Wasted Justice

Justice #4

by Diane Capri

Judge Willa Carson’s mother Kate Austin’s new husband, a hot Italian model, lures Willa into investigating a thirty-year old murder. When no-nonsense Federal Judge Wilhelmina Carson is presented with the facts of the case she’s convinced that Billie Jo Steam is innocent.

Determined to right the wrongs of a justice system in which she believes, and to please Kate no matter what, Willa pulls out all the stops, including the use of genetic testing and her most distinguished political connections, to give Billie Jo back her family and her freedom.

But there isn’t much time to celebrate…

The deeper Willa delves into this timeworn case and the complex relationships that surround it, the more she realizes that there are still many people in Tampa — from pillars of the community, to old hippies, to friends and co-workers — who will do whatever it takes to keep the past buried. Judge Willa stays on the long, cold trail until truth prevails at the very end of the road and Kate makes a killing.

*formerly titled “Kate’s Killing”

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Legal Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Legal

305 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2011

About the author

Bestselling author Diane Capri is a recovering lawyer. She’s a snowbird who divides her time between Florida and Michigan. An active member of Mystery Writers of America, Author’s Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime, she loves to hear from readers and is hard at work on her next novel.

Connect with her online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/@DianeCapri
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-...

Here’s the Long version, if you’re looking for more info:

#1 Amazon Bestselling Author Diane Capri’s work is what the #1 worldwide publishing phenomenon Lee Child calls “Full of thrills and tension, but smart and human, too.” Margaret Maron, Edgar, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Award-winning MWA Past President, says: “Expertise shines on every page.” And Library Journal raves: “….offers tense legal drama with courtroom overtones, twisty plots, and loads of atmosphere. Recommended.”

Diane’s new Jess Kimball series kicked off with Fatal Distraction, opening as the #3 Bestselling Legal Thriller, behind John Grisham. Diane’s new Hunt for Jack Reacher series began with Don’t Know Jack, which garnered #1 Bestseller spots on Mystery, Hard-boiled Mystery, Police Procedural, Women Sleuths, and Legal Thriller lists both in the U.S. and U.K. Don’t Know Jack was followed by two bestselling short stories in the Hunt for Jack Reacher series, Jack in a Box and Jack and Kill. Diane’s Judge Wilhelmina Carson mysteries were praised by Romantic Times and garnered the coveted “Top Pick.” Diane’s savvy, spunky character, attorney Jennifer Lane, stars in her own romantic suspense series, which kicks off with Annabelle’s Attack.

Diane is the past Executive Vice President of International Thriller Writers, past member of the Board of the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and active in Sisters in Crime and other writing organizations. She comes to writing after a successful legal career and is married to her college sweetheart. She loves her nomadic snowbird existence preferring perpetual summer migrating from Florida to Michigan each year.

Diane says she writes mystery and suspense for the same reason she reads: to find out what happens, why people do what they do, and how to bring justice to an unjust world.Her books are translated in twenty territories. Diane loves to hear from readers. Contact her at: DianeCapri.com/Contact to receive notice of new releases, subscribe to Diane’s blog, or simply connect with her.

Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time reading this book.

First time, bought this book April, 2014 and liked it. Judge Willa Carson is interesting characters, but she is surrounded with characters that can keep secrets. Innocent woman in prison for murder she didn't commit. Parts of story dragged on and on, got confusing in parts.

[David Highton · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent enough plot, perhaps not enough to carry a book of this length, but I am afraid I do not find the Willa Carson at all credible. A judge sitting in a product liability case is urged by friends to get involved in a 30 year old murder like some sort of amateur sleuth.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh, what a tangled web we weave." I enjoyed reading a story that was like riding on a roller coaster and never being sure of anything or where you might get off. A well thought out first person novel, written in a way that was not appalling from rancid descriptions or bad language. I was on the journey with her as she obligated herself to find out what no one else seemed to wonder about. Why didn't they? It was a twisted tale of young people wanting to forget publicly, but not in their hearts what happened in 1972. Who wants to pay for the sins of youth? I could relate to the time as my college roommate went to Woodstock, and I married the first time in 1972 and that year stands out to me in a realistic way. I can envision what happens in the story. If you like mystery at all, you will like this one! I do recommend it!

[Debra Lobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets can kill. Diane Capri has used her skills as a writer and lawyer to create a mystery based on politics, relationships, secrets, lies and deceit. She demonstrates how these attributes can be more lethal than any weapon a killer can possibly use. The hero of Wasted Justice, Judge Wilhelmina Carson (Willa), is a cigar-smoking, no-nonsense woman not to be messed with. Put her up to a challenge and she'll take it.

Billie Jo was convicted of murdering her husband, Trey, 30 years ago. Between Willa's friend Ursula and Billie Jo's son Harris, Willa is encouraged to informally investigate the case. There are other people who warn Willa against re-opening this case, but this only encourages her more. She decides to interview people who were close to Billie Jo and Trey, discovering "killing" secrets about people she thought she knew. Willa also enlists the help of Ben, the Chief of Police, convincing him to find the original evidence and use DNA tests on them that weren't available at the time of the murder.

Willa eventually discovers the truth about that fateful night but not without changing the lives of everyone related to the case including some of them winding up dead.

Wasted Justice is full of "Killing Secrets" that Diane Capri skillfully uses to create a journey of twists and turns before leading us to the truth. I had minimal sleep for a couple of nights because I couldn't stop reading this book - but it was well worth the sacrafice. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a good mystery.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed other books in this series. This one is well-written as far as structure, plotting, character development, and wording are concerned. I remained fairly interested until about 75% of the way through, when it just became tedious and too detailed to keep my interest. I just skip-read the rest of it quickly in order to start reading something more interesting.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 4th book in Diane Capri’s Justice series. It’s written mostly in 3rd person with too much “stream of conscience” for my taste, she’s not William Faulkner. Lots of side stories in this tale. The crux deals with free love, hippies, Alzheimer's, Huntington’s, head injuries & of course murders. At times it’s slow & plodding. If the next book is similar I may drop this series.

[Ricki Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasted Justice

As always Diana Capri comes through I love judge Carson and everything she stands for I enjoy the stories and I lose a lot of sleep staying up way past my bedtime because I can't put the books down

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intriguing and suspenseful story.

The author has written a great story full of mystery and and suspense that will keep you fully engaged as the story and suspense continues to unfold. A very enjoyable story.

[Don Paske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Diane Capri and her very unconventional US District judge. Some parts were a bit tedious, but it still warrants four stars.

[Sharon Darrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, as well as the entire series by this author. Good characters and a well paced plot makes this book highly entertaining.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Not as interesting as another but still good. I like the Florida setting and descriptions. Surprised by how much free time she has to solve crimes as a judge.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Carson mysteries are always a great read. This one is complex and interesting.

[Jim & Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review

I liked the mystery portion of the book but I kept getting the relationships of all the characters mixed up.

[Susan Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy the series. Waiting to read #5.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I generally enjoy Capri's books and this was no exception.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book, in the Justice series, by Diane Capri. It’s a fantastic book. I hope you enjoy it.

[SUZANNE EMMETT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the series

Love Diane Capri, love Willa (though I'm a bit concerned about the frequency of her tuna consumption ) can't wait to see what she gets into next!

[Joe Sewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this novel through Story Cartel, in exchange for a review. The review did not have to be positive, simply honest.

That being said, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It kept me engaged throughout. The first-person perspective doesn't hinder the overall view of the book, as one might think it would. You can feel the protagonist's inner struggles, as well as see the external ones.

I can't quite decide if the "whodunnit?" question can be determined too easily or not at all from the narrative. Capri does lead you along, though, through Willa's eyes, into the case and the details therein ... not too slowly, but not too fast-paced, either.

I must admit, too, that the thought of an innocent tried, found guilty, and spending tons of time in prison appeals to me, if for no other reason than it actually happened to the brother of a friend of mine, who was released after almost the same amount of time as Billie Jo Steam. Sometimes the justice system doesn't work right ... and sometimes, you've got a judge like Willa willing to make things right without breaking the law herself.

[J.H. Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willa Carson, the novel’s heroine, is a gin and tonic drinking, cigar smoking, Mercedes driving, card carrying WASP. She’s also a federal judge with a conscious, and so when she discovers that an innocent—and dying—woman has been in prison for thirty years for killing her drunkard of a husband, she knows she has to help.

The hard nosed Willa succeeds, but the happy-ever-after doesn’t go as planned . The killer strikes again, and Willa has to go back to the case to find out what really happened.

Wasted Justice is set in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida, and author Diane Capri goes to great lengths to show the reader around the city she clearly has a deep affinity for. It’s a sumptuous tour, but not without it’s dangers.

Capri’s style is clean, clear, and thorough. Sometimes a bit too thorough, as when she reminds us of details and events a few too many times. However, the intricate plot and enviable heroine are well worth the time. If you like surprising thrillers set in beautiful places, Wasted Justice meet and even exceed your expectations.

[Katherin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasted Justice is a well-written story about a federal judge who becomes embroiled in a quest to free a seemingly wrongly-convicted murderer. However, the book is really about what happens after the parole hearing. I loved the characters--well-rounded and filled with both good and bad characteristics, as most people are. Because I am not a lawyer, the explanations about the legal procedures seemed a bit long and the trial that the judge is involved in seemed to interrupt the story. But my overall reaction to the book is very positive. I would recommend this book!

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS THE FOURTH BOOK IN THE JUSTICE SERIES BY DIANE CAPRI. ANOTHER ONE I COULDN'T PIT DOWN. LOTS OF TWISTS AND TURNS AND I THOUGHT I HAD IT FIGURED OUT "WHO DUN IT" SEVERAL TIMES. JUDGE WILLA CARSON IS SUCH A GREAT CHARACTER WHO REALLY TRIES TO HELP AND GET THE REAL STORY OUT. SHE REALLY GIVES IT HER ALL! ALL CHARACTERS TIE IN SO WELL TOGETHER AND HAS MADE ME A HUGE DIANE CAPRI FAN. I WILL READ ALL HER BOOKS. I HATED TO GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT WANTING TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A legal procedural murder mystery. A case spanning decades lands in Judge Willa Carson's lap when she's asked to help free an innocent woman from prison. She is exonerated, but the celebration is short-lived. Willa has her hands full trying to find the original killer and figuring out why more bodies are turning up dead. This was an excellent book, concisely and well written, with superbly mastered plots and sub-plots, well-drawn characters and a colorful backdrop in sunny Florida. It kept me guessing until the very end. Well done! 5 of 5 stars.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read by Diane Capri regarding Judge Willa Carson and her determination to free a woman wrongly accused of murder who has spent thirty years in prison. Just when you think there can be nothing left in this story, another murder takes place with many twists and turns going all the way back to the Woodstock era of free love and wonderment. The Florida scenery descriptions make one clearly visualize the areas. I recommend this book to all mystery readers and I look forward to reading more of Diane's stories, of which there are many.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay for me. It was a good story, very well-written and proofed. It kept my interest but it didn't grab me and I didn't feel a connection with the characters. There were some good twists but overall it was not all that suspenseful. It was interesting to read all the references to Tampa, FL which is near where I grew up. Clearly the author knows the area well and did her research.

(I received this book free from Story Cartel in exchange for writing an honest review.)

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not think that this book was as good as the first Diane Capri--Judge Willa book that I read. I can see how the Chief Judge might fault her for spending so much time investigating. The little quirk of her smoking the occasional cigar could be lost, I think. Nowadays, people are more health conscious than they used to be, and even if she doesn't do it in public, she is still smoking. I didn't find the characters to be very sympathetic, either.

[Kendall L. Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wills finds herself persuaded to get involved in a cold case that borders on jeopardizing her judgeship and will bring down the ire of powerful movers and shakers.

A story of justice thirty years past due, but with tragic results.
There are lessons to be learned on accepting others choices and even a glimpse of Woodstock. Great character development, although more bad guys then good.

[Priss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great thriller by this author - so glad I discovered her!

This is a Judge Willa Carson story, taking place in Tampa. Willa is asked to help get Billie Jo Steam released from prison where she has spent the last 30 years for a murder she did not commit. Many twists and turns before the final page.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I commented in reviewing Secret Justice that Diane Capri had hit her stride in The Willa Carson novels. This book is the best of her Willa Carson novels so far. An even stronger storyline coupled with her usual strong characters & settings made this a can't put down read! No spoilers here, buy the book, read the book & love the book!

[Christine I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, as always! I can never put Diane Capri's books down once I start reading them - really must give up work to read more :)
Thoroughly enjoyed reading the next installment in Judge Willa Carson's life, and following all the twists and turns in the story. Great read, and looking forward to the next one!

[Tasha Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story immediately drew me in, feel connected to a number of the characters, sense the suspense building, multiple murders, multiple murderers, satisfactory ending. A bit slow in the middle. But it picked up again and had a great ending.

Review copy from Story Cartel for honest review.