A compelling legal mystery by Ed McBain (whose real name was Evan Hunter), first published in 1992. It is the tenth novel in the Matthew Hope series, featuring the Florida attorney and amateur sleuth Matthew Hope.

Attorney Matthew Hope is drawn into a baffling murder case when a gardener is accused after three bodies are discovered buried in her yard. While the evidence appears overwhelming, Hope becomes convinced that the truth is far more complicated than it first seems.

As Hope investigates, he uncovers a tangled web of deception involving family secrets, hidden motives, psychological manipulation, and long-buried crimes. Each new clue challenges the prosecution's version of events, forcing Hope to unravel the mystery before an innocent person is convicted. The deeper he digs, the more dangerous the case becomes, revealing that appearances can be fatally misleading.

Unlike McBain's famous 87th Precinct police procedurals, the Matthew Hope novels combine courtroom drama, private investigation, and traditional detective fiction. Mary, Mary balances suspense with McBain's trademark crisp dialogue, believable characters, and clever plotting, making it an engaging legal mystery rather than an action-heavy thriller.