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Deadly Bequests
Who would have thought that making a will could be dangerous?
Sandra Norton is your average everyday banker when she faces a dilemma. Greed versus decency.
Jack Fontaine calls himself a criminal … lawyer which is not the same as a criminal lawyer.
When a criminal … lawyer and a banker get together, their clients lose their lives and their money. Only war hero, Josh Kennelly, stands between them and a fortune.
Buy Deadly Bequests today and watch Josh try to overcome insurmountable odds in his quest for justice.213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2019
57 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Peter Ralph
22 books29 followersPeter Ralph is a former ‘big four’ chartered accountant who specialized in corporate reconstructions, recoveries, and liquidations. In the reconstructions, he acted as a surgeon chopping away the excess fat. In the recoveries, he was like a lifeguard giving mouth to mouth. In the liquidations, he was a combination of funeral director and forensic investigator.
As a forensic investigator, Peter spent a large part of his career investigating the reasons for corporate collapses and testifying in the courts.
Later he became CEO of one of his recovery clients, a heavy transport equipment designer, and manufacturer that he successfully floated as a public company.
He has a background well suited to writing financial thrillers. In 2012, he was highly commended in the Fellowship of Australian Writers National Literary Awards, for his novel about unconventional gas, Dirty Fracking Business.
Sign up to his mailing list to receive FREE books and other promotions http://www.peterralphbooks.com
Follow him on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterRalphBooks
Twitter: @PeterRalphBooks
As a forensic investigator, Peter spent a large part of his career investigating the reasons for corporate collapses and testifying in the courts.
Later he became CEO of one of his recovery clients, a heavy transport equipment designer, and manufacturer that he successfully floated as a public company.
He has a background well suited to writing financial thrillers. In 2012, he was highly commended in the Fellowship of Australian Writers National Literary Awards, for his novel about unconventional gas, Dirty Fracking Business.
Sign up to his mailing list to receive FREE books and other promotions http://www.peterralphbooks.com
Follow him on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterRalphBooks
Twitter: @PeterRalphBooks
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 4, 2024
The second book to feature Josh Kennelly takes the reluctant war hero out of New York City for a trip down to New Orleans. Josh first appeared in Fog City Fraud where it was firmly established that he’s a man of honour who is more than capable of defending himself and isn’t afraid to take action when it’s necessary.
In New Orleans, a diabolical plan has been hatched by a local lawyer who’s come up with a way of ensuring the life savings of the elderly is left to him after they die.These handpicked people have no living relatives, are singularly wealthy and are prepared to leave their money to a charity of their choosing…that he helps set up!
Dragged into this scheme is banker Sandra Norton who unexpectedly finds out that one of her clients has just died and left her a sizable fortune. She barely knows the woman and can’t figure out why she’d be named as a beneficiary in her will. She finds out soon enough.
Josh’s girlfriend, Georgie, has received a call from her cousin, Pamela, from Louisiana. There’s a problem with her stepmother’s estate. A sapphire necklace that was supposed to be part of the estate and was to be handed down to Pamela is missing. Georgie has promised that Josh would come down to solve the problem for her. And although Josh is convinced that the necklace had most likely been sold by the stepmother, he starts digging.
A brilliant addition to the Josh Kennelly household is a rescue dog, an Akita he names Tsar, who proves to be a personality in himself. Loyal, obedient and protective of his master, Tsar provides a great deal of entertainment as the story unfolds and, not surprisingly, plays his part in the story’s outcome (think of it as Chekhov’s dog as opposed to Chekhov’s gun).
A great deal of effort has gone into filling in the background of the main criminal characters of the story. The result is a cast of richly described, believable characters whose motives, while reprehensible, are understandable. As for Josh and his girlfriend Georgie, the more we find out about them, the more likable they become.
The crime around which the plot depends is simple in its conception and ruthless in its execution. As with many such crimes it preys on the vulnerable and, in many cases, would be difficult to identify, let alone catch the perpetrators.
This second outing for Josh Kennelly, as reluctant a hero as he professes to be, confirms that he is a worthy advocate for battlers and he’s fearless as he fights for justice. The fact that he’s able to back up his stoicism with controlled aggression, not to mention some pretty innovative ideas, makes him a rewarding character to follow.
I get the feeling we’ve merely scratched the surface of what Josh Kennelly’s capable of and Peter Ralph has more elaborate plans in store.
In New Orleans, a diabolical plan has been hatched by a local lawyer who’s come up with a way of ensuring the life savings of the elderly is left to him after they die.These handpicked people have no living relatives, are singularly wealthy and are prepared to leave their money to a charity of their choosing…that he helps set up!
Dragged into this scheme is banker Sandra Norton who unexpectedly finds out that one of her clients has just died and left her a sizable fortune. She barely knows the woman and can’t figure out why she’d be named as a beneficiary in her will. She finds out soon enough.
Josh’s girlfriend, Georgie, has received a call from her cousin, Pamela, from Louisiana. There’s a problem with her stepmother’s estate. A sapphire necklace that was supposed to be part of the estate and was to be handed down to Pamela is missing. Georgie has promised that Josh would come down to solve the problem for her. And although Josh is convinced that the necklace had most likely been sold by the stepmother, he starts digging.
A brilliant addition to the Josh Kennelly household is a rescue dog, an Akita he names Tsar, who proves to be a personality in himself. Loyal, obedient and protective of his master, Tsar provides a great deal of entertainment as the story unfolds and, not surprisingly, plays his part in the story’s outcome (think of it as Chekhov’s dog as opposed to Chekhov’s gun).
A great deal of effort has gone into filling in the background of the main criminal characters of the story. The result is a cast of richly described, believable characters whose motives, while reprehensible, are understandable. As for Josh and his girlfriend Georgie, the more we find out about them, the more likable they become.
The crime around which the plot depends is simple in its conception and ruthless in its execution. As with many such crimes it preys on the vulnerable and, in many cases, would be difficult to identify, let alone catch the perpetrators.
This second outing for Josh Kennelly, as reluctant a hero as he professes to be, confirms that he is a worthy advocate for battlers and he’s fearless as he fights for justice. The fact that he’s able to back up his stoicism with controlled aggression, not to mention some pretty innovative ideas, makes him a rewarding character to follow.
I get the feeling we’ve merely scratched the surface of what Josh Kennelly’s capable of and Peter Ralph has more elaborate plans in store.
July 13, 2020
Exciting story!
This book pulls you in quickly and doesn't let go until the end. There are lots of twists and turns. It's not your everyday murder mystery. This is the second book of the series but can be read as a stand-alone. The three main characters are consistent from one book to the next. The third character is a very large loveable Akita that was a rescue from a very abusive background. That's why it's better to read the books in order.
The characters are very well developed and believable. The dialogue flows freely and smoothly. The editing is very clean. I would recommend this book for adults that love a good mystery. Have already downloaded the third book of this series. These books were I'll you in quickly and are unputdownable. (Is that really a word?)
This book pulls you in quickly and doesn't let go until the end. There are lots of twists and turns. It's not your everyday murder mystery. This is the second book of the series but can be read as a stand-alone. The three main characters are consistent from one book to the next. The third character is a very large loveable Akita that was a rescue from a very abusive background. That's why it's better to read the books in order.
The characters are very well developed and believable. The dialogue flows freely and smoothly. The editing is very clean. I would recommend this book for adults that love a good mystery. Have already downloaded the third book of this series. These books were I'll you in quickly and are unputdownable. (Is that really a word?)
July 4, 2020
Peter Ralph is one of my favorite authors because he combines impeccably researched truth with fiction to create a most entertaining read and inform at the same time. Josh Kennelly is back as our charming, but reluctant hero uncovering an almost unbelievable tale of greed and corruption, which, I discovered, has actually occurred here in my beloved State of Nevada! I wasn't sure what to think, at first, about the way the tale unfolded, but as I closed the book at the end, I knew it was the best way. The author's passion about the subject was clear. Has this really happened here? The answer is a resounding "Yes!" And Josh is the perfect anti-hero to expose it. You go Peter Ralph!
October 9, 2020
I started this book and was discouraged by the plot, so I put it down. After reading two very different books, I picked it back up and read until I finished it. That was a good decision since it soon became a book that was hard to put down. I've read one other book by Peter Ralph and was very pleased with it, so I plan to read any others of his that I come across. I rate this one 4.8 stars.
May 6, 2023
Deadly Bequests
An even better adventure. I will keep reading your books. They are so good and interesting. The world is full of fraud and your character seems to be really good at discerning it's twist and turns. An awesome book leaving me with thoughts of honesty and guilt.
An even better adventure. I will keep reading your books. They are so good and interesting. The world is full of fraud and your character seems to be really good at discerning it's twist and turns. An awesome book leaving me with thoughts of honesty and guilt.
August 3, 2023
Fast paced. Get the crooks and right the wrong.
A banker helps capture old, Lonely customers, finds a great life style and wonders if her customers have been murdered. A criminal—lawyer has an entire scheme rigged. And Kennelly untangles the mess.
A banker helps capture old, Lonely customers, finds a great life style and wonders if her customers have been murdered. A criminal—lawyer has an entire scheme rigged. And Kennelly untangles the mess.
August 24, 2024
what a great feel good story where the bad guys got their just deserts
what a great feel good story where the bad guys got their just deserts. The perpetrators were known from the start,so the enjoyment of this book was in finding out how they would be caught.
what a great feel good story where the bad guys got their just deserts. The perpetrators were known from the start,so the enjoyment of this book was in finding out how they would be caught.
September 30, 2019
This book was a page turner I enjoyed it! Josh was no Super Hero but he was a War Veteran with a good sense for finding the source . Pamela only wanted her family heirloom the necklace from her Stepmom. Unfortunately, Sandra and her partner were just taking advantage of the seniors Last Wish by robbing them of everything..Let’s not forget Tzar he is a unique Protector
Thank you, Peter Ralph a Great 📖
Thank you, Peter Ralph a Great 📖
November 9, 2019
This is a fabulous book that is excellently-written. The characters are wonderfully described and bought to life. The bad characters are corrupt and soulless, except when I kind of felt sorry for Sandra. Whereas, the other characters like Josh and his awesome wife were so strong and did such a wonderful job. This is such a great story. Looking forward to more by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 14, 2019
Another good story featuring Josh Kennelly.
His partner calls him a problem solver and that pretty much covers what Josh does. Solves other people’s problems. And he does it so well.
Now to read #3
His partner calls him a problem solver and that pretty much covers what Josh does. Solves other people’s problems. And he does it so well.
Now to read #3
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews