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Blake County Legal Thriller #5
A Voice of Reason: A Legal Thriller
In the quiet of the mountains, a sidelined attorney stumbles upon a case that could be her salvation…or downfall.
Amidst the fallout of a career-threatening scandal, lawyer Maggie Reynolds, finds herself serving a six-month suspension. In search of some peace, she retreats to a secluded mountain cabin nestled deep in Georgia, a sanctuary offered by a reclusive friend connected to the Acker family.
Clive Mortlake, the property owner and a man of keen intellect, seeks Maggie's legal expertise in return for her stay. He presents her with a case that's as personal as it is the inexplicable disappearance of his son, Art Mortlake. A senior at Duke University, Art's sudden vanishing act after an evening at a local bar left no clues, no communications, and a cold trail. The official investigation has dwindled, and a haunting suspicion of murder looms over the unanswered questions.
Contrary to the grim theories, Clive is adamant that his son is alive, and ensnared by vindictive corporate rivals from his past. This conviction is bolstered when an enigmatic message surfaces, suggesting that Art might indeed be alive.
For Maggie, this case, laden with mystery and risk, could either mark a triumphant return to law or spell the end of her legal journey, challenging her resolve and her ability to untangle truth from fiction in a world where everyone has something to hide.
From attorney and author Joe Cargile comes A VOICE OF REASON, a must-read for fans of John Grisham and Michael Connelly.
Amidst the fallout of a career-threatening scandal, lawyer Maggie Reynolds, finds herself serving a six-month suspension. In search of some peace, she retreats to a secluded mountain cabin nestled deep in Georgia, a sanctuary offered by a reclusive friend connected to the Acker family.
Clive Mortlake, the property owner and a man of keen intellect, seeks Maggie's legal expertise in return for her stay. He presents her with a case that's as personal as it is the inexplicable disappearance of his son, Art Mortlake. A senior at Duke University, Art's sudden vanishing act after an evening at a local bar left no clues, no communications, and a cold trail. The official investigation has dwindled, and a haunting suspicion of murder looms over the unanswered questions.
Contrary to the grim theories, Clive is adamant that his son is alive, and ensnared by vindictive corporate rivals from his past. This conviction is bolstered when an enigmatic message surfaces, suggesting that Art might indeed be alive.
For Maggie, this case, laden with mystery and risk, could either mark a triumphant return to law or spell the end of her legal journey, challenging her resolve and her ability to untangle truth from fiction in a world where everyone has something to hide.
From attorney and author Joe Cargile comes A VOICE OF REASON, a must-read for fans of John Grisham and Michael Connelly.
- GenresLegal Thriller
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
228 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Joe Cargile
5 books39 followersAlthough born in Alabama, Cargile spent much of his childhood in places beyond the South, a region he recognizes as one that’s greatly influenced him as a writer. Still, it’s his years spent living in the Midwest, and abroad, that Cargile credits as being the most formative in his early life. He later returned to Alabama for undergraduate studies at Auburn University, then moved to Florida in pursuit of a law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law.
In 2015, Cargile sat for the bar exam in Georgia, then was admitted to the practice of law soon after. He joined a small law firm in South Georgia, where he began taking on criminal defense work and general litigation matters. After several years, and despite a growing caseload, Cargile began writing fiction on the side. He wrote during the earliest parts of the day, developing award-winning short fiction, and eventually the manuscript for his first novel.
Legacy on Trial—Cargile’s debut, and the first story from his Blake County Legal Thrillers—was published in 2023. The fictional county where the events in the series have been set is one drawn from a combination of those places that Cargile himself practiced in, and his stories’ feature character—the talented Maggie Reynolds—was inspired by those in the profession who’ve mastered the art form of the trial lawyer. Three additional books—In Defense of Charlotte, The Wiregrass Witness, and The Burden of Power—are also currently available. A Voice of Reason, the fifth installment to the series, is set for release on November 4, 2025.
Cargile now lives with his family in London, where he writes full-time.
In 2015, Cargile sat for the bar exam in Georgia, then was admitted to the practice of law soon after. He joined a small law firm in South Georgia, where he began taking on criminal defense work and general litigation matters. After several years, and despite a growing caseload, Cargile began writing fiction on the side. He wrote during the earliest parts of the day, developing award-winning short fiction, and eventually the manuscript for his first novel.
Legacy on Trial—Cargile’s debut, and the first story from his Blake County Legal Thrillers—was published in 2023. The fictional county where the events in the series have been set is one drawn from a combination of those places that Cargile himself practiced in, and his stories’ feature character—the talented Maggie Reynolds—was inspired by those in the profession who’ve mastered the art form of the trial lawyer. Three additional books—In Defense of Charlotte, The Wiregrass Witness, and The Burden of Power—are also currently available. A Voice of Reason, the fifth installment to the series, is set for release on November 4, 2025.
Cargile now lives with his family in London, where he writes full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 4, 2025
This is the fifth book featuring attorney Maggie Reynolds. She’s been asked by Clive Mortlake to look into the disappearance of his son Art. The disappearance is being investigated as a murder, but there’s also the possibility that he’s been kidnapped. Readers don’t need to guess - we know it’s a kidnapping. I would not categorize this as a legal thriller. There isn’t enough legal drama to warrant that description. This is my least favorite of this series. It’s well written and honestly does hold your interest, but in some ways it just didn’t have enough substance. Even after finishing it, the reason for the kidnapping and all the secrecy just didn’t have enough clarity and detail for me to feel satisfied with the conclusion.
October 22, 2025
Excellent
This book is fast paced with lots of action and intrigue. The characters are interesting and if you enjoy legal thrillers this is a must read.
This book is fast paced with lots of action and intrigue. The characters are interesting and if you enjoy legal thrillers this is a must read.
October 25, 2025
I received an ARC through "Severn River" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
The story begins with the introduction of Art Mortlock, a senior at Duke, who is the heir or a multi-billionaire. Art is drinking in a bar prior to attending an engagement party where he is a groomsman. Art is in no hurry and eventually talks with his roommate Frank before leaving. Art then goes out the backdoor to the alley as a way to walk to the party. Once Art arrives, he pays his compliments to the future bride's parents. He then goes to the bar where the party is. Art stays a short time before he goes into the curator's office where he winds up meeting someone. After, he then goes out the backdoor where he is then kidnapped.
The next part starts with Maggie at her lawyer's office discussing her license suspension because of the trial she led against Sen. Collins where she was given six months where she couldn't practice law. The next day she was meeting with Charlotte who would be handling her practice for that six month period. Charlotte in the end provided Maggie a phone number for an unknown party who wanted to have her consult. Maggie was hesitant, but in the end made that call. That call led to a meeting with Clive Mortlake, Art's father, who wanted her to find Art. The next day when she was meeting with him, she learned the details and shortly Clive flew Maggie to Duke to start her investigation.
In the next part we learn of the reason for the kidnapping and what happened in the early 1900's. The deal took a turn as the result of an incident that happened while the kidnappers took Art to Europe. Art now had the upper hand. The last part deals with Art's return to the U.S. and meeting with Maggie to finish the agreed terms.
To learn what the result of the meeting is and what else happened as a result, then you need to read this book, you won't be disappointed!
The story begins with the introduction of Art Mortlock, a senior at Duke, who is the heir or a multi-billionaire. Art is drinking in a bar prior to attending an engagement party where he is a groomsman. Art is in no hurry and eventually talks with his roommate Frank before leaving. Art then goes out the backdoor to the alley as a way to walk to the party. Once Art arrives, he pays his compliments to the future bride's parents. He then goes to the bar where the party is. Art stays a short time before he goes into the curator's office where he winds up meeting someone. After, he then goes out the backdoor where he is then kidnapped.
The next part starts with Maggie at her lawyer's office discussing her license suspension because of the trial she led against Sen. Collins where she was given six months where she couldn't practice law. The next day she was meeting with Charlotte who would be handling her practice for that six month period. Charlotte in the end provided Maggie a phone number for an unknown party who wanted to have her consult. Maggie was hesitant, but in the end made that call. That call led to a meeting with Clive Mortlake, Art's father, who wanted her to find Art. The next day when she was meeting with him, she learned the details and shortly Clive flew Maggie to Duke to start her investigation.
In the next part we learn of the reason for the kidnapping and what happened in the early 1900's. The deal took a turn as the result of an incident that happened while the kidnappers took Art to Europe. Art now had the upper hand. The last part deals with Art's return to the U.S. and meeting with Maggie to finish the agreed terms.
To learn what the result of the meeting is and what else happened as a result, then you need to read this book, you won't be disappointed!
November 3, 2025
A fascinating legal thriller.
Maggie, a very prominent lawyer in her western town, is held in high regard by everyone in her town. But then she is accused and found guilty of a blunder. Her license is suspended for six months. She recruits a young lawyer to run her practice while she is away.
She moves to a cabin owned by a reclusive wealthy entrepeneur. Meanwhile a complex plot is already in play. Art , son of the wealthy businessman, has been abducted from his eastern university and transported to Europe where he is kept prisoner. The abductors have created the impression that Art has been killed.
Before the abduction he had been summoned to meet his father from whom he has been estranged. His father is dying of cancer. Art was snatched just before he was to fly west to meet his father.
Whoever is funding the abductors has a complex demand related to a century-old loan to one of the family ancestors which was used to build an enormous financial empire. The time has come to pay up on the loan.
The father recruits Maggie to serve as go-between him and the abductors. Maggie meets with them and arranges for their funder to meet with the father. Meanwhile she has drafted complex documents which appear t0 transfer the wealth of the corporation to the demandeurs.
A very well plotted thriller with an interesting but surprise ending. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Severn Publishing for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.
Maggie, a very prominent lawyer in her western town, is held in high regard by everyone in her town. But then she is accused and found guilty of a blunder. Her license is suspended for six months. She recruits a young lawyer to run her practice while she is away.
She moves to a cabin owned by a reclusive wealthy entrepeneur. Meanwhile a complex plot is already in play. Art , son of the wealthy businessman, has been abducted from his eastern university and transported to Europe where he is kept prisoner. The abductors have created the impression that Art has been killed.
Before the abduction he had been summoned to meet his father from whom he has been estranged. His father is dying of cancer. Art was snatched just before he was to fly west to meet his father.
Whoever is funding the abductors has a complex demand related to a century-old loan to one of the family ancestors which was used to build an enormous financial empire. The time has come to pay up on the loan.
The father recruits Maggie to serve as go-between him and the abductors. Maggie meets with them and arranges for their funder to meet with the father. Meanwhile she has drafted complex documents which appear t0 transfer the wealth of the corporation to the demandeurs.
A very well plotted thriller with an interesting but surprise ending. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Severn Publishing for providing me with an Advance Review Copy.
October 7, 2025
won this ebook today 10 6 2025 from goodreads, thanks so much~ just finished another book last night so i'll start it this morning!
he comes from a very wealthy family. his mom died in a car accident. he saw the man responsible in the crowd one night at his ball game where he was playing. he beat the guy and was thrown off the team. his dad got him out of trouble with the law but was very upset with him
he did drugs. his dad was going to die of cancer. his dad wanted him to come see him the next day
the boy was mad he couldnt talk to his dad on the phone, only his assistant
he was abducted outside a bar . he was put on a boat and drugged
then it switched to a lady lawyer who was suspended for 6 mths. her story was above his disappearance on the front page of the paper
they dont know if hes missing on his own being he was so mad at his dad the night before
lots of twits and turns
the lawyer was hired by the rich father. the son was eventually returned to usa when his fathers private plane went down
the lawyer got a letter from the father written before he hired her
after his plane went down
they negotiated with the kidnappers for $2 million instead all of the estate when the dad showed up, hurt but alive and the mob people there to protect them
the dad died of his cancer, the son joined the french foreign legion
and got a letter telling him he had a heir he didnt know about from a affair the night he was kidnapped
he comes from a very wealthy family. his mom died in a car accident. he saw the man responsible in the crowd one night at his ball game where he was playing. he beat the guy and was thrown off the team. his dad got him out of trouble with the law but was very upset with him
he did drugs. his dad was going to die of cancer. his dad wanted him to come see him the next day
the boy was mad he couldnt talk to his dad on the phone, only his assistant
he was abducted outside a bar . he was put on a boat and drugged
then it switched to a lady lawyer who was suspended for 6 mths. her story was above his disappearance on the front page of the paper
they dont know if hes missing on his own being he was so mad at his dad the night before
lots of twits and turns
the lawyer was hired by the rich father. the son was eventually returned to usa when his fathers private plane went down
the lawyer got a letter from the father written before he hired her
after his plane went down
they negotiated with the kidnappers for $2 million instead all of the estate when the dad showed up, hurt but alive and the mob people there to protect them
the dad died of his cancer, the son joined the french foreign legion
and got a letter telling him he had a heir he didnt know about from a affair the night he was kidnapped
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
Maggie Reynolds is getting a 6-month suspension from practicing law, she is handing over her practice to a former client who is just starting out in the law world. As they are finalizing the details, she asks her if Maggie could meet a family friend who is need of advice. Nothing better to do with her time Maggie agrees.
Art Mortlock, son of a billionaire, has gone missing after attending his friends engagement party
Friend of the family turns out to be Clive Mortlake, Art’s father, requesting Maggie checks up on the clues, and follow up.
Page turner from the beginning. Kind of hoping we get another peek into Art’s life in another book
This is the first book I read in the series, and I had no problem, now I want to read the previous books
Art Mortlock, son of a billionaire, has gone missing after attending his friends engagement party
Friend of the family turns out to be Clive Mortlake, Art’s father, requesting Maggie checks up on the clues, and follow up.
Page turner from the beginning. Kind of hoping we get another peek into Art’s life in another book
This is the first book I read in the series, and I had no problem, now I want to read the previous books
November 8, 2025
An old secret that puts a family's legacy in danger, a rich young man who knows little about his father and about the business he will eventually have to lead, and an incredibly well woven net to ensure that their legacy will prevail and no future threats will be made to them. A lawyer who cannot practice law but will use her negotiation and investigative skills and another one who is her junior but is far from being a junior... It was a pleasure to read A Voice of Reason, it has mystery, deceit, lies, it shows the growth of a young man into a man, and a distant father who will finally show his feelings.
I thank the author and his publisher for this ARC.
I thank the author and his publisher for this ARC.
November 5, 2025
Art Mortlake is young and likes to party with his friends. His father, Clive is a reclusive tycoon. When Art disappears after a party, Clive seeks the help of suspended attorney, Maggie Reynolds whose track record has impressed him. Where is Art and why is Clive frantic? Will they find Art in time? A riveting page turner with well defined characters and surprising twists and jaw dropping suspense.
October 4, 2025
Attorney Maggie Reynolds takes on an investigation involving a missing college student. Excellent storytelling gives life to a plot which is nice and twisty and characters who are well-developed and believable. Highly recommended! I’m eagerly awaiting the next book. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
October 23, 2025
Interesting premise. Son of a wealthy family is kidnapped and held for ransom. A lawyer who is not able to practice law for 6 months has been hired to find the son. I wouldn’t really call this a legal thriller in that it wasn’t heavy in courtroom drama or legal maneuvering. It was a fast paced, short story with various bad boy type characters. Quick read.
December 2, 2025
Good read with some twists and turns.
December 18, 2025
The back story was confusing and complicated. I just wanted the book to end so I skimmed through it. The ending was not what I expected.
December 30, 2025
A VOICE OF REASON - While this book had some good characters, I did not care for the writing style. The book was not as interesting as the blurb when I was offered this book as an ARC. Source: Severn. 3*
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews