Josie Baylor-Bates had her faith shaken once before, when defending an innocent teen. Now, the man in her life, ex- cop Archer, is accused of murdering his stepson two years previously, just weeks before the death of the boy's mother. A stepson Josie had no idea even existed. When she learns Archer was heard saying the boy, who was retarded, might be better off dead, even Josie doesn't know if she can carry through.

SILENT WITNESS, the second of Ms. Forster's books I've read, was interesting and kept me turning the pages. Josie was as capable and likable as ever, and life with a teenager hasn't dimmed her spirit any. You can feel the sand between your toes and the ocean breeze in your hair with this one. A good read.