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Tom Hawk Thriller #1
Hawk's Justice
A Killer in the Courts
When High Court judge William Ryland is found dead inside the Royal Courts of Justice, it seems like a tragic accident.
But young, high-flying lawyer Tom Hawk suspects there's more to his death than meets the eye. When he takes over Ryland’s final case – a battle between two Russian billionaires – he’s thrust into a murky world of deception, where nothing is quite as it seems...
An International Conspiracy
Inside the courts, the body count begins to rise. And as evidence disappears, Hawk finds himself wrapped up in a much darker game: one that goes to the very heart of the justice system.
A Man Who Breaks the Rules
When tensions arise between Hawk and the beautiful but uncompromising Detective Inspector Kate Black, he realises that he’ll have to take the law into his own hands – but at what cost?
Murder and intrigue combine in this fast-paced adventure, set against the iconic landscape of legal London.
When High Court judge William Ryland is found dead inside the Royal Courts of Justice, it seems like a tragic accident.
But young, high-flying lawyer Tom Hawk suspects there's more to his death than meets the eye. When he takes over Ryland’s final case – a battle between two Russian billionaires – he’s thrust into a murky world of deception, where nothing is quite as it seems...
An International Conspiracy
Inside the courts, the body count begins to rise. And as evidence disappears, Hawk finds himself wrapped up in a much darker game: one that goes to the very heart of the justice system.
A Man Who Breaks the Rules
When tensions arise between Hawk and the beautiful but uncompromising Detective Inspector Kate Black, he realises that he’ll have to take the law into his own hands – but at what cost?
Murder and intrigue combine in this fast-paced adventure, set against the iconic landscape of legal London.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2026
About the author
Jim Ross
1 book2 followersJames Ross is a British barrister who spent more than a decade practising in London and in courts around the United Kingdom, where he was ranked in Chambers and Partners as one of the leading practitioners in his field. For the past ten years, he has been publishing director and co-founder of Dark Skies Publishing, a leading indie publisher of crime and thriller fiction.
As a lawyer and publisher, James has more than twenty years' experience from which to draw inspiration for his own stories, which are well-crafted, pacy legal thrillers and mysteries set in London, featuring the recurring character of Tom Hawk. Aside from his busy working life, James is a devoted husband and father to his two children.
As a lawyer and publisher, James has more than twenty years' experience from which to draw inspiration for his own stories, which are well-crafted, pacy legal thrillers and mysteries set in London, featuring the recurring character of Tom Hawk. Aside from his busy working life, James is a devoted husband and father to his two children.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing and brilliantly crafted thriller. I loved the blend of murder, mystery alongside the legal storyline set in the Royal Courts of Justice. The story seamlessly weaves together the police investigation of the death of a High Court Judge, a battle between two Russian billionaires and a web of secrets and lies.
When Tom Hawk takes over the final case of the deceased William Ryland, little does he realise the depths of deception and the murky world that he is about the enter. This was a fast paced and action packed adventure. From the very first sentence I was hooked and the heading...oh my word, what happened there?!!
I loved the backdrop of the landscape of legal London. The places and streets of London were well described and I felt like I was following Tom Hawk every step of the way as we unraveled the dark underworld, uncovering the truth and piecing together the pieces of the puzzle. I learned so much through the legal element of the story, it was explained well and I never felt that it was over complicated. It added a fantastic layer to the story that I enjoyed reading about. The story is tense and dramatic and the police investigation lead by Detective Inspector Kate Black added a thrilling and traumatic element. There was also a wonderful sense of humour and wit to lighten up the story that I enjoyed.
The characters were brilliantly written. Tom Hawk is a fantastic character, brave, determined, risk taker with a backstory that was teased out but I want to know more about. Kate Black is fearless and uncompromising. The strong supporting cast of characters brought their own personalities to the pages and I look forward to meeting them again.
Overall, a fabulous debut, unputtownable, cliffhangers aplenty and that ending was so good. Can't wait to see what happens next with Tom Hawk.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this eARC.
When Tom Hawk takes over the final case of the deceased William Ryland, little does he realise the depths of deception and the murky world that he is about the enter. This was a fast paced and action packed adventure. From the very first sentence I was hooked and the heading...oh my word, what happened there?!!
I loved the backdrop of the landscape of legal London. The places and streets of London were well described and I felt like I was following Tom Hawk every step of the way as we unraveled the dark underworld, uncovering the truth and piecing together the pieces of the puzzle. I learned so much through the legal element of the story, it was explained well and I never felt that it was over complicated. It added a fantastic layer to the story that I enjoyed reading about. The story is tense and dramatic and the police investigation lead by Detective Inspector Kate Black added a thrilling and traumatic element. There was also a wonderful sense of humour and wit to lighten up the story that I enjoyed.
The characters were brilliantly written. Tom Hawk is a fantastic character, brave, determined, risk taker with a backstory that was teased out but I want to know more about. Kate Black is fearless and uncompromising. The strong supporting cast of characters brought their own personalities to the pages and I look forward to meeting them again.
Overall, a fabulous debut, unputtownable, cliffhangers aplenty and that ending was so good. Can't wait to see what happens next with Tom Hawk.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2026 ever since I first saw it being publicised.
Clever and gripping perfectly describe this debut thriller. I flew through it over a couple of evenings!
Tom Hawk may be a little disagreeable to begin with, but he’s young, determined and a massive risk taker. As the story unfolds, he becomes a very personable character who genuinely believes in truth and justice for all (which makes him so good at his job!).
I loved learning more about the life of a judge and the legal system. I enjoy watching legal dramas, but I’ve never really read a book centred around the law before, so I’m really glad I gave this one a go!
Set in the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Hawk is assigned a high profile case following the death of the previous High Court judge overseeing it. As he helps investigate whether the death was murder or an accident, he uncovers secrets, deception and lies while working alongside the police.
The plot felt believable, and I really enjoyed the pacing. Information was revealed gradually, giving me enough detail to follow the case without feeling overwhelmed. Despite the number of characters, they were introduced brilliantly, making it easy to get to know them all.
Joan and Lisa were fantastic additions, and I loved seeing their relationships with Hawk develop. I’m particularly hoping Lisa and Hawk’s working relationship grows even stronger as the series continues!
The ending was jaw dropping, so I can not wait for Book 2 to continue the story!
I’m sure there’s pressure that comes with releasing a debut novel, especially when comparisons may be made to the author’s wife and her books. However, Ross should be incredibly proud of what he’s achieved. He’s brought Tom Hawk to life in a gripping legal thriller that leaves me keen to read more!
💕 A fantastic debut and a promising new series!
Clever and gripping perfectly describe this debut thriller. I flew through it over a couple of evenings!
Tom Hawk may be a little disagreeable to begin with, but he’s young, determined and a massive risk taker. As the story unfolds, he becomes a very personable character who genuinely believes in truth and justice for all (which makes him so good at his job!).
I loved learning more about the life of a judge and the legal system. I enjoy watching legal dramas, but I’ve never really read a book centred around the law before, so I’m really glad I gave this one a go!
Set in the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Hawk is assigned a high profile case following the death of the previous High Court judge overseeing it. As he helps investigate whether the death was murder or an accident, he uncovers secrets, deception and lies while working alongside the police.
The plot felt believable, and I really enjoyed the pacing. Information was revealed gradually, giving me enough detail to follow the case without feeling overwhelmed. Despite the number of characters, they were introduced brilliantly, making it easy to get to know them all.
Joan and Lisa were fantastic additions, and I loved seeing their relationships with Hawk develop. I’m particularly hoping Lisa and Hawk’s working relationship grows even stronger as the series continues!
The ending was jaw dropping, so I can not wait for Book 2 to continue the story!
I’m sure there’s pressure that comes with releasing a debut novel, especially when comparisons may be made to the author’s wife and her books. However, Ross should be incredibly proud of what he’s achieved. He’s brought Tom Hawk to life in a gripping legal thriller that leaves me keen to read more!
💕 A fantastic debut and a promising new series!
October 15, 2026
I do love a legal thriller, and it's always a plus to have a new author to turn to as well, so Jim Ross's new thriller, Hawk's Justice, makes for an intriguing and exciting combination. And, I'm happy to say, it makes for some pretty thrilling reading too. Tom Hawk is exactly the kind of character I enjoy spending time with, and Jim Ross has created a setting here that has left me very keen to read more.
Now, I'm not going to lie. When Tom Hawk is first introduced to readers, I found him perhaps a touch dour. It was only for a fleeting scene or two in which it seemed as though he was the kind of man who liked to go it alone, reluctant, or perhaps begrudging is a better expression, in accepting the presence of a new assistant. But any concerns in this area are soon dispelled, and whilst he can come across as rather straight laced on occasion, his personality soon shines through.
Hawk is a character with a very strong sense of justice, an unwavering moral code that is set to withstand the most insistent of pressure to compromise his belief for the 'sake of the greater good'. Whether the 'greater good' is truly that great or that good, is something explored over the course of the book, and also something you can judge for yourself. He meets his professional and intellectual match in DI Kate Black, intellectually and I liked how she took no nonsense from him in the pursuit of her own investigation. The author has created a clear spark here between the two that really works and adds that romantic frisson that helps round out the story.
The story offers a good blend of the often perplexing processes of the British justice system, as well as tense action as the sense of threat grows not just between the warring factions in the case that Hawk is engaged to preside over, but as a direct attempt to ruin the reputation and credibility of Hawk himself. Hawk is a hands on kind of guy, so naturally we will find him in difficult situations of his own making, but it all adds to the pace and the intensity of the action. This is no straightforward court based legal thriller, and whilst a lot of what happens does take place within the hallowed halls of The Old Bailey, it is not exclusively about the court case. Suspicious deaths, including the one that opens the book, take us, and Hawk, far beyond the courts at times.
If you've come looking for a straight up courtroom drama, this isn't that book. But it is a great, legal based action thriller, with an intriguing premise, a determined and exciting lead character and - warning to readers here - the kind of ending that leaves you shouting both 'what the heck' and 'when's the next book?' in quick succession. Yep. It's a bit of a cliffhanger here, and one that will have readers hanging waiting for what comes next. Thankfully, books two and three are already up for preorder so we don't have too long to wait to find out. A great debut thriller I can happily recommend.
Now, I'm not going to lie. When Tom Hawk is first introduced to readers, I found him perhaps a touch dour. It was only for a fleeting scene or two in which it seemed as though he was the kind of man who liked to go it alone, reluctant, or perhaps begrudging is a better expression, in accepting the presence of a new assistant. But any concerns in this area are soon dispelled, and whilst he can come across as rather straight laced on occasion, his personality soon shines through.
Hawk is a character with a very strong sense of justice, an unwavering moral code that is set to withstand the most insistent of pressure to compromise his belief for the 'sake of the greater good'. Whether the 'greater good' is truly that great or that good, is something explored over the course of the book, and also something you can judge for yourself. He meets his professional and intellectual match in DI Kate Black, intellectually and I liked how she took no nonsense from him in the pursuit of her own investigation. The author has created a clear spark here between the two that really works and adds that romantic frisson that helps round out the story.
The story offers a good blend of the often perplexing processes of the British justice system, as well as tense action as the sense of threat grows not just between the warring factions in the case that Hawk is engaged to preside over, but as a direct attempt to ruin the reputation and credibility of Hawk himself. Hawk is a hands on kind of guy, so naturally we will find him in difficult situations of his own making, but it all adds to the pace and the intensity of the action. This is no straightforward court based legal thriller, and whilst a lot of what happens does take place within the hallowed halls of The Old Bailey, it is not exclusively about the court case. Suspicious deaths, including the one that opens the book, take us, and Hawk, far beyond the courts at times.
If you've come looking for a straight up courtroom drama, this isn't that book. But it is a great, legal based action thriller, with an intriguing premise, a determined and exciting lead character and - warning to readers here - the kind of ending that leaves you shouting both 'what the heck' and 'when's the next book?' in quick succession. Yep. It's a bit of a cliffhanger here, and one that will have readers hanging waiting for what comes next. Thankfully, books two and three are already up for preorder so we don't have too long to wait to find out. A great debut thriller I can happily recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this one! A gripping legal thriller and a really promising debut!
I did find myself getting a little confused at times with the sheer number of characters and trying to keep track of everyone, but as the story progressed, things started falling into place and it all came together brilliantly at the end!
The ending was particularly gripping, with everything coming together in a really satisfying way.
My only other little criticism is that I don’t feel like I got to know Hawk particularly well. I’d have liked a bit more character development, but I suspect that’s something we’ll get as the series continues.
Overall, a really interesting legal thriller that kept me intrigued, and I have a feeling this could be the start of a fantastic series! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next instalment!
A big thank you to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did find myself getting a little confused at times with the sheer number of characters and trying to keep track of everyone, but as the story progressed, things started falling into place and it all came together brilliantly at the end!
The ending was particularly gripping, with everything coming together in a really satisfying way.
My only other little criticism is that I don’t feel like I got to know Hawk particularly well. I’d have liked a bit more character development, but I suspect that’s something we’ll get as the series continues.
Overall, a really interesting legal thriller that kept me intrigued, and I have a feeling this could be the start of a fantastic series! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next instalment!
A big thank you to @netgalley and Simon & Schuster UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2026
An engaging and fast-paced legal thriller with authentic detail, strong characters and sharp writing. The story quickly draws you in and the courtroom setting adds depth and realism. The lead character is particularly memorable, bringing energy and charisma to every chapter.
A thoroughly entertaining read that balances suspense, intrigue and compelling storytelling. An impressive debut and a great choice for fans of crime and legal fiction.
A thoroughly entertaining read that balances suspense, intrigue and compelling storytelling. An impressive debut and a great choice for fans of crime and legal fiction.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews