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Marc Kadella Legal Mystery #18
Precise Justice
K. Akers
5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy good!!
I loved everything about it. Great ending. And editing was spot on this time. Just enthralled with plot, characters, writing itself. Perfect!! Best of his books so far. Way to go. I recommend it to everyone who loves a good courtroom thriller that makes you think. Thank you, mr. Carstens.
WHEN JUSTICE BECOMES PERSONAL. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS. SOMEONE PAYS.
Robbie's childhood was stolen by experts who claimed to know better. At eleven, a shy, awkward boy became the target of a twisted conspiracy—his domineering mother, school officials, and a predatory psychiatrist all pushing him toward a gender transition he never wanted.
Now, years later, those same "experts" are turning up dead. Brutally murdered. One by one.
And all evidence points to Robbie.
When Minneapolis defense attorney Marc Kadella takes the case, he discovers a horrifying pattern of manipulation and abuse that reaches into the highest levels of the medical establishment. Dr. Phillip Friedman, the renowned psychiatrist who orchestrated Robbie's transition, had his own sick agenda. The school officials who enabled it all had their reasons. And Robbie's mother? She's the first victim.
But someone is hunting down everyone involved in destroying an innocent child's life—and the killer knows exactly where to find them.
Teaming up with investigator Maddy Rivers and the relentless Tony Carvelli, Kadella must navigate a case that exposes the dark side of ideological medicine and institutional power. In this explosive legal thriller, the line between victim and vigilante blurs, and justice comes with a body count.
As the trial approaches and more bodies drop, Kadella faces his most dangerous case yet. Because when the system fails the innocent, someone always pays the price—and this killer isn't finished.
The 18th electrifying installment in the bestselling Marc Kadella series. Justice has never been more personal.
5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy good!!
I loved everything about it. Great ending. And editing was spot on this time. Just enthralled with plot, characters, writing itself. Perfect!! Best of his books so far. Way to go. I recommend it to everyone who loves a good courtroom thriller that makes you think. Thank you, mr. Carstens.
WHEN JUSTICE BECOMES PERSONAL. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS. SOMEONE PAYS.
Robbie's childhood was stolen by experts who claimed to know better. At eleven, a shy, awkward boy became the target of a twisted conspiracy—his domineering mother, school officials, and a predatory psychiatrist all pushing him toward a gender transition he never wanted.
Now, years later, those same "experts" are turning up dead. Brutally murdered. One by one.
And all evidence points to Robbie.
When Minneapolis defense attorney Marc Kadella takes the case, he discovers a horrifying pattern of manipulation and abuse that reaches into the highest levels of the medical establishment. Dr. Phillip Friedman, the renowned psychiatrist who orchestrated Robbie's transition, had his own sick agenda. The school officials who enabled it all had their reasons. And Robbie's mother? She's the first victim.
But someone is hunting down everyone involved in destroying an innocent child's life—and the killer knows exactly where to find them.
Teaming up with investigator Maddy Rivers and the relentless Tony Carvelli, Kadella must navigate a case that exposes the dark side of ideological medicine and institutional power. In this explosive legal thriller, the line between victim and vigilante blurs, and justice comes with a body count.
As the trial approaches and more bodies drop, Kadella faces his most dangerous case yet. Because when the system fails the innocent, someone always pays the price—and this killer isn't finished.
The 18th electrifying installment in the bestselling Marc Kadella series. Justice has never been more personal.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2025
About the author
Dennis Carstens
32 books120 followersDennis Carstens was born in Worthington, MN, and has lived most of his life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He received a BA from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from a highly respected private law school, William Mitchell, in St. Paul. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a retired trial lawyer, Carstens brings these life experiences to his fiction for a dose of realism and accuracy missing from much of the legal thriller genre today.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 12, 2025
Such an issue these days. It stinks that a parent and a few “medical professionals” pushed this “treatment” on a 12 year old. Poor kid was wrecked by his overbearing “mother” and a cadre of pseudo professionals. The father was so weak that the kid didn’t have a chance.
Exploration of the trans world; I’m not a part of that, and have no problem with adult decisions in this arena. It scares me thinking that parents and medical professionals are seemingly so quick to propose such a dramatic answer to teen/preteen anxiety and sexual confusion.
Once again, Marc Kadella does a great job defending his client. The actions of the father and son are unforgivable, but I get why they did what they did.
Exploration of the trans world; I’m not a part of that, and have no problem with adult decisions in this arena. It scares me thinking that parents and medical professionals are seemingly so quick to propose such a dramatic answer to teen/preteen anxiety and sexual confusion.
Once again, Marc Kadella does a great job defending his client. The actions of the father and son are unforgivable, but I get why they did what they did.
May 6, 2025
I have probably given every other Marc Kadella book 5 stars, but this one was just strange. When I began it talked about getting a divorce from his first wife and he was not yet in practice for himself and renting space from Connie. That made me look at what I was reading again. Yep! It was the 18th book in the series. All those things had happened long ago, yet being told here...again. Maddy and Carvelli don't come in until about halfway through the book. There is a huge twist in the end, but it seemed like an afterthought without any lead up to it. Definitely not my favorite Marc Kadella book.
April 20, 2025
I knew he did it, until I knew he didn't do it.
Beautiful narrative, quite relevant to today's headlines and political debate. The angle about the tx-exempt foundations and their activists was gilding the lily, so to speak, but relevant. The main character is someone a lot of us could relate to at 8 or 9 years old, but most of us grow up and through the difficult years called puberty, even if it isn't explained to us completely. Great read!!!
Beautiful narrative, quite relevant to today's headlines and political debate. The angle about the tx-exempt foundations and their activists was gilding the lily, so to speak, but relevant. The main character is someone a lot of us could relate to at 8 or 9 years old, but most of us grow up and through the difficult years called puberty, even if it isn't explained to us completely. Great read!!!
April 30, 2025
today’s headlines
A topic that is current and controversial in our society today has been developed into an intriguing courtroom drama. Marc and company are dealing with a trans gender case and Robbie’s story from when he was little to how he wound up in a courtroom. There are so many pieces to this puzzle and makes for a great book. Plus a real eye opener regarding trans gender issues in our society.
A topic that is current and controversial in our society today has been developed into an intriguing courtroom drama. Marc and company are dealing with a trans gender case and Robbie’s story from when he was little to how he wound up in a courtroom. There are so many pieces to this puzzle and makes for a great book. Plus a real eye opener regarding trans gender issues in our society.
September 6, 2025
pleasant surprise
I love DC’s books! Every one of them! But when I started reading this one, I thought “oh no!” Another woke agenda! So I didn’t read it for months after I purchased it. Then one day I decided to give it a half a chance and see….it was brilliant! DC can usually fool me on the “whodunits.” This time was no different. It was very current and accurate. Great read!
I love DC’s books! Every one of them! But when I started reading this one, I thought “oh no!” Another woke agenda! So I didn’t read it for months after I purchased it. Then one day I decided to give it a half a chance and see….it was brilliant! DC can usually fool me on the “whodunits.” This time was no different. It was very current and accurate. Great read!
April 21, 2025
I've read all the Marc Cadella books and loved them all but this one I read in one sitting loved loved loved it and while some people may not agree the ending was perfect cannot wait for the next book
June 17, 2025
Another excellent read from author. Writes authentically about the legal system. His characters are real and the author’s sense of humour adds to the characters’ dialogue and interaction. Can’t wait for the next book
July 3, 2025
Suprising conclusion
This volume is a step back several years before Marc and Maddy are married. It involves a boy who is pressured into transitioning to female and is extremely resentful. Murders occur.
This volume is a step back several years before Marc and Maddy are married. It involves a boy who is pressured into transitioning to female and is extremely resentful. Murders occur.
November 21, 2025
Book 18 in the series
Marc takes a case that involves a transgender person. A boy whose mother wants a girl and is willing to do whatever it takes to make him switch. A great story.
Marc takes a case that involves a transgender person. A boy whose mother wants a girl and is willing to do whatever it takes to make him switch. A great story.
April 21, 2025
No Winners
Everyone should read this book. It brought a lot of information to light that I hadn't been aware of before. Thank you, Mr. Carstens.
Everyone should read this book. It brought a lot of information to light that I hadn't been aware of before. Thank you, Mr. Carstens.
April 26, 2025
So good! Read in two days. Didn't get much sleep,but worth it ! Aways a great read!
When is the next book?
When is the next book?
April 30, 2025
Loved the book. I've read all of the Kadella legal mysteries and find them very interesting. I love all the characters and their idiocyncracies.
May 11, 2025
Not my favourite in the Marc Kadella series. Took too long to get going and timeline didn’t seem to make sense it started with him just starting out on his own then suddenly he was engaged to Maddy. Might just have come to the end of the line with this set of characters
June 1, 2025
So Good
I love the Marc Kadella books. Although they are fiction, he does bring an attorney's point of view into the stories. I can't wait for the next one.
I love the Marc Kadella books. Although they are fiction, he does bring an attorney's point of view into the stories. I can't wait for the next one.
July 4, 2025
Never saw it coming.
This is one of the best in the Marc Kadela legal series. It opens up many things about life that we don't know much about. Definitely food for thought.
This is one of the best in the Marc Kadela legal series. It opens up many things about life that we don't know much about. Definitely food for thought.
July 15, 2025
Outstanding Story
I could not put it down. Per usual, Dennis Carsten brought my favorite characters back and created a story with lots of new information. Thanks!
I could not put it down. Per usual, Dennis Carsten brought my favorite characters back and created a story with lots of new information. Thanks!
November 30, 2025
Happy Ending
Marc Kadella and his crew really have one of the toughest cases they have tried. Thrilling story with a magnificent ending.
Marc Kadella and his crew really have one of the toughest cases they have tried. Thrilling story with a magnificent ending.
December 23, 2025
Justice
Marc finds himself back in a courtroom for a case he was hesitant to take.
He successfully defended a prior defendant so his name is on the books.
Marc finds himself back in a courtroom for a case he was hesitant to take.
He successfully defended a prior defendant so his name is on the books.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews