Reopening a cold murder case uncovers disturbing secrets … and forces a young prosecutor to an agonizing decision. Everyone knew Rick Harker was guilty. Twenty-six years ago he murdered Lisa Farrow and set her body on fire. Lisa’s three-year-old daughter Christine identified Harker as the murderer, and he’s been in San Quentin ever since. But now the adult Christine Farrow is recanting her testimony―handing assistant DA Matt Jamison a case that will test his character and his convictions. While Harker’s idealistic attorney demands a new trial, Jamison retraces the original investigation, trying to find if there is any doubt of Harker’s guilt. When Jamison finds evidence of corruption in the DA’s office he is faced with a question that will shatter his lifelong relationships, endanger his career, and threaten his faith in the justice system: Is exposing the truth worth the damage? "Characters are well drawn, their motivations and personal demons haunting enough to draw in even reluctant readers. It's an easy book to sink into ... a well-crafted cold case legal thriller." -- Daisy Pettles, Kings River Life A graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, James A. Ardaiz at 28 years of age was one of the youngest lawyers in California to achieve the distinction of Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Fresno County District Attorney's office where he was in charge of Homicide prosecutions. At the age of 32 he became a Municipal Court Judge, at 35 a Superior Court Judge and at 39, an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal. In 1994 he became the Administrative Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal for Central California. An instructor at the California Judicial College as well as a professor of Evidence, he retired in 2010 from the judiciary.       As a sitting jurist, he was named California Jurist of the Year and is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgment including two by the California State Legislature for his work as a judge. He is the author of the #1 Bestseller, Hands Through Stone, a non-fiction account of the last case resulting in execution in California, "A terrifying look at the mind of evil and the lengths it can go...a fine addition to any true crime collection..." California Bookwatch; Fractured Justice, "A gripping, fast-paced, and coldly realistic thriller...Fractured Justice is a stunning debut crime novel..." Midwest Book Review; Shades of Truth, "a well-crafted cold case legal thriller," Kings River Review; and Tears of Honor, a historical fiction account of the Japanese American internment in WWII, Five Stars on Amazon reader reviews, "racism, heroism, love, friendship, fear, hope, courage and honor. The book is well worth reading".      His new book, Trading Innocence, is a terrifying glimpse into the world of international sex trafficking that will draw the reader into an investigation of murder, greed and a fight to save two young victims from men who will stop at nothing to feed the perversion of those who prey on children and will pay for the opportunity.