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Recommend this book:
Conspiracy of Lies
Richard S. Rachlin
2024 Finalist
314 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
When Jake Dalton, a lawyer in Miami, had left his well-paying job four years ago at a prestigious law firm in the city to venture into Personal Injury law, he didn’t know that money would be a problem. Now, his sick son’s bills were overdue. He could barely afford to pay for the house mortgage, let alone his small family’s bills. As if on cue, Jake receives an offer to represent Thomas Tifton, an ex-military accused of trafficking drugs into the US. Despite his disdain for criminal law, Jake can’t turn down the case because of the fat cheques that came with it. With a prosecutor who seems hell-bent on destroying him and a client who is as innocent as his unreliable story, Jake’s life, marriage, and career are on the line as he finds himself neck-deep in trouble with the Mexican Santolisma cartel. Get yourself Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy of Lies to know more.
If you are looking for a mystery legal thriller laced with a gripping tale of blackmail, money laundering, drug trafficking, courtroom drama, action, crime, love, betrayal, deceit, and murder, among much more, Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy of Lies is a must-read for you. Rachlin clearly has a knack for exceptional storytelling. A tangled web of mystery is spun around the spell-binding plot. The mind-blowing plot twists, the ingenious cliffhangers, and the edge-of-the-seat suspense all had me hooked to this page-turner. The evocative depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life. The scenes were made tremendously dramatic, highlighting the wit accompanying the storyline. The well-crafted cast’s complex traits were juxtaposed and their emotions were cleverly brought out. This made them authentic and easy to connect with. Jake is a savvy, shrewd, daring, risk-taking character who will move heaven and earth for those he loves. Conspiracy of Lies is a magnificent piece of work. I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading more of Rachlin’s work, perhaps a second installment or sequel to this terrific story.
When Jake Dalton, a lawyer in Miami, had left his well-paying job four years ago at a prestigious law firm in the city to venture into Personal Injury law, he didn’t know that money would be a problem. Now, his sick son’s bills were overdue. He could barely afford to pay for the house mortgage, let alone his small family’s bills. As if on cue, Jake receives an offer to represent Thomas Tifton, an ex-military accused of trafficking drugs into the US. Despite his disdain for criminal law, Jake can’t turn down the case because of the fat cheques that came with it. With a prosecutor who seems hell-bent on destroying him and a client who is as innocent as his unreliable story, Jake’s life, marriage, and career are on the line as he finds himself neck-deep in trouble with the Mexican Santolisma cartel. Get yourself Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy of Lies to know more.
If you are looking for a mystery legal thriller laced with a gripping tale of blackmail, money laundering, drug trafficking, courtroom drama, action, crime, love, betrayal, deceit, and murder, among much more, Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy of Lies is a must-read for you. Rachlin clearly has a knack for exceptional storytelling. A tangled web of mystery is spun around the spell-binding plot. The mind-blowing plot twists, the ingenious cliffhangers, and the edge-of-the-seat suspense all had me hooked to this page-turner. The evocative depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life. The scenes were made tremendously dramatic, highlighting the wit accompanying the storyline. The well-crafted cast’s complex traits were juxtaposed and their emotions were cleverly brought out. This made them authentic and easy to connect with. Jake is a savvy, shrewd, daring, risk-taking character who will move heaven and earth for those he loves. Conspiracy of Lies is a magnificent piece of work. I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading more of Rachlin’s work, perhaps a second installment or sequel to this terrific story.
Recommend this book:
Twisted Fate
Adam Lewis
2024 Honorable Mention
355 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Juan Lynch for Readers' Favorite
Twisted Fate by Adam Lewis is a thought-provoking, gripping legal thriller. Follow Jay Sutherland, the son of a runaway teenager turned prostitute. Before Henry, his grandfather and ex-Marine, took him in, all Jay knew was pain and darkness. Fortunately, Henry turned that boy into a man. Jay promised to follow in the footsteps of his savior and dedicated his life to service as a Marine. Unfortunately, Sgt. Sutherland's career with the Marines was cut short when one of the men under his command made a mistake during a mission. Although it was not easy, with the help of an old friend, Jay was able to continue his fight against evil as a lawyer, and eventually as a district attorney in New York.
Despite Twisted Fate being Adam Lewis' debut novel, his writing style is that of a master at his craft. The story was well-paced. Adequate time was spent developing all of the characters and their relationships with one another. I was emotionally invested in Jay Sutherland's journey. He was introduced as a child scarred by neglect and abuse but developed into a man that you can depend on to bring about justice. On the other hand, I appreciated how Benedict, the main antagonist, was well-portrayed as a ruthless kingpin. I also liked that some intriguing plot twists heightened the suspense of the story. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put the book down. I highly recommend Twisted Fate to all avid readers interested in a character-driven, action-packed legal drama.
Twisted Fate by Adam Lewis is a thought-provoking, gripping legal thriller. Follow Jay Sutherland, the son of a runaway teenager turned prostitute. Before Henry, his grandfather and ex-Marine, took him in, all Jay knew was pain and darkness. Fortunately, Henry turned that boy into a man. Jay promised to follow in the footsteps of his savior and dedicated his life to service as a Marine. Unfortunately, Sgt. Sutherland's career with the Marines was cut short when one of the men under his command made a mistake during a mission. Although it was not easy, with the help of an old friend, Jay was able to continue his fight against evil as a lawyer, and eventually as a district attorney in New York.
Despite Twisted Fate being Adam Lewis' debut novel, his writing style is that of a master at his craft. The story was well-paced. Adequate time was spent developing all of the characters and their relationships with one another. I was emotionally invested in Jay Sutherland's journey. He was introduced as a child scarred by neglect and abuse but developed into a man that you can depend on to bring about justice. On the other hand, I appreciated how Benedict, the main antagonist, was well-portrayed as a ruthless kingpin. I also liked that some intriguing plot twists heightened the suspense of the story. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put the book down. I highly recommend Twisted Fate to all avid readers interested in a character-driven, action-packed legal drama.
Recommend this book:
Cram Down
A 3J Legal Thriller
Mark Shaiken
2024 Bronze Medal
336 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
Cram Down is a legal thriller by Mark Shaiken. Amadi and his twin, Jordan, had inherited the bank from their parents, with Amadi as the majority owner. Due to circumstances, Amadi had to sell some of his shares to his brother. Their parents had made a loan to Abode LLC decades ago, but Jordan does not want the loan to be renewed. The goal of Abode was to buy property, build affordable single-family homes, and sell them for prices below market value and with financing that was also below market value. The Franklins employed Josephina Jillian Jones, known as 3J to her friends, a lawyer in Kansas City, to help save Abode LLC. When Amadi suddenly disappears, Jordan is the obvious suspect. Jones will need assistance and some luck to save Abode and Amadi.
Mark Shaiken’s thriller, Cram Down, is extraordinary. I was intrigued from the first page until the end. All the twists and turns had me guessing until the end. I could not put it down, too afraid I would miss something. It was a page-turner, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were relatable and could be anyone I know. It surprised me how two siblings can differ from each other. The community only praised Amadi's good qualities, while no one had time for Jordan. The story is excellently written, with enough action to keep it interesting. I did not expect that the story would hold me captive. So much happened at the end, and I didn't expect such a conclusion.
Cram Down is a legal thriller by Mark Shaiken. Amadi and his twin, Jordan, had inherited the bank from their parents, with Amadi as the majority owner. Due to circumstances, Amadi had to sell some of his shares to his brother. Their parents had made a loan to Abode LLC decades ago, but Jordan does not want the loan to be renewed. The goal of Abode was to buy property, build affordable single-family homes, and sell them for prices below market value and with financing that was also below market value. The Franklins employed Josephina Jillian Jones, known as 3J to her friends, a lawyer in Kansas City, to help save Abode LLC. When Amadi suddenly disappears, Jordan is the obvious suspect. Jones will need assistance and some luck to save Abode and Amadi.
Mark Shaiken’s thriller, Cram Down, is extraordinary. I was intrigued from the first page until the end. All the twists and turns had me guessing until the end. I could not put it down, too afraid I would miss something. It was a page-turner, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters were relatable and could be anyone I know. It surprised me how two siblings can differ from each other. The community only praised Amadi's good qualities, while no one had time for Jordan. The story is excellently written, with enough action to keep it interesting. I did not expect that the story would hold me captive. So much happened at the end, and I didn't expect such a conclusion.
Recommend this book:
Reap the Wind
Joel Burcat
2024 Silver Medal
244 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
In Joel Burcat's Reap the Wind, an unexpected shift in weather affects Josh Goldberg and his fiancée Kiesha. Josh, an environmental lawyer from a prestigious Philadelphia law firm, wanted to join his pregnant girlfriend who is in a Cincinnati hospital. Due to a hurricane that had engulfed the region, air travel was impossible, but when Josh heard that Kiesha’s doctor was none other than her ex-boyfriend, he hired an old Lincoln Continental from a friend for his journey. Josh was accompanied on this dangerous road trip by his boss, Diane, and best friend, Geoff. The tension increased due to Geoff's addiction, while Diane used the trip as a chance to take advantage of the situation and further her agenda.
I got a glimpse of the climate change issue in Reap the Wind. Joel Burcat brought together love, sacrifice, friendship, and hazardous weather in an exhilarating ride. I was unable to put this book down once I started reading it. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat throughout this exciting story. With every turn of the page, the twists and turns led me down a path of surprises. The situations that Josh, Geoff, and Diane faced exceeded my expectations and were thoroughly explained. The characters were believable and well-developed. Josh’s character drove the plot and raised the stakes because he was a brave, courageous man with flaws who cared deeply about Keisha. Reap the Wind is a fantastic work of environmental fiction, and the issues of climate change and environmental law give the story much depth.
In Joel Burcat's Reap the Wind, an unexpected shift in weather affects Josh Goldberg and his fiancée Kiesha. Josh, an environmental lawyer from a prestigious Philadelphia law firm, wanted to join his pregnant girlfriend who is in a Cincinnati hospital. Due to a hurricane that had engulfed the region, air travel was impossible, but when Josh heard that Kiesha’s doctor was none other than her ex-boyfriend, he hired an old Lincoln Continental from a friend for his journey. Josh was accompanied on this dangerous road trip by his boss, Diane, and best friend, Geoff. The tension increased due to Geoff's addiction, while Diane used the trip as a chance to take advantage of the situation and further her agenda.
I got a glimpse of the climate change issue in Reap the Wind. Joel Burcat brought together love, sacrifice, friendship, and hazardous weather in an exhilarating ride. I was unable to put this book down once I started reading it. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat throughout this exciting story. With every turn of the page, the twists and turns led me down a path of surprises. The situations that Josh, Geoff, and Diane faced exceeded my expectations and were thoroughly explained. The characters were believable and well-developed. Josh’s character drove the plot and raised the stakes because he was a brave, courageous man with flaws who cared deeply about Keisha. Reap the Wind is a fantastic work of environmental fiction, and the issues of climate change and environmental law give the story much depth.
Recommend this book:
Extreme Vetting
A Thriller
Roxana Arama
2024 Gold Medal
288 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Joshua Olokodana for Readers' Favorite
In Extreme Vetting by Roxana Arama, violence begins with a camera and ends with a gunshot. After crossing the US border in 1998, Emilio Ramirez's past catches up with him in the hallway of his sons' high school when ICE arrests him for illegal immigration. They sought to flush him through the system and back to Guatemala, but Ramirez's resourceful son, David, convinced immigration lawyer Laura Holban to represent his father. Laura has always been a pain in the butt of ICE officials, and she delivers as expected, repeatedly frustrating ICE's underhanded methods. However, something is off this time around—someone wants Ramirez in Guatemala, and they hate waiting, even though ICE is doing their bidding. This becomes obvious as they ransack Emilio's house for a photograph and threaten Laura to abandon the case. By the time Laura and the Ramirezes realize the danger, they are already on the hit list of a man reputed for cutting out his enemy's heart, killing the whole family, and burning down their house. Who is after Emilio? How is he influencing ICE, and what is the photograph about? Find the answers in Roxana Arama's Extreme Vetting.
Extreme Vetting by Roxana Arama is a thrilling story with several heart-in-the-mouth moments. It does a good job of conveying the fear and survival drive that makes people from certain parts of the world emigrate, despite being a work of fiction. Filled with criminal actions, intense familial love, violence, heated court skirmishes, and several minor twists, reading it makes you feel as if you're in a barrel rolling down a rugged slope. The plot is so clear; I can't even think of one thing to dislike about it. However, the portrayal of Laura Holban as an imperfect but strong feminine character is the masterstroke. I also liked that the writing was devoid of extraneous words, which made the narration concise. Frankly, I didn't want it to end. Roxana's work is realistic, and the characters are easy to empathize with. Even the ICE officials had moments where you realize they'd have made better choices in a different system. If you want a legal thriller with minimal court chatter, smooth scene transitions, and some sleuthing to go with it, try Extreme Vetting by Roxana Arama.
In Extreme Vetting by Roxana Arama, violence begins with a camera and ends with a gunshot. After crossing the US border in 1998, Emilio Ramirez's past catches up with him in the hallway of his sons' high school when ICE arrests him for illegal immigration. They sought to flush him through the system and back to Guatemala, but Ramirez's resourceful son, David, convinced immigration lawyer Laura Holban to represent his father. Laura has always been a pain in the butt of ICE officials, and she delivers as expected, repeatedly frustrating ICE's underhanded methods. However, something is off this time around—someone wants Ramirez in Guatemala, and they hate waiting, even though ICE is doing their bidding. This becomes obvious as they ransack Emilio's house for a photograph and threaten Laura to abandon the case. By the time Laura and the Ramirezes realize the danger, they are already on the hit list of a man reputed for cutting out his enemy's heart, killing the whole family, and burning down their house. Who is after Emilio? How is he influencing ICE, and what is the photograph about? Find the answers in Roxana Arama's Extreme Vetting.
Extreme Vetting by Roxana Arama is a thrilling story with several heart-in-the-mouth moments. It does a good job of conveying the fear and survival drive that makes people from certain parts of the world emigrate, despite being a work of fiction. Filled with criminal actions, intense familial love, violence, heated court skirmishes, and several minor twists, reading it makes you feel as if you're in a barrel rolling down a rugged slope. The plot is so clear; I can't even think of one thing to dislike about it. However, the portrayal of Laura Holban as an imperfect but strong feminine character is the masterstroke. I also liked that the writing was devoid of extraneous words, which made the narration concise. Frankly, I didn't want it to end. Roxana's work is realistic, and the characters are easy to empathize with. Even the ICE officials had moments where you realize they'd have made better choices in a different system. If you want a legal thriller with minimal court chatter, smooth scene transitions, and some sleuthing to go with it, try Extreme Vetting by Roxana Arama.
Recommend this book:
Unlawful Games
Adam Klein
2023 Finalist
314 Pages
Check current price
Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Barely a day after being acquitted, David Flores made headlines after killing his wife and child. The reputable defense attorney for a New York law firm, Salvatore Amici, was having a hard time with the fact that he had helped acquit a murderer – David Flores. To his horror, Salvatore is asked by his seniors to represent Sean Lancaster, a city tycoon and philanthropist, in yet another murder case. Apparently, the tycoon had specifically asked for Salvatore to be his attorney. Sean Lancaster was being charged with the first-degree murder of his wife and three children, and two counts of sexual assault. Hesitantly taking the case, Salvatore finds himself treading a dangerous path that puts his job, reputation, marriage, and life on the line. Why does Lancaster specifically ask for Salvatore as his attorney? Get yourself Adam Klein’s Unlawful Games to know more.
If you are looking for a mystery thriller legal novel laced with a gripping tale of nasty love affairs, family drama, betrayal, money, bribes, blackmail, prison life, courtroom drama, dirty secrets, and so much more, Adam Klein’s Unlawful Games is a must-read for you. Klein breathes life into the scenes with vivid depictions. The narration has a subtle tone to it. Klein forges an intriguing plot, with mind-blowing plot twists. I loved how tremendously dramatic the scenes were; this made the reading experience fun. Klein had me going through a rollercoaster of emotions in depicting the well-developed characters’ emotions. This allowed me to connect with the characters and understand them. Albeit egotistical, Salvatore is an emotionally sensitive, intelligent guy with a big heart and it broke my heart to see others taking advantage of that. Unlawful Games is a magnificent piece of work and I loved it. I have just added it to my favorites shelf. I am looking forward to reading more of Adam Klein’s work.
Barely a day after being acquitted, David Flores made headlines after killing his wife and child. The reputable defense attorney for a New York law firm, Salvatore Amici, was having a hard time with the fact that he had helped acquit a murderer – David Flores. To his horror, Salvatore is asked by his seniors to represent Sean Lancaster, a city tycoon and philanthropist, in yet another murder case. Apparently, the tycoon had specifically asked for Salvatore to be his attorney. Sean Lancaster was being charged with the first-degree murder of his wife and three children, and two counts of sexual assault. Hesitantly taking the case, Salvatore finds himself treading a dangerous path that puts his job, reputation, marriage, and life on the line. Why does Lancaster specifically ask for Salvatore as his attorney? Get yourself Adam Klein’s Unlawful Games to know more.
If you are looking for a mystery thriller legal novel laced with a gripping tale of nasty love affairs, family drama, betrayal, money, bribes, blackmail, prison life, courtroom drama, dirty secrets, and so much more, Adam Klein’s Unlawful Games is a must-read for you. Klein breathes life into the scenes with vivid depictions. The narration has a subtle tone to it. Klein forges an intriguing plot, with mind-blowing plot twists. I loved how tremendously dramatic the scenes were; this made the reading experience fun. Klein had me going through a rollercoaster of emotions in depicting the well-developed characters’ emotions. This allowed me to connect with the characters and understand them. Albeit egotistical, Salvatore is an emotionally sensitive, intelligent guy with a big heart and it broke my heart to see others taking advantage of that. Unlawful Games is a magnificent piece of work and I loved it. I have just added it to my favorites shelf. I am looking forward to reading more of Adam Klein’s work.
Recommend this book:
Occupational Hazard
An Al and Mick Forte Story
Alex S. Avitabile
2023 Honorable Mention
198 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite
Occupational Hazard by Alex S. Avitabile is the story of a lawyer named Al Forte who gets fired for all the right reasons, for standing up for fairness in the workplace. His boss, Gordon Gilbert, who is a control freak with too much influence and malice, despises Al for what he deems to be discord created by Al amongst the associates. Struggling to find his feet, mainly because Gilbert has badmouthed him to every potential employer, Al has no choice but to open his own firm with the help of his street-smart cousin, Mike, who knows everyone and has an immense influence on the wrong side of the tracks. Although Al wants to play it clean, he may need to cut corners and play just as dirty when he goes up against his former boss in a child maintenance lawsuit. There is no telling how dangerous it will get when both sides bring out all their forces to fight each other.
Occupational Hazard by Alex S. Avitabile is an entertaining, creative, and exciting story that explores two different but merging worlds. Avitabile explores the paradox of the legal fraternity in a fascinating narrative with intriguing characters that draw you in. Characters like Mike, who has no formal education and has friends in prison, helps his community and goes out of his way to help his cousin and a woman he doesn’t know without expecting anything in return, while the well-to-do lawyer and business owner Gordon Gilbert is influential, but treats people as disposable. On the other hand, Al is a lawyer who follows the rules, which gets him fired and eventually imprisoned. I enjoyed exploring these opposing themes, good and evil, and the characters who are layered and, therefore, interesting. The dialogue throughout the book is natural, persuasive, passionate, and humorous. Occupational Hazard is a well-written and intriguing narrative.
Occupational Hazard by Alex S. Avitabile is the story of a lawyer named Al Forte who gets fired for all the right reasons, for standing up for fairness in the workplace. His boss, Gordon Gilbert, who is a control freak with too much influence and malice, despises Al for what he deems to be discord created by Al amongst the associates. Struggling to find his feet, mainly because Gilbert has badmouthed him to every potential employer, Al has no choice but to open his own firm with the help of his street-smart cousin, Mike, who knows everyone and has an immense influence on the wrong side of the tracks. Although Al wants to play it clean, he may need to cut corners and play just as dirty when he goes up against his former boss in a child maintenance lawsuit. There is no telling how dangerous it will get when both sides bring out all their forces to fight each other.
Occupational Hazard by Alex S. Avitabile is an entertaining, creative, and exciting story that explores two different but merging worlds. Avitabile explores the paradox of the legal fraternity in a fascinating narrative with intriguing characters that draw you in. Characters like Mike, who has no formal education and has friends in prison, helps his community and goes out of his way to help his cousin and a woman he doesn’t know without expecting anything in return, while the well-to-do lawyer and business owner Gordon Gilbert is influential, but treats people as disposable. On the other hand, Al is a lawyer who follows the rules, which gets him fired and eventually imprisoned. I enjoyed exploring these opposing themes, good and evil, and the characters who are layered and, therefore, interesting. The dialogue throughout the book is natural, persuasive, passionate, and humorous. Occupational Hazard is a well-written and intriguing narrative.
Recommend this book:
The Hippocratic Deception
Susan Walberg
2023 Bronze Medal
368 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite
The Hippocratic Deception is a medical thriller by Susan Walberg. Justina Gonzales is applying for an internship at McIntyre, Jones, and Hancock. Justina has no experience and is ecstatic when she is offered a health law internship. A nurse shares her concern with Mother Marie that a drug diversion is going on and that many people may be involved. Justina is partnered with Frank, and her first assignment is investigating the complaint. When the compliance officer, Michelle, wants to do an audit, one of the doctors yells at her. Michelle disappears after she quits her job. A few employees are starting to disappear, and Mother Marie is threatened to withdraw the complaint. The doctors in the clinic do their best to thwart the investigation and Justina is not sure who she can trust anymore.
Susan Walberg took me on a rollercoaster ride in The Hippocratic Deception. It was fast-paced and full of action and suspense. I just kept turning the pages, unable to put it down; I was too afraid to miss anything. The plot is well-planned and executed. The storyline had my attention from the start and I was intrigued. The chapters alternated between Justina and Therese and flow into each other, The characters are authentic and relatable; they could be anyone I know. My favorite character was Justina because she is strong and knows what she wants out of life. The story is well-written and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I never knew what would happen next. The Hippocratic Deception far exceeded my expectations.
The Hippocratic Deception is a medical thriller by Susan Walberg. Justina Gonzales is applying for an internship at McIntyre, Jones, and Hancock. Justina has no experience and is ecstatic when she is offered a health law internship. A nurse shares her concern with Mother Marie that a drug diversion is going on and that many people may be involved. Justina is partnered with Frank, and her first assignment is investigating the complaint. When the compliance officer, Michelle, wants to do an audit, one of the doctors yells at her. Michelle disappears after she quits her job. A few employees are starting to disappear, and Mother Marie is threatened to withdraw the complaint. The doctors in the clinic do their best to thwart the investigation and Justina is not sure who she can trust anymore.
Susan Walberg took me on a rollercoaster ride in The Hippocratic Deception. It was fast-paced and full of action and suspense. I just kept turning the pages, unable to put it down; I was too afraid to miss anything. The plot is well-planned and executed. The storyline had my attention from the start and I was intrigued. The chapters alternated between Justina and Therese and flow into each other, The characters are authentic and relatable; they could be anyone I know. My favorite character was Justina because she is strong and knows what she wants out of life. The story is well-written and the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. I never knew what would happen next. The Hippocratic Deception far exceeded my expectations.
Recommend this book:
The Angel Theory
John Morelli
2023 Silver Medal
369 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Maria Victoria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
The Angel Theory by John Morelli is about Bill Arena, a man disgusted with and depressed by the law. Now aged 55, he is in the middle of a crisis in his career, marriage, and supporting his children. An old friend from his high school, now a genius physicist, asks Bill for help. Peter Swanteck has made time travel possible, but using it might have unwanted consequences for the world. Peter convinces Bill to help him, and eventually, the control of the project is passed to Bill. With the time machine under his command, he opens Pandora’s box of chaos that slowly destroys his life and everyone around him. Bill Arena has to make a hard choice - destroy the machine before it can be used as a weapon or allow himself to be consumed by self-interest.
John Morelli’s The Angel Theory is an interesting, exciting, and well-written novel that hooks you from the start. While the narrative is partly science fiction with the element of time travel, Morelli grounds his narrative through its main protagonist - Bill Arena. Morelli zooms in on the vividly detailed world of Bill as he goes through various twists and turns that challenge his morals. His focus on characters rather than the quirks of time travel allows Morelli’s novel to expand organically. Through Bill, we realize that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and probably more complex than we think. This allowed me to engage in a what-if conversation with myself, giving me a better understanding of Morelli’s writing style. This is a cleverly written work that is a must-read for fans of science fiction and thriller narratives.
The Angel Theory by John Morelli is about Bill Arena, a man disgusted with and depressed by the law. Now aged 55, he is in the middle of a crisis in his career, marriage, and supporting his children. An old friend from his high school, now a genius physicist, asks Bill for help. Peter Swanteck has made time travel possible, but using it might have unwanted consequences for the world. Peter convinces Bill to help him, and eventually, the control of the project is passed to Bill. With the time machine under his command, he opens Pandora’s box of chaos that slowly destroys his life and everyone around him. Bill Arena has to make a hard choice - destroy the machine before it can be used as a weapon or allow himself to be consumed by self-interest.
John Morelli’s The Angel Theory is an interesting, exciting, and well-written novel that hooks you from the start. While the narrative is partly science fiction with the element of time travel, Morelli grounds his narrative through its main protagonist - Bill Arena. Morelli zooms in on the vividly detailed world of Bill as he goes through various twists and turns that challenge his morals. His focus on characters rather than the quirks of time travel allows Morelli’s novel to expand organically. Through Bill, we realize that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and probably more complex than we think. This allowed me to engage in a what-if conversation with myself, giving me a better understanding of Morelli’s writing style. This is a cleverly written work that is a must-read for fans of science fiction and thriller narratives.
Recommend this book:
Unfair Discrimination
Mark Shaiken
2023 Gold Medal
344 Pages
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Fiction - Thriller - Legal
Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
For some time, the Melanshin family has been buying up real estate in Meadowfield, but seems to have fallen on hard times recently; they have stopped making payments to their creditors. It does not sit well with Woody Clarke, who believes that Donnie and Lil Melanshin are deliberately reneging on their obligations, and he is prepared to use any means necessary to get the money owed. Clarke and the other creditors hire big-city lawyer Josephia Jillian Jones to aid their cause, who soon discovers that things are not as they appear in this rural community, where vengeance, bias, and racism run deep. She will need the best resources to win this case in Mark Shaiken’s Unfair Discrimination.
Mark Shaiken infuses the rich history of the American Civil War era into this modern-day tale, vividly bringing it to life. The characters are detailed and unique in their backstories and interactions with each other. The attention to detail relating to the lesser-known aspects of American social issues is informative; his injection of snippets of black history is blended smoothly into this intriguing storyline. Revenge-themed stories within rural communities have not looked this immersive to me for some time, and the courtroom antics of Clark and 3J added a refreshingly humorous touch to a story overwhelmingly oriented to legal processes. The pace is fluid and picks up as the climax approaches. Unfair Discrimination is a richly blended and enjoyable reading experience. Kudos to Shaiken for this impressive work.
For some time, the Melanshin family has been buying up real estate in Meadowfield, but seems to have fallen on hard times recently; they have stopped making payments to their creditors. It does not sit well with Woody Clarke, who believes that Donnie and Lil Melanshin are deliberately reneging on their obligations, and he is prepared to use any means necessary to get the money owed. Clarke and the other creditors hire big-city lawyer Josephia Jillian Jones to aid their cause, who soon discovers that things are not as they appear in this rural community, where vengeance, bias, and racism run deep. She will need the best resources to win this case in Mark Shaiken’s Unfair Discrimination.
Mark Shaiken infuses the rich history of the American Civil War era into this modern-day tale, vividly bringing it to life. The characters are detailed and unique in their backstories and interactions with each other. The attention to detail relating to the lesser-known aspects of American social issues is informative; his injection of snippets of black history is blended smoothly into this intriguing storyline. Revenge-themed stories within rural communities have not looked this immersive to me for some time, and the courtroom antics of Clark and 3J added a refreshingly humorous touch to a story overwhelmingly oriented to legal processes. The pace is fluid and picks up as the climax approaches. Unfair Discrimination is a richly blended and enjoyable reading experience. Kudos to Shaiken for this impressive work.
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