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The Mediator
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Expected 12 May 26From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Rich Justice and The Boomerang comes a gripping thriller about a disgraced lawyer facing the legal battle of her life as she tries to redeem herself—and save her son.
Max Ringo was once a courtroom star at an elite law firm. Then a car accident left her addicted to painkillers, and her life dissolved into shambles. Now fresh out of rehab and making a comeback as a mediator, she gets her shot at redemption when she is appointed to handle a high-stakes divorce.
But as Max begins negotiations between the two notorious power players, the trap is already sprung. The husband kidnaps her teenage son, Nathan, and gives her a chilling settle the case on his terms…or the boy dies.
Over three relentless days, Max must resolve a cutthroat legal battle while pursuing a covert mission to rescue Nathan. She’ll risk everything—her career, her freedom, her life—to beat a ruthless adversary at his own game. Even when a shadowy syndicate enters the fray and bodies start to drop, only one thing matters. She must bring her son home, whatever the cost.
Max Ringo was once a courtroom star at an elite law firm. Then a car accident left her addicted to painkillers, and her life dissolved into shambles. Now fresh out of rehab and making a comeback as a mediator, she gets her shot at redemption when she is appointed to handle a high-stakes divorce.
But as Max begins negotiations between the two notorious power players, the trap is already sprung. The husband kidnaps her teenage son, Nathan, and gives her a chilling settle the case on his terms…or the boy dies.
Over three relentless days, Max must resolve a cutthroat legal battle while pursuing a covert mission to rescue Nathan. She’ll risk everything—her career, her freedom, her life—to beat a ruthless adversary at his own game. Even when a shadowy syndicate enters the fray and bodies start to drop, only one thing matters. She must bring her son home, whatever the cost.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 12, 2026
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22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another great novel by Robert Bailey. Having read and loved The Boomerang. I had very high expectations, and if anything, they were exceeded.
This story featured Max Ringo, former attorney, recovered drug addict, mother of Nate. She is now a Mediator trying to work her way back up in the legal system in Huntsville, Alabama.
Max has been recommended by her former bestie Judge Caroline Parker to meditate a divorce settlement between two parties who have a lot to lose/gain. The book covers a three day period in which much transpired and the parties involved seem to take no prisoners.
Bailey's deep characterization of Moe is brilliant. We see how broken she is and how much her past continues to impact her decisions and actions. I will say there were a few unnecessary players-seemed to complicate the plot more than it needed to. For this reason, I gave the read a 4.5 rating rounded up to 5.
Other characters are not as developed, but that supports plot development and adds to the "whodunnit". So much so that I sat up and said out loud "really?" Never who have got that one.
Shout out to NetGalley and Publisher Thomas & Mercer on exchange for this honest review.
This story featured Max Ringo, former attorney, recovered drug addict, mother of Nate. She is now a Mediator trying to work her way back up in the legal system in Huntsville, Alabama.
Max has been recommended by her former bestie Judge Caroline Parker to meditate a divorce settlement between two parties who have a lot to lose/gain. The book covers a three day period in which much transpired and the parties involved seem to take no prisoners.
Bailey's deep characterization of Moe is brilliant. We see how broken she is and how much her past continues to impact her decisions and actions. I will say there were a few unnecessary players-seemed to complicate the plot more than it needed to. For this reason, I gave the read a 4.5 rating rounded up to 5.
Other characters are not as developed, but that supports plot development and adds to the "whodunnit". So much so that I sat up and said out loud "really?" Never who have got that one.
Shout out to NetGalley and Publisher Thomas & Mercer on exchange for this honest review.
December 22, 2025
Robert Bailey continues to impress me with his writing. Each time I read one of his books, I get excited–knowing it will be an entertaining read.
I was immediately hooked by reading the first page. I knew from that I would be completely locked in. From the colorful, very frayed, and believable characters to the powerful storytelling Robert Bailey provided, I enjoyed reading this book.
What I liked most about THE MEDIATOR was the vulnerability each character had. It will have you emotionally invested. And the storyline was top-notch. You could tell Mr. Bailey researched everything right to the letter. As a reader, I greatly appreciated this.
The ending, though, was chef kiss! It ended as the new book could be in the wings. If so, I will be reading. If not, the story could end there and go into the sunset. Either way, I would be okay with it.
I highly recommend legal thriller enthusiasts add THE MEDIATOR to their virtual and/or physical bookcase. Outstanding storytelling!
I was immediately hooked by reading the first page. I knew from that I would be completely locked in. From the colorful, very frayed, and believable characters to the powerful storytelling Robert Bailey provided, I enjoyed reading this book.
What I liked most about THE MEDIATOR was the vulnerability each character had. It will have you emotionally invested. And the storyline was top-notch. You could tell Mr. Bailey researched everything right to the letter. As a reader, I greatly appreciated this.
The ending, though, was chef kiss! It ended as the new book could be in the wings. If so, I will be reading. If not, the story could end there and go into the sunset. Either way, I would be okay with it.
I highly recommend legal thriller enthusiasts add THE MEDIATOR to their virtual and/or physical bookcase. Outstanding storytelling!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Robert Bailey is a rising star amongst thriller writers with the ability to create and develop memorable leading characters.
Max Ringo is a marvellous invention. A superstar litigator whose career came to a grinding halt after injuries sustained in an accident led to her becoming hooked on opioids and her career crashed and burned.
Now she’s on the way back up agsin taking her first faltering steps as a mediator and her first big case is a doozy - a bitter divorce battle involving ownership of a multibillion company.
There are thrills and spills aplenty and much to get your teeth in and best of all there’s a return for Jason Rich too.
What more can you ask for.
The Boomerang was a good standalone but here Bailey has created a character who will hopefully make a welcome reappearance in his next book.
Highly recommended.
Max Ringo is a marvellous invention. A superstar litigator whose career came to a grinding halt after injuries sustained in an accident led to her becoming hooked on opioids and her career crashed and burned.
Now she’s on the way back up agsin taking her first faltering steps as a mediator and her first big case is a doozy - a bitter divorce battle involving ownership of a multibillion company.
There are thrills and spills aplenty and much to get your teeth in and best of all there’s a return for Jason Rich too.
What more can you ask for.
The Boomerang was a good standalone but here Bailey has created a character who will hopefully make a welcome reappearance in his next book.
Highly recommended.
December 24, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of The Mediator.
This was my first Robert Bailey novel and I will definitely be checking out more of his catalogue. I enjoyed his writing style and character development. I did like the female main character and felt a connection to her and her storyline.
The only negative I’d say about this is there are a lot of characters and it was difficult for me to keep them all straight. Two of them even had similar names (Wick and Hicks) so that didn’t make it any easier. Otherwise great and unique storyline.
This was my first Robert Bailey novel and I will definitely be checking out more of his catalogue. I enjoyed his writing style and character development. I did like the female main character and felt a connection to her and her storyline.
The only negative I’d say about this is there are a lot of characters and it was difficult for me to keep them all straight. Two of them even had similar names (Wick and Hicks) so that didn’t make it any easier. Otherwise great and unique storyline.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Mediator by new to me author Robert Bailey published by Thomas & Mercer is a thriller of its finest. I started reading and soon I was engrossed, couldn't put the book down and read the story cover to cover in one single sitting.
This is the first book in the new Max Ringo Series and what I most liked was the characters are flawed,the heroine has a mixed past just like her sidekicks that are struggling on their own.
A fantastic 5 stars read.
This is the first book in the new Max Ringo Series and what I most liked was the characters are flawed,the heroine has a mixed past just like her sidekicks that are struggling on their own.
A fantastic 5 stars read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Great new protagonist. I’m looking forward to a series with this new character. (I was disappointed that I couldn’t read this on Kindle; my phone is much harder on my eyes.) I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews