What do you think?
Rate this book
Tony Valenti #9
The Usual Suspect
When military veteran Van Booker is accused of murdering her husband and toddler in a case the press has dubbed “The Easter Bunny Killings”, the case against her appears strong. The circumstances surrounding the crime—a troubled marriage, no evidence of a break-in, a weak alibi, and Van’s well-honed special forces skills—are more than enough to arouse suspicion. Add her complex mental and emotional history to the mix, and she rises to suspect number one.
The struggling law firm of Brooks, Valenti & Williams reluctantly agrees to defend Van, even though its beleaguered lawyers recognize the monumental challenge of delivering an effective defense on a shoe-string budget. A personal tragedy and escalating demands quickly stretch their meager resources to the breaking point, leaving only Tony Valenti to soldier on against a well-prepared and ruthless prosecution team armed with seemingly unlimited means and manpower. Tony cobbles together an unlikely team of allies, desperately searching for that key witness or bit of evidence that might turn the tide as the approaching trial date looms ever nearer.
When explosive new revelations shake even Tony’s confidence in their case and their client, the already long odds of saving Van become astronomical … even Tony doubts his client’s innocence. It will require every ounce of Tony’s considerable legal skill, tenacity, and courtroom wizardry to come out on top in the biggest challenge of his career.
The struggling law firm of Brooks, Valenti & Williams reluctantly agrees to defend Van, even though its beleaguered lawyers recognize the monumental challenge of delivering an effective defense on a shoe-string budget. A personal tragedy and escalating demands quickly stretch their meager resources to the breaking point, leaving only Tony Valenti to soldier on against a well-prepared and ruthless prosecution team armed with seemingly unlimited means and manpower. Tony cobbles together an unlikely team of allies, desperately searching for that key witness or bit of evidence that might turn the tide as the approaching trial date looms ever nearer.
When explosive new revelations shake even Tony’s confidence in their case and their client, the already long odds of saving Van become astronomical … even Tony doubts his client’s innocence. It will require every ounce of Tony’s considerable legal skill, tenacity, and courtroom wizardry to come out on top in the biggest challenge of his career.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2025
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.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08XVRLJDR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neilturnerau...
BingeBooks: https://bingebooks.com/author/neil-tu...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/neil-...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08XVRLJDR
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neilturnerau...
BingeBooks: https://bingebooks.com/author/neil-tu...
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/neil-...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 8, 2025
I'm thoroughly entertained by reading a Tony Valenti legal drama. Neil Turner has developed such an interesting character through his talented writing style: short, clipped sentences and italicized thoughts are so effective and spot-on. I think he parallels the Harry Bosch series that Michael Connelly has written. The plots are very involved and suspenseful, keeping the reader wondering how Tony is going to pull that rabbit out of the hat yet once again. I always end up putting Neil's newest release on the top of my reading pile despite having others due at the library! And it's always worth it!
March 14, 2026
Excellent series! Each book keeps you turning pages from beginning to end.
November 14, 2025
Very Good Book
Once again Mr.Turner has written an excellent Tony Valenti book. Every additional Valenti thriller is harder to put down than the last one. Hopefully there will be more coming in the future.
Once again Mr.Turner has written an excellent Tony Valenti book. Every additional Valenti thriller is harder to put down than the last one. Hopefully there will be more coming in the future.
October 28, 2025
Another great read!
October 22, 2025
I received an ARC through "Booksirens" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
In the series I have to say this last one, The Usual Suspect, was one of the best. I have previously reviewed all of the previous eight and will now review "The Usual Suspect".
This story begins with Mel, a possible new client, entering Tony's office requesting a lawyer for her cousin, Van. Van has been arrested for the brutal murder of her husband and daughter on Easter morning. There is not a lot of money available for her defense and after discussing it with Mike, one of the other partners and Penelope the 3rd partner. Tony needed to meet Van 1st before making the decision. Van was initially being represented by a public defender, but eventually Tony's firm took it over.The case was to be originally run by Mike with Tony in the 2nd chair. Not too long after, Mike was in an auto accident where his wife, Aretha, and an unborn child were killed. Mike was seriously injured and it was now all on Tony's shoulders to run the case. Tony eventually convinced Penelope to bring on Mick, a young client needing a lawyer, to work as an investigator and eventually Joe Bob, a has-been lawyer as second chair. Now the team was all put together and the trial will soon start.
Follow along and learn how Mick and Joe Bob supported the case and what events happened as the trial date got closer. Follow the trial as Tony faces off against Grayson, the prosecutor, in addition to a newly appointed judge. Discover how Tony was able to discredit Grayson's case and what kind of case presentation Tony did in defending Van.
The case has now gone to the jury. Learn what the jury did with the verdict. The ending is well done!
In the series I have to say this last one, The Usual Suspect, was one of the best. I have previously reviewed all of the previous eight and will now review "The Usual Suspect".
This story begins with Mel, a possible new client, entering Tony's office requesting a lawyer for her cousin, Van. Van has been arrested for the brutal murder of her husband and daughter on Easter morning. There is not a lot of money available for her defense and after discussing it with Mike, one of the other partners and Penelope the 3rd partner. Tony needed to meet Van 1st before making the decision. Van was initially being represented by a public defender, but eventually Tony's firm took it over.The case was to be originally run by Mike with Tony in the 2nd chair. Not too long after, Mike was in an auto accident where his wife, Aretha, and an unborn child were killed. Mike was seriously injured and it was now all on Tony's shoulders to run the case. Tony eventually convinced Penelope to bring on Mick, a young client needing a lawyer, to work as an investigator and eventually Joe Bob, a has-been lawyer as second chair. Now the team was all put together and the trial will soon start.
Follow along and learn how Mick and Joe Bob supported the case and what events happened as the trial date got closer. Follow the trial as Tony faces off against Grayson, the prosecutor, in addition to a newly appointed judge. Discover how Tony was able to discredit Grayson's case and what kind of case presentation Tony did in defending Van.
The case has now gone to the jury. Learn what the jury did with the verdict. The ending is well done!
March 20, 2026
The Usual Suspect by Neil Turner is a gripping legal thriller that blends courtroom drama with psychological tension, delivering a story that keeps readers questioning the truth until the very end. Centered on a high-stakes murder case, the novel explores not only the mechanics of justice but also the fragility of perception and doubt.
The story follows Van Booker, a military veteran accused of a shocking double murder in a case sensationalized by the media. From the outset, the evidence appears damning, and Turner skillfully builds an atmosphere where guilt seems almost certain yet never entirely proven. This ambiguity becomes one of the novel’s greatest strengths, drawing readers deeper into the unfolding mystery.
Equally compelling is the perspective of the defense team, particularly Tony Valenti, who carries the weight of the case under immense pressure. As resources dwindle and new revelations surface, the narrative intensifies, highlighting the emotional and ethical complexities faced by those tasked with defending a client whose innocence is far from clear even to them.
Turner’s pacing is tight, and the courtroom sequences are especially engaging, filled with strategic maneuvering and moments of high tension. The novel also delves into themes of media influence, trauma, and the burden of proof, adding depth beyond the central mystery.
The Usual Suspect is a strong addition to the legal thriller genre, offering suspense, layered characters, and a narrative that challenges assumptions about guilt and justice. It’s a compelling read for fans of courtroom drama and psychologically driven crime fiction.
The story follows Van Booker, a military veteran accused of a shocking double murder in a case sensationalized by the media. From the outset, the evidence appears damning, and Turner skillfully builds an atmosphere where guilt seems almost certain yet never entirely proven. This ambiguity becomes one of the novel’s greatest strengths, drawing readers deeper into the unfolding mystery.
Equally compelling is the perspective of the defense team, particularly Tony Valenti, who carries the weight of the case under immense pressure. As resources dwindle and new revelations surface, the narrative intensifies, highlighting the emotional and ethical complexities faced by those tasked with defending a client whose innocence is far from clear even to them.
Turner’s pacing is tight, and the courtroom sequences are especially engaging, filled with strategic maneuvering and moments of high tension. The novel also delves into themes of media influence, trauma, and the burden of proof, adding depth beyond the central mystery.
The Usual Suspect is a strong addition to the legal thriller genre, offering suspense, layered characters, and a narrative that challenges assumptions about guilt and justice. It’s a compelling read for fans of courtroom drama and psychologically driven crime fiction.
November 11, 2025
When Van Booker's husband and daughter are found brutally murdered on Easter morning, Van finds herself the primary suspect and arrested for the crimes. Her cousin is convinced of her innocence and hires Tony Valenti's law firm to defend Booker. Valenti finds himself clashing with Booker at their first meeting, but agrees to sit second chair to his partner. But after his partner suffers his own tragedy, Valenti soon finds himself sitting first chair and fighting to save Booker from jail.
I thought this was a great legal thriller and would have rated it higher, but felt like it fell apart at the end. There were so many threads that were laid out through the story, but they didn't all get pulled together at the end like they could have. The ending felt a bit rushed and just unfinished. I know this is a series, so maybe the author plans to continue with Booker's story in future books, but her story definitely didn't feel complete here.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I thought this was a great legal thriller and would have rated it higher, but felt like it fell apart at the end. There were so many threads that were laid out through the story, but they didn't all get pulled together at the end like they could have. The ending felt a bit rushed and just unfinished. I know this is a series, so maybe the author plans to continue with Booker's story in future books, but her story definitely didn't feel complete here.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 14, 2026
Solid 10/10. Great read in a recommended series. Includes serious topics intertwined with hilarious humor. Only 2 things I would change to improve the aeries: Possibly find a new couples’ relationship for Tony (nix Pat as his girlfriend or have her find another boyfriend and just remain Tony’s friend) and cut back some of the sarcastic humor…at times it borders on unkind. BUT this is a mighty enjoyable courtroom murder mystery!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews