Romeo's Truth

by James Scott Bell

Mike Romeo just wanted lunch. What he got served was trouble.

A roadside diner was supposed to be nothing more than a pit stop for Mike Romeo. But when he stops a fight in the parking lot the ripple effects lead to a web of secrets, lies, and death.

Or just another day in Romeo’s world.

That world has poisoned cattle, a powerful rancher, an anti-beef crusade, a thug enforcer, a slick politician, and a shadowy tech billionaire. In other words, California.

But who is pulling the strings? Who is spreading the lies? Who is behind the killings?

Romeo has to find out before the target on his back turns into a death certificate.

Another heart-whamming stunner from International Thriller Writers Award winner James Scott Bell.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2025

About the author

Jim is a former trial lawyer who now writes and speaks full time. He is the bestselling author of Try Dying, No Legal Grounds, Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Inspirational Fiction, and was a fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. He has written two books in the Writers' Digest series, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing.

Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.

Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Mike Romeo novel. James Scott Bell really nailed it when he created this unique character.

[Steve Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most excellent story.

I read this in one evening and the following afternoon. The story's flow captured me at the beginning and kept me turning pages to the end. I have read every Romeo novel and I rate this one as the author's best of series. Great writing, Mr. Bell.

[Carolina Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read several of the Romeo books and this was nt one of my favorites.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a Mount Rushmore of Mystery/Thriller Writers:
Lawrence Block
Robert B. Parker
Donald Westlake
James Scott Bell

No one, and I mean absolutely no one can hook you in to a novel from page one better than these gentlemen. And no one writes dialogue better than Robert B. Parker and James Scott Bell. No one. Not even close.

There was an unexpected blessing that added to the dynamics of this, the 10th book in the Mike Romeo series. He's married now. The interactions made me smile so much. Literally, every line of conversation between the two was absolutely brilliant. It was a trade off because we did not get a lot of interaction between Mike and Ira, but it was still so enjoyable.

Then, to add on top of that, they mystery was really good. It took Romeo out of his usual element and it was a good change. Mike is still growing, but has grown so much as a character as these novels have continued. Here is hoping for many many more years of Mike Romeo.

If you have not read anything by James Scott Bell, drop your "To Read" list and pick up any of his novels. You will not be sorry. He will become you new favorite writer.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mike Romeo is sent to take a statement in a case his boss Ira is working. On the way, he stops for gas/food in a small town and stops an unfair fight in front of the diner

When he tries to get info on the victim to see if he's ok, he's drawn in to the politics of the town. There's a "beef" between a centuries long cattle ranch & climate -green gas politicos. He heads off to get the statement Ira needs, he's determined to come back and help the college student victim.

There's a bombing of the local news office which is blamed on the above victim and Mike gets pulled deeper into the mystery. Of course, the person (s) pulling the strings are not who you'd expect.

It's a ok , but again I'm not a fan of the verbose writing style which includes all sorts of philosophical quotes which is very distracting and detracts from the story. That makes reading it difficult and the last of the series I'll be reading.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller

I read Romeo's Truth in one day. I had just finished a much shorter book thar rook me four and a half days. That's the difference when a really good writer grabs your attention from page one and just winds you up tighter & tighter . I have enjoyed every book in the Mike Romeo series, but this might be my favorite. I highly recommend to all who enjoy a fast-moving thriller.

[Daphne Cortese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read, can't wait for the next installment. On going development of the series characters makes them even more endearing. I appreciate that Bell sometimes moves out of the L.A. environs to other areas within California. Having grown up in CA, it makes the stories more personal and easier to visualize. I enjoyed this book having more than one story line. Thank you, Mr. Bell.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever read a book, trying to read slowly to make it last? But you can't help racing headlong to the last page to see how it ends? That's what happened when I started Romeo's Truth. I love that Mike and Sophie are married in this one. She's a great character in her own right. I can't wait to see what happens next to the Romeo family.

[Wendy Komancheck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Romeo Series

All of the Romeo books deserve 5 stars. I love these fast-pace thrillers....it's like watching an old black and white movie from the 1940's. Witty dialogue, believe able characters set in Los Angeles, CA. I highly recommend this series to fellow mystery-thriller readers.

[David Patsel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

James Scott Bell has a very good series in these Mike Romeo books. The characters are all crisp and well developed, Romeo is an intelligent badass investigator who never gives up seeking the truth. Fun and quick read. Keep ‘em coming!

[Tom Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome, fun read

When the bad folks try to deceive Romeo, things heat up and people run, spin stories and try to strong arm Romeo - which is practically impossible to do. Open, read, enjoy!

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I couldn't put this book down and rate it 5 stars.

[Judy Wieser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

I have enjoyed all the James Scott Bell books that I’ve read. Love the Mike Romeo series and this is another good one!

[Drake Mariani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like usual, fun to read!

I want to laugh when I read a good book. James Scott Bell makes me laugh. Right in the middle of serious scenes even! Thank you sir!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy Mike Romeo!!! He is a great character. Complex, funny and I enjoy reading this series!! What fun!