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Wrong Hand Right
In the neon-glare and grit of 1980s New York—graffiti-streaked subways, squeegee men at stop lights, dive bars and an old-world gentlemen’s club—left-handed lawyer Finnegan Alger has built a routine of chasing trademark counterfeiters and hapless romance—until a deadly crime upends his life. Navy pilots are dying, and Finn stumbles upon the cause. This should be the big break to make his career, but why does everyone press him to look away? A pervasive cover-up forces him to confront more than the ghosts of his childhood tragedy and grudge against the right-handed world. In a city built on ambition and silence, what will one outsider risk for justice—or retribution?
284 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2025
About the author
William Michael Ried
5 books9 followersWilliam Michael Ried was born on Long Island, graduated from the University of Michigan and Georgetown University Law Center and practices law in New York City. His first novel Five Ferries was a finalist in the 2019 American Fiction Awards for Best New Fiction. In 2021 his second novel Backstory won the New York City Big Book Award for Mystery and a Silver Medal from the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Fiction, was a semi-finalist for the Kindle Book Award for Literary Fiction, and was named a 2022 Eric Hoffer Award Category Finalist. His third novel Pandion was named a 2022 Distinguished Favorite Mystery by the NYC Big Book Awards and a Red Ribbon Winner of the 2022 Wishing Shelf Awards, made the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List, was a semifinalist in the 2023 Kindle Book Awards for Mystery/Thriller, and was awarded Honorable Mention for Mystery/Crime in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Awards. His fourth novel Two Degrees: A Climate Change Novel was awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion, named a Category Finalist for Mystery/Crime in the 2024 Eric Hoffer Awards and a Finalist for Political Thrillers in the American Fiction Awards. He lives with his wife in Manhattan.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 5, 2026
From the first page, Wrong Hand Right pulled me into a New York that felt alive raw, electric, and full of shadowed corners where ambition and secrecy collide. William Michael Ried has a remarkable way of making the city itself feel like a character: the graffiti-streaked subways, the neon glow bouncing off rain-slicked streets, the dive bars where everyone seems to be carrying a secret. It’s gritty, vivid, and utterly immersive.
Finn Alger, with his left-handed perspective and sharp mind, is instantly compelling. His professional life as a lawyer chasing counterfeiters is juxtaposed so well with the personal scars he carries, and I found myself invested in every choice he made. The tension ramps up perfectly as a string of Navy deaths pulls him into a web of cover-ups and moral compromise. I was torn between admiration for his courage and fear for what his pursuit of justice might cost him.
What struck me most was the book’s emotional depth beneath the thriller surface. Finn’s navigation of a right-handed world his childhood grievances, his quiet observations, his subtle rebellions creates a layer of empathy and humanity that makes the stakes feel personal. There were moments when I could feel his frustration and longing, and the writing never let those emotions feel forced or melodramatic.
The plotting is intricate, but Ried’s prose keeps the story grounded in character and place. Every scene, from tense confrontations to fleeting romantic encounters, carries weight. I was constantly aware of the moral questions the book raises: What does justice really mean in a city that rewards silence? What is the cost of ignoring truth to protect oneself or others?
By the final page, I felt both satisfaction and lingering unease satisfied because the narrative delivers its revelations with precision and emotional resonance, uneasy because the questions it asks about power, corruption, and human morality linger long after the story ends.
Wrong Hand Right is a thrilling, intelligent, and profoundly human story. It’s a book that excites, unsettles, and ultimately rewards readers willing to walk the line alongside Finn Alger. I haven’t been this absorbed in a story in a long time, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves crime, complex characters, and a city that feels alive on every page.
Finn Alger, with his left-handed perspective and sharp mind, is instantly compelling. His professional life as a lawyer chasing counterfeiters is juxtaposed so well with the personal scars he carries, and I found myself invested in every choice he made. The tension ramps up perfectly as a string of Navy deaths pulls him into a web of cover-ups and moral compromise. I was torn between admiration for his courage and fear for what his pursuit of justice might cost him.
What struck me most was the book’s emotional depth beneath the thriller surface. Finn’s navigation of a right-handed world his childhood grievances, his quiet observations, his subtle rebellions creates a layer of empathy and humanity that makes the stakes feel personal. There were moments when I could feel his frustration and longing, and the writing never let those emotions feel forced or melodramatic.
The plotting is intricate, but Ried’s prose keeps the story grounded in character and place. Every scene, from tense confrontations to fleeting romantic encounters, carries weight. I was constantly aware of the moral questions the book raises: What does justice really mean in a city that rewards silence? What is the cost of ignoring truth to protect oneself or others?
By the final page, I felt both satisfaction and lingering unease satisfied because the narrative delivers its revelations with precision and emotional resonance, uneasy because the questions it asks about power, corruption, and human morality linger long after the story ends.
Wrong Hand Right is a thrilling, intelligent, and profoundly human story. It’s a book that excites, unsettles, and ultimately rewards readers willing to walk the line alongside Finn Alger. I haven’t been this absorbed in a story in a long time, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves crime, complex characters, and a city that feels alive on every page.
October 11, 2025
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
7th October 2025
TITLE: WRONG HAND RIGHT [a novel]
AUTHOR: WILLIAM MICHAEL RIED
Star Rating: 5
“A cleverly plotted crime thriller packed with twists, turns – and a little dry humour. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
This was the biggest day of Finn’s career. This case would put Bolger & Plotkin on the map and make him a star in the legal world – and so begins a very enjoyable crime thriller from the pen of talented author, William Michael Ried. But this is a novel with a twist. Like me, the protagonist is left handed and (like me) he’s grown up in a world where being left handed can be, well – difficult. Think scissors! But, unlike me, Finn is not a fan of right handers! He’s got a grudge. What follows is a cleverly plotted novel with a strong cast of characters, a little humour, and plenty of shocks!
So, what did I enjoy the most? Well, I liked Finn in many ways. Admittedly, he’s a bit odd; he’s a man with baggage – and that’s putting it mildly. But he’s memorable and I was happy to root for him. Also, I loved how the author developed the ‘’Navy pilots dying’ plot’. It’s interesting, although as I happen to be an ex-pilot, I did have a vested interest in the subject. And finally, simply put, the author’s a good writer who knows how to develop characters, keep things moving, and keep the reader guessing.
So, all you thriller fans out there, check out the oddly titled Wrong Hand Right. I think most readers will enjoy not only rooting for Finn to find the success he wants but also rooting for him to come to terms with who he is and his troubled childhood.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
7th October 2025
TITLE: WRONG HAND RIGHT [a novel]
AUTHOR: WILLIAM MICHAEL RIED
Star Rating: 5
“A cleverly plotted crime thriller packed with twists, turns – and a little dry humour. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
This was the biggest day of Finn’s career. This case would put Bolger & Plotkin on the map and make him a star in the legal world – and so begins a very enjoyable crime thriller from the pen of talented author, William Michael Ried. But this is a novel with a twist. Like me, the protagonist is left handed and (like me) he’s grown up in a world where being left handed can be, well – difficult. Think scissors! But, unlike me, Finn is not a fan of right handers! He’s got a grudge. What follows is a cleverly plotted novel with a strong cast of characters, a little humour, and plenty of shocks!
So, what did I enjoy the most? Well, I liked Finn in many ways. Admittedly, he’s a bit odd; he’s a man with baggage – and that’s putting it mildly. But he’s memorable and I was happy to root for him. Also, I loved how the author developed the ‘’Navy pilots dying’ plot’. It’s interesting, although as I happen to be an ex-pilot, I did have a vested interest in the subject. And finally, simply put, the author’s a good writer who knows how to develop characters, keep things moving, and keep the reader guessing.
So, all you thriller fans out there, check out the oddly titled Wrong Hand Right. I think most readers will enjoy not only rooting for Finn to find the success he wants but also rooting for him to come to terms with who he is and his troubled childhood.
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
February 15, 2026
Wrong Hand Right plunges readers into the neon haze and moral ambiguity of 1980s New York a city rendered in graffiti streaked subway cars, smoky dive bars, and quiet rooms where power brokers prefer silence to truth. William Michael Ried crafts a gritty legal thriller anchored by an unconventional protagonist: left handed lawyer Finnegan Alger, a man who already feels misaligned with a right handed world long before conspiracy enters his life.
Finn’s routine work chasing counterfeiters and navigating uneven romantic entanglements takes a sharp turn when Navy pilots begin dying under suspicious circumstances. What initially appears to be an opportunity for career defining success quickly morphs into something darker. The pressure to look away subtle at first, then unmistakable raises the stakes beyond professional ambition.
Ried skillfully blends mystery with psychological undertones. Finn’s personal history and lingering childhood trauma add emotional texture, while the motif of handedness subtly reinforces themes of outsider identity and systemic bias. The city itself feels like a character ambitious, watchful, and complicit.
What gives Wrong Hand Right its pulse is the moral dilemma at its core: in a system built on silence and self preservation, what does justice cost? Ried delivers a suspenseful narrative that balances atmosphere with intrigue, inviting readers into a world where ambition and conscience collide under the flicker of city lights.
Finn’s routine work chasing counterfeiters and navigating uneven romantic entanglements takes a sharp turn when Navy pilots begin dying under suspicious circumstances. What initially appears to be an opportunity for career defining success quickly morphs into something darker. The pressure to look away subtle at first, then unmistakable raises the stakes beyond professional ambition.
Ried skillfully blends mystery with psychological undertones. Finn’s personal history and lingering childhood trauma add emotional texture, while the motif of handedness subtly reinforces themes of outsider identity and systemic bias. The city itself feels like a character ambitious, watchful, and complicit.
What gives Wrong Hand Right its pulse is the moral dilemma at its core: in a system built on silence and self preservation, what does justice cost? Ried delivers a suspenseful narrative that balances atmosphere with intrigue, inviting readers into a world where ambition and conscience collide under the flicker of city lights.
November 26, 2025
Wrong Hand Right is a sharp, atmospheric thriller that drops you straight into the gritty pulse of 1980s New York. William Michael Ried builds a world of graffiti-tagged subways, smoky bars, squeegee men, and quiet corridors of privilege an era where ambition and silence often walk hand in hand. At the center of it all is Finnegan Alger, a left-handed lawyer whose quirks give him an underdog charm but whose past gives him a compelling emotional edge. What starts as a routine life of chasing counterfeiters takes a gripping turn when Finn stumbles onto a series of mysterious deaths involving Navy pilots. What makes the story so engaging is how quickly a simple discovery pulls him into a web of denial, pressure, and a chilling cover-up that everyone insists he ignore.
Ried balances legal intrigue, moral tension, and character depth in a way that keeps the pages turning. Finn’s internal struggle between the ghosts of his past and the daunting truth he uncovers adds a strong emotional layer to the plot. His outsider status makes him easy to root for, especially as he risks everything in a city where power often decides what truth gets buried.
This is a smart, tightly woven thriller with a strong sense of place and time. Fans of legal suspense, atmospheric noir, and character-driven mysteries will find Wrong Hand Right especially satisfying.
Ried balances legal intrigue, moral tension, and character depth in a way that keeps the pages turning. Finn’s internal struggle between the ghosts of his past and the daunting truth he uncovers adds a strong emotional layer to the plot. His outsider status makes him easy to root for, especially as he risks everything in a city where power often decides what truth gets buried.
This is a smart, tightly woven thriller with a strong sense of place and time. Fans of legal suspense, atmospheric noir, and character-driven mysteries will find Wrong Hand Right especially satisfying.
January 7, 2026
Wrong Hand Right is a gritty coming-of-age novel set in 1980s New York City that blends atmosphere, moral tension, and character growth. Finnegan Alger is a flawed but compelling protagonist, shaped by a tough childhood and a survival-first mindset that’s constantly being challenged by the world around him. The NYC setting feels authentic and lived-in, from downtown lofts and bookstores to the unexpected sense of community found in an old theater group. What starts as a story about ambition and identity takes a darker turn when Finn uncovers a dangerous counterfeit scheme, forcing him to choose between self-preservation and doing what’s right.
The novel’s strength lies in its moral stakes and its belief that integrity can still matter, even in a cynical environment. Thoughtful, tense, and grounded in character, Wrong Hand Right is an engaging read for anyone who enjoys ethically driven fiction with a strong sense of place.
The novel’s strength lies in its moral stakes and its belief that integrity can still matter, even in a cynical environment. Thoughtful, tense, and grounded in character, Wrong Hand Right is an engaging read for anyone who enjoys ethically driven fiction with a strong sense of place.
November 13, 2025
Wrong Hand Right by William Michael Ried captures the pulse of 1980s New York City in all its grit, danger, and fleeting beauty. From graffiti-covered trains to late-night bars and the quiet desperation of small apartments, Ried paints a world that feels both raw and intimate. The story follows characters caught between survival and redemption, people who make mistakes but still reach for a better version of themselves. What makes this novel stand out is its honesty: it doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle, yet it allows compassion and hope to shine through.
Ried’s prose has rhythm and authenticity; you can almost hear the sounds of the city behind every scene. The characters are flawed, human, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of story that lingers after you’ve turned the last page.
If you love urban realism, redemption arcs, and richly textured writing, Wrong Hand Right is a must-read.
Ried’s prose has rhythm and authenticity; you can almost hear the sounds of the city behind every scene. The characters are flawed, human, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of story that lingers after you’ve turned the last page.
If you love urban realism, redemption arcs, and richly textured writing, Wrong Hand Right is a must-read.
March 18, 2026
William Michael Ried is an excellent, award-winning author, who has written an engaging and always-interesting novel about a believable character who deals with conscience vs ambition in a relatable manner. The reader doesn't have to be left-handed, a New Yorker, have memories of visiting NYC lofts before lofts were socially acceptable (or allowed) living quarters, enjoy theatre, love law in theory, to root for the hero in his quandary. Ried does not insult his reader. Ried invites you to come along and see for yourself. You will find mystery, wit, along with a moral issue that will grip you. A compelling read. I recommend wholeheartedly
December 1, 2025
An excellent legal thriller with plenty of suspense, wonderful, realistic characters, and all of the elements that courtroom fans look for and enjoy. Mr. Ried also pulls off the perfect Perry Mason moment, which is the hallmark of a great legal drama, in my opinion. I was also intrigued by the protagonist's view of the "right-handed' world. I've never given much thought to how awkward and difficult things can be for a left-handed person. Finnegan Alger opens up those difficulties in a whole new light. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking for more of Mr. Ried's work.
December 18, 2025
Excellent fast-paced thriller that captures a Manhattan from a different era. Interesting premise for a deadly crime/mystery that occurs in the gritty 1980s. Really enjoyed the driving, terse dialogue combined with intricate plot that propels this complex story. Wrong Hand Right presents a grittier, tougher world than today, the book is full of conspiracies, surprises, plot twists and character reveals that keep you involved every page - couldn't put it down.....
December 25, 2025
I enjoyed reading Wrong Hand Right. The story was gripping and real. It was an easy read and moved quickly to an exciting finish. It introduced a large cast of interesting characters, all who played important roles in the big reveal at the end. I recommend it!
January 15, 2026
Wrong Hand Right vividly captures the gritty, lived-in feel of 1980s New York. The outsider lawyer’s viewpoint adds depth, and the subtle tension around power and cover-ups makes the story feel real and grounded. A smart, character-driven crime novel I highly recommend.
November 4, 2025
“A character-rich legal thriller of uncommon ambition—smart, absorbing, and surprisingly heartfelt. A taut, well-written thriller with a riveting conspiracy that stretches from flea markets to fighter jets.” ~
Kirkus Reviews
“In Ried’s gripping 1980s legal thriller, the tense choreography of the raids and the cutthroat politics of the firm create a legal world that feels both authentic and theatrical.” ~ Booklife Review
“Riveting, original, exceptional, deftly crafted and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, an extraordinary blend of legal thriller and conspiratorial urban crime fiction. Showcasing author William Michael Ried's extraordinary storytelling style as a novelist, Wrong Hand Right is especially and unreservedly recommended.” ~ Midwest Book Review
“A cleverly plotted crime thriller packed with twists, turns – and a little dry humour. Highly recommended!” ~ The Wishing Shelf Book Review
"A sharply drawn, atmospheric thriller, Wrong Hand Right delivers a gripping blend of legal intrigue, conspiracy, and character depth. Finnegan Alger, odd, wounded, unforgettable, anchors a story rich with humor, tension, and 1980s New York grit. William Michael Ried crafts a super clever, surprising mystery that keeps readers guessing and fully invested to the final page." ~ The International Review of Books
“In Ried’s gripping 1980s legal thriller, the tense choreography of the raids and the cutthroat politics of the firm create a legal world that feels both authentic and theatrical.” ~ Booklife Review
“Riveting, original, exceptional, deftly crafted and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, an extraordinary blend of legal thriller and conspiratorial urban crime fiction. Showcasing author William Michael Ried's extraordinary storytelling style as a novelist, Wrong Hand Right is especially and unreservedly recommended.” ~ Midwest Book Review
“A cleverly plotted crime thriller packed with twists, turns – and a little dry humour. Highly recommended!” ~ The Wishing Shelf Book Review
"A sharply drawn, atmospheric thriller, Wrong Hand Right delivers a gripping blend of legal intrigue, conspiracy, and character depth. Finnegan Alger, odd, wounded, unforgettable, anchors a story rich with humor, tension, and 1980s New York grit. William Michael Ried crafts a super clever, surprising mystery that keeps readers guessing and fully invested to the final page." ~ The International Review of Books
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews