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The Last Justice
CHAOS ERUPTS at the U.S. Supreme Court when an assassin guns down six justices as they are hearing a case. Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna, the government's top lawyer in the Supreme Court, is appointed to the multiagency commission investigating the murders. As Congress draws battle lines over who will replace the slain justices, the commission follows clue after clue, each one pointing to an unlikely McKenna himself. In a desperate bid to prove his innocence, McKenna, on the run with his deputy, Kate Porter, must track down a disgraced law clerk with ties to hidden Saudi assets. But their search leads to unexpected alliances, unearthing dark secrets and corruption at the highest levels -- and the people with clues to the riddle keep turning up dead. From the marble halls of the high court to the inner corridors of the West Wing, from the D.C. housing projects to the desolate back roads of a New York Indian reservation, McKenna and Porter are on a collision course with a shadowy enemy who will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried. From its explosive first page to its haunting conclusion, THE LAST JUSTICE explores the politics of law, the bounds of friendship and love, and the frightening price of unbridled ambition.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
108 people are currently reading
1035 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Franze
8 books207 followersANTHONY FRANZE is a bestselling author with St. Martin’s Press, and a lawyer in the Supreme Court practice of a prominent Washington, D.C. law firm. Writing legal thrillers under his own name and commercial fiction under a pen name, his novels have been on numerous "best of the year" lists, translated into twenty-four languages, and four have been optioned or are in development for film and television. His legal thriller THE OUTSIDER is optioned for a major series.
Learn more at http://www.anthonyfranzebooks.com/
Learn more at http://www.anthonyfranzebooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
June 17, 2021
Once again, this is Alex Finlay writing his supreme court thrillers as Anthony Franze, this is a fraught and tense novel where the unimaginable has happened, an assassin managed to escape capture after gunning down 5 Supreme Court Justices, and where amidst the chaos and mayhem, law enforcement mistakenly shot dead Chief Justice Kincaid who tried to shoot the assassin. With the country left reeling, the day has become known as Black Wednesday, with a multi-agency commission formed to get to the truth of what occurred. Months later, they are no nearer to identifying the assassin, and in the meantime, the Supreme Court has been unable to function under the acting Chief Justice, Gillian Cameron, leaving a political and legal vacuum that the President is urgently trying to address by filling the 6 vacancies as soon as possible.
The Solicitor General, 38 year old Jefferson McKenna, is a widower who lost his young son to leukaemia, has been looking at who had potential motives in wanting to stop the Supreme Court from functioning, identifying 2 possibilities, Nevel Industries and the Hassan Brothers. McKenna had been planning to have dinner with an ex-clerk, Parker Sinclair, now clerking for Judge Petrov, but he never turned up. He is woken up in the middle of the night by NYPD police detectives, Chase Assad and Emma Milstein, Sinclair has been found murdered. Before he knows it, McKenna has become a suspect and questions are being asked about him and Black Wednesday in a joint investigation led by Deputy FBI Director, Frank Pacini.
McKenna goes on the run, joined by his deputy, Kate Porter, who will do anything to help him get to the truth, but finding themselves under intense media focus and with further murders, will they be able to survive the danger and threats that swirl around them? This is a complex, engaging and entertaining legal thriller, full of twists and turn, with numerous threads for McKenna, alongside the Pacini, Assad and Milstein to follow. I recommend this to fans of legal and political thrillers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
The Solicitor General, 38 year old Jefferson McKenna, is a widower who lost his young son to leukaemia, has been looking at who had potential motives in wanting to stop the Supreme Court from functioning, identifying 2 possibilities, Nevel Industries and the Hassan Brothers. McKenna had been planning to have dinner with an ex-clerk, Parker Sinclair, now clerking for Judge Petrov, but he never turned up. He is woken up in the middle of the night by NYPD police detectives, Chase Assad and Emma Milstein, Sinclair has been found murdered. Before he knows it, McKenna has become a suspect and questions are being asked about him and Black Wednesday in a joint investigation led by Deputy FBI Director, Frank Pacini.
McKenna goes on the run, joined by his deputy, Kate Porter, who will do anything to help him get to the truth, but finding themselves under intense media focus and with further murders, will they be able to survive the danger and threats that swirl around them? This is a complex, engaging and entertaining legal thriller, full of twists and turn, with numerous threads for McKenna, alongside the Pacini, Assad and Milstein to follow. I recommend this to fans of legal and political thrillers. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 23, 2012
SUPERB- FAST MOVING DEBUT- MAKINGS OF A REAL WINNER!!! my initial reactions to THE LAST JUSTICE...and I am happy to say- INDEED -HAVING COMPLETED IT.. THIS BOOK IS A WINNER!!
"CHAOS ERUPTS at the U.S. Supreme Court when an assassin guns down six justices as they are hearing a case.
Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna, the government's top lawyer in the Supreme Court, is appointed to the multiagency commission investigating the murders. As Congress draws battle lines over who will replace the slain justices, the commission follows clue after clue, each one pointing to an unlikely suspect: McKenna himself."
When reading any debut novel, I am always a bit on guard for "rookie" mistakes like cliches and too obvious cooincidences to "make" the plot work. I am happy to report that in THE LAST JUSTICE, debut writer Anthony J. Franze has produced a thrilling, edge of your seat, and most important original thriller. Mr. Franze has burst onto the thriller scene in a most magnificent way with this addicting tale.
What I loved, (among many things) about THE LAST JUSTICE, is it's pacing. This is a very fast paced story. Chapters are divided into exact times and locations and the reader feels as if they are in on the ride- and what a ride it is!! Jefferson McKenna, the protagonist is an extremely well fleshed out character, one the reader quickly bonds with, a testiment to Mr. Franze's superb skills at fine tuning characters. We are treated to a lead character who is both moral and human- one we truly can root for. This goes for all the characters in the book (including the ones we definately do not want to root for!)- each is so finely word-sketched by Anthony J. Franze that the mind-pictures formed allow the reader to not only picture the character but know them as well. Evil comes in many forms, the most scary to me is the evil that appears most benign to the eye- it's true intent well hidden. In THE LAST JUSTICE, Anthony J. Franze is able to perfect the characterization of evil without resorting to obvious cliches. He has a style all his own, one in which this reader was immediately taken in by- happily!
Anthony J. Franze might have just one book published so far, but if the truly stunning prose of THE LAST JUSTICE is any indication, this reader hopes that there are many,many more to come. He is that good of a writer!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
"CHAOS ERUPTS at the U.S. Supreme Court when an assassin guns down six justices as they are hearing a case.
Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna, the government's top lawyer in the Supreme Court, is appointed to the multiagency commission investigating the murders. As Congress draws battle lines over who will replace the slain justices, the commission follows clue after clue, each one pointing to an unlikely suspect: McKenna himself."
When reading any debut novel, I am always a bit on guard for "rookie" mistakes like cliches and too obvious cooincidences to "make" the plot work. I am happy to report that in THE LAST JUSTICE, debut writer Anthony J. Franze has produced a thrilling, edge of your seat, and most important original thriller. Mr. Franze has burst onto the thriller scene in a most magnificent way with this addicting tale.
What I loved, (among many things) about THE LAST JUSTICE, is it's pacing. This is a very fast paced story. Chapters are divided into exact times and locations and the reader feels as if they are in on the ride- and what a ride it is!! Jefferson McKenna, the protagonist is an extremely well fleshed out character, one the reader quickly bonds with, a testiment to Mr. Franze's superb skills at fine tuning characters. We are treated to a lead character who is both moral and human- one we truly can root for. This goes for all the characters in the book (including the ones we definately do not want to root for!)- each is so finely word-sketched by Anthony J. Franze that the mind-pictures formed allow the reader to not only picture the character but know them as well. Evil comes in many forms, the most scary to me is the evil that appears most benign to the eye- it's true intent well hidden. In THE LAST JUSTICE, Anthony J. Franze is able to perfect the characterization of evil without resorting to obvious cliches. He has a style all his own, one in which this reader was immediately taken in by- happily!
Anthony J. Franze might have just one book published so far, but if the truly stunning prose of THE LAST JUSTICE is any indication, this reader hopes that there are many,many more to come. He is that good of a writer!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
August 31, 2020
This book has been sitting on my Kindle since 2012, and I wish I had read it sooner. Heart pounding suspense from start to finish as the story begins with the assassination of 6 of the 9 supreme court justices during a court session. This book reads like something that might happen in today's crazy world; and with all its twists and turns, I never did figure out who was behind it all until it was revealed at the very end.
A clean read with just a few expletives. If you like suspense, this one is well done.
A clean read with just a few expletives. If you like suspense, this one is well done.
November 30, 2013
3 3-1/2 stars. The plot was interesting, characters not developed. Flipping from one crisis to another solved in seconds was distracting. The formatting errors were annoying. Nice debut novel.
December 25, 2022
Really enjoyed this one, couldn't put it down.
July 7, 2021
I love a good court criminal justice case and this book was like watching the old Law and Order series.
So many scheming moments and unpredictable twists and turns, trust and disappointments. Who is behind everything in the end? That was my question at all times and I just flew through the chapters because it’s fast-paced and I was so engrossed that I completely forgot what time was or what’s happening around me. I highly recommend it.
So many scheming moments and unpredictable twists and turns, trust and disappointments. Who is behind everything in the end? That was my question at all times and I just flew through the chapters because it’s fast-paced and I was so engrossed that I completely forgot what time was or what’s happening around me. I highly recommend it.
July 8, 2012
A decent thriller/mystery all about the US Supreme court has a reader who enjoys this genre of book intrigued from the beginning. Franze uses his first novel to examine the mystery behind the murder of 6 Justices in one of the bloodiest events in US history (his words in the narration). He does a decent job laying out the story, advancing the characters, and keeping things moving on many planes, though sometimes I felt as though we had too many things going on to really keep the story moving effectively. Too many threads to follow made it a little harder for me to feel the forward movement of the story and its characters.
Franze has certainly done some research on the topic and makes excellent connections with what actually happens and how it all plays itself out in his book. The mystery portion was, for the most part, exciting and interesting; though there were times it became highly hokey and even a little sappy. The end comes at you like a cliff dropping, and the book ends abruptly and without much anticipation. "Here is your murderer, goodnight!"
Kudos Mr. Franze for some entertaining work. I look forward to your next book!!
Franze has certainly done some research on the topic and makes excellent connections with what actually happens and how it all plays itself out in his book. The mystery portion was, for the most part, exciting and interesting; though there were times it became highly hokey and even a little sappy. The end comes at you like a cliff dropping, and the book ends abruptly and without much anticipation. "Here is your murderer, goodnight!"
Kudos Mr. Franze for some entertaining work. I look forward to your next book!!
June 16, 2012
Very authentic and believable even if the basic premise is a bit far-fetched. The protagonist is not all pearly white but he's definitely human (although you'll see him doing some out-and-out superheroics as well). In fact, I found almost all of the characters plausible, with lots of focus on the serpentine maneuverings of politics/law/crime and (extremely) personal lives, especially the secrets we all have and hope never surface. It truly shows how some can move away from their past and other allow it to drive them ever downward. The read is quick, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable.
August 11, 2021
Murder/mysteries at the Supreme Court
I make no apology for grouping all three of these murders/mysteries together. In fact, Amazon describes each in the same way - “A suspenseful legal thriller with a shock ending.” The first was an enjoyable read; the second palled a little and the third had a feeling of déjà vu about it.
The Outsider features Gray Hernandez, a messenger who works at the Supreme Court and who works as a law clerk after saving the life of Chief Justice Douglas. The plot was fresh and different and would have merited four stars.
The main character of The Last Justice is Solicitor General, Jefferson McKenna, who is trying to determine who and why gunned down 5 Supreme Court Justices. The motive is unclear, but it is sure to involve corruption and political intrigue.
The Advocate’s Daughter features lawyer Sean Serrat whose daughter goes missing and is found murdered in the Supreme Court’s library. As the main protagonist, it was difficult to relate to Serrat. His past is key to the solution, but his character is a little two dimensional to make the plot sufficiently interesting.
Clearly, Alex Finlay knows a good deal about the Supreme Court and its workings and feels comfortable in using it as a setting for his novels. The writing is good; the characters, in the main, come through strongly and are believable but the novels themselves felt a bit stale and in need of a good dose of fresh air. Overall, though a solid average of three stars.
mr zorg
Elite Reviewing group received a copy of the book to review.
I make no apology for grouping all three of these murders/mysteries together. In fact, Amazon describes each in the same way - “A suspenseful legal thriller with a shock ending.” The first was an enjoyable read; the second palled a little and the third had a feeling of déjà vu about it.
The Outsider features Gray Hernandez, a messenger who works at the Supreme Court and who works as a law clerk after saving the life of Chief Justice Douglas. The plot was fresh and different and would have merited four stars.
The main character of The Last Justice is Solicitor General, Jefferson McKenna, who is trying to determine who and why gunned down 5 Supreme Court Justices. The motive is unclear, but it is sure to involve corruption and political intrigue.
The Advocate’s Daughter features lawyer Sean Serrat whose daughter goes missing and is found murdered in the Supreme Court’s library. As the main protagonist, it was difficult to relate to Serrat. His past is key to the solution, but his character is a little two dimensional to make the plot sufficiently interesting.
Clearly, Alex Finlay knows a good deal about the Supreme Court and its workings and feels comfortable in using it as a setting for his novels. The writing is good; the characters, in the main, come through strongly and are believable but the novels themselves felt a bit stale and in need of a good dose of fresh air. Overall, though a solid average of three stars.
mr zorg
Elite Reviewing group received a copy of the book to review.
July 19, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Six supreme court justices were killed on what became known as Black Wednesday. Three were liberal and three were conservative, so a motive has been difficult to establish. Now it is time to name the new nominees and people related to the supreme court in a lesser capacity are starting to die.
I jumped at the chance to read this when I found out it was the author who used the pseudonym Alex Finlay to write Every Last Fear, which was definitely one of my top reads from last year. This was a good and fast paced read. It reminded me of Joseph Finder, because his books have a lot going on, people are always on the run, and they are very fast paced. I would say my only criticism of this book was that there were a lot of characters introduced, so I found I struggled to keep track of who was who in some cases. Otherwise a solid read, and I look forward to the other two supreme court thrillers from this author as I wait for the next Alex Finlay thriller.
Six supreme court justices were killed on what became known as Black Wednesday. Three were liberal and three were conservative, so a motive has been difficult to establish. Now it is time to name the new nominees and people related to the supreme court in a lesser capacity are starting to die.
I jumped at the chance to read this when I found out it was the author who used the pseudonym Alex Finlay to write Every Last Fear, which was definitely one of my top reads from last year. This was a good and fast paced read. It reminded me of Joseph Finder, because his books have a lot going on, people are always on the run, and they are very fast paced. I would say my only criticism of this book was that there were a lot of characters introduced, so I found I struggled to keep track of who was who in some cases. Otherwise a solid read, and I look forward to the other two supreme court thrillers from this author as I wait for the next Alex Finlay thriller.
August 19, 2021
From never hearing of this author to reading three of his novels in short order is a good thing. This was the third of those novels, and like the other two a thriller based on the legal system as part of the Supreme Court in America.
I have previously said that the author writes thrillers similar to John Grisham, especially his earlier works that gave great detail about the legal process. This was probably the wrong thing to point out as Alex Finlay wrote a great thriller in his own style.
This was a great novel that starts off quick and doesn’t let the pace drop until the final page.
If you are a fan of legal thrillers, in my opinion you will like this one.
I was provided a free ARC of the book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for my honest review.
I have previously said that the author writes thrillers similar to John Grisham, especially his earlier works that gave great detail about the legal process. This was probably the wrong thing to point out as Alex Finlay wrote a great thriller in his own style.
This was a great novel that starts off quick and doesn’t let the pace drop until the final page.
If you are a fan of legal thrillers, in my opinion you will like this one.
I was provided a free ARC of the book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for my honest review.
July 5, 2017
There is so much going on in this book, even for a legal-type thriller, that I have the sense that Mr. Franze was saving up Every Single Plot Point that had ever crossed his mind for his first book, at which point he threw them all into the mix. Still, a fun, quick vacation read, and having grown up in the area, I enjoyed seeing references to many of my old haunts (White Flint, Mazza Galleria...). I'm continuing to find DC-based legal mysteries to be a great diversion from what is otherwise going on (or not) in DC.
September 11, 2017
The Last Justice is Anthony J. Franze's first book describing a vicious shooting spree where six Supreme Court Justices were murdered during arguments on a case. Suspicions are quickly cast on the current Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna. This book was pretty fast paced as there were a lot of suspects to choose from and you need a score card to tell the good guys from the bad guys! But I have enjoyed all of Franze's books and I would definitely recommend this one.
February 25, 2019
Anthony Franze is an amazing writer and his stories are the best! This one is just as good as the other two of his I read. It is so easy to lose track of time while reading his works.
I read this one in one day. I could not stop reading. I tried stopping a couple of times to eat but picked it up and kept reading the second I closed it. Once I started I had to finish.
The mystery is so good! I love the twists, the buildup, and all the details coming together. Such a great book!
I read this one in one day. I could not stop reading. I tried stopping a couple of times to eat but picked it up and kept reading the second I closed it. Once I started I had to finish.
The mystery is so good! I love the twists, the buildup, and all the details coming together. Such a great book!
May 2, 2020
Politics is murderous!
It took me awhile to place all of the characters, but then that is probably Washington D C. As is always the case, the are greedy people everywhere,so it was no surprise that. Washington DC had them also. It maybe fictional but it’s probably closer to real life than not. Enjoy the small view of how the high court works as take everything with a grain of salt. Food tastes better that way.
It took me awhile to place all of the characters, but then that is probably Washington D C. As is always the case, the are greedy people everywhere,so it was no surprise that. Washington DC had them also. It maybe fictional but it’s probably closer to real life than not. Enjoy the small view of how the high court works as take everything with a grain of salt. Food tastes better that way.
June 14, 2021
This a fast paced legal and political thriller which will keep you guessing right to the end. Very reminiscent of Scandal and House of Cards. Jefferson McKenna survived Black Wednesday and has to try and solve the assassinations of six justices of the Supreme Court while the political and legal landscape moves around him and things are not quite what they seem. I can't wait to read more from this author.
November 18, 2021
I love Alex Finlay so was looking forward to this- especially as legal thrillers are my favourite genre! I wanted to love it, but it was rather tiring!
So many characters (I struggle with following books like these, especially if these are added with sideline plots too) and lots of things going on to keep track of.
It was a good read, but not one I will really remember after a while.
So many characters (I struggle with following books like these, especially if these are added with sideline plots too) and lots of things going on to keep track of.
It was a good read, but not one I will really remember after a while.
December 9, 2023
OUTSTANDING! HEART RACING SUSPENSE!
DEFINITELY a book that held my attention and never let go! Well written!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL WHO ENJOY A GREAT LEGAL THRILLER!
DEFINITELY a book that held my attention and never let go! Well written!
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL WHO ENJOY A GREAT LEGAL THRILLER!
July 15, 2024
Absolutely fantastic book. Couldn't put it down - in the end decided that I was just going to sit there and finish it. Have given it to my husband to read now.
I'm not normally a lover of American stories but occasioally one gets through that is brilliant and this was one of them
I'm not normally a lover of American stories but occasioally one gets through that is brilliant and this was one of them
May 5, 2025
A bit far-fetched (I hope) but the story moved well and kept the pages turning. Interesting perspective related to the plan to fill all openings at once with bi-partisan slotting. Doesn't bode well for non-partisan decisions but what else is new?
June 10, 2024
easy read
This is a pretty easy poolside read. Enough suspense and action to keep you interested. I liked it, but did not love it.
This is a pretty easy poolside read. Enough suspense and action to keep you interested. I liked it, but did not love it.
November 9, 2024
This has a lot of suspenseful action and gripping plot. It kept my attention throughout the book.
December 24, 2012
Anthony J. Franze in his new book, “The Last Justice” published by Sterling & Ross Publishers takes us into the life of Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna.
From the inside jacket flap: CHAOS ERUPTS at the U.S. Supreme Court when an assassin guns down six justices as they are hearing a case.
Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna, the government’s top lawyer in the Supreme Court, is appointed to the multiagency commission investigating the murders. As Congress draws battle lines over who will replace the slain justices, the commission follows clue after clue, each one pointing to an unlikely suspect: McKenna himself.
In a desperate bid to prove his innocence, McKenna, on the run with his deputy, Kate Porter, must track down a disgraced law clerk with ties to hidden Saudi assets. But their search leads to unexpected alliances, unearthing dark secrets and corruption at the highest levels — and the people with clues to the riddle keep turning up dead. From the marble halls of the high court to the inner corridors of the West Wing, from the D.C. housing projects to the desolate back roads of a New York Indian reservation, McKenna and Porter are on a collision course with a shadowy enemy who will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.
From its explosive first page to its haunting conclusion, THE LAST JUSTICE explores the politics of law, the bounds of friendship and love, and the frightening price of unbridled ambition.
For me there is something about a legal thriller set in Washington, D.C. that seems to scream this is going to be exciting. And who better to write such a book than a legal expert? Anthony J. Franze is a lawyer in the Appellate and Supreme Court practice at a large Washington, D.C. law firm so he knows whereof he speaks. Get ready “The Last Justice” has an action-packed explosive beginning and rockets along from there. McKenna is accused by the Senate and is now on the run as he desperately tries to clear his name and find out who really is behind the conspiracy. Action, adventure, twists and turns as you read as fast as you can to find out what will happen next. Mr. Franze has given us a great legal thriller that will keep you up late so I recommend that you start reading early because you will not want to put it down until you finish, no matter what time it is. I look forward to more stories from this very talented author.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the inside jacket flap: CHAOS ERUPTS at the U.S. Supreme Court when an assassin guns down six justices as they are hearing a case.
Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna, the government’s top lawyer in the Supreme Court, is appointed to the multiagency commission investigating the murders. As Congress draws battle lines over who will replace the slain justices, the commission follows clue after clue, each one pointing to an unlikely suspect: McKenna himself.
In a desperate bid to prove his innocence, McKenna, on the run with his deputy, Kate Porter, must track down a disgraced law clerk with ties to hidden Saudi assets. But their search leads to unexpected alliances, unearthing dark secrets and corruption at the highest levels — and the people with clues to the riddle keep turning up dead. From the marble halls of the high court to the inner corridors of the West Wing, from the D.C. housing projects to the desolate back roads of a New York Indian reservation, McKenna and Porter are on a collision course with a shadowy enemy who will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.
From its explosive first page to its haunting conclusion, THE LAST JUSTICE explores the politics of law, the bounds of friendship and love, and the frightening price of unbridled ambition.
For me there is something about a legal thriller set in Washington, D.C. that seems to scream this is going to be exciting. And who better to write such a book than a legal expert? Anthony J. Franze is a lawyer in the Appellate and Supreme Court practice at a large Washington, D.C. law firm so he knows whereof he speaks. Get ready “The Last Justice” has an action-packed explosive beginning and rockets along from there. McKenna is accused by the Senate and is now on the run as he desperately tries to clear his name and find out who really is behind the conspiracy. Action, adventure, twists and turns as you read as fast as you can to find out what will happen next. Mr. Franze has given us a great legal thriller that will keep you up late so I recommend that you start reading early because you will not want to put it down until you finish, no matter what time it is. I look forward to more stories from this very talented author.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
November 29, 2023
This is an engaging political drama. It has way more action than it does legal elements, which I wasn't expecting. The final resolution wasn't as satisfying as I would have wished.
February 21, 2013
Premise: a gunman opens fire in the courtroom of the US Supreme Court and kills five justices. A sixth justice (Chief Justice Kincaid) is accidentally killed by police when he pulls out his gun to shoot the gunman.
Plot: Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna testifies before the Black Wednesday commission - he believes those responsible must have been trying to delay the Supreme Court from ruling on a case and identifies two cases most likely to be involved.
A bunch of people with connections to McKenna start getting killed and rumors abound that McKenna accepted a bribe in exchange for being appointed to the Ohio bench. Now on the run, McKenna has to find out who orchestrated Black Wednesday in order to clear his own name.
Thoughts: the book moved pretty quickly. I read it in a couple of hours. Although there are many characters, it wasn't difficult to distinguish them. I don't think the ending was that much of a surprise, but the narrative was loose enough that I wasn't quite sure how all the pieces fit together so that kept me invested in the book.
Now that I think about it, the details of those two cases did not stick in my mind, even though I just read the book last night. There were several red herrings tossed in there that, if I was really trying to figure out who the killer was, would have likely driven me crazy.
Plot: Solicitor General Jefferson McKenna testifies before the Black Wednesday commission - he believes those responsible must have been trying to delay the Supreme Court from ruling on a case and identifies two cases most likely to be involved.
A bunch of people with connections to McKenna start getting killed and rumors abound that McKenna accepted a bribe in exchange for being appointed to the Ohio bench. Now on the run, McKenna has to find out who orchestrated Black Wednesday in order to clear his own name.
Thoughts: the book moved pretty quickly. I read it in a couple of hours. Although there are many characters, it wasn't difficult to distinguish them. I don't think the ending was that much of a surprise, but the narrative was loose enough that I wasn't quite sure how all the pieces fit together so that kept me invested in the book.
Now that I think about it, the details of those two cases did not stick in my mind, even though I just read the book last night. There were several red herrings tossed in there that, if I was really trying to figure out who the killer was, would have likely driven me crazy.
June 28, 2012
This is not exactly a legal thriller, but more of a murder mystery with the politics of the US judicial system as its backdrop.
The story revolves around the assassination of 6 Supreme Court judges, and the investigations that follow. In the process of finding the truth, the Solicitor General of US (I didn't even know one existed, but then, what do I know of the US judicial system in any case), the protagonist of this novel, get's implicated as the suspect behind not just these assassinations but a few other killings as well. Somehow, all these killings appear to be connected with the judges' killings. It is now up to McKenna (the solicitor general), and his office colleague turn girlfriend to race against time and prove his innocence.
At about 250 pages, and a racy plot, it is a fast read. However, the high octane adventure eclipseS a much lacking depth in characterisation. Also, the plot is too far-fetched and not entirely believable. Additionally, there are too many things happening all the same time with multiple characters, and all of which makes it a complicated and a confusing plot.
It is a good first attempt by the author while managing his profession and family; perhaps his next novel will be more nuanced.
The story revolves around the assassination of 6 Supreme Court judges, and the investigations that follow. In the process of finding the truth, the Solicitor General of US (I didn't even know one existed, but then, what do I know of the US judicial system in any case), the protagonist of this novel, get's implicated as the suspect behind not just these assassinations but a few other killings as well. Somehow, all these killings appear to be connected with the judges' killings. It is now up to McKenna (the solicitor general), and his office colleague turn girlfriend to race against time and prove his innocence.
At about 250 pages, and a racy plot, it is a fast read. However, the high octane adventure eclipseS a much lacking depth in characterisation. Also, the plot is too far-fetched and not entirely believable. Additionally, there are too many things happening all the same time with multiple characters, and all of which makes it a complicated and a confusing plot.
It is a good first attempt by the author while managing his profession and family; perhaps his next novel will be more nuanced.
April 12, 2012
I haven't received my copy yet, just got notification that I had won. 3/1/12
I received my copy yesterday and hope to start it soon. I have 6 plus my current read in front. 3/9/12
Just started this morning. 4/12/12
Finished yesterday 4/15/12
A gunman opens fire on the supreme court. He hits several justices and is taken by surprise when the Chief Justice shoots back. The court officers end up shooting and killing the Chief Justice mistakenly thinking he was the gunman responsible for the others deaths. SG McKenna is the lead lawyer that is trying to figure out who killed they justices and for what reason. McKenna soon finds himself the suspect and ends up on the run while still trying to solve the case.
This book was fast moving and believable. Some murder/mystery type books seem a bit far fetched in spots but not this one. I loved how the author helps McKenna with some colorful characters. I also liked that the "love story" wasn't a main part of the book, just sort of a side line.
I received my copy yesterday and hope to start it soon. I have 6 plus my current read in front. 3/9/12
Just started this morning. 4/12/12
Finished yesterday 4/15/12
A gunman opens fire on the supreme court. He hits several justices and is taken by surprise when the Chief Justice shoots back. The court officers end up shooting and killing the Chief Justice mistakenly thinking he was the gunman responsible for the others deaths. SG McKenna is the lead lawyer that is trying to figure out who killed they justices and for what reason. McKenna soon finds himself the suspect and ends up on the run while still trying to solve the case.
This book was fast moving and believable. Some murder/mystery type books seem a bit far fetched in spots but not this one. I loved how the author helps McKenna with some colorful characters. I also liked that the "love story" wasn't a main part of the book, just sort of a side line.
July 23, 2012
The Last Justice is a page-turner mystery. It also provides information about the inner workings of the Supreme Court of the United States and the Solicitor General, and how the Court might be attacked.
Without giving away too much, I found three things I wish the author had explained better (see spoilers section below). Despite these quibbles, the book is a good read, and I've recommended it to some of my friends who told me they also enjoyed reading The Last Justice.
Possible spoilers ahead!
First, why did the protagonist run away from a stabbing on a sidewalk with perhaps hundreds of pedestrians as witnesses? If he'd confronted the killer and accused him it would have been more plausible. Second, why did he decide to investigate this case himself before becoming a suspect? Third, at the end how did the killer know where the protagonist would go?
Without giving away too much, I found three things I wish the author had explained better (see spoilers section below). Despite these quibbles, the book is a good read, and I've recommended it to some of my friends who told me they also enjoyed reading The Last Justice.
Possible spoilers ahead!
First, why did the protagonist run away from a stabbing on a sidewalk with perhaps hundreds of pedestrians as witnesses? If he'd confronted the killer and accused him it would have been more plausible. Second, why did he decide to investigate this case himself before becoming a suspect? Third, at the end how did the killer know where the protagonist would go?
October 13, 2012
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
The author has definitely done his research before writing this novel.It is very authentic and believable in all of its details.The basic premise of the story is a little hard to believe though.
At times it is hard to believe some of the luck of the characters with split second escapes and catching the perfect lead.The characters are very realistic,not just cardboard cutouts of people. You get to learn about their lives beyond just the necessary elememnts for the story.Quite often these elements are secrets that most people will hope never comes out into the light.No one is perfect or all bad which makes them seem more believable.
The book is a fast and enjoyable read.There are tons of red herrings, some of which are fairly interesting but are unfortunately left hanging.The actual solution is very cleverly hidden.
The author has definitely done his research before writing this novel.It is very authentic and believable in all of its details.The basic premise of the story is a little hard to believe though.
At times it is hard to believe some of the luck of the characters with split second escapes and catching the perfect lead.The characters are very realistic,not just cardboard cutouts of people. You get to learn about their lives beyond just the necessary elememnts for the story.Quite often these elements are secrets that most people will hope never comes out into the light.No one is perfect or all bad which makes them seem more believable.
The book is a fast and enjoyable read.There are tons of red herrings, some of which are fairly interesting but are unfortunately left hanging.The actual solution is very cleverly hidden.
February 1, 2013
January 2013 Club read
Overall our book group ratings hovered around a 4 or 5 with a few people who liked it more for its pure entertainment value. I personally did not enjoy reading the story. I found the characters lacking in development, and often felt as if I were bouncing from scene to scene in a frantic manner. That being said, I did find the descriptions of how the US judicial system works interesting, as I had little understanding of that prior to reading the book. I also found the idea of the story appealing in regards to the 3-3 split and how would our judicial system handle that if such a thing were to occur. While I did not care for reading this story, I think it will make a fabulous, fast-paced, on-the-edge-of-your-seat movie. I'm picturing Harrison Ford and Judi Dench in it. ;)
Overall our book group ratings hovered around a 4 or 5 with a few people who liked it more for its pure entertainment value. I personally did not enjoy reading the story. I found the characters lacking in development, and often felt as if I were bouncing from scene to scene in a frantic manner. That being said, I did find the descriptions of how the US judicial system works interesting, as I had little understanding of that prior to reading the book. I also found the idea of the story appealing in regards to the 3-3 split and how would our judicial system handle that if such a thing were to occur. While I did not care for reading this story, I think it will make a fabulous, fast-paced, on-the-edge-of-your-seat movie. I'm picturing Harrison Ford and Judi Dench in it. ;)
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