Patterson and Lupica make a great team" (Carl Hiaasen) who get "deep into the lives of strong women" (Louise Penny) and Jane Smith is their greatest creation a badass lawyer with a year to live. "Jane Smith is the best character we've ever created. Bar none." James Patterson and Mike Lupica Tough-as-nails criminal defense attorney Jane Smith is hip-deep in the murder trial of the century. Actually, her charmless client might've committed several murders. She's also fallen in love with a wonderful guy. And an equally wonderful dog, a mutt. but Jane doesn't have much time. She's just received a terminal diagnosis giving her twelve months. Unless she's murdered before her expiration date.