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Judgement Call / Damned if You do, Damned if You Don't / The End Justifies the Means
All three books in the fast-paced legal thriller trilogy 'Exonerated', by bestselling author JC Ryan.
Judgement Call
Andy Gibbons had been sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. After ten years inside he had abandoned all hope and resigned himself to the fact that he would remain there for the rest of his life.
But the fact that Andy has admitted defeat and thrown in the towel didn’t mean his wife, Jamie, did.
Disillusioned and worn out by the justice system, the Honorable Judge Regan St Clair was just about to pack in too when a letter from Jamie Gibbons arrived on her desk…
Before long Regan St Clair and Jake Westley, a former Special Forces operator, stumble into a quagmire world of deceit and menace. A world where nothing is as it seems, and no one and nothing can be trusted.
Is Andy Gibbons really innocent? Can he be exonerated? At what price?
Damned If You Do Damned If You Don’t
Conrad Wilson, an ex-detective, had less than a month to live. The date of his execution, by lethal injection, was scheduled for the 1st June. All legal avenues had been exhausted — the Governor of New Hampshire refused to review his case.
The only problem was; Conrad Wilson was innocent, but no one cared. Or rather, everyone that cared wanted him executed. His only chance to escape certain death was Judge Regan St Clair and Jake Westley. Did they have enough time to stop the execution?
Jake and Regan quickly discovered a number of holes in the Wilson case — tampering with forensic evidence, an alibi that stood up to scrutiny... It was evident that Wilson was innocent, he certainly didn’t kill his mistress as was alleged. Someone has gone to great lengths to shift the blame onto an innocent man.
But why were so many people desperate to see him dead — for a crime he didn’t commit? Who was the real killer?
Was Wilson framed in order to let the real killer get away?
Or was there some truth in what Pavo, one of the Organization bosses said: everyone is guilty of something?
The End Justifies The Means
Jessie Bell’s last parole hearing was a disgrace—one board member called her a witch and a harpy, and said that given the chance, he would have her put down like a rabid dog.
Ten years in prison for killing her sadistically abusive husband had turned Jessie Bell into a poisoned, embittered, and dangerous person. The parole hearing was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was payback time.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? No, not for Jessie Bell. Her version of justice wasn't just about getting even. It was about taking back twice as much as had been taken from you. Two eyes for one. Justice meant redressing all the imbalances—and putting out only one eye didn’t compare to the loss of all the advantages of losing two eyes.
Fortunately, Jessie is offered the position of the late Pavo, Regan’s Uncle Paul, in the Organization.
And she accepted it.
Judgement Call
Andy Gibbons had been sentenced to life in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. After ten years inside he had abandoned all hope and resigned himself to the fact that he would remain there for the rest of his life.
But the fact that Andy has admitted defeat and thrown in the towel didn’t mean his wife, Jamie, did.
Disillusioned and worn out by the justice system, the Honorable Judge Regan St Clair was just about to pack in too when a letter from Jamie Gibbons arrived on her desk…
Before long Regan St Clair and Jake Westley, a former Special Forces operator, stumble into a quagmire world of deceit and menace. A world where nothing is as it seems, and no one and nothing can be trusted.
Is Andy Gibbons really innocent? Can he be exonerated? At what price?
Damned If You Do Damned If You Don’t
Conrad Wilson, an ex-detective, had less than a month to live. The date of his execution, by lethal injection, was scheduled for the 1st June. All legal avenues had been exhausted — the Governor of New Hampshire refused to review his case.
The only problem was; Conrad Wilson was innocent, but no one cared. Or rather, everyone that cared wanted him executed. His only chance to escape certain death was Judge Regan St Clair and Jake Westley. Did they have enough time to stop the execution?
Jake and Regan quickly discovered a number of holes in the Wilson case — tampering with forensic evidence, an alibi that stood up to scrutiny... It was evident that Wilson was innocent, he certainly didn’t kill his mistress as was alleged. Someone has gone to great lengths to shift the blame onto an innocent man.
But why were so many people desperate to see him dead — for a crime he didn’t commit? Who was the real killer?
Was Wilson framed in order to let the real killer get away?
Or was there some truth in what Pavo, one of the Organization bosses said: everyone is guilty of something?
The End Justifies The Means
Jessie Bell’s last parole hearing was a disgrace—one board member called her a witch and a harpy, and said that given the chance, he would have her put down like a rabid dog.
Ten years in prison for killing her sadistically abusive husband had turned Jessie Bell into a poisoned, embittered, and dangerous person. The parole hearing was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was payback time.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? No, not for Jessie Bell. Her version of justice wasn't just about getting even. It was about taking back twice as much as had been taken from you. Two eyes for one. Justice meant redressing all the imbalances—and putting out only one eye didn’t compare to the loss of all the advantages of losing two eyes.
Fortunately, Jessie is offered the position of the late Pavo, Regan’s Uncle Paul, in the Organization.
And she accepted it.
1123 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2017
601 people are currently reading
479 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Ryan
48 books150 followersJ C Ryan writes spellbinding mystery suspense thrillers with an archaeological backdrop.
He has been a combat and intelligence officer in the military, practicing lawyer and information technology project manager.
He holds a military as well as a law degree and is married with two daughters and two dogs.
JC currently makes his home on the Gold Coast of Australia.
He has been a combat and intelligence officer in the military, practicing lawyer and information technology project manager.
He holds a military as well as a law degree and is married with two daughters and two dogs.
JC currently makes his home on the Gold Coast of Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 23, 2017
Fast Paced Legal Thriller Three Pack
What if you had the power to make a difference? Would you? Could you? What if in order to do so you had to join a super secret organization that might not always play by the rules? What if you stumbled across this mysterious organization only to find out it had been polluted? What if you were a judge that has been worn out and disillusioned by the very justice system you thought you loved? The Honourable Judge Regan St Clair has stumbled into an intriguing case, a man in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Meeting PI Jake Westley should help her, but every way they turn it would seem powerful people want to keep that innocent man in prison and let the real culprit stay free. Through their investigation they fall into "the organization". Puppet masters who will stop at nothing to get their way. In solving their 1st mystery Regan and Jake will find many more cases that need to be cleared and an organization that will try whatever it takes to either stop them, or better yet recreated them. What would you do if you could make a difference? Well written with three-dimensional characters that jump off the page!
What if you had the power to make a difference? Would you? Could you? What if in order to do so you had to join a super secret organization that might not always play by the rules? What if you stumbled across this mysterious organization only to find out it had been polluted? What if you were a judge that has been worn out and disillusioned by the very justice system you thought you loved? The Honourable Judge Regan St Clair has stumbled into an intriguing case, a man in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Meeting PI Jake Westley should help her, but every way they turn it would seem powerful people want to keep that innocent man in prison and let the real culprit stay free. Through their investigation they fall into "the organization". Puppet masters who will stop at nothing to get their way. In solving their 1st mystery Regan and Jake will find many more cases that need to be cleared and an organization that will try whatever it takes to either stop them, or better yet recreated them. What would you do if you could make a difference? Well written with three-dimensional characters that jump off the page!
August 11, 2017
A judge begins to look into old cases of convicted and jailed people who she suspects were unjustly imprisoned. She gathers a group of helpers, ex special ops soldier, computer hacker, along with her assistant in an effort to get them freed. They run into a shadow organization with members including her Honorary uncle, and her judge father, and an unknown number of members who are to make a better society. But their methods are anything but legal and they try to stop the judges investigations. The story is continued through the 3 books with many plots disrupted, mistakes made and finally a combination of a deadly chemical spill at a warehouse and the plans by the current leader of the organization to use it to ferment chaos and riots in the city (New York) to accompany and assignation attempt on the CEO of the company where the spill occurred. A bit confusing at times and the Organization was a bit hard to accept, but a fairly decent read.
November 20, 2017
The Exonerated Trilogy
When Judge Regan St. Clair discovers that Lady Justice has been deliberately blinded by a shadowy Organization she enlists the help of Navy Seal turned P.I. Jake Westley and a small group of dedicated professionals to tip the scales of Justice a little more evenly for wrongfully convicted criminals. A must-read for those who prefer their mysteries gritty and more realistic. In this series the "good" guys don't always win and the "bad" guys don't always lose.
When Judge Regan St. Clair discovers that Lady Justice has been deliberately blinded by a shadowy Organization she enlists the help of Navy Seal turned P.I. Jake Westley and a small group of dedicated professionals to tip the scales of Justice a little more evenly for wrongfully convicted criminals. A must-read for those who prefer their mysteries gritty and more realistic. In this series the "good" guys don't always win and the "bad" guys don't always lose.
August 29, 2019
An AWESOME, AWESOME Read!!
This book has multiple stories, that are hard to put down, until the very end of this large book!!
Reagan and Jake try to figure out, multiple murders and what the Organization that Uncle Paul was involved in has to do with all
trouble that happens. Reagan's roommate, Jessie from when they were in College is in prison and finally gets released. It becomes apparent that Jessie also seems to be involved in the Organization and all the issues that are popping up!!
This book has multiple stories, that are hard to put down, until the very end of this large book!!
Reagan and Jake try to figure out, multiple murders and what the Organization that Uncle Paul was involved in has to do with all
trouble that happens. Reagan's roommate, Jessie from when they were in College is in prison and finally gets released. It becomes apparent that Jessie also seems to be involved in the Organization and all the issues that are popping up!!
October 21, 2019
The cast of characters in this series work well together. Even though there are 3 stories, they all seem to be a continuation of the previous ones. The concept of examining cases of individuals convicted without sufficient evidence is a new concept.
The introduction of the "Organization" and the impact that they had in these cases makes you wonder if this sort of thing happens in real life.
I enjoyed the stories immensely and highly recommend these books.
The introduction of the "Organization" and the impact that they had in these cases makes you wonder if this sort of thing happens in real life.
I enjoyed the stories immensely and highly recommend these books.
August 19, 2020
Reading these books anf watchin netflix's The Innocent Files makes you wonder if we really live in the land of justice for all. Although a fictional book you can always find a little bit of true in them. The story line is easy to follow. I like the fact that is only these three, which can be read separete but the three together make a fantastic whole story. I loved tbe main character to the point that I could feel what she was feeling at all time. Long story but it is worth it.
August 9, 2021
A Good Start for a Series
I gave the stars bc JC Ryan delivered once again. The storyline and plot is intriguing and so is ultimate plot and climax. Won't lie it drug in places...with a power house writer it can happen. But with the characters built, there are so many possibilities. Read it!!!
I gave the stars bc JC Ryan delivered once again. The storyline and plot is intriguing and so is ultimate plot and climax. Won't lie it drug in places...with a power house writer it can happen. But with the characters built, there are so many possibilities. Read it!!!
July 4, 2022
What happens when you try to go up against people who are hurting the innocent?
When a talented Judge with the sense of justice still part of her meets a ex-Delta, turned private investigator; the legal cases will be re-examined to try to free those who were sent to prison unjustly.
When a talented Judge with the sense of justice still part of her meets a ex-Delta, turned private investigator; the legal cases will be re-examined to try to free those who were sent to prison unjustly.
June 6, 2017
Honorable Judge Regan St Clair sits on cases in court, but in these three books she is pulled into looking at cases where people have been set up and sent to prison. This of course puts her own life in jeopardy. I enjoyed this series and would give it a 4 1/2 star rating if I could give half stars.
June 10, 2017
GREAT!
What a great read. Moved as fast as a single book rather than a trilogy and full of fast moving excitement. Very difficult to put down but also had an ending that will put a smile on your face.
What a great read. Moved as fast as a single book rather than a trilogy and full of fast moving excitement. Very difficult to put down but also had an ending that will put a smile on your face.
August 20, 2017
I love all JC Ryan's books
I got hooked on JC Ryan books when I read The Rossler Foundation Mysteries. Now, I have read all of his books and the best part, I own them all so I can read them again and again. Eagerly awaiting for more!
I got hooked on JC Ryan books when I read The Rossler Foundation Mysteries. Now, I have read all of his books and the best part, I own them all so I can read them again and again. Eagerly awaiting for more!
September 26, 2017
Thriller
The story line grips you and keep you engaged. One can visualize as one reads through. One place in third book though it seemed the author was stretching to fill a couple more pages but then it's back to its thrill and pace. Must read for thriller lovers.
The story line grips you and keep you engaged. One can visualize as one reads through. One place in third book though it seemed the author was stretching to fill a couple more pages but then it's back to its thrill and pace. Must read for thriller lovers.
November 29, 2017
A real page turner!
I had never heard of JCRyan, and got the trilogy for 99 cents. What a bargain! This series grabs you and won't let go. The premise becomes more and more believable as it proceeds.
I had never heard of JCRyan, and got the trilogy for 99 cents. What a bargain! This series grabs you and won't let go. The premise becomes more and more believable as it proceeds.
June 18, 2018
Not that good
The first was good, the second one was ok. The last was stupid. The only reason I gave it two stars, was because the first one by itself was three. The last two pulled it down.
The first was good, the second one was ok. The last was stupid. The only reason I gave it two stars, was because the first one by itself was three. The last two pulled it down.
May 1, 2019
Have ready every book of his and have thoroughly enjoyed them. But, this book was very different. The first two books were pretty good and kept me interested. The third book however left me totally confused as it rambled around, was hard to follow and just a struggle to get through.
January 22, 2020
Exoneration
Fighting wrong can't always be easy. Being a judge wasn't either. The the wild ride from one page to another; finding killers and freeing innocents kept me reading. The mind of J. C. Ryan is full of suspense and justice for the end of the story.
Fighting wrong can't always be easy. Being a judge wasn't either. The the wild ride from one page to another; finding killers and freeing innocents kept me reading. The mind of J. C. Ryan is full of suspense and justice for the end of the story.
November 26, 2022
I managed to read the whole series but somewhat struggled through it. To me, it was not as good as JC's Rex Dalton series. Those I can't put down.
Maybe I was comparing the two a bit too much & it colored my view. This series just seemed to be missing something. Maybe a Dutch Shepherd???
Maybe I was comparing the two a bit too much & it colored my view. This series just seemed to be missing something. Maybe a Dutch Shepherd???
September 26, 2023
A Bit Too Long
This book reminds me of another author who writes about a judge getting involved with people accused of crimes they didn't commit. This was a bit too drawn out but enjoyable.
This book reminds me of another author who writes about a judge getting involved with people accused of crimes they didn't commit. This was a bit too drawn out but enjoyable.
May 16, 2017
Totally mind blowing addicting!
Thanks for the thrill ride. The characters were deep and remembered events in themselves. These novels flowed continually and suspense never ended.
Thanks for the thrill ride. The characters were deep and remembered events in themselves. These novels flowed continually and suspense never ended.
May 17, 2017
Moved it to my yawn shelf
June 9, 2017
Good read
I would have given this 4 stars but a few times in the second and third book I felt confused by what was going on. Worth reading for sure.
I would have given this 4 stars but a few times in the second and third book I felt confused by what was going on. Worth reading for sure.
June 13, 2017
Loved the characters & the story
Loved the characters & the story. Would recommend as something good to read. Unnerving to think about the Organization. Give stars though
Loved the characters & the story. Would recommend as something good to read. Unnerving to think about the Organization. Give stars though
July 12, 2017
An interesting read
An interesting and original story line with a fast moving plot. All three books held my attention and I would be keen to read others in the series
An interesting and original story line with a fast moving plot. All three books held my attention and I would be keen to read others in the series
July 13, 2017
Really exciting read
Very well thought out story lines, great plot twists and very warm believable characters. Loved every chapter really amazing book
Very well thought out story lines, great plot twists and very warm believable characters. Loved every chapter really amazing book
November 17, 2017
A Great Trilogy
Three thrillers about a judge and a private eye. There are many people in the book and their characters are well-developed.
Three thrillers about a judge and a private eye. There are many people in the book and their characters are well-developed.
November 23, 2017
Interesting and tense
Very fast paced with plenty of intrigue. I enjoyed all three of the books in this series. Easy to read
Very fast paced with plenty of intrigue. I enjoyed all three of the books in this series. Easy to read
January 8, 2019
Great book
I enjoyed this trilogy. It held my interests the way through to the end. Will definitely read more of his books.
I enjoyed this trilogy. It held my interests the way through to the end. Will definitely read more of his books.
June 21, 2019
Stupid and illogical. Unnecessarily busy.
So bad U wanted to take a hammer to my cell phone. I finally skipped ahead to the merciful end.
So bad U wanted to take a hammer to my cell phone. I finally skipped ahead to the merciful end.
October 18, 2019
Entertaining
I like the trilogy because you have more time with the characters. Fun plots though somewhat predictable. I like happy endings.
I like the trilogy because you have more time with the characters. Fun plots though somewhat predictable. I like happy endings.
January 1, 2023
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews