"Beyond Reasonable Doubt", by Robert Dugoni

Keera Duggan : A legal thriller book #2

Even if this is the second book in the series I assure you if you pick this one you will not have any trouble getting into it, it stands well by its own.

Keera next case is defending disgraced CEO Jenna Bernstein, a master manipulator accused of murdering her former partner. Jenna is a childhood friend and knows her very well: what Jenna does or goes, trouble is not far behind. Five years earlier Keera’s father had successfully defended Jenna when her company scientist was found dead after he threatened to go public with allegations of corporate fraud..... déjà vu....all over again. Enjoy.

Mr. Dugoni knows how to pen a very complex and exciting plot for our entertainment and how to draw exceptional characters to play roles that will keep us glued by every movement they do. Jenna is really an unlikable character she will never tell the truth when a lie will do. She is a master manipulator that will play you like a fiddle and you will never know it that you been had. On the other hand Keera is smart, witty and tackles her case very strategically like a chess player would do. In legal sagas we need a strong and charming man, Detective Rossi plays the investigating role to a tee and along the way budding romance is in the books. Of course the courtroom shenanigan is top notch...

The story weaves through the mystery smoothly and gives us twists and clues to tease us till the conclusion. What a gripping and captivating story. I simply love Mr. Dugoni style and the stories he gives us...One of my favourite authors...

I received this ARC from the publisher Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley.

"Forgotten Remains", by Melinda Woodhall

A Bailey Flynn FBI Mystery Book #4

While investigating a brutal stabbing FBI Special Agent Bailey Flynn discovers that this crime is linked to the murder of an unidentified woman with connection to a notorious crime cartel. After a search of the crime scene the remains of a local woman who vanished decades ago is also found.....who is this madman and what propels him to kill....

Melinda Woodhall’s books are so addictive I cannot resist getting them. Melinda stories never disappoint and this latest proves once again that she is at the top of the game. She knows how to weave an intense, disturbing and scary story to keep us captivated till the very end. Of course at the forefront is a well plan murder investigation: the hunt for a mad man that was so obsessed by a woman rejection that he killed her or was his action simple revenge...or a cartel payback. What did she do?..... Of course it is for the reader to discover.

Ms. Woodhall keeps focus on her protagonist as she works her case. The action is steady and the pacing is smooth not at all bog down with too unnecessary details. The narrative and dialogue are energetic, keeping a good tempo all though. I also appreciate how the author never forgets to add a few surprises along the way, some twists to derail us and a few new characters to get to know.

Although this latest is part of a series it can be read by its own

I zipped through this book in no time it was that enjoyable.

I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntary

"Over the Edge", by Irene Hannon

Undaunted Courage Book #2

Lindsey Barned is the main character in this story and Detective Jack Tucker is a strong secondary player both made this story and exciting read.

The story in a few words:

Lindsey has much going for her and is trying to stay one step ahead of the trauma experienced years ago till the day she thought she was losing her mind and find herself in the middle of another crisis. Not only she is the sole witness in a high-profile murder case but her sanity is in question....Then come into play Detective Jack Tucker to save the day.....

My thoughts:

Ms. Hannon never fails to give us a captivating story that will be hard to put down and will pin us down and on the edge of our seat till we reach the conclusion. This latest adds a tad of psychological aspect by playing with her protagonist’s mind: is Lindsey losing her mind or not? Is she seeing things that were never there?

The very handsome Detective Tucker tries to make sense of the information Lindsey is provided but wants not only to believe her but put an end to the mystery. Doing so, Tucker faces a multitude of twists and counter twists to derail him and us as reader questioning is we may have figured out the right whodunit....Three quarters in I had an idea who it may be...hey I was half right. Of course the two of them working closely together the inevitable happened and both had twinkles in their eyes... awe.....

This story is well-written: clean with a tiny bit of romance, a small amount of faith and lots and lots of suspense.

I received this book from the publisher Revell via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it

"Unbalanced", by D.P. Lyle

Jake Longly volume #7

Although this book is part of a series ”Unbalanced” stands very well by its own but once you read one book you will be so captivated you will want more. This series is an immensely entertaining.

In “Unbalanced”, P.I. Jake and Nicole are asked to pick up some papers from a realtor’s business. When they reached the office they found the body of Carl Davis, the realtor, dead from a single gunshot to the head. Who did this? A long list of suspects with motives makes this case a tough one. Working along with Pancake, their associate, they dive into this complex mystery....and discover that Carl’s partner may have skimmed and stashed $300,000 in offshore accounts. The mystery deepens and we find ourselves in the middle of a hunt for the truth.

This is a poignant and funny tale with clever plot twists that will surprise most of us. It is said with a prose that is not only smart but also stylish and is intercepted by snappy dialogue to make us smile. I love the characters; Jake is a true original, smart and funny; Pancake still has his feeding frenzies every time he has a chance. Boy that character loves to eat, drink and smoke. Nicole pulls her own and is essential to the dynamic of the group. With millions at stake and a murder to solve they had to work with the police department and blossoming behind the scenes is an attraction between Pancake and a very attractive police officer...awe.

This was supposed to be a simple task. Five minutes tops....

I simply love this story D.P. Lyle is an author to watch..

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher Oceanview Publishing for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"Dead Man's Time", by Peter James

Roy Grace volume # 9

This story concerns the theft of valuable paintings and other antiques from a house of an elderly woman who died a short time later from the savage beating sustained during the robbery, Aileen McWhirter was 98 years old. Her younger brother Gavin is not only shocked and saddened by this tragedy but is particularly upset about the disappearance of a treasured watch. Detective Superintendent Roy Grace will head the enquiry and finds himself following a murderous race against the clock....and us in another very exciting saga.

The story opens in 1920’s New York when a boy’s mother is killed and the father kidnapped by hard looking men. Then the story quickly moves to Brighton present day with Grace investigating the home invasion. The story unfolds gradually with these two events on both sides of the Atlantic. Back and forth we go. I quite like the way the two different time periods come back together especially at the end. In tandem with the main story but not really a part of it is that someone is after Roy and his family and wants desperately to pull them apart even killed them. Grace nemesis, Amis Smallbone, definitely has a twisted obsession for revenge against our protagonist.

I love how Mr. James is able to takes ideas and make it seem real and believable such as the antiques trade and the psychology of revenge. The cast of characters is great I particularly loved Roy’s relationship with Cleo and their baby Noah which is very well-done in my books. Grace and his team of investigators also work superbly well together. They dig out clues and drive the investigation along while building tension for us to stay riveted till the very end, another plus. Of course the bad guys are interesting and their part give traction even more to this very exciting drama. Oh! Sandy as always has her usual snippet to tease us...what will she do?. Said with short chapters, this gripping tale is a masterful juggling act for the author as well as for Grace.

There is a lot I could mention going on here but I have to leave some for you to discover. This story is so smooth; I zipped through it in no time.

"The More the Terrier", by David Rosenfelt

An Andy Carpenter Novel volume 30

Lawyer Andy Carpenter defends Brian Bremer, a Rutgers student, accused of killing his professor, Prof Steven Rayburn, over the grade on one of his assignments. Apart from the flimsy motive, the evidence is dismayingly strong but despite all the claims against his client Andy will not be deterred in anyways and will not take long for him to unmask the true killer.

Don’t fool yourself with the Christmas book cover this latest can be read at any time and doesn’t need to follow its predecessor to enjoy. So go for it.

I simply love the humoristic tone all through; not funny out loud but the happy grin never left my face. Andy has a dry, sarcastic sense of humour and says anything with wit. His comments really hit the spot in my books. The plot is intriguing as it slowly develops the action gets exciting and we see Andy at his best. Since this is not my first experience with Mr. Rosenfelft style, I can say he has adopted a formula that suits him just fine and he is sticking to it but never forgets to give us a fresh and captivating story to enjoy. We have recurring actors that never stop pleasing the readers: Tara, a golden retriever, Hunter, a pug, Sebastian. A basset hound and the star, Murphy the terrier, Andy’s wife...Laurie also the regular cast have parts to help things move along. Oh yes we have courtroom scenes ... imaginative and entertaining.

This is a fun series. I am looking forward to Andy’s next drama.

I received this ARC from the publisher St-Martin’s Press via NetGalley for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.

"The President's Lawyer", by Lawrence Robbins

A Legal thriller

Attorney Rob Jacobson is asked by his lifelong best friend, the former President of the U.S., to defend him when he is accused of murdering his mistress. Typical of many powerful men, the president has anger issues, some unconventional sexual habits and can be an unpleasant man. As the high-profile case unfurls their past complicate Rob’s efforts and doubts begin to take roots in his head: could his friend be capable of murder?.....politic aside let the trial begin...

The thriller is mostly entertainment it starts at a snail pace and keeps pretty much that tempo till the end. We have intensive background on both the president and the defence attorney and through the story tid-bits of memories show up. By the end we pretty well know these two characters and what makes them tick.

I loved the court shenanigan the back and forth between the defence and the prosecutor was active and well-done, mostly amusing. Following the court proceedings there is a fair amount of edge-of- your seat action with a few surprises tossed in. Rob defends Jack and will prove his innocence in the trial of the century with all one’s might.

This story is written by a man familiar around a courtroom and knows how to pull his readers into the drama. Once in the courtroom I couldn’t put this book aside. The story is narrated mostly by Rob although by the end one unknown character share his voice setting doubts and second guessing who the killer may be..... Wow what a mind-blowing ending.....

This story is a quick read, entertaining and suspenseful.

Thank you Aria Books and Netgalley