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 Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Coldwater Revenge by James A. Ross is a crime thriller set in 2002. A bio-research company is about to declare bankruptcy but they agree to act as a go-between for a quick payout. Their job is to pass on anonymous shipments containing Petri dishes, powders, and vials – what could go wrong? When a corpse appears in a lake, things start to spiral out of control, especially when a deadly toxin is revealed in the autopsy. Tom Morgan has returned home for a vacation but when the body turns out to be a local, someone he knew, his vacation is over. Joining the sheriff, his brother, he sets out to find the killer. But things are never that straightforward and old secrets are about to be revealed. Can the brothers hold it together long enough to find the killer or will mistrust come between them?

Coldwater Revenge by James A. Ross is an excellent thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s not just about murder; it’s about family and friends, loyalty and trust, and what happens when age-old secrets rear their ugly heads and threaten relationships. There are some wonderfully developed characters, people you come to know and love and root for all the way through. The plot is unique, with several subplots winding their way through the main one but everything ties together neatly. This is a fast-paced, gritty novel that will grip you from the start, with plenty of twists and turns to throw you off the scent – you’ll be kept guessing all the way to the very end with this one.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Obituary Writer: A Murder Novel by Patrick Oster is a murder mystery with an unusual hero and unsuspecting circumstances. The Year of the Dog was supposed to be a good one for Wallace McRae, a.k.a. Mack, but it isn't so far. He used to be an award-winning investigative journalist, but now he lives in a bad apartment, his wife is dying, and he hates his obituary writing job. Mack’s work doesn’t have the usual spark until his boss tells him that a famous chemist, Dieter von Gehlen, has died. Surprised, Mack finds out that the cause of death was suicide, whereas he knows von Gehlen would never take his own life. Spurred on by this knowledge and the thirst to get back to his roots, Mack gets the green light from his boss to investigate the death and find out what really happened. His boss will get a juicy story out of it and Mack will redeem himself. However, the more he dives deeper into von Gehlen’s death, the creepier it becomes. He has to overcome threats and danger to find the truth. But it is all child’s play for Mack, isn’t it?

If you are looking for an entertaining story with an intense plot and a murder mystery that you will not be able to predict, The Obituary Writer is perfect for you. Mack is a well-rounded character that fits his description exceptionally well. He is cynical yet smart, which is the perfect combination for a hero for this story. He is driven enough to investigate how von Gehlen died yet not out of his mind to go guns blazing into a situation he knew nothing about. Helen’s life and her progress worked as his catalyst to do better, but it was his need to be satisfied with his life that drew to him to make some decisions for himself. I enjoyed the mystery behind the death, how the author fed the readers clues and made them uncover the mystery along with Mack. Reading this book was a sensory and visual experience. To say I loved it would not be enough!

Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

In August 1997, Hayley Larson, a 16-year-old teen who usually followed her parents’ rules, decided it was time to break a few. She went with her friends to a lakefront mansion where alcohol, drugs, and sex were plentiful. The wealthy parents were out of town, and their sons were known for their wild parties. When Hayley needed to use the bathroom, she was sexually assaulted by the 22-year-old college son, Oliver Wilkinson, and his friend, Shane Marbury. Although she reported the assault, no legal actions were taken. Fast forward to 2020 – Oliver Wilkinson is now the Republicans' choice for the next Supreme Court justice. When attorney Zachary Blake was approached by Hayley and her husband to bring this incident to light, he gladly takes the case. In the legal thriller, Supreme Betrayal, Mark M. Bello crafts an exciting plot with many twists and turns.

This story takes place in the Detroit area where Hayley and Zachary live, as well as in Washington, DC. The Senate hearings are filled with surprising moments as Oliver and his cohorts take every step imaginable for confirmation. While the cast of characters is large, each person has a well-developed, distinctive personality. Zachary Blake is a brilliant and complex personality – sometimes compassionate and other times disparaging. His private investigator Micah is hard-working and perceptive. Clare Gibson, who is in charge of the FBI investigation, is a strong advocate for the truth. The pace of the story is fast, and a reader cannot put the book down until the ending is revealed. Author Mark M. Bello captures the current political climate with an adventurous twist in the novel, Supreme Betrayal. A great read!

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.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Ready For The People is a mystery set in the world of law, penned by author Mike Langan. Forming another episode in the Hank Fisher Mysteries series, the story finds the central character recovering from the chaos and destruction which his last case caused him. Now, Hank makes a decision to turn his talents to white-collar crime, sniffing out corruption and scandal. As he’s trying to figure out this new direction in his life, however, an opportunity presents itself from a very unlikely source, and Hank’s situation means that he can hardly refuse ... even if terror, secrecy and his very life may be at stake if he fails.

Author Mike Langan crafts an excellent mystery which combines many enjoyable elements and crosses different action and adventure genres to add to the experience for the reader. Fans of standard crime fiction, terrorism thrillers, mysteries of all kinds and intense personal dramas are all sure to find something in the excellent wordplay and close narration which Langan exhibits throughout his tale. The plot is fast-paced, racing through exciting discoveries and dangerous moments, but also skilfully pausing to build tension and give exposition just at the moments it is most needed. Another thing I particularly enjoyed was Langan’s close attention to his central character, Hank, who feels fully realized by the novel’s end and becomes a hero you have really connected with deeply. Overall, Ready For The People is a fantastic multi-layered mystery with lots to offer fans looking for their next investigation.

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

Maximillian’s Treasure is an exciting legal drama tale by James D. Bell. Law partners John Brooks and Jackson Bradley assumed saving the farm for their Choctaw Indian client, Frank Dalton, would be easy. That was before they realized how desperate and dangerous some people were to get the farm for its ancient treasure. While attending a Dalton function, shooters kill Frank’s uncle. Dalton seeks revenge and is later arrested for the shooters' murders. A painting of hummingbirds found in Frank’s home by Karen, John’s secretary, holds the secret to the treasure. Jackson takes a vacation in the Caribbean, unaware that he’s being followed by ruthless killers and a beautiful vixen who always gets what she desires. John wonders how the defense team always knows what he’s doing and is surprised when he learns how.

“It’s legal because I wish it.” Attorney-at-law and author, James D. Bell will keep you enthralled with his novel, Maximillian’s Treasure. It is steeped in romance, never-ending action, and exciting adventures looking for the treasure of Emperor Maximillian 1 of Mexico, as well as being a very entertaining courtroom drama. Readers will be flipping from one main drama to another without being confused since the author is an expert at intertwining the stories with satisfying outcomes. There were times I thought John was too trusting and gullible, but he proved me wrong, especially in the courtroom. There are light Christian undertones in the plot that made reading it even more pleasant. The book cover is also amazing, just like Maximillian’s Treasure.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

If you’re a fan of courtroom procedurals, you can always count on Mark M. Bello to provide you with a detailed look at what usually only the lawyers, the judges, the accused, the jurors, and the immediate families witness. In Betrayal in Black, Bello brings us face to face with one of today’s hottest topics: the racial divide in America, when a white cop pulls over a car with a law-abiding black family inside and in a moment of panic shoots and kills the father in front of his wife and children. What follows is a step-by-step accounting of the hours following the shooting i.e. local police procuring details of the incident, the heartbreaking reactions of the victim’s wife, the media frenzy to be the first to scoop the story, and as in the recent real-life case of the horrific and unnecessary death of George Floyd, the subsequent protests.

In Betrayal in Black, the devastated widow hires a high-profile trial lawyer, Zachary Blake, to represent her in a civil suit. While awaiting the Grand Jury’s decision on whether to indict him, the suspended cop agonizes over his personal culpability while his fellow police officers deal with their own conflicting feelings regarding the shooting. Readers are enlightened on the legal implications and are emotionally moved by what all the key players, including Zachary Blake, are feeling and thinking. Once the case hits the courtroom, we see in precise detail how lawyers win and lose cases. That, for me, is one of the best things about reading a novel by Mark Bello. In typical Bello fashion, apart from an interesting story, expect to also get Bello’s own thoughts on racism through the words and actions of his characters. It’s a clever way to give readers more to think about than just the plot. Bello uses dialogue, for the most part, to move his story along, resulting in a quick read that comes to a satisfying close. Mark Bello’s legal fiction fans will no doubt enjoy Betrayal in Black as much as his several previous books. Indulge yourselves!

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

In Over the Borderline by Leanna Floyd, Brooke is studying criminal profiling and is soon to testify in her first case. Jacob, her childhood friend, has recently gotten a legal job and is put on the same case Brooke is working on, except they are on opposite sides and cannot talk about it. Jacob is involved in a very confusing online romance and is unsure about who the woman really is and what her intentions are. Brooke also meets a new romantic interest, but she too has questions about who he really is. In the meantime, there is a serial killer who is targeting young women and leaving their bodies on different beaches. We only know him through his thoughts and him telling us about his next victim. All of these events blend together and form a riveting crime/mystery thriller.

Over the Borderline by Leanna Floyd is a thriller right up until the very last word of the book. It centers around Jacob and Brooke - their friendship, their jobs, their love lives - with vivid details that made them feel like they were old friends of mine. I found it hard to put down this book because there were many questions that needed answering so that I was forced to wait until the very last page with a twisted ending. I am anxiously awaiting a sequel so more of the answers will be revealed. I am also hoping for a TV movie. Over the Borderline is a psychological thriller with a big touch of mystery, friendship, romance, and court cases. Please add this book to the top of your reading list – you will not be disappointed.