At the start of Griffin’s excellent eighth Matt Royal mystery (after 2013’s Found), Royal, a “lawyer and mostly retired,” is enjoying life on Longboat Key, Fla., with those whom he considers “the best people on earth.” One is his lover, J.D. Duncan, the island’s lone police detective, who’s investigating the murder of a beautiful nude woman found in a ritzy beach house. Another is Abby Lester, the local police chief’s wife, who’s arrested for killing a shady developer.

Though Matt has nothing to gain and maybe much to lose, he agrees to defend Abby. Meanwhile, J.D. uncovers sleazy connections that link her case to Abby’s. Griffin, a former trial attorney, often contrasts how things used to be with how they regrettably are now, showcasing today’s “devastated hell” of Florida’s “forgotten ones” and damning a system where too many lawyers are unscrupulous, too many policemen are corrupt, and politicians dare to threaten honest judges.

Even so, Royal ensures that justice triumphs in this highly satisfying courtroom drama.