Twisting Judgment: A Legal Thriller

by Peter Kirkland, Daleth Hall

368 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Peter Kirkland grew up in Beaufort, South Carolina. As a kid, Peter loved history and learning about his area. One year in school, he was given a project to research a few South Carolina law cases and the precedents they set and their effect on people’s lives.
This research project lit the flame for his passion for law and creating a more equal justice system since. Soon after this, Peter began reading legal thrillers voraciously and enjoyed the legal maneuvering and justice found within. As an adult he has continued researching the law and understanding the system and its effects on individuals. A few years ago, he decided to try writing his own legal thriller.


Now a full-time writer, he uses his research, passion for justice, and real case studies to bring together courtroom dramas with deep, rich characters, and gripping twists and turns. New to the industry, Peter would love to hear from readers and other authors and invites you to connect with him.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the small town lawyer series--the stories are quite believable and the characters come across as authentic people. The author knows his surroundings and it shows that he knows South Carolina well. This book covers two legal cases, one taking place in Charleston at the Federal Courthouse. The other case is taking place in Basking Rock. Leland Munroe is the attorney and his clients are both young men. One charged with Computer Fraud and Abuse Act--multiple felonies, the other charges with murder. What I enjoyed about this case was the details regarding how the one professor who was reviewing everything could pull together the cell phone data and locate who's phone was where during the events taking place at the courthouse. I find it interesting to learn about all the data that is collected through cell phones, Wifi etc. Both cases are interesting and I find all the local folks quite charming--local podcaster of crime--prosecutor--
I definitely recommend this book and I hope there will be more to come in this series.
I did receive an advanced reader copy and I thank the author and his publisher
for the opportunity to read it prior to publication.

I did receive an advanced reader copy and I thank the author and his publisher
for the opportunity to read it prior to publication. I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book and its my first review of the new year

this is only my second book by this author and already i am a big fan of his

i love how we get the build up for the big court case the actual setting of a court room and how when you think the chips are down and the prosecutor has built a solid case in comes our hero and manages to some how kick when questioning witnesses on the stand and this book is no different

its a classic whodunnit

when a federal judge is found at the bottom of a staircase where he shouldnt have been dead the fbi are called in and suddenly there is an arrest
could the perp have done it and why.....
so when leland goes to interview the perp he doesnt really know if he will defend him ..... there is something about the perp that unsettles leland but the more he looks into the perp and the family and discovers the more he realises that he hasnt been telling him the whole truth.....

have to admit to being hooked from the first page and never saw the outcome coming at all.... looking forward to reading more from this author

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisting Judgment is the next thrilling courtroom book following defense attorney Leland Munroe and his assistants work to uncover the truth about the cases of his two young clients. One client is accused of the murder of a federal judge who is poised on testifying at a public trial. The second case is against a brilliant college student accused of hacking into records. Each case has twists, complex legal issues, the search for evidence, interesting characters, courtroom drama, and a thrilling plot seeking justice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. I missed a few things at first because when people start talking technical stuff, I'm not that smart lol. So I kind of missed where it was going first. But it came together so well. The way it was pulled off was excellent. I loved the mystery of it all. Trying to figure out how to do what you need for a client. I'm fascinated by that. I know it's not always....lawful, but it's so cool watch. I loved the characters. Everyone had their own little piece to bring to the table and it tied so well together. Really recommend this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reads lotsa stuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who done it? This is not a one hour tv show because there is much more packed into the pages, making it so enjoyable. There is plenty of courtroom drama. There is a murder. There are threats. There is betrayal. Spun with a little technology and some overlapping cases. There are natural elements that come very close to derailing the whole defense. The characters come across strong, likable, sinister and realistic. It is twisted and convoluted. It is surprising and entertaining. It is a book you’ll want to take your time with and don’t want to see this one end. Thank you Leland Munroe!

[Teri Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisting Judgment is the final in the Small Town Lawyer series. What a great way to end it too! I had no idea until very close to the end. He did a great job pulling me in, cheering on Leland and Terri and feeling proud for the man Noah became. I love how he intertwines his characters and brings them together for his own good in another book. I am looking forward to what Peter Kirkland has coming.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many twists and turns in this story that it will grab you from the start and you will not be able to put it down until you find out what happens. Like the lead character he is strong and knows what he's doing. He is put in a difficult position of finding out what happened. Like the setting and the background of the story. Always like illegal Thriller.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellen Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leland has 2 new cases and once again makes as many friends as enemies.
Action packed and interesting read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like the series - this author is the only writer of legal thrillers that is grabbing me right now and I know when I read his books they will be entertaining and engrossing. This one was no exception.

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Judge is killed in a courthouse while waiting to testify in a case. No one witnesses the crime, but evidence - and fingers - point to the janitor. Can Leland Munroe get to the bottom of it all before an innocent man gets wrongly convicted?