Nothing but the truth

Gigl returns with an underheated fourth legal thriller featuring transgender New Jersey attorney Erin McCabe (after Remain Silent). Erin and her law partner Duane Swisher have recently taken on the case of white state trooper Jon Mazer, who's been accused of murdering Black journalist Russell Marshall. Before his death, Marshall was reporting on a story about widespread sexual harassment and racial discrimination within the ranks of New Jersey's state police. The governor, state attorney general, and police superintendent have all labeled Mazer "a bad apple in an otherwise stellar law enforcement agency," but Mazer, who was outed as gay shortly before Marshall's death, insists he was helping the reporter and is being framed. Gigl supplements Erin and Duane's investigation, which uncovers evidence of government corruption, with updates on Erin's personal life: she marries her boyfriend, Mark, despite pushback from his bigoted parents, and they attempt to start a family. Gigl--a transgender attorney herself--writes with authority about courtroom procedure, but her trial scenes lack spark, and the pacing is jerky throughout. This one's strictly for committed series fans. Agent: Carrie Pestritto, Laura Dail Literary. (July)