About The Book

Leo Maxwell always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Teddy, but is now an ambitious criminal defense attorney in his own right, practicing in Oakland. When a mysterious woman nearly runs Leo down, then asks him to defend her brother on a murder charge, Leo thinks he’s found the case that will make his name. One problem: He hasn’t actually met the client. And after taking a series of photographs that seem to blow the lid on corruption in the police department, Leo quickly learns that all is not as it seems—beginning with the alluring woman who hired him.

Leo’s “client” is actually represented by one of Oakland’s most renowned gangland lawyers. And Leo soon realizes that he has unwittingly made himself enemy number one within the criminal community as well as Oakland’s police department. Both sides want him silenced before he uncovers the full extent of a scandal that is poised to engulf the whole city. As bodies pile up, Leo must decide what he will sacrifice in order to bring those responsible for the murders to justice. And the truth behind the corruption proves far more sinister than he could have ever suspected.

Praise

“This finely paced mystery is full of intelligent plot twists and should appeal to any fan of good writing.” —Publishers Weekly

“Smith has created a wonderfully readable pair of brothers in Teddy and Leo Maxwell. . . . Lion Plays Rough is as good as Bear is Broken, which is high praise indeed.” —Huntington News

“One would characterize Smith’s novels as plot-driven to say the least, but he has created some unusual characters as well. . . . The Leo Maxwell Mysteries are well-launched.” —Don Noble, Alabama Public Radio