Deadlocked

Lou Mason Mystery #4

by Joel Goldman

Cruel Summer

As a heat wave stifles Kansas City, a death-row inmate is served his final meal, makes his final confession, and uses his final breath to proclaim his innocence. For fifteen years, Ryan Kowalczyk denied having slaughtered a young couple in their car as their three-year old lay sleeping in the back seat. But when his friend Whitney King, who also stood accused, turned against him, his fate was sealed...

Attorney Lou Mason understands the pain of being orphaned, so when the victims' now-teenage son asks for his help in suing blueblood King--who got off scot-free--Lou can't turn him down. Coincidentally, Kowalczyk's mother wants to hire him for the same purpose. And things get even more interesting once Lou discovers that four of the jurors on the original case died violently...while the rest have disappeared.

Now, with each sweltering day that passes, it becomes clearer that someone will do whatever it takes--from making death threats to carrying them out--to stop Mason in his tracks. The deeper he probes, the greater the danger--until the past and present collide in an explosion of deceit, corruption, and murder...

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Legal Thriller, Ebooks, Legal, Mystery Thriller

363 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Joel Goldman is the Edgar and Shamus nominated author of four thriller series.

His first series features Lou Mason, a trial lawyer willing to dive into the dark water to save his clients.

Joel's second series introduces former FBI Special Agent Jack Davis who has a movement disorder that makes him shake when he should shoot.Joel has a unique perspective on Jack's condition since he lives with the same disorder.

Alex Stone headlines Joel's third series. She's a public defender who applies her own code of justice when the system gets it wrong.

Joel's fourth series goes international with Cassie Ireland and Jake Carter. She's a modern day Robin Hood and he's a professional poker player. They join forces to bring down the rich and powerful.

Joel lives with his wife and two dogs in Leawood, KS, a suburb of Kansas City, MO.

Series:
* Lou Mason Mystery
* Jack Davis Mystery
* Alex Stone Mystery

Reviews

[Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joel Goldman - Lou Mason #4 - Deadlocked
Audiobook - 10:52 Hours - Narrator: Kevin Foley
3.5 Stars ... rounded to 4.0 Stars - I Really Liked It

A legal procedural/thriller incorporating some interesting characters and a reasonably credible plot. This was a well-narrated story and my listening rating hovered between 3.0 and 4.0 most of the time. When I finished "Deadlocked" late at night, I was also deadlocked on 3.5 of 5.0.
Today I reviewed my initial experience and rounded up to 4.0 of 5.0 - I Really Liked It.

[Marianne Stehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lou. I love the company he keeps, the crazy adventures, the plot everything. I can’t wait to read more

[Judy Churchill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. Poor Lou Mason gets himself into the worst situations, but this one was epic. The question of Capital Punishment was a big part of this story. What do you do if you got it wrong and the person who died at the hands of the state was innocent? Can you ever make that right? Lou Mason tries at great personal risk.

[Joyce A Munz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of the series that I have read. It stands alone,but would perhaps be more enjoyable if I had read the first 3 before this. Part of the reason I liked this book was because it takes place in the metro Kansas City area. I have relatives in that area, so am somewhat familiar with places.

Lou Mason strikes me as a lonely man with failed relationships strewn behind him. While he works to prove the innocence of a young man who is executed for murder, Lou also finds that the death of his parents in an auto crash 42 years ago, may have deeper meaning. We find out more at the ending, but it makes me wonder if more will be revealed in the next book. No swearing, no sex scenes. Certainly not a cozy mystery, but a mystery that kept me reading.

[Doug Branscombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lou Mason is a dangerous guy to spend time around. When he decided to take on the task of revisiting a case he and Blues investigated 15 years ago, in part because the perp claimed his innocence right up until his execution, life got very dangerous for Lou and those around him. He even finds himself as defendant, charged with murder. This only slows him down a bit in his dogged pursuit of the truth.

[Karunakaran N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deadlocked by Joel Goldman... A legal thriller at par with John Grisham... Though a few similarities but the expression style is completely different. The similarities is on the description of the places on a legal perspective and the differences are in the portrayal of the court matters. Good Read....

[Richard Cowart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of great series

Lou Mason continues to get himself into dangerous situations but finds himself charged with murder of a friend. This adventure continues to be exciting from start to finish.

[Nick Stika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only read a few of the Lou Mason books, but Goldman is a great author, his style and flow are as good as anybody out there, the universe he's created in Kansas City and the characters in the story are well written and developed. Very enjoyable.

[SUSAN CREWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling story

I am amazed that a person can create such a complex story. This one is gripping and hard to put down.

[Michael Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lou Mason Series for the win

Book four was my least favorite so far, an excellent read all the same. This book didn't keep me excited to turn the page like the previous three.

[Mike Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

I enjoyed it a good story easy to read, good twist at the end but not unexpected given Lou Mason's luck

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5*

This is one I read as a standalone, not
as part of the series.

I found the characters and the main plotline believable and thought provoking regarding the death penalty.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written, interesting, a little too detailed in this laces.

[Michelle Strommen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read! Lou was really good in this one. I loved how the tables got turned on him. The courtroom drama was good. Enjoyed it a lot

[Vir Tink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Just not my favorite so I won't be reading it again.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was even better than the last one. Really enjoyed it and it kept me guessing.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lou

The writing gets better each novel. Lou is up to it again in the enjoyable book. Bring on book 5!! Enjoy!

[Jon C. Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller?

You pretty much know who did it so the story is how did they get away with it what was the reason. Lots of turns and twists.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written book in the Lou Mason series. I appreciate when the protagonist is the smartest person in the room. I rate it 4.8 stars.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I think my favorite in the series thus far. About half way through the book it became almost impossible to put down. Not that the first half was boring, but wow! I felt like the ending was in sight from about half way and then something new would happen. Great, exciting, fun read!

I do recommend reading this series from start to finish in order to understand the character development more fully. It adds a great deal to the stories. You can get all four books in one Prime Lending for Kindle from Amazon or buy all in one using the title "Dead Times Four". Great stuff!

[Scooby Doo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out 3 star, but by the end it was only 2. Too much plot getting in the way of the story. Too many unbelievable coincidences. Motives I can't believe; a wife kills her husband because he's going to turn their son over to the police for murder. Deux ex machina tornado. Ridiculously high body count.

[E. A. Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I see now that this book is part of a series. No worries there. I read it alone and it stood up well by itself. The characters are realistic, and it is thought provoking and suspenseful. Good read.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh, our hero loses his love, is framed for murder, finds out some ugly truths concerning his parents death. plus an innocent man is executed for a crime he never committed. a priest betrays his calling for gold....truth is revealed. our hero cleared but still alone.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did not imagine the ending! What a twist! While I was so curious to find out the whys and wherefores, I was never tempted to skip to the end. The story kept me engrossed and it unfolded beautifully, despite the graphic violence that cropped up. Bravo!

[Teryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Lou Mason, although I do think he is a little more intrepid and less forward thinking than he should be. Who would sit on a bench in the dark in the parking lot of a known murderer?

[Diane Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author came to speak to our book group!

[Donna Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Problems engaging, characters approachable. Just the distraction I needed.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story/characters. Twisted plot but makes sense. Free on kindke

[Kay Etheridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read. Keeps you guessing. Very entertaining.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have become a huge fan of Joel Goldman. When I pick up a book by him I can't put it down. Stories have plenty of the unexpected which keeps me up at night.