Another David Rosenfelt Novel: A Prisoner, Her Heart and Insurance Fraud

I have enjoyed three books by David Rosenfelt that were part of a series. Now I am reading a "stand alone" novel, Heart of a Killer, by the same author. It starts off as a story about a female prisoner who wants to give an organ to her dying daughter.  Problem is that the organ is her heart. The authorities are not going to kill the prisoner so that her child may live. Yet, this is what Sheryl Harrison is asking her lawyer to fight for on her behalf.  There are some other aspects to this story. Someone wants Sheryl murdered in prison. At this point I don't know why.  So far I know that there is a secret relating to Sheryl and her mother can not reveal it. Also, I am on page 72 and I have been introduced so far to two characters who have no connection so far to the main story. They are Alex Cahill and Ryan Palmer. Their story is that for one reason or the other they have died. An unknown claimant, who has no connection to any of the deceased, has received large payments from the insurance company. It is clear that the book is going to deal with insurance fraud at some point.  I am looking forward to see how all these stories will connect.

The main character in the book is a lackadaisical lawyer named Jamie Wagner.  This organ donation case seems to be allowing him to blossom into a more assertive lawyer. His sense of humor reminds me of Andy Carpenter, the protagonist in Rosenfelt's other books that I have read. The police officer who initially arrested Sheryl Harrison, Novack, is an interesting character. He is described as tough, moody and unpredictable and at this point in the story it seems he will be assisting Jamie Wagner with his case. His "visiting relationship" with his ex-wife reminded me of the "visiting relationship" between Andy Carpenter and his girlfriend. I am enjoying this book.