Mitchard, Jacquelyn.  A Theory of Relativity.

When Gordon McKenna’s sister, Georgia, and her husband, Ray, die in a car crash, he is certain he will be able to take on the responsibility of raising her one year old daughter, Keefer, as he and his parents believe Georgia would have wished. The in-laws, however—wealthy southerners—have other plans, however, and a legal battle for the right to raise the girl ensues.

The in-laws—Ray’s parents—show no mercy in their quest to raise their son’s daughter as their own.  They know that Gordon was adopted, and therefore not technically a “blood relative” of Georgia and Keefer’s, and they use this information in their custody battle, citing language in the law that refers to blood relations.

Readers who enjoy legal thrillers and family dramas will be pleased by this taut, emotional combination of the two genres.