Wow, a read like unto Scott Turow. Unlikely situations made commonplace, small (relatively) Texas town, beautiful females, family secrets, friend vs friend, belligerent law enforcement, a judge who effectively rules the town & county and murder both inadvertent and deliberate. A San Antonio attorney on his way to the beach gets crosswise with the sheriff's deputy that stopped him for speeding and ends up as defense counsel appointed by the judge for an initial hearing. Then he finds that the charge is murder one. Family problems, little girls, and love all contribute to a surprise ending.