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The Wild Card
MITCH TURNER IS UNDER CRIMINAL SUSPICION. For the first time in his life, Mitch Turner is being investigated for possible criminal charges stemming from his shooting of Pace Brooks. While Mitch knows the prosecutors are just blowing smoke, he’s concerned they’ll find some small thing to prosecute. At the same time, he’s approached by Heidi Rebane, the wife of Cook County State’s Attorney Patrick Rebane. She’s also the former lover of Pace Brooks. Mitch is surprised she needs a criminal defense attorney and even more surprised that she’s coming to him.
A COMPLEX MURDER CASE WITH MANY QUESTIONS.Two of Heidi’s business partners have been gunned down in the middle of a busy street, and she worries the police will blame her for what happened. She is an obvious suspect and has no confidence in the official investigation. She wants Mitch to look into the case while it’s still early, hoping to avoid criminal charges. Suspecting a mob connection, Mitch begins his investigation and immediately learns that the victims were involved in an identity theft ring. That’s only the beginning of what he uncovers.
THE HAMMER COMES DOWN.It isn’t long before Heidi’s fears come to fruition, and she’s charged with murdering her two business partners. Law enforcement sees the case in black and white, but for Mitch, there are many nuances. And there is no doubt in his mind that somebody is working behind the scenes, guiding things toward an unclear goal. Not only that, Mitch feels somebody watching him from the shadows, monitoring every step he takes.
Can Mitch figure out what this unseen person is trying to accomplish before it’s too late?
Pick up your copy today to find out!
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The conference room was dark, my seat was hard, and the air conditioning made the place feel like I sat in the middle of a blizzard. All eyes were so focused on me that nobody noticed when I pushed back in my chair, and it squeaked. This meeting was proving to be the most intense experience of my entire professional career, second only to the day I’d shot Pace Brooks.
This wasn’t what I’d expected. I’d anticipated it would be a perfunctory meeting and that the investigation would be promptly shut down afterward.
“For the last time,” I said defiantly, “Brooks would’ve killed me if I hadn’t shot him.” I couldn’t remember how many times I’d made a statement like this during the last hour and a half, but the message didn’t sink in no matter how often I said it. I’d come hoping to clarify things for these former Cook County assistant state’s attorneys, but it wasn’t working. The people on the other side of the table weren’t seeking answers.
No, they were looking for anything they could weaponize against me.
Paxton Watkin sat across from me, and beside him was Olive Schultz, the senior of the two. Both had been appointed as independent prosecutors, and they regarded me as if I were the worst type of criminal they’d ever had the displeasure of interacting with. One might’ve been tempted to feel tried, judged, and convicted based on their contemptuous glares alone.
A COMPLEX MURDER CASE WITH MANY QUESTIONS.Two of Heidi’s business partners have been gunned down in the middle of a busy street, and she worries the police will blame her for what happened. She is an obvious suspect and has no confidence in the official investigation. She wants Mitch to look into the case while it’s still early, hoping to avoid criminal charges. Suspecting a mob connection, Mitch begins his investigation and immediately learns that the victims were involved in an identity theft ring. That’s only the beginning of what he uncovers.
THE HAMMER COMES DOWN.It isn’t long before Heidi’s fears come to fruition, and she’s charged with murdering her two business partners. Law enforcement sees the case in black and white, but for Mitch, there are many nuances. And there is no doubt in his mind that somebody is working behind the scenes, guiding things toward an unclear goal. Not only that, Mitch feels somebody watching him from the shadows, monitoring every step he takes.
Can Mitch figure out what this unseen person is trying to accomplish before it’s too late?
Pick up your copy today to find out!
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The conference room was dark, my seat was hard, and the air conditioning made the place feel like I sat in the middle of a blizzard. All eyes were so focused on me that nobody noticed when I pushed back in my chair, and it squeaked. This meeting was proving to be the most intense experience of my entire professional career, second only to the day I’d shot Pace Brooks.
This wasn’t what I’d expected. I’d anticipated it would be a perfunctory meeting and that the investigation would be promptly shut down afterward.
“For the last time,” I said defiantly, “Brooks would’ve killed me if I hadn’t shot him.” I couldn’t remember how many times I’d made a statement like this during the last hour and a half, but the message didn’t sink in no matter how often I said it. I’d come hoping to clarify things for these former Cook County assistant state’s attorneys, but it wasn’t working. The people on the other side of the table weren’t seeking answers.
No, they were looking for anything they could weaponize against me.
Paxton Watkin sat across from me, and beside him was Olive Schultz, the senior of the two. Both had been appointed as independent prosecutors, and they regarded me as if I were the worst type of criminal they’d ever had the displeasure of interacting with. One might’ve been tempted to feel tried, judged, and convicted based on their contemptuous glares alone.
Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2025
338 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Dan Decker
102 books59 followersDan Decker lives in Utah with his family. He has a law degree and spends as much time as he can outdoors. You can learn more about upcoming novels at dandeckerbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 27, 2026
Review of The Wild Card
Great storyline and very realistic. Mitch Turner is a combination of Perry Mason and Mike Hammer. The author understands that our Justice System depends upon people who are willing to obey the rules. The author understands that the Police Department develops tunnel vision and focuses on the first suspect and will work to convict that person.
Great storyline and very realistic. Mitch Turner is a combination of Perry Mason and Mike Hammer. The author understands that our Justice System depends upon people who are willing to obey the rules. The author understands that the Police Department develops tunnel vision and focuses on the first suspect and will work to convict that person.
January 7, 2026
Too many names
...and too many twists & turns. Motivations and connections convoluted and obscure. Nothing to arouse sympathy for or strong interest in any of the characters. Ties things up too fast and completely at the end. Wanted to like thebook, but couldn't.
...and too many twists & turns. Motivations and connections convoluted and obscure. Nothing to arouse sympathy for or strong interest in any of the characters. Ties things up too fast and completely at the end. Wanted to like thebook, but couldn't.
January 1, 2026
Twisted
Right when I thought I had to plot a
ll figured out, more information and twists were revealed. I went back to square one a few times. Great read!
Right when I thought I had to plot a
ll figured out, more information and twists were revealed. I went back to square one a few times. Great read!
January 12, 2026
great book
There are more characters in this book than I could keep straight, although the detailed description of the trial was great!
There are more characters in this book than I could keep straight, although the detailed description of the trial was great!
January 29, 2026
A GOOD ONE
Decker does it again. Excellent plotting and a novel that’s difficult to put down. Very worth a read, you won’t be sorry.
Decker does it again. Excellent plotting and a novel that’s difficult to put down. Very worth a read, you won’t be sorry.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews