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Daniel Pike #4
Twisted Justice
If he loses this court case, the consequence is death…
Ever since his father’s wrongful incarceration, defense lawyer Daniel Pike has defended the innocent at any cost. But he’s stunned when his archrival DA is found shot dead and brutally crucified. And after Pike himself lands in jail for the crime, he smells a terrifying setup.
Fearing he’ll suffer the same fate as his parent, the determined attorney uncovers evidence that the DA was involved with a sinister sex-trafficking ring. But with the prosecution presenting an ironclad case against him, it’s clear someone wants Pike out of the way. And if they can’t get him with a lethal injection, they may resort to bullets…
Can Pike get to the truth before he’s condemned to die behind bars?
Twisted Justice is the tense fourth novel in the Daniel Pike Legal Thrillers series. If you like dark conspiracies, heart-stopping suspense, and courtroom battles against the odds, then you’ll love William Bernhardt’s breathtaking tale.
Ever since his father’s wrongful incarceration, defense lawyer Daniel Pike has defended the innocent at any cost. But he’s stunned when his archrival DA is found shot dead and brutally crucified. And after Pike himself lands in jail for the crime, he smells a terrifying setup.
Fearing he’ll suffer the same fate as his parent, the determined attorney uncovers evidence that the DA was involved with a sinister sex-trafficking ring. But with the prosecution presenting an ironclad case against him, it’s clear someone wants Pike out of the way. And if they can’t get him with a lethal injection, they may resort to bullets…
Can Pike get to the truth before he’s condemned to die behind bars?
Twisted Justice is the tense fourth novel in the Daniel Pike Legal Thrillers series. If you like dark conspiracies, heart-stopping suspense, and courtroom battles against the odds, then you’ll love William Bernhardt’s breathtaking tale.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2020
460 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
William Bernhardt
96 books512 followersWilliam Bernhardt is the author of over sixty books, including the bestselling Daniel Pike and Ben Kincaid legal thrillers, the historical novels Challengers of the Dust and Nemesis, three books of poetry, and the ten Red Sneaker books on fiction writing.
In addition, Bernhardt founded the Red Sneaker Writers Center to mentor aspiring writers. The Center hosts an annual writers conference (WriterCon), small-group seminars, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-weekly podcast. More than three dozen of Bernhardt’s students have subsequently published with major houses. He is also the owner of Balkan Press, which publishes poetry and fiction as well as the literary journal Conclave.
Bernhardt has received the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (Oklahoma State), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He has been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award eighteen times in three different categories, and has won the award twice. Library Journal called him “the master of the courtroom drama.” The Vancouver Sun called him “the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer.”
In addition to his novels and poetry, he has written plays, a musical (book and score), humor, children stories, biography, and puzzles. He has edited two anthologies (Legal Briefs and Natural Suspect) as fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy and the Children’s Legal Defense Fund. OSU named him “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man.”
In his spare time, he has enjoyed surfing, digging for dinosaurs, trekking through the Himalayas, paragliding, scuba diving, caving, zip-lining over the canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest, and jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. In 2013, he became a Jeopardy! champion winning over $20,000.
When Bernhardt delivered the keynote address at the San Francisco Writers Conference, chairman Michael Larsen noted that in addition to penning novels, Bernhardt can “write a sonnet, play a sonata, plant a garden, try a lawsuit, teach a class, cook a gourmet meal, beat you at Scrabble, and work the New York Times crossword in under five minutes.”
In addition, Bernhardt founded the Red Sneaker Writers Center to mentor aspiring writers. The Center hosts an annual writers conference (WriterCon), small-group seminars, a monthly newsletter, and a bi-weekly podcast. More than three dozen of Bernhardt’s students have subsequently published with major houses. He is also the owner of Balkan Press, which publishes poetry and fiction as well as the literary journal Conclave.
Bernhardt has received the Southern Writers Guild’s Gold Medal Award, the Royden B. Davis Distinguished Author Award (University of Pennsylvania) and the H. Louise Cobb Distinguished Author Award (Oklahoma State), which is given "in recognition of an outstanding body of work that has profoundly influenced the way in which we understand ourselves and American society at large." He has been nominated for the Oklahoma Book Award eighteen times in three different categories, and has won the award twice. Library Journal called him “the master of the courtroom drama.” The Vancouver Sun called him “the American equivalent of P.G. Wodehouse and John Mortimer.”
In addition to his novels and poetry, he has written plays, a musical (book and score), humor, children stories, biography, and puzzles. He has edited two anthologies (Legal Briefs and Natural Suspect) as fundraisers for The Nature Conservancy and the Children’s Legal Defense Fund. OSU named him “Oklahoma’s Renaissance Man.”
In his spare time, he has enjoyed surfing, digging for dinosaurs, trekking through the Himalayas, paragliding, scuba diving, caving, zip-lining over the canopy of the Costa Rican rain forest, and jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet. In 2013, he became a Jeopardy! champion winning over $20,000.
When Bernhardt delivered the keynote address at the San Francisco Writers Conference, chairman Michael Larsen noted that in addition to penning novels, Bernhardt can “write a sonnet, play a sonata, plant a garden, try a lawsuit, teach a class, cook a gourmet meal, beat you at Scrabble, and work the New York Times crossword in under five minutes.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 29, 2020
Long a fan of William Bernhardt’s writing, I returned for the fourth novel in his Daniel Pike series. Bernhardt still has a great ability to write, though I do miss some of the sharper prose from his earlier series work. Early one morning, Daniel Pike and his paramour, who also happens to be the mayor of St. Petersburg, are startled awake by a knock on the door. A detective and two officers greet them with arrest warrants for the murder of the District Attorney. He’s been shot and gruesomely crucified for all to see. An anonymous email sent to the St. Pete PD includes a recording where Pike and the mayor discuss getting the DA ‘out of the way’. Pike is used to defending the innocent on serious charges, but now he is the one in the hot seat. He turns to his colleagues, the Last Chance Lawyers, who begin to sift through the evidence. Much of this appears to be a campaign to smear Pike and send him away for good, if not see him executed. While the team tries to build a case for Pike’s defence, the famed attorney has a hard time sitting on his hands and letting the wheels of justice turn for themselves. Meanwhile, a young woman emerges out of the water one day, battered and bruised. All anyone can get out of her is that her name is Elena, though the rest is complete nonsense. Working an angle based on rumours and hearsay, the defence tries to prove that the illustrious DA might have been involved in something that got him killed. However, time is running out and the evidence is still too flimsy to ensure Pike’s innocence. An interesting take in the series that pulls no punches. Bernhardt does well to tell his story, even if it lacks some of the cutting edge many fans have com to expect from past novels. Recommended to those who need a decent crime thriller, as well as the reader who wants something to pass their travel or vacation time.
There’s nothing like a great legal thriller to get the blood pumping. William Bernhardt has delivered this time and again with some of his Ben Kincaid novels, though the turn to Daniel Pike has been somewhat of a diluted collection of stories. Pike remains a decent protagonist, whose backstory of wanting to see the innocent stay free pushes him to do all that he can to find the truth. Badgered by a few in town who want nothing but to see him suffer, Pike is always trying to find legal loopholes for his clients. His Casanova-like moves are also a key to his character, though one can only hope that he’ll find a way to tame those while facing a major legal battle. Other characters emerge as decent additions to the series, bringing their own flavour to a novel that takes the reader in many directions. Some of the new faces that emerge offer new and interesting perspectives, though no one stands out as stellar for me. With a decent plot and well-paced narrative, the book was a decent read, though I was not as enthralled as I might have hoped. Daniel Pike seems almost to be biding his time for something bigger and better. Bernhardt is surely quite busy with all his writing seminars, where one can hope some of the next big names are learning the craft, though the caliber of his writing seems to be suffering a tad. Still, I like them enough to keep pushing forward and hope there is more to come from the Last Chance Lawyers before too long.
Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for a decent effort. I trust you have some more ideas to share with your fans soon.
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/...
There’s nothing like a great legal thriller to get the blood pumping. William Bernhardt has delivered this time and again with some of his Ben Kincaid novels, though the turn to Daniel Pike has been somewhat of a diluted collection of stories. Pike remains a decent protagonist, whose backstory of wanting to see the innocent stay free pushes him to do all that he can to find the truth. Badgered by a few in town who want nothing but to see him suffer, Pike is always trying to find legal loopholes for his clients. His Casanova-like moves are also a key to his character, though one can only hope that he’ll find a way to tame those while facing a major legal battle. Other characters emerge as decent additions to the series, bringing their own flavour to a novel that takes the reader in many directions. Some of the new faces that emerge offer new and interesting perspectives, though no one stands out as stellar for me. With a decent plot and well-paced narrative, the book was a decent read, though I was not as enthralled as I might have hoped. Daniel Pike seems almost to be biding his time for something bigger and better. Bernhardt is surely quite busy with all his writing seminars, where one can hope some of the next big names are learning the craft, though the caliber of his writing seems to be suffering a tad. Still, I like them enough to keep pushing forward and hope there is more to come from the Last Chance Lawyers before too long.
Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for a decent effort. I trust you have some more ideas to share with your fans soon.
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/...
September 13, 2021
3.5 Stars
Can Pike get to the truth before he’s condemned to die behind bars?
I liked this book better than Trial by Blood. I still love the Last Chance Lawyers team - every one of them! The story in Twisted Justice moved along at a good pace and, as I said, the characters were likable. I felt, however, that some of the courtroom scenes definitely stretched credibility. (And that's putting it a bit lightly!)
Can Pike get to the truth before he’s condemned to die behind bars?
I liked this book better than Trial by Blood. I still love the Last Chance Lawyers team - every one of them! The story in Twisted Justice moved along at a good pace and, as I said, the characters were likable. I felt, however, that some of the courtroom scenes definitely stretched credibility. (And that's putting it a bit lightly!)
October 30, 2020
In his most recent Last Chance Lawyer book, "Twisted Justice", William Bernhardt demonstrates why he is the master of the legal thriller. In the first three books, we all got to know his lead character, Daniel Pike. But this time he throws us a curve in the second chapter that changes everything. The last chance lawyers are going to be defending one of their own against the same kind of terrible odds they usually face with other, less personal clients. I love the way the story allows each of the partners to get out of their comfort zones and together produce the final outcome, including Dan Pike. Second, I love the parallel plot line about human trafficking that informs and enhances the main plot. This book has the largest number and most mind-blowing twists of any thriller I’ve read. And everything works. Congratulations to William Bernhardt on doing the story Twisted Justice…uh... twisted justice. Buy it! Read it! Read the whole series. You’ll be glad you did.
August 20, 2021
This is the 4th in the series. Daniel Pike is fighting for his life in this one. He has just been arrested, along with his girlfriend, have just been arrested for murder. The police have a recording that has Daniel and Camila discussing killing Belasi. Belasi body has just been found in an alleyway,
shot 6 times and pinned to the wall with a metal device.
Now, the Last Chance Lawyers, who Daniel works now is going to represent him. But, will be they able to prove who might have killed Belasi and is there a bigger story behind this?
Really enjoy reading about the Last Chance Lawyers and, of course, Daniel when is is trying a case!
shot 6 times and pinned to the wall with a metal device.
Now, the Last Chance Lawyers, who Daniel works now is going to represent him. But, will be they able to prove who might have killed Belasi and is there a bigger story behind this?
Really enjoy reading about the Last Chance Lawyers and, of course, Daniel when is is trying a case!
April 6, 2023
Bernhard did it again.
I am convinced that this writer can hold his own among the best writers of court room thrillers. This is the fourth book I read of his and I can't wait to read the next one. The main character, Daniel Pike, is a fantastic lawyer but has some crazy ways of solving the crimes and usually at the last minute. He is quite the showman in the court room which usually ticks off the judges and the his opponent but very entertaining. Of course the author makes you wait till the end to find out who the real killer is and I really can't figure it out on my own.
I am convinced that this writer can hold his own among the best writers of court room thrillers. This is the fourth book I read of his and I can't wait to read the next one. The main character, Daniel Pike, is a fantastic lawyer but has some crazy ways of solving the crimes and usually at the last minute. He is quite the showman in the court room which usually ticks off the judges and the his opponent but very entertaining. Of course the author makes you wait till the end to find out who the real killer is and I really can't figure it out on my own.
January 26, 2024
I had problems getting into this book. I started reading it about two weeks ago and put it aside. It just wasn't grabbing my attention. When I picked it back up, I was pleasantly surprised when I couldn't put it down. It picked up once the trial started. I still had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight and the twist at the end wasn't a surprise to me. Overall, it was okay and I'll read more of this series but I like the Ben Kincaid series better.
May 31, 2020
Another outstanding thriller!
I guessed from early on who the killer was and that doesn’t happen very often, it was still a wonderful Daniel Pike thriller by the great author William Bernhardt! I’m not being generous with my rating this is simply an amazing book (as with all of his thrillers!
I guessed from early on who the killer was and that doesn’t happen very often, it was still a wonderful Daniel Pike thriller by the great author William Bernhardt! I’m not being generous with my rating this is simply an amazing book (as with all of his thrillers!
February 26, 2023
Good Saturday afternoon read
I’m new to Daniel Pike series and I started at #4. Will go back to the beginning. The book is an easy read. I didn’t have much trouble figuring out who the culprits were. Glad author touches on legal issues like facial recognition, human trafficking (kidnapping), dark web, and other important issues we should be more interested in.
I’m new to Daniel Pike series and I started at #4. Will go back to the beginning. The book is an easy read. I didn’t have much trouble figuring out who the culprits were. Glad author touches on legal issues like facial recognition, human trafficking (kidnapping), dark web, and other important issues we should be more interested in.
July 18, 2023
E-Pub ISBN: 9781948263597
I like the characters, the plots are good - maybe a little too slick and opportunistic, but they do move along.
Not sure exactly what it is that gives me twinges about these books - besides the English. He repeatedly uses "liver mortis" and confuses advice and advise. Where are editors these days?
I like the characters, the plots are good - maybe a little too slick and opportunistic, but they do move along.
Not sure exactly what it is that gives me twinges about these books - besides the English. He repeatedly uses "liver mortis" and confuses advice and advise. Where are editors these days?
Read
September 3, 2025As the 4th in the Daniel Pike, it follows along the others and presents new and interesting details to the attorney's quest to find the truth about his father. Over all a nice addition to the series. Scenarios continue to be slightly fantastical and idealistic but are fun none the less. I enjoy the characters and it is fun to see how they interact.
May 29, 2020
Terrible
This book is so ridiculously boring that I had to keep skipping chapters just to try and get through it and it really wasn't worth it at all. I would definitely not recommend this and will not get whatever books are left in the series.
This book is so ridiculously boring that I had to keep skipping chapters just to try and get through it and it really wasn't worth it at all. I would definitely not recommend this and will not get whatever books are left in the series.
June 2, 2020
Who framed Pike?
Enjoyable who did it mystery. Since the accused, the client, is our hero we expect him to be found innocent. How the mystery unfolds, with several twists at the end, is a pleasant read.
Enjoyable who did it mystery. Since the accused, the client, is our hero we expect him to be found innocent. How the mystery unfolds, with several twists at the end, is a pleasant read.
November 30, 2021
Truly Twisted
I've read the Dan Pike books in order and this one was the hardest to put down so far. It was difficult to understand how the different plots were going to come together, but they did. And the ending was a blockbuster! Absolutely did not see it coming. Bravo!
I've read the Dan Pike books in order and this one was the hardest to put down so far. It was difficult to understand how the different plots were going to come together, but they did. And the ending was a blockbuster! Absolutely did not see it coming. Bravo!
March 28, 2023
Many interesting twists and turns
Interesting story with lots of twists and turns. Not exactly the ending i was anticipating, but surprising none the less. Anxious to see where the Mayor comes back in.
Interesting story with lots of twists and turns. Not exactly the ending i was anticipating, but surprising none the less. Anxious to see where the Mayor comes back in.
June 7, 2020
Another good Daniel Pike legal story. Loved the "Parry Mason" ending. Takes me back!
November 7, 2020
Legal, murder mystery with likable characters and surprise baddy. Will read more of series. Author performed very well.
Read
January 7, 2021First thought I might not finish (really have trouble with this law firm's situation, but it turned out pretty good.
March 14, 2021
It was ok not great but better than some others
June 18, 2021
Outstanding legal thriller. Had me on the edge of my seat, and I was wrong in my suspect. Wow! Lots of twists. Don’t want the series to end
August 20, 2021
Another good read. On to book 5.
September 29, 2022
twisted justice
Another great book of me Bernhardt that kept me hooked from the beginning. Dan pike charged with murder and how Dan figured out who did it!
Another great book of me Bernhardt that kept me hooked from the beginning. Dan pike charged with murder and how Dan figured out who did it!
November 18, 2022
Can't wait for the next book
Great read. I can't wait for the next book. I could not put it down. You will love the Twist and turns
Great read. I can't wait for the next book. I could not put it down. You will love the Twist and turns
June 5, 2023
Really enjoyed this series!
August 11, 2023
Daniel Pike, attorney, is on trial for murder. His team work tirelessly to find the real killer.
October 10, 2023
Surprise twist (to me) at the end salvaged a rather mediocre effort in my opinion. Will probably continue with the series, but didn’t think this was one of the author’s better efforts.
July 22, 2024
A fantastic read.
I never expected the ending! Can't wait to read the rest of this great series. Keep them coming, thank you.
I never expected the ending! Can't wait to read the rest of this great series. Keep them coming, thank you.
February 16, 2025
I would give it six stars if there were six stars. Excellent storyline. Had me guessing all the way to the last page. Bravo!!
July 19, 2025
Love this series
On book five in five days. I love Dan and his team. Great plots and writing. I can't wait to see what happens in this one.
On book five in five days. I love Dan and his team. Great plots and writing. I can't wait to see what happens in this one.
May 14, 2020
Daniel Pike is a lawyer but now he is accused of murder and fighting for his life. Could not put the book down, very fast paced.
May 19, 2020
Decent twists at the end, but the lead-up? Sorry, just formulaic and rather boring.....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews