-in-boyfriend Patrick McNabb. It’s proving to be about as challenging as one would expect, considering that Patrick is the celebrity star of his own television series and they have very different expectations of reasonable lifestyles. The debate over the number of essential bathrooms (who needs 7?) is overshadowed by Patrick’s real estate agent Emily Webster, the ex-fiancée awaiting trial for having attempting to kill both Patrick and Sandy. While Patrick has a very forgive-and-forget attitude towards his exes, Sandy is definitely going to be watching her back. And front. It’s not her safety that is jeopardized though when Riley receives texts from someone claiming to be her mother, which leads to a police-supervised metting in a mall with a grenade-wielding kidnapper. Now in a race to rescue Riley, while also hopefully proving Jack’s innocence in court, Sandy must juggle real estate shopping with her investigation into Helen, her family, and her million-dollar business.

This fourth in the Jersey Girl mystery series contains all of the humor and wry observations one expects by the author E.J. Copperman/Jeff Cohen. Sandy and Patrick’s relationship somehow still works despite their differences, with them both accepting the absurdities of their partner’s profession. That Patrick’s Dissociative Identity Disorder television character somehow grows a mustache when changing personalities is acknowledged but not questioned, and Sandy supports Patrick’s attempts as one of the (many) producers attempting to insert a wisp of realism into the show. Sandy’s best friend Angie has become Patrick’s executive assistant overseeing his other personal assistants, which means that she is able to organize his life in addition to being an apprentice to a private detective. This ensures that Sandy and Angie engage in any number of legal and questionable investigative activities, all for the good and in service of justice. Glimpses into Patrick’s life on the television set are brief but rewarding, especially for those who delight in these peeks into the entertainment business. Sandy’s very Jersey-Girl opinions are always sharp and witty as she pokes through the brittle LA façade of glamour and wealth, making this another outstanding blend of legal drama and California satire.

To enter to win a copy of And Justice for Mall, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “mall,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 17, 2022. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. 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. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify. A new Christmas episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the Amazon link. You can also click here to purchase the 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.