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Talon Winter Legal Thrillers #3
Winter's Reason
Criminal defense attorney Talon Winter agrees to represent an 18-year-old man charged with a murder he didn't commit. But under the strict letter of the law, he can still be held responsible for the actions of the person who actually pulled the trigger. The problem is, the trigger-puller is a cop. The bigger problem is, so was the victim.
A high profile case with a dead police officer leads the prosecutor's office to pursue a complicated legal theory to secure a murder conviction for a possible robbery gone horribly wrong. Talon appeals to the prosecutor's sense of justice, but is rebuffed by the harshest possible interpretation of the murder statute--and the prospect of a mandatory life sentence.
Talon will battle against public outrage, an intractable prosecutor, and 'the felony murder rule' to seek a just result for a young man facing the rest of his life in prison for the acts of another person.
A high profile case with a dead police officer leads the prosecutor's office to pursue a complicated legal theory to secure a murder conviction for a possible robbery gone horribly wrong. Talon appeals to the prosecutor's sense of justice, but is rebuffed by the harshest possible interpretation of the murder statute--and the prospect of a mandatory life sentence.
Talon will battle against public outrage, an intractable prosecutor, and 'the felony murder rule' to seek a just result for a young man facing the rest of his life in prison for the acts of another person.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2019
549 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Penner
62 books156 followersStephen Penner is an author, artist, and attorney from Seattle, Washington. He has written more than 30 novels and specializes in courtroom thrillers known for their unexpected twists and candid portrayal of the justice system. He draws on his extensive experience as a criminal trial attorney to infuse his writing with realism and insight.
Stephen is the author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. The TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. And the RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. For more information, visit his website www.stephenpenner.com.
Stephen is the author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. The TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. And the RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. For more information, visit his website www.stephenpenner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 11, 2023
I am not going to deny there was a tear or two and I got really emotional listening to this book - it was so well written and narrated and pulled no punches. I don't want to go into detail as this would involve spoilers. I just had to keep listening and find out what happened.
August 31, 2022
another great read.
January 4, 2020
I don't even know how to review this. I was completely invested in this story, anticipating a satisfactory conclusion that would tie everything up nice and neatly and leave me pondering the final result. Instead, the bottom fell out. I was so stunned I started turning the extra pages to see if I'd been shorted somehow. But no, there it was, one single word. END! I've never read a book where I felt cheated somehow but this was it! Now I'm not sure I can trust this author not to pull a similar sting in future works. Totally befuddled!
September 17, 2022
Fantastic read with too abrupt an ending
Before I start, surely I couldn't have been the only one to notice this?
Seems to be that Penner, along with his editors (if he has them) didn't notice that he initially used the name Todd Dickerson to represent the deceased cop before it was suddenly assigned to the surviving one. Eventually an entirely different name is used for the deceased cop later on in the book but...still. Talk about d'oh! Such a glaring mistake should not have been overlooked. Do better, guys!
At any rate, back to my actual review. I wanted badly to give this thing 5-stars because of the wonderfully written, troubling, and thought-provoking case going on, but dang...I really don't like how incomplete it felt when it was all said and done. Unfortunately, Penner decided to leave way too many loose ends in this one. I'm happy to have gotten a verdict at least, since Penner avoided giving me too many of those in his Dave Brunelle series, but sometimes even a verdict isn't enough to appease me when there were so many events in the book that needed resolutions even BEYOND the case in the courtoom.
Despite my takeaway of the 5th star, it ain't like this book sucked. Far from it. This is one THOSE kinds of legal thrillers: the kind that stressed me out by giving me inklings of how screwed up the justice system is if there are cases like the one depicted in this book. This is one of those legal thrillers that can really show the ugliness of certain laws or from those in authority. The pace is as smooth as any other Penner book, a feat he achieves very well (at the unfortunate expense of giving his characters some lives outside of their work, that is).
Things legit pissed. Me. OFF in this book, I kid you not. An 18-year-old young adult named Luke gives a ride to his buddy Miguel to a place that Miguel supposedly intended to rob. Things go wrong, and both Miguel and one police officer are killed. With no one to shoulder the blame, all eyes gaze to Luke, who was simply waiting in his car for his friend. Now, Luke is the one being charged for murder. It's a super sticky case with more troubling details than I've revealed, but man....it certainly made for an excellent read, even in all the ways it got me mad.
If only Penner actually gave a more complete ending to all the different plot points introduced in this story. This coulda been a 5-star read EASILY. Oh well.
Click for all my commentary, including when I saw Todd Dickerson's name being interchanged. I say again...D'OH!
Before I start, surely I couldn't have been the only one to notice this?
"Officer Todd Dickerson, who, as we all know only too well, recently lost his life..."and then a bit later:
"Dickerson isn't a defendant. He's just a witness."
Seems to be that Penner, along with his editors (if he has them) didn't notice that he initially used the name Todd Dickerson to represent the deceased cop before it was suddenly assigned to the surviving one. Eventually an entirely different name is used for the deceased cop later on in the book but...still. Talk about d'oh! Such a glaring mistake should not have been overlooked. Do better, guys!
At any rate, back to my actual review. I wanted badly to give this thing 5-stars because of the wonderfully written, troubling, and thought-provoking case going on, but dang...I really don't like how incomplete it felt when it was all said and done. Unfortunately, Penner decided to leave way too many loose ends in this one. I'm happy to have gotten a verdict at least, since Penner avoided giving me too many of those in his Dave Brunelle series, but sometimes even a verdict isn't enough to appease me when there were so many events in the book that needed resolutions even BEYOND the case in the courtoom.
Despite my takeaway of the 5th star, it ain't like this book sucked. Far from it. This is one THOSE kinds of legal thrillers: the kind that stressed me out by giving me inklings of how screwed up the justice system is if there are cases like the one depicted in this book. This is one of those legal thrillers that can really show the ugliness of certain laws or from those in authority. The pace is as smooth as any other Penner book, a feat he achieves very well (at the unfortunate expense of giving his characters some lives outside of their work, that is).
Things legit pissed. Me. OFF in this book, I kid you not. An 18-year-old young adult named Luke gives a ride to his buddy Miguel to a place that Miguel supposedly intended to rob. Things go wrong, and both Miguel and one police officer are killed. With no one to shoulder the blame, all eyes gaze to Luke, who was simply waiting in his car for his friend. Now, Luke is the one being charged for murder. It's a super sticky case with more troubling details than I've revealed, but man....it certainly made for an excellent read, even in all the ways it got me mad.
If only Penner actually gave a more complete ending to all the different plot points introduced in this story. This coulda been a 5-star read EASILY. Oh well.
Click for all my commentary, including when I saw Todd Dickerson's name being interchanged. I say again...D'OH!
June 1, 2020
Stephen Penner writes gripping legal thrillers that also educate readers on aspects of criminal law. This one is no exception. The protagonist is brash, sometimes obnoxious, and makes some mistakes, but she is courageous and relentless in defending her client
This novel felt like a "part one", leaving readers wondering about the identity of those trying to intimidate Talon Winter, the result of an appeal, and the outcome of the follow-up civil case against the shooter. I look forward to a part two.
This novel felt like a "part one", leaving readers wondering about the identity of those trying to intimidate Talon Winter, the result of an appeal, and the outcome of the follow-up civil case against the shooter. I look forward to a part two.
August 19, 2020
Okay, thrilled again!
I was forty pages into the book when I realized I had already read it. Still, the story captured me and I read on.
Worthy of a second read. I like the foul -mouthed Talon. And her cohorts. The story was compelling, the characters honest and believable.
I wanted a happy ending, but that's not real life, is it?
I was forty pages into the book when I realized I had already read it. Still, the story captured me and I read on.
Worthy of a second read. I like the foul -mouthed Talon. And her cohorts. The story was compelling, the characters honest and believable.
I wanted a happy ending, but that's not real life, is it?
December 4, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book until the verdict was read. The defendant was innocent. Winter was the good guy. She lost. The bad guys won. This is my fourth book in the Winter series that I have read. I will NOT read another!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2021
Interesting
This was very interesting. It was so full of excitement. Talon i am not to fond of but I guess that's exactly what keeps the series interesting. I can't wait to read the next book.
This was very interesting. It was so full of excitement. Talon i am not to fond of but I guess that's exactly what keeps the series interesting. I can't wait to read the next book.
March 24, 2024
Seldom is a young Person found Innocent
The law is so confusing about who is actually guilty when a crime is being committed and someone may be an innocent bystander but know the perpetrator.
The law is so confusing about who is actually guilty when a crime is being committed and someone may be an innocent bystander but know the perpetrator.
February 2, 2025
Usual Winter novel with her arrogance. Penner gives a law lesson without law school. Sometimes too much but you always come away with a better understanding of the legal nuances of whatever case she is defending. Get ready for a surprise ending.
April 14, 2020
Good Book
This book was very good. Easy to read. Great flow. Hard to put down. The end of this story left me heart broken.
This book was very good. Easy to read. Great flow. Hard to put down. The end of this story left me heart broken.
June 29, 2020
This is my first read of this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It was suspenseful and well written. Another novel that cost me some sleep as it was difficult to put down.
August 3, 2021
Injustice
I can not believe they found that boy guilty! I hope you have a follow up for his appeal. Wow, this book really left a bad impression as to our "justice system".
I can not believe they found that boy guilty! I hope you have a follow up for his appeal. Wow, this book really left a bad impression as to our "justice system".
December 21, 2022
I've now read the whole Talon Winter Legal series and can strongly recommend these novels to anyone interested in richly drawn characters, interesting stories and, especially, taught legal and courtroom dramas. Talon Winter is one of the sharpest central continuing characters you'll ever read.
I've copied and pasted this review to all the Talon Winter books to try to spread the word. No need to read them in order, but I think you should.
I've copied and pasted this review to all the Talon Winter books to try to spread the word. No need to read them in order, but I think you should.
December 18, 2022
I like this Talon Winter character. Full of confidence and bravado.
January 28, 2023
Surprise ending
Enjoyed running away for a while when I got the chance. Was surprised at the ending. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Enjoyed running away for a while when I got the chance. Was surprised at the ending. Looking forward to reading the next book.
May 28, 2023
Loved the narration of Talon Davids, she keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Talon Winter the young lawyer finds herself fighting a case motivated by racism and with corrupt police officers.
Talon Winter the young lawyer finds herself fighting a case motivated by racism and with corrupt police officers.
February 17, 2024
Reason
This book drags on forever! It will hold your attention but it is still a little slow. I can't say I enjoyed this book as well as the first two in this series.
This book drags on forever! It will hold your attention but it is still a little slow. I can't say I enjoyed this book as well as the first two in this series.
February 18, 2024
a great story with an unusual verdict
Loved the storey, found the law in this case hard to believe and was on the end of my chair right to the end.
Loved the storey, found the law in this case hard to believe and was on the end of my chair right to the end.
March 15, 2025
Heartbreaking conclusion, but hopefully Talon can fix it in a future book!
October 9, 2025
Thoughtful...
Too bad people don't look at the real truth. Very strange verdict and where is the truth? Odd ending of novel.
Too bad people don't look at the real truth. Very strange verdict and where is the truth? Odd ending of novel.
Read
February 22, 2020I can't believe they convicted him for sitting in a car
Unbelievable is all I can say the evidence was not allowed to be presented the cops coerced that confession once again the innocent was found of guilty
Unbelievable is all I can say the evidence was not allowed to be presented the cops coerced that confession once again the innocent was found of guilty
August 14, 2019
Unanswered questions
This was a good read with an abrupt ending...it left a few unanswered questions I hope thee is a follow up
This was a good read with an abrupt ending...it left a few unanswered questions I hope thee is a follow up
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews