A dynamic cast drives this worthwhile legal thriller.
Atlanta lawyers fight to save an innocent man on death row in Rothman’s debut novel.
When a north Georgia diner’s owner and chef turn up dead, police arrest Joseph Owens, a busser who was fired just three days before and apparently had altercations with other employees. Owens goes on trial for murder and armed robbery, and though there’s no hard evidence that he committed the crimes (the .45 the victims were killed with is missing, for one thing), the circumstantial case is enough for the majority-white jury to reach a guilty verdict for the Black defendant, who receives a death sentence. Attorney Elena Samuels of the law firm Fox Stern, however, is so sure of Owens’ innocence that she convinces Greg Williams, her colleague at the same firm, to take the man’s case pro bono. They volunteer themselves as Owens’ counsel in the habeas corpus proceedings, where they intend to “raise every constitutional violation” they’re able to dig up in the trial record. When they’re not arguing with their firm’s managing partner, who’s unhappy about the lawyers’ dwindling billable hours, Elena and Greg reexamine the case and make a startling discovery. Rothman maintains a brisk narrative while showcasing the complexities of the American judicial system. The depiction of Owens’ trial isn’t merely a transcription of witnesses’ testimony; there’s a pretrial hearing, jury selection, and a sentencing hearing, as well, all delivered with succinct rounds of questioning and high-speed dialogue. All the major characters are well developed; the defendant is sympathetic but has his flaws (he’s undeniably quick to anger), and public defender Michael Delaney is a smart and capable attorney. The story ultimately shifts its focus to Elena and Greg, especially the latter’s troubles; for instance, he may be suffering from PTSD. He and Elena’s mutual respect enlivens their scenes together, and a touch of romance doesn’t hurt the duo’s solid professional relationship.
A dynamic cast drives this worthwhile legal thriller.Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2024
ISBN: 9781685134754
Page Count: 298
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A satisfying thriller that will warm the hearts of fans who already take comfort in hating the forces of evil.
Lt. Eve Dallas’ 63rd futuristic case is less a whodunit than a manhunt for an unusually sympathetic killer.
Thirteen years ago, way back in 2048, scientific genius Steve Redman—father of the Banner-Wyst corporation’s Rainmaker Project—narrowly escaped death in a gas explosion that killed his pregnant wife and infant son and 200 other residents of their New York City apartment building the night before he planned to report his suspicions about the company to the FBI. Now the bill is coming due for Banner-Wyst. The first death to be discovered is that of Lawrence Chu, Redman’s colleague and trusted friend, whose tenure as director of bioengineering science ends when he’s beaten to death. For quite a while, Dallas and her partner, Det. Delia Peabody, know less about this mystery than their readers do. But when Ezra Dent, a consultant to Banner-Wyst who worked with Redman and Chu back in the day, is murdered in exactly the same ferocious way, Dallas and Peabody, with help from Roarke, Dallas’ tech-billionaire husband, promptly put the pieces together and determine who they’re looking for. The search for Redman, who went AWOL from his hospital bed without a trace six years ago, has its own challenges. So does Dallas’ attempt to get cooperation from partners Calvin Banner and Jacob Wyst, who are clearly in the crosshairs of a killer who seems a lot less monstrous than they are. If the breaks in the case are suspiciously convenient in arriving, readers can pride themselves on taking sides against a mega-corporation whose self-avowed ecological saintliness is undermined by its leaders’ underhanded dealing.
A satisfying thriller that will warm the hearts of fans who already take comfort in hating the forces of evil.Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026
ISBN: 9781250414564
Page Count: 368
Publisher: St. Martin's
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
Starts with a bang and closes with a knockout punch of an ending.
A violent attack hijacks a woman’s memory in this novel of domestic suspense.
McFadden wastes no time pulling the trigger in this harrowing story that starts with gunfire then swiftly propels readers into a crack tale of secrets and misdirection. Originally self-published in 2016, the book carries the same formidable weight as McFadden’s later novels featuring unsuspecting women who lose their power then fight to recapture it—mostly from men who have betrayed them. That formula perfectly fits Dr. Charlotte McKenna, a 37-year-old dermatologist who isn’t looking for love until the most handsome man she’s ever seen begins to woo her. There are warning signs about Clark Douglas and Charlotte overlooks them to her detriment—but is he a killer? The novel has dual timelines split between events leading up to the day Charlotte barely survives a head wound meant to kill her and the months afterward, when she struggles to reclaim her memory and her mobility. In real life, McFadden is a physician trained to treat brain injuries. Her expertise gives Charlotte’s rehabilitation authenticity, and her writing talent makes it interesting and engaging. As good as that timeline is, readers will yearn to get back to the alternate timeline about who wants Charlotte dead. It’s only a matter of time before Charlotte starts to remember who tried to kill her, and the clock is ticking toward their next attempt. McFadden dishes up plenty of suspects: Charlotte’s secretive husband, Clark; a former patient turned stalker who confronts Charlotte on her honeymoon; and the angry husband of a patient who blames Charlotte for his wife leaving him. Though the story is delicious and dark, McFadden brightens things up with a possible love interest for Charlotte and a surprise ending sure to please the author’s many fans.
Starts with a bang and closes with a knockout punch of an ending.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
ISBN: 9781464249617
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Poisoned Pen
Review Posted Online: July 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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