Laura Caldwell’s protagonist Izzy McNeil makes a successful leap from the pages of a trilogy into a mystery series in the upcoming August 23, 2011 release, Claim of Innocence (Mira). Caldwell introduced this red-haired Chicago attorney in the Red trilogy – Red Hot Lies, Red Blooded Murder and Red, White & Dead – all of which were released in 2009.
In Claim of Innocence Izzy McNeil returns, leaving behind her civil law practice to defend Valerie Solera, a woman accused of the murder of her best friend, Amanda Miller. The prosecution claims Valerie poisoned Amanda because she was in love with Amanda’s husband, Zavy.
Izzy feels much sympathy for her client, a widow with no family except her daughter Layla, a college student. Nonetheless, she realizes that Valeria has not been totally honest about the events surrounding Amanda’s death.
Izzy hires private investigator John Mayburn to look into the case. Working with Mayburn is Izzy’s father, Christopher McNeil, whom Izzy had long thought dead. Christopher reentered Izzy’s life during the events described in Red, White & Dead.
Not only is Izzy now attempting to establish a relationship with her father, but her former fiancé, Sam Hollings, has also announced that still loves her. She must weigh her new relationship with young, wealthy Theo Jameson against the feelings she still has for Sam. Meanwhile, she tries to advise her stepfather, Spencer Calloway, who cannot understand the recent changes in the behavior of Izzy’s mother, Victoria.
The unusual emphasis on Izzy’s personal life in Claim of Innocence may be explained by Caldwell’s view of what defines a mystery series. Key elements are "a continuing character with a posse of interesting people around her," according to Caldwell's Aug. 27, 2009 article for The Outfit in which she announced her intent to follow her Red trilogy with at least four more Izzy McNeil books.
Caldwell’s enthusiasm for the series format is evident in the attached 2009 YouTube video. "I like writing series characters ... when you put a character down and not feel like you have to leave her behind but you get to pick her up again," says Caldwell. "It’s kind of a luxury in many ways because you don’t have to recreate every little bit of the world you are telling the story about."
Caldwell will follow Claim of Innocence with another Mira release. Question of Trust is due out in February 2012.
FTC disclosure: A review copy of this book was provided by Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.
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