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Carl Burns #1
Rough Justice
After ten years' absence, Carl Burns has returned to his hometown to support his estranged daughter Kate, who is currently testifying in a rape case. Carl is determined to get justice for Kate, whatever it takes. But with few allies, he finds himself incurring the wrath of powerful enemies as he attempts to uncover the truth.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
53 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Brad Smith
131 books101 followersBrad Smith was born and raised in southern Ontario. He has worked as a farmer, signalman, insulator, truck driver, bartender, schoolteacher, maintenance mechanic, roofer, and carpenter. He lives in a eighty-year-old farmhouse near the north shore of Lake Erie. His novel, "One-Eyed Jacks" was nominated for the Dashiell Hammett Prize.
Some of his books that have been published include One-Eyed Jacks (2000), All Hat (2003), Busted Flush (2005), Big Man Coming Down The Road (2007), Red Means Run (January 2012) and Crow's Landing (August 2012).
Follow Brad on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/uQYcIw.
Some of his books that have been published include One-Eyed Jacks (2000), All Hat (2003), Busted Flush (2005), Big Man Coming Down The Road (2007), Red Means Run (January 2012) and Crow's Landing (August 2012).
Follow Brad on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/uQYcIw.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 14, 2020
Carl Burns returns to his hometown to uncover a viper’s nest of corruption and dark secrets in this novel a first in a brand-new series from author Brad Smith
After ten years’ absence and a spell in prison, Carl Burns has returned to his hometown of Rose City to offer support to his estranged daughter Kate, currently one of four witnesses testifying against former Mayor Joseph Sanderson III, who stands accused of multiple counts of underage rape.
Carl is determined to get justice for Kate, whatever it takes. But with his former sister-in-law Frances his only ally, he finds himself incurring the wrath of powerful enemies as he attempts to uncover the shocking truth beneath the layers of corruption and lies which engulf the town.
Sadly for me personally, I did not enjoy this book, slow, heavy going, no suspense, no gripping story.
After reading and enjoying so much the Virgil Cain books, I was looking forward to a different character, yes, different story, yes, but just could not get into this book and struggled to finish the book, but reading reviews opinions are so different many have loved this book, I am not sure how they enjoyed the slow and heavy pace of this book.
As I have said many times, we are all different. Only two stars for me.
After ten years’ absence and a spell in prison, Carl Burns has returned to his hometown of Rose City to offer support to his estranged daughter Kate, currently one of four witnesses testifying against former Mayor Joseph Sanderson III, who stands accused of multiple counts of underage rape.
Carl is determined to get justice for Kate, whatever it takes. But with his former sister-in-law Frances his only ally, he finds himself incurring the wrath of powerful enemies as he attempts to uncover the shocking truth beneath the layers of corruption and lies which engulf the town.
Sadly for me personally, I did not enjoy this book, slow, heavy going, no suspense, no gripping story.
After reading and enjoying so much the Virgil Cain books, I was looking forward to a different character, yes, different story, yes, but just could not get into this book and struggled to finish the book, but reading reviews opinions are so different many have loved this book, I am not sure how they enjoyed the slow and heavy pace of this book.
As I have said many times, we are all different. Only two stars for me.
January 2, 2017
3.5 stars for this one. I miss the Virgil Cain series, which I really enjoyed. This one was pretty good, but there was a lot happening, and the characters were not especially well developed. I'm not sure the title merits being called a Carl Jones mystery. There were other stronger characters in the book. Overall, it was a good weekend diversion.
August 16, 2016
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.
I know that you’re never supposed to judge a book by its cover, but for me the cover is one of the most important factors in choosing what book to read. That’s what made me pick up this book in the first place. The cover and the blurb gave me a real Jack Reacher vibe, which is something that I am always looking for. However, the book didn’t turn out to be anything like I expected. It wasn’t a fast-paced, action-packed thriller but rather it was more of a crescendo, slowly building up to a big finish.
Rough Justice is the first novel in Brad Smith’s new series featuring Carl Burns. The book sees Burns return to his hometown of Rose City in Canada to be there for his estranged daughter who is one of the key witnesses in the rape trial of former long-time mayor Joseph Sanderson III. While in town, Burns also helps his former sister-in-law fight against the corruption that is threatening her business.
This book ended up being a little bit different to what I usually read as this book isn’t really a mystery. The whole plot is laid out pretty much from the start, with the focus of the book on the characters and their relationships. Rather than relying on cheap action and unexpected twists, Rough Justice examines how people and their relationships evolve through hardships caused by corruption and power.
Brad Smith has created an interesting character in Carl Burns. In Rough Justice, Smith developed an intriguing and realistically-flawed character that is still likeable despite his negative features. I felt that the character really developed throughout the story and I hope to see that continue in future novels. The other two main characters Frances and Kate are also well-developed and interesting but Carl is the real star of the book.
I am a bit surprised that this is the first book in a series about Burns though for two particular reasons. The first is that for a lot of the book, he didn’t actually feel like the main character. For the first half of the book Kate felt like the main character and then I felt it switched to Frances for the second half. Carl felt more like an important secondary character for most of the book. The second reason is the way the story ended. I am really interested in seeing how Smith could continue the series after that ending.
Even though this book is not the kind that I usually read, I actually enjoyed it and I am looking forward to seeing how Brad Smith continues the series. Carl Burns is an interesting character and I am hoping to learn more about him in future novels.
Is it worth a read? Yes, Rough Justice is a worth a read. I wouldn’t recommend it for a quick read because it is a bit slower-paced than the blurb suggests (at least to me), but it is an interesting book that is worth a read if you are interested in the way characters and their relationships respond to hardships.
This review was originally published at Worth a Read.
I know that you’re never supposed to judge a book by its cover, but for me the cover is one of the most important factors in choosing what book to read. That’s what made me pick up this book in the first place. The cover and the blurb gave me a real Jack Reacher vibe, which is something that I am always looking for. However, the book didn’t turn out to be anything like I expected. It wasn’t a fast-paced, action-packed thriller but rather it was more of a crescendo, slowly building up to a big finish.
Rough Justice is the first novel in Brad Smith’s new series featuring Carl Burns. The book sees Burns return to his hometown of Rose City in Canada to be there for his estranged daughter who is one of the key witnesses in the rape trial of former long-time mayor Joseph Sanderson III. While in town, Burns also helps his former sister-in-law fight against the corruption that is threatening her business.
This book ended up being a little bit different to what I usually read as this book isn’t really a mystery. The whole plot is laid out pretty much from the start, with the focus of the book on the characters and their relationships. Rather than relying on cheap action and unexpected twists, Rough Justice examines how people and their relationships evolve through hardships caused by corruption and power.
Brad Smith has created an interesting character in Carl Burns. In Rough Justice, Smith developed an intriguing and realistically-flawed character that is still likeable despite his negative features. I felt that the character really developed throughout the story and I hope to see that continue in future novels. The other two main characters Frances and Kate are also well-developed and interesting but Carl is the real star of the book.
I am a bit surprised that this is the first book in a series about Burns though for two particular reasons. The first is that for a lot of the book, he didn’t actually feel like the main character. For the first half of the book Kate felt like the main character and then I felt it switched to Frances for the second half. Carl felt more like an important secondary character for most of the book. The second reason is the way the story ended. I am really interested in seeing how Smith could continue the series after that ending.
Even though this book is not the kind that I usually read, I actually enjoyed it and I am looking forward to seeing how Brad Smith continues the series. Carl Burns is an interesting character and I am hoping to learn more about him in future novels.
Is it worth a read? Yes, Rough Justice is a worth a read. I wouldn’t recommend it for a quick read because it is a bit slower-paced than the blurb suggests (at least to me), but it is an interesting book that is worth a read if you are interested in the way characters and their relationships respond to hardships.
This review was originally published at Worth a Read.
January 20, 2016
AN EXCELLENT FIRST INSTALLMENT OF A CANADIAN CRIME SERIES
After ten years' absence, Carl Burns has returned to his hometown to support his estranged daughter Kate, who is currently testifying in a rape case against the town's Mayor. Carl is determined to get justice for Kate, whatever it takes but, with few allies, he finds himself incurring the wrath of powerful enemies as he attempts to uncover the truth.
This is an excellent novel that centres around courtroom drama, but also with a healthy dollop of family saga and political thriller. I love a book where the characters live in what seems to be a pleasant, prosperous, small and quiet town, but there is corruption simmering beneath the surface. In this case, the said corruption mainly involves the Mayor, senior police officers and even a Judge!
There are sleazy local government/developer alliances, dysfunctional families, drug and alcohol abuse, violence and love of money and power at all costs, but also passages of tenderness, love and people's innate goodness overcoming their human flaws. The main thrust of the book surrounds a rape case, as mentioned above, but there is an interesting secondary story interwoven, which is about an environmental issue surrounding the creation of an unwanted pig farm and landfill site.
These two stories build to a satisfying ending and I will certainly be looking out for the author's next book in this series. This is a good indication that I connected with the main characters and would like to know how they develop going forward. The book was on the short side but this is not necessarily a bad thing, as some longer books get bogged down in unnecessary detail, character building and plot embellishment.
All in all, this is another book from an author I have never heard of that I think is better than the latest offerings of much more well-known authors and I recommend it heartily.
Digger95
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review.
After ten years' absence, Carl Burns has returned to his hometown to support his estranged daughter Kate, who is currently testifying in a rape case against the town's Mayor. Carl is determined to get justice for Kate, whatever it takes but, with few allies, he finds himself incurring the wrath of powerful enemies as he attempts to uncover the truth.
This is an excellent novel that centres around courtroom drama, but also with a healthy dollop of family saga and political thriller. I love a book where the characters live in what seems to be a pleasant, prosperous, small and quiet town, but there is corruption simmering beneath the surface. In this case, the said corruption mainly involves the Mayor, senior police officers and even a Judge!
There are sleazy local government/developer alliances, dysfunctional families, drug and alcohol abuse, violence and love of money and power at all costs, but also passages of tenderness, love and people's innate goodness overcoming their human flaws. The main thrust of the book surrounds a rape case, as mentioned above, but there is an interesting secondary story interwoven, which is about an environmental issue surrounding the creation of an unwanted pig farm and landfill site.
These two stories build to a satisfying ending and I will certainly be looking out for the author's next book in this series. This is a good indication that I connected with the main characters and would like to know how they develop going forward. The book was on the short side but this is not necessarily a bad thing, as some longer books get bogged down in unnecessary detail, character building and plot embellishment.
All in all, this is another book from an author I have never heard of that I think is better than the latest offerings of much more well-known authors and I recommend it heartily.
Digger95
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review.
February 7, 2016
Rough Justice is the first of a new country-noir series centering around handyman ex-con Carl Burns and takes place in a fictional Rose City & its nearby farming communities in Southern Ontario.
Carl Burns is not as front and centre in this first book as was farmer ex-baseball player Virgil Cain in Brad Smith's previous trilogy. There is not as much wily outwitting of corrupt urban types and as much banter. This is offset by having two strong female protagonists in Burns's sister-in-law Frances and his estranged daughter Kate.
There are two major plots here, one involves a sexual abuse case vs. a celebrity defendant (in this case, the ex-Mayor of Rose City) and the other a landfill/dump site scheme to push out farmers and present a toxic threat to the remaining community. It may not mean as much to others, but in Toronto and Ontario, the fictional defense attack of the prosecution witnesses here is particularly chilling when read against the early February headlines of a local ex-radio celebrity on trial for alleged assaults.
Carl Burns is not as front and centre in this first book as was farmer ex-baseball player Virgil Cain in Brad Smith's previous trilogy. There is not as much wily outwitting of corrupt urban types and as much banter. This is offset by having two strong female protagonists in Burns's sister-in-law Frances and his estranged daughter Kate.
There are two major plots here, one involves a sexual abuse case vs. a celebrity defendant (in this case, the ex-Mayor of Rose City) and the other a landfill/dump site scheme to push out farmers and present a toxic threat to the remaining community. It may not mean as much to others, but in Toronto and Ontario, the fictional defense attack of the prosecution witnesses here is particularly chilling when read against the early February headlines of a local ex-radio celebrity on trial for alleged assaults.
April 22, 2018
2.5 stars
i had a little trouble getting into this one.
i like his stuff.
this was a little dark in tone. carl burns is a strong character. i also liked the romance b/w him & Fraces. i also liked that the female characters were well developed and interesting as well.
the beginning moves slow but once the action really starts about 1/3 of the way thru, it gets better.
the 2nd 1/2 of the book moves faster building to a dramatic conclusion.
i recommend this to people who read James Lee Burke (Dave Robicheaux series) and Patricia Cornwell (Kay Scarpetta series). This series reminded me of them.
i had a little trouble getting into this one.
i like his stuff.
this was a little dark in tone. carl burns is a strong character. i also liked the romance b/w him & Fraces. i also liked that the female characters were well developed and interesting as well.
the beginning moves slow but once the action really starts about 1/3 of the way thru, it gets better.
the 2nd 1/2 of the book moves faster building to a dramatic conclusion.
i recommend this to people who read James Lee Burke (Dave Robicheaux series) and Patricia Cornwell (Kay Scarpetta series). This series reminded me of them.
December 11, 2022
finished 11th december 2022 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner and i think this is the first from smith brad. them that always seem to get away with any and every thing...them that don't. nice payback. has some scenes where the truly despicable shine as they so often do and some where them that don't reveal a light both welcome and overdue.
July 14, 2017
The second book that I've read by this "new to me" author. Like the first, the book was well written , held my interest , and seemed like it really could happen.
I would recommend this book to others
I would recommend this book to others
March 30, 2018
I really like the fictional southern Ontario setting of Smith's story, and the MeToo movement and organic farming vs nimby trash syndrome are all themes in this story. Makes it a topical, relevant story.
January 27, 2021
I enjoy all of the Brad Smith books and Rough Justice was as enjoyable as the others I have read. I like the main character to be honest and human. Brad Smith's characters are believable and the small communities that make up his settings are comparable to communities I am familiar with.
October 8, 2023
This book is hard to get into. It is either you like it or not. But once you get the flow, you cant put it down. I had skipped a lot in this book due to the repetitive and unnessary scene. After 70% reading, i start to enjoy this book.
~2.5 stars~
~2.5 stars~
April 4, 2018
Tough but very topical story about people doing bad things and those who are affected by it. You can count on Brad Smith to provide a Good Guy you can cheer for, and this book is no exception.
December 7, 2022
A page turner
This was my first book by this author. It will not be the last. A great plot, well developed characters, and an ending that anyone would love. I recommend this read.
This was my first book by this author. It will not be the last. A great plot, well developed characters, and an ending that anyone would love. I recommend this read.
January 5, 2025
I can’t wait to read the next in the series! Interesting characters that didn’t seem forced like they sometimes can in this genre. Plot twisted in thoughtful ways. Loved the details and descriptions. Definitely one to put on your list for a fun read.
March 6, 2016
All of those who watch daily news will be familiar the Jimmy Saville scandal where a celebrity uses his position to get away multiple sexual crimes. This book mirrors this but based in small town America. The Mayor is tried for four rapes and gets off however he did not reckon for the resolve of Kate one of his victims. This is a very serious subject and highlights how easy it is for people in trusted positions to ignore the law for their own devices believing they are untouchable. Woven into the story is the rehabilitation of Kate's father Carl who has been just released from jail and starts work with his ex-wife's sister. This is a great story with very real issues explored.
January 7, 2017
The first in the Carl Burns Crime Thriller series, Rough Justice is less thriller and more mystery-legal drama. The compelling story unfolds as Carl Burns returns home to support his estranged daughter who has accused the well-connected mayor of a long-ago rape when she was a teenager. Carl works on his former sister-in-law's organic family farm and quickly becomes embroiled in a quest to unravel the sinister political corruption rampant in the small farm community and find justice for his daughter Kate.
March 15, 2016
First book I have read by Brad Smith. Loved the characters & how Brad keeps the story moving without mindless details.
I will be reading more works done by this author & I hope to see more books with these characters.
Well done Sir.
I will be reading more works done by this author & I hope to see more books with these characters.
Well done Sir.
March 8, 2016
I love Brad Smith. This book was pretty much perfect. The only downside is that now I'm finished. I could have read on and on about these characters!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews