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Tony Valenti #8
A Law Unto Itself
Newly appointed sheriff Lisa Murphy’s official investigation into the murder of an inmate at a private prison has been stymied at every turn, and she suspects that members of her own force and the county prosecutor helped torpedo the effort. The prison is owned and operated by Buck Stevens, the kingpin of business and politics in LaSalle County—a man the sheriff has learned to distrust and fear. Sheriff Murphy steers the victim’s parents to Tony Valenti and his partners, hoping to leverage the machinery of a wrongful death lawsuit to get to the bottom of what really happened.
Tony’s team soon discovers a deep vein of corruption that pervades the county, poisoning everything and everyone it touches. Determined to expose the rot and bring the killers to justice, Tony and Sheriff Murphy soon find themselves battling a ruthless cabal engaged in a conspiracy sinister enough to kill for.
It’s a deadly cat and mouse game in which Tony doesn’t know who—if anyone—he can trust. Either justice will prevail or the body count will grow. Will Tony or one of his associates be the next victim?
Tony’s team soon discovers a deep vein of corruption that pervades the county, poisoning everything and everyone it touches. Determined to expose the rot and bring the killers to justice, Tony and Sheriff Murphy soon find themselves battling a ruthless cabal engaged in a conspiracy sinister enough to kill for.
It’s a deadly cat and mouse game in which Tony doesn’t know who—if anyone—he can trust. Either justice will prevail or the body count will grow. Will Tony or one of his associates be the next victim?
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2024
About the author
Neil Turner
11 books106 followersNeil Turner is the author of the gripping and highly-acclaimed Tony Valenti Thrillers series. If you like underdogs battling for survival—John Lescroart’s Dismas Hardy, Greg Iles’s Penn Cage, Michael Connelly’s Micky Haller, or John Grisham’s Jake Brigance—it’s time to start reading Tony Valenti.
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08XVRLJDR
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 10, 2026
I thought that this was an okay read. A decent legal corruption story but I struggled to engage with the story, and it seemed a bit pedestrian to me. The most interesting part for me was the trial but the author changed from detailed narrative in the first part to more generalised story telling in the second part.
April 18, 2025
a stay up all night masterpiece, highly recommend
I loved this book. It was absolutely riveting. The writing is so powerful and the imagery is so vivid. I feel like I know the main characters. I love when an author keeps the same characters throughout his series. I don’t like that switcheroo things. I like my characters to remain the same because I have grown accustomed to them and they are the story. There’s a lot of drama embedded into this storyline. The plot was interesting and intense. There was so many moving pieces in this book. But what’s so special about this series is the relationship between the main characters. They’re like one big family, ready to step in when needed. I’m so glad to have Tony back in that courtroom. He was amazing. He’s good at what he does. Can you imagine finding a Tony if you need a lawyer? I’m thankful that I didn’t have but one chapter of Pat. I have one pet peeve, I wish Tony and Pat, who are in their 40, stop saying girlfriend and boyfriend. They’re too old to be saying that.
I loved this book. It was absolutely riveting. The writing is so powerful and the imagery is so vivid. I feel like I know the main characters. I love when an author keeps the same characters throughout his series. I don’t like that switcheroo things. I like my characters to remain the same because I have grown accustomed to them and they are the story. There’s a lot of drama embedded into this storyline. The plot was interesting and intense. There was so many moving pieces in this book. But what’s so special about this series is the relationship between the main characters. They’re like one big family, ready to step in when needed. I’m so glad to have Tony back in that courtroom. He was amazing. He’s good at what he does. Can you imagine finding a Tony if you need a lawyer? I’m thankful that I didn’t have but one chapter of Pat. I have one pet peeve, I wish Tony and Pat, who are in their 40, stop saying girlfriend and boyfriend. They’re too old to be saying that.
June 17, 2025
Tony's firm has been hired by a couple who's son had been murdered while in prison. The prison is a privately owned facility in Illinois. There have been rumors of corruption within it's walls including drug sales and loan sharking.
I'm sad that this appears to be the last Tony Valenti book written.
I'm sad that this appears to be the last Tony Valenti book written.
May 5, 2024
Unbeatable story; unbeatable characters
I feel so comfortable and invested with Tony, his family and friends. Late to sleep and activities of daily living. Thanks Neil for a wonderful page Turner!
I feel so comfortable and invested with Tony, his family and friends. Late to sleep and activities of daily living. Thanks Neil for a wonderful page Turner!
August 25, 2024
Pageturners
You are a good storyteller, however I would be remiss if I did not add a criticism. Keep your disdain for religious beliefs out of your next book. You have no idea who your audience may be
you are definitely a good storyteller. However,
You are a good storyteller, however I would be remiss if I did not add a criticism. Keep your disdain for religious beliefs out of your next book. You have no idea who your audience may be
you are definitely a good storyteller. However,
June 9, 2024
Talk about excitement. We had drugs, the mob as part of building the prison, and attempts at intimidating law enforcement.
Read
June 12, 2024Another great story with a solid legal setting. Love the courtroom parts of his books.
June 26, 2024
Law unto itself
Great book so entertaining you can't put it down the whole series is great but this one is the best of all thanks for writing these books.
Great book so entertaining you can't put it down the whole series is great but this one is the best of all thanks for writing these books.
May 1, 2025
Love the Tony Valenti series. Good stories, characters and conversations.
December 11, 2025
Not for me
Could not get into the storyline of this book. I found it boring.
Someone else may enjoy this book. I probably chose incorrectly for me
Could not get into the storyline of this book. I found it boring.
Someone else may enjoy this book. I probably chose incorrectly for me
December 19, 2025
Excellent story well worth reading
April 7, 2024
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with a county sheriff. advising Tony's law firm that she is referring the parents of an inmate who was killed in prison. The trio (Tony, Mike and Penelope) discuss it and decide they will decide after meeting with the parents. After their meeting, they agree to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Tony is ow acting as the investigator for the firm since the suspension of his law license. He then starts looking into the available information. There isn't a great deal because the prison delayed notifying the police, so the crime scene was not available in helping with the investigation. In addition, the prison was balking at giving out information. As it stood, Tony had to develop his own evidence and witnesses.
An unexpected notice was received which advised them of the assignment of a judge and trial date for their case. A preliminary date for a meeting was stated and when it arrived, things did not go well for the firm.
To learn what problems they raised regarding the trial, who was the person behind what was going on, and what event happened that creating changes for the trial, then you need to read this book. In addition, learn what discoveries Tony made during his investigation, what witnesses he was able to locate and how the case was resolved, then you need to read this book.
This is another great story in the Tony Valenti series. Don't miss it!
The story begins with a county sheriff. advising Tony's law firm that she is referring the parents of an inmate who was killed in prison. The trio (Tony, Mike and Penelope) discuss it and decide they will decide after meeting with the parents. After their meeting, they agree to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Tony is ow acting as the investigator for the firm since the suspension of his law license. He then starts looking into the available information. There isn't a great deal because the prison delayed notifying the police, so the crime scene was not available in helping with the investigation. In addition, the prison was balking at giving out information. As it stood, Tony had to develop his own evidence and witnesses.
An unexpected notice was received which advised them of the assignment of a judge and trial date for their case. A preliminary date for a meeting was stated and when it arrived, things did not go well for the firm.
To learn what problems they raised regarding the trial, who was the person behind what was going on, and what event happened that creating changes for the trial, then you need to read this book. In addition, learn what discoveries Tony made during his investigation, what witnesses he was able to locate and how the case was resolved, then you need to read this book.
This is another great story in the Tony Valenti series. Don't miss it!
March 3, 2026
A Law Unto Itself by Neil Turner is a gripping mystery that delves into corruption, power, and justice in LaSalle County. The novel follows newly appointed sheriff Lisa Murphy as she investigates the murder of an inmate at a private prison. Frustrated by obstruction from members of her own force and the county prosecutor, Murphy turns to Tony Valenti and his team to uncover the truth.
Across 372 pages, Turner crafts a tense narrative of intrigue and suspense. As Tony and Murphy dig deeper, they encounter a web of corruption that infiltrates business, politics, and law enforcement. The story unfolds as a deadly cat and mouse game, where trust is scarce and danger is constant. Readers are drawn into high stakes battles, unexpected twists, and moral complexity as the pursuit of justice becomes increasingly perilous.
The novel succeeds in combining fast-paced mystery with a realistic depiction of institutional corruption. It offers compelling characters, sharp dialogue, and a layered plot that keeps readers engaged until the final page.
Fans of mystery, legal thrillers, and crime fiction will find A Law Unto Itself an exciting and immersive read.
Across 372 pages, Turner crafts a tense narrative of intrigue and suspense. As Tony and Murphy dig deeper, they encounter a web of corruption that infiltrates business, politics, and law enforcement. The story unfolds as a deadly cat and mouse game, where trust is scarce and danger is constant. Readers are drawn into high stakes battles, unexpected twists, and moral complexity as the pursuit of justice becomes increasingly perilous.
The novel succeeds in combining fast-paced mystery with a realistic depiction of institutional corruption. It offers compelling characters, sharp dialogue, and a layered plot that keeps readers engaged until the final page.
Fans of mystery, legal thrillers, and crime fiction will find A Law Unto Itself an exciting and immersive read.
March 19, 2026
4.5/5. A great series! This mystery, in my opinion, was maybe not quite as strong in the following areas: The courts judge rulings, which were biased, didn’t ring true for me in terms of real-life courtroom cases. Also, the Russian mafia was implied as involved but stayed in the background of the story more than I would have thought, at least in terms of potentially fighting to retain their prison drug business profits. …but still quite an adventurous worthy read.
April 24, 2024
A Law Unto Itself is the eighth book in The Tony Valenti Thrillers series. This book kept me engaged from start to finish with interesting characters and lots of courtroom drama.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
April 21, 2026
This book was a win on Goodreads. I enjoy legal thrillers and this was a very good one. I know now that it is book 8 in the Tony Valenti series. I will go back now and read some of the others. This one had great courtroom scenes!
April 25, 2024
Any book written by Neil is well worth reading. Interesting characters, storyline and humour.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews