内容简介
'Shewasagirl,really,withshortredhairandawaif-likeslimness.Butdespitetheflowereddressshewore,herbellyhadbeguntoshow.Immobile,thegirlgazedattheclinicasthoughitwereathousandmilesaway.'TheyoungwomanisMaryAnnTierney.Sheisfifteenyearsold.WithindayshernamewillbeknowntomillionsacrossAmerica,hercourtcaseatelevisionmust-watchforeveryonefromthePresidentdownwards.AsMaryAnntakesonherownparentsandtheconstitutionallawoftheUnitedStatesinadesperatebidtoprotectherfuturerighttobearchildren,theramificationsof'theTierneycase'bringathreattothenewPresident,KerryKilcannon,tohisnomineeforChiefJustice,CarolineMasters,andtohismainrivalforthePresidency,SenatorChadPalmer.Allhavedangeroussecretsintheirpast,secretsthatwouldnotonlythreatencareers,butbringdeathandtragedytoinnocentlives.
作者简介
RichardNorthPatterson’stenpreviousnovelsincludesixconsecutiveinternationalbestsellers.HisnovelshavewonanEdgarAllanPoeAwardandtheGrandPrixdeLittératurePolicière.FormerlyatriallawyerinWashingtonandSanFrancisco,Mr.PattersonalsoservedasanassistantattorneygeneralinOhioandastheSEC’sliaisontotheWatergatespecialprosecutor.HenowservesontheboardsofCommonCause,theFamilyViolencePreventionFund,HandgunControlInc.,andOhioWesleyanUniversity.Heliveswithhiswife,Laurie,andtheirfamilyinSanFranciscoandonMartha’sVineyard.