Justifiable Homicide

by Jeffrey Warren

The $500 billion-a-year illegal-drug-trafficking business has a secret relationship with seemingly legitimate bankers and mainstream financial markets which is exposed by a story in the press that reverberates on front pages around the world.


The question that even legitimate investigators seem not to be asking "Where's the Money?"


Unlikely partners Jon Reynolds, PhD (computer-encryption wunderkind who has a personal, vested interest in the outcome), and Katie Ruiz, a talented investigative reporter with a checkered past, devise a dangerous and clandestine plan to expose the business and the players in it — as well as to reveal to the general public the staggering proportions of the scheme. Implementing it means Jon and Katie will face cartels, violence, corruption, and an inept DEA — in addition to their own fears and demons.


This is a story grounded in real facts that exist in the real world — our world. It is also a telling statement about the impact that ordinary citizens can have on world events — an unlikely "Power of One" tale.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 4, 2017

About the author

Jeffrey Warren is a retired Professional Engineer and longtime entrepreneur having founded, operated and sold four businesses from aircraft design and manufacturing, furniture manufacturing, software architecture with database applications, to an RV park.
He is the author of several technical, non-fiction papers and books. He began writing fiction for a family audience during an interlude between companies. His first published work was an illustrated collection of musings and short stories entitled, Stages of Life.
An avid sailor, he lives with his wife, eight horses, a donkey, and rescue dog Scout, on a mountain ranch in Idaho.

Reviews

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

When encryption expert Jon Reynolds' wife and two young children are killed by 'friendly fire' during a drugs bust, their deaths are deemed to be justifiable homicide. Using his encryption knowledge, Jon makes it his mission to trace the billions of illegal drugs money through the cartels, the banking system and financial markets. He enlists the aid of Journalist Katie Ruiz in his endeavor to expose those at the top of the chain and facilitate their public downfall. If they can pull it off it will be the scoop of the century... but not without putting their own lives at risk.

Justifiable Homicide is one of the most expertly executed thrillers I have read for a long time. The author's knowledge of computer encryption appeared to be vast and at times left me open-mouthed with genuine amazement. Yes, there was a great deal of what I term 'technical-speak' but in my opinion it created depth to the story and raised the book to greater heights. The two main protagonists, Jon and Katie, are fully developed and entirely believable; both wrestling with damaged pasts whilst trying to create better futures.

What really makes this novel work on many levels is its credibility; the events described are plausible and could be happening at this very moment. It's based on real facts and that thought was foremost in my mind as I read. In my opinion Jeffrey Warren has created an accomplished piece of writing and is well-deserving of place alongside the top authors in this genre.

Thanks to author Jeffrey Warren for a signed copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

http://barnseybooks.blogspot.co.uk/20...

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/2/2004, Palm Springs, CA. Teresa Reynolds (wife/mother, U of Washington, Alpha Phi sorority), Jennifer (6, daughter), & Jeremy (3, son), were headed to the Disney show.
Gunshots riddled the car. The family never made it.
Jonathan “Jon” Kirkpatrick Reynolds said goodbye to them at the Evergreen Cemetery.
Judge Dominici had requested a Coroner’s inquest at the Riverside County Courthouse.

12 jurors had been selected to hear Miguel Luna (Riverside County Coroner)
opening report.
The shooting deaths that occurred were of Ricardo Ortega, Emilio Montoya, Carlos Garcia, Jose Padilla, Teresa Lynn Reynolds (nee Davis), Jennifer Reynolds, & Jeremy Reynolds.
5/2006, Jon (U of Washington BA; CS, PhD; Applied Math) had become a hermit on his acquired 80-acre deceased family wilderness property.
He worked at Advanced Cyber Technology in Bellvue, WA.
Karl Oberling (Jon’s BFF, Product Development VP), & Brad Deardorff (Karl’s BFF/partner), had noticed the huge change in Jon.

Colombia, S.A. Emilio Montoya (lieutenant) had been gunned down execution style. He was Ismael Jimenez-Sanchez (drug lord) nephew.
DEA Agent Lucas Berry (retired US Army) had been murdered.
Maria Sanchez (wife/mother) & her 2 children had also been killed when gunfire between DEA agents & the drug dealers erupted.
What were Ismael Jimenez-Sanchez (drug lord) & Juan Garcia Abrego (Cali Cartel, Wharton School of Business, CS; U of Pennsylvania) discussing?
Theodore S. Devlin (consultant) came to see Juan Garcia Abrego.
What happened to DEA Special Agent-in-Charge John Galloway?
5/29/2006, Out seeking information Jon meets Katie Ruiz (Arizona Star investigative reporter).
El Matador restaurant, Tampico, Alto seaport, Mexico.
Ismael Jimenez-Sanchez, Raul Montoya, 2 lieutenants, 4 guards, + 26 others were in attendance.
Raul passed out the brochures to everyone.
In another important meeting were: Randall Quinn (DEA), Jerome Foster (DHS), Anthony Placido (DEA Chief of Intelligence), Charles Allen (DHS boss), Pamela Goddard (IRS enforcement division), Charles “Chick” Shepard (DEA op) & Patrick Wong (DEA op).

7/9/2006, Michael told Karl & Katie it was probably safe for them to leave the building.
Seattle, WA. Public Safety Building. Jon & Michael greeted them.
What happened to DEA Patrick Wong, DEA Charles Shepard & Clayton Morris (retired Gulf War veteran, former DEA agent Brownsville, TX)?

Warning: This book contains extremely graphic adult content, violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written international tech thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great international tech thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; SpectrumNW.; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting this author at the Tucson Book Festival. He greeted me by saying he had all 5 star reviews. So, the cynic in me came out. I rarely give 5 stars. In my eyes that’s perfect or pretty darn close and new Indie Authors writing 5 star books are rare. The gauntlet was thrown down.
As if our world and the lack of privacy were not scary enough, this story tells the tracing of drug cartel’s money in a well crafted story. The story is so realistic it’s scary. While some of the technology was a little above my pay grade I did understand the pathways that were being followed. The execution and particulars of the character and plot developments were well laid out and plausible. And, the author was right, he does deserve all the 5 star reviews - including mine.

[Julia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One the top books for 2018! Do not miss this read! Warren does a tremendous job with his characters who are well developed, believable and fun. There is a terrific balance between the store line and the private lives of his characters. The story line flows throughout the entire book with no gaps. The plot centers around "the War on Drugs" but does so from a completely different aspect - the money and asks the big question; "where is it?". Based on actually facts about the war on drugs the story is set in today's world. Warren has written the perfect David and Goliath story for the 21st century, you simply can not help but be fascinated by the story.

[Tana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended by Jennie, who reads A LOT of books, so I knew it would be good. I was not disappointed. I really liked the characters in the story; they were written in a way that made them feel real. I'm not sure how much research went into it, but the crime and banking and money laundering felt real, also. It was also intense. I was invested in the characters and I was rooting for them to succeed.

[Iva Deobald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised to get so swept up in this story. It is terrific but kind of saddened me too. It seems so realistic and makes you wonder IF there is not more truth here than WE would like to believe. Also with agencies SO fractured....is there much hope? The story was great....thank you.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justifiable Homicide is a well thought out and intricately written thriller. The characters are developed well and the story pulls you in from the beginning. If you like thrillers, check this one out!

[Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I thoroughly enjoy reading it. The characters were well developed. The plot was engaging and credible. Written with so much detail that I thought it might be a true story.

[Eirynne Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

With well-drawn characters, an astounding sense of place, and a story that weaves into the fabric of the real-life drug war, author Jeffrey Warren’s Justifiable Homicide is certain to appeal to everyone whose taste runs to the technically proficient and lavishly drawn.

The details that are interwoven into the story give a solid sense of verisimilitude- it rarely shakes you out of the narrative. What would be a labyrinthine and convoluted storyline unfolds naturally and leads the reader easily through the twists and turns of a high-stakes game of chicken and never flinches.

This isn't the kind of technothriller I normally read, and I'm glad I did. I don't consider a second of my time wasted. The writing is crisp, with no unnecessary details or digressions. Jon Reynolds and Katie Ruiz are characters to enjoy, and the author, Jeffrey Warren, is one to watch.