Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Badger Game is a work of fiction in the legal thriller, crime, and mystery genres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. Penned by author Norman Shabel, this fascinating tale is centered on the brutal murder of Horace Badger, the dean of men at Reliance College. His mutilated body is discovered by hunters, sparking an investigation that leads to Stosh Klewzewski, leader of the Catholic White Knights. Defense attorney Paul Flaherty and his assistant, Sam Waterman, must prove Klewzewski's innocence amidst doubts. The story spans from WWII horrors to 1950s Pennsylvania courtrooms and the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals, culminating in a gripping and shocking conclusion. Shabel has crafted a thrilling and immersive mystery read that is packed with suspense from start to finish.

The novel's opening with the gruesome discovery of Horace Badger's body immediately captured my attention, and I was constantly impressed by the details and atmospheric touches. The historical context, weaving between WWII battlefields and 1950s Pennsylvania, added a rich and poignant backdrop to the murder mystery that kept it firmly grounded in the here and now, something this author is very talented at conveying. Paul Flaherty and Sam Waterman's quest to prove Stosh Klewzewski's innocence, despite their own doubts, was compelling and fraught with tension. The exploration of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals added a new layer of relevance and seriousness to the work as it grew more complex, highlighting the nuances of justice and morality woven naturally throughout the story. Shabel's adept storytelling and intricate plot twists kept me guessing until the very end, making it hard to put the book down. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Badger Game to fans of truly compelling mysteries looking for a talented crime author who always delivers.