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Cass Leary Legal Thriller #15
The Best Lawyer: Cass Leary Legal Thriller Series, Book 15
She woke up covered in blood.
Her husband lay dead beside her.
And the knife was in her hand.
When local sportscaster Tom Loomis is found murdered in his own bed, the evidence points to only one his wife, Katie. She swears she has no memory of what happened that night—but the police aren’t buying it. Katie turns to the one person she knows can save small-town defense attorney Cass Leary.
There’s just one problem.
There’s bad blood between them. Cass once loved Katie like a sister—until the day she broke her brother’s heart. Now Cass wants nothing more than to walk away.
But it’s Cass’s brother who begs her to defend Katie. He believes Katie is innocent. To prove it, she’ll need the best lawyer in town.
Against her better judgment, Cass agrees to take the case.
But as the trial unfolds and the evidence mounts, Cass finds herself trapped between professional duty and family loyalty. And the deeper she digs, the closer she comes to a dangerous truth—winning this case could mean exposing a secret that will tear her own family apart.
What really happened inside the Loomis house that night?
And what will it cost Cass to prove it?
A gripping small-town legal thriller packed with courtroom drama, buried secrets, and shocking twists. Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Karin Slaughter, and Michael Connelly.
Her husband lay dead beside her.
And the knife was in her hand.
When local sportscaster Tom Loomis is found murdered in his own bed, the evidence points to only one his wife, Katie. She swears she has no memory of what happened that night—but the police aren’t buying it. Katie turns to the one person she knows can save small-town defense attorney Cass Leary.
There’s just one problem.
There’s bad blood between them. Cass once loved Katie like a sister—until the day she broke her brother’s heart. Now Cass wants nothing more than to walk away.
But it’s Cass’s brother who begs her to defend Katie. He believes Katie is innocent. To prove it, she’ll need the best lawyer in town.
Against her better judgment, Cass agrees to take the case.
But as the trial unfolds and the evidence mounts, Cass finds herself trapped between professional duty and family loyalty. And the deeper she digs, the closer she comes to a dangerous truth—winning this case could mean exposing a secret that will tear her own family apart.
What really happened inside the Loomis house that night?
And what will it cost Cass to prove it?
A gripping small-town legal thriller packed with courtroom drama, buried secrets, and shocking twists. Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Karin Slaughter, and Michael Connelly.
Audible Audio
Published May 14, 2026
About the author
Robin James
29 books503 followersRobin James is an attorney and former law professor. She's worked on a wide range of civil, criminal and family law cases in her twenty-year legal career. She also spent over a decade as supervising attorney for a Michigan legal clinic assisting thousands of people who could not otherwise afford access to justice.
Robin now lives on a lake in southern Michigan with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog. Her favorite, pure Michigan writing spot is stretched out on the back of a pontoon watching the faster boats go by.
Join Robin James's Legal Thriller Newsletter to get updates on her latest releases and author news. http://robinjamesbooks.com/newsletter
Robin now lives on a lake in southern Michigan with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog. Her favorite, pure Michigan writing spot is stretched out on the back of a pontoon watching the faster boats go by.
Join Robin James's Legal Thriller Newsletter to get updates on her latest releases and author news. http://robinjamesbooks.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
It all starts with a shocking scene: Katie, her ex-sister-in-law, wakes up drenched in blood, with her husband Tom Loomis, the local sportscaster, lying dead beside her.
A knife is clutched in her hand, and a witness claims to have seen the whole gruesome event unfold.
Despite her insistence that she has no recollection of that fateful night; the police remain skeptical. Desperate for help, Katie turns to Cass Leary, the town's best defense attorney, who has her own complicated history with Katie.
The tension is palpable, as Cass grapples with her feelings of betrayal;
Cass once considered Katie family until the day Katie shattered her brother Joe's heart.
Their past complicates Cass's decision to assist, especially since Joe still harbors feelings for Katie.
Yet, despite her instincts urging her to walk away, Cass feels a pull to help, knowing the stakes are high.
This small-town legal thriller is filled with courtroom drama, hidden secrets, and unexpected twists, leaving readers wondering if the Leary family can survive the fallout if Cass fails to clear Katie of first-degree murder charges. Robert James will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.
April 18, 2026
Nothing makes me sideline what I'm currently reading faster than a Robin James release. The Best Lawyer is a tension building nail biter the closer it gets to the end. This time its personal for Cass Leary. Her former sister in-law Katy is on trial for the murder of her sportscaster husband. On the home front emotions are running high among Cass's siblings. Katy is Cass's brother Joe's ex-wife. Conflicted, Cass begrudgingly agrees to defend Katy.
Outside the courtroom Cass and Eric desperately search for clues the detective assigned to the case missed as well as unraveling the secrets that keep popping up. This was another riveting 5 star read. Looking forward to the next book.
Outside the courtroom Cass and Eric desperately search for clues the detective assigned to the case missed as well as unraveling the secrets that keep popping up. This was another riveting 5 star read. Looking forward to the next book.
April 21, 2026
After reading Carl Trueman’s, “Desecration of Man,” I needed to read something which didn’t require so much brain matter to read, and fortunately Robin James released her fifteenth installation of the Cass Leary Series, “The Best Lawyer,” and it was just what the doctor ordered. Cass Leary grew up on the wrong side of the tracks in a small town, and after getting her law degree and working for a huge firm in Chicago, returns to her home town to practice law. Her dysfunctional family is always in an uproar, and she finds herself defending her ex-sister-in-law who has been charged with murdering her husband. All signs point to her guilt, every possible alternate suspect has an air-tight alibi, and she suspects her brother has been lying to her about his whereabouts on the night of the murder. She finds herself hitting dead end after dead in, and it looks like her former in-law will be going to prison for life. I have enjoyed every book of this series, and this one is particularly well done. It can be enjoyed by itself, but it is better if you have read the preceding books. I had an issue with an event toward the end (which I can’t reveal for it would be a spoiler) which I wasn’t thrilled with, but the book as a whole was vintage Robin James. (392 pages)
May 2, 2026
This was a terrible book. Everyone was lying. Nobody trusted anyone. The Leary family is broken in many ways. The family members are all stupid, stubborn and reckless. The murder case rested on an accidental find, which was also stupid. One bad book. The author was just going through the motions to finish by a deadline.
April 27, 2026
**A worthy entry to the series**
Though I'm still forever disgruntled about the stagnation of a very specific character plot point involving Cass and Eric that Robin James seems resistant to satisfy even 15 books in, it doesn't mean I'm averse to a new story. And this one is quite a nice addition to the life of Cass Leary.
And okay sure, it's not as SUPER inundated with thrills and heart-stopping stuff like in entries past, but there's still plenty going on that kept me invested, especially when it involves the people in Cass's life, which has always been a favorite feature of mine in this series.
As per usual, the writing is top tier, the pace smooth, and the case involving the circumstances of Cass's brother's ex-wife's current husband's death (teehee, that was fun to write) was super intriguing. I had my guesses and was thrown for a loop here and there, but I had fun.
The reason I couldn't quite plop the 5th star is actually a fairly familiar one in this series, in that the final act was wrapped up way too conveniently. It's a funny thing when such carefully built stories sometimes rush and stumble at the end that it now becomes unbelievable. Oh well.
All in all, though, I was more or less appeased by the end. I may no longer feel compelled to purchase these books for my collection, but I'm still very much a Cass Leary fan and of course look forward to the next entry. Surely ONE of them can give me what I want with Eric and Cass. Surely.
For random highlights/commentary, click here.
Though I'm still forever disgruntled about the stagnation of a very specific character plot point involving Cass and Eric that Robin James seems resistant to satisfy even 15 books in, it doesn't mean I'm averse to a new story. And this one is quite a nice addition to the life of Cass Leary.
And okay sure, it's not as SUPER inundated with thrills and heart-stopping stuff like in entries past, but there's still plenty going on that kept me invested, especially when it involves the people in Cass's life, which has always been a favorite feature of mine in this series.
As per usual, the writing is top tier, the pace smooth, and the case involving the circumstances of Cass's brother's ex-wife's current husband's death (teehee, that was fun to write) was super intriguing. I had my guesses and was thrown for a loop here and there, but I had fun.
The reason I couldn't quite plop the 5th star is actually a fairly familiar one in this series, in that the final act was wrapped up way too conveniently. It's a funny thing when such carefully built stories sometimes rush and stumble at the end that it now becomes unbelievable. Oh well.
All in all, though, I was more or less appeased by the end. I may no longer feel compelled to purchase these books for my collection, but I'm still very much a Cass Leary fan and of course look forward to the next entry. Surely ONE of them can give me what I want with Eric and Cass. Surely.
For random highlights/commentary, click here.
July 8, 2026
Definitely not my favorite of the series. My favorites are the ones where her family members are a delicate seasoning rather than when their jerk behavior is the main course.
I'm still baffled by why Katie went from being a reasonable character in the earlier books then suddenly became so awful. I thought we'd have the turning point explained by maybe a brain tumor since it was so dramatic, but instead the earlier version of her has simply been erased.
Making things worse, the murder story was beyond ridiculous.
I'm still baffled by why Katie went from being a reasonable character in the earlier books then suddenly became so awful. I thought we'd have the turning point explained by maybe a brain tumor since it was so dramatic, but instead the earlier version of her has simply been erased.
Making things worse, the murder story was beyond ridiculous.
May 8, 2026
Cass Leary is persuaded, against her better judgement, to defend her ex-sister-in-law, who is accused of murdering her husband. The only other suspects appear to have airtight alibis. Surrounded by the chaos of her dysfunctional family, Cass and Eric search for anything the police may have missed during their investigation. As the tension grows dramatically, Cass struggles with what seems an unwinnable case.
James has written another great addition to this series. It's a gripping thriller that had me enthralled from the start. For once, I did identify the culprit early on, but the motive had me guessing until the end. Yet again, I was disappointed not to see more development in the relationship between Cass and Eric and I'm beginning to think it'll never happen, which is a shame. Nevertheless, an enjoyable, well-written thriller and worth reading.
James has written another great addition to this series. It's a gripping thriller that had me enthralled from the start. For once, I did identify the culprit early on, but the motive had me guessing until the end. Yet again, I was disappointed not to see more development in the relationship between Cass and Eric and I'm beginning to think it'll never happen, which is a shame. Nevertheless, an enjoyable, well-written thriller and worth reading.
July 2, 2026
"The Best Lawyer" was loaned to me by a friend. I was anxious to read it so that I could return the book to said friend. However, it was the book that kept me at the edge of my seat trying to guess who had killed Tom Loomis! I had a great deal of difficulty putting this book down and couldn't wait to read it when I found the time to do so! The minute I finished the book I pulled up Robin James on GoodReads and marked ALL of her books to read and marked the author to follow her! What an amazing book! I can't wait to read another Robin James book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2026
Best Lawyer is another reminder of why Robin James writes such addictive legal thrillers. Every time I thought I had the case solved, another twist changed the entire direction of the story. The suspects, motives, and reveals were layered so well that I kept second-guessing myself almost until the very end — which made the payoff even more satisfying.
The courtroom scenes are especially impressive. Robin James has a way of making legal drama feel tense, intelligent, and genuinely exciting rather than overly technical. Combined with strong pacing and a storyline full of surprises, this became one of those “just one more chapter” books.
If you enjoy mysteries with clever twists, courtroom tension, and a storyline that keeps you guessing, this one is definitely worth reading.
The courtroom scenes are especially impressive. Robin James has a way of making legal drama feel tense, intelligent, and genuinely exciting rather than overly technical. Combined with strong pacing and a storyline full of surprises, this became one of those “just one more chapter” books.
If you enjoy mysteries with clever twists, courtroom tension, and a storyline that keeps you guessing, this one is definitely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cass Leary is hands down the best lawyer🙌
Once again, Robin James exhibits why she is such an extraordinary storyteller with The Best Lawyer. Cass gets pulled into taking a case and defending her former sister in law when she’s arrested for the murder of her husband. Suffice to say, things don’t go quite as well as everyone would have liked and tensions rise quickly in the courtroom as well as between the siblings.
Excited to see what awaits us next in Cass Leary-land. Fast paced story that will keep you turning the pages until the very last word. I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️🩹
Once again, Robin James exhibits why she is such an extraordinary storyteller with The Best Lawyer. Cass gets pulled into taking a case and defending her former sister in law when she’s arrested for the murder of her husband. Suffice to say, things don’t go quite as well as everyone would have liked and tensions rise quickly in the courtroom as well as between the siblings.
Excited to see what awaits us next in Cass Leary-land. Fast paced story that will keep you turning the pages until the very last word. I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️🩹
June 23, 2026
Felt rushed. Overall, a disappointing book in an otherwise excellent series.
I have been so fan of this series from the outset, but this entry fell short of the previously set standard. The storyline was thin and there was little in the way of character development or advancement. The way the case was resolved relied on highly unlikely coincidences, along with a detective who was entirely inept and unprofessional, to say the least. There were also several notable editing deficiencies.
Those issues raise concerns about an author being spread too thin and a great series running out of steam.
I have been so fan of this series from the outset, but this entry fell short of the previously set standard. The storyline was thin and there was little in the way of character development or advancement. The way the case was resolved relied on highly unlikely coincidences, along with a detective who was entirely inept and unprofessional, to say the least. There were also several notable editing deficiencies.
Those issues raise concerns about an author being spread too thin and a great series running out of steam.
Read
May 14, 2026As a criminal defense attorney, I enjoy reading authors' takes on how to cross-examine witnesses, and work up cases while defending citizens charged with crime. The interaction of parties in court, including defense attorneys, prosecutors, witnesses and judges needs to be authentic for me to enjoy the story. Robin James does a great job of this while developing characters who are true to life, and who are engaging. I've read many books in this series, and I've enjoyed each one. This one deals with ethical issues as well as defense issues. I recommend this series, and Robin James.
August 7, 2026
One of my favourite legal thrillers, absolutely love and always enjoy the Cass Leary series. Robin James nailed it once again.
Had me second guessing and working it as the trail unfolded and Cass just being her brilliant best.
Can't wait for more and wishing so much for more from the Mara Brent series but it doesn't feel like it has come to its end after 8 books.
Please keep giving us Cass, the trials and tribulations of the Leary clan, feels like it keeps it real. Just know I would never ever want to get on the wrong side of a Leary that's for sure.
Another 5 star read!
Had me second guessing and working it as the trail unfolded and Cass just being her brilliant best.
Can't wait for more and wishing so much for more from the Mara Brent series but it doesn't feel like it has come to its end after 8 books.
Please keep giving us Cass, the trials and tribulations of the Leary clan, feels like it keeps it real. Just know I would never ever want to get on the wrong side of a Leary that's for sure.
Another 5 star read!
April 21, 2026
Not just another legal thriller!
The Cass Leary series isn't just a legal thriller series, it is a look into the complexity of family and the lengths humans will go to protect those they love. This installment captures all of that and much more. The attorney wanting to.protect her brother. The brother wanting to protect his daughter. The list goes on! Throw in a suspenseful murder mystery and you've got a story you will not want to put down. Great job Robin James!
The Cass Leary series isn't just a legal thriller series, it is a look into the complexity of family and the lengths humans will go to protect those they love. This installment captures all of that and much more. The attorney wanting to.protect her brother. The brother wanting to protect his daughter. The list goes on! Throw in a suspenseful murder mystery and you've got a story you will not want to put down. Great job Robin James!
April 21, 2026
I Should Have Waited
Overall the storyline was good. The problem I had was so many typos and things stated incorrectly. If I were not an attorney myself, the mistakes would have made the book hard to understand overall. I know the author often does multiple versions where she may fix some of the errors. I wish she would have held off releasing it and fixed those things first. It would have made the book much more enjoyable.
Overall the storyline was good. The problem I had was so many typos and things stated incorrectly. If I were not an attorney myself, the mistakes would have made the book hard to understand overall. I know the author often does multiple versions where she may fix some of the errors. I wish she would have held off releasing it and fixed those things first. It would have made the book much more enjoyable.
April 22, 2026
I love every Robin James legal thriller I read, but this one I super-loved. I wish I could remember all the different plots, that way I'd know for sure if this one really was the best. The one with the most surprises. The one that kept me guessing all the way through. It's definitely the one that made me laugh out loud in stupified surprise at the end. I really loved it all.
April 22, 2026
If you haven't met Cass Leary yet....why the heck not?? LOL I've read every one of Robin James' books and am always anxious for the next installment, whether it's Cass or Mara Brent or Mercy Gale, or anyone else she decides to write about!! Always exciting, always action packed, always on the ede of my seat and have to read "just one more chapter".....until I hit the end!!
May 25, 2026
Love this Cass Leary series!
Another excellent read in the Cass Leary series. She sleuths her way thru family baggage and gripping emotions to find the killer. I love the funny quips and the family gatherings. The ending twists around cleverly. I couln’t stop reading until I got to the end and laughed.
Great author, great series.
Another excellent read in the Cass Leary series. She sleuths her way thru family baggage and gripping emotions to find the killer. I love the funny quips and the family gatherings. The ending twists around cleverly. I couln’t stop reading until I got to the end and laughed.
Great author, great series.
April 24, 2026
A stellar story and character portrayals. Having read the prior 14 books, I feel I know the family and their personalities and interactions.
Robin James is an exceptional, high quality author. She too treats the Leary family as her own. Thank you
David
Robin James is an exceptional, high quality author. She too treats the Leary family as her own. Thank you
David
May 7, 2026
I love the Cass Leary series…but
this time I thought that the storyline was a bit too coincidental, it just did not feel natural, the family Leary problems are well written and with depth.
this time I thought that the storyline was a bit too coincidental, it just did not feel natural, the family Leary problems are well written and with depth.
May 25, 2026
The twists and turns keep coming!
The only complaint I have is that it wasn't long enough! Cass is back doing what only she can-keeping everyone out out trouble. Great courtroom and personal drama.
The only complaint I have is that it wasn't long enough! Cass is back doing what only she can-keeping everyone out out trouble. Great courtroom and personal drama.
May 25, 2026
The Best Lawyer Always
It’s hard to believe that each book in the Cass Leary series can get better and better. Every novel, a new layer of the characters are revealed. I’m looking forward to the next book.
It’s hard to believe that each book in the Cass Leary series can get better and better. Every novel, a new layer of the characters are revealed. I’m looking forward to the next book.
May 29, 2026
Great Courtroom Drama
The storyline was was well developed. The reader was always guessing who killed Tom. The story had a great climax when other than a family member/close friend was the guilty person. Great legal drama!
The storyline was was well developed. The reader was always guessing who killed Tom. The story had a great climax when other than a family member/close friend was the guilty person. Great legal drama!
April 25, 2026
not my type
Sorry but l have lost my interest in Cass Leary. Too much in the grey.
This would be my last book to read.
Sorry but l have lost my interest in Cass Leary. Too much in the grey.
This would be my last book to read.
April 27, 2026
Great series! Looking forward to the next one!
May 2, 2026
So good! I love Cass and this story was so good. I almost thought the worst could happen. I love the family dynamics and the twists and turns.
May 6, 2026
I do enjoy this series and the Leary family- they are quite complicated, wrong-side of the tracks kind of people that you can't help hoping things will finally go right!
May 9, 2026
A Robin James novel is always a good read.
May 14, 2026
Absolutely love her books. I really feel like I’m part of the family. I get excited when reading her books. Totally recommend won’t be disappointed. Keep them coming.
May 18, 2026
Cass Leary books are always great!
I still love this series. I have read all of the Cass Leary books. The Best Lawyer proves the point!
I still love this series. I have read all of the Cass Leary books. The Best Lawyer proves the point!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews