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Philadelphia Legal #4
A Criminal Justice
A man in prison for murder. One woman wants him freed. One woman wants him dead.
Mick McFarland is stunned when he’s arrested for murdering business tycoon Edwin Hanson, brother to David Hanson—one of Mick’s former clients. Mick is even more shocked when he’s confronted with the incriminating evidence: surveillance footage of him stalking the victim and pulling the trigger.
As Mick’s legal team fights against windmills trying to beat the prosecution in court, his wife, Piper, journeys across the country, trying to win her husband’s freedom by going after the man she is convinced is out to destroy Mick and David both. What she doesn’t anticipate is that David’s wife, Marcie, is on a similar mission to shelter her own husband. And the two women may not be on the same side.
Piper has it all right…and all wrong. And her time is running out. Will she be able to save her husband from conviction and clear his name?
Mick McFarland is stunned when he’s arrested for murdering business tycoon Edwin Hanson, brother to David Hanson—one of Mick’s former clients. Mick is even more shocked when he’s confronted with the incriminating evidence: surveillance footage of him stalking the victim and pulling the trigger.
As Mick’s legal team fights against windmills trying to beat the prosecution in court, his wife, Piper, journeys across the country, trying to win her husband’s freedom by going after the man she is convinced is out to destroy Mick and David both. What she doesn’t anticipate is that David’s wife, Marcie, is on a similar mission to shelter her own husband. And the two women may not be on the same side.
Piper has it all right…and all wrong. And her time is running out. Will she be able to save her husband from conviction and clear his name?
391 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2020
1199 people are currently reading
1546 people want to read
About the author
William L. Myers Jr.
8 books538 followersWilliam L. Myers, Jr. is the No. 6 best-selling author on Amazon Kindle in 2017 for his debut novel, A Criminal Defense. That was the first in what has become the Philadelphia Legal Series. The third book in that series, A Killers Alibi debuted earlier this year.
A Killer’s Alibi has had rave early reviews including New York Times Bestselling author, Bill Lasher—
“William Myers’ riveting new novel is not just a crackerjack legal thriller, it is a wrenching portrayal of a whole range of farther-daughter relations, showing how they can damage, how they can nourish, how they go dangerously off track. A story not to be missed.”
Born in 1958 into a blue-collar family, Mr. Myers inherited a work-ethic that propelled him through college and into the Ivy League at The University of Pennsylvania School of Law. From there, Mr. Myers started his legal career in a Philadelphia-based mega defense firm. After ten years defending corporate America, he realized his heart wasn’t in it. So, with his career on the fast track to success--he gave it all up and started his own firm. It was time to start fighting for the common guy.
That was twenty-five years ago and since then, he has focused on representing railroad employees and other honest, hard-working people who have been injured by others. He has represented thousands of clients in his tenure and has become a highly-regarded litigation attorney up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
A Killer’s Alibi has had rave early reviews including New York Times Bestselling author, Bill Lasher—
“William Myers’ riveting new novel is not just a crackerjack legal thriller, it is a wrenching portrayal of a whole range of farther-daughter relations, showing how they can damage, how they can nourish, how they go dangerously off track. A story not to be missed.”
Born in 1958 into a blue-collar family, Mr. Myers inherited a work-ethic that propelled him through college and into the Ivy League at The University of Pennsylvania School of Law. From there, Mr. Myers started his legal career in a Philadelphia-based mega defense firm. After ten years defending corporate America, he realized his heart wasn’t in it. So, with his career on the fast track to success--he gave it all up and started his own firm. It was time to start fighting for the common guy.
That was twenty-five years ago and since then, he has focused on representing railroad employees and other honest, hard-working people who have been injured by others. He has represented thousands of clients in his tenure and has become a highly-regarded litigation attorney up and down the Eastern Seaboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
February 5, 2020
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, William L. Myers Jr., and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I always enjoy a William L. Myers, Jr. legal thriller and this one did not disappoint. Tossing some of the key characters into new roles, Myers is able to keep the quality of his work high and the twists plentiful. When a powerful Philadelphia businessman is gunned down in his company’s parking lot, the news spreads quickly. While many are aghast as to who might have committed this cold-blooded act, the police have a suspect plucked directly from the vide footage. Prominent defence attorney, Mick Mcfarland, is arrested during a firm celebration, pulled out in cuffs before staff and clients. He is sure that he could not have done this, though it would appear that all the evidence points in his direction. While he is locked up, the firm begins their preparations for defending him, which includes looking under every possible rock. McFarland defended the victim’s brother in a murder case, though that created many tangled webs and much animosity. While witnesses and their stories evolve, Mick admits that he has a condition whereby he passes out without being aware of what’s happened, bringing into question whether he may have been caught on screen without knowing what he was doing. This gem is something the prosecution has yet to discover. While Mick is in prison he finds himself in a complicated triangle as well, where two rival gangs seek to bring one another down and he, Mick, is their messenger. As the case goes to trial, the evidence is quite strong and Mick will have to rely on some tangential arguments surrounding a long-held vendetta to drake him, if he hopes to be set free. The courtroom is sure to be full of last-second maneuvers, though this might take a miracle. Myers does so well recounting this thriller, pulling the reader in and leaving them guessing until the final reveal. Recommended to fans of this series, as well as readers who want a well-crafted legal thriller whose momentum never stops.
I have been a fan of the series since the first book debuted to much fanfare. William L. Myers, Jr. has a knack for writing in such a way that the reader is hooked by the early chapters and vows to read at break-neck speed simply to know how things will turn out. Mick McFarland is a great character, whose legal prowess is turned on its head when he becomes the accused. His medical issues are only one of many things that Mick will have to face throughout the piece, as he tries to stay one step ahead of the prosecution and three in front of the gangs who are ready to see him killed. McFarland is an ethical man, but is willing to bend the rules when he feels it would be helpful, careful not to sell himself too short. A handful of other key characters return for another instalment of the series, reprising wonderful roles that series fans have come to know so well. Myers weaves a story using their unique characteristics and leaves the reader enthralled until the very end. New and exciting faces also make their way onto the pages of this book, some good and others as dirty as they come. The story moved well, though some of the tangled web plot lines were less than crisp, leaving me to wonder if Myers simply needed to fill some pages, rather than develop sharp and poignant dialogue and narrative progression. Still, it held my attention throughout and I was left wanting more. Set outside some of the more traditional locales I am used to with legal thrillers, Philadelphia comes alive and the reader can enjoy this backdrop as they try to piece together the case before the final pages.
Kudos, Mr. Myers, for another winner. I always enjoy when you come up on the reading radar, as you have yet to fail me!
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 always enjoy a William L. Myers, Jr. legal thriller and this one did not disappoint. Tossing some of the key characters into new roles, Myers is able to keep the quality of his work high and the twists plentiful. When a powerful Philadelphia businessman is gunned down in his company’s parking lot, the news spreads quickly. While many are aghast as to who might have committed this cold-blooded act, the police have a suspect plucked directly from the vide footage. Prominent defence attorney, Mick Mcfarland, is arrested during a firm celebration, pulled out in cuffs before staff and clients. He is sure that he could not have done this, though it would appear that all the evidence points in his direction. While he is locked up, the firm begins their preparations for defending him, which includes looking under every possible rock. McFarland defended the victim’s brother in a murder case, though that created many tangled webs and much animosity. While witnesses and their stories evolve, Mick admits that he has a condition whereby he passes out without being aware of what’s happened, bringing into question whether he may have been caught on screen without knowing what he was doing. This gem is something the prosecution has yet to discover. While Mick is in prison he finds himself in a complicated triangle as well, where two rival gangs seek to bring one another down and he, Mick, is their messenger. As the case goes to trial, the evidence is quite strong and Mick will have to rely on some tangential arguments surrounding a long-held vendetta to drake him, if he hopes to be set free. The courtroom is sure to be full of last-second maneuvers, though this might take a miracle. Myers does so well recounting this thriller, pulling the reader in and leaving them guessing until the final reveal. Recommended to fans of this series, as well as readers who want a well-crafted legal thriller whose momentum never stops.
I have been a fan of the series since the first book debuted to much fanfare. William L. Myers, Jr. has a knack for writing in such a way that the reader is hooked by the early chapters and vows to read at break-neck speed simply to know how things will turn out. Mick McFarland is a great character, whose legal prowess is turned on its head when he becomes the accused. His medical issues are only one of many things that Mick will have to face throughout the piece, as he tries to stay one step ahead of the prosecution and three in front of the gangs who are ready to see him killed. McFarland is an ethical man, but is willing to bend the rules when he feels it would be helpful, careful not to sell himself too short. A handful of other key characters return for another instalment of the series, reprising wonderful roles that series fans have come to know so well. Myers weaves a story using their unique characteristics and leaves the reader enthralled until the very end. New and exciting faces also make their way onto the pages of this book, some good and others as dirty as they come. The story moved well, though some of the tangled web plot lines were less than crisp, leaving me to wonder if Myers simply needed to fill some pages, rather than develop sharp and poignant dialogue and narrative progression. Still, it held my attention throughout and I was left wanting more. Set outside some of the more traditional locales I am used to with legal thrillers, Philadelphia comes alive and the reader can enjoy this backdrop as they try to piece together the case before the final pages.
Kudos, Mr. Myers, for another winner. I always enjoy when you come up on the reading radar, as you have yet to fail me!
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/...
March 28, 2020
A Legal Thriller That Takes A Lawyer To Places In The Dark He Can't Talk His Way Out!!
Another fantastic story by an author I have followed since his first outstanding book!! Mick McFarland is a criminal defense lawyer, with quick wit and a sharp mind, one who will fight with everything he has to keep a client in the clear. Sometimes this requires a little street justice, or making the things that happened show a little cloudy, giving juries a few more options to consider. Everything may go your way..But people have often waited years for their Revenge!!
A well-known businessman is gunned down late at night in his parking lot at work. The police immediately have a suspect, proven by video. Mick is arrested, to his shock along with all his colleagues at the Firm. Sure that he will be out shortly, as this has to be a mistake, he soon finds out what it feels like locked in the dark, every moment a new piece of evidence showing up that Will keep him there...
Twists and turns that have your stomach queasy and you gasp out loud, amazed at just how far some people will go to prove themselves right, taking the law to unbelievable lows and sticking a dagger in it...
A 5 STAR story that I highly recommend to all who enjoy the legal/police world.
Another fantastic story by an author I have followed since his first outstanding book!! Mick McFarland is a criminal defense lawyer, with quick wit and a sharp mind, one who will fight with everything he has to keep a client in the clear. Sometimes this requires a little street justice, or making the things that happened show a little cloudy, giving juries a few more options to consider. Everything may go your way..But people have often waited years for their Revenge!!
A well-known businessman is gunned down late at night in his parking lot at work. The police immediately have a suspect, proven by video. Mick is arrested, to his shock along with all his colleagues at the Firm. Sure that he will be out shortly, as this has to be a mistake, he soon finds out what it feels like locked in the dark, every moment a new piece of evidence showing up that Will keep him there...
Twists and turns that have your stomach queasy and you gasp out loud, amazed at just how far some people will go to prove themselves right, taking the law to unbelievable lows and sticking a dagger in it...
A 5 STAR story that I highly recommend to all who enjoy the legal/police world.
March 17, 2020
Philadelphia Legal #4
Mick McFarland is a criminal defense attorney. He's arrested for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Edwin was the chairman and CEO for Hanson World Industries. He's also the brother of one of Micks former clients. Mick protests his innocence but the police are quick to inform him that there is a video of him committing the murder.
Before you start reading this book, you should read, if you haven't already, A Criminal Defense, the first book in this series. This is a fast paced courtroom drama. The book picks up four years after A Criminal Defense left off. I was hooked from the start. There's lots of twist and turn and the characters are complex. I do recommend you read you read all the ooks in order. Another great addition to this series. I love the authors style in writing these books. This is my favourite book so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author William L. Myers jr. for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mick McFarland is a criminal defense attorney. He's arrested for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Edwin was the chairman and CEO for Hanson World Industries. He's also the brother of one of Micks former clients. Mick protests his innocence but the police are quick to inform him that there is a video of him committing the murder.
Before you start reading this book, you should read, if you haven't already, A Criminal Defense, the first book in this series. This is a fast paced courtroom drama. The book picks up four years after A Criminal Defense left off. I was hooked from the start. There's lots of twist and turn and the characters are complex. I do recommend you read you read all the ooks in order. Another great addition to this series. I love the authors style in writing these books. This is my favourite book so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author William L. Myers jr. for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 6, 2023
A Criminal Justice is my least favourite in this series. It’s very far fetched and features too many perspectives. I have read the previous 3 books and enjoyed the thriller/legal mix but this installment featured too much corruption, unrealistic events, and well, boring plotline. I was bored a lot reading it that I found myself skimming, especially in the middle part. The series is still worth checking out but I wouldn’t recommend this novel.
March 17, 2020
Philadelphia Legal #4
Mick McFarland is a criminal defense attorney. He's arrested for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Edwin was the chairman and CEO for Hanson World Industries. He's also the brother of Micks former clients. Mick protests his innocence but the police are quick to inform him that there is a video of him committing the murder.
Before you start reading this book you should read, if you haven't already, A Criminal Defense, the first book in this series. This is a fast paced courtroom drama. This book picks up four years after A Criminal Defense left off. I was hooked from the start. There's lots of twist and turns and the characters are complex. I do recommend you read all the books in order. This is another great addition to this series. I love the authors style in writing these books. This is my favourite book in the series so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author William L. Myers jr. for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mick McFarland is a criminal defense attorney. He's arrested for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Edwin was the chairman and CEO for Hanson World Industries. He's also the brother of Micks former clients. Mick protests his innocence but the police are quick to inform him that there is a video of him committing the murder.
Before you start reading this book you should read, if you haven't already, A Criminal Defense, the first book in this series. This is a fast paced courtroom drama. This book picks up four years after A Criminal Defense left off. I was hooked from the start. There's lots of twist and turns and the characters are complex. I do recommend you read all the books in order. This is another great addition to this series. I love the authors style in writing these books. This is my favourite book in the series so far.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author William L. Myers jr. for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2020
Note to potential readers: to truly understand what's going on in this book, you should read A Criminal Defense (the first book in the series). While there is a precis in the form of a small infodump in the first chapter, it would be quite easy to get confused by the players and the conspiracy.
Mick McFarland, first introduced in A Criminal Defense, is back - this time being arrested at the very start of the book as his firm celebrates winning the release of an innocent man from prison.
When he, and everyone else, protests, the arresting officer smugly informs him (albeit obliquely) that there is video of him committing cold blooded murder.
Way back in my review of book one in this series, I said that with the possible exception of McFarland's very young daughter, there wasn't a single character that I liked. I'm sorry to say that this has not changed at all. The most authentic character is Catherine Nunzio, who heads up a crime family of the same name. While she's evil and a murderer herself, at least she understands in this author's universe what the hell she's doing. This book, like the first, is also in present tense, although in third person. Not my thing, and if it isn't yours, you might want to skip it.
McFarland insists he's innocent, but is held without bail due to the premeditation of the murder and video evidence that supposedly shows him killing Edwin Hanson - the president of HWI, and the brother of David Hanson, who McFarland managed to get off at HIS trial for killing a reporter back in book one.
McFarland wins up cellies with a Russian gangster, and there's a bit of a subplot that appears midway through the book between his criminal org and the Nunzios, but it isn't very interesting except when McFarland is used as a tool by both - I found that pretty amusing.
Spoilery stuff ahoy:
Tredesco's new partner - he appeared in the first book, and was peeved he couldn't lock McFarland up forever for the reporter's murder - Murphy (naturally a hot, red-haired woman from Boston) gets involved with McFarland's brother Tommy, and starts working on the wrong side of the case as far as the powers that be are concerned. I'd be a bit concerned too, if one of my detectives took it upon themselves to go to Puerto Rico to hunt down one of the prosecution's witnesses with the brother of the dude accused of the killing. This doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but there were various moments like that for me throughout the book.
Piper - McFarland's wife, who provided a bogus alibi for David Hanson in book one, is despised by David's wife Marcie for....reasons. I don't know, I think I'd be grateful for someone perjuring themselves on the witness stand for my loved one, even if I didn't like them for what they did. But nope, Marcie's a cold-hearted bitch through and through.
Then there's Brian Yamura, brother of the slain reporter, convinced McFarland killed his sister, who is somehow magically able to create havoc at HWI, which David now heads, including running ships aground and causing a quarter of a solar farm to burst itself into flames from halfway around the world. All it takes for him to come around is Team McFarland using Catherine Nunzio to get his adoption records and have his pops have a heart to heart with him.
None of it makes any sense, really. A bunch of people hate McFarland so frame him for a murder using - again, just as it's used in the first book - video, with an explanation that strains credulity and courtroom antics that do the same. The number of people in on the conspiracy to get McFarland put away is amazing, from the DA to the cops, to the security people at HWI, to the Hansons. There apparently isn't anyone who can't be bribed or murdered in order to achieve this goal. I don't like him very much either, but there are a lot worse ways to hurt someone than just getting them thrown in jail with the possibility of the death penalty if found guilty at trial. And none of it involves doctored surveillance video.
I'll probably not read another in this series. I did like the second and third books better than book one, but this is like Book One Redux: The Return of Bad Video Use.
Three and a half stars out of five. Mainly because all this video stuff is wrapped up now. Maybe we can move on to other things?
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the reading copy.
Mick McFarland, first introduced in A Criminal Defense, is back - this time being arrested at the very start of the book as his firm celebrates winning the release of an innocent man from prison.
When he, and everyone else, protests, the arresting officer smugly informs him (albeit obliquely) that there is video of him committing cold blooded murder.
Way back in my review of book one in this series, I said that with the possible exception of McFarland's very young daughter, there wasn't a single character that I liked. I'm sorry to say that this has not changed at all. The most authentic character is Catherine Nunzio, who heads up a crime family of the same name. While she's evil and a murderer herself, at least she understands in this author's universe what the hell she's doing. This book, like the first, is also in present tense, although in third person. Not my thing, and if it isn't yours, you might want to skip it.
McFarland insists he's innocent, but is held without bail due to the premeditation of the murder and video evidence that supposedly shows him killing Edwin Hanson - the president of HWI, and the brother of David Hanson, who McFarland managed to get off at HIS trial for killing a reporter back in book one.
McFarland wins up cellies with a Russian gangster, and there's a bit of a subplot that appears midway through the book between his criminal org and the Nunzios, but it isn't very interesting except when McFarland is used as a tool by both - I found that pretty amusing.
Spoilery stuff ahoy:
Tredesco's new partner - he appeared in the first book, and was peeved he couldn't lock McFarland up forever for the reporter's murder - Murphy (naturally a hot, red-haired woman from Boston) gets involved with McFarland's brother Tommy, and starts working on the wrong side of the case as far as the powers that be are concerned. I'd be a bit concerned too, if one of my detectives took it upon themselves to go to Puerto Rico to hunt down one of the prosecution's witnesses with the brother of the dude accused of the killing. This doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but there were various moments like that for me throughout the book.
Piper - McFarland's wife, who provided a bogus alibi for David Hanson in book one, is despised by David's wife Marcie for....reasons. I don't know, I think I'd be grateful for someone perjuring themselves on the witness stand for my loved one, even if I didn't like them for what they did. But nope, Marcie's a cold-hearted bitch through and through.
Then there's Brian Yamura, brother of the slain reporter, convinced McFarland killed his sister, who is somehow magically able to create havoc at HWI, which David now heads, including running ships aground and causing a quarter of a solar farm to burst itself into flames from halfway around the world. All it takes for him to come around is Team McFarland using Catherine Nunzio to get his adoption records and have his pops have a heart to heart with him.
None of it makes any sense, really. A bunch of people hate McFarland so frame him for a murder using - again, just as it's used in the first book - video, with an explanation that strains credulity and courtroom antics that do the same. The number of people in on the conspiracy to get McFarland put away is amazing, from the DA to the cops, to the security people at HWI, to the Hansons. There apparently isn't anyone who can't be bribed or murdered in order to achieve this goal. I don't like him very much either, but there are a lot worse ways to hurt someone than just getting them thrown in jail with the possibility of the death penalty if found guilty at trial. And none of it involves doctored surveillance video.
I'll probably not read another in this series. I did like the second and third books better than book one, but this is like Book One Redux: The Return of Bad Video Use.
Three and a half stars out of five. Mainly because all this video stuff is wrapped up now. Maybe we can move on to other things?
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the reading copy.
March 7, 2020
Wow, was this a wild book. Mick, a criminal defense attorney, is arrested for murdering Edwin Hanson, the chairman and CEO of Hanson World Industries. Edwin is the brother of one of Mick's former clients. The arrest is a surprise but the real shock comes when Mick learns there is surveillance footage of him actually shooting Edwin. Members of Mick's firm fan out, investigating (above board and otherwise) looking for anything that can prove he didn't do it.
The plot is twisty, and everyone has a motive and a plan for accomplishing something, though it's not immediately clear what everyone wants or why. The characters are all tied together in complicated, longstanding ways. There are spoilers for prior books so I wouldn't recommend beginning the series with this book, though enough information is given that you can start here.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
The plot is twisty, and everyone has a motive and a plan for accomplishing something, though it's not immediately clear what everyone wants or why. The characters are all tied together in complicated, longstanding ways. There are spoilers for prior books so I wouldn't recommend beginning the series with this book, though enough information is given that you can start here.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
July 9, 2020
I have loved the previous legal thrillers by William Myers, however, A Criminal Justice went too far over the line. There was too much corruption for my comfort level to the point that I struggled to find one character that could like, relate to or just care about a little bit. Even the ones from past books no longer were worth my time. This saddens me because there are so few good legal thriller writers out there these days and the ones who are there have become formulaic. I wish I liked it more.
March 21, 2020
The fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series by William L. Myers Jr. Mick McFarland is a defense attorney arrested for a murder. While his team works to prove his innocence, Mick's wife Piper is also on a mission to prove he is not the killer. A fast-paced legal thriller. Complex, twisty, and entertaining.
March 17, 2020
4.5/5
A Criminal Justice is the fourth in a fantastic legal thriller series and yes you should read these in order. What better time than now? They’re all free on KU and have been great reads for me, they’re all intricately plotted and twisty and this was no exception. Another clever installment in a series that I can definitely recommend.
A Criminal Justice is the fourth in a fantastic legal thriller series and yes you should read these in order. What better time than now? They’re all free on KU and have been great reads for me, they’re all intricately plotted and twisty and this was no exception. Another clever installment in a series that I can definitely recommend.
March 13, 2020
I would not recommend going into this book without first reading the prior books in the series. I was not aware that this was the fourth book in a series when I requested it. This legal thriller is a wild ride chocked full of twists, which isn't always a good thing. While this was an okay read, the writing style was just not for me. It's a hard book to follow. It has lots of plot lines but not much detail for any of them. Many characters but, again, not much development. I don’t think I’ll be reading another book by this author. Thank you to NetGalley, William L. Myers Jr., and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allowed me to write an unbiased review.
April 19, 2020
In this fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series, Myers crafted another well-plotted legal thriller that does not disappoint.
March 20, 2020
Loved it, please write more!
This book kept me interested to the end!
All the characters were interesting.
Please write more, I will be the first in line!
This book kept me interested to the end!
All the characters were interesting.
Please write more, I will be the first in line!
March 17, 2020
This story has so many twists and turns it will give you whiplash trying to keep up with this explosive and riveting story. So well told and engaging. It's a must read. Happy reading! #ACriminalJustice #NetGalley
October 12, 2020
A Criminal Justice by William L. Myers, Jr.
Brief Summary: This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series featuring attorney Mick McFarland. I have been a big fan ever since I read A Criminal Defense and will continue to read every book in the series. In this book, Mick is arrested for killing Edwin Hansen, brother of David Hansen, Mick’s client in book one. Mick is stunned by the compelling evidence which includes video footage of him killing the victim. His wife Piper will go to any length to clear his name and travels the country to find the man she is convinced set Mick up; while Marcie tries to protect her husband.
Highlights: Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book in the series. The technology aspects were interesting, but I felt like I had to suspend reality to buy into some of the plot twists. I was engaged and interested in the story; but it lacked the brilliant twists of the other books. It really helped to have read the previous books of the series; most notably the first book!
Explanation of Rating: 3/5.
I will continue to read Myers work; especially in the Mick McFarlane series.
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Brief Summary: This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series featuring attorney Mick McFarland. I have been a big fan ever since I read A Criminal Defense and will continue to read every book in the series. In this book, Mick is arrested for killing Edwin Hansen, brother of David Hansen, Mick’s client in book one. Mick is stunned by the compelling evidence which includes video footage of him killing the victim. His wife Piper will go to any length to clear his name and travels the country to find the man she is convinced set Mick up; while Marcie tries to protect her husband.
Highlights: Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book in the series. The technology aspects were interesting, but I felt like I had to suspend reality to buy into some of the plot twists. I was engaged and interested in the story; but it lacked the brilliant twists of the other books. It really helped to have read the previous books of the series; most notably the first book!
Explanation of Rating: 3/5.
I will continue to read Myers work; especially in the Mick McFarlane series.
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
October 12, 2020
A Criminal Justice by William L. Myers, Jr.
Brief Summary: This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series featuring attorney Mick McFarland. I have been a big fan ever since I read A Criminal Defense and will continue to read every book in the series. In this book, Mick is arrested for killing Edwin Hansen, brother of David Hansen, Mick’s client in book one. Mick is stunned by the compelling evidence which includes video footage of him killing the victim. His wife Piper will go to any length to clear his name and travels the country to find the man she is convinced set Mick up; while Marcie tries to protect her husband.
Highlights: Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book in the series. The technology aspects were interesting, but I felt like I had to suspend reality to buy into some of the plot twists. I was engaged and interested in the story; but it lacked the brilliant twists of the other books. It really helped to have read the previous books of the series; most notably the first book!
Explanation of Rating: 3/5.
I will continue to read Myers work; especially in the Mick McFarlane series.
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Brief Summary: This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series featuring attorney Mick McFarland. I have been a big fan ever since I read A Criminal Defense and will continue to read every book in the series. In this book, Mick is arrested for killing Edwin Hansen, brother of David Hansen, Mick’s client in book one. Mick is stunned by the compelling evidence which includes video footage of him killing the victim. His wife Piper will go to any length to clear his name and travels the country to find the man she is convinced set Mick up; while Marcie tries to protect her husband.
Highlights: Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book in the series. The technology aspects were interesting, but I felt like I had to suspend reality to buy into some of the plot twists. I was engaged and interested in the story; but it lacked the brilliant twists of the other books. It really helped to have read the previous books of the series; most notably the first book!
Explanation of Rating: 3/5.
I will continue to read Myers work; especially in the Mick McFarlane series.
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review
June 24, 2020
3.5 stars
Mick McFarland of McFarland & Klein is having a get together at his firm with his partners and associates to celebrate the release of one of Mick’s clients when the cops storm into his office and charge him with the murder of Edwin Hanson, CEO of Hanson World Industries.
The police take him down to the station for questioning along with some of his personal items that are confiscated from his office.
Four years earlier, Mick won a case for Edwin’s brother, David Hanson who was charged for killing Jennifer Yamura, a woman he was having an affair with.
Back at McFarland & Klein, Mick’s partner Susan Klein and the firm’s associates must come up with a plan to get Mick acquitted.
This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series. Would recommend
Mick McFarland of McFarland & Klein is having a get together at his firm with his partners and associates to celebrate the release of one of Mick’s clients when the cops storm into his office and charge him with the murder of Edwin Hanson, CEO of Hanson World Industries.
The police take him down to the station for questioning along with some of his personal items that are confiscated from his office.
Four years earlier, Mick won a case for Edwin’s brother, David Hanson who was charged for killing Jennifer Yamura, a woman he was having an affair with.
Back at McFarland & Klein, Mick’s partner Susan Klein and the firm’s associates must come up with a plan to get Mick acquitted.
This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series. Would recommend
May 29, 2020
In this 4th volume of the a Philadelphia Legal series, a video of Mick shooting the brother of his former client; but did he kill Edwin? His wife believes in his innocence, but the prosecution is convinced of his guilt. How can they prove his innocence? Is this the ultimate frame? Is this a cgi crime? Myers nailed all my technological insecurities and made me question everything. I loved it! The best of the series imo. 5 star.
#NetGalley
#NetGalley
December 12, 2020
Due out in March 2020.
Mick is on trial for the murder of Edwin Hanson.
If you have read this series, then you know Detective Tredesco and Mick are not exactly buddies. Imagine Detective Tredesco's glee, if you will, at the opportunity to arrest Mick for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Question is ... did Mick kill Edwin? Join Susan and her crack team as they begin to unravel this case.
Mick is on trial for the murder of Edwin Hanson.
If you have read this series, then you know Detective Tredesco and Mick are not exactly buddies. Imagine Detective Tredesco's glee, if you will, at the opportunity to arrest Mick for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Question is ... did Mick kill Edwin? Join Susan and her crack team as they begin to unravel this case.
September 10, 2020
I liked book #1, really liked #2, less enchanted by #3...and now this loser book.
Mr. Myers keeps using the same characters from book to book but not in a good way. He is no Michael Connelly who has characters you get to know and love.
The plot in this one was ludicrous. Stupid.
Sayonara William L Myers Jr.
Mr. Myers keeps using the same characters from book to book but not in a good way. He is no Michael Connelly who has characters you get to know and love.
The plot in this one was ludicrous. Stupid.
Sayonara William L Myers Jr.
May 1, 2020
Everyone in this series is kind of sleezy and questionable at this point (except good ol Vaughn!). The story here is exciting enough, minus the unnecessary mob side story. But some of the motives at the end weren’t entirely clear. 3.5 stars
August 9, 2020
As in true fashion of the Philadelphia Legal series, Myers certainly did not let me down! This story managed to take its readers on a nightmarish dream that you just didn’t want to wake up from!
Mick McFarland and his law firm were celebrating yet another big win for their team, when the party was short lived thanks to Tredesco and his buddies interrupting the celebration. Tredesco, who is Mick’s nemesis, was all too happy to slap the handcuffs on. Why was Mick being placed in handcuffs you ask? Oh…why silly me. He’s being accused of murder. Murder, of all people?!! Well what the hell? Mick’s wife and colleagues looked on in horror as Tredesco pulled Mick away and placed him in the squad car.
When Piper McFarland, Mick’s wife, Susan, Vance and Erin try to make sense of this gross error, it is then that they learn that not only did Mick kill his former client’s brother, Edwin Hanson, in cold blood, the District Attorney had videotape to back it up. Say what now?!!!! Mick used to be on the DA’s side before he went into private practice switching to the defense. He is a pillar in the community and has taken on some rather high-profile cases and managed to win, regardless of his unorthodox measures to get the result he desired. Damn it, at the end of the day, Mick is one of the good guys. So how is it that Mick finds himself in this web of a mess.
Well, obviously, he’s being framed. And this coverup is so thought-provoking and planned that Piper and Susan are having one hell of a time trying to prove Mick’s innocence. And if Mick’s wrongful incarceration wasn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury, one of Mick’s former clients in prison manages to rear his ugly head, causing even more hell for Mick to deal with.
Sheesh! Mick is just in so much hot water and whoever was behind the master plan really got Mick hemmed up. It looks as though my favorite attorney is seriously going down for this one. Or, is he? Readers when I tell you I was glued to my Kindle holding on for dear life sweating bullets trying to figure out what the hell was going on with my boy in this latest installment, you had better believe it. OMG, Myers terrified me just as much as Mick was certainly feeling.
This! Story! Was! Aaaah-Mazing!!!! I couldn’t get enough of it. Gat damn, Myers is an awesome legal writer! If you weren’t feeling all the frustration that Mick was going through, then you couldn’t have been reading this story, because there’s no way you could sit for a few hours without squirming and worrying about Mick’s mental health and possible death sentence. The characters in this story were so friggin’ shady, I wanted to kill each of them myself. It was so hard reading what these people were doing to Mick and not want to jump in and try to help. I kept finding myself speaking out loud as if they could hear me. What I truly loved about the twists and turns is that although this story centered around Mick McFarland, the true heroes or shall I say she-roes of the story were Piper and Susan. I also enjoyed how Myers let Tommy have some shine in this story and meeting up with a person who definitely helped the McFarland team.
I tell you every time Myers writes an addition to this series; it just keeps on getting better. I am so in love with the series and these characters. I love me some Mick. Like I said, if I could have entered into the story, I would have done everything in my power to help Mick out. He’s such a real character you just can’t help but want to do something. OMG, and the ending! Holy *^! I was on the right track the whole time, but Myers managed to put a twist that I did not see coming. Gat damn this book was sooooo good!
The Sexy Nerd gives A Criminal Justice five bangs of the gavel. Man, oh Man! Buckle up readers because you are in for one hell of a bumpy legal ride! If you’re a fan of the Law & Order franchises and you’re looking for a book that measures up, I encourage you to start reading the Philadelphia Legal series. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat. Well done, Bill. You did it again! I can’t wait for number 5 in the series. Please don’t scare me half to death like you did in this one. (chuckle)!
To read original post, please go to https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com/2020...
Thank you.
Mick McFarland and his law firm were celebrating yet another big win for their team, when the party was short lived thanks to Tredesco and his buddies interrupting the celebration. Tredesco, who is Mick’s nemesis, was all too happy to slap the handcuffs on. Why was Mick being placed in handcuffs you ask? Oh…why silly me. He’s being accused of murder. Murder, of all people?!! Well what the hell? Mick’s wife and colleagues looked on in horror as Tredesco pulled Mick away and placed him in the squad car.
When Piper McFarland, Mick’s wife, Susan, Vance and Erin try to make sense of this gross error, it is then that they learn that not only did Mick kill his former client’s brother, Edwin Hanson, in cold blood, the District Attorney had videotape to back it up. Say what now?!!!! Mick used to be on the DA’s side before he went into private practice switching to the defense. He is a pillar in the community and has taken on some rather high-profile cases and managed to win, regardless of his unorthodox measures to get the result he desired. Damn it, at the end of the day, Mick is one of the good guys. So how is it that Mick finds himself in this web of a mess.
Well, obviously, he’s being framed. And this coverup is so thought-provoking and planned that Piper and Susan are having one hell of a time trying to prove Mick’s innocence. And if Mick’s wrongful incarceration wasn’t bad enough, to add insult to injury, one of Mick’s former clients in prison manages to rear his ugly head, causing even more hell for Mick to deal with.
Sheesh! Mick is just in so much hot water and whoever was behind the master plan really got Mick hemmed up. It looks as though my favorite attorney is seriously going down for this one. Or, is he? Readers when I tell you I was glued to my Kindle holding on for dear life sweating bullets trying to figure out what the hell was going on with my boy in this latest installment, you had better believe it. OMG, Myers terrified me just as much as Mick was certainly feeling.
This! Story! Was! Aaaah-Mazing!!!! I couldn’t get enough of it. Gat damn, Myers is an awesome legal writer! If you weren’t feeling all the frustration that Mick was going through, then you couldn’t have been reading this story, because there’s no way you could sit for a few hours without squirming and worrying about Mick’s mental health and possible death sentence. The characters in this story were so friggin’ shady, I wanted to kill each of them myself. It was so hard reading what these people were doing to Mick and not want to jump in and try to help. I kept finding myself speaking out loud as if they could hear me. What I truly loved about the twists and turns is that although this story centered around Mick McFarland, the true heroes or shall I say she-roes of the story were Piper and Susan. I also enjoyed how Myers let Tommy have some shine in this story and meeting up with a person who definitely helped the McFarland team.
I tell you every time Myers writes an addition to this series; it just keeps on getting better. I am so in love with the series and these characters. I love me some Mick. Like I said, if I could have entered into the story, I would have done everything in my power to help Mick out. He’s such a real character you just can’t help but want to do something. OMG, and the ending! Holy *^! I was on the right track the whole time, but Myers managed to put a twist that I did not see coming. Gat damn this book was sooooo good!
The Sexy Nerd gives A Criminal Justice five bangs of the gavel. Man, oh Man! Buckle up readers because you are in for one hell of a bumpy legal ride! If you’re a fan of the Law & Order franchises and you’re looking for a book that measures up, I encourage you to start reading the Philadelphia Legal series. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat. Well done, Bill. You did it again! I can’t wait for number 5 in the series. Please don’t scare me half to death like you did in this one. (chuckle)!
To read original post, please go to https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com/2020...
Thank you.
August 26, 2020
The killer is tailing Edwin Hanson as he is walking toward his car.
BANG!
4/19, McFarland & Klein’s attorneys at law office. Piper McFarland, attorneys & staff, along with Chuck Weaver (50), friends/family were celebrating his release for shooting/killing an Amish farmer.
8/18, TV News flash: Edwin Hanson (64, ALS, millionaire, Hanson World Industries Chairman/CEO, Yale U) was shot/killed in the HWI Tower underground parking garage # 1703 JFK Boulevard.
David Hanson (HWI’s general counsel, Penn Law; JD) had been charged with killing Jennifer Yamura (David’s lover, TV reporter).
Michael “Mick” McFarland (David’s lawyer) is shocked, he’s arrested for murdering Edwin.
He was headed for Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility Philadelphia, PA.
Mick is housed in the Administrative Segregation block.
All rise. The District Court of County is now in session, Judge Regina Johnson (A/A) is presiding.
Prosecution: ADA Isabelle “The Terminator” Ko (Commonwealth).
Defense: Susan Klein (McFarland & Klein’s partner); Mick.
Witnesses (cross examined): Officer Gary Thomas; George Ebling (HWI security guard, retired US Army); Detective John Tredesco (Homicide); FBI SA Oliver Kahn (Computer Analysis Response Team, NJ);
Susan had called a meeting.
Others in attendance are: Tommy; Piper McFarland (wife/mother, paralegal, nee Gray, Yale, Sorbonne; MS art history); Jill paralegal; Andrea paralegal; Vaughn Coburn associate; Erin associate & Angie receptionist.
Hanson Building (San Francisco, CA). Courtland Hanson (Edwin’s ½ brother) met with David Hanson (piolet) & Marcie Hanson (35, wife/mother, Stanford U).
Jefferson Hospital’s Gibbon Building. Mick was admitted into ER.
MRI & PET scan.
He is back in the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Tommy (45) & Detective Marjorie “Marge” Murphy (34, Maggie, John’s partner, Homicide) went to interview Mateo Gonzalez (Puerto Rican, former HWI security guard).
What happened in Tamil Nadu, India?
Criminal Justice Center (CJC). Phil Pinto (court’s tipstaff) announces All rise. The District Court of County is now in session, the Honorable Grady “Grandstand” O’Neill is presiding.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania versus Michael McFarland,
Witnesses for the Defense (cross examined): Officer Gary Thomas, Officer Alan Lane, George Ebling HWI security guard, Joseph HWI security guard, Ian Kane HWI security guard, Jason Gillan HWI security guard, Carl Webb, Detective John Tredesco, Detective Marjorie “Dirty Maggie” Murphy (shot), Matthew Stone CSU head, FBI SA Oliver Kahn (CART, (BS; CS, econ, MIT: data science, Drexel U: MS; data science, US Army Intelligence), Dr. Ari Weintraub (ME Chief).
Prosecution: Susan Klein, Vaughn Coburn Angie, Piper McFarland (David’s wife).
Witnesses for the Prosecution (cross examined): Dr. Daniel “Dan” Dalinka tech expert, MIT: MS electrical engineering, CS, PhD computational science, engineering), Tommy McFarland, Detective Murphy, Officer Samantha Galvez (Puerto Rico PD), George Ebling, Jason Gillan, Joseph “Joe” Kane, Ian Kane, Carl Webb, Elena Sanchez Mateo’s ex-GF, Marcie Hanson, David Hanson, Brian Yamura (son).
Commonwealth of PA. ADA Isabelle Ko informed everyone, on Tuesday, 8/18, the defendant, Michael “Mick” McFarland, shot Edwin Hanson through the heart & killed him.
Michael will now pro se.
2/17, 45 minutes later the verdict is in.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, 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 legal 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, settings, etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great legal thriller movie, or better yet a view mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Thomas & Mercer; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
BANG!
4/19, McFarland & Klein’s attorneys at law office. Piper McFarland, attorneys & staff, along with Chuck Weaver (50), friends/family were celebrating his release for shooting/killing an Amish farmer.
8/18, TV News flash: Edwin Hanson (64, ALS, millionaire, Hanson World Industries Chairman/CEO, Yale U) was shot/killed in the HWI Tower underground parking garage # 1703 JFK Boulevard.
David Hanson (HWI’s general counsel, Penn Law; JD) had been charged with killing Jennifer Yamura (David’s lover, TV reporter).
Michael “Mick” McFarland (David’s lawyer) is shocked, he’s arrested for murdering Edwin.
He was headed for Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility Philadelphia, PA.
Mick is housed in the Administrative Segregation block.
All rise. The District Court of County is now in session, Judge Regina Johnson (A/A) is presiding.
Prosecution: ADA Isabelle “The Terminator” Ko (Commonwealth).
Defense: Susan Klein (McFarland & Klein’s partner); Mick.
Witnesses (cross examined): Officer Gary Thomas; George Ebling (HWI security guard, retired US Army); Detective John Tredesco (Homicide); FBI SA Oliver Kahn (Computer Analysis Response Team, NJ);
Susan had called a meeting.
Others in attendance are: Tommy; Piper McFarland (wife/mother, paralegal, nee Gray, Yale, Sorbonne; MS art history); Jill paralegal; Andrea paralegal; Vaughn Coburn associate; Erin associate & Angie receptionist.
Hanson Building (San Francisco, CA). Courtland Hanson (Edwin’s ½ brother) met with David Hanson (piolet) & Marcie Hanson (35, wife/mother, Stanford U).
Jefferson Hospital’s Gibbon Building. Mick was admitted into ER.
MRI & PET scan.
He is back in the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Tommy (45) & Detective Marjorie “Marge” Murphy (34, Maggie, John’s partner, Homicide) went to interview Mateo Gonzalez (Puerto Rican, former HWI security guard).
What happened in Tamil Nadu, India?
Criminal Justice Center (CJC). Phil Pinto (court’s tipstaff) announces All rise. The District Court of County is now in session, the Honorable Grady “Grandstand” O’Neill is presiding.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania versus Michael McFarland,
Witnesses for the Defense (cross examined): Officer Gary Thomas, Officer Alan Lane, George Ebling HWI security guard, Joseph HWI security guard, Ian Kane HWI security guard, Jason Gillan HWI security guard, Carl Webb, Detective John Tredesco, Detective Marjorie “Dirty Maggie” Murphy (shot), Matthew Stone CSU head, FBI SA Oliver Kahn (CART, (BS; CS, econ, MIT: data science, Drexel U: MS; data science, US Army Intelligence), Dr. Ari Weintraub (ME Chief).
Prosecution: Susan Klein, Vaughn Coburn Angie, Piper McFarland (David’s wife).
Witnesses for the Prosecution (cross examined): Dr. Daniel “Dan” Dalinka tech expert, MIT: MS electrical engineering, CS, PhD computational science, engineering), Tommy McFarland, Detective Murphy, Officer Samantha Galvez (Puerto Rico PD), George Ebling, Jason Gillan, Joseph “Joe” Kane, Ian Kane, Carl Webb, Elena Sanchez Mateo’s ex-GF, Marcie Hanson, David Hanson, Brian Yamura (son).
Commonwealth of PA. ADA Isabelle Ko informed everyone, on Tuesday, 8/18, the defendant, Michael “Mick” McFarland, shot Edwin Hanson through the heart & killed him.
Michael will now pro se.
2/17, 45 minutes later the verdict is in.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, 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 legal 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, settings, etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great legal thriller movie, or better yet a view mini TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Thomas & Mercer; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
December 28, 2024
What I liked about A Criminal Justice:
I found A Criminal Justice to be a twisty tale that kept me hooked as I tried to unravel each character's hidden motives and agendas. The story was engaging from start to finish, with the courtroom drama being a particular highlight. The trial provided an interesting and thought-provoking dimension, exploring how advancements in modern technology can have significant and potentially harmful consequences. What I enjoyed most was how the complex narrative kept me guessing until the very end. The intricate web of relationships between the characters added depth and made the story even more captivating, as their interconnected motives and histories created a rich and layered plot.
What I disliked about A Criminal Justice:
While I enjoyed A Criminal Justice overall, it took some time for the story to get my attention. Though central to the plot, the pervasive corruption and revenge sometimes felt overdone, making the story feel darker and less believable than I would have liked. I also found it difficult to connect emotionally with the characters, as most of them came across as sleazy or morally questionable, leaving me without anyone to truly root for.
Another issue I had was the sheer number of characters. While some added depth to the plot, others felt irrelevant or unnecessary, which occasionally left me confused and detracted from the story's focus. Most significantly, I think this book struggles to stand on its own. If readers haven't read A Criminal Defense (the first book in the series), I think they would be a little lost trying to piece together the relationships and past events. While the first chapters attempted to provide a recap, it was insufficient. I recommend starting with the first book to avoid this confusion for new readers.
What I think would have made A Criminal Justice better:
Like the other books in this series, I felt that William could have reduced the number of characters or made the secondary ones more distinct. At times, it was hard to keep track of who was who, and I think giving more backstory to some of the secondary characters would have made them more memorable and their roles more impactful.
Although this is the fourth book in the series, I wish William had included more backstory throughout this book. I feel it would have helped readers understand the relationship between the characters and their backstory. Lastly, while I realize that corruption and revenge are central themes, I found them overwhelming at times. A little less of both would have made the story feel more balanced and enjoyable for me.
Would I recommend A Criminal Justice by William L. Myers Jr.:
Despite its flaws, I still found A Criminal Justice and the rest of the series to be overall good. The book is particularly suited for those who enjoy complex legal narratives and don't mind morally ambiguous characters. With its focus and its impact on legal proceedings, it adds a temporary edge that many readers will find compelling. My one caveat is that potential readers should read the books in order, starting with A Criminal Defense, to fully understand the story and characters.
****
Mick McFarland's world is turned upside down when he's arrested for the murder of business tycoon Edwin Hanson, with damning surveillance footage seemingly proving his guilt. While Mick's legal team battles the prosecution in court, his wife, Piper, embarks on a cross-country mission to uncover the truth and protect her husband. Meanwhile, Marcie, the wife of Edwin's brother David, is on a parallel journey to shield her own family. As alliances shift and secrets unravel, Piper races against time to clear Mick's name, but the truth she uncovers may be far more complicated than she anticipated.
I found A Criminal Justice to be a twisty tale that kept me hooked as I tried to unravel each character's hidden motives and agendas. The story was engaging from start to finish, with the courtroom drama being a particular highlight. The trial provided an interesting and thought-provoking dimension, exploring how advancements in modern technology can have significant and potentially harmful consequences. What I enjoyed most was how the complex narrative kept me guessing until the very end. The intricate web of relationships between the characters added depth and made the story even more captivating, as their interconnected motives and histories created a rich and layered plot.
What I disliked about A Criminal Justice:
While I enjoyed A Criminal Justice overall, it took some time for the story to get my attention. Though central to the plot, the pervasive corruption and revenge sometimes felt overdone, making the story feel darker and less believable than I would have liked. I also found it difficult to connect emotionally with the characters, as most of them came across as sleazy or morally questionable, leaving me without anyone to truly root for.
Another issue I had was the sheer number of characters. While some added depth to the plot, others felt irrelevant or unnecessary, which occasionally left me confused and detracted from the story's focus. Most significantly, I think this book struggles to stand on its own. If readers haven't read A Criminal Defense (the first book in the series), I think they would be a little lost trying to piece together the relationships and past events. While the first chapters attempted to provide a recap, it was insufficient. I recommend starting with the first book to avoid this confusion for new readers.
What I think would have made A Criminal Justice better:
Like the other books in this series, I felt that William could have reduced the number of characters or made the secondary ones more distinct. At times, it was hard to keep track of who was who, and I think giving more backstory to some of the secondary characters would have made them more memorable and their roles more impactful.
Although this is the fourth book in the series, I wish William had included more backstory throughout this book. I feel it would have helped readers understand the relationship between the characters and their backstory. Lastly, while I realize that corruption and revenge are central themes, I found them overwhelming at times. A little less of both would have made the story feel more balanced and enjoyable for me.
Would I recommend A Criminal Justice by William L. Myers Jr.:
Despite its flaws, I still found A Criminal Justice and the rest of the series to be overall good. The book is particularly suited for those who enjoy complex legal narratives and don't mind morally ambiguous characters. With its focus and its impact on legal proceedings, it adds a temporary edge that many readers will find compelling. My one caveat is that potential readers should read the books in order, starting with A Criminal Defense, to fully understand the story and characters.
****
Mick McFarland's world is turned upside down when he's arrested for the murder of business tycoon Edwin Hanson, with damning surveillance footage seemingly proving his guilt. While Mick's legal team battles the prosecution in court, his wife, Piper, embarks on a cross-country mission to uncover the truth and protect her husband. Meanwhile, Marcie, the wife of Edwin's brother David, is on a parallel journey to shield her own family. As alliances shift and secrets unravel, Piper races against time to clear Mick's name, but the truth she uncovers may be far more complicated than she anticipated.
February 9, 2021
A Criminal Justice follows the story of defence solicitor Mick McFarland as he accused of Murdering billionaire business man Edwin Hanson. Did he do it? HE CAN’T REMEMBER…… However Mick’s own defence team
consisting of his brother, wife, business partner are going to find out, along with a surprising addition from the other side of the courtroom who has a sneaking suspicion things are not how they seem.
An innocent run to clear his head after a busy day at the office has never been so risky!
A number of people would love to see Mick behind bars. Due to the nature of his job, even members of the police force dislike him, and being recently involved in monitoring David Hanson, Edwin’s brother, for underhand activity within their family-run business doesn’t help either. At the time of his death Edwin is thought to be suffering with the debilitating condition ALS, and is seeking treatment in secret. David has always felt pushed out as an ‘assistant’ to the running of Hanson World Industries (HWI) and semi to want to seek revenge.
Whilst on remand, life for Mick is eventful to say the least, he is housed with a gang member who believes the world owes him a favour and has a feared reputation within the prison walls. Mick asks him for a favour in order to help his defence, unknowingly realising just how dangerous the man is, and the severity the debt he would then owe, which leaves him constantly looking over his shoulder and fearful of going to sleep at night.
Fast forward to the trial, and things are not going well, as Mick can clearly be seen on the security cameras of HWI at the time of the shooting. This is until CGI Expert Daniel Delinka gets involves and introduces the jury to Miquela Sousa (she actually exists - blew my mind!) and everything changes. IS IT REALLY MICK IN THE FOOTAGE OR HAS SOMEBODY PUT HIM THERE?!
A Criminal Justice is definitely a brilliant mystery which leaves you guessing until the final pages when everything is revealed. It was a bit of a slow burner for me but the trial sequence had me gripped and shows just how detrimental advances of technology in the modern world may become. Its a 3 star read from me and I may look into reading the authors two previous reads at some point as I do like his writing style.
Please check out my instagram book reviewing page @crimecrazycovercharmed - Thank you!
consisting of his brother, wife, business partner are going to find out, along with a surprising addition from the other side of the courtroom who has a sneaking suspicion things are not how they seem.
An innocent run to clear his head after a busy day at the office has never been so risky!
A number of people would love to see Mick behind bars. Due to the nature of his job, even members of the police force dislike him, and being recently involved in monitoring David Hanson, Edwin’s brother, for underhand activity within their family-run business doesn’t help either. At the time of his death Edwin is thought to be suffering with the debilitating condition ALS, and is seeking treatment in secret. David has always felt pushed out as an ‘assistant’ to the running of Hanson World Industries (HWI) and semi to want to seek revenge.
Whilst on remand, life for Mick is eventful to say the least, he is housed with a gang member who believes the world owes him a favour and has a feared reputation within the prison walls. Mick asks him for a favour in order to help his defence, unknowingly realising just how dangerous the man is, and the severity the debt he would then owe, which leaves him constantly looking over his shoulder and fearful of going to sleep at night.
Fast forward to the trial, and things are not going well, as Mick can clearly be seen on the security cameras of HWI at the time of the shooting. This is until CGI Expert Daniel Delinka gets involves and introduces the jury to Miquela Sousa (she actually exists - blew my mind!) and everything changes. IS IT REALLY MICK IN THE FOOTAGE OR HAS SOMEBODY PUT HIM THERE?!
A Criminal Justice is definitely a brilliant mystery which leaves you guessing until the final pages when everything is revealed. It was a bit of a slow burner for me but the trial sequence had me gripped and shows just how detrimental advances of technology in the modern world may become. Its a 3 star read from me and I may look into reading the authors two previous reads at some point as I do like his writing style.
Please check out my instagram book reviewing page @crimecrazycovercharmed - Thank you!
January 11, 2020
Protagonist Mick McFarland is the one on trial this time and brings back a few of the support characters from previous books, including Piper (Mick's wife) Vaughn and Susan (firm associate and partner), and the crime family Nunzio.
In addition to McFarland, there is a large cast of characters but hones in on his brother Tommy and old nemesis Detective John Tredesco, along with Tredesco's newish partner, delicious red-headed Murphy. I like Tommy and Murphy as both have a rough background, hers being ex-military with conflict experience but read genuine. You knew, despite the age difference, sparks would eventually fly.
The well-plotted book diverts Mick's guilt or innocence and focuses on a complex conspiracy that is far reaching, involving computer geniuses and a multi-billion dollar tech company. The victim is Edwin Hanson, the brother of David Hanson. That trial regarding the killing of a reporter has come back to haunt the Mick and the firm.
While McFarland languishes in the slammer with a Ukrainian of dubious distinction, Piper is out beating every red herring she confronts leaving Susan floundering on defense strategy. Tommy and Murphy are busy running down a possible witness.
My favorite part is the court scenes and the dialogue, although it isn't until near the end that Mick takes over his own defense. Then that strategy and brilliant cunning begin to form. I did certainly enjoy the short treatise on CGI (computer-generated image).
The storyline built rather slowly and repetition of facts and theories made little forward progress. There is love and hate, greed, revenge, overwhelming guilt, and resolution. The conclusion includes a twist that was suspected but confirmed and winds down at the same pace leaving the reader bewildered.
I received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read Book 4 of the series. I do enjoy this author's courtroom dramas and look forward to the next. Recommended for those who enjoy complex, well-drawn, and unique legal thrillers. 3.5 rounded up
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...
In addition to McFarland, there is a large cast of characters but hones in on his brother Tommy and old nemesis Detective John Tredesco, along with Tredesco's newish partner, delicious red-headed Murphy. I like Tommy and Murphy as both have a rough background, hers being ex-military with conflict experience but read genuine. You knew, despite the age difference, sparks would eventually fly.
The well-plotted book diverts Mick's guilt or innocence and focuses on a complex conspiracy that is far reaching, involving computer geniuses and a multi-billion dollar tech company. The victim is Edwin Hanson, the brother of David Hanson. That trial regarding the killing of a reporter has come back to haunt the Mick and the firm.
While McFarland languishes in the slammer with a Ukrainian of dubious distinction, Piper is out beating every red herring she confronts leaving Susan floundering on defense strategy. Tommy and Murphy are busy running down a possible witness.
My favorite part is the court scenes and the dialogue, although it isn't until near the end that Mick takes over his own defense. Then that strategy and brilliant cunning begin to form. I did certainly enjoy the short treatise on CGI (computer-generated image).
The storyline built rather slowly and repetition of facts and theories made little forward progress. There is love and hate, greed, revenge, overwhelming guilt, and resolution. The conclusion includes a twist that was suspected but confirmed and winds down at the same pace leaving the reader bewildered.
I received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read Book 4 of the series. I do enjoy this author's courtroom dramas and look forward to the next. Recommended for those who enjoy complex, well-drawn, and unique legal thrillers. 3.5 rounded up
See my full review at https://rosepointpublishing.com/2020/...
April 26, 2020
Most Dramatic Book in Series! WOW!!
The book begins with a murder and everything goes downhill from there. How do you defend yourself when you're not sure you didn't do it? Yikes!
Philadelphia Legal attorney, Mick McFarland is back in full force, but this time there's an ironclad murder case against him, and his whole world is falling apart. Yikes again!!
For those who like this series, you'd better make time to read it as quickly as possible. You won't want to put it down. If you haven't begun the series yet, this is a great standalone book too, so don't wait.
A legal, crime novel filled with lots of action, drama, and conflict, the tensions grow with every page. If Mick's not the real killer, then who is? What happens when the rich and powerful all seem to want Mick dead or convicted of first degree murder?
Warning: You must pay close attention! Although I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, the many characters and interactions forced me to keep detailed mental notes of who, what, and where. Ugh!
The author's unquestioned storytelling skills creates a fast, fun read with unforgettable characters, terse and entertaining dialogue, and background narration that keeps the storyline momentum going forward in unpredictable ways. Lots of surprises.
If your sensitive to coarse language, there are some rough spots, but these are usually situational or character specific. Otherwise, this is a great thriller that will have you guessing right up to the end.
I also enjoyed the Audible narration dramatic touches of character tones, accents, and personalities. Excellent reading support.
Perfect escape read from everything thing else you don't want to do or think about right now.
The book begins with a murder and everything goes downhill from there. How do you defend yourself when you're not sure you didn't do it? Yikes!
Philadelphia Legal attorney, Mick McFarland is back in full force, but this time there's an ironclad murder case against him, and his whole world is falling apart. Yikes again!!
For those who like this series, you'd better make time to read it as quickly as possible. You won't want to put it down. If you haven't begun the series yet, this is a great standalone book too, so don't wait.
A legal, crime novel filled with lots of action, drama, and conflict, the tensions grow with every page. If Mick's not the real killer, then who is? What happens when the rich and powerful all seem to want Mick dead or convicted of first degree murder?
Warning: You must pay close attention! Although I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, the many characters and interactions forced me to keep detailed mental notes of who, what, and where. Ugh!
The author's unquestioned storytelling skills creates a fast, fun read with unforgettable characters, terse and entertaining dialogue, and background narration that keeps the storyline momentum going forward in unpredictable ways. Lots of surprises.
If your sensitive to coarse language, there are some rough spots, but these are usually situational or character specific. Otherwise, this is a great thriller that will have you guessing right up to the end.
I also enjoyed the Audible narration dramatic touches of character tones, accents, and personalities. Excellent reading support.
Perfect escape read from everything thing else you don't want to do or think about right now.
March 12, 2020
I've enjoyed two earlier (this one makes three) books in William L. Myers' 4-book Philadelphia Legal series. Myers, a successful trial attorney in private life, has proven he can write -- the pace, plotting, dialogue and characterization are above par.
McFarland and Stein is a legal partnership that handles high-profile criminal defense cases in Philadelphia. Whether or not you've read previous books in the series, you get to know not only the partners and their mates and other family members, but those of the supporting characters as well. There is a lot of back story; these are complex, long-standing, evolving relationships. High marks for all of these.
What I noticed more in this book than in A Criminal Defense and An Engineered Justice is that the plausibility factor is very, very low -- and I'm not referring to just the technology (which -- be honest -- strained credulity). Even the human interactions didn't follow any known patterns that I've encountered.
This was disappointing. What I love about reading this type of book is encountering smart people in tough, almost overwhelming, situations -- who let me come along as they think and feel their way out of danger. The subliminal takeaway is, "Whew! That could have happened to me -- all of it, the jeopardy, the vulnerability, the hard-won mastery, even perhaps the redemption."
This time I felt cheated, because so much of theory line seemed so very unlikely. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance readers copy.
McFarland and Stein is a legal partnership that handles high-profile criminal defense cases in Philadelphia. Whether or not you've read previous books in the series, you get to know not only the partners and their mates and other family members, but those of the supporting characters as well. There is a lot of back story; these are complex, long-standing, evolving relationships. High marks for all of these.
What I noticed more in this book than in A Criminal Defense and An Engineered Justice is that the plausibility factor is very, very low -- and I'm not referring to just the technology (which -- be honest -- strained credulity). Even the human interactions didn't follow any known patterns that I've encountered.
This was disappointing. What I love about reading this type of book is encountering smart people in tough, almost overwhelming, situations -- who let me come along as they think and feel their way out of danger. The subliminal takeaway is, "Whew! That could have happened to me -- all of it, the jeopardy, the vulnerability, the hard-won mastery, even perhaps the redemption."
This time I felt cheated, because so much of theory line seemed so very unlikely. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance readers copy.
January 23, 2020
Criminal Justice by William L. Myers, Jr. is the fourth in his "Philadelphia Legal" series. It picks up four years after Criminal Defense, his first novel, ends, and features most of the same characters. Mick McFarland, who previously defended David Hanson, is now being tried for capital murder for the killing of David's brother Edwin, CEO of Hanson World Industries. Because the plot ties specifically into what came before, I recommend reading Criminal Defense before Criminal Justice to better understand the latter's plot and to steer clear of any spoilers from the first book.
Criminal Justice is a solid legal thriller and fast paced courtroom drama, geared toward readers who enjoy John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Michael Connelly. The courtroom scenes featuring the presentation of computer technology (I don't want to get anymore specific to avoid spoilers) were especially fascinating. I also enjoyed how the author features his hometown of Philadelphia so intimately, as I think anyone who is familiar with the city will.
This author has a clever knack for leaving just a little extra zinger of a surprise until the very end and he didn't disappoint in this book. He also left a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to the next installment to find out what happens.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Criminal Justice is a solid legal thriller and fast paced courtroom drama, geared toward readers who enjoy John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Michael Connelly. The courtroom scenes featuring the presentation of computer technology (I don't want to get anymore specific to avoid spoilers) were especially fascinating. I also enjoyed how the author features his hometown of Philadelphia so intimately, as I think anyone who is familiar with the city will.
This author has a clever knack for leaving just a little extra zinger of a surprise until the very end and he didn't disappoint in this book. He also left a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm looking forward to the next installment to find out what happens.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2020
A Criminal Justice..NOT my favorite from the series
I love author William L Myers Jr. he’s a great lawyer & writer. I love this Philadelphia Legal Series too!
BUT onto the book ‘A Criminal Justice’..did we have to have about two recounts of other books into one?! I’ve listened & read all this series and I seriously had to go back and forth into my past to remember the previous novels to remember who was who?
This is NOT a stand alone novel BUT I don’t NOT recommend it..I seriously just couldn’t keep up with SO MANY CHARACTERS from the past & present! My mind was “who was that? ‘ “which novel was she in?”
It’s a bit complicated and for me to try and tell you the basis of it, may be better to read the book details! Yes it’s about Mic who gets screwed by people who have hated him when he was a prosecutor, since he’s now a defense attorney, but it’s a..bit far fetched pretty much at the end..and to tell you the truth..I have no clue, if there’ll even be a Book 4, cuz the ending was just..odd!
I still couldn’t put it down because it was like one of those books, that’s not quite making sense, but I kinda knew who the responsible party was less than half way into it. Last word: It would have been great with a stand alone new one in the series without bringing in ALL these people I already forgot..
I love author William L Myers Jr. he’s a great lawyer & writer. I love this Philadelphia Legal Series too!
BUT onto the book ‘A Criminal Justice’..did we have to have about two recounts of other books into one?! I’ve listened & read all this series and I seriously had to go back and forth into my past to remember the previous novels to remember who was who?
This is NOT a stand alone novel BUT I don’t NOT recommend it..I seriously just couldn’t keep up with SO MANY CHARACTERS from the past & present! My mind was “who was that? ‘ “which novel was she in?”
It’s a bit complicated and for me to try and tell you the basis of it, may be better to read the book details! Yes it’s about Mic who gets screwed by people who have hated him when he was a prosecutor, since he’s now a defense attorney, but it’s a..bit far fetched pretty much at the end..and to tell you the truth..I have no clue, if there’ll even be a Book 4, cuz the ending was just..odd!
I still couldn’t put it down because it was like one of those books, that’s not quite making sense, but I kinda knew who the responsible party was less than half way into it. Last word: It would have been great with a stand alone new one in the series without bringing in ALL these people I already forgot..
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