Cried For No One - A Legal Thriller

Jace Forman #1

by Hubert Crouch

WHO WOULD STEAL A BODY FROM ITS GRAVE AND WHY? A beautiful University of Texas Student, A Wild Night of Partying, A Mysterious Death, A High-Stakes Courtroom Drama Where Truth is Elusive and Justice Hard to Find. In this best-selling debut, flamboyant Fort Worth trial lawyer Cal Connors is hired by distraught parents after their daughter’s body is found beneath an inverted crucifix on the altar of a rural church. Hard-nosed in the courtroom and well-connected to the local media and judiciary, Cal sues the cemetery for millions. Hot on Cal’s trail is Leah Rosen, a young journalist closing in on the truth and willing to put her career on the line for justice. Defense attorney Jace Forman takes on his rival Cal and won’t rest until he finds out who could have committed this macabre crime and why. “In the well-plotted tale, the author adeptly explores the complex interrelationships among politicos, the media and various legal and law enforcement professionals…Well-crafted with an authentic Southwestern setting…” - Kirkus Reviews “If your preference in fiction leans toward courtroom drama and mystery, you will love Hubert Crouch’s Cried For No One.” - Founding Editorial Director of USA Today and Founder, the First Amendment Center. "As a former state district judge, I was riveted to the book. I know Hubert as a top-of-his-class trial lawyer -- now I know him as a top-of-his-class author. Just as he could effectively present his case in a winning manner to persuade a court or jury, he has used these same accomplished skills on his reader -- he captivates, holds our attention and, with all the flair of great suspense writers, weaves a story that you can't put down. Well worth the read!" – The Honorable Alvin Zimmerman, Former Texas State District Judge With its intriguing characters shocking twists and turns, and sizzling Texas flavor, this legal thriller will keep readers enthralled until its heart-stopping climax!

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

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Hubert Crouch, a graduate of Vanderbilt University and SMU Law School, is a veteran trial lawyer with years of hands-on experience in the courtroom. His best-selling debut novel, Cried For No One, introduced readers to Jace Foreman who returns in The Word. He and his wife split their time between their home in Nashville and their mountain retreat in Monteagle, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What? No second book by this author?

I don't know whether this is even a word but 'Cried For No One' was unputdownable. I was thrilled to read a book which held my interest throughout.

Could things get any worse for the defense? Not only was a popular figure involved with the deceased college student but also someone very close to one of the key characters.

What I'd like to know is: What happened to the Senator? What happened to some of the others?

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn't get into this one, so I put it aside.
Although this book was well written, I found it hard to stay focused on the story. It lacked the amount of suspense that I was hoping for, yet it had a good, unexpected twist to the end. I received this book as a Goodreads first reads giveaway, in exchange for my honest review.

[Brooke Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Fast paced from the beginning and ended with a bang. Definitely recommend to anyone.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRIED FOR NO ONE is a great read. The book cover was all about a body stolen from a grave and placed in a defaced church, but the book was more about drama in the courtroom. Jace Forman is a lawyer for the funeral home being sued by the parents of the deceased. The parents are being represented by Cal Conners, an unscrupulous lawyer who is not above breaking the law.

This book kept me on my toes for the entire read! However, I was very disappointed when I got to the end. I discovered that there is a sequel, and there are a couple of unresolved issues. All in all, I recommend this novel. I received this book for an honest review.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first novel/book from the author who was a well-known, successful lawyer in Texas. I'm honored to have known him during his law years. So enjoyed reading his first novel Cried For No One which is a story based on a real life story although this is fiction. It was fast faced and kept me guessing. I think I read this one in record time. It was hard to put down.

[Genelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable read. kept my interest to the end

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like an interesting lawyer/trial story you will enjoy this book. Great insight for those parts of the country where judges are elected and must therefore raise money to campaign.

[Amy Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice try

Not bad for an author's first novel but three stars overall. The plot was okay but the characters were stereotypes. And they were all either good guys or bad guys, either all black or all white with no shades gray. This made the story very two dimensional, flat. There was no depth to anyone and no style in the writing or atmosphere. I will read the next book in the series hoping that the author has found his sea legs. And that, as he develops from experience, his writing grows and improves. We'll see.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads and didn't know what to expect since I wasn't familiar with the writer. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this story had very interesting characters and plot. I liked the juxtaposition of two very different lawyers and their courtroom drama.

[Mad Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, believable political/legal thriller. I enjoyed this debut novel by Crouch, it was an easy read, with well developed characters and plot. I hope to see more by this author.

[Jayne Navarre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare, authentic legal suspense novel

Twists and turns. Very engaging. Well,written story that does not require suspending imagination. This author has the write stuff. Loved it.

[Hubert Crouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers interested in courtroom drama and fast-moving thrillers will find much to like here…" - Publishers Weekly

“In the well-plotted tale, the author adeptly explores the complex interrelationships among politicos, the media and various legal and law enforcement professionals…There are a number of thriller chestnuts, too...Well-crafted with an authentic Southwestern setting…” – Kirkus Reviews

"If your preference in fiction leans toward courtroom drama and mystery, you will love Hubert Crouch's Cried For No One." - John Seigenthaler, Founding Editorial Director of USA Today and Founder, the First Amendment Center

"Rich with dialogue and well developed characters, the tale reveals surprising twists and turns all along the way...Grab a copy of this book and take a ride through its gripping plot, intriguing characters and shocking conclusion, all seasoned with a hearty dose of Texas flavor." - Dallas Bar Association

“Crouch spins a compelling courtroom drama…a fast-moving narrative which, interestingly, hinges not on a guilt-or-innocence criminal trial, but on a big-money civil case. He’s created colorful characters by splicing together a motley assortment of tics and traits he’s observed during his 40-plus years of litigating toxic tort, commercial, and personal injury cases.” - Pursuit Magazine

"Characters are well-defined to the point where the reader can begin to imagine actual public figures on which they might be based. Their intriguing relations intertwine with startling twists of events that keep the pages turning straight to a powerhouse Texas size finale. ...Well worth the read." - The Islander Magazine, Galveston, Texas

"As a former state district judge, I was riveted to the book. I know Hubert as a top-of-his-class trial lawyer -- now I know him as a top-of-his-class author. Just as he could effectively present his case in a winning manner to persuade a court or jury, he has used these same accomplished skills on his reader -- he captivates, holds our attention and, with all the flair of great suspense writers, weaves a story that you can't put down. Well worth the read!" – The Honorable Alvin Zimmerman, Former Texas State District Judge

​“No doubt about it - Cried For No One is a good old-fashioned page turner.” - Clay Small, Esq., Dallas, TX
​
​“Suspenseful legal thriller with well-developed, compelling characters, riveting plot that hooks the reader immediately, fast-paced, entertaining story with the right balance of detailed description and quick, realistic dialogue....This well-written novel was interesting, entertaining, and hard to set down.” - Merrie Clark, Nashville, TN

[Mike Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hubert Crouch is a very good writer. This story is based on one of the cases he handled years ago. He had the ability to keep me interested in each of the characters. The book shows that the criminal justice system has its faults, but sometimes the good guys win. This was an easy read and I enjoyed all of the characters. Jace Forman fights against a successful attorney named Cal Connors and his daughter Christine. There are lots of twists and turns throughout the story as Jace deals with a case unlike any others he has tried. Towards the end of the book, some loose ends are not explained. One dealing with the senator and the other with Cal Connors daughter who hired a person to keep a reporter named Leah Rosen quiet. We can only assume what happens at the end, but we are not told exactly. It would have been nice to know, but many mysteries end the same way. I rate this book as a 5 because it was very entertaining and enjoyable to read. Make sure you give this book a read. If you like mysteries, you will like "Cried for No One".

[Amanda White · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I thought this book was going to have a predictable outcome , boy was I very mistaken! When I read crime books I always like to try to guess or figure out who done it. This book had me changing my mind so many times it was crazy. I loved the fact that this book had a totally unpredictable story . As soon as I think I have it figured out BAM! I was wrong way wrong. Great story lots and lots of twists and turns I really enjoyed it. I could compare this book with ones written by John Grisham who has very shocking and unexpected plot twists. I will definitly recommend this book to crime drama fans.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr Crouch you have hit a home run! The characters are well developed, your style of building pressure toward the climax sublime, the ending an unexpected suprise! Jace is likeable, flawed and very human; I hope to read more of him in the not so distant future. A big thanks for listing this one on goodreads! Winning and reading this one has been a real pleasure.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a first book, it was a very good read. It reminded me of a Grisham novel, just not as cleanly written. There were some confusing plot lines and an untidy ending. But overall, I would recommend it if you enjoy a Grishmam-type novel. Mr. Crouch has a lot of potential to be a very good author.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cried For No One is full of suspense, twists and turns. The plot is interesting and the ending leads me to believe the book may be the first in a series, which I would read.

In compliance with FTC guidelines, I received Cried for No One for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Kay Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

I loved Jace the defendant lawyer. I am so glad he won the case. But Cal Conners and his daughter are both evil lawyers I was hoping they would get what was coming to them. Maybe next book.

[Jarome · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid first effort. It has an interesting plot and some intriguing characters, and a must for me - it isn't predictable. That being said, the writing was rough in places and the ending left too many loose ends.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting enough legal mystery--Crouch knows how the law works in Texas--but the characters and writing style are flat and not entirely believable. The book ends abruptly and, unfortunately, fails the eye-rolling test. This is a debut book; perhaps improvements are in store.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. I have been ordering books used from Amazon for awhile now. Out of 6 new books that I purchased 3 were self published books. I am surprised and pleased at how good they were!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for any avid reader!

[Rebecca Baranowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

An annoying error on the last page

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but it left too many loose ends unless the author is planning on writing more books in this series.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of John Grisham- dragged in the middle- some improbable plots and the ending was rushed.

[Juanita Williams]

A lot of twist and turns in and out of the courtroom, lying, truth and craziness. Good read. Kept my attention.