What do you think?
Rate this book
Darren Street #2
Justice Burning
A Wall Street Journal bestseller.
Former defense attorney Darren Street is desperately trying to put his life back together after spending two years in a maximum-security prison for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s rebuilding his law practice, reconnecting with his son, and falling more deeply in love with his girlfriend, fellow attorney Grace Alexander. But the past casts a long shadow, and for Street, there’s no outrunning it.
Tormented by nightmares and violent mood swings, Street is seeking treatment for PTSD when a new trauma shakes his his mother is killed in an explosion, but the police believe Street was the intended target. Payback from an old enemy, or the calling card of a deadly new foe? Whoever’s behind it, Street begins to lose his grip on reality and decides to take matters in his own hands. And the law won’t stop him from revenge. Justice has a new Darren Street.
Former defense attorney Darren Street is desperately trying to put his life back together after spending two years in a maximum-security prison for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s rebuilding his law practice, reconnecting with his son, and falling more deeply in love with his girlfriend, fellow attorney Grace Alexander. But the past casts a long shadow, and for Street, there’s no outrunning it.
Tormented by nightmares and violent mood swings, Street is seeking treatment for PTSD when a new trauma shakes his his mother is killed in an explosion, but the police believe Street was the intended target. Payback from an old enemy, or the calling card of a deadly new foe? Whoever’s behind it, Street begins to lose his grip on reality and decides to take matters in his own hands. And the law won’t stop him from revenge. Justice has a new Darren Street.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2017
4862 people are currently reading
1201 people want to read
About the author
Scott Pratt
59 books1,566 followersScott Pratt is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Bestselling Author whose books have sold more than five million copies. He was born in South Haven, Michigan, and grew up in Jonesborough, Tennessee. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from East Tennessee State University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee. He lived in Johnson City, Tennessee until his tragic, untimely passing in November of 2018.
This page is maintained by his family. We're finishing up all of the projects he was working on when he passed away. If you'd like to stay up to date on that progress, or if you'd just like to say hello, you can visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19664...
This page is maintained by his family. We're finishing up all of the projects he was working on when he passed away. If you'd like to stay up to date on that progress, or if you'd just like to say hello, you can visit us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/19664...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews
June 11, 2017
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Scott Pratt, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I have always loved Scott Pratt's work, as he is able to get to the core of the issue while entertaining those who love a good legal story. Returning to add a second novel in this new series, Pratt reminds readers of Darren Street, who has been out of jail for two years. Falsely convicted after being framed by a vindictive D.A., Street found himself in the depths of despair while fighting for his freedom. During his incarceration, he encountered a man who sought to kill him, but who had the tables turned. Now, with Street free and back in Knoxville, retribution is on its way. Street learns that his mother's home is targeted and destroyed by a massive explosion, killing her and leaving only a pile of smouldering ash. Street focuses the hated he has for the perpetrators and chases them down, killing them in a bar in West Virginia. However, Street does his best to cover his tracks, not wanting to serve any time. With this taste for revenge, Street turns his sights on some other miscreants who have done him harm and has them expunged. While he remains one step ahead of the authorities, his luck can only last so long. His son is pulled from his life, a new fiancée begins to wonder about his sincerity, and Street finds himself unable to ignore the devil on his shoulder. Every decision must be masterfully timed, but even the most wily criminals slip up, especially when they have help with their crimes. When will Street make that glaring error or push someone to rat him out? Pratt shows that he can keep readers hooked without all the fancy legalese in this novel that excels without trying to do so. Perfect for fans of legal and crime thrillers that seek to tackle the gritty rather than the silky side of the law.
Scott Pratt has proved himself to be a master in his own right. Seeking to get to the heart of the story, he offers up a wonderful cast of characters. Full of flaws, these men and women show off their true colours and allow the reader to relate. Struggles with love, life, and compassion come to the surface, while that evil vigilante spirit with whom everyone struggles emerges throughout the story. From there, a plot that feeds off the first novel and flourishes again here, Pratt does not seek to layer the narrative with high brow legal discussion, but rather a more realistic element. The 'Clever Felon' tactic serves this novel well, leaving the reader to potentially cheer for evading the authorities. However, one cannot completely condone the behaviour, especially as Street seems to be fuelled by his need to set things right in his own mind. Quick-paced, the story gains momentum in the early chapters and does not let go until the very end, using cliffhanging moments or ideas to push things forward. Chapters that flow easily through the reader's fingers turns a quick reading session into hours of pure enjoyment. Pratt continues to show his fan base that they have chosen well in turning to him for their thriller fix.
Kudos, Mr. Pratt for another stellar piece of work. I thoroughly enjoy whenever I learn you have been hard at work and hope many others share my eagerness for whatever you publish.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have always loved Scott Pratt's work, as he is able to get to the core of the issue while entertaining those who love a good legal story. Returning to add a second novel in this new series, Pratt reminds readers of Darren Street, who has been out of jail for two years. Falsely convicted after being framed by a vindictive D.A., Street found himself in the depths of despair while fighting for his freedom. During his incarceration, he encountered a man who sought to kill him, but who had the tables turned. Now, with Street free and back in Knoxville, retribution is on its way. Street learns that his mother's home is targeted and destroyed by a massive explosion, killing her and leaving only a pile of smouldering ash. Street focuses the hated he has for the perpetrators and chases them down, killing them in a bar in West Virginia. However, Street does his best to cover his tracks, not wanting to serve any time. With this taste for revenge, Street turns his sights on some other miscreants who have done him harm and has them expunged. While he remains one step ahead of the authorities, his luck can only last so long. His son is pulled from his life, a new fiancée begins to wonder about his sincerity, and Street finds himself unable to ignore the devil on his shoulder. Every decision must be masterfully timed, but even the most wily criminals slip up, especially when they have help with their crimes. When will Street make that glaring error or push someone to rat him out? Pratt shows that he can keep readers hooked without all the fancy legalese in this novel that excels without trying to do so. Perfect for fans of legal and crime thrillers that seek to tackle the gritty rather than the silky side of the law.
Scott Pratt has proved himself to be a master in his own right. Seeking to get to the heart of the story, he offers up a wonderful cast of characters. Full of flaws, these men and women show off their true colours and allow the reader to relate. Struggles with love, life, and compassion come to the surface, while that evil vigilante spirit with whom everyone struggles emerges throughout the story. From there, a plot that feeds off the first novel and flourishes again here, Pratt does not seek to layer the narrative with high brow legal discussion, but rather a more realistic element. The 'Clever Felon' tactic serves this novel well, leaving the reader to potentially cheer for evading the authorities. However, one cannot completely condone the behaviour, especially as Street seems to be fuelled by his need to set things right in his own mind. Quick-paced, the story gains momentum in the early chapters and does not let go until the very end, using cliffhanging moments or ideas to push things forward. Chapters that flow easily through the reader's fingers turns a quick reading session into hours of pure enjoyment. Pratt continues to show his fan base that they have chosen well in turning to him for their thriller fix.
Kudos, Mr. Pratt for another stellar piece of work. I thoroughly enjoy whenever I learn you have been hard at work and hope many others share my eagerness for whatever you publish.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 23, 2017
Excellent thriller.
Be prepared to stay up late with this book. Read everyone of his books, and they always makes me think. This new Street series are excellent.
Darren Street character is someone that you want to slap some sense into him while holding in your arms. What he went through in the last two years, left him with DTSD. Wants a vigilante justice, police and justice isn't there to help him, they want to punish him. His girlfriend, ex-fiance is trying, but she reached to her limit too. Can't wait for the next book.
Be prepared to stay up late with this book. Read everyone of his books, and they always makes me think. This new Street series are excellent.
Darren Street character is someone that you want to slap some sense into him while holding in your arms. What he went through in the last two years, left him with DTSD. Wants a vigilante justice, police and justice isn't there to help him, they want to punish him. His girlfriend, ex-fiance is trying, but she reached to her limit too. Can't wait for the next book.
August 16, 2017
An entertaining read but I have to say I enjoyed the first book in this series much more. There is a lot of killing in this story (and I mean a lot) and this focus led to a lot of predictability that was a little disappointing, still three stars from me. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2017
I read all of Scott Pratt's books to date and enjoyed all of them, UNTIL this one. I found this one to be a thoroughly unpleasant read and even a morally reprehensible plot. No matter how unfair life treated Darren Street, the subsequent actions taken by him in this book are not justifiable.
February 24, 2018
I read book one of this trilogy in 2015, but for some reason or other I just got around to reading book two.
The book is well written. The story is set in Knoxville, TN. Our protagonist is trying to put his life back together after serving two years for a crime he did not comment. He is back to being a defense attorney. He is a very angry man. The plot is interesting, the pace is fast and there is lots of action and suspense. Morally, the story is challenging. I cannot wait to read book three to see if he gets caught or not.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over seven and a half hours. James Patrick Cronin does a great job narrating the book. Cronin is an Earphone Award winner and was nominated for the Audie Award. He has an easy- to- listen- to voice.
The book is well written. The story is set in Knoxville, TN. Our protagonist is trying to put his life back together after serving two years for a crime he did not comment. He is back to being a defense attorney. He is a very angry man. The plot is interesting, the pace is fast and there is lots of action and suspense. Morally, the story is challenging. I cannot wait to read book three to see if he gets caught or not.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is just over seven and a half hours. James Patrick Cronin does a great job narrating the book. Cronin is an Earphone Award winner and was nominated for the Audie Award. He has an easy- to- listen- to voice.
August 14, 2017
Not good
Darren Street is beyond redemption in my eyes I had to find a reason to finish this book but it wasn't for its likeable main charecter
Darren Street is beyond redemption in my eyes I had to find a reason to finish this book but it wasn't for its likeable main charecter
December 6, 2017
Darren Street is an a$$hole
Although I enjoyed the first Darren Street book, I really don't understand why he had to turn into an a$$hole in this one.
He went from being the underdog lawyer,caring father,and son who adored his mother,to a soulless vigilante who murders 4 people, turns his back on his son, and apparently his unborn child.
This book goes wildly off the rails of believability, and I only finished it in the hope that Darren would get his act together, stop killing people,, and get back to being the character he was in the first book.
I don't think I'll buy any more books in this series.
I did like the Joe Dillard books, though.
Although I enjoyed the first Darren Street book, I really don't understand why he had to turn into an a$$hole in this one.
He went from being the underdog lawyer,caring father,and son who adored his mother,to a soulless vigilante who murders 4 people, turns his back on his son, and apparently his unborn child.
This book goes wildly off the rails of believability, and I only finished it in the hope that Darren would get his act together, stop killing people,, and get back to being the character he was in the first book.
I don't think I'll buy any more books in this series.
I did like the Joe Dillard books, though.
April 1, 2021
Let me start by saying I love Scott Pratt and totally sad that he is no longer with us and no more great books from him. Absolutely LOVED the Joe Dillard series, the Darren Street books? Not so sure. First book of the series I liked but can’t say the same about this one-the second book of the series. I just really have to like the hero of a story and honestly cannot say that about Darren Street after this book. Hopefully book 3 will redeem him. We shall see and I will let you know..
August 27, 2017
Love Scott Pratt's Joe Dillard series. Couldn't stop until I read all eight books. While I like Pratt's crisp, concise writing in "Justice Burning", I cannot like Darren Street. Despite the trials he endures, which are most vividly described, he is too cold blooded and calculating to be believable as the flawed "good guy". His form of vigilante justice, handed out to those who have wronged him or those he cares about, is cruel and inhuman--hardly the actions of a lawyer whose job it is to uphold justice. It is difficult to imagine Darren Street redeeming himself. Guess I'll have to wait for Pratt's third volume to find out.
February 28, 2018
I really do love this series! Great Narration by James Patrick Cronin (audible review)
It is a page turning awesome series. Can't stop listening to them.
The story is amazing! Things are happening all the time. There are bad people, and some people just need killin. LOL
If you haven't read this series I totally recommend it! Just do it.
As for the narration, its great. Very enjoyable listen. James Patrick Cronin does a great job on all the voices.
Read this series people! Its great.
It is a page turning awesome series. Can't stop listening to them.
The story is amazing! Things are happening all the time. There are bad people, and some people just need killin. LOL
If you haven't read this series I totally recommend it! Just do it.
As for the narration, its great. Very enjoyable listen. James Patrick Cronin does a great job on all the voices.
Read this series people! Its great.
July 24, 2017
Disappointed
I've enjoyed every book Scott Pratt has written; however,this book and character are disappointing. I don't know where he's going with this character and storyline, but at best I would describe both as troubling.
I've enjoyed every book Scott Pratt has written; however,this book and character are disappointing. I don't know where he's going with this character and storyline, but at best I would describe both as troubling.
February 3, 2023
Not as good as the first in this series - what Street suffered in the first book has turned him into man not accepting his PTSD and a not very pleasant main character.
July 16, 2017
Scott Pratt never disappoints in his page turning thrillers! Hopefull we will see more of Darren Street.
July 20, 2017
It was ok. But, for me, it just wasn't believable.
August 10, 2017
I obtained this book through the Kindle Unlimited program.
There is a huge, gigantic, gaping flaw in the book, and I read through the negative reviews, and scanned the 4 star reviews, to see if anyone mentioned it. They didn't. So I will.
But before I do that, here are my reasons for liking the book (and therefore assigning it 4 stars).
Darren Street is a horribly wounded human being. First, he is the son of a violent alcoholic. He only escaped abuse and rescued his mother by beating his father with a baseball bat. His mother should have protected him, but instead, she relied on him to protect her. He also learned that the system can't help you (where were the cops? where was Family Services?). That was Lesson One.
Second, his uncle was wrongly convicted of a murder, and it took Darren's devotion and the efforts of a family friend to get the case overturned, and the vindication only came shortly before the uncle died. Lesson Two: No, the system won't help you.
Third, his uncle's prosecutor, humiliated by exposure, remains in a position of authority, and fabricates a murder case against Street. He learns that the system allows evil-minded people to use it for personal vengeance. That's Lesson Three.
Fourth, his wife betrays him. He knew that was going to happen, once he found out what kind of person she was. So, maybe the lesson was that he has lousy judgement about human nature. Lesson Four.
During his time in prison, he is tortured by diesel therapy. He also has confirmed the lesson he started to learn as a child: violence can fix things. That's Lesson Five.
So, he does two years in prison, starting with diesel therapy, and it includes some time in the hole. It drives him insane. He no longer believes in the reality that those of us who haven't had childhood beatings and institutional abuse have the luxury of believing in. His reality is different.
But, with help, he is trying to return to civvie street and be normal. And just when he is right on the verge of making it back, his mother is murdered by people he doesn't even know. His insanity is confirmed. He begins to act strictly on the basis of the Lessons he learned.
I wish to make an important distinction between Joe Dillard and Darren Street, and I think it's the biggest difference between the two: Joe is married to a woman he loves, and together, they are fighting for her life. Darren married a tramp, and his attachment to a good woman hasn't developed far enough for that relationship to provide the redemption he needs. If you have a life partner, you can endure through almost anything. If you are betrayed by the one closest to you, you do well if you don't start killing folks.
Okay, all of that sounds like I LOVED the book, which would be a five-star review. Why am I giving it four stars?
PRATT MESSED UP THE GUNS AGAIN!
Now, I like the .22 LR. It's a great plinker, and I've used it for years to train my family how to shoot. However, it is absolutely the WRONG choice of a caliber if you are expecting trouble; it's better than nothing, but that's all that can be said of it. The pistol, a Walther P22, is not a BAD choice, for a rimfire pistol, but there are better choices. Certainly, if you are expecting trouble, you'd want more capacity than the 10 rounds Walther offers. And by the way: it's not a 'clip;' it's a 'magazine.' In defense of this choice, though, I will say that it's better than no gun at all, and that I have supplied a Ruger SR22 as a first self-defense pistol for a family member with tiny hands and a fear of loud booms. (9mm will happen at some point, though.)
If I were told right now that I was going to be in a gunfight in one hour, I would show up with at least four guns: the smallest caliber is a 9 mm, but I'd start with two .45 ACP, then go to a .357 when those ran out, then finish with the 9 mm. Gunfight rule 1: Don't get into a gunfight. Rule 2: Bring a gun. Rule 3: Bring ENOUGH gun. Rule 4: Bring a rifle. Rule 5: Bring a friend with a rifle.
But the biggest screw up is with the silencer, and that's a bad one. In the book, Street goes to a gun show. In the parking lot, he identifies an individual who is transacting business out of his car.
That might be okay. If the person is just selling his own firearms, it is perfectly legal to do so. He's just saving himself the $10 entrance fee to the gunshow, and the price of renting a table. HOWEVER!!!
However, a silencer is classified under the National Firearm Act (NFA) as a Class 3 device. That means that in order for you to sell it, you must be a licensed NFA Federal Firearms License holder for Class 3 items (which includes silencers and machine guns among other stuff). If you want to BUY a silencer, you have to APPLY to the ATF and pay a $200 transfer tax.
Now, it MIGHT be the case that the seller is an unscrupulous person, and is intending on beating the law, not just a guy selling his own stuff. But if he IS a guy trying to beat the law, he's going to be charging a premium for the silencer. That particular model, the Gemtech Seahunter, is no longer manufactured, but when it was, it LISTED for $650.
The gent offers him a Walther for $300 (a fair price) and a silencer for $75.
Nope nope nope nope nope nope.
Not ever ever ever gonna happen, as long as the current NFA rules are in effect.
They may change, because the rules relating to silencers are stupid, but as it stands, this is a big, gigantic gaping plot hole for us gun guys.
And that's why it's a four star review.
Minor quibble: He says Michael was raised in Dalton, GA, but that he skipped school one day and was arrested by the Dunwoody police. Dunwoody is an Atlanta suburb, and is AT LEAST two hours by car away from Dalton, which is on the Georgia-Tennessee border.
'Nother minor quibble: the caliber of the handgun Street uses, in the Kindle edition at least, is referred to as a "0.22" caliber. I think that's a glitch of the formatting software, or maybe the person editing is utterly clueless about nomenclature. While it is true that the number twenty-two hundredths would be written '0.22,' the caliber is referenced as .22 or .22 LR.
There is a huge, gigantic, gaping flaw in the book, and I read through the negative reviews, and scanned the 4 star reviews, to see if anyone mentioned it. They didn't. So I will.
But before I do that, here are my reasons for liking the book (and therefore assigning it 4 stars).
Darren Street is a horribly wounded human being. First, he is the son of a violent alcoholic. He only escaped abuse and rescued his mother by beating his father with a baseball bat. His mother should have protected him, but instead, she relied on him to protect her. He also learned that the system can't help you (where were the cops? where was Family Services?). That was Lesson One.
Second, his uncle was wrongly convicted of a murder, and it took Darren's devotion and the efforts of a family friend to get the case overturned, and the vindication only came shortly before the uncle died. Lesson Two: No, the system won't help you.
Third, his uncle's prosecutor, humiliated by exposure, remains in a position of authority, and fabricates a murder case against Street. He learns that the system allows evil-minded people to use it for personal vengeance. That's Lesson Three.
Fourth, his wife betrays him. He knew that was going to happen, once he found out what kind of person she was. So, maybe the lesson was that he has lousy judgement about human nature. Lesson Four.
During his time in prison, he is tortured by diesel therapy. He also has confirmed the lesson he started to learn as a child: violence can fix things. That's Lesson Five.
So, he does two years in prison, starting with diesel therapy, and it includes some time in the hole. It drives him insane. He no longer believes in the reality that those of us who haven't had childhood beatings and institutional abuse have the luxury of believing in. His reality is different.
But, with help, he is trying to return to civvie street and be normal. And just when he is right on the verge of making it back, his mother is murdered by people he doesn't even know. His insanity is confirmed. He begins to act strictly on the basis of the Lessons he learned.
I wish to make an important distinction between Joe Dillard and Darren Street, and I think it's the biggest difference between the two: Joe is married to a woman he loves, and together, they are fighting for her life. Darren married a tramp, and his attachment to a good woman hasn't developed far enough for that relationship to provide the redemption he needs. If you have a life partner, you can endure through almost anything. If you are betrayed by the one closest to you, you do well if you don't start killing folks.
Okay, all of that sounds like I LOVED the book, which would be a five-star review. Why am I giving it four stars?
PRATT MESSED UP THE GUNS AGAIN!
Now, I like the .22 LR. It's a great plinker, and I've used it for years to train my family how to shoot. However, it is absolutely the WRONG choice of a caliber if you are expecting trouble; it's better than nothing, but that's all that can be said of it. The pistol, a Walther P22, is not a BAD choice, for a rimfire pistol, but there are better choices. Certainly, if you are expecting trouble, you'd want more capacity than the 10 rounds Walther offers. And by the way: it's not a 'clip;' it's a 'magazine.' In defense of this choice, though, I will say that it's better than no gun at all, and that I have supplied a Ruger SR22 as a first self-defense pistol for a family member with tiny hands and a fear of loud booms. (9mm will happen at some point, though.)
If I were told right now that I was going to be in a gunfight in one hour, I would show up with at least four guns: the smallest caliber is a 9 mm, but I'd start with two .45 ACP, then go to a .357 when those ran out, then finish with the 9 mm. Gunfight rule 1: Don't get into a gunfight. Rule 2: Bring a gun. Rule 3: Bring ENOUGH gun. Rule 4: Bring a rifle. Rule 5: Bring a friend with a rifle.
But the biggest screw up is with the silencer, and that's a bad one. In the book, Street goes to a gun show. In the parking lot, he identifies an individual who is transacting business out of his car.
That might be okay. If the person is just selling his own firearms, it is perfectly legal to do so. He's just saving himself the $10 entrance fee to the gunshow, and the price of renting a table. HOWEVER!!!
However, a silencer is classified under the National Firearm Act (NFA) as a Class 3 device. That means that in order for you to sell it, you must be a licensed NFA Federal Firearms License holder for Class 3 items (which includes silencers and machine guns among other stuff). If you want to BUY a silencer, you have to APPLY to the ATF and pay a $200 transfer tax.
Now, it MIGHT be the case that the seller is an unscrupulous person, and is intending on beating the law, not just a guy selling his own stuff. But if he IS a guy trying to beat the law, he's going to be charging a premium for the silencer. That particular model, the Gemtech Seahunter, is no longer manufactured, but when it was, it LISTED for $650.
The gent offers him a Walther for $300 (a fair price) and a silencer for $75.
Nope nope nope nope nope nope.
Not ever ever ever gonna happen, as long as the current NFA rules are in effect.
They may change, because the rules relating to silencers are stupid, but as it stands, this is a big, gigantic gaping plot hole for us gun guys.
And that's why it's a four star review.
Minor quibble: He says Michael was raised in Dalton, GA, but that he skipped school one day and was arrested by the Dunwoody police. Dunwoody is an Atlanta suburb, and is AT LEAST two hours by car away from Dalton, which is on the Georgia-Tennessee border.
'Nother minor quibble: the caliber of the handgun Street uses, in the Kindle edition at least, is referred to as a "0.22" caliber. I think that's a glitch of the formatting software, or maybe the person editing is utterly clueless about nomenclature. While it is true that the number twenty-two hundredths would be written '0.22,' the caliber is referenced as .22 or .22 LR.
March 28, 2022
Justice burning by Scott Prat.
Darren Street Book 2.
Former defense attorney Darren Street is desperately trying to put his life back together after spending two years in a maximum-security prison for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s rebuilding his law practice, reconnecting with his son, and falling more deeply in love with his girlfriend, fellow attorney Grace Alexander. But the past casts a long shadow, and for Street, there’s no outrunning it.Tormented by nightmares and violent mood swings, Street is seeking treatment for PTSD when a new trauma shakes his world: his mother is killed in an explosion, but the police believe Street was the intended target. Payback from an old enemy, or the calling card of a deadly new foe? Whoever’s behind it, Street begins to lose his grip on reality and decides to take matters in his own hands. And the law won’t stop him from revenge. Justice has a new name: Darren Street.
A brilliant read. Great story and characters. I loved Darren. Reminds me of Arnie. Can't wait for next book. 5*.
Darren Street Book 2.
Former defense attorney Darren Street is desperately trying to put his life back together after spending two years in a maximum-security prison for a murder he didn’t commit. He’s rebuilding his law practice, reconnecting with his son, and falling more deeply in love with his girlfriend, fellow attorney Grace Alexander. But the past casts a long shadow, and for Street, there’s no outrunning it.Tormented by nightmares and violent mood swings, Street is seeking treatment for PTSD when a new trauma shakes his world: his mother is killed in an explosion, but the police believe Street was the intended target. Payback from an old enemy, or the calling card of a deadly new foe? Whoever’s behind it, Street begins to lose his grip on reality and decides to take matters in his own hands. And the law won’t stop him from revenge. Justice has a new name: Darren Street.
A brilliant read. Great story and characters. I loved Darren. Reminds me of Arnie. Can't wait for next book. 5*.
June 26, 2017
A few years back, I read An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt, the first in the Joe Dillard series of legal thriller/mysteries. I haven’t read all eight titles in that series, but all the ones I have read were crisp, entertaining, and fun reads. So I was happy to get an advance copy of Justice Burning, a new title by Scott Pratt featuring new attorney Darren Street, from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
So (spoiler alert) I REALLY liked this book! The characters were vivid, the legal/criminal stuff was interesting, and I just kept reading til it was gone. BUT it turns out this is #2 in the Darren Street series (I must have been asleep or whatever, but I missed the first one, Justice Redeemed.
So Darren Street, Like Scott Pratt, in a previous lifetime, is an attorney in Tennessee. I’m not sure how much else they have in common, but Darren has recently had his law license reinstated after escaping from a maximum security prison where he spent two years for a crime he didn’t commit. In Justice Burning, he seems to be the target for unknown bad guys, who may or may not have something to do with things that went down in prison. Along the way, he suffers from PTSD, tries to deal with his ex-wife and son, loses a family member, and resolves to see justice (as he defines it) done.
As is my habit, I don’t do spoilers, so there’s not much I can say about the plot except that it was terrific fun. While reading it, there were several instances of me nearly shouting “NO!” and “OH!” and “AARRGGHH” to the point where my husband, ensconced in his recliner located right next to mine, grew a bit tired of asking “what’s wrong?” In the end, he decided he HAS to read this book!
I told him he really should read Justice Redeemed first…while Justice Burning stands alone just fine, there were some situations that had backstory in the first novel that I think might have been even more impactful if I had read the prior book first.
Either way, this one is highly recommended for those who like legal mystery/thrillers, smart down-to-earth protagonists who might sometimes bend the rules but still maintain their own moral compass, and a fast-moving plot with violence but not gore. Five stars.
September 9, 2017
Vigilantism - to condone or not? I am torn, actually; but I err on the side of good. I am also torn if I will let my opinion of vigilantism affect my review of this book. I am more inclined to not let it.
This second installment on Darren Street is a lot disturbing than the first one. He'd done things that were wrong, and without even an ounce of remorse, yet he still was a person with feelings and reason (some legit, some crooked); he still recognized the dividing lines between right and wrong, though it wasn't clear anymore which side he stood.
Again, good storytelling; it held me captive from the get go. I wonder what will happen in the third installment to be released five months from now..I wish it were sooner.
This second installment on Darren Street is a lot disturbing than the first one. He'd done things that were wrong, and without even an ounce of remorse, yet he still was a person with feelings and reason (some legit, some crooked); he still recognized the dividing lines between right and wrong, though it wasn't clear anymore which side he stood.
Again, good storytelling; it held me captive from the get go. I wonder what will happen in the third installment to be released five months from now..I wish it were sooner.
July 18, 2018
Not bad. A quick read and to be fair, possibly too quick! A very relentless book which is the 2nd in the series and see's Darren Street exacting revenge, outside the law on people who have wronged him, leading to disastrous results.
Less on the legal/court room side and more of a thriller, even more so than the first in the series.
Ok and will no doubt read the third book at some stage.
Less on the legal/court room side and more of a thriller, even more so than the first in the series.
Ok and will no doubt read the third book at some stage.
April 18, 2019
Another level of personal tragedy and desperate upheaval for Darren Street, the series main character.
Clearly dealing with PTSD from his rigged felony conviction and two years in prison system. The psychiatrist expected to help him is inept (big surprise), yet right-on-the-mark in predicting that he'll eventually rupture emotional connection and ethical choices.
Brutal choices follow, with no apparent consequences for our "hero." Might read one more in the series, but was disappointed by the plot and character "development."
Clearly dealing with PTSD from his rigged felony conviction and two years in prison system. The psychiatrist expected to help him is inept (big surprise), yet right-on-the-mark in predicting that he'll eventually rupture emotional connection and ethical choices.
Brutal choices follow, with no apparent consequences for our "hero." Might read one more in the series, but was disappointed by the plot and character "development."
August 31, 2021
The second in the Darren Street legal series, Justice Burning is, like its predecessor, totally different from any other legal thriller I’ve ever read. The book soon has you rooting for the bad guy (the one who murders anyone who ticks him off) and hoping the good guys get thrown off track enough to not be successful at their jobs. Well written, it’s an easy read with some very distinctive characters.
June 7, 2023
Raw justice
This book was really good. It was different. There was no mystery. It was just an interesting story from a different perspective. It has some plot twists that kept me engaged.
This book was really good. It was different. There was no mystery. It was just an interesting story from a different perspective. It has some plot twists that kept me engaged.
July 12, 2017
Review of a very good if not excellent!!!!!!!!
I choose to relate this book as excellent,even though, I realistic had no choice because it is an excellent read!!!!!!! I questioned the start-up theme but like life is it get better with time!!!!!!!! I
would recommend this book to anyone that loves suspense and a book that makes you think!!! It was an excellent read that I hope will continue!!!!!!!!
I choose to relate this book as excellent,even though, I realistic had no choice because it is an excellent read!!!!!!! I questioned the start-up theme but like life is it get better with time!!!!!!!! I
would recommend this book to anyone that loves suspense and a book that makes you think!!! It was an excellent read that I hope will continue!!!!!!!!
Read
May 23, 2018Versatile author gives us a new view!
Dark, Bright, Disturbing, and makes you think! Love Scott Pratt's books. Keep 'em coming!
Dark, Bright, Disturbing, and makes you think! Love Scott Pratt's books. Keep 'em coming!
October 19, 2019
This story took a turn I didn’t expect and I don’t think I liked it. The character did not seem to be the same person as in the previous book. I just thought it was a bit weird.
October 27, 2017
Interesting plot line; morally ambiguous protagonist.
October 21, 2020
A complete mess. Totally ridiculous and over the top violence.
July 28, 2017
Exciting new series
Very good. This is the second book from Scott Pratt's new series. I've read the 1st one and I think this series is going to be as successful as the Joe Dillard series.
Although the main character in each of the two series are complete opposite their stories are just as exciting. Four stars.
Very good. This is the second book from Scott Pratt's new series. I've read the 1st one and I think this series is going to be as successful as the Joe Dillard series.
Although the main character in each of the two series are complete opposite their stories are just as exciting. Four stars.
August 24, 2017
When I won the second Darren Street (Kindle) book through GoodReads, I hadn't read the first, so I read that before starting on second (I gave it 3 stars). It was a smart thing, too, because some of the surprises in first book would have been a bit ruined if I had read the second book first. However, if I had read second Darren Street novel first, I'm not sure I would have gone back to read the first:
I enjoy lawyer-crime novels and appreciate when the lawyer-as-protagonist is an honest, law-abiding citizen (at least reasonably so since no one is perfect), but in the second Darren Street novel, he's an unapologetic vigilante and I just couldn't find anything to like about him. And I wasn't all that anxious to reach the end as I didn't really care what happened to him.
I enjoy lawyer-crime novels and appreciate when the lawyer-as-protagonist is an honest, law-abiding citizen (at least reasonably so since no one is perfect), but in the second Darren Street novel, he's an unapologetic vigilante and I just couldn't find anything to like about him. And I wasn't all that anxious to reach the end as I didn't really care what happened to him.
November 19, 2018
Pretty good read
The 2 Street book I’ve read. Not great but a decent read. It was different than most of this type of book.
The 2 Street book I’ve read. Not great but a decent read. It was different than most of this type of book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews