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 the book from Amazon.

Sandy Moss may be a practicing family law attorney in a Los Angeles law firm, but she’ll always be a Jersey Girl at heart. New Jersey’s not about to give her up either, as she’s being recalled to attend the wedding of her first cousin Stephanie, who since childhood Sandy has called “Skinny.” Sandy’s not exactly enthusiastic about attending because while her perfect sister Delia is a bridesmaid, Sandy is barely on the “C” list of invitees. At least Sandy’s plus-one will be the hottest guy there, since her actor star boyfriend Patrick McNabb is able to join her due to a stint on Broadway while his television show is on hiatus. With the partner of the law firm of Seaton, Taylor, Evans, and Wentworth warning her that now is not a good time to be unfocused, the last thing Sandy wants is to be tied down to another case in New Jersey. It doesn’t look like she’s going to have a choice though, since when Skinny is found covered in blood and standing over the body of the best man, it’s Sandy who is ordered – by her family – to defend the case.

Sandy does her best to refuse, but pressure from her mother and pleas from Stephanie make that impossible. At least she manages to not be the main attorney, considering that the prosecutor is Sandy’s ex who blames her for breaking up his marriage. Flying between coasts, Sandy does what she can to help investigate but Stephanie is not making things easier. After Stephanie changes her mind and insists on pleading guilty and taking a plea bargain offer from the prosecutor, Sandy begins to wonder if the bride-to-be really did do it. All the evidence would indicate that Stephanie stabbed the victim to death, and even Delia is a witness to what she says was Stephanie and the best man actually “doing it” at the wedding rehearsal. Not helping matters is the groom’s disinterest in walking down the aisle, much less proving his fiancée’s innocence.

This series combines two of my favorite genres: comedy and legal thrillers. Sandy hilariously narrates biting remarks when engaging with her ex and her family, and Patrick is the calm in the storm even as he plans to take on the role of Lady Macbeth in a gender-swapping play. His devotion to her is never in doubt, and Sandy has been forced to order him to put on a pause on his relentless marriage proposals.

Their relationship is so supportive and loving despite their differences and the insanity that always seems to ensue around them. Sandy’s family are the biggest challenge in her life, but she handles them with a bit of snark and resigned acceptance. The clever banter and humor – a trademark of this author – will remind readers of the best of the romantic comedies of the ‘50s. The addition of “gotcha” courtroom scenes are an added pleasure for those who adore the works of Parnell Hall and David Rosenfelt. This continues to be one of my favorite mystery series, and I look forward to the next appearance by LA Law’s favorite Jersey Girl.

To enter to win a copy of My Cousin Skinny, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “skinny” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 30, 2023. 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. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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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.