The Midwest Lawyer

Maggie Gallagher Legal Thriller #1

by Peter Kirkland

A terrible accident could send an innocent man to prison…

Returning to her hometown after years of practicing law in Chicago, Maggie Gallagher is determined to put her family first—no more cases that could put her or her loved ones in danger. But when her childhood friend is arrested for the murder of a high school football coach, Maggie has to take the case. She knows Troy better than anyone, and she’s certain he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

But the evidence is stacked against him. The murder weapon, clothing fibers, and more all point to Troy. The Prosecuting Attorney is hungry for a win, and convicting Troy looks like a slam dunk.

As Maggie digs deeper, trying to find the truth, she uncovers a twisted trail of rage and broken lives surrounding Coach Schafer. And Troy has secrets of his own. Unless he comes clean about his past, there’s no way Maggie can mount a proper defense.

If she fails, Troy will go to prison. A shattered family will lose everything. And the real killer may strike again…

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

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

Peter Kirkland grew up in Beaufort, South Carolina. As a kid, Peter loved history and learning about his area. One year in school, he was given a project to research a few South Carolina law cases and the precedents they set and their effect on people’s lives.
This research project lit the flame for his passion for law and creating a more equal justice system since. Soon after this, Peter began reading legal thrillers voraciously and enjoyed the legal maneuvering and justice found within. As an adult he has continued researching the law and understanding the system and its effects on individuals. A few years ago, he decided to try writing his own legal thriller.


Now a full-time writer, he uses his research, passion for justice, and real case studies to bring together courtroom dramas with deep, rich characters, and gripping twists and turns. New to the industry, Peter would love to hear from readers and other authors and invites you to connect with him.

Reviews

[Tini · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lawyer and former defense attorney, I love reading legal thrillers, but I'm not easily impressed by them. Nevertheless, "The Midwest Lawyer" managed to win me over.

Former Chicago prosecutor Maggie O'Connell moves back to her small hometown in Ohio with her family to open her own practice as a defense attorney - a move that comes with a slower pace, closeness to her (nosy) extended family, and a few skeletons of its own. Her first major case involves one of her oldest friends and pits her against the town's new prosecuting attorney, who's willing to bend the rules to win in court. As Maggie struggles to find her footing in her new life, she must balance the demands of justice, community, and her own conscience.

Author Peter Kirkland worked as a defense attorney for many years before publishing his legal thrillers, and it shows. From Maggie's struggle to get her clients to be honest with her to the side-eyes at family gatherings after her transition to the "dark side" - from big-city prosecutor to small-town defense attorney - he captures the less obvious challenges of the job perfectly. Not surprisingly, the legal side holds up as well, and "The Midwest Lawyer"'s courtroom scenes are solid and realistic. I also appreciated that Maggie was given a life beyond the courtroom, and the small-town setting added warmth and humanity, though there was a lot of family interference - and some of the things her aunt points out to her really should have occurred to Maggie herself, being an experienced lawyer and all. Still, it's a strong series setup, and now that the cast and community are established, the next book might pick up the pace even more.

My only real gripe with the story was the prosecuting attorney, who was so one-sidedly cold, calculating, and skirting the line of legality in her dealings with the defense that she sometimes seemed like a caricature - just so stereotypically bad.

Overall, "The Midwest Lawyer" is an engaging small-town legal drama with genuine heart, grounded courtroom scenes, and a protagonist I'll gladly follow into the next case.

I listened to the audiobook, and while Carrie Coello's performance was clear and professional, her delivery sometimes gave Maggie's voice a slightly whiny edge that didn’t suit the character's strength or experience.

Many thanks to Relay Publishing for providing me with a copy of the audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The audiobook of "The Midwest Lawyer" was published on November 21, 2025, and is available now.

[Dora Koutsoukou]

Part 1

Boring and flat.

Dnf @ 32%

[crystal niche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie has moved with her family back to her hometown and started her own law practice. She used to be a prosecutor but has since moved to “the dark side” as her family says.

Her childhood friend has been taken into custody due to an accident.. and then stuff hits the fan.

Overall, a really good courtroom thriller & even better audiobook!

[Jo Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot that I actually really enjoy courtroom dramas, and I really enjoyed this one. It had a recipe that works really well for me, small town vibes, big family vibes big family connections and of course a case to solve.

I have to be honest and say that the big twists were fairly obvious to me early on and usually I’d be annoyed that I’d guessed them, but it actually worked out well because I was intrigued how Maggie the defence attorney would play it all out!

Good fun all round!

3.5 🌟 rounded up.

Huge thanks to relay publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook 🎧

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 stars. Excellent start to a new legal thriller series. This was an intense, page-turner. Mystery, suspense, high emotions, and great courtroom drama. This is my 3rd book and 2nd series by Peter Kirkland. I can't wait for Maggie Gallagher's next case. In the meantime, I'll have the authors backlog to look forward to.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I grew up watching Perry Mason and as a consequence love all the courtroom drama, where words have a greater effect than fists and that is certainly the case with this book. I really enjoyed the two trail lawyer's trying to out smart each other but this book is so much more than the courtroom drama. The story is very character driven, which gives you a chance to connect with the characters as you learn about them and the case they are involved in. This makes you care about the out come and keeps you reading, it did seem a fairly long story and in a few places I did find myself wondering if we were getting anywhere but things soon took a twist and picked up. Maggie's home life also added to the drama but as everything settles down in her job I can see them becoming a big asset and I look forward to seeing how things develop.
When a five year olds game turns deadly his father comes under scrutiny. With his teenage son in hospital fighting for his life, the police wanting to question his five year old and his wife blaming him for the accident. He turns to his form high school friend Maggie for help. After a bad year in Chicago Maggie has given up her job as a prosecutor and turned to the dark side, defending the accused. To reconnect with her family she has moved back to her home town for a more quieter and simple life but defending her best friend who could be facing death row is not what she planned. The simple endangerment case takes a turn when the gun involved is connected to a cold murder investigation. The murder of a man that had a past disagreement with her client. Can she prove him innocent when she is not sure herself?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a new-to-me author, Peter Kirkland absolutely delivered—I was pulled straight into this legal thriller and stayed hooked the whole way through.

The Midwest Lawyer grabbed my attention right away with its small-town tension and steady courtroom suspense. Maggie Gallagher comes home expecting a slower pace, only to get swept into a murder case tied to people she’s known her whole life. I enjoyed following her as she tried to piece together what really happened—especially with a town full of secrets and shifting loyalties.

The pacing is easy to fall into, and Kirkland balances mystery, buried grudges, and tangled relationships in a way that kept me invested. His writing style feels similar to Harlan Coben but with a legal twist, which made the story even more enjoyable to follow. I liked how the drama unfolded layer by layer as Maggie dug deeper into the mess surrounding Coach Schafer and Troy.

All in all, it’s a solid and engaging legal drama with a true Midwest vibe, and I’m already looking forward to reading more by Kirkland.

Thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for a complimentary audiobook in return for my feedback.

[Kaylee Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Midwest Lawyer was everything I expected and more. Maggie is a very relatable character and this book keeps you guessing from start to finish. I loved the character development throughout and the audiobook was well done.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

book one in a series about a woman lawyer

maggie gallahger has moved back to her hometown with her family and started up her practise, its a move that hopefully will get her back with her extended family and also may be a safer haven for her after the attacks on herself just for doing her job

her childhood friend though has been arrested when a gun is shot in his home and one of his sons is injured and its not long before maggie exerts her right as his lawyer

have to say i thoroughly enjoyed reading this one... love a good courtroom drama and this one had all the elements in it to keep you engaged reading it.... loved the added elements of danger when people start to take sides

will be keeping an eye out for more from this author

[Debbie Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first book of Peter Kirklands’ newest lawyer series where we met Maggie and her family who have just moved back to her small home town for a fresh start.
There were obviously a lot of introductions to be made in this first book so now that we have been acquainted I’m hopeful the next instalment will warrant a full 5* review.
Anyone who enjoys a legal thriller should find this first offering an enjoyable, easy read with a few twists along the way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

This book was, surprisingly, gripping.

When Maggie moves home to take on life as a defense attorney, she doesn’t realize her first big case will be to defend an old friend.

Although Maggie is a work-a-holic and, at times, unlikeable as a result, her dedication to her clients is admirable. I worried this might be a boring procedural novel, but instead I found myself immersed in the case and its outcome.

This is not really a “thriller.” That said, it is captivating and I stayed up way past my bedtime reading to the end.

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook was performed by a female narrator, her voice was bright and I could visualize Maggie with the voice. I enjoyed listening to Carries voice.

The story is written with knowledge of the law system, the courtrooms and how it feels to be in the shoes of a lawyer. This only strengthens the story. It was an interesting read.

The characters are intriguing and worked out in detail, the emotions feel real.

I devoured this audiobook, a must read for people who like a touching, intense and gripping character based crime thriller!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria (storieswithtorie) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a solid legal thriller. It gave me everything I wanted from a courtroom driven story without ever feeling weighed down. I loved Maggie as a character. She is sharp, flawed, and determined, and the legal pacing felt believable in a way I really appreciate.

The plot moved quickly and stayed engaging the entire time. I liked the balance of legal drama, personal stakes, and the Midwest setting that actually added to the atmosphere instead of feeling like filler. Nothing dragged, and it kept me invested start to finish.

[Rhona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found The Midwest Lawyer to be an enjoyable read. It was an engaging legal thriller with enough twists and courtroom drama to keep me interested. I enjoyed following the characters and seeing how the case unfolded, and the story moved along at a good pace. While it wasn't a particularly memorable read for me, it was entertaining and kept me turning the pages. Overall, a solid and enjoyable legal thriller.

[Steve Schroeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting and emotional legal thriller

It seems like cliché, but I could literally not put this writing down. I’m starting on number two in the series and looking forward to a great experience.

[Lauren Hepler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 stars! Can’t wait for the second book!

[Caitey Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2⭐️ I love a courthouse drama for some reason and this one was so good I couldn't put it down- imo it wasn't very predictable and I liked the twist at the end

[Greer Andjanetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A readable legal mystery about a woman lawyer who returns to her small hometown and becomes involved in the murder trial of an old friend. Slow-paced story but easy to read.

[Brittney Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good legal drama!! Read this in one night!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. 🫶🏻

[Beth Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turning Suspense!

A family's worst nightmare is compounded by an over eager prosecutor...Coupled with murky family dynamics and we have a story you won't be able to put down! Thank you Mr Kirkland for another great series!

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of legal thrillers (John Grisham will always be my #1), so I always enjoy finding books like that. This one was excellent! The characters are likeable, relatable and a lot of fun to read. The cases are interesting, and the clues are riveting. Loved it!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series

I've read a couple of books by Peter Kirkland. I really enjoyed this new Maggie Gallagher series. She is a prosecutor turned defense attorney. Can't wait for book two.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie and her family have moved back to her small Ohio hometown from Chicago for a slower, less stressful pace. Getting her law practice off the ground is job one, and she has started to build a practice around car accidents and DUIs. But then Troy, a good friend from high school, needs a lawyer for a more serious case and Maggie steps up to help. This puts her at odds with many of her extended family who are in the police force.
Maggie struggles to connect with their teenage son and is fortunate to have a supportive spouse who works as a teacher at their son’s high school. There is quite a bit of legal drama yet a lot of community activity as well. It’s way too easy to obtain a gun in Ohio (and elsewhere in the US).

The story is about ambition, small towns, family, and especially justice. It is well narrated. I look forward to reading/listening to more in this new series. The audiobook is well narrated. 4.5 rounded up.

My thanks to the author, @RelayPublishing, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #TheMidwestLawyer for review purposes. It is available now.

[JOY LORTON · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Compelling Twist on the Legal Thriller Genre

Legal thrillers often follow a formulaic path, with high-stakes courtroom drama and a protagonist navigating the murky waters of the legal system. However, The Midwest Lawyer takes this genre in an exciting new direction by combining the complexities of law with the nuances of small-town life. The story centers around a woman who relocates her husband and son back to her Ohio hometown, where she transitions from being a city prosecutor to opening her own defense law office. This t

The protagonist of The Midwest Lawyer, a seasoned city prosecutor, decides to move back to her Ohio hometown with her family. This decision is motivated by a desire for a slower pace of life and to reconnect with her roots. However, the shift from prosecuting in a large city to defending in a small town presents unforeseen challenges. As she opens her own law office, she quickly realizes that being a defense attorney is a world away from her previous role. Early in her new venture, she reconnects with an old high school friend who finds himself embroiled in serious legal trouble, facing charges of child endangerment and capital murder.

The protagonist's involvement in her friend's legal battles brings her into conflict with her two cousins, who are both police officers. These familial tensions add another layer of complexity to the story. Fortunately, her aunt, the cousins' mother, becomes an invaluable asset, assisting in the law office and proving to be a savvy investigator.

The characters in The Midwest Lawyer are well-developed and distinctly memorable. The protagonist's evolution from a city prosecutor to a small-town defense attorney is portrayed with authenticity and depth. Her high school friend, now a client, is a multifaceted character whose legal troubles reveal layers of his personality and past. The cousins, as police officers, represent the conflicting loyalties and tensions that often accompany family dynamics. Meanwhile, the aunt emerges as a surprising and resourceful character, bridging the gap between her police officer sons and her defense attorney niece.

The small-town setting of The Midwest Lawyer is vividly depicted, capturing the interconnectedness and familiarity of a community where everyone knows each other's business. This atmosphere adds a unique dimension to the legal thriller genre, as personal relationships and past histories play significant roles in the unfolding drama. The reader is given a front-row seat to the protagonist's navigation through the tight-knit community, where business and personal relationships are deeply intertwined.

One of the standout features of The Midwest Lawyer is the seamless integration of mystery and suspense. The legal cases at the heart of the story are complex and multi-layered, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the very end. The twists and turns are not only intriguing but also believable, grounded in the realities of both the legal system and small-town dynamics. The ending of the book is particularly surprising, adding an unexpected yet satisfying conclusion to the protagonist's journey.

The Midwest Lawyer explores several themes, including justice, loyalty, and the complexities of familial relationships. The protagonist's shift from prosecutor to defense attorney raises questions about the nature of justice and the role of the legal system in a small community. The familial tensions and alliances highlight the theme of loyalty, both to family and to one's principles. Additionally, the interconnectedness of small-town life serves as a backdrop for exploring how personal and professional relationships influence one another.

As someone who enjoys legal thrillers, I found The Midwest Lawyer to be a refreshing and compelling read. The blend of legal drama with small-town dynamics provided a unique and engaging twist on the genre. The well-developed characters and intricate plot kept me turning the pages, eager to uncover the next twist or revelation. The book's exploration of complex themes added depth to the story, making it more than just a simple thriller.

In conclusion, The Midwest Lawyer is a standout addition to the legal thriller genre, offering a fresh perspective on the familiar courtroom drama. The protagonist's journey from city prosecutor to small-town defense attorney is both compelling and relatable, filled with unexpected challenges and surprising twists. The well-developed characters, vivid setting, and intricate plot make for a captivating read that is hard to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys legal thrillers, particularly those who appreciate a story that delves into the complexities of small-town life and the interconnectedness of personal and professional relationships.

[Linda Higdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Midwest Lawyer by Peter Kirkland

Peter Kirkland’s The Midwest Lawyer is a legal drama that delivers suspense, emotional depth, and a vivid portrayal of small-town complexities. Centered around the trial and defense of an accused murderer, the novel maintains tension right up to the final pages, keeping readers eagerly turning the page.

The story kicks off with a compelling twist—an accidental shooting that uncovers a weapon tied to a long-forgotten cold case. From there, Kirkland skillfully weaves a narrative that explores both the legal intricacies of the case and the social undercurrents of a close-knit community. The accused, Troy, finds himself at the center of a storm, charged with child endangerment and murder. While the accusations are not entirely surprising, they are handled with nuance and insight.

However, one element that felt somewhat exaggerated was the portrayal of the prosecutor. Cast as cold and politically motivated, their character occasionally strays into caricature. Although this depiction serves to heighten the drama and underscore the importance of the child's testimony, it may have been a touch heavy-handed.

Despite that, the evolving discovery of evidence is one of the novel’s strongest aspects. Each new revelation is thoughtfully placed and adds to the suspense, culminating in a surprising ending that still feels satisfying and well earned.

Beyond the courtroom drama, The Midwest Lawyer excels in its depiction of family dynamics and small-town relationships. Kirkland paints a realistic picture of a community where everyone is connected and secrets are hard to keep. A standout character is Auntie El, whose humor and eccentricity provide much-needed levity, making her a delightful addition to the story.

Overall, The Midwest Lawyer is a strong start to what promises to be an engaging series. It’s a well-paced legal thriller grounded in human emotion and community tension. I wholeheartedly recommend it and look forward to seeing where Kirkland takes us next..

[Saragrland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie Gallagher has returned to her hometown after years of practicing law as a state prosecutor in Chicago. She has just set up her own firm in an attempt to spend more time with her family & protect them from the risks associated with some cases. But when her childhood friend is arrested for the murder of a high school football coach, Maggie has to take the case. She knows Troy better than most and her needs her now more than any other time in his life.
Maggie is clearly a caring person, reflected in her internal thoughts. She is a strong reflector that worries both about her husband and son as this case consumes her. She is clearly a very competent lawyer and boy does she need to be facing the imposing, ambitious and slightly devious prosecutor.
The book focuses on the information gathering and technical court proceedings to take the reader through the case. I thoroughly enjoyed the tactical insights into to how Maggie works the case, offsetting the tricks that the prosecutor is trying to leverage for her own career aspirations. There are a good few twists as information that is revealed influence the case. Given this is book 1 in the series, Maggie’s aunt will hopefully be a firm favourite, as she is humorous, warm, sharp and hugely organised. She very quickly became Maggie’s rock, without which Maggie would not have been court room ready.
The narrator for the audiobook version was ok. The pace and use of character voices was decent. Perhaps not my favourite American accent, but better than others. The pace of the story was generally better in the last third of the book, midway it was a little slow at times, which does happen, but is steady and systematically executed.
Overall it gives an enjoyable glimpse into the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by lawyers in higher-stake cases. Getting to know the characters, I finished feeling like I wanted to know about Maggie’s future journey, so would be keen to read the next 2 books available. Overall, I think this will suit those who enjoys a blend of legal suspense and character-driven storytelling.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Midwest Lawyer is a legal novel filled with suspense, it featured Maggie Gallagher, who had a successful career as a public prosecutor in Chicago. After some personal and family issues, and desiring a quieter, slower lifeMaggie moves her family to her hometown. Here, she is planning to spend more quality time at home with her family. She opens a small private practice as a defense attorney, Her new practice gets busy and does so quickly as Maggie learns her childhood friend had been arrested for the murder of the local high school football coach. Maggie feels like she has to take the case. She knows Troy better than anyone, and she’s certain he wouldn’t hurt a flea.

Still, the evidence is stacked against him… the murder weapon, clothing fibers, and more all point to Troy. The Prosecuting Attorney is desperate for a win, and to her, this case looks open and shut. But is it?

I enjoyed the back and forth of the two female attorneys in the courtroom and the judge’s responses. Intriguing to me were the strategies employed on the jurors to get their attention and see Maggie’s case in a manner that makes Troy seem innocent.

Maggie now, not really fulfilling her plan of quality time at home, digs deeper, and deeper trying to uncover the truth. She discovers a twisted trail of animosity against coach Schaefer and the broken lives surrounding him. Unfortunately, for his case, Troy has secrets of his own. Unless he comes clean about his past, there’s no way Maggie can mount a proper defense.

But she can’t let Troy go to prison which will shatter his family. And even worse, the real killer may strike again.


It left off on a bit of a cliff hanger even though the ending was resolved, but in a way you may or may not agree. Is a sequel in the works?


Narrator was spot on with excellent portrayals of the different voices,
Great audio book, one I highly recommend,

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic courtroom drama in this high stakes legal thriller.

After trading the frenetic pace of the Chicago prosecutor’s office for the quiet rhythms of her Ohio hometown, Maggie Gallagher wants nothing more than a peaceful practice and family dinners as she continues to recover from her injuries. Unfortunately, switching to a defender’s role brings an immediate trial by fire. When her childhood friend, Troy Weaver, is arrested for the shooting death of a local high school football coach, Maggie finds a nightmare from day one. The physical evidence is damning, her client seems to be hiding secrets, and a ruthless new prosecutor is hungry for a swift conviction as she sets her ambitions higher.

Fortunately, Maggie’s husband and her other relatives in town are supportive as she tries to navigate the small town community to unearth the truth and help to free a man she believes to be innocent.

I love a good legal thriller and this fit my requirements. The writing was good, the details and descriptions of the law and legal procedure were authentic, and the courtroom scenes were spot on. I know Maggie seems just a bit too fantastic with all her smarts and maneuvering, but I like her as a main character and look forward to seeing what she does in the next books in the series.

I was able to listen to the audio book that I received from NetGalley while also reading along in the e-book. The narrator, Carrie Coello, did an ok job trying to voice all the characters but this could definitely have benefited from a larger cast or at least one male voice. It’s difficult to play the entire age and gender range with this many different characters to create a truly immersive experience. I’ve always felt, however, that listening while reading definitely enhances my enjoyment of a novel.

[MarilynW · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Midwest Lawyer by Peter Kirkland
Narrated by Carrie Coello

I'm pretty sure I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read it rather than listened to the audiobook. The story features Maggie Gallagher, who has had a successful career as a Chicago public prosecutor and has now moved back to her hometown with her family where she has opened a private practice as a defense attorney. To have gotten this far Maggie has proven she is strong, determined, professional, smart, and more. But to hear her in the audiobook narration she comes across as shrill, screechy, whiny, and insane. Being "ginger" she claims to lose her temper easily and we get to see her do that at her husband, son, in the courtroom and elsewhere. I think I wouldn't have minded this if I read the book because I never imagine anyone sounding this demented in my head.

And then there is Maggie's nemesis, the woman prosecutor she faces in court for her first big case since starting her new practice. She's just as crazed sounding as Maggie although I think she was written that way whereas I hope Maggie wasn't meant to sound so crazed. Maggie is facing a prosecutor who puts her career ahead of justice, while Maggie hates that she will have to take cases from people who can pay her (as opposed to those who can't pay her) now that she is in private practice.

Other than a very upset side character mother who is also ranting and raving but with good reason since her world has been "shot" to pieces, the audiobook narration works very well. It's too bad that two strong, successful women have to sound so insane and demented. I know I have a picky ear but I think it's very important to pull back on audiobook narrations, especially when the characters are already written as being very angry and upset.

The second book in this series is publishing soon and I want to give it another try by reading the next book. I did think the investigations and courtroom scenes where interesting when I could hear past all the shrillness of the attorneys. I'm interested in seeing what I think of Maggie when she is voiced in my head rather than by audiobook next time.

Published November 21, 2025

Thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review
The audiobook experience for The Midwest Lawyer is absolutely stellar, seamlessly blending Kirkland’s gripping prose with Carrie Coello’s immersive narration. Kirkland has a gift for storytelling that grabs hold of you and refuses to let go, delivering everything a legal mystery thriller should. It is a story packed with witty banter, genuine laughs, intense drama, and pulse-pounding suspense that feels both high-stakes and grounded.
​The plot follows Maggie as she moves her family from Chicago back to her small Ohio hometown seeking a slower, less stressful pace. However, her attempt to build a quiet law practice is upended when she steps up to defend a childhood friend in a serious criminal case. This decision puts her at a fascinating crossroads, directly at odds with her own family members on the police force and creating a complex web of conflicting loyalties. Watching Maggie navigate her new role while balancing her relationship with her teenage son and her supportive teacher husband makes the evolution of her character feel remarkably authentic.
​The cast is beautifully developed and memorable, from the multifaceted client to the resourceful aunt who serves as a bridge between the defense and the police. Carrie Coello provides a fantastic performance, giving each character a distinct voice that perfectly enhances the small-town atmosphere. If you enjoy a mystery with deep character development, murky family ties, and a protagonist transitioning from city prosecutor to small-town defense attorney, you won’t be able to put this one down.