Criminal defense attorney Darcy Cole is facing one of the biggest cases of his distinguished career, but at the same time he must deal with his own midlife crisis. He has just won an acquittal for his client -- the beautiful, self-centered Lynne Tobias -- from the charge of murdering her husband, a prominent Chicago attorney. But now Tobias faces federal charges of conspiracy to defraud an insurance company in connection with the death of her husband.

The new charge has been brought by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Owen Dempsey, who is running for governor and knows that prosecuting Tobias will provide him with free, election-year publicity and provide him with the right kind of headlines.

Cole, however, is exhausted, worn out, alone. He has made his career the central focus of his life, and while he appears to be a successful man, he feels old and lost and weary. During his sleepless nights, he sits alone in his penthouse apartment overlooking the lake reflecting on the mistakes he's made in life and wondering if he has anything to show for it.

By day, however, Cole is energetic and intimidating. He outmaneuvers his opponents and plots brilliant strategies to defend his client. An experienced litigator, he anticipates the dirty tactics of Dempsey's office and devises a few of his own.

Completing matters is Anthony Benvenuti Jr., the youngest son of Tony the Babe" Benvenuti, a prominent figure in the Chicago underworld. Tony Jr. is bitter about his conviction for drug-related offenses and blames Cole.

Filled with brilliant legal maneuvering and surprise after surprise, The Advocate spins a complicated, frightening, often humorous path through aspectacular federal trial, ruthless organized crime activity, an unexpected verdict, and a conclusion that will leave even the most avid mystery readers wondering why they didn't see it coming.