The Southern Trial: An Epic Legal Thriller

Joe Hennessy Legal Thriller #4

by Peter O'Mahoney

The trial of the century has arrived. After twenty years of anguish, after twenty years of pain, defense attorney Joe Hennessy has the chance to confront the man who ordered the murder of his ten-year-old son.In Charleston, South Carolina, Hennessy uncovers evidence that Senator Richard Longhouse has links to his son’s unsolved murder.Desperate to know the truth, Hennessy digs deep into the past, following the evidence trail into the criminal underworld. Clashing with corrupt cops, dishonest politicians, and ruthless felons, Hennessy uncovers information that has been buried for twenty years.But to find justice, to finally expose the truth, Joe Hennessy must risk everything he loves...

Genres: Legal Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Thriller, Legal

415 pages, Paperback

Published July 31, 2023

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid piece of storytelling. some of the parts were hard to read, especially when it comes to a child's welfare, but all in all a good book.

[Becky J. Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

C - Not his best

Love legal thrillers, but maybe I’ve read too many of them. This one borders on unbelief all the way through the book. I wish I could find an attorney who would work for me for no fees and still he would pay all of the costs of expert witnesses and forensic testing and yada yada yada.

[Mitchp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the four Southern Trial books about Wendy and Joe and their sad story. While the story was not terrible, it was poorly written with annoying grammar and writing faux pas that an editor could have alleviated. Words were often repeated - a thesaurus would have been helpful. Joe's inability to do anything about his son's murder throughout all four books was the series' theme. His 22 years of life was dictated by doing nothing about it, except by suffering and ostracizing himself. His wife, Wendy, was a 2D character (as were the daughters), while Joe was the tragic southern hero who had to save them all (but did it poorly and pathetically). Frankly, we got to know Jacinta (the heroically brilliant legal secretary) and the heroically brilliant investigator from Down Under better than Joe's family, who Joe abandoned for years to 'save the vineyard.' Frankly, I don't know how his pathetic excuse for a law firm saved the vineyard. The frequent comments about how it was so hard for Joe because he had to handle "more than one case at a time" literally made me laugh out loud. As a former litigator, I wondered if there is a lawyer on the planet (who pays their bills) who only handles one case at a time?? A reviewer said they hated the end of this book, so I dreaded the entire book. I did not hate the end. But I did think I could have better used my time than on reading this series. Finally, as I am not a south-lover, I found the many comments about its wonderful hospitality, sweet tea, and fresh lemonade annoying and eye-rolling. South Carolina is full of racism, and their idea of hospitality is passive-aggressive fake niceness. If you weren't born there, you may as well "go home." And if you weren't born in the "right" family, you may as well sit-down-and-shut-up. Fortunately for Joe, Wendy was born in the right family - although Joe did not seem to find ways to leverage that well. He was continuously willing to risk his daughters and wife's lives in his bumbling and amateur quest for justice for his son's murder. Overall - this series was not great, which is why I gave it 3 stars. If you like legal thrillers and want a good series, I recommend Scott Pratt's series about Joe Dillard. I felt like this one was a poor attempt at copying that. Finally, we don't say "takeaway" coffee in the US - and Joe constantly referred to his coffee that way. That is a UK and Aussie saying. The investigator could have gotten away with it but not Jacinta and Joe.

[Barbara Blindauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. Joe has finally found out the answers about his son’s death, but at what price. In order to get the answers he needs he takes on a case of a gardener whose death is an accident. The Gardner had been working at the home of Joe’s enemy. Joe brings a civil suit against Senator Richard Longhouse. This was a case where I learned some interesting legal tidbits about OSHA and independent contractors.

[Cassandra Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Grisham. I haven’t read the 1st 3, but did not feel lost in the series. Well narrated and had good characters and storyline.

[James W. Incledon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the other three!

It's nice to have a lawyer that is big and ready for a physical confrontation. But Joe , as smart as he is, failed to protect his family and the vineyard when it became very obvious that family and property were easy targets. Still, it was an okay read.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

OSHA instructional

I’m a retired CPA who spent a lot of my working time advising small businesses on employees vs independent contractors. So the large amount of time this book spends making this distinction was a bit of a bore for me - The whole book was too slow.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair mystery that features a cartoonish characterizations of the primary antagonist and a rather simplistic too good protagonist. The crime is telegraphed from the start and the only mystery is how the intrepid protagonist will go about convincing a jury. Yawn.

[Amy Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had 2 hours left and bailed. Just didn't care. Too trope-y.

[J. Michael Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lawyer Joe Hennessy has finally discovered who killed his ten year old son--more than two decades earlier. But he now has to find a way to bring the responsible people to justice--even though statute of limitations has run our--and there is little available evidence. Furthermore, he has discovered that the police are complicit in the crime--paid off by a powerful senator.

The book is high on suspense--and opportunities to root for the good guys.

The theme of the novel is thin--an eye for an eye--and the characters shallow. The grief that Hennessy has for his son is understandable--but poorly presented. The psychological presentation of the character feels too simplistic.

Dialogue throughout this series is mediocre. Sentences are too long and too didactic. There is a lack of interesting phraseology.

A philosophical problem I have, running through each book in this series, is the "myth of redemptive violence" Everything is an eye for an eye, and the author's solution to everyone's problems is the extermination of the bad guy. While O'Mahoney's characters all get a sense of peace in the end, the world he describes just gets worse and worse.

In each novel, the author has characters gush about Charleston and South Carolina. For a book focused on issues of conscience, there is an undercurrent of "the glorious lost cause" which whitewashes the complexity of the city and state. Charleston, as much as any city, still exudes the spirit of the Klan and the Confederacy. Hennessy (and the author's) blind idolization of the place can be distracting. For those of us who want to love the city and state--despite it's flaws (and every place has a dark side)--help us appreciate the city in a more realistic way. Lure us in--don't write so gushingly, as it doesn't ring true.

Having said all that, O'Mahoney tells stories with suspenseful plots, bold characters, and fast moving action. There are times I need reads like this, just like Hennessy needs a stiff drink--to take my mind off my own life.

[Donald K Glaser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern Trial

Very good story BUT quite distressing to think that justice and the legal system may actually be this corrupt and it's frivolous. The supposed good guys hide evidence because it doesn't help their side. The fact that a lawsuit can be even entertained using legal maneuvering when the whole premise is inane; if a workman (whether an employee or contract worker) is irresponsible/inattentive/dumb enough to climb a ladder with ice on it, then that worker is solely responsible for the consequences. The facts at the onset of the trial, were so outlandishly weak that a trial should never has been initiated. How can your protect from stupidity ? All the harnesses, nets, straps, Kevlar jackets, mattresses on the ground would have stopped Santos from slipping on an icy rung while using a chainsaw. He as an irresponsible worker if things had happened as they were depicted at the onset of the trial. What is scary is that this type of lawyering happens all the time in real life and shows how dishonest the whole system really is and makes true justice often a mere glimmer of the truth. In fiction the good guys most often win in the end but in real life the lawyer shenanigans lead to settlements and compromises just to get some small level of peace and resolution rather than Truth and Justice.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

bring back Joe, highly recommend

I pray this’s not the end of Joe Hennessy. I love his character. The book was good, the writing was great. I just wish it took other avenues instead of the cut and dry path it took. I wish the ending was different. Longhouse was never acknowledged, punished or held accountable for Luca’s death. I wished Longhouse had sustained injures instead and sent to prison for life so that Joe could’ve visited him in prison on his prison anniversary date like he had to do Luca for 22 years and just taunted him and reminded him of his failures and let him know he was not above the law, justice prevailed, he didn’t win. I think he wanted Joe to kill him. Longhouse shouldn’t had an easy way out and needed to suffer for all the wrongdoings he protracted unto others. He should’ve been held accountable but maybe Joe wanted to avenge his Luca’s death.

[Linde Pavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Southern Lawyer Series

The Southern Lawyer Series books captivated me, not only for the intriguing plots, the family interactions and values, and the explanations of how certain sections of the law can or cannot be used as a defense, but also for the charming history of Charleston. To me these books showed a love of and pride in Charleston and the deep south that brought delightful side notes to the novels. I couldn't put each book down until the end, I just had to know how a seemingly hopeless case could be won, or potentially the opposite. Wonderful series. Personable characters. A new favorite author

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! The one we have been waiting for!! I loved how the story had to bend around to get to Longhouse. Very creative! I understand Joe’s single mindedness towards him and commend him for using other means to convict and never giving up. I really enjoyed this series and all the characters. This really went where I did not think it would go! I am always interested by the “Southern Rules” that show up in these books.

I listened to the on audio. Bradford Hastings does a wonderful job portraying all these characters. He is pleasant to listen to. I am hoping there will be more of Mr Hennessey and his team.

[Mark Fidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is part of the Joe Hennessy series, and the first I read. It was a much-better-than average book of this genre. While the plot seemed like so many others (a lawyer seeks justice against the man who ordered the kidnapping of his dead son 20 years earlier), the main character was both likable and believable. I liked this a lot. The audiobook has a great narrator, and is perfect for this book. This kept my interest from start to end. I usually avoid reading a series, but might make an exception for this one. This earns 4.5 stars from me.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest I don’t exactly remember when I finished reading this book and am clueless as to what happened to my previous review, however, I will say that I’ve been addicted to this series ever since I began with book 1. There have been times when waiting for the next book to come out seemed inordinately long, but then I wasn’t the one writing it. This particular one was much anticipated and fully brought in all of the excitement and emotion to culminate Joe and Wendy’s emotional journey. Definitely 5+ stars 😍

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became frustrated with this book but of course, finished it because Joe's grief seemed to supercede all that he had including his family, practice, and his life. Seriously, he has a vineyard, two beautiful daughters, and an incredible wife, and yes, he did lose his son but after 22 years....get a grip. And spoiler alert, killing a human gives him peace. Damn.

Now I must read the next release as I have no clue what he is going to do without the corrupt people that he has put in the past......

[Simon Gosselin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final installment of the Hennessy arc, this one is the ultimate payoff! Joe Hennessy has finally the chance to confront the man who ordered the murder of his ten-year-old son and digs deep into the past, following the evidence trail into the criminal underworld. Clashing with corrupt cops, dishonest politicians, and ruthless felons, Hennessy uncovers information that has been buried for twenty years.

A really great ending of a great story! 5*

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption, finally

If you know Peter O'Mahoneys novels you already know the cast. I was hooked from the first paragraph, magically transported into the deep south where the scenes can almost be seen, felt and tasted. The characters are so engaging it feels like a visit to old friends.

No spoilers here. I recommend starting with the first in the series but it easily stands on its own as a sweeping saga of the hunt for truth and justice.

[Julie Carlberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end

I have loved all of the Joe Henessy books. I am glad that justice is done for Luca and Joe. Love this character! And having lived in Charleston, and now in the Upstate, I like visiting via the stories. I have read Many of Peter O'Mahoney's books and this series was my first and favorite. I also loved the Tex Hunter books.
It
Mr O'Mahoney has a very endearing style, but at the same time, keeps the action rolling.

Thanks for the adventure!

[Robert Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of O’Mahoney’s books I’ve read to date. Not sure how Joe Hennessy can make any $. A big pro Bono case in the last book, and no compensation for the civil/criminal case in this book. Difficult to pay your Assistant and Investigator. Always the stifling heat and humidity taxing the AC systems. Try GA, FL, NC, Al, MS, LA, TX, TN, etc in the summer. That said, I enjoyed the story, including the steadfastness of Mrs. Santos.

[Lola T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice always prevail

I love how humble the main characters of the Hennessey team, the defense team characteristics was also charming; their personalities fit their life styles. I am also glad the Joe and Wendy have and found peace to move on for their sake and for the sake of Luca. I gave this a five star rating because its seems so real and at the end justice wasn't imaginative it was sought and found.

[Rod Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great climax to the Southern Lawyer series. I finished it in one day because I could not put it down. Peter O’Mahoney is a master at weaving a tale with twists and turns that keep you guessing about what is coming next. This series was very fast paced and exciting from beginning to end. They were the first books I’ve read by him but they won’t be the last. In fact, I’m moving on to the “Bill Harvey” series now. I love a good mystery and O’Mahoney certainly delivers.

[Vlad Valeyev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unrealistic plot

The writing is still good. But the plot seems to be very forced. South Carolina presented like Columbia or Panama rather than the US. A lawyer goes vigilante shooting out the sitting senator and the police. It doesn't even cross his mind to call the FBI. Really?

The author tries hard to pull reader's sympathy toward poor gardener who engaged in a blackmail to get rich and pays for it. Really?

[Elissa Yassine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great way to end the series.

Read all 4 books in this series. Each with different story line, however, the main story line is always there. It feels like a tension or an expectation of an undercurrent that continues through all 4 books. I enjoy this authors writing style. Keeps pages turning. Loved all the characters! Great read. Would recommend.

[Naida Lehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed the series

There was not the great American novel in the series but it was enjoyable and easy to put down and pick up. Each book flowed well into the next and after a few pages the new characters blended well with the others from the previous book. Overall I liked the series.

[Mark P. Bader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating set of legal thrillers set in the beauty of Charleston.

Fourth of a great series. Located in the aura of Charleston’s beauty and districts, flavored by weaves and turns in several well written stories, this series is captivating. Storylines different enough to maintain a reader’s interest throughout the whole set.

[kathleen Mattiace · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a good story. it certainly makes you think about he people we vote for to represent us, citizens.
Joe is a haunted man after the murder of his son many years ago so with new evidence he wants to bring the murderer to justice.

The story is long and a bit repetitive. I found myself getting bored in parts. The ending kind of made up for it.

Otherwise it was a good page-turner.

[Gayle Bull · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the first of the series was so,so. It took me almost the whole book to really invest in the character. I did, so the read the other three in the series and liked each one more than the previous! I don’t think that they are really “Epic Legal Thrillers”, but would read more Joe Hennessy novels.

[Janette Faulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

I enjoyed all of the Southern Lawyer series very much. I found them all hard to put down once I started reading each new book. They all flow seamlessly from front to back and book to book. I just read each story and it all makes sense. I recommend this series and will read the next series also. The author is meticulous on providing the complete story.