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Marc Kadella Legal Mystery #5
Personal Justice
First she kills her husbands, then she destroys their families.
Mackenzie Sutherland is shrouded in black at her most recent late husband’s funeral. Just get through this, she tells herself. Then on to a family meeting regarding the deceased’s will—which was recently altered to leave his three grown children with a paltry share of his multi-million dollar grocery enterprise. Mackenzie’s not-so despondent face might tell more observant onlookers she’s not exactly your typical grieving widow—but then, no one can see through her veil. This is by design. Alluring and dangerously attractive, she’s been down this road before.
Three times, in fact. In Dennis Carstens’ FIFTH hard-boiled legal thriller, we meet the classic black widow. All of Mackenzie’s late husbands were millionaires. Each died suddenly and quite mysteriously of massive heart attacks (in spite of no history of heart trouble). And each left their children with nothing—and their young, beautiful bride (of about a year or so) with millions.
No one can resist Mackenzie’s charm. Not her current family attorney, not even sharp, successful lawyer Marc Kadella—who considered Mac his first childhood crush and just happens to run into her at their high school reunion (at which both parties are conveniently minus a plus-one).
After every death, Mackenzie’s stepchildren balk at the measly inheritance left by their fathers. And every time, they vow to get their due—with no consequence. But this time is different. The Sutherland family suspects foul play, and might even have cause to bring their evil stepmother to court (thanks to a quick exhumation and toxic analysis).
If only they can keep themselves alive long enough to get that far…
Carstens’ thought-provoking legal thriller is ripe with the kind of perplexing ethical dilemma and crisp, realistic courtroom jargon fans of the genre adore—with a jarring dose of twists and turns to keep the pages turning. Personal Justice merges the fabled tale of a wicked black widow with a smart, blood-boiling legal romp. And we promise: you’ll never guess the ending.
Fans of lawyer mysteries, especially the action-packed ones and those heavy on courtroom drama with a twist, are in for a treat-- even Perry Mason’s got nothing on Marc Kadella.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2016
807 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Carstens
32 books114 followersDennis Carstens was born in Worthington, MN, and has lived most of his life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He received a BA from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from a highly respected private law school, William Mitchell, in St. Paul. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a retired trial lawyer, Carstens brings these life experiences to his fiction for a dose of realism and accuracy missing from much of the legal thriller genre today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 2, 2019
3 Stars
Personal Justice is the fifth book in the Marc Kadella Legal Mysteries Series by Dennis Carstens. This story has mystery, suspense, intrigue, drama, surprising developments, and gripping details. One of the more interesting stories in the series so far- this is a “Back-Widow” mystery.
Mackenzie Sutherland has had a string of very wealthy husbands who all died very unexpectedly, leaving all their wealth to their young wife. Mackenzie proves to be as charming as she is beautiful. But is she really responsible for the deaths. Or is there more to the story?
A fast-paced thriller!
Personal Justice is the fifth book in the Marc Kadella Legal Mysteries Series by Dennis Carstens. This story has mystery, suspense, intrigue, drama, surprising developments, and gripping details. One of the more interesting stories in the series so far- this is a “Back-Widow” mystery.
Mackenzie Sutherland has had a string of very wealthy husbands who all died very unexpectedly, leaving all their wealth to their young wife. Mackenzie proves to be as charming as she is beautiful. But is she really responsible for the deaths. Or is there more to the story?
A fast-paced thriller!
October 8, 2016
Three Rating
This had great story content but I gave it a three rating because of so MANY errors regarding homonyms and the like. Also several times the wrong character's name was used in an obvious spot.
This had great story content but I gave it a three rating because of so MANY errors regarding homonyms and the like. Also several times the wrong character's name was used in an obvious spot.
June 16, 2019
Personal Justice is book 5 in the “Justice” series of legal mysteries starring hero lawyer Marc Kadella. If you enjoyed the earlier books in this series, you’ll probably enjoy this one. Dennis Carstens is an excellent storyteller. His books include some complex plots and many interesting characters. Any one of them is a good, entertaining read. But as you read more of the series, the books fall into a bit of a rut. The first half of each book is the setup of the character who will be Marc's client for the big trial. Carstens tells the reader everything about what "really happened." There is, therefore, little mystery, except for how Marc can win the case. There are often hidden facts withheld from the reader that come out later.
Then, the second half of the book is the trial, where all the facts are restated through witness testimony and the reader gets to live through the trial, which can be exciting the first time through, but gets a little boring after a few repetitions. There are inevitable surprise witnesses and brilliant legal maneuvering by Marc, and then the suspense of waiting for the verdict. Then, after the trial, there is the twist or surprise or reveal of something that had been withheld from the reader, or where the reader was deceived or misled, so that things are not exactly as they seemed all along.
Mr. Carstens presents a world where prosecutors, cops, and judges are corrupt and dishonest and the system is stacked against criminal defendants (even though most of his defendants are really guilty of something), and where the media – particularly television news media, but also the print media – are fools or corrupt or simply sensationalistic and hungry for scoops and attention at the complete expense of facts and truth. The only true defender of truth and principle is Marc Kadella, the hero lawyer, although even he engages in ethical violations, withholds information from his own clients, and in other ways is not a bastion of moral character.
The author plays fast and loose with legal reality to suit the story, which can be maddening to lawyers (like me), but probably don’t bother non-attorney readers. (Example: Marc asks one of his lawyer colleagues about how to handle mandatory mediation for a civil wrongful death suit that arises against Marc’s client. The other lawyer, Connie, replies that they’ll deal with that after the summary judgment motion. Except that in the real world mandatory mediation happens at the beginning of the case, before any litigation such as a summary judgment motion. There’s no particular reason why this misstatement of how mediation works is even mentioned as it’s not really relevant to the story, but Carstens throws it in – and gets it wrong. In the same civil suit, the depositions of the defendant and the key witness for the plaintiff are scheduled for the same day, with the defendant’s deposition expected to be finished up within a few hours in the morning. That would never happen, and the plaintiff’s deposition of the defendant in such a case would always take a full day if not more.) There are many such legal inaccuracies, some large and some small, but most are unnecessary, which is part of the frustration.
Personal Justice follows the well-worn pattern. Here, Marc is representing an old high school classmate Marc had a crush on years ago, who now is accused of murdering her older, wealthy husband, who changed his will shortly before his death, leaving everything to Mackenzie and cutting out his no-good lazy children. This is the fourth husband to meet a similar fate at Mackenzie’s hands (although the police only find out about one of the others). Mr. Carstens conveniently has Marc taking a break from his longer-term relationship with a local judge, who had been a prominent character in the earlier books, so that he can have a fling with his new client, whom the media calls the “black widow.” The politically-motivated prosecutor, spurred on by cries from the media, indicts Mackenzie despite no real evidence. Marc and his usual cadre of side characters must investigate and defend Mackenzie. The story is compelling and it’s a mostly well-written text, peppered with an annoying number of editing errors and a profound overuse of ellipses as punctuation. The biggest flaw, though, is that the story arc is so similar to Carstens’ other books that it’s like you’re re-reading an old favorite that you don’t completely remember, and although you don’t recall the exact ending, the outcome is never really in doubt. It’s a comfortable read for fans of Marc Kadella and his companions, but if you were waiting for the series to get better – or even different – it isn’t.
Then, the second half of the book is the trial, where all the facts are restated through witness testimony and the reader gets to live through the trial, which can be exciting the first time through, but gets a little boring after a few repetitions. There are inevitable surprise witnesses and brilliant legal maneuvering by Marc, and then the suspense of waiting for the verdict. Then, after the trial, there is the twist or surprise or reveal of something that had been withheld from the reader, or where the reader was deceived or misled, so that things are not exactly as they seemed all along.
Mr. Carstens presents a world where prosecutors, cops, and judges are corrupt and dishonest and the system is stacked against criminal defendants (even though most of his defendants are really guilty of something), and where the media – particularly television news media, but also the print media – are fools or corrupt or simply sensationalistic and hungry for scoops and attention at the complete expense of facts and truth. The only true defender of truth and principle is Marc Kadella, the hero lawyer, although even he engages in ethical violations, withholds information from his own clients, and in other ways is not a bastion of moral character.
The author plays fast and loose with legal reality to suit the story, which can be maddening to lawyers (like me), but probably don’t bother non-attorney readers. (Example: Marc asks one of his lawyer colleagues about how to handle mandatory mediation for a civil wrongful death suit that arises against Marc’s client. The other lawyer, Connie, replies that they’ll deal with that after the summary judgment motion. Except that in the real world mandatory mediation happens at the beginning of the case, before any litigation such as a summary judgment motion. There’s no particular reason why this misstatement of how mediation works is even mentioned as it’s not really relevant to the story, but Carstens throws it in – and gets it wrong. In the same civil suit, the depositions of the defendant and the key witness for the plaintiff are scheduled for the same day, with the defendant’s deposition expected to be finished up within a few hours in the morning. That would never happen, and the plaintiff’s deposition of the defendant in such a case would always take a full day if not more.) There are many such legal inaccuracies, some large and some small, but most are unnecessary, which is part of the frustration.
Personal Justice follows the well-worn pattern. Here, Marc is representing an old high school classmate Marc had a crush on years ago, who now is accused of murdering her older, wealthy husband, who changed his will shortly before his death, leaving everything to Mackenzie and cutting out his no-good lazy children. This is the fourth husband to meet a similar fate at Mackenzie’s hands (although the police only find out about one of the others). Mr. Carstens conveniently has Marc taking a break from his longer-term relationship with a local judge, who had been a prominent character in the earlier books, so that he can have a fling with his new client, whom the media calls the “black widow.” The politically-motivated prosecutor, spurred on by cries from the media, indicts Mackenzie despite no real evidence. Marc and his usual cadre of side characters must investigate and defend Mackenzie. The story is compelling and it’s a mostly well-written text, peppered with an annoying number of editing errors and a profound overuse of ellipses as punctuation. The biggest flaw, though, is that the story arc is so similar to Carstens’ other books that it’s like you’re re-reading an old favorite that you don’t completely remember, and although you don’t recall the exact ending, the outcome is never really in doubt. It’s a comfortable read for fans of Marc Kadella and his companions, but if you were waiting for the series to get better – or even different – it isn’t.
May 1, 2016
Real Personal Justice
Page turner with interesting ending. Marc Kandella good lawyer, but could have done more background research. Did his feelings for his client stopped him doing that? Was it justified revenge? I will be asking myself these questions for a long time.
Page turner with interesting ending. Marc Kandella good lawyer, but could have done more background research. Did his feelings for his client stopped him doing that? Was it justified revenge? I will be asking myself these questions for a long time.
September 7, 2017
Taking revenge sometimes sucks
I
'm di
sappointed that Mac get away with two murders aside from the four
It's not a reason to take someone's life.t o be fair ,I loved the first five books though.I loved reading Dennis's books
I
'm di
sappointed that Mac get away with two murders aside from the four
It's not a reason to take someone's life.t o be fair ,I loved the first five books though.I loved reading Dennis's books
February 16, 2023
Dennis Carstens has developed a format for writing his books which I find very interesting. We, The Reader, know who "done it" when, where, how and why they done it, right from the onset of the book. They Hire Marc Kadella as their lawyer to get them out of trouble and we get to watch Marc and his team figure it all out, uncover the truth and defend the person in court. Always a plot twist, a turn and a surprise ending ! We get to see the inner workings of our justice system (or unjust system as you will) through these books. Dennis being a real lawyer does an amazing job at showing us what really goes on with out boring us to death, which, very honestly, is difficult to do when it comes down to the court system.
Dennis has further developed a cast of characters that the reader can not help but love. Marc shares an office suite with other lawyers who play minor rolls in his stories but he could not do with out. He has a good friend who is an Italian Ex Cop turned PI who has mentored another Female Ex Cop who is drop dead beautiful, Smarter than just about anyone you will ever meet, and tougher than any tough guy on the street, with a heart of gold. Marc has a love life that is lacking at times, but when it is good, it is REALLY good.
In this book, we have a black widow situation. Lady has married four men, all of whom die and she gets to take all their money leaving the children with nothing. Naturally with Marc and his team on her side she is found not guilty and only then do we find out (we the readers) the why as to what she has done.
This book in this series is no different than the others in as so much as it is a page turner and you wont be able to put it down. This is a fine read and I would recomend it to anyone who enjoys reading.
Dennis has further developed a cast of characters that the reader can not help but love. Marc shares an office suite with other lawyers who play minor rolls in his stories but he could not do with out. He has a good friend who is an Italian Ex Cop turned PI who has mentored another Female Ex Cop who is drop dead beautiful, Smarter than just about anyone you will ever meet, and tougher than any tough guy on the street, with a heart of gold. Marc has a love life that is lacking at times, but when it is good, it is REALLY good.
In this book, we have a black widow situation. Lady has married four men, all of whom die and she gets to take all their money leaving the children with nothing. Naturally with Marc and his team on her side she is found not guilty and only then do we find out (we the readers) the why as to what she has done.
This book in this series is no different than the others in as so much as it is a page turner and you wont be able to put it down. This is a fine read and I would recomend it to anyone who enjoys reading.
October 22, 2019
I have become a big fan of Dennis Carstens and his Marc Kadella character. This particular installment in the series (#5) is one of my favorites thus far and contains lots of courtroom drama. I must say that, throughout the book, I had become persuaded that Mackenzie Sutherland was a conniving low-life until the ending (no spoilers), which came as a complete surprise. Carstens toys with the concept of justice in most of these legal mysteries and this one is no exception. It is interesting how important context is when making my own assessments of guilt and innocence. "Personal Justice" is a thought-provoking novel and, like me, you may find your own prejudice shift throughout the story's progression.
June 19, 2020
This one has a twist at the end that I sure didn't see coming. We get our usual cast of characters behaving the way they usually do. I must admit that I was getting a little bored with the story of the trial in this one, but that changed when I read the ending. Once again, the author handles all the changes of point of view masterfully so that there are no problems identifying whose point of view it is. The one character missing from previous books is Margaret, Marc's girlfriend. She opts out of their stalled relationship early on, which leaves Marc susceptible to a new, unwise relationship. We also do not see anything of Vivian in this outing. It's a very convoluted plot, folks, and I think you will be surprised at the end.
October 3, 2020
Justice Indeed!
MacKenzie, the reader will know from almost the onset, is a Black Widow. She is also a former classmate of Marc’s and hires him to defend her after the Police charge her with her fourth husband’s death (a heart attack). The novel not only tells Mac’s side of what happened but also tells Marc’s side of the investigation and the building of the defense. The author shares with the reader the stories of what happened and lets the reader decide what they believe. This leads to one of the best trial sequences I’ve read in a very long time and to a stunning conclusion that will stay with the reader. Kudos to the author. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
MacKenzie, the reader will know from almost the onset, is a Black Widow. She is also a former classmate of Marc’s and hires him to defend her after the Police charge her with her fourth husband’s death (a heart attack). The novel not only tells Mac’s side of what happened but also tells Marc’s side of the investigation and the building of the defense. The author shares with the reader the stories of what happened and lets the reader decide what they believe. This leads to one of the best trial sequences I’ve read in a very long time and to a stunning conclusion that will stay with the reader. Kudos to the author. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
February 9, 2025
This is the seventh book by Dennis Carstens that I’m reading, and I’ve rated all of them with 5 stars. I love the recurring characters and the pacing of the story. Sometimes, there’s a bit too much detail (in my opinion) in the courtroom proceedings, as some details feel repetitive.
But what does it matter when you’re enjoying it?
While reading this book, I took long breaks because I found myself more drawn to the crazy and fascinating news at the beginning of Trump’s presidency and the revelations from Elon Musk’s team about financial waste.
But what does it matter when you’re enjoying it?
While reading this book, I took long breaks because I found myself more drawn to the crazy and fascinating news at the beginning of Trump’s presidency and the revelations from Elon Musk’s team about financial waste.
September 9, 2019
Very interesting ending. Really good. This book #5 in the series was just as entertaining as the others. This defendant was very different from the others in these books. The ending of the book sort of explained everything and almost made things fall into place - except for a comment she made justifying the killing of her step-son. We know that comment was a lie. So what about the rest of her justifications????
Great story. Well written. Very entertaining. And a killer ending!
Great story. Well written. Very entertaining. And a killer ending!
June 4, 2021
Dennis Carstens did his usual great job on this book. Even though you know who is guilty there is still a twist at the end. Carsten builds great characters. Even his side characters grow from book to book. The lead detective in this book started as a street cop in an earlier book in the series. The continuity in the series is commendable. If you like mysteries or have any interest in criminal law this series is for you.
November 17, 2023
4 stars because it was entertaining. The book has a ton of legal maneuvering . The ending could have been done in a few different ways but this way . Actions have consequences and like
September 23, 2025
this is the 5th book on the bounce I have read by Dennis Carstens, I found this book,s content to be far fetched and improbable, and there is no morale compass from any of the main characters
The victim Mackenzie was very unlikeable and how could the story run with her able to marry all the 4 rapists fathers and also have the prosecutors who dealt with her initial rape complaint deal with her murder off her last husband I like a good fiction but this was not and to far fetched
The victim Mackenzie was very unlikeable and how could the story run with her able to marry all the 4 rapists fathers and also have the prosecutors who dealt with her initial rape complaint deal with her murder off her last husband I like a good fiction but this was not and to far fetched
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2018
What a ride!
Personal Justice by Dennis Carstens was a fast read. I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the what seemed like being a fly on the wall through the story. I like courtroom stories, but this has to be one of the best due to all the tricks and sneaky exploits of the prosecutors, judges, private investigators—the whole lot of them. Highly recommend.
Personal Justice by Dennis Carstens was a fast read. I couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the what seemed like being a fly on the wall through the story. I like courtroom stories, but this has to be one of the best due to all the tricks and sneaky exploits of the prosecutors, judges, private investigators—the whole lot of them. Highly recommend.
September 12, 2021
Personal
Love this series. Every book keeps getting better. Characters are well developed and believable. Story lines are interesting with that special twist. Without spoilers, I honestly thought I knew where this was going. NOT! Thought provoking. Anyway, excellent read. Enjoy.
Love this series. Every book keeps getting better. Characters are well developed and believable. Story lines are interesting with that special twist. Without spoilers, I honestly thought I knew where this was going. NOT! Thought provoking. Anyway, excellent read. Enjoy.
July 3, 2022
Acho que foi um dos melhores da série até agora. Impressionante como mulheres que têm a coragem de denunciar a violência que sofrem são humilhadas, ou vistas como culpadas do próprio abuso. Não acho certo que alguém faça justiça com as próprias mãos, mas gostei bastante da forma como a “criminosa” se vinga de quem a violentou. Muito bom.
October 26, 2022
Best legal thriller series I have read in years - I plan to read them all. The courtroom scenes are much more realistic than those found in many popular legal thrillers (based on my experience as a prosecutor for 7 years) & the main character seems to be "a real human person" who reminds me of the better defense attorneys I have known. Contains humor as well as drama. Enjoy!
March 13, 2024
A great legal mystery
Great legal thriller with enough twists to keep you reading until the end. This book had me feeling one way about the suspect and at the end, my whole demeanor towards the suspect had changed. People with money always seem to get away with something. But in the end, do they really?
Great legal thriller with enough twists to keep you reading until the end. This book had me feeling one way about the suspect and at the end, my whole demeanor towards the suspect had changed. People with money always seem to get away with something. But in the end, do they really?
July 28, 2017
Great series
I love this series. If I ever needed a lawyer I would want Marc Kadella. These stories are so dang good. I've read each one in one sitting. Also they are good size books. So many authors are writing 200 page books now a days.
I love this series. If I ever needed a lawyer I would want Marc Kadella. These stories are so dang good. I've read each one in one sitting. Also they are good size books. So many authors are writing 200 page books now a days.
July 23, 2018
Wow! One of those on the edge of your seat books!
This book will keep you awake reading so there's no way you can put it down! What a awesome who done it that really grabs you at the end!
This book will keep you awake reading so there's no way you can put it down! What a awesome who done it that really grabs you at the end!
November 17, 2019
Okay
I did quite enjoy this. Made for pleasant though not taxing reading. The plot had some interesting twists and turns with a good if, in my opinion, rather unsatisfying ending. It was as though the author needed to wrap it up ready for publication.
I did quite enjoy this. Made for pleasant though not taxing reading. The plot had some interesting twists and turns with a good if, in my opinion, rather unsatisfying ending. It was as though the author needed to wrap it up ready for publication.
March 7, 2020
I like this series. It is a bit repetitious if you have read several as the author explains character connections and descriptions. But can see it is for the benefit of people who have not read preceding books.
April 9, 2023
Personal Justice is the fifth book in the Marc Kadella Legal Mysteries Series by Dennis Carstens. This story has mystery, suspense, intrigue, drama, surprising developments, and gripping details. One of the more interesting stories in the series so far- this is a “Back-Widow” mystery.
Loved this book!
Loved this book!
November 1, 2025
Another excellent book in the series. This time Narc is defending his high school friend against murder charge. He manages to get a mid trial and then the backstory of why his friend was part of four killings is really interesting and thought provoking.
August 16, 2017
Just bought book #6 in this series, these are some of the best lawyer, court room books i have ever read
March 26, 2018
Worst book ever.
No one has the right to kill people. I could not even finish this book. No matter what is done to we can not play God. This makes all Black Widow in the right.
No one has the right to kill people. I could not even finish this book. No matter what is done to we can not play God. This makes all Black Widow in the right.
July 12, 2018
Gripping from beginning to end. Very well thought out and written. The ending is super.
October 15, 2018
Good story with an unexpected and twisty ending that promotes a moral dilemma for the characters and likely some readers.
3.5 star recommended read
3.5 star recommended read
October 21, 2018
Excellent - I will read more from this author
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews