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Edward Mead Legal Thriller #2
Lethal Objection: A Contemporary Christian Thriller
A sensational trial. Dark motives. Deadly secrets.
Arrogant and abusive Judge Samuel Chesterfield is murdered in his chambers during a sensational wrongful-death trial brought against a prominent abortionist. Only the four trial lawyers had access.
Edward Mead, 77-year-old distinguished law professor, acts as special prosecutor. Still brilliant but struggling with the ravages of age and the recent death of his wife, Mead is thrust headlong into a lethal maelstrom of crime and corruption that threatens to submerge his mind and body, with the slightest misstep costing his life.
Special Agent Sarah Riehl sees the case as her one chance to shatter the glass ceiling that has suffocated her career at the FBI. Her impetuous drive to succeed recklessly propels her on a deadly gambit where the hunter becomes the prey.
This fast-paced legal thriller ripped from today's headlines combines the action and suspense of John Grisham with the classic twists and turns of an Agatha Christie locked room murder mystery, leaving the reader breathlessly guessing until the final page.
With suspense on every page, Amazon #1 Best-Selling author Michael Swiger demonstrates why he is a favorite among mystery, suspense and thriller fans.
Fans of Creston Mapes, Robert Whitlow, Scott Pratt, John Grisham and James Patterson will love this thriller from award-winning and bestselling author Michael Swiger.
Reader praise for Lethal
★★★★★ Excellent!! - As far as I am concerned this guy is light years ahead of Grisham and Patterson...just a GREAT author....GREAT story....PERIOD.
★★★★★ An important case; verdict is in; judge is murdered in chambers...This is the second Edward Mead thriller; soooo good! An important, but not very well-liked judge is murdered in his chambers just prior to the verdict being delivered in a wrongful death case. One of the attorneys must be the killer, right? Edward Mead stands out as lead investigator in another superbly written thriller by Michael Swiger. Mead is his soft-spoken self; dismissed by other council as too old to be productive; however, he's way ahead of them in insight and development of theories. He gets it right! Did you? Swiger knows how to write; his use of details to create his settings is delightful. Waiting patiently for Edward Mead thriller #3...
★★★★★ Whew to the umpteenth power!! - Unfortunately, intrigue and murder is not uncommon, but in Michael Swiger’s Lethal Objection, it occurs among four suspect attorneys and a dead judge, all within the hallowed halls of the local courthouse!
To potentially complicate matters, the prosecuting team is an unlikely pairing of an aging law professor, Edward Meade, and an attractive young FBI agent. Are you kidding? What could possibly go wrong? Edward Mead’s sense of humor is as sharp as they come! (You know you’d love to be barb sparring buds with the writer!!)
The author’s finesse with plots bears the fragrance of Alfred Hitchcock, the undisputed Master of the plot-twist! Bottom line, this novel definitely earns a “Whew” to the umpteenth power!!
★★★★★ Couldn't put it down! - WOW this was a great read! I was hooked after the first few pages. The characters are colorful and each one of them could of done it. I love reading about things that take place back in Ohio! Micheal's descriptions of the places and areas around Cleveland are great!
Arrogant and abusive Judge Samuel Chesterfield is murdered in his chambers during a sensational wrongful-death trial brought against a prominent abortionist. Only the four trial lawyers had access.
Edward Mead, 77-year-old distinguished law professor, acts as special prosecutor. Still brilliant but struggling with the ravages of age and the recent death of his wife, Mead is thrust headlong into a lethal maelstrom of crime and corruption that threatens to submerge his mind and body, with the slightest misstep costing his life.
Special Agent Sarah Riehl sees the case as her one chance to shatter the glass ceiling that has suffocated her career at the FBI. Her impetuous drive to succeed recklessly propels her on a deadly gambit where the hunter becomes the prey.
This fast-paced legal thriller ripped from today's headlines combines the action and suspense of John Grisham with the classic twists and turns of an Agatha Christie locked room murder mystery, leaving the reader breathlessly guessing until the final page.
With suspense on every page, Amazon #1 Best-Selling author Michael Swiger demonstrates why he is a favorite among mystery, suspense and thriller fans.
Fans of Creston Mapes, Robert Whitlow, Scott Pratt, John Grisham and James Patterson will love this thriller from award-winning and bestselling author Michael Swiger.
Reader praise for Lethal
★★★★★ Excellent!! - As far as I am concerned this guy is light years ahead of Grisham and Patterson...just a GREAT author....GREAT story....PERIOD.
★★★★★ An important case; verdict is in; judge is murdered in chambers...This is the second Edward Mead thriller; soooo good! An important, but not very well-liked judge is murdered in his chambers just prior to the verdict being delivered in a wrongful death case. One of the attorneys must be the killer, right? Edward Mead stands out as lead investigator in another superbly written thriller by Michael Swiger. Mead is his soft-spoken self; dismissed by other council as too old to be productive; however, he's way ahead of them in insight and development of theories. He gets it right! Did you? Swiger knows how to write; his use of details to create his settings is delightful. Waiting patiently for Edward Mead thriller #3...
★★★★★ Whew to the umpteenth power!! - Unfortunately, intrigue and murder is not uncommon, but in Michael Swiger’s Lethal Objection, it occurs among four suspect attorneys and a dead judge, all within the hallowed halls of the local courthouse!
To potentially complicate matters, the prosecuting team is an unlikely pairing of an aging law professor, Edward Meade, and an attractive young FBI agent. Are you kidding? What could possibly go wrong? Edward Mead’s sense of humor is as sharp as they come! (You know you’d love to be barb sparring buds with the writer!!)
The author’s finesse with plots bears the fragrance of Alfred Hitchcock, the undisputed Master of the plot-twist! Bottom line, this novel definitely earns a “Whew” to the umpteenth power!!
★★★★★ Couldn't put it down! - WOW this was a great read! I was hooked after the first few pages. The characters are colorful and each one of them could of done it. I love reading about things that take place back in Ohio! Micheal's descriptions of the places and areas around Cleveland are great!
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First published July 21, 2008
252 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 18, 2025
Misogynistic Read
Lethal Objection sets out to be a high-stakes legal thriller, but its impact is severely undercut by the presence of overtly misogynistic viewpoints and problematic character portrayals. The novel repeatedly falls back on tired gender stereotypes, reducing women to plot devices or hypersexualized figures with little depth or agency.
Particularly troubling is the depiction of the book’s sole Black female character. She is portrayed through a lens of fetishization and caricature. Her speech is littered with exaggerated slang and grammatically poor dialogue, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that dehumanize rather than enrich. It’s a portrayal that feels lazy at best and deeply offensive at worst.
Most concerning is the hypersexualized and demeaning characterization of women throughout the text. Their identities are framed almost exclusively through the lens of male desire or contempt, reinforcing damaging tropes that have long plagued media representations.
While some readers may find merit in the book’s pacing or structure, the pervasive misogyny makes it difficult to engage with the story in good faith.
Literature has the power to challenge narratives and broaden empathy, but this book unfortunately reaffirms the very biases that should be dismantled.
Lethal Objection is a disappointing and harmful read that perpetuates regressive ideas under the guise of storytelling.
Lethal Objection sets out to be a high-stakes legal thriller, but its impact is severely undercut by the presence of overtly misogynistic viewpoints and problematic character portrayals. The novel repeatedly falls back on tired gender stereotypes, reducing women to plot devices or hypersexualized figures with little depth or agency.
Particularly troubling is the depiction of the book’s sole Black female character. She is portrayed through a lens of fetishization and caricature. Her speech is littered with exaggerated slang and grammatically poor dialogue, reinforcing harmful stereotypes that dehumanize rather than enrich. It’s a portrayal that feels lazy at best and deeply offensive at worst.
Most concerning is the hypersexualized and demeaning characterization of women throughout the text. Their identities are framed almost exclusively through the lens of male desire or contempt, reinforcing damaging tropes that have long plagued media representations.
While some readers may find merit in the book’s pacing or structure, the pervasive misogyny makes it difficult to engage with the story in good faith.
Literature has the power to challenge narratives and broaden empathy, but this book unfortunately reaffirms the very biases that should be dismantled.
Lethal Objection is a disappointing and harmful read that perpetuates regressive ideas under the guise of storytelling.
May 25, 2025
Audible free book. I had read another of Swiger's books. This one was a very good story, but was narrated by AI. There wasn't much emotion in the voice. Christian contemporary novel.
Arrogant and abusive Judge Samuel Chesterfield is murdered in his chambers during a sensational wrongful-death trial brought against a prominent abortionist. Only the four trial lawyers had access.
Edward Mead, 77-year-old distinguished law professor, acts as special prosecutor. Still brilliant but struggling with the ravages of age and the recent death of his wife, Mead is thrust headlong into a lethal maelstrom of crime and corruption that threatens to submerge his mind and body, with the slightest misstep costing his life.
Special Agent Sarah Riehl sees the case as her one chance to shatter the glass ceiling that has suffocated her career at the FBI. Her impetuous drive to succeed recklessly propels her on a deadly gambit where the hunter becomes the prey.
Arrogant and abusive Judge Samuel Chesterfield is murdered in his chambers during a sensational wrongful-death trial brought against a prominent abortionist. Only the four trial lawyers had access.
Edward Mead, 77-year-old distinguished law professor, acts as special prosecutor. Still brilliant but struggling with the ravages of age and the recent death of his wife, Mead is thrust headlong into a lethal maelstrom of crime and corruption that threatens to submerge his mind and body, with the slightest misstep costing his life.
Special Agent Sarah Riehl sees the case as her one chance to shatter the glass ceiling that has suffocated her career at the FBI. Her impetuous drive to succeed recklessly propels her on a deadly gambit where the hunter becomes the prey.
June 3, 2024
A fast paced read. Short chapters that make getting to the next part of the mystery quick and keep the action flowing. A judge is murdered while a jury is deliberating an abortion malpractice case. Four attorneys are suspects. Ed Mead a former law professor teams with FBI special agent Sarah Reihl to track the killer in cold mid-winter Cleveland. While the story takes you down the path that seems likely there are twists in the backgrounds of each suspect. Their actions seem to tell another tale. When one of the suspects is found dead after confessing, the story takes a wide turn you probably weren’t expecting.
A great weekend read. It was hard to put down. I will have to check out other Michael Swiger books.
A great weekend read. It was hard to put down. I will have to check out other Michael Swiger books.
September 17, 2024
Agatha Christie,, move over
Professor Mead is called in as a special prosecutor when a well-hated and corrupt judge is murdered in his chambers and only the four lawyers had access to the room. Mead and FBI agent Stiel gather clues with varying degrees of success. I suspected the perp from his first interview, but with a fake confession, things muddied up. The only loose thread was the second victim's watch. Mead wanted to see it, but we never found out why. It was funny when Mead posited that he was like a character "in one of those Michael Swiger novels".
Professor Mead is called in as a special prosecutor when a well-hated and corrupt judge is murdered in his chambers and only the four lawyers had access to the room. Mead and FBI agent Stiel gather clues with varying degrees of success. I suspected the perp from his first interview, but with a fake confession, things muddied up. The only loose thread was the second victim's watch. Mead wanted to see it, but we never found out why. It was funny when Mead posited that he was like a character "in one of those Michael Swiger novels".
June 10, 2023
Outstanding!!!
I learned a lot from this author about abortions, malpractice in the legal world, legal terminology, and that one doesn't need to use foul language to get a point across (showing limited vocabulary) (ie chapters 16, 25, and 39). I also liked the way Mr. Swiger supported marriage where Mead still wore his wedding ring even though his wife had died, and he explained why. I look forward to reading more of his books.
I learned a lot from this author about abortions, malpractice in the legal world, legal terminology, and that one doesn't need to use foul language to get a point across (showing limited vocabulary) (ie chapters 16, 25, and 39). I also liked the way Mr. Swiger supported marriage where Mead still wore his wedding ring even though his wife had died, and he explained why. I look forward to reading more of his books.
July 11, 2023
So well written and pays such attention to detail
First time reading Michael Swigler and I’m a fan already. This book is such a thrill to read, I thought I knew from the start whodunnit, but the writer... I fell in love with Professor Mead, and would like to follow up with his escapades. Highly recommended for thriller/suspense lovers.
First time reading Michael Swigler and I’m a fan already. This book is such a thrill to read, I thought I knew from the start whodunnit, but the writer... I fell in love with Professor Mead, and would like to follow up with his escapades. Highly recommended for thriller/suspense lovers.
June 27, 2024
Great Thriller
I love the character of the law professor. He is old and suffering all the symptoms that go with it. Sarah, the FBI agent doesn't know what to think of him. This writing does remind me of John Grisham, minus the profanity. I highly recommend this novel and the author.
I love the character of the law professor. He is old and suffering all the symptoms that go with it. Sarah, the FBI agent doesn't know what to think of him. This writing does remind me of John Grisham, minus the profanity. I highly recommend this novel and the author.
September 11, 2024
a bit sappy
I love legal thrillers but this wasn’t one. It dragged on and on. I’m pro-life but the agenda was too in your face and did nothing to enhance the story and the female attorney going berserk just wasn’t very believable and the supposed suicide letter read like a copy of some old Perry Mason TV script.
I love legal thrillers but this wasn’t one. It dragged on and on. I’m pro-life but the agenda was too in your face and did nothing to enhance the story and the female attorney going berserk just wasn’t very believable and the supposed suicide letter read like a copy of some old Perry Mason TV script.
April 29, 2025
Best Thriller this Year (so far)
Professor Mead is a likeable fellow, and though his engine has a few decades of wear, he's got mileage to spare. I see him as a Mr Miyagi, from Karate Kid - only older, wiser and an attorney. I seldom give a 5, but 4 diesel it justice. Read this book!
Professor Mead is a likeable fellow, and though his engine has a few decades of wear, he's got mileage to spare. I see him as a Mr Miyagi, from Karate Kid - only older, wiser and an attorney. I seldom give a 5, but 4 diesel it justice. Read this book!
August 5, 2024
This was as good as I expected it to be!
I wish there was a way to have your books reach more people. Very good story. It really shows how many lives get damaged or destroyed by abortion.
I wish there was a way to have your books reach more people. Very good story. It really shows how many lives get damaged or destroyed by abortion.
September 2, 2024
Great book
I loved everything about this book...the details, suspense. Plot. And I love his pro-life stand. He covers both sides well. And I like his Christian standards evident in how he treats romance, and other issues.
I loved everything about this book...the details, suspense. Plot. And I love his pro-life stand. He covers both sides well. And I like his Christian standards evident in how he treats romance, and other issues.
December 21, 2024
Always gripping
Michael's books are always full of detail, some that lead to tears, some that bring a smile. I must be careful when I start one, as its easy to get lost in the pages and hard to do daily duties.
Michael's books are always full of detail, some that lead to tears, some that bring a smile. I must be careful when I start one, as its easy to get lost in the pages and hard to do daily duties.
July 7, 2025
I very enjoyed this book EXCEPT for the very descriptive writings on what is entaled in an abortion. It is not pleasant at all hence the rating of only 3. The ending is not at all what I thought it would be. Keeps you going until the end.
September 11, 2025
All about abortion
Many points of view and back stories influence behavior of lawyers and doctors. Solving the murder of a judge brings extreme risk and confrontation. Faint hearted should avoid this fascinating mystery.
Many points of view and back stories influence behavior of lawyers and doctors. Solving the murder of a judge brings extreme risk and confrontation. Faint hearted should avoid this fascinating mystery.
October 14, 2025
Objection
I don't have enough words to describe reading this book. The characters were believable and the story continuously held my attention. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone I know who reads.
I don't have enough words to describe reading this book. The characters were believable and the story continuously held my attention. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone I know who reads.
February 26, 2023
Good too the end
Never knew who done it. The end was a total surprise clean read no sex or porno or crude language total enjoyment
Never knew who done it. The end was a total surprise clean read no sex or porno or crude language total enjoyment
May 30, 2023
Enjoyable
I really liked this book and would recommend it to others. It is clear and has an intriguing storyline. It developed the characters well.
I really liked this book and would recommend it to others. It is clear and has an intriguing storyline. It developed the characters well.
August 24, 2024
This was one on favorites. The way the author developed professor Meads character with his sayings and way of thinking kept you locked in. I really did want this one to end.
September 12, 2024
Great read!!
I recommend this book to all my friends. It will keep you on your toes, until the end. Can't wait for more of these stories.
I recommend this book to all my friends. It will keep you on your toes, until the end. Can't wait for more of these stories.
October 12, 2024
Kept Me Glued
Excellent!! I could not put this book down! The twists and turns kept me wondering “who done it”! The lack of promiscuity and colourful (useless) language was another bonus. This strong storyline didn’t need anything but Michael Swiger’s great writing! Thanks for keeping my eyes wide open ‘til the end of the book!
Excellent!! I could not put this book down! The twists and turns kept me wondering “who done it”! The lack of promiscuity and colourful (useless) language was another bonus. This strong storyline didn’t need anything but Michael Swiger’s great writing! Thanks for keeping my eyes wide open ‘til the end of the book!
April 26, 2025
Leathal Objection
Excellent read. Writer keeps you on your toes wanting more in each turn of the page. Cant wait for the next book.
Excellent read. Writer keeps you on your toes wanting more in each turn of the page. Cant wait for the next book.
June 29, 2025
Spellbinding
Trying to figure out who did it is typical of murder mysteries. However, they don't usually have so many prospects. See if you can break the case. I bet not!
Trying to figure out who did it is typical of murder mysteries. However, they don't usually have so many prospects. See if you can break the case. I bet not!
November 6, 2025
Another enjoyable read and like other reviews very much a Grisham style legal drama
Definitely worth the read
Definitely worth the read
January 8, 2023
A Very Riveting Book!!
This was an excellent book of who done it!! I got to play detective to see who the murderer was but every time I thought I had it figured out then BAM it turned and twisted in a new direction. It had my head spinning. It was a real page turner. I was totally shocked at the ending. The loved the old professor he was smarter than anyone knew. Parts of it hurt my heart for a lot of reasons especially the loss of a person you loved and describing the details of abortions and how some people justify themselves by having them over and over and how hardened Dr’s make themselves by performing them.
This was an excellent book of who done it!! I got to play detective to see who the murderer was but every time I thought I had it figured out then BAM it turned and twisted in a new direction. It had my head spinning. It was a real page turner. I was totally shocked at the ending. The loved the old professor he was smarter than anyone knew. Parts of it hurt my heart for a lot of reasons especially the loss of a person you loved and describing the details of abortions and how some people justify themselves by having them over and over and how hardened Dr’s make themselves by performing them.
November 19, 2022
I should have checked this out a bit more before I started this "mystery." If you're a rabid anti-abortionist who believes the myths of the mercenary abortionist butcher and bad women using abortion as birth control, then this is the book for you. I'm not. It's not even a good mystery. Several things good mystery authors never do:
1) Reference themselves by having their protagonist say, "I felt as though I was in the pages of one of those mysteries by (author's name)."
2) Narrow down the list of suspects with no supporting logic. Huh? Why couldn't someone else have done it?
3) Proselytize. I know liberal authors do it, too, and I don't like those books, either.
4) Pile one low probability event on top of the other, over and over and over again. One low probability event is the maximum for a good novel. (If you think the incidents he describes are common, you're getting your information from an unreliable source.)
5) Lack all subtlety.
But maybe I'm giving Swiger too much credit in assuming that he was even trying to write a good mystery. It's pretty clear that the mystery wasn't the point of this book.
1) Reference themselves by having their protagonist say, "I felt as though I was in the pages of one of those mysteries by (author's name)."
2) Narrow down the list of suspects with no supporting logic. Huh? Why couldn't someone else have done it?
3) Proselytize. I know liberal authors do it, too, and I don't like those books, either.
4) Pile one low probability event on top of the other, over and over and over again. One low probability event is the maximum for a good novel. (If you think the incidents he describes are common, you're getting your information from an unreliable source.)
5) Lack all subtlety.
But maybe I'm giving Swiger too much credit in assuming that he was even trying to write a good mystery. It's pretty clear that the mystery wasn't the point of this book.
September 12, 2021
The mystery is decent, and if that had been the entirely of the book, it would have gotten more stars. However, the book veers off onto side tangents way too often. I understand that Professor Mead loved his wife and misses her, but it came up all the time and for no reason. The book is very political when politics were not necessary for the plot.
November 20, 2022
Great read!
I had some problems with the 1st books of his that I read; they most definitely needed a proofreader! Not so with this one. The writing is clear and concise and the storyline is gripping. My attention was held until the very end I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries.
I had some problems with the 1st books of his that I read; they most definitely needed a proofreader! Not so with this one. The writing is clear and concise and the storyline is gripping. My attention was held until the very end I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries.
October 2, 2010
I think every book I write should be read by everyone on the planet!
March 19, 2021
I am loving this Mead character. Good til the end. Love the courtroom
January 24, 2022
Mixed feelings about this. I enjoyed the courtroom scenes but other scenes unconvincing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews