Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

The Night of the Burning Car by Rob Lubitz is about Billy Dalton, who is on his way home and takes a shortcut through Kane County. Coming around a long bend, Billy saw a car speed off, and another car that was engulfed in flames. Running to the car, he helped a woman and her child to safety before the gas tank exploded. When he woke up in the hospital, nobody knew about the woman and child that he rescued. Billy is forced to plead guilty to drunk driving to avoid going to jail. Years later, a private detective contacted him and informed him that the woman and child he had saved wanted to thank him. For the first time, Billy had concrete evidence that he did rescue a woman and child and that it had not been just his imagination.

The Night of the Burning Car by Rob Lubitz is a mystery thriller set in Kane County where the Harkins family is the law. The action started in the first chapter and never stopped. It was unnerving that a family could do whatever they wanted and no one could stop them. The plot was original, compelling, and excellently executed. The twists and turns ensured that I never knew what to expect next. I just kept reading and could not put it down as I did not want to miss anything. The characters are authentic and well-defined. It was easy to follow the cast and their part in the story, which was well-written and intriguing. It surpassed all my expectations. The climax was extraordinary and it could not have ended in a better way.

Reviewed by Danelle Petersen for Readers' Favorite

Under the Ashes: Murder and Morels by Charles Cutter is a clever and suspense-filled thriller with the good-looking but sometimes off-kilter Burr Lafayette as the lead character. Burr is an excellent lawyer but likes his Labatt beer a little too much and sometimes gets his wires crossed by mixing business with pleasure–to the utter dismay of his two loyal and supportive associates; Eve, his legal assistant, and Jacob, co-owner of their law firm, Lafayette and Wertheim. However, they have full confidence in his ability to find justice. The firm’s new client, Mrs. Molly Fagan, recently widowed wife of radio station owner Nick Fagan, hired them for what should be an open-and-shut case and is anything but. What follows a rollercoaster ride of lust, revenge, power, and Burr at his finest.

Under the Ashes: Murder and Morels was entertaining from beginning to end. The dialogue was crazy and witty; there was never a dull moment. The pace kept me on my toes, and the plot was well thought-out; just when I was sure I knew the culprit, Cutter found a new angle, and I was back to square one. The way Cutter constructed each character was great, unique, and relatable, and Zeke the Lab was adorable. Burr is good at what he does, and Cutter easily draws out the character, making him likable even with his unorthodox ways. I recommend Under the Ashes to those who love mystery thrillers, bizarre protagonists, and courtroom dramas.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Burning Justice by Marti Green is Book 6 in the Innocent Prisoners Project Series. Becky Whitlaw, a young widow from Texas, stands accused of burning her house down, killing her three children. She claims she is innocent but could she have done it in a drunken blackout? The jury says she is guilty and convicts her. Twenty years on, Dani Trumball takes her case. Working with the Help Innocent Prisoners Project as a defense attorney, Dani agrees to defend Becky, even though the evidence is pointing straight at her. At the same time, California wildfires are raging closer and closer to Dani’s home; can she find the evidence she needs to get Becky acquitted at the same time as keeping her own husband and kids safe? Time is short for Dani and this case will test her to the limits.

Burning Justice by Marti Green is the sixth book in the Innocent Prisoners Project series but can be read as a standalone story. Marti Green has written a cracking legal thriller here, a story that tells another side of the justice system and shows us that not everything is black or white. The main protagonist, Dani, is very well developed, a likable, real person with real problems. This isn’t just about her legal battles; this is about her personal battles too and it makes for an intriguing read. There’s plenty of action, suspenseful mystery, and legal information along the way, some of which might cause your eyebrows to raise a little! The story is full of emotion and you will feel drawn to both Dani and Becky, rooting for them all the way. Highly recommended reading. I will be reading the rest of the series.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Empty Kayak by Jodé Millman is a mystery with a difference. Olivia and Kyle are kayaking along the Hudson River when a storm rolls in out of nowhere. While Olivia finds her way back to shore, her fiancé, Kyle, doesn’t. Detective Ebony Jones arrives at the river to help them, but discovering who the missing man is sends shockwaves through her. He’s her best friend’s ex-boyfriend, and Jessie and Kyle share a daughter. Ebony must investigate the mystery of what happened to Kyle; while Jessie seeks justice, neither woman is prepared for what they will face. Lies, betrayal, and earth-shattering secrets will drive a wedge between everyone involved, but Ebony and Jessie need to uncover the truth, no matter what. Will they learn what happened to Kyle? Will the truth tear them apart? And where does Olivia fit into everything?

The Empty Kayak by Jodé Millman is a wonderfully tense mystery with a strong focus on relationships and careers destroying lives. Although it is a police procedural novel, it is more about the personal and emotional aspects. It is part of a series, but I found it easy to read as a standalone novel. Although the characters are well-developed, reading the first two books in the series will provide an even better understanding of the two main protagonists, Ebony and Jessie. It has a unique storyline, and the tension builds with every page, reeling you in to discover the truth behind Kyle’s disappearance. The suspense draws you deeper into this gripping tale; you won’t put it down until you’re done. Of course, then you’ll want to read the rest of the series to get to know these fantastic characters better.

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

You Have The Right to Remain Silent by Mark M. Bello is the eighth book in the Zachary Blake legal thriller series. Mia Folger, a popular talk show host, doesn’t get on with her husband anymore, Congressman Bradley Crawford, and is in therapy. When Crawford's dismembered body is found, Mia comes under the spotlight as the primary suspect. Her therapist believes she is innocent and recommends Zachary Blake, a top defense attorney to defend her against the charge of murder. However, Mia went into catatonic shock when she found Crawford's body and cannot help Zack prepare her defense. It’s up to Zack and investigator Micah Love to crack the case and that's where Shari Belitz, a top jury consultant comes in. It's their job to disprove the evidence but Zack doesn’t think he needs Shari's help. Shadows in the background, evil figures, are looking to ensure that Mia goes down for the crime and it's up to the team to find the evidence to clear Mia and discover the real killer in the process.

I have not read any of the others in this series but You Have the Right to Remain Silent by Mark M. Bello has made me want to read them all. This is more than just your standard legal thriller. With twists and turns all the way, and some tough, cocky characters, nothing is as you expect. The characters are wonderfully developed; unique, real people that we can all relate to on some level. The plot is ingenious, very cleverly written, with each twist leading you closer to an explosive ending. Throw in some psychotic, evil characters to bounce off the rest, and you have the perfect legal thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. Once you start reading, you won't put this book down until you're done. A gripping story, ideal for all fans of the legal world and social justice.

Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite

Fetch Me a Hangman by R. G. Ashcroft is set in Clayton County in 2014. Mayor Reynold Ford and his wife Katrina have two children, Hillary and Katherine. When tragedy strikes the family, Brandeis Fields, Esq. is assigned to defend the accused, Aaron Tait. Sheriff Randy Stiner collects evidence against Aaron but could have been misdirected. With the help of attorney Bill Williams as co-counsel, Brandeis interviews witnesses who may prove his client innocent. His assistant Janet, wife Adair, daughter Becca, and son Peter may also unwittingly provide information pertaining to the case. Brandeis and Reynold have an unpleasant history which may impact Aaron’s case if Brandeis cannot remain objective. Aaron has no option but to put his faith in the very legal system that could count against him.

Fetch Me a Hangman is a thrilling, suspenseful story filled with mystery and intrigue. Author R. G. Ashcroft has created a novel second to none. The characters are well defined and easy to relate to, from old Ms. Twigg to Judge McConnell. The story is filled with twists and turns as Brandeis uncovers layer upon layer of surprising evidence both for and against his client. Ashcroft keeps the reader enthralled from beginning to end trying to predict the outcome of the court case. The scenes and locations are beautifully depicted, especially the parks and stately homes. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Ashcroft portrays Brandeis and his sense of humor, as well as his “down-to-earth” old-school persona. All-round, a fantastic novel highly recommended to everyone.

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

COVID-19 decimated the entertainment and hospitality sectors and with regard to the human body and enterprises that can only function if they are up and running, nobody and nothing was immune. In Automatic Stay by Mark Shaiken, a reader is shown the aftermath of the pandemic from an angle a lot of individuals don't know anything about, which is legal bankruptcy. Shaiken's main character is a bankruptcy lawyer named Josephina “3J” Jillian Jones in Kansas City. Her clients come to her after negotiations to resettle a loan privately fail with a man to whom they owe millions. Bankruptcy restructuring is a complex speciality that 3J understands and successfully petitions for professionally. The business owners are the Rapinoes and the lender is Phillip Dewey, whose success and understanding at successfully thwarting clients' attempts to bankrupt and short-change him means 3J is up for the fight of her career.

Automatic Stay is the second legal thriller I've read by Mark Shaiken that features 3J, the first being Fresh Start. I have an advantage that other readers possibly do not as a career Justice Department legal shark with a background in economics. I share this only to highlight that I can tell when an author is padding a story with legal maneuvers and jargon that do not exist. Shaiken is not one of those writers and the result is a story that neither requires too much suspension of disbelief and is also engrossing. The prose is clean and frequently elegant and the pacing is pitch perfect. I was also struck by the maturation of Shaiken's writing and being able to see an author grow in their work from the start makes me feel like I am a part of their journey. Fresh Start was impressive; Automatic Stay is remarkable. I look forward to the next 3J legal adventure and what comes next from the mind of a skilled author.

Reviewed by Jennifer Ibiam for Readers' Favorite

When it rains, it pours. Down in South Brooklyn, Al Forte ran a successful law practice and had a happy family. He also had two cousins; Eli, the self-absorbed lawyer, and Mick, the repentant Mafia Don. Al and Mick were close, and the latter would do anything to protect his cousin. One day, Al was rushing out of the office when Eli showed up to borrow his computer. He thought nothing of it until his checks started bouncing. Someone wiped out Al’s personal and attorney escrow accounts up to two million dollars. His bank, clients, the FBI, disciplinary committee, and everyone else breathed down Al’s neck. To top it off, Eli also became unreachable. Al must prove his innocence or face suspension, disbarment, and even go to jail. Follow the search by reading Where’s... Eli? by Alex S. Avitabile.

Where’s... Eli? by Alex S. Avitabile is a legal and crime thriller novel with a comedic twist. This book is the second installment in the Al and Mick Forte crime fiction series, and I wasn’t disappointed. Mick was Al’s guardian angel. I loved the plot, development, and narrative style of storytelling. The characters also impressed me, especially Mick, who was the star of this story. He understood loyalty and knew how to protect those he loved. Mick was also very knowledgeable where it mattered, something Al didn’t understand. I learned that having the right degrees doesn’t confer the intelligence required to navigate this world. And even the perceived dumb people have something to teach us. Where’s... Eli? was a great book, and I can’t wait to read more adventures of this dynamic duo.

Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

V.S. Kemanis' novel Power Blind is a well-crafted legal mystery, with two major subplots: an unsolved case of the murder of a police officer, and a civil case of a family's struggle to have the freedom to choose medical treatments for a terminal illness. The novel is set in 2022, in New York City, with flashbacks and backstories of characters. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on many aspects of law and order, in and out of the courtroom, is a powerful undercurrent in the novel. Dana Hargrove is an associate justice in the Appellate Division. She works with the other appellate judges to hear and decide on civil and criminal appeals from trial courts. One case involves the anguishing story of Josefina, 17, who has terminal Hodgkin's lymphoma disease. Josefina is hospitalized against her will, under a legal order by The Family Court. Her aunt Bianca is her guardian and only family. Bianca appeals the Family Court's order. The second case is the unsolved murder in 2020 of police officer Marlon Stokes. A fellow police officer, Corey McBride, is arrested for murder but a grand jury declines to charge him with the crime.

I greatly enjoyed reading V.S. Kemanis' Power Blind. I was drawn into the story for its compelling characters, its different and thought-provoking subplots, and strong themes of legal power and authority, ethical issues, family relationships, love, and loyalty. I liked Dana Hargrove's character: her intellectual capacity, legal experience, and expertise applied to complex legal cases. I liked her courage, determination, and unflinching stand on integrity and honesty as a judge and in her personal life. I thought Dana's family added great depth to the legal subplots. Her son Travis, an appellate attorney for the Administration for Children’s Services, is assigned to the civil case for which Dana is an appellate judge! I liked how that subplot, involving health decisions, grows more complex. When the novel's second subplot of a murder mystery began unfolding in greater detail, the story turned into a gripping page-turner for me. Dana's daughter Natalie is a Ph.D. candidate in cognitive psychology, studying how perceptions and memories affect witness testimony in criminal cases. Natalie turns her attention to the unsolved case of Marlon Stokes' murder. Power Blind is a fascinating and intricate legal story of a complex web of individual lives, incredible and difficult interpersonal dramas, and how people in power can be blind to the consequences of their decisions.

Reviewed by Lexie Fox for Readers' Favorite

The Advocate’s Killer is a work of fiction in the legal and mystery genres, the eleventh title in The Advocate series and suitable for all ages. The book was penned by Teresa Burrell. The book follows the journey of a talented attorney named Sabre Brown as she becomes entangled in the dangerous pursuit of a killer who is targeting people from Sabre’s past, one by one. As the threat toward Sabre and her loved ones escalates, she and her private investigator must race to discover the identity of the stalker before she becomes another victim.

Author Teresa Burrell delivers a captivating murder mystery tale that follows Sabre O. Brown and JP as they chase down a stalker against the clock. One of the things that resonated with me the most in this novel was the three-dimensional and fully fleshed-out characters. Every character, from Sabre and JP to characters that only appeared briefly, felt like they were fully realized characters, making all the characters feel relatable. Burrell has a great mind for creating an atmosphere that builds tension and offers clues to the mystery through the dialogue used, and the way each setting and character is described. This is the first book in the series I had the pleasure of reading, and it gave me an appetite for more. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series. I would highly recommend The Advocate's Killer to anyone who enjoys mystery novels, thrillers, and character-centric stories.