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Bad Day for Justice
Two families. One murder. A secret that refuses to stay buried.
One family loses a father to murder, the other sees theirs accused of the crime. Days later, the victim’s son-in-law hijacks a Navy jet and disappears over the Canadian wilderness, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Was it an act of greed, a desperate bid for freedom, or part of a far larger scheme?
The case fractures, the years pass, and the truth slips into legend—until decades later, when fate brings the two families back together. Now law partners Duncan Carmichael and Sydney Warren are drawn into the case that once defined their careers. Each lawyer has a personal history with the families involved—one advised the victim’s daughter, the other defended the accused killer. Together, they reopen a case no one wants revisited.
What begins as a search for justice becomes a dangerous race through Navy bureaucracy, buried evidence, and ruthless criminals still willing to kill to protect a fortune tied to the past. As the clock runs out and prison looms for their client, Carmichael and Warren must decide how much truth the law can bear.
Justice delayed doesn’t always mean justice denied—but sometimes it comes at a devastating cost.
One family loses a father to murder, the other sees theirs accused of the crime. Days later, the victim’s son-in-law hijacks a Navy jet and disappears over the Canadian wilderness, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. Was it an act of greed, a desperate bid for freedom, or part of a far larger scheme?
The case fractures, the years pass, and the truth slips into legend—until decades later, when fate brings the two families back together. Now law partners Duncan Carmichael and Sydney Warren are drawn into the case that once defined their careers. Each lawyer has a personal history with the families involved—one advised the victim’s daughter, the other defended the accused killer. Together, they reopen a case no one wants revisited.
What begins as a search for justice becomes a dangerous race through Navy bureaucracy, buried evidence, and ruthless criminals still willing to kill to protect a fortune tied to the past. As the clock runs out and prison looms for their client, Carmichael and Warren must decide how much truth the law can bear.
Justice delayed doesn’t always mean justice denied—but sometimes it comes at a devastating cost.
- GenresMystery
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2026
About the author
Charlotte Stuart
21 books430 followersCharlotte Stuart PhD is an award-winning mystery writer who got her start in academia, left a tenured faculty position to go commercial fishing in Alaska, spent a frustrating year as a political speech writer, and enjoyed time as a management consultant and as a VP of HR and Training.
Her current passion is for writing character driven mysteries with twisty plots, including a legal thriller co-authored with writer husband Don Stuart.
Her discount Detective Mysteries received a 1st Place Series Award in the Chanticleer International Mystery & Mayhem competition. Other awards include a Global Ebook Gold, a Reader Views Silver, a Global Book Award Bronze, and making finals in Foreword Indies, Killer Nashville's Silver Falchion and the Eric Hoffer Awards.
She lives and writes on Vashon Island, is the past president of the Puget Sound Sisters in Crime and a member of the Mystery Writers of America.
Her current passion is for writing character driven mysteries with twisty plots, including a legal thriller co-authored with writer husband Don Stuart.
Her discount Detective Mysteries received a 1st Place Series Award in the Chanticleer International Mystery & Mayhem competition. Other awards include a Global Ebook Gold, a Reader Views Silver, a Global Book Award Bronze, and making finals in Foreword Indies, Killer Nashville's Silver Falchion and the Eric Hoffer Awards.
She lives and writes on Vashon Island, is the past president of the Puget Sound Sisters in Crime and a member of the Mystery Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 26, 2026
Having long enjoyed the cozy mysteries of Charlotte Stuart, I was pleased to stumble upon this legal thriller in which she collaborates with her husband, Don Stuart. The second in the series, this tense story set in the early 1980s, where the legal team of Warren and Carmichael handle two seemingly independent cases that connect in the oddest way. Another strong thriller, complementing both authors’ strengths, it had me flipping pages well into the day!
When two seemingly independent cases come into the law firm of Warren and Carmichael, there seems to be something in the air, literally. When a family loses their father due to a murder, all eyes turn to the business partner. Sydney Warren is fast on the case and begins building a defense that will be tough to prove in 1983, but she is not scared off by anything put before her. Days later, Duncan Carmichael receives a client who is seeking assistance when her husband stole a Navy airplane with all the newest technology and has disappeared into the Canadian wilderness. As Carmichael seeks to use his former connections as a JAG to ensure the woman and her daughter are not left destitute, he must find compassion. Warren works to get her client acquitted in the courtroom while press of the trial heats up. A verdict is rendered and all is forgotten... until the present day. The plane has been located in Canada and Carmichael takes the lead to liaise with the Navy to ensure his former client's husband is not labelled a traitor. He is also the son-in-law of the Warren trial's murder victim, complicating things for both families and lawyers. As truths that were buried for decades come to light, both Warren and Carmichael will have to untangle them to get much-needed answers. Another stellar story from the Stuarts, who have a masterful way of pulling the reader in with ease.
While I know Charlotte Stuart as a cozy mystery writer, the story here is anything but worthy of a cup of coffee. It’s gritty and tense in all the right ways, with the law gaining ground, while some dabbling with military judice as it relates to deserters shows Don Stuart’s expertise. The story progresses easily and leaves the reader demanding more from the law and its various permutations. Short chapters push things along for the curious reader and keep the tension high over the forty years that span this novel. Key elements come together, though not entirely in ways that might be expected, as the truth surfaces and families must face it all.
Character development was spot-on as legal and personal events surface. Both Carmichael and Warren offer up their own legal expertise, working their own talents and coming together when needed. Both shine in this second novel and provide more legal complementary work over the years this book takes to progress. The Stuarts surely have more for them to tackle in the years to come. Supporting characters worked well to push the piece, never in a predicted direction. I like how the reader can see characters in both time periods, which was much less confusing this time around.
The plot was on point and kept the story propelling forward as I sought answers while reading. There is little time to breathe in this piece, as a murder trial takes centre stage. but the reader must surely wonder about the absconded military plane, which makes its attempt for the spotlight in the latter portion of the book. Surprises emerge with these skilled authors writing what they know best, showing it off with ease while the reader wants to know more. I am impressed with this series to date and will have to see how future books compare to the two I have already devoured.
Kudos, Mr. and Madam Stuart, for an addictive collection and only two books in!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
When two seemingly independent cases come into the law firm of Warren and Carmichael, there seems to be something in the air, literally. When a family loses their father due to a murder, all eyes turn to the business partner. Sydney Warren is fast on the case and begins building a defense that will be tough to prove in 1983, but she is not scared off by anything put before her. Days later, Duncan Carmichael receives a client who is seeking assistance when her husband stole a Navy airplane with all the newest technology and has disappeared into the Canadian wilderness. As Carmichael seeks to use his former connections as a JAG to ensure the woman and her daughter are not left destitute, he must find compassion. Warren works to get her client acquitted in the courtroom while press of the trial heats up. A verdict is rendered and all is forgotten... until the present day. The plane has been located in Canada and Carmichael takes the lead to liaise with the Navy to ensure his former client's husband is not labelled a traitor. He is also the son-in-law of the Warren trial's murder victim, complicating things for both families and lawyers. As truths that were buried for decades come to light, both Warren and Carmichael will have to untangle them to get much-needed answers. Another stellar story from the Stuarts, who have a masterful way of pulling the reader in with ease.
While I know Charlotte Stuart as a cozy mystery writer, the story here is anything but worthy of a cup of coffee. It’s gritty and tense in all the right ways, with the law gaining ground, while some dabbling with military judice as it relates to deserters shows Don Stuart’s expertise. The story progresses easily and leaves the reader demanding more from the law and its various permutations. Short chapters push things along for the curious reader and keep the tension high over the forty years that span this novel. Key elements come together, though not entirely in ways that might be expected, as the truth surfaces and families must face it all.
Character development was spot-on as legal and personal events surface. Both Carmichael and Warren offer up their own legal expertise, working their own talents and coming together when needed. Both shine in this second novel and provide more legal complementary work over the years this book takes to progress. The Stuarts surely have more for them to tackle in the years to come. Supporting characters worked well to push the piece, never in a predicted direction. I like how the reader can see characters in both time periods, which was much less confusing this time around.
The plot was on point and kept the story propelling forward as I sought answers while reading. There is little time to breathe in this piece, as a murder trial takes centre stage. but the reader must surely wonder about the absconded military plane, which makes its attempt for the spotlight in the latter portion of the book. Surprises emerge with these skilled authors writing what they know best, showing it off with ease while the reader wants to know more. I am impressed with this series to date and will have to see how future books compare to the two I have already devoured.
Kudos, Mr. and Madam Stuart, for an addictive collection and only two books in!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bad Day for Justice follows two Seattle lawyers, Sydney Warren and Duncan Carmichael, as they get pulled into the fallout from a brutal year in 1983. A Navy pilot vanishes in a stolen EA-6B Prowler, a huge public power project implodes, and a financial advisor named Harold Dawson dies under very suspicious circumstances. Decades later, the grown children of the supposed killer and the victim, along with the Ortez family from the missing-jet scandal, stumble into a fresh blackmail scheme tied to a lost jewel called the Tsarina’s Spider, and everyone has to decide what “justice” looks like when the truth arrives forty years late.
I really enjoyed how the authors handle the nuts-and-bolts stuff. The legal and military pieces feel grounded, yet the story still moves. The opening sequence with the stolen Prowler has real punch, and the later courtroom work around the Dawson death goes down smooth, even when the arguments get technical. The book hops between Navy bases, Seattle law offices, British Columbia ferries, and a Cascade trailhead, and each place feels authentic. I liked spending time with older versions of Sydney and Duncan. They are competent, stubborn, a little tired, and still fully in the fight. The large cast can feel crowded at first, yet by the time Allison rides that little Aquabus with a fake jewel in her lap, I had a decent handle on who mattered and why.
The core question of justice delayed sits over everything, and the forty-year gap makes that question sting. The children of Dawson and Nowak carry scars from choices they never made, and their scenes together have a quiet ache that lingers. I liked the way the story refuses a clean hero-villain split. Dawson’s suicide, Nowak’s ruined life, Danny Ortez’s desperate choices in the past and his weary acceptance in the present, all of that pushes the book into interesting moral gray. The backstory around the WPPSS bond debacle and the art-heist angle with the Tsarina’s Spider feels like a lot of moving parts, and once or twice, I had to pause and mentally sort out who owed what to whom. Still, the emotional throughline kept pulling me back.
By the end, the big deck gathering at the Carmichaels’ house gave me that mix of relief and unease that I like in a legal thriller. The good guys get some wins, old lies get aired out, reputations get patched, yet there is no magic fix for lost decades or wrecked careers. It feels honest. I would recommend Bad Day for Justice to readers who enjoy character-driven legal thrillers, people interested in the Pacific Northwest and real-world financial messes, and anyone who likes seeing older protagonists treated as full-on leads instead of background mentors. If you want a smart, steady, slightly twisty story about family, accountability, and what “justice” costs once the dust finally settles, this one is worth your time.
I really enjoyed how the authors handle the nuts-and-bolts stuff. The legal and military pieces feel grounded, yet the story still moves. The opening sequence with the stolen Prowler has real punch, and the later courtroom work around the Dawson death goes down smooth, even when the arguments get technical. The book hops between Navy bases, Seattle law offices, British Columbia ferries, and a Cascade trailhead, and each place feels authentic. I liked spending time with older versions of Sydney and Duncan. They are competent, stubborn, a little tired, and still fully in the fight. The large cast can feel crowded at first, yet by the time Allison rides that little Aquabus with a fake jewel in her lap, I had a decent handle on who mattered and why.
The core question of justice delayed sits over everything, and the forty-year gap makes that question sting. The children of Dawson and Nowak carry scars from choices they never made, and their scenes together have a quiet ache that lingers. I liked the way the story refuses a clean hero-villain split. Dawson’s suicide, Nowak’s ruined life, Danny Ortez’s desperate choices in the past and his weary acceptance in the present, all of that pushes the book into interesting moral gray. The backstory around the WPPSS bond debacle and the art-heist angle with the Tsarina’s Spider feels like a lot of moving parts, and once or twice, I had to pause and mentally sort out who owed what to whom. Still, the emotional throughline kept pulling me back.
By the end, the big deck gathering at the Carmichaels’ house gave me that mix of relief and unease that I like in a legal thriller. The good guys get some wins, old lies get aired out, reputations get patched, yet there is no magic fix for lost decades or wrecked careers. It feels honest. I would recommend Bad Day for Justice to readers who enjoy character-driven legal thrillers, people interested in the Pacific Northwest and real-world financial messes, and anyone who likes seeing older protagonists treated as full-on leads instead of background mentors. If you want a smart, steady, slightly twisty story about family, accountability, and what “justice” costs once the dust finally settles, this one is worth your time.
March 31, 2026
Bad Day for Justice by Charlotte Stuart and Donald Stuart is a compelling legal mystery that skillfully blends suspense, personal stakes, and long buried secrets. Spanning decades, the novel explores how a single crime can ripple across lives, leaving unanswered questions that refuse to fade with time.
The dual perspectives of lawyers Duncan Carmichael and Sydney Warren add depth to the narrative, as their personal connections to the case create both tension and emotional weight. The investigation unfolds with steady pacing, weaving together legal intrigue, hidden motives, and unexpected twists.
What stands out is the novel’s exploration of justice not just as a legal outcome, but as a complex and often elusive pursuit shaped by truth, loyalty, and consequence. The combination of courtroom drama and mystery keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
A satisfying read for fans of legal thrillers and character driven mysteries with layered storytelling and high emotional stakes.
The dual perspectives of lawyers Duncan Carmichael and Sydney Warren add depth to the narrative, as their personal connections to the case create both tension and emotional weight. The investigation unfolds with steady pacing, weaving together legal intrigue, hidden motives, and unexpected twists.
What stands out is the novel’s exploration of justice not just as a legal outcome, but as a complex and often elusive pursuit shaped by truth, loyalty, and consequence. The combination of courtroom drama and mystery keeps the story engaging from start to finish.
A satisfying read for fans of legal thrillers and character driven mysteries with layered storytelling and high emotional stakes.
February 11, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. For me, this was the one. The kind of book you start and suddenly it’s midnight and you didn’t even notice. The story grabbed me right away. Two families connected forever by one terrible crime. Then, the missing plane in the Canadian wilderness adds another layer of mystery that runs through the entire story.
Duncan and Sydney aren’t perfect lawyers. They make mistakes and sometimes hesitate. That’s why they feel more human, and easier to connect with.
There were some twists I really didn’t expect at all. The tension stays through the whole book, but it never feels too much or fake. It just grows little by little, in a way that feels natural. I liked that a lot. This is a book that I highly recommend.
Duncan and Sydney aren’t perfect lawyers. They make mistakes and sometimes hesitate. That’s why they feel more human, and easier to connect with.
There were some twists I really didn’t expect at all. The tension stays through the whole book, but it never feels too much or fake. It just grows little by little, in a way that feels natural. I liked that a lot. This is a book that I highly recommend.
February 12, 2026
This legal thriller had me hooked from the start, as the premise is more than interesting and is narrated in great detail, generating intrigue and anticipation without having a predictable outcome.
I liked the fact that throughout the book I was asking myself questions that were finally answered at the end. I don't particularly enjoy endings that leave the developments open to the reader's interpretation and this one fulfilled my expectations. This is a great story taken to a solid conclusion through good writing.
The authors made me reflect on delayed justice: is it enough when it arrives, despite all the pain it has caused?
Bad Day for Justice is an exceptional read that maintains the high standards of this excellent series.
I liked the fact that throughout the book I was asking myself questions that were finally answered at the end. I don't particularly enjoy endings that leave the developments open to the reader's interpretation and this one fulfilled my expectations. This is a great story taken to a solid conclusion through good writing.
The authors made me reflect on delayed justice: is it enough when it arrives, despite all the pain it has caused?
Bad Day for Justice is an exceptional read that maintains the high standards of this excellent series.
February 12, 2026
Bad Day for Justice is an intense and highly absorbing read. From the very first pages, you feel the weight of a story marked by the past, by secrets that refuse to disappear, and by the idea that some wounds never truly heal. It's one of those books that completely captivates you.
One of the things I liked most is how the authors construct the atmosphere of the legal world: the dialogue is snappy, the conflicts feel real, and the characters have depth. The novel isn't just a legal thriller; it also invites reflection on truth, loyalty, and the impact that a single event can have on many lives, even decades later. Recommended.
One of the things I liked most is how the authors construct the atmosphere of the legal world: the dialogue is snappy, the conflicts feel real, and the characters have depth. The novel isn't just a legal thriller; it also invites reflection on truth, loyalty, and the impact that a single event can have on many lives, even decades later. Recommended.
April 29, 2026
📚Bad Day for Justice
✍️Charlotte Stuart, Don Stuart
⭐️⭐️⭐️
American legal thriller with links to imperial Russia (an element that I absolutely loved). As a Brit, many of the American legal aspects were lost on me but I enjoyed the plot as a whole. Impeccably written, and I imagine researched, well rounded, authentic characters. I can see this appealing to a wide audience.
✍️Charlotte Stuart, Don Stuart
⭐️⭐️⭐️
American legal thriller with links to imperial Russia (an element that I absolutely loved). As a Brit, many of the American legal aspects were lost on me but I enjoyed the plot as a whole. Impeccably written, and I imagine researched, well rounded, authentic characters. I can see this appealing to a wide audience.
May 8, 2026
Excellent, except for some major errors in the firearms department
The author made so many errors in the firearms forensic discipline and overall firearm descriptions, it would be difficult to describe here, but one piece of advice comes to mind. Any time you have firearms evidence in your book, have it reviewed by a court qualified firearms examiner before publishing.
The author made so many errors in the firearms forensic discipline and overall firearm descriptions, it would be difficult to describe here, but one piece of advice comes to mind. Any time you have firearms evidence in your book, have it reviewed by a court qualified firearms examiner before publishing.
April 22, 2026
Interesting story with some twists and turns. I thought the ending was a little too pat but it was okay enough. The settings were great, and the airplane theft and subsequent disappearance was cool.
March 6, 2026
Whidbey Island NAS and Seattle based. It was a bit heavy on the coincidences, but otherwise kept my interest.
March 11, 2026
Legal Mystery
The book is actually a two part drama. Although wordy at times, overall a good read. Part two is a little harder to follow but in total it is a worthy read.
The book is actually a two part drama. Although wordy at times, overall a good read. Part two is a little harder to follow but in total it is a worthy read.
April 5, 2026
Excellent Book!
I love legal thrillers, but this one is exceptional. I like how it takes through time to see the repercussions of decisions made 40 years previously.
I love legal thrillers, but this one is exceptional. I like how it takes through time to see the repercussions of decisions made 40 years previously.
April 15, 2026
Fun read. Need to pay attention to chapter dates and characters but it pulls together for an interesting ending. We'll done.
March 10, 2026
I won this in a giveaway.
February 12, 2026
A strong legal thriller, I have to say I love TV shows about this topic and I found this book and it made me curious. It feels quite realistic and the emotion in the way it is written definitely translates to the reader. I like the question that is all around the book about justice and time and all that can happen and the consequences that can have.
I think readers of legal dramas are really going to enjoy this one. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It was a very captivating read and the style of the author was on point. Overall, a very good book!
I think readers of legal dramas are really going to enjoy this one. I enjoyed it from start to finish. It was a very captivating read and the style of the author was on point. Overall, a very good book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews