PLEA OF INSANITY by Jilliane Hoffman

Halloween, trick or treat, the Grim Reaper waits, homemade ghosts dangling from the branches of an oak, twisting in the gusty breeze. In the moonlight they glow an odd, bright white. A dog barks as night yawns toward morning.

Rookie Coral Gables PO Pete Colonna pulls his cruiser up the curb. The house belongs to a Dr. and Mrs. David Marquette. Dispatch has no history to pass along other than hearing "No daddy, No". Pete surveys the house, sees a tricycle and a spilled tub of sidewalk chalk, then makes his way to the front door. Ringing the bell and pounding on the massive door brings no response from inside. He calls in and is told to stand by and wait for his sergeant. Pete checks the outside around the house and finds no sign of entry. A cold, anxious feeling spreads through his bones.

Pete's flashlight breaks a small window. They call out, "Police! Everyone okay in here?" Quickly they move through the first floor. Someone should be up by now. Wrong house, no one home, or....... Pete and the Sergeant run for the stairs. Dark smears that look like footprints follow Pete down the hall. Moving his flashlight around he sees tiny red droplets splattered up onto the walls. He enters the room and completely falls apart........

Follow Assistant State Attorney Julia Vacanti on a journey from crime scene to court as she tries to find the defendant guilty of murdering his family. Is it intentional murder warranting the death penalty or was the defendant insane and eventually will walk? Help Julia find and gather the evidence, but will it be too much for her as she uncovers her own past and she, herself will go insane. Get right into the mind of the defendant of this story and try to figure out his plea of insanity. Oh, to be driven nuts for sure!

4.99 stars