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The Bloodied Client: A Legal Thriller
A teenage girl is charged with the unthinkable…
The crime? The brutal murder of her own parents. The prosecution’s argument seems airtight. But small town defense attorney Maggie Gallagher senses something isn’t right…
Months earlier, Zoey Conrad had already faced her worst nightmare when two men broke into her room. In the terrifying struggle that followed, one intruder ended up dead. The judge declared it self-defense and dismissed the charges, allowing Zoey to rebuild her life in their small town. But now, with her parents found murdered under disturbingly similar circumstances, the evidence against Zoey quickly piles up.
Maggie knows Zoey and she wants to believe the girl is no killer. Yet the more she learns about the twisted life the Conrads led, the stronger her compassion for Zoey grows. But the deeper she digs, the worse things get. Especially since Maggie’s own son has gotten personally involved.
As the prosecution builds an ironclad case and the clock ticks down, Maggie must race to expose the truth. If she fails, Zoey’s fate is sealed—and an innocent life could be shattered forever.
The crime? The brutal murder of her own parents. The prosecution’s argument seems airtight. But small town defense attorney Maggie Gallagher senses something isn’t right…
Months earlier, Zoey Conrad had already faced her worst nightmare when two men broke into her room. In the terrifying struggle that followed, one intruder ended up dead. The judge declared it self-defense and dismissed the charges, allowing Zoey to rebuild her life in their small town. But now, with her parents found murdered under disturbingly similar circumstances, the evidence against Zoey quickly piles up.
Maggie knows Zoey and she wants to believe the girl is no killer. Yet the more she learns about the twisted life the Conrads led, the stronger her compassion for Zoey grows. But the deeper she digs, the worse things get. Especially since Maggie’s own son has gotten personally involved.
As the prosecution builds an ironclad case and the clock ticks down, Maggie must race to expose the truth. If she fails, Zoey’s fate is sealed—and an innocent life could be shattered forever.
386 pages, Paperback
Published December 31, 2025
About the author
Peter Kirkland
21 books140 followersPeter 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy
MAGGIE GALLAGHER LEGAL THRILLER :
THE BLOODIED CLIENT, #2 - Interesting characters and story lines with a good pace. The ending seemed a bit rushed with the killer. I like Alia. Source: Booksprout and Relay Publishing Ltd. 4*
THE MIDWEST LAWYER, #1 - I found another writer that I like. I like his writing style, his characters, his story lines, his dialog, and his humor. I found this book interesting and intriguing, and it was easy to get immersed in the book. I love the prosecutor's personality and actions; be careful of your words and actions should be her moto. Source: Booksprout. 5*
MAGGIE GALLAGHER LEGAL THRILLER end.
SMALL TOWN LAWYER:
BURNING EVIDENCE, #4 - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. A constant pace with a good blend of interesting characters, interesting story lines and good dialog. The lawyer and the PI make good co-workers professionally and privately. Also interesting is the relationship between the businessman and his wife. Source: Booksprout. 4*
PRESCRIBING DOUBT, #5 - Enjoyable and interesting. Good characters. Intriguing story lines. Wish I had discovered this author five books ago. Source: Booksprout. 4*
SMALL TOWN LAWYER end.
SMALL TOWN TRIAL - The first book of the Spencer Dunn Legal Thrillers series. An enjoyable, interesting read with likeable main characters, good story lines, no silly drama or vulgar language. Source: Booksprout. 4*
THE BLOODIED CLIENT, #2 - Interesting characters and story lines with a good pace. The ending seemed a bit rushed with the killer. I like Alia. Source: Booksprout and Relay Publishing Ltd. 4*
THE MIDWEST LAWYER, #1 - I found another writer that I like. I like his writing style, his characters, his story lines, his dialog, and his humor. I found this book interesting and intriguing, and it was easy to get immersed in the book. I love the prosecutor's personality and actions; be careful of your words and actions should be her moto. Source: Booksprout. 5*
MAGGIE GALLAGHER LEGAL THRILLER end.
SMALL TOWN LAWYER:
BURNING EVIDENCE, #4 - My first read by this author and I enjoyed it. A constant pace with a good blend of interesting characters, interesting story lines and good dialog. The lawyer and the PI make good co-workers professionally and privately. Also interesting is the relationship between the businessman and his wife. Source: Booksprout. 4*
PRESCRIBING DOUBT, #5 - Enjoyable and interesting. Good characters. Intriguing story lines. Wish I had discovered this author five books ago. Source: Booksprout. 4*
SMALL TOWN LAWYER end.
SMALL TOWN TRIAL - The first book of the Spencer Dunn Legal Thrillers series. An enjoyable, interesting read with likeable main characters, good story lines, no silly drama or vulgar language. Source: Booksprout. 4*
January 15, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
love a good courtroom drama and this one had it all....
when maggie first met zoey it was at her house at night and zoey had turned up with blood all over her and a gun in her hand.... it was at that time that maggie became her lawyer what maggie didnt know was that her son ian was going out with zoey....
the courtcase against zoey was murder and maggie had a fight on her hands but the story that came out during the courtcase absolved zoey of any guilt if anything it hinted that zoeys home life with her parents was anything but fine but maggie couldnt do anything about that....
the next time maggie had dealings with zoey was when zoey was accused of murdering her parents the fact that zoey kept lying wasnt helping her case and maggie knew she would have her work cut out for her....
and what a trial this one was.. with plenty of red herrings galore ... could maggie persuade the jury to see zoey wasnt guilty but had the prosecution done enough to secure her guilt....
ohhh man this book has you on tenterhooks you never know what was coming next... because once you lie and its out there you cant take it back and claim innocence....
i cant wait to read more from this author... courtroom dramas just got more interesting
love a good courtroom drama and this one had it all....
when maggie first met zoey it was at her house at night and zoey had turned up with blood all over her and a gun in her hand.... it was at that time that maggie became her lawyer what maggie didnt know was that her son ian was going out with zoey....
the courtcase against zoey was murder and maggie had a fight on her hands but the story that came out during the courtcase absolved zoey of any guilt if anything it hinted that zoeys home life with her parents was anything but fine but maggie couldnt do anything about that....
the next time maggie had dealings with zoey was when zoey was accused of murdering her parents the fact that zoey kept lying wasnt helping her case and maggie knew she would have her work cut out for her....
and what a trial this one was.. with plenty of red herrings galore ... could maggie persuade the jury to see zoey wasnt guilty but had the prosecution done enough to secure her guilt....
ohhh man this book has you on tenterhooks you never know what was coming next... because once you lie and its out there you cant take it back and claim innocence....
i cant wait to read more from this author... courtroom dramas just got more interesting
January 20, 2026
There are so many twists and turns in this story that it will keep you guessing until the end. Like the strong lead character and the fact that she has to put all of the clues and evidence together to prove her client innocent. There is no stopping her to get to the truth. Enjoy reading a good legal thriller.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 20, 2026
Wow! The Bloodied Client is an excellent second book in the Maggie Gallagher Legal Thriller series by Peter Kirkland. This fast-paced story is packed with twists and turns that keep you hooked from start to finish. It’s a real edge-of-your-seat listen as Maggie works tirelessly to separate the truth from a tangled web of lies. Carrie Coello’s narration is spot on with all the tension and emotion as she brings the drama to life. highly recommended.
April 22, 2026
Peter Kirkland has really upped his game in this second installment of the Maggie Gallagher series. I enjoyed the first book, but this one really took off and kept me reading when I should have been doing other things. The writing is taut, the suspense well done, the characters believable, and the courtroom drama thrilling.
Plenty of others have described the plot, so I'll just end by saying Kirkland did a great job with this one and I'm anxiously awaiting the next entry in the series!
Plenty of others have described the plot, so I'll just end by saying Kirkland did a great job with this one and I'm anxiously awaiting the next entry in the series!
February 8, 2026
Love this series
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews