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Habeas Corpus
Charlie Trust is sick of being a lawyer, and he never wants to see another case. There’s only one client he can’t refuse. And that client just might be a killer. In Malibu, everyone is watching, but nobody is telling the truth.
Los Angeles, 1992
Charlie Trust is a Budweiser kind of guy living in a champagne world. After grinding away his soul as a divorce attorney in Virginia, he’s found the ultimate a borrowed house on Malibu’s exclusive Carbon Beach.
His plan is simple. Drink beer, drive his cherry-red ’69 Mustang, watch the Pacific Ocean, and figure out what to do with the rest of his life. He has no clients, no office, and absolutely no desire ever to practice law again.
Then the riots tear through Los Angeles, and America’s paradise turns to ashes. The fires are still burning in Hollywood when Charlie’s neighbor comes knocking and brings a different kind of disaster to his door.
Martin Cole, Detective Harry Murphy on one of TV’s hottest cop shows, is a familiar face to most Americans. He’s also a man whose wife has gone missing, and two hotshot detectives from LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division don’t think she walked away. They think Marty Cole killed her.
Marty pleads with Charlie to help him, and Charlie can’t say no.
Caught between calculating detectives, ruthless Hollywood lawyers, and his own client’s deviousness, Charlie Trust learns that friendship can be the most dangerous weapon of all. On Carbon Beach, where multimillion-dollar houses stand watch over the relentless surf, everyone has secrets worth killing for.
HABEAS CORPUS is set against the backdrop of Malibu in the uneasy spring of 1992. It is the haunting first installment of the Charlie Trust novels, a series that blends legal intrigue with California noir. Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer series and readers who love their legal thrillers with a side of California cool.
"Wow! This novel is the best legal thriller that I have read in years. It’s right up there with PRESUMED INNOCENT.” --Angela Norton, retired Texas prosecutor
Los Angeles, 1992
Charlie Trust is a Budweiser kind of guy living in a champagne world. After grinding away his soul as a divorce attorney in Virginia, he’s found the ultimate a borrowed house on Malibu’s exclusive Carbon Beach.
His plan is simple. Drink beer, drive his cherry-red ’69 Mustang, watch the Pacific Ocean, and figure out what to do with the rest of his life. He has no clients, no office, and absolutely no desire ever to practice law again.
Then the riots tear through Los Angeles, and America’s paradise turns to ashes. The fires are still burning in Hollywood when Charlie’s neighbor comes knocking and brings a different kind of disaster to his door.
Martin Cole, Detective Harry Murphy on one of TV’s hottest cop shows, is a familiar face to most Americans. He’s also a man whose wife has gone missing, and two hotshot detectives from LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division don’t think she walked away. They think Marty Cole killed her.
Marty pleads with Charlie to help him, and Charlie can’t say no.
Caught between calculating detectives, ruthless Hollywood lawyers, and his own client’s deviousness, Charlie Trust learns that friendship can be the most dangerous weapon of all. On Carbon Beach, where multimillion-dollar houses stand watch over the relentless surf, everyone has secrets worth killing for.
HABEAS CORPUS is set against the backdrop of Malibu in the uneasy spring of 1992. It is the haunting first installment of the Charlie Trust novels, a series that blends legal intrigue with California noir. Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly's Lincoln Lawyer series and readers who love their legal thrillers with a side of California cool.
"Wow! This novel is the best legal thriller that I have read in years. It’s right up there with PRESUMED INNOCENT.” --Angela Norton, retired Texas prosecutor
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2025
About the author
Jake Needham
54 books402 followersJAKE NEEDHAM received the Barry Award at Bouchercon 2024, the world's largest convention of mystery readers, for BEST PAPERBACK MYSTERY OF 2024. He is a three-time Barry Award nominee, as well as a nominee for the International Thriller Writers' award for BEST PAPERBACK THRILLER OF THE YEAR.
Needham is an American screen and television writer who has lived in Thailand for over thirty years. He started writing crime novels when he realized he really didn't like movies and television all that much. Since then, he has published twenty popular mysteries and thrillers in three different series — The Charlie Trust Legal Thrillers, the Inspector Samuel Tay Novels, and the Jack Shepherd Novels — as well as the international bestseller, THE BIG MANGO.
"Jake Needham is Asia's most stylish and atmospheric writer of crime fiction," says the Singapore Straits Times. "Jake Needham is Michael Connelly with steamed rice," says the Bangkok Post.
Needham is an American screen and television writer who has lived in Thailand for over thirty years. He started writing crime novels when he realized he really didn't like movies and television all that much. Since then, he has published twenty popular mysteries and thrillers in three different series — The Charlie Trust Legal Thrillers, the Inspector Samuel Tay Novels, and the Jack Shepherd Novels — as well as the international bestseller, THE BIG MANGO.
"Jake Needham is Asia's most stylish and atmospheric writer of crime fiction," says the Singapore Straits Times. "Jake Needham is Michael Connelly with steamed rice," says the Bangkok Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 15, 2025
Hard Case Crime should have released this book, and maybe in ten years, or whatever, Charlie will call Jake to suggest a reissue and publish it again. Yes, folks, it’s that good and truly deserves a major release. The tone and feel of Michael Connelly’s latest protagonist are present, but this isn’t a story about a cop — it’s about a divorce lawyer. Sure, some elements are familiar from countless LA/California crime novels, but I’m willing to overlook that because a) the writing is excellent, b) the character is fully developed from the start (reminding me of the opening pages of "A Year with Edgar"—George V. Higgins), and c) even though I predicted the ending, I believe most people won’t—and despite guessing the conclusion, I still enjoyed the whole reading experience.
I’m a huge fan of Needham’s Tay series and appreciate how realistic Tay is as an investigator and detective. I was hesitant about a new character, especially a lawyer, since I didn’t connect as much with the Shepard series—no disrespect to their quality. Still, Charlie Trust is exactly what the crime community has needed for a long time—a fresh take on the classics, with a skilled hand guiding it to feel new.
Get on board and read. Or don’t. Charlie won’t tell you what to do, but he’ll surely argue for you if you pick a side.
I’m a huge fan of Needham’s Tay series and appreciate how realistic Tay is as an investigator and detective. I was hesitant about a new character, especially a lawyer, since I didn’t connect as much with the Shepard series—no disrespect to their quality. Still, Charlie Trust is exactly what the crime community has needed for a long time—a fresh take on the classics, with a skilled hand guiding it to feel new.
Get on board and read. Or don’t. Charlie won’t tell you what to do, but he’ll surely argue for you if you pick a side.
January 13, 2026
A pretty good LA legal thriller albeit not as good as Needham’s two series set in Asia. It’s slow paced with too many repetitive, and cliched, asides about the SoCal/Tinsel Town lifestyle; no one needs another (long!) homage to Musso & Frank’s. Also Trust is much more credulous, to the point of being dumb, than Samuel Tay or Jack Shepherd. Needham does do something more mystery/thriller writers should do: he sets his story in the recent past (1992) instead of making it contemporary. This opens up a range of story telling possibilities to be exploited in subsequent books. Just cut out all the descriptions of being on the edge of the continent, the roll of the waves, the infinite distance of the Pacific…….
Also: there’s a nice surreal appearance of Dean Martin.
Also: there’s a nice surreal appearance of Dean Martin.
February 10, 2026
I've always enjoyed this author's stories. Many take place in SE Asia, with my favorite being the Inspector Samuel Tay, of the Singapore Police Force, series. This is a new character, Charlie Trust. It's 1992, and he's a divorce lawyer from Virginia taking a respite at a client's beach house in Malibu. His new neighbors are the rich and famous, including Farah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neil. Another one is Marty, a popular actor with several successful TV appearances and series. One day, Marty asks Charlie if he can represent him as his wife has gone missing, and the cops are pointing fingers his way. Charlie says, "Hold up, I'm a divorce lawyer from out of state." Marty insists, though and poor Charlie is slowly sucked into a place he'd rather not be. Plenty of intrigue and humor as we delve into the entitled lives of the pampered. Fun story.
March 12, 2026
Oh boy, I said when I learned that Jake Needham is writing a whole new series that takes place in California; Malibu specifically. About Charles Trust, a lawyer who can no longer stand being a divorce lawyer in Washington, D.C. In fact, can't stand being a lawyer, period.
A composer friend in New York tells Charlie about a place he owns on an exclusive beach in Malibu that he hasn't visited in years. Charlie can have it reñt free for as long as he wants. Maybe he can reinvent himself there. Well...
While in this paradise there soon comes the case of a missing wife of a neighboring television personality. Marty begs Charlie to be his lawyer because Marty trusts him and no one else. A friend of Marty's agrees to be co-counsel. She will help Charlie through the fact that he hasn't passed the California bar exam. That cinches the deal.
This is a different Jake Needham. This Jake Ñeedham is far far from a bowl of Pad Thai, far from Síñgàpóre, or Hong Kong, or any place in the Orient. This is Jake Needham with a differént voice. I like this new voice so much that the next day I begañ reading book 2 of this series.
A composer friend in New York tells Charlie about a place he owns on an exclusive beach in Malibu that he hasn't visited in years. Charlie can have it reñt free for as long as he wants. Maybe he can reinvent himself there. Well...
While in this paradise there soon comes the case of a missing wife of a neighboring television personality. Marty begs Charlie to be his lawyer because Marty trusts him and no one else. A friend of Marty's agrees to be co-counsel. She will help Charlie through the fact that he hasn't passed the California bar exam. That cinches the deal.
This is a different Jake Needham. This Jake Ñeedham is far far from a bowl of Pad Thai, far from Síñgàpóre, or Hong Kong, or any place in the Orient. This is Jake Needham with a differént voice. I like this new voice so much that the next day I begañ reading book 2 of this series.
November 6, 2025
Another Great Needham Novel
As much as I enjoy the author's crime novels from Asia, this book has been my favorite! I love the new character and see a lot more stories brewing -- or at least I hope. Great work, Mr. Needham, I look forward to more!
As much as I enjoy the author's crime novels from Asia, this book has been my favorite! I love the new character and see a lot more stories brewing -- or at least I hope. Great work, Mr. Needham, I look forward to more!
November 9, 2025
While staying in a borrowed house on Malibu’s Carbon Beach, burned-out Virginia divorce lawyer Charlie Trust is all set to spend the next few months drinking beer and watching the sunset. Then a plea for help from a neighbour puts him in a difficult position. TV actor Martin Cole’s wife has gone missing, and the cops are suspicious. Marty considers Charlie to be his friend, someone he trusts, and that’s why he wants Charlie to represent him – even though Charlie knows almost nothing about criminal law. But as the police start the process of interviewing Marty and searching his house, Charlie wonders if there’s something else going on – something Marty isn’t telling him.
Set in Los Angeles, in 1992, this is the first book in a new series. Having read quite a few of Jake Needham’s books, I thought I knew what to expect but this is a bit different to his other work, almost to the point where it feels like he’s developed a different style of writing for a different kind of book. The story starts with the protagonist setting the scene, lazing his days away watching the ocean ebb and flow, where it’s not unusual to pass the time of day with crooner Dean Martin, or to see Farah Fawcett sunbathing on the patio.
And then we get the actor/neighbour who needs help, and for a while not much happens. But don’t get complacent because this is just Mr Needham’s way of lulling us into thinking we know what’s going on. The writing, as always is clever and witty, but there’s a creepy kind of tension that builds from this point onwards, as Charlie Trust tries to understand the role he’s taken on. The story becomes more complex as our hero is drawn into a plot that seems to change with every new day. I read the bulk of the novel over the last 24 hours and like all the best thrillers, couldn’t put it down. There’s a sharpness to the story that twists and turns, sucking you into thinking you know who the killer is, before the whole thing changes direction again.
As I’ve always said, Jake Needham writes a stonking good story, and this one may be his best yet. Nice one, Jake.
Set in Los Angeles, in 1992, this is the first book in a new series. Having read quite a few of Jake Needham’s books, I thought I knew what to expect but this is a bit different to his other work, almost to the point where it feels like he’s developed a different style of writing for a different kind of book. The story starts with the protagonist setting the scene, lazing his days away watching the ocean ebb and flow, where it’s not unusual to pass the time of day with crooner Dean Martin, or to see Farah Fawcett sunbathing on the patio.
And then we get the actor/neighbour who needs help, and for a while not much happens. But don’t get complacent because this is just Mr Needham’s way of lulling us into thinking we know what’s going on. The writing, as always is clever and witty, but there’s a creepy kind of tension that builds from this point onwards, as Charlie Trust tries to understand the role he’s taken on. The story becomes more complex as our hero is drawn into a plot that seems to change with every new day. I read the bulk of the novel over the last 24 hours and like all the best thrillers, couldn’t put it down. There’s a sharpness to the story that twists and turns, sucking you into thinking you know who the killer is, before the whole thing changes direction again.
As I’ve always said, Jake Needham writes a stonking good story, and this one may be his best yet. Nice one, Jake.
November 5, 2025
Jake Needham is such an interesting person, and such a talented author! I spent 7 years as a prosecutor and have always loved good legal thrillers, but I wasn't sure that Jake Needham could write one. Wow! This novel is the best legal thriller that I have read in years. I rank it right up there with PRESUMED INNOCENT, and if we could find a 30-something Harrison Ford to play Charlie, this would make a great movie.
The ending was totally unexpected, and that doesn't often happen to me, after 60+ years of reading every mystery novel I can find. Bravo, Mr. Needham! Well done!
I only review books that I really enjoy, that I deem worthy of recommendation, and this one went right to the top of my list. I did NOT receive a free ARC copy, I purchased it, and I'm very glad I did! I think any reader who likes mysteries will enjoy this book.
The ending was totally unexpected, and that doesn't often happen to me, after 60+ years of reading every mystery novel I can find. Bravo, Mr. Needham! Well done!
I only review books that I really enjoy, that I deem worthy of recommendation, and this one went right to the top of my list. I did NOT receive a free ARC copy, I purchased it, and I'm very glad I did! I think any reader who likes mysteries will enjoy this book.
November 11, 2025
a New Direction
Having read all the Jack Shepherd and Inspector Tay books I think Habeas Corpus is one of the best from Jake Needham. The plot and the writing reflect a new energy and enthusiasm for a new character in a new non-Asian location. The pace is relentless, the atmosphere of 1990s California is well done and the plot twists and turns as all good plots should. I look forward to reading more adventures of Charlie Trust,
Having read all the Jack Shepherd and Inspector Tay books I think Habeas Corpus is one of the best from Jake Needham. The plot and the writing reflect a new energy and enthusiasm for a new character in a new non-Asian location. The pace is relentless, the atmosphere of 1990s California is well done and the plot twists and turns as all good plots should. I look forward to reading more adventures of Charlie Trust,
December 31, 2025
Super good book! I finished all Jake Needham’s Jack Shepard novels so now I am beginning his Charlie Trust books. At this time there are only two but a third is to be released later this month. If you’ve never read any of his books and like thrillers, do yourself a favor and try one of his books. They are well written with great characters. The Charlie Trust books are all legal thrillers! Superb!
February 19, 2026
I really enjoyed Habeas Corpus. Jake Needham pulls you in quickly with a tense legal case set in Singapore, and I found the international setting added a fresh twist to the courtroom drama. The story moves at a steady pace, and I appreciated how the main character struggles with tough ethical choices while trying to do the right thing.
It’s a smart, suspenseful read that kept me turning the pages — especially if you like legal thrillers with a global edge.
It’s a smart, suspenseful read that kept me turning the pages — especially if you like legal thrillers with a global edge.
May 29, 2026
would it be same book if named ‘over my dead body’?
Charlie is instantly likable and his narration feels like a conversation with the reader. He’s a regular guy in extraordinary circumstance. Set in LA, you have sense it’s another world, not particularly friendly but alluring nonetheless. For a legal thriller, there’s no courtroom drama. As a murder mystery, there’s no body. As a whodunit, it keeps you piecing together clues, conversations and unspoken thoughts. Well done!
Charlie is instantly likable and his narration feels like a conversation with the reader. He’s a regular guy in extraordinary circumstance. Set in LA, you have sense it’s another world, not particularly friendly but alluring nonetheless. For a legal thriller, there’s no courtroom drama. As a murder mystery, there’s no body. As a whodunit, it keeps you piecing together clues, conversations and unspoken thoughts. Well done!
August 9, 2026
This was my first Needham book. Wow. Never have I read a book with 250-300 references to beach, waves, sun and seagulls. Roads. Then there is the freaking $10 bill maybe 40 times. And finally, the attempt to make me believe it is all cast in 1992 by dropping a dozen or more celebrity names and some history thrown in. Completely distracting, all these page-filling descriptions, of a thin plot and a predictable ending. I may try his Asia books, but will not read another Trust book.
November 13, 2025
Jake Need Ham's Best Book Ever!
I've enjoyed every book written by Jake Needham in his Sam Tay & Jack Shepherd series. Habeas Corpus, featuring Charlie Trust, is his best book yet. The beach setting & characters caught my attention and the writing style/details were terrific! I finished this entertaining book in 2 days! Well done, Jake! When will book 2 be released?
I've enjoyed every book written by Jake Needham in his Sam Tay & Jack Shepherd series. Habeas Corpus, featuring Charlie Trust, is his best book yet. The beach setting & characters caught my attention and the writing style/details were terrific! I finished this entertaining book in 2 days! Well done, Jake! When will book 2 be released?
November 21, 2025
Wow! So excited to be introduced to Charlie Trust!
I've read all of Jake Needham's books and have enjoyed them so much.
And now we meet, Charlie Trust, an attorney who is reassessing what he's going to do next, after years of divorce law. He's on the beach in CA and ends up being ensnared in helping a friend whose wife has disappeared. Fast moving and surprises all around.
I've read all of Jake Needham's books and have enjoyed them so much.
And now we meet, Charlie Trust, an attorney who is reassessing what he's going to do next, after years of divorce law. He's on the beach in CA and ends up being ensnared in helping a friend whose wife has disappeared. Fast moving and surprises all around.
December 11, 2025
Very entertaining book. I really enjoyed it and finished it in a day. The characters were all very interesting and well written, I loved the setting (time and place), and I really didn’t see the end coming at all. It is about 50 pages too long in my opinion, but still very worth the read. I am looking forward to reading more from the author.
January 17, 2026
I’m a pretty big fan of Needham, but this was not his best work. “Surprise” ending was pretty predictable about a third of the way into the book. Kept waiting for that delicious “Needham twist” that you kick yourself for not seeing cuz it was all there. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen in this one.
February 1, 2026
Charlie cant be put down
This is a book, with a story that is a blazing line of enjoyment, couldn't put it down, until the end. Quite a few times I chuckled out loud while reading, such entertainment. Plus Ive never been to California, but i now feel like I know it as it was in the 90's.
Thank you Mr Needham.
This is a book, with a story that is a blazing line of enjoyment, couldn't put it down, until the end. Quite a few times I chuckled out loud while reading, such entertainment. Plus Ive never been to California, but i now feel like I know it as it was in the 90's.
Thank you Mr Needham.
January 12, 2026
If you're going to put put an audiobook, invest in a narrator. The ai was awful.. Also, although the plot was interesting, this book was so full of cliches from redundant descriptions to overdone plots. The main character is unsympathethic, it's hard to root for him.
May 2, 2026
Enjoyed this story set in 90s LA. I learned about Musso and Franks, so that now I know when I see old waiters in burgundy jackets in tv skits I will know where they are set. Loved that this series is in the US, although I loved the Southeast Asia stories too.
November 5, 2025
I thought the ending was weak
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed the plot and the characters. It was an excellent first book in a new series by an author I’ve previously read. Never saw the ending coming.
November 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. A great surprise ending! The AI narration was surprisingly good and much better than I expected.
December 12, 2025
Enjoyed this story very much. Excellent ending.
December 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this novel. The author has a lot of style with characters, plotting, and wording of scenery.
Excellent. I love the surprise ending and am looking forward to "Contempt of Court."
Excellent. I love the surprise ending and am looking forward to "Contempt of Court."
January 23, 2026
Highly entertaining!
Jake Needham is the most fun I’ve had reading - in months, maybe years.
Reading the new Charlie Trust series now.
Jake Needham is the most fun I’ve had reading - in months, maybe years.
Reading the new Charlie Trust series now.
March 22, 2026
Great ending
Good legal thriller. Good character development and interesting story. Has a lot of fun dialog and a very interesting ending.
Good legal thriller. Good character development and interesting story. Has a lot of fun dialog and a very interesting ending.
Read
May 31, 2026Great story with a surprise ending. Great read.
July 21, 2026
Very good read- the twist at the end you never see coming-
August 3, 2026
Good read
Great story telling, just not the right genre for me. The thriller came a little slow for me. Was well written.
Great story telling, just not the right genre for me. The thriller came a little slow for me. Was well written.
August 19, 2026
Excellent read, looking forward to the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews