Mark M. Bello

I received an advance copy of this book. Thank you

Although this is the 9th book in the Zachary Blake series, this is the first I've read. I was completely able to enjoy this book without having read the previous ones, but I plan to read this series, starting at book one.
The book is incredibly timely and relevant to current goings on and highlights how insidious bigotry and hate crimes are becoming, and the inequity and old school mindset entrenched in law enforcement; all without being preachy.
The action is fast paced and compelling. Zack Blake, a highly successful lawyer, attends the Bar Mitzvah of the son of his best friend. What should have been a great day, celebrating this milestone, ends up with a bombing at the temple, and the young man and his neighbor being kidnapped.
Zack uses his connections to gather the best and brightest to find young Josh. There are the usual power struggles within law enforcement to be the "lead" on the investigation, that threatens to slow progress. Soon those involved wonder if more than what they originally assumed is at play, and that the players in the kidnapping are more than hateful strangers.
Great Book.… (más)

cozy-mystery, murder, legal-system, lawyers, law-enforcement, university, writers, falsely-accused, friendship, friends, judiciary, justice, new-series, secrets, lies, suspense, investigation, ex-cop, private-investigators*****

The university president is charged with the murder of a scumbag tenured professor with a history of extortion and harassment. And so retired Judge Rosaline Maxwell begins to unofficially investigate the claims against one friend with the assistance of another (former police officer Charlie Granger now retired and working as a private investigator). Between them, they define "due diligence" and find more snakes in the grass than they expected. Excellent beginning to a series I want to follow!
I requested and received an EARC from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. Thank you!… (más)