James Chandler (2)

In Reasonable Suspicion, Sam Johnstone, an amputee and wounded Afghan war veteran, gives legal defense counsel to those of limited financial means. And Cyan Dymond (as in blue diamond) needs his help when arrested. Cyan’s boyfriend/pimp, Kaycee Spencer, treats her poorly, yet she continues to take the abuse while skimming off the profits and saving for her eventual planned escape. Meanwhile, Sam allows a former judge, Preston Daniels, who can no longer sit on the bench due to an alcohol show more problem, become a work associate in Sam’s law firm. Daniels soon forms a father-daughter-like bond with Cyan. Cyan, after a particularly harsh beating she receives from Kayce, does finally agree to a restraining order, yet afterwards files a motion to dismiss. Predictively, she keeps going back for more abuse, claiming that she loves her abuser. It seems Kaycee, a despicable human being, is her income lifeline because she also has a drug habit. Although she’s a dancer at a gentlemen’s club, where she contacts her prostitution customers, it seems it’s still not enough to feed her addiction After Kaycee Spencer is found dead from a disputable overdose, or possibly a suicide, his demise is afterwards determined a homicide, and Cyan becomes the prime suspect. Sam Johnstone comes to her legal aid and the trial for a homicide proceeds, with its eventual, and proper, solution.

This legal novel is, I believe, the 8th in the Sam Johnstone series, and although not my usual genre read, I was drawn to it because I like and expected a whodunnit. So, the storyline, in my humble opinion, took too long to get to the murder-mystery part (not until chapter 37). Also, the frequency of so many characters having addiction problems (excepting the likeable Cassie, Sam’s secretary, and lead detective, Punch Polson) I found to be somewhat tedious. That said, I’m nonetheless aware there’s a prevalence of addiction struggles in today’s society, so I add kudos that the novel’s protagonist, Sam Johnstone, as noted, manages his own addiction— as so many war veterans must understandably overcome. Remarkably, this novel also succeeds due to its detailed explanations on all the legalese within the storyline—something of which I know little and found useful. As for its strongest asset, its protagonist, Sam Johnstone, one this reader admired; not only because he served his country, but also, as a defense lawyer, he cares enough to seek justice and give aid to those beaten down, broken, and in dire need of a fair shot.

I received a free e-book copy of Reasonable Suspicion from Severn River Publishing to contribute this review. show less

Justice Bites by James Chandler and Laura Snider is a highly recommended, gritty, legal thriller and the first novel in a new series.

Small-town lawyer Marko Bauer is an alcoholic who is consistently late so it is inevitable that he is late when meeting his new client, Nick, who is accompanied by his older cousin Allee Smith. Allee is newly released from prison where she was serving time on drug charges and needs to find a job. When she learns at the courthouse that the Yellow Lark Restaurant show more will hire ex-cons, she applies and encourages Nate to do the same. After working there for several weeks she knows that she needs to find something else.

Allee learns that Marko has been picked up for DWI, and will lose his drivers license so she visits him in the jail and proposes he hire her as a driver. He hires her and he also has her meet with a client he was just assigned. This begins a new beneficial partnership where they help each other and disclose a whole lot of small town corruption.

This is a fast paced legal thriller with two very flawed but intelligent protagonists who are up against a corrupt controlling family in a small Iowa town. The plot can be predictable at times but the discoveries along the way will hold your attention. You will also have to set some disbelief aside that no one ever saw or exposed the corruption as small towns are know for their gossip. It is an entertaining plot and Justice Bites will hold your attention throughout.

This seems to be the start of a new series and it will be interesting to see where it goes. The ending indicates a promising future partnership. Thanks to Severn River for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
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Apparently I have read a different book than everyone else. I did NOT like this book. It jumped around too much. Poor character development. In ept police. Ugh.

Sam Johnstone, Book 2