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Celebrities get away with murder.

Assistant District Attorney Jessie Black doesn’t believe that. She believes the law applies to everyone, and that justice and truth prevail.

But according to veteran prosecutor Ned Ransom, it’s exactly what happened six years ago, when hip-hop superstar Jurdel Frazier threw his wife off a fifteenth floor hotel balcony and was found not guilty by a starstruck jury.

Now history repeats itself. Police find the cold, dead body of Frazier’s new girlfriend, and Jessie finds herself next to Ransom at the prosecution table.

But is this a second chance for justice, or something more sinister—and deadly? The more Jessie uncovers, the more she worries that this case is not what it appears.

And the person she begins to trust the least is the prosecutor sitting next to her.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2020

1368 people are currently reading
251 people want to read

About the author

Larry A. Winters

31 books116 followers

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5 stars
883 (60%)
4 stars
436 (29%)
3 stars
112 (7%)
2 stars
16 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
1,754 reviews13 followers
March 20, 2020
This story begins with Jessie returning from her honeymoon. No sooner han she gets back, she is assigned to the case of superstar Jurdel Frazier who is accused of killing his girlfriend. He was charged earlier and was found not guilty of killing his 1st wife. Ned Ramsey is assigned to assist her in the prosecution of this case. He was the prosecutor in Frasier's 1st case. He is upset that he is not in charge and works outside of the system to insure that Frasier is found guilty this time.

Frasier's lawyer has seen all of the evidence which is all circumstantial and has gone to extremes to try to get a mistrial.

Jessie looks into the case and she begins to have questions as to whether Ned planted evidence. She decides to go through with the trial and in the end wins a conviction through testimony of a snitch in jail.

To find out what the contributing factor toward the conviction and what steps Frasier took to get a mistrial, then you must read this book. It is done well like the other books in this series.

I recommend it highly, you won't be disappointed.
189 reviews2 followers
July 5, 2020
Starving Reader!

I have been like a starving reader this past week. I found the Jessie Black series just over a week ago and I have read all of them back to back. It was like being at a five star restaurant with a gourmet meal. But alas I have finished all the courses except there is an appetizer, Grave Testament, that the author sent me.
Lethal Innocence has a unique storyline. I don't ever want to give any part of the plot away so I I'll just say it was just as good as the last six books. I love the way this author writes. The story just flows so effortlessly. The characters are very well developed and believable. The dialogue flows freely and smoothly. The editing is clean with just a very few grammatical errors. Does not in any way affect the story. I love this whole series. I feel as if I know Jessie and Leafy personally. I recommend this series to anyone that loves murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. Thank you Mr. Winter's for your amazing writing.
414 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2020
Good storyline and the author has created 4 great characters. The author really understands the importance that the Police Department plays in developing the evidence that the District Attorney needs to successfully prosecute the case. The author really understands Obsession and how it can destroy a man s life.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,439 reviews30 followers
March 21, 2020
This is another exciting addition to the Jessie Black series. The plot is so well developed and entertaining all the way to the surprise ending. Jessie is a great character. I highly recommend this book and series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review
Profile Image for Katherine Weaver.
221 reviews
March 23, 2020
Beast one yet. If you love thrillers this is the series for you. Characters are easy to fall in love with. Even the bad ones! You hope they get their just rewards. A lot of twists and turns. You can’t go wrong reading the entire series.
Profile Image for Cheryl Carmoega.
121 reviews2 followers
April 5, 2020
Jessie Black Rides Again!!!
And what a ride this was!!! Great plot and characters, all around well developed. Lots of action, twists and turns!!! Mr. Winters does it again!!! A must read! Can't wait for the next book!
294 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2020
Thought spinning law story that had me guessing though out as to who done it. Strong characters and even flow to the story kept me thinking "one morechapter". Looking forward to more Jessie Black stories.
12.7k reviews189 followers
March 29, 2020
Another fascinating Jessie Black story. Once you start, you’ll be caught up in the fast paced suspense. Don’t miss out.
Profile Image for Georganna Turnbull.
52 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2020
Another Jesse Black novel that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Is the hip hop artist or the ADA the murderer? Twists and turns an I didn’t want to put the book down.
54 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2020
This series is very good. It's not usual for me to read a book in one sitting, especially with the strain from ebooks, but the series is worth it! Fantastic characters and good plots.
Profile Image for Jane.
1,272 reviews16 followers
November 13, 2020
3.5 stars

Jessie Black is a lawyer in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. She’s married to Leary, a detective with the DA’s Office and they’re just back from their honeymoon in Hawaii.

A hip-hop performer named Jurdel Frazier has been arrested and charged with murdering his girlfriend, Haven Green who was found dead in a hotel suite. Six years ago, Jurdel’s wife died after falling from a fifteenth floor hotel balcony.

Frazier claims it was suicide and that his wife jumped after she discovered him and Haven Green having sex. The jury however found him not guilty on all charges.

His girlfriend’s death looks like suicide but instead of jumping, she ingested a drug used for assisted suicide.

Meanwhile, the DA’s Office has been assigned to prosecute the case and ADA Ned Ransom wants to lead in the prosecution. However, their boss, Warren Williams, head of the DA’s Office Homicide Unit, thinks Ned’s not being objective about the case. Besides he was the prosecutor on Frazier’s first trial. Warren thinks if his office rushes in, they could lose again.

Jurdel claims he’s been set up, so he hires Hal Nolan, a criminal defense attorney to represent him. Hal is still recovering from an injury he sustained to his spine when a client shot him. and has been going for physical therapy.

At the preliminary arraignment hearing, Hal calls Jessie aside to share his defendant's concerns about being set up by her colleague Ned Ransom. Then Hal asks Jessie to look into Ned because Ned has an irrational hatred for Jurdel Frazier and still hasn’t gotten over losing Jurdel’s first trial.

Fast-paced legal thriller and engaging courtroom scenes. Would recommend
168 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2020
7th Jessie Black is as good as the first

I’ve read all 7 of this series and liked this one as much as the first ones. Many times books suffer as the series progresses but not this one. Jessie is an excellent prosecutor who gets thrown into dangerous situations during murder trials. She never backs down and keeps fighting to put the guilty in prison but always keeps an open mind when subjected to information that might lead to their innocence. I have really enjoyed this series and hope there is another one in the works! One other thing is that even though there is a story line that progresses through the series, each one can be read as a stand-alone without taking away from that story.
43 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2021
It is rare indeed when you find both the prosecutor and the defense happy with the verdict. You’ll just have to read it for yourself to find out why! This book also shows why too much exuberance can be a bad thing. It is one thing for a prosecutor to be dedicated and energetic, but it is another thing altogether when you lose perspective and judgment and let that exuberance blind you to justice. This book is about a celebrity who truly believes he is above the law. Having got away with murder the first time, why not try it again. I was also somewhat disappointed in the boss of the homicide prosecutors for his poor judgment. You will have to judge that for yourself…but do it before we know all that we know…do it when he first makes that decision.
105 reviews1 follower
December 14, 2020
Jessie takes on a case that will keep you reading to the end. Celebrity Jurdel Frazier thinks he is above the law. In his first trial he is acquitted of killing his wife. A few years later he is on trial again for killing his girlfriend. He retains Hal and Kristina Nolan to defend him. Jessie is conflicted about Ned Ransom, her second chair, who was the prosecutor in Frazier’s first trial. He never got over that loss. As the story unfolds, you get caught up in the trial. I am so over-the-top about the Jessie Black series. I could not stop reading! The characters are so interesting. I easily give this book 5+ stars.
460 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2023
How Do You Try A First Degree Murder Case When Your Second Chair Could Be A Murderer?

Jessie gets first chair on a murder trial of HIP-HOP star whose girl friend supposedly committed suicide? The star, Origin JF, has worked considerable charm on his defense team and thinks he has locked up a not guilty verdict by trying to make Jessie's second chair, Ned Ransom, out to be the real murderer. But when new evidence reveals that Origin JF isn't as squeaky clean as he professes. Oh, and did I mention that Ned pulls a couple major boners on his own? No more spoilers here!
1,794 reviews15 followers
March 13, 2024
Jesse Black leads a very interesting life, sometimes too interesting. The author has again woven a legal tale which twists its way through the Philadelphia legal system. An interesting collection of characters combine to allow the reader many choices in the who done it. Even more interesting is how they did it, which points directly at who.

If you like some mystery in your stories and an interesting collection of characters - some likeable, some not so much - then you will enjoy this story.
Profile Image for mary arnold.
438 reviews
November 11, 2020
Lethal Innocence has many twists and turns, making it hard to put down. I like that Jessica is a collegial individual. She comes across as competent but not arrogantly competitive. In this story, she is paired with another attorney who is unlikable even from his introduction. They are paired against a celebrity who has possibly murdered a wife and a girlfriend. Even until the last chapter, it kept me guessing.
193 reviews3 followers
April 16, 2021
The 7th book in the legal thriller series about Jessie Black reinforced my belief that well-known people often get away with things others would not. However, Jessie believes the law applies to everyone, and that justice and truth will prevail. I followed the various twists and turns, keen to learn how an experienced, highly successful prosecutor would cope with a different type of challenge, with her latest assigned case. Her honeymoon is certainly over......
Profile Image for David Morris.
174 reviews1 follower
March 2, 2024
Lethal Innocence

For being a legal thriller, this was surprisingly easy to read. I think the writing style led me along at just the right pace, allowing me to form my opinion.

As we follow the story, conspiracies abound. Who set up who? Characters were fleshed out and allowed to follow their own paths.

I was thankful there was a minimum of legal theatrics; just enough to keep the story on track. I can easily recommend this to others.
32 reviews
October 16, 2020
A different kind of legal drama - refreshingly unique

This story kept my interest from start to finish, with twists and turns that surprised me from chapter to chapter. Interesting characters who were not the usual people you expect to find in a legal thriller. I liked it a lit!
Profile Image for Dee Cash.
567 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2020
# 7

As seems to be my custom, I again started in the middle of a series.
I don't think it really hurt Lethal Innocence for me though. There were a couple references to previous happenings but the novel was easily read as a stand alone. I think anyone who enjoys legal thrillers will enjoy Lethal Innocence.
141 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2024
Who on Earth is the Killer???

All the suspense and intrigue of really good thrillers are present in the Jesse Black books. Winters is a master of twisted tales and characterizations, keeping you riveted while leading you through the roller coaster turns of figuring out who done it!
Profile Image for Veronica Flowers.
95 reviews
September 9, 2020
Great courtroom series

I didn't find anything bad about this series and I highly recommend to anyone that like courtroom books and intense mystery to read this series till the end!!
Profile Image for Michelle Strommen.
1,116 reviews18 followers
October 29, 2020
Loved it. Love how many characters got a recurring role. Reggie Tuck is one of my favorites. Also, I am enjoying the addition of the defense lawyers. The story was good, had me questioning who really did it for a little while. I hope for many more Jessie Black books.
Profile Image for Joan Mills.
118 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2020
Missing witness

Jessie Black deals with another case of misconstrued evidence, and the infamous defence lawyers. The case peaks at prosecutors and their responsibility, how framing another for crimes often becomes confusing, and a missing witness.
33 reviews
November 8, 2020
A very twisted plot with a surprised ending

Part unjust murder verdict found not guilty with a lying wetness later found to had an untimely death. Was evidence planted or something else with an a unexpected conclusion.
34 reviews
November 16, 2020
Couldn't put my kindle down!

What a fantastic series of events in this read. I was reading at picking up my dresser during every available minute. Loved the main characters. I can not wait to read Book #1 and enjoy the entire series
1,053 reviews15 followers
November 17, 2020
Legal thriller

This was certainly an original story. It was very entertaining. The characters were relatable and interesting. The story moved quickly with some interesting twists and turns. A good read.
203 reviews2 followers
November 21, 2020
Real courtroom drama

Having worked in law and attending many trials this work is actually what happens in the course of a trial. No the lawyers are all law abiding but the story line is interesting and keeps you hooked till the end. A really jmaginative and interesring story
Ann
780 reviews
November 24, 2020
Lethal Innocence

I really tried to like this book. There were times when it seemed like it was going to be a good book. But, it is so far from reality that I had to finally throw in the towel. I made it to 53% but just can't go on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews

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