Helen Lloyd

The Paris Lawyer /La Rigole Du Diable Helen Lloyd

Winner of the Grand Prix Sang d'Encre crime fiction award in 2011, for the first time in English. As a child Catherine Monsigny was the only witness to a heinous crime. Now she is an ambitious rookie attorney in sophisticated modern-day Paris. On the side she does pro bono work and hits the jackpot: a major felony case that could boost her career. A black woman is accused of poisoning her rich farmer husband in a peaceful village in central France, where the beautiful, rolling hills hold dark secrets. While preparing the case, Catherine's own past comes back with a vengeance. This fast-paced story follows Catherine's determined search for the truth in both her case and her own life. Who can she believe? And can you ever escape from your past? The story twists and turns, combining subtle psychological insight with a detailed sense of place.