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Ben Kincaid #19
Justice Returns
Attorney Ben Kincaid is back with the most controversial case of his career. Ben’s former friend, Oscar Kirby, an Iraq war vet subjected by the CIA to "enhanced interrogation techniques," is the primary suspect when his "interrogator" is murdered. A dramatic trial unfolds in the courtroom–loaded with pitfalls, surprises, and a breathtaking betrayal. Something else, something very dangerous lurks on the perimeter of this case, and Ben must pull every trick he knows to uncover the truth--before it's too late.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2017
398 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
William Bernhardt
99 books513 followersWilliam Bernhardt is the author of over sixty books, including the bestselling Daniel Pike and Ben Kincaid legal thrillers, the historical novels Challengers of the Dust and Nemesis, three books of poetry, and the ten Red Sneaker books on fiction writing.
In addition, Bernhardt founded the Red Sneaker Writers Center to mentor aspiring writers. The Center hosts an annual writers conference (WriterCon), small-group seminars, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-weekly podcast. More than three dozen of Bernhardt’s students have subsequently published with major houses. He is also the owner of Balkan Press, which publishes poetry and fiction as well as the literary journal Conclave.
Bernhardt has received the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (Oklahoma State), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He has been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award eighteen times in three different categories, and has won the award twice. Library Journal called him “the master of the courtroom drama.” The Vancouver Sun called him “the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer.”
In addition to his novels and poetry, he has written plays, a musical (book and score), humor, children stories, biography, and puzzles. He has edited two anthologies (Legal Briefs and Natural Suspect) as fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy and the Children’s Legal Defense Fund. OSU named him “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man.”
In his spare time, he has enjoyed surfing, digging for dinosaurs, trekking through the Himalayas, paragliding, scuba diving, caving, zip-lining over the canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest, and jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. In 2013, he became a Jeopardy! champion winning over $20,000.
When Bernhardt delivered the keynote address at the San Francisco Writers Conference, chairman Michael Larsen noted that in addition to penning novels, Bernhardt can “write a sonnet, play a sonata, plant a garden, try a lawsuit, teach a class, cook a gourmet meal, beat you at Scrabble, and work the New York Times crossword in under five minutes.”
In addition, Bernhardt founded the Red Sneaker Writers Center to mentor aspiring writers. The Center hosts an annual writers conference (WriterCon), small-group seminars, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-weekly podcast. More than three dozen of Bernhardt’s students have subsequently published with major houses. He is also the owner of Balkan Press, which publishes poetry and fiction as well as the literary journal Conclave.
Bernhardt has received the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (Oklahoma State), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He has been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award eighteen times in three different categories, and has won the award twice. Library Journal called him “the master of the courtroom drama.” The Vancouver Sun called him “the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer.”
In addition to his novels and poetry, he has written plays, a musical (book and score), humor, children stories, biography, and puzzles. He has edited two anthologies (Legal Briefs and Natural Suspect) as fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy and the Children’s Legal Defense Fund. OSU named him “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man.”
In his spare time, he has enjoyed surfing, digging for dinosaurs, trekking through the Himalayas, paragliding, scuba diving, caving, zip-lining over the canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest, and jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. In 2013, he became a Jeopardy! champion winning over $20,000.
When Bernhardt delivered the keynote address at the San Francisco Writers Conference, chairman Michael Larsen noted that in addition to penning novels, Bernhardt can “write a sonnet, play a sonata, plant a garden, try a lawsuit, teach a class, cook a gourmet meal, beat you at Scrabble, and work the New York Times crossword in under five minutes.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 2, 2018
After a significant hiatus, William Bernhardt is back with another Ben Kincaid courtroom thriller that will surely envelop the reader throughout this high-impact novel. Ben Kincaid enjoys work in Oklahoma City, with his law firm and handful of clients. While he enjoys dabbling in criminal law, he’ll take what he can get. While in the middle of a civil trial, Kincaid is warned about a potential client waiting in his office, one that could cause him many headaches. Rushing back to see what’s going on, Kincaid comes face to face with Omar ‘Oz’ al-Jabbar, a man he knew back in high school before his conversion to Islam. Oz recounts a horrible tale about being interrogated by the CIA for 21 days, where numerous ‘enhanced’ techniques were used. In charge of the interrogation was one Abdul Nazir, once working for Hussein’s Iraqi Forces, but now one of the Agency’s most productive representatives. After weighing his options and being influenced by members of his family, Kincaid agrees to file suit against the US Government, a long-shot but one that might force the CIA’s hand to admit wrongdoing. US Attorney Roger Thrillkill is happy to bury these allegations as nothing but a vendetta for a man who was hiding essential information. During a press conference, Thrillkill begins fanning the flames about American security in the face of terrorists, all to entice media coverage. To add to the dramatic effect, Thrillkill is happy to allow Nazir a chance to speak. Soon thereafter, a shot rings out, Nazir is dead, and Oz is holding the murder weapon. What was a civil matter has now turned criminal, with the US Attorney filing capital charges. Now, Kincaid must decide if he is ready to defend a former friend, whose life is on the line. This is more than a murder trial, even one with capital implications. It pits the American view of Muslims against the rights guaranteed in the Constitution. If that were not enough, one of the young Kincaid twins is exhibiting some odd behaviours, which has Ben wondering if there may be something significantly wrong. With a trial before him Ben Kincaid will have to hope for a miracle, with the country watching his every move. Series fans and those who love a courtroom drama will appreciate this book, full of political undertones and an ending that is as explosive as they come.
I am a long time Bernhardt fan, particularly of his Ben Kincaid novels, which always mix social issues with some of the best courtroom writing I have ever read. The reader is pulled not only into the middle of the case, but also can witness the banter of the trial as it progresses. Ben Kincaid has been around for a longtime, his legal demeanour quite subdued, but his passion for the law ever-present. Series fans will have seen much progress throughout (and now into the 19th novel), but this piece offers both development and some significant backstory from a time Kincaid would likely prefer to forget. Added to that, the new role of father and the struggles that this entails, Ben Kincaid has become a complex and quite endearing character. Most stories are full of strong secondary characters and this is no exception, be it the countless witnesses on both sides, the prosecutor who seeks to discredit everything, as well as Kincaid’s strong support base, who have been with him from the early days. The story comes to life through these characters, as do the numerous struggles. The story is, in my opinion, long overdue and while it rehashes a subject I have long since tired reading about (the America versus Muslim world clash), it is less ISIS and more civil and constitutional rights. Bernhardt does not hold back in his strong social commentary about the rights of Americans and anyone in the world, particularly at the hands of American agents. As discussed throughout, fundamental rights enshrined in the US Constitution are not afforded to Americans when it is deemed a matter of security. Added to that, the ongoing thumbing of noses towards Geneva Conventions and the interesting means by which US Administrations can spin things to meet their needs. One other central issue at the beginning of the novel pertained to ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’, read: torture, and how some in the Administration feel security weighs more heavily than rights. That’s a matter for the reader to ponder here and for themselves, but I found many of the comments within this novel echoed some of the sentiments I have had for over a decade, though I am sure my being Canadian, many would want me to keep my mouth closed on US matters.
Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for a stunning novel that shook me to my core. I have been waiting patiently for another Ben Kincaid piece and am so happy you’ve found the time to craft it for your many fans!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
I am a long time Bernhardt fan, particularly of his Ben Kincaid novels, which always mix social issues with some of the best courtroom writing I have ever read. The reader is pulled not only into the middle of the case, but also can witness the banter of the trial as it progresses. Ben Kincaid has been around for a longtime, his legal demeanour quite subdued, but his passion for the law ever-present. Series fans will have seen much progress throughout (and now into the 19th novel), but this piece offers both development and some significant backstory from a time Kincaid would likely prefer to forget. Added to that, the new role of father and the struggles that this entails, Ben Kincaid has become a complex and quite endearing character. Most stories are full of strong secondary characters and this is no exception, be it the countless witnesses on both sides, the prosecutor who seeks to discredit everything, as well as Kincaid’s strong support base, who have been with him from the early days. The story comes to life through these characters, as do the numerous struggles. The story is, in my opinion, long overdue and while it rehashes a subject I have long since tired reading about (the America versus Muslim world clash), it is less ISIS and more civil and constitutional rights. Bernhardt does not hold back in his strong social commentary about the rights of Americans and anyone in the world, particularly at the hands of American agents. As discussed throughout, fundamental rights enshrined in the US Constitution are not afforded to Americans when it is deemed a matter of security. Added to that, the ongoing thumbing of noses towards Geneva Conventions and the interesting means by which US Administrations can spin things to meet their needs. One other central issue at the beginning of the novel pertained to ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’, read: torture, and how some in the Administration feel security weighs more heavily than rights. That’s a matter for the reader to ponder here and for themselves, but I found many of the comments within this novel echoed some of the sentiments I have had for over a decade, though I am sure my being Canadian, many would want me to keep my mouth closed on US matters.
Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for a stunning novel that shook me to my core. I have been waiting patiently for another Ben Kincaid piece and am so happy you’ve found the time to craft it for your many fans!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 27, 2018
It was nice coming back to this series. I am so glad William Bernhardt is bringing Ben Kincaid back. I will admit the story wasn't to my liking with the terrorist angle and all but the rest of the story, courtroom drama and family angle was well done. The story never lagged and very suspenseful. I probably should have reread his last Ben Kincaid book to refresh how things left off because I was a little lost but once I got into the book, it really didn't matter, I just realized a few years have passed since the last book. I hope to read more and look forward to the next book.
November 20, 2017
Ben Kincaid Returns!
I just concluded a visit with an old friend, Ben Kincaid and what a wonderful reunion it was! Ben is older, a family man, a struggling businessman, but still the crusading lawyer who we knew so many years ago. Great thanks to William Bernhardt for bringing Ben back to his fans!
I just concluded a visit with an old friend, Ben Kincaid and what a wonderful reunion it was! Ben is older, a family man, a struggling businessman, but still the crusading lawyer who we knew so many years ago. Great thanks to William Bernhardt for bringing Ben back to his fans!
November 22, 2017
I received this book as part of the Voracious Readers' Scheme, the first I requested. I am so pleased to have found a new author whose 19th novel about Ben Kincaid is an excellent read. Thinking that I was about to open the page on a courtroom drama I was rather confronted with the first few pages. However, they set the scene for a complex novel where the reader is asked to empathise with protagonists from different political perspectives, an excellent demand which I found very satisfying. The clever use of names, Middle Eastern and European, for protagonists from different backgrounds and persuasions is clever. It makes the reader think about the prejudices which sometimes rule outcomes, within the novel and outside. The CIA and American presidents and law enforcement are questioned; but so too are ISIS and terrorists. At the same time subtle points are made about the reasons for people's behaviour.
And then we get to the courtroom drama. An ongoing case raises the horror of domestic violence, foreshadowing an aspect of relationships in the novel. The case that Ben then takes on creates the platform for not only an interesting court case and its execution, but current political and social concerns.
The relationships between Ben, Christina, their twins and Ben's sister are well drawn. Links are made with past novels, but this one stands alone leaving no unanswered questions for someone who has not read the previous works.
William Bernhardt is a sympathetic and thoughtful writer who wraps these attributes in a good read.
And then we get to the courtroom drama. An ongoing case raises the horror of domestic violence, foreshadowing an aspect of relationships in the novel. The case that Ben then takes on creates the platform for not only an interesting court case and its execution, but current political and social concerns.
The relationships between Ben, Christina, their twins and Ben's sister are well drawn. Links are made with past novels, but this one stands alone leaving no unanswered questions for someone who has not read the previous works.
William Bernhardt is a sympathetic and thoughtful writer who wraps these attributes in a good read.
January 9, 2022
Bernhardt isn't, in my estimation, a heavyweight in the courtroom drama field, but I've found his Ben Kincaid series entertaining, enough so that I went to some trouble to find this latest novel. I was a bit disappointed.
I enjoyed watching Ben bumble his way to victory when he was a struggling lawyer in Tulsa and found his exchanges with Christina amusing. I also liked Loving, Jones, and Mike. Ben's "adventures" in DC and now in Oklahoma City have been less engaging.
This one focuses on abuses resulting from the Patriot Act, fear and discrimination aimed at those of Middle East backgrounds and/or of the Muslim faith, and on the backstory of Ben and Julia's childhood dealings with an abusive father.
The connecting chapters purporting to be from a witness affidavit were a clumsy and unconvincing plot device, and while they served the purpose of creating suspense and intrigue, they made no sense in terms of being testimony of the (until the end) anonymous subject.
I don't know if Bernhardt is finished with Ben Kincaid, but I think I am.
I enjoyed watching Ben bumble his way to victory when he was a struggling lawyer in Tulsa and found his exchanges with Christina amusing. I also liked Loving, Jones, and Mike. Ben's "adventures" in DC and now in Oklahoma City have been less engaging.
This one focuses on abuses resulting from the Patriot Act, fear and discrimination aimed at those of Middle East backgrounds and/or of the Muslim faith, and on the backstory of Ben and Julia's childhood dealings with an abusive father.
The connecting chapters purporting to be from a witness affidavit were a clumsy and unconvincing plot device, and while they served the purpose of creating suspense and intrigue, they made no sense in terms of being testimony of the (until the end) anonymous subject.
I don't know if Bernhardt is finished with Ben Kincaid, but I think I am.
May 3, 2019
Great book
I really enjoy this series and I am glad to have read all of the books in it. Of course I am a little bummed that it can’t just grab another book and read more about Ben Kincaid escapades but hopefully there will be more books to come.
In essence this series is equal part courtroom thriller and detective novel. There are some books in the series that mix in political drama as well.
In general they are very fast paced so they are great fast reads. I read this one in three main sittings (with one additional roughly 30 minute sitting waiting for friends to show up at a Trivia game).
If a courtroom detective story sounds good to you I can not suggest strongly enough for you to get a copy of the first book and start reading!
I really enjoy this series and I am glad to have read all of the books in it. Of course I am a little bummed that it can’t just grab another book and read more about Ben Kincaid escapades but hopefully there will be more books to come.
In essence this series is equal part courtroom thriller and detective novel. There are some books in the series that mix in political drama as well.
In general they are very fast paced so they are great fast reads. I read this one in three main sittings (with one additional roughly 30 minute sitting waiting for friends to show up at a Trivia game).
If a courtroom detective story sounds good to you I can not suggest strongly enough for you to get a copy of the first book and start reading!
December 27, 2017
With a solid story and engaging characters, this is one you should pick up even if you don't like legal dramas. Without giving anything away, there's a diabolical plot twist around the halfway mark that you absolutely will not see coming.
Haven't read the others in this series? Neither had I, but I never felt lost. Bernhard does a great job of weaving in just enough background so Justice works fine as a standalone.
I voted for this in the Kindle Scout program and got a complimentary copy, though no review was required after it won.
Haven't read the others in this series? Neither had I, but I never felt lost. Bernhard does a great job of weaving in just enough background so Justice works fine as a standalone.
I voted for this in the Kindle Scout program and got a complimentary copy, though no review was required after it won.
Read
August 21, 2020A legal thriller from Today's Headlines
Ben Kincaid faces a friend Oz, in desperate need of a defense attorney. They were tight in high school and now it appears there is no way he can be freed with all the evidence against him. Converting to Islam does not make it easier to convince a jury in a conservative state. All that being said, it is just the beginning. You know Ben has to win, he is our hero. His lack of self assuradness is often annoying, but it works.
Ben Kincaid faces a friend Oz, in desperate need of a defense attorney. They were tight in high school and now it appears there is no way he can be freed with all the evidence against him. Converting to Islam does not make it easier to convince a jury in a conservative state. All that being said, it is just the beginning. You know Ben has to win, he is our hero. His lack of self assuradness is often annoying, but it works.
November 16, 2017
This is athoroughly good read. A great storyline that has a few twists and turns, the CIA, a bit of political play and the courtroom drama is well written and easy to follow, not like some legal stories . This didn't lose me for a moment, things stay interesting to the end.
Thanks William Bernhardt, keep up the good work.
Thanks William Bernhardt, keep up the good work.
April 20, 2020
Reunions are rarely all pleasant
This book deals with abuse and torture and of course, a murder trial. All of our favorite characters make cameos. We learn more about Ben’s childhood.
There is a glaring mistake in that one character states that autism isn’t hereditary. We’ve known since at least 2005 that autism has a large mulifactorial genetic component
This book deals with abuse and torture and of course, a murder trial. All of our favorite characters make cameos. We learn more about Ben’s childhood.
There is a glaring mistake in that one character states that autism isn’t hereditary. We’ve known since at least 2005 that autism has a large mulifactorial genetic component
June 22, 2021
Political Commentary Poorly Disguised as a Novel
Elementary plot with almost interesting puppet characters. Despite agreeing with a lot of the opinions Mr. B threaded so blatantly into the “book” and then hammered relentlessly, I ended up hating that I wasted time reading such a silly, manipulative effort. Won’t happen again.
Elementary plot with almost interesting puppet characters. Despite agreeing with a lot of the opinions Mr. B threaded so blatantly into the “book” and then hammered relentlessly, I ended up hating that I wasted time reading such a silly, manipulative effort. Won’t happen again.
October 18, 2017
Interesting
I have this book 5 stars because the characters were realistic and plot thickened as you read a!ong. The book was very suspenseful with a lot of twist and turns. Also, the ending was a real surprise
I have this book 5 stars because the characters were realistic and plot thickened as you read a!ong. The book was very suspenseful with a lot of twist and turns. Also, the ending was a real surprise
October 22, 2017
Good story with plenty of court-room drama and action, and twists. It's unfortunate that the author's political biases ruin what could be a great story.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
I received a copy of this book through the Kindle Scout program.
November 3, 2017
Kincaid. . . As Good as He EVER Was
Loved it. Love this author. If you've never read anything by Bill Bernhardt, get into his books pronto. I missed a few books, but I'm headed back to the pile to pick up Ben Kincaid where I left off.
Loved it. Love this author. If you've never read anything by Bill Bernhardt, get into his books pronto. I missed a few books, but I'm headed back to the pile to pick up Ben Kincaid where I left off.
January 15, 2018
William Bernhardt does it again!
Ben Kincaid always manages to b9te off more than he can chew. This riveting, exciting, twisty, heart - stopping episode will keep you up late and will make you wake early! The gang's all back for this one so don't miss it!
Ben Kincaid always manages to b9te off more than he can chew. This riveting, exciting, twisty, heart - stopping episode will keep you up late and will make you wake early! The gang's all back for this one so don't miss it!
January 14, 2021
Political murder is still murder The
Trial stories are always filled with drama and grumpy judges and this is no different. The solution is not always believable but so what. The story keeps you turning the pages.
Trial stories are always filled with drama and grumpy judges and this is no different. The solution is not always believable but so what. The story keeps you turning the pages.
October 11, 2021
You can.....
This is the second book I've read by William Bernhardt. And you can learn a great deal about the law from Ben Kincaid. This time I was sitting in back of the court listening to every word.
This is the second book I've read by William Bernhardt. And you can learn a great deal about the law from Ben Kincaid. This time I was sitting in back of the court listening to every word.
September 12, 2024
Is this the last of Ben???
If you have the chance, read Ben before Dan and the two series will make more sense!
I've lived every word of Ben, Chris, Dan, and all their friends and relatives!
One more, please.
Thank you!
If you have the chance, read Ben before Dan and the two series will make more sense!
I've lived every word of Ben, Chris, Dan, and all their friends and relatives!
One more, please.
Thank you!
October 21, 2017
Justice Returns is a great book, very well written, full of suspense and very insightful. A great courtroom drama.
November 12, 2017
Interesting plot appropriate to our world today. Full of unpredictable turns.
March 26, 2019
Very disappointed in this book. Way too much politics. This book was twice as long as it should have been, but if need left out all the superfluous material it would only be a novella.
April 15, 2019
This is the 19th installment of Ben Kincaid, one of my favorite fictional lawyers. A good story and very up to date, really keeps the reader guessing.
February 1, 2020
Great courtroom mystery
If you enjoy a good courtroom mystery ----this one had twists that kept you guessing to the end! A real page turner.
If you enjoy a good courtroom mystery ----this one had twists that kept you guessing to the end! A real page turner.
April 2, 2020
Great plot
Plenty of action,suspense and twists to keep you interested. Will definitely read more books by this author. Next one please.
Plenty of action,suspense and twists to keep you interested. Will definitely read more books by this author. Next one please.
September 5, 2020
Not a fan of terrorist stories. Courtroom action was good. Generally I am a fan of this author and the Ben Kincaid series.
May 3, 2021
A good read
The author and editor did a fine job of weaving lots of surprises and subplots into a very nice tale!
The author and editor did a fine job of weaving lots of surprises and subplots into a very nice tale!
May 12, 2021
Justice returns
Another page turner in the continuing saga of Ben Kincaid defense lawyer extrodenair. Am looking forward to his continuing adventures.
Another page turner in the continuing saga of Ben Kincaid defense lawyer extrodenair. Am looking forward to his continuing adventures.
July 7, 2021
I didn't like the story. Other than Ben and Christine none of the other characters were really in the story. The secondary characters in the story weren't that hot.
December 16, 2021
Ben Kencaid is always a great read.
January 23, 2022
Intriguing story
Good story with a surprise ending, as always from a William Bernhard story. Especially interesting ( and depressing) story about the war on terror.
Good story with a surprise ending, as always from a William Bernhard story. Especially interesting ( and depressing) story about the war on terror.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews