Injustice for All (Joe Dillard Series)

The first chapter is often the most telling and best first impression of an author’s writing style, offering readers that tiny teaspoon of what’s to come and a glimpse at future possibilities. In just a few short pages, Scott Pratt skillfully introduces his believable characters, lays down a firm foundation and instantly peaks our curiosity.

Joe Dillard is the guy next door and has learned through the years to focus on the important things in life; family and friends. Things—while certainly far from perfect—are manageable until the day he has a front row seat to the suicide of his best friend and colleague, Ray Miller. Pushed over the edge by a crushing trial judge, Ray decides the best option for his failing career is the final show more decision and only hope for his financially floundering family. Unfortunately, Ray—though not the only casualty of the out of control judge—was the most notable and when Judge Green is found hanging by his neck from a tree, the list of viable suspects is slim. The link to Joe and Ray’s family is too compelling to ignore and as the easy choice, authorities instantly direct their focus on the obvious choice.

With an intense emotional draw, “Injustice for All” is a powerful and consuming piece of fiction and Pratt’s voice is unmistakable.

Reviewed by Shannon Raab with Suspense Magazine
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This was definitely another worthwhile installment in the series. I especially like that they're all standalone books, since it makes it easier and gives each individual book a central case and plot - which really just seems to fit better. This particular one definitely took some crazy turns along the way, but overall follows the same general pattern as the previous books. And, hey, it works! Dillard is an increasingly likable and moral character, a varied supporting cast comes in and out of the picture while still each being developed enough to care about, and as a reader I'm definitely engaged enough to want to know where this guy's career goes next.

This has potential to be a good story, a real page turner that suffered from multiple shifts in time sequences and characters.

Joe Dillard is a former defense attorney turned prosecutor. When his friend commits suicide because of some ill treatment by a local judge, everything begins to unravel as the friend's son is sought for the murder and Dillard's boss asks him to file charges that Dillard considers unethical. Oh yes, he's also haunted by the execution of an innocent client. And, oh yes, his wife has breast cancer, but his son is a great baseball player who, of course, gets good grades. Corrupt sherriffs, but a really good one, too.

Lots of problems with this book: a facile ending, too many side-trips, shifting POV's, tense changes, show more too predictable, etc. And yet the story pulled me along. Probably be a great, if somewhat frustrating, airplane book. Think this review is disjointed? Read the book.

And I swear that animal on the cover looks like a sealion. show less

Whew! There's a lot going on here. A judge has been found burned and hanging from a tree and the major suspect is Dillard's best friend's son. There is also a missing a missing District Attorney's Office employee. There's a big build up in both of the plots; however, the denouement is quickly, conveniently, and disappointingly written.

Joe Dillard witnesses one of his lawyer friends being denigrated by an unpopular and somewhat power mad judge. His friend then commits suicide in court in front of that same judge, who is later found hanging from a tree outside his own home. Joe’s family are involved because his friend’s wife is also a close friend of Joe’s wife, and Joe’s son is best friends with the Miller’s son who becomes the main suspect in the murder inquiry.
What this story shows is just how corrupt officials can be – the judge for one, and members of the FBI for another. Sherriff Bates, who has featured in previous stories, plays a very large part in setting things to rights, but the internal politicking that takes place is quite mind boggling. The show more book is well conceived and moves through the story with some pace, all the ends are neatly tied up even though Joe ends up with a role in which he did not see himself. The next books are probably even more revealing. show less

Bellissimo.
Il suicidio dell’amico Ray, l’omicidio di un giudice e la scomparsa di una giovane dipendente dell’Ufficio del Procuratore Distrettuale daranno alquanto da fare al viceprocuratore Dillard.
Un altro imperdibile della serie.

There is a dead lawyer, a murdered judge and a district attorney's employee missing. Can Dillard solve these cases, who can he trust.