They’re convinced he’s innocent. But that won’t stop the lethal needle from marking him guilty as charged…

Seasoned attorney Brendan Murphy eagerly uncovers legal loopholes for his defendants. After keeping his death-row client alive for thirty long years, he’s sure he can buy enough time for the man to see his son’s upcoming wedding. But when an imminent execution date is suddenly set, Murphy resolves to prove the convict couldn’t have murdered his pregnant wife.

Claire Chastain isn’t afraid to testify for those she loves. So when her soon-to-be father-in-law faces lethal injection, the gutsy lawyer reopens his case hoping to expose the real killer. But as she follows a trail littered with old love affairs, dangerous stalkers, and a missing witness, Chastain’s once firm belief in his innocence begins to waver.

And with the clock ticking closer to capital punishment, shocking revelations from the highest court in the land could turn the entire case upside down…

Can Murphy and Chastain untangle the web of clues before the truth dies with the accused?

Keeping Secrets, A Legal Thriller is the fourth standalone novel in the gripping Warrick-Thompson Files series. If you like true-to-life characters, electrifying suspense, and superb twists you’ll never see coming, then you’ll love Deborah Hawkins’ powerful drama.

For thirty years, Brendan Murphy has done the impossible. He has kept his client, Professor Edward Wynne Carter, III, alive on Virginia’s Death Row. Brendan knows Ed did not kill his pregnant wife in the fall of 1983. But now Ed’s execution date has been set.

Thirty years ago, when she was just out of law school, McKenzie Fitzgerald, interviewed Ed’s alibi witness. But she forgot to turn on the tape recorder. The next day, the witness vanished. McKenzie convinced herself that Ed was guilty and lied to cover up her mistake. Now a nationally renowned civil litigator and former Harvard law professor, McKenzie is a nominee to be a justice on the United States Supreme Court. But when she learns that Ed’s execution date has been set, McKenzie must choose between saving Ed’s life and saving her career. Will Brendan uncover McKenzie’s secret in time to stop Ed’s execution?

“I could not put this book down! The twists and turns were amazing. Tense and realistic, I felt like I was right there! Hawkins is a wonderful detail writer!” 5 star review

For thirty years, Brendan Murphy has done the impossible. He has kept his client, Professor Edward Wynne Carter, III, alive on Virginia’s Death Row. Brendan knows Ed did not kill his pregnant wife in the fall of 1983. But now Ed’s execution date has been set.

Thirty years ago, when she was just out of law school, McKenzie Fitzgerald, interviewed Ed’s alibi witness. But she forgot to turn on the tape recorder. The next day, the witness vanished. McKenzie convinced herself that Ed was guilty and lied to cover up her mistake. Now a nationally renowned civil litigator and former Harvard law professor, McKenzie is a nominee to be a justice on the United States Supreme Court. But when she learns that Ed’s execution date has been set, McKenzie must choose between saving Ed’s life and saving her career. Will Brendan uncover McKenzie’s secret in time to stop Ed’s execution?