Writ of Execution begins in a Lake Tahoe casino. Kenny Leung, bankrupt disgrace to his hardworking family, is gambling away his last dollars before committing suicide. To his right site Charlie Kemp, who has already sunk $3000 in the slot machine in front of him. Charlie asks Kenny to watch his machine while he goes to the restroom. Kenny gets distracted by a pretty woman named Jessie, who takes over Charlie's slot machine and promptly wins a multi-million dollar jackpot.
To the lucky winner, this should be cause for celebration, but she's in hiding and publicity is the last thing she desires. Jessie ropes the stranger named Kenny into her plans to collect the jackpot while remaining anonymous. Unfortunately, the steps to success aren't entirely within the law.
Enter Nina Reilly, Lake Tahoe attorney at law. She's intelligent and trustworthy. She won't break the law for Jessie, but hopefully she can mold it to fit her client's needs.
Jessie is running from her past. Though she can certainly use the money, there's a chance she'll lose it to a vindictive relative. At the same time, Charlie Kemp wants to play a little extortion game for his share. This whole jackpot jumble plays out in Perry O'Shaughnessy's Writ of Execution.
The tale really picks up when it is revealed that a crooked gaming insider was waiting for the big slot machine payout. Charlie Kemp was merely hired to play Joe Gambler and collect for the man behind the scenes. Kemp becomes expendable after he botches the simple task of playing the machine.
The seventh installment of the popular Nina Reilly legal series moves between Jessie's fight to keep her money and the mystery person killing those who block him from the money to which he thinks he's entitled.
Several series regulars return for Writ of Execution. Paul van Wagoner is back as Nina's private investigator and on-again-off-again-back-on-again lover. Sandy the secretary has a few scenes as does Nina's son Bob. Opposing counsel Jeffrey Reisner is at his sleaziest in this novel. However, Nina gets well-deserved revenge in a unique way readers will enjoy.
The resolution of the case and identity of the murderer are less than eventful. Kenny isn't clearly painted as the dutiful Chinese-American son he's supposed to be. Jessie is a bit fuzzy as well, but the story's hopeful conclusion should leave readers satisfied.
This series can be read out of order, but it's not recommended. Key events in Nina's life are revealed in earlier installments. Motion to Suppress introduces the leading lady and explains her pilgrimage to Lake Tahoe.
Perri O'Shaughnessy is the pen name of two sisters. Mary and Pamela O'Shaugnessy have created a likable character in Nina Reilly. Her legal adventures are thrilling and amusing. O'Shaugnessy provides novel installments on a regular basis and never disappoints. The entire series, including Writ of Execution, is recommended for your personal "to-be-read" list.
