Caught in a torrential downpour as they approach the storm tossed shores of Isla de Muerta, the Island of Death, Private Investigator Dana Cutler is determined to stay on course and get the information she needs for her client's highly unusual request. She had done far worse assignments when she was a cop and as a PI and this contract paid very, very well even if it seems outlandish to be chasing after a long lost solid gold sceptre that had once been owned by an Ottoman sultan.

Why would anyone pay so much money to have Dana travel all across the States and to end up in a situation like this on this remote and foggy island? But, when Dana returns to Washington D.C., she is shocked to hear on the news that multi-millionaire Horace Blair had been charged in the murder of his wife Carrie Blair, a Prosecutor. Sensing a link, Dana feels there is a connection to her strange case, but will the homicide detectives listen. They had a slam dunk typical case of husband kills wife. Why look any further when this is so typical and they have a winning case with solid evidence?

Building on his insider knowledge of criminals and courtroom procedures, New York Times best-selling author Phillip Margolin has crafted another hit novel with SLEIGHT OF HAND featuring quite a different kind of lawyer. With his handsome good looks, Charles Benedict likes building his reputation as a criminal attorney and good member of the Bar Association, despite a dodgy reputation due to witnesses who seem to disappear too often in cases he represents. Benedict likes the good life and has no qualms about using his skills as an illusionist and as a hit man for the Russian mob to get what he wants.

SLEIGHT OF HAND is a stand-alone novel which skillfully interweaves multi-layered plots in a fast paced and suspenseful drama with some unusual, but realistically portrayed characters. Ex-cop PI Dana Cutler is terrific as the main protagonist and I quite liked her style and her own set of tricks. She has appeared in previous books by Margolin and flashback references to them are well written into the story to provide effective backup to the storyline. While some elements of the story are a little hard to believe, especially for readers heavy into police and courtroom thrillers, it definitely is a very riveting and easy to read thriller! Margolin and suspense fans, new and seasoned, are sure to enjoy this SLEIGHT OF HAND!