To Speak for the Dead by Paul Levine

Title: To Speak for the Dead (Jake Lassiter series)
Author: Paul Levine
Genre: Mystery

Released twenty years ago, Levine’s To Speak for the Dead is the book that put Jake Lassiter on the map for mystery enthusiasts. Lassiter is a Miami trial lawyer – and an ex-jock who once played for the Miama Dolphins. Jake’s just successfully defended Dr. Roger Salisbury against a civil malpractice suit in the death of multimillionaire Miami developer Philip Corrigan. The malpractice suit has been brought against the good doctor by Melanie, Corrigan’s young and beautiful widow – who also happens to have once been an exotic dancer. Unfortunately, Lassiter doesn’t get to sit back and savor his success. Philip Corrigan’s adult daughter Susan comes to Lassiter with her suspicion that Melanie and Dr. Salisbury were in cahoots to murder her father, and to use the lawsuit as cover for their relationship. (Apparently, Dr. Salisbury and Melanie have had a bit of a history!) Before Lassiter can get to the bottom of things, Melanie implicates Dr. Salisbury in Philip Corrigan’s death, while maintaining her innocence. Lassiter and Susan wont’ take her at her word, and exhume the body to find out more…