A Killer’s Wife by Victor Methos brings murder, suspense, police investigations, and courtroom drama to a well-written legal thriller mainly set iA Killer’s Wife by Victor Methos brings murder, suspense, police investigations, and courtroom drama to a well-written legal thriller mainly set in and around Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the first book in the Desert Plains series and my first book by this author.
Our protagonist, Jessica Yardley, is a federal prosecutor, whose husband went to prison fourteen years ago for multiple murders. When some new homicides appear to be similar to those of her ex-husband, Eddie Cal, the FBI asks for Jessica’s help. What follows is an exciting combination of investigations, family crises, and courtroom battles.
While Jessica is definitely strong in her professional career, her personal life is another matter. This gives some balance and a flaw or two, but somewhat stereotyped. I liked her courage and resilience, and was definitely rooting for a satisfactory ending for the story line. But does it happen?
The secondary characters are not as well-developed. However, for most of them, a reader gains enough understanding of them so that one is able to understand how they will react under the pressures of situations they encounter.
There is some changing of points of view between three individuals. The strongest one was that of Jessica and, in my opinion, the others could have been eliminated to make the story more cohesive. Despite some situations that did not seem realistic in today’s criminal justice system, I became quickly engaged with the novel.
The book was well-written and was paced well and had an appropriate mix of dialogue and narrative. The plot had several twists and turns with a few surprises along the way even after readers find out a lot of the ‘who did what’ part of the way through the book. What an ending! Will you see it coming? Other themes include academic boredom, the line between pushing for a justified conviction and convicting an innocent person, inherited traits, nature versus nurture, relationships, alcoholism, drug abuse, heartbreak, betrayal, and much more.
If you enjoy legal thrillers, then I recommend this series. While there are some things, that seemed over-the-top and somewhat implausible, overall, it is an intense book that pulls the reader into its disturbing storyline. It is certainly thought-provoking. While this does not have a cliffhanger ending, there are threads that can be pulled into the next book in the series. Which one or ones will it be? I can’t wait to find out in the next novel.
I purchased a digital copy of this novel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
What do you get when you mix a legal thriller with a medical thriller and add a bit of romance and subtle Christian overtones? You get a fantastic novWhat do you get when you mix a legal thriller with a medical thriller and add a bit of romance and subtle Christian overtones? You get a fantastic novel, LETHAL INTENT, by Cara C. Putman that is set in northern Virginia.
Caroline Bragg feels her life is moving forward as she and Brandon Lancaster transition from friendship to courtship. She has also just landed a new job as legal counsel for Praecursoria, a research lab that is on the cutting edge with genetic therapies for leukemia treatments for young children. Brandon operates a group foster home for sibling family groups waiting for adoption. One of those children has leukemia and is a candidate for an experimental trial with Praecursoria. Unfortunately, the laws governing group foster homes have recently changed and he may lose the group home he has worked so hard to build.
The characters came to life for me in this book. They were compelling, had great depth, and faced real-world situations that tugged at the heart strings. Caroline and Brandon’s backstories made them feel real and made their actions and dynamics believable. The stakes were high for so many in this novel that it was definitely a page turner. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster with the characters, experiencing highs and lows just as they did as events hurtled at them.
The writing style quickly pulled me into the novel and I connected with Caroline and Brandon as well as several other characters. The plot was suspenseful, but also heartbreaking, thought-provoking, and insightful at times. As the two story lines became entangled, it also showed the ethical dilemmas many face in the course of their lives. My only quibbles are that the antagonist was a little too easy to determine and I wish that there had been an epilogue that wrapped up a couple of items more cleanly.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading her Hidden Justice Series as well as her standalone novels. The author’s legal experience and her significant medical research into cutting edge scientific trials and FDA approval processes gave this book an authenticity and depth that many lack. It was also filled with lots of hope, warmth, love, friendship and romance against a backdrop of treachery, crimes, ethical dilemmas, arrogance, secrets and more. If you enjoy suspenseful legal and medical thrillers with a bit of romance, then I recommend that you check out this novel and see if you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson—FICTION and Cara C. Putman via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for January 12, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine....more
In the Name of Truth was written by Viveca Sten and translated from Swedish to English by Marlaine Delargy. This is the eighth book in the Sandhamn crIn the Name of Truth was written by Viveca Sten and translated from Swedish to English by Marlaine Delargy. This is the eighth book in the Sandhamn crime and legal thriller series. The main characters are Detective Inspector Thomas Andreasson and prosecuting attorney Nora Linde. I believe this series would be best if it was read in series order. This would provide additional background and show character growth over time.
Thomas and Nora are strong main characters with some depth and someone you can root for. Their goals were clear and definitely influenced the plot with believable motivations. The prose was well-written and thought-provoking. Summer season has reached Sweden and with that comes sailing camps for children as well as a high-profile trial. The plot was complex with many sub-plots and red herrings. The reader not only gets insight into the criminal and trial aspects of the plot, but learns about the private lives of Thomas, Nora, and several of the secondary characters.
The subject matter of this novel is dark and includes themes such as family relationships, divorce, bullying, mental illness, gambling additions and much more. This is not a light read, but it is well done once you get used to the pacing of switching back and forth between several characters.
Overall, this book keeps the reader engaged and guessing. The tension escalates as the story line progresses and the reveal was impactful. I look forward to reading more books in this series. I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Thanks go to Goodreads, Amazon Crossing, Viveca Sten and Marlaine Delargy for the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way....more
JUSTICIA 2095: SEE JUSTICE DONE by T.L. Blakely is the first book that I have read by this author. It is classified as both science fiction and a legaJUSTICIA 2095: SEE JUSTICE DONE by T.L. Blakely is the first book that I have read by this author. It is classified as both science fiction and a legal thriller and I enjoy reading both genres. While the prologue starts in 2020, the main portion of the book takes place in 2095. In 2095, there is online justice that uses big-data and public jury trials are conducted from the comfort of home, office, or even waiting in line in a coffee shop. Wyland Stark is a legal historian and Justicia Counselor and must prove the difference between law and justice.
This is such an interesting premise for a novel and the author’s experience in both trials courts and technical analysis in the military service came through beautifully. Unfortunately, I did not connect with the characters. Despite this, the book is thought-provoking and intriguing.
Overall, I am happy that I read this insightful novel. If you enjoy science fiction and legal thrillers, then you may want to check out this book and the reviews that are rated four and five stars.
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and T.L. Blakely for a complimentary ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. ...more
FLIGHT RISK by Cara C. Putman is a well-written and intense legal thriller with a touch of romance. It is also my first book by this author. Savannah FLIGHT RISK by Cara C. Putman is a well-written and intense legal thriller with a touch of romance. It is also my first book by this author. Savannah Daniels owns her own law firm, has great friends, and supports her niece when it’s needed. Jett Glover is a journalist who seeks out the truth. When his story on human-trafficking breaks, tragedy occurs and it affects Savannah both personally and professionally.
The main characters are compelling and had great depth. Their motivations seem believable with realistic actions and emotions. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story rather than detracting from it. The internal and external conflicts were well defined and believable. The stakes were high and Ms. Putman certainly made this a page turner.
The prose was engrossing, absorbing and compulsively readable. The plot was suspenseful, heartbreaking, fast-paced, thought-provoking and insightful. There were two story lines that became entangled with lots of twists and turns. The ending was satisfying, but bittersweet. It was difficult to put this book down.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading her Hidden Justice Series as well as any new books featuring Savannah and Jett. If you enjoy suspense, intrigue, and a bit of romance, then I recommend that you check out this novel and see if you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Thanks to Thomas Nelson—FICTION and Cara C. Putman for an ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. ...more
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