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Daniel Pike #5
Judge and Jury
This time, Dan’s putting everything on the line. Will his dangerous scheme reveal a killer…or cause a fatal injustice?
Defense lawyer Daniel Pike believes he’s closer than ever to proving his late father was no murderer. But with key witnesses snuffed out and his archnemesis pulling all the strings to ensure no one talks, his frustration is about to boil over. His only remaining option is a high-stakes gamble to force the arrogant powerbroker onto the witness stand.
Risking the wrath of a ruthless cartel, Pike relentlessly pursues the evidence he desperately needs. But as he uncovers his own family’s shocking history and navigates a blossoming romance, the determined attorney finds himself back in the courtroom on the losing end of the biggest case of his life with many lives hanging in the balance—because someone has become judge and jury...and executioner.
Will Pike’s pursuit of justice destroy him when he learns the tragic truth?
Judge and Jury is the sensational fifth novel in the Daniel Pike Legal Thriller Series. If you like David-versus-Goliath stories, stunning twists and turns, and genius court moves, then you’ll love William Bernhardt’s gripping fight.
Defense lawyer Daniel Pike believes he’s closer than ever to proving his late father was no murderer. But with key witnesses snuffed out and his archnemesis pulling all the strings to ensure no one talks, his frustration is about to boil over. His only remaining option is a high-stakes gamble to force the arrogant powerbroker onto the witness stand.
Risking the wrath of a ruthless cartel, Pike relentlessly pursues the evidence he desperately needs. But as he uncovers his own family’s shocking history and navigates a blossoming romance, the determined attorney finds himself back in the courtroom on the losing end of the biggest case of his life with many lives hanging in the balance—because someone has become judge and jury...and executioner.
Will Pike’s pursuit of justice destroy him when he learns the tragic truth?
Judge and Jury is the sensational fifth novel in the Daniel Pike Legal Thriller Series. If you like David-versus-Goliath stories, stunning twists and turns, and genius court moves, then you’ll love William Bernhardt’s gripping fight.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2020
408 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
William Bernhardt
96 books511 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 24, 2020
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
William Bernhardt is back with another legal thriller that pushes Daniel Pike and the Last Chance Lawyers into the middle of quite the quandary. After much string pulling in the background, Conrad Sweeney is forced to face Daniel in court, though justice may not be as blind as it claims to be. While on sabbatical to clear his father’s name of a murder for which he was convicted, Daniel Pike helps to upend a major organ trafficking ring. When the local leader is gunned down in court, Pike cannot help but presume that Conrad Sweeney, local philanthropist, may have something to do with it. Goading Sweeney into making some slanderous comments in public, Pike leaps on this and files a civil suit, hoping to both clear his father’s name and get Sweeney’s involvement with much of the crime in St. Petersburg on the record. However, while Pike turns to his colleagues at Last Chance Lawyers, he is not immune to issues of his own, having been involved with known murderers—both personally and professionally—and tried for the crime himself. As the legal wheels turn, Sweeney and his defence team seek to create as many blockages as possible, still plotting to ensure Pike never works in town again. Meanwhile, a cartel with ties to Sweeney is still riling after losing their latest black market scheme, all because of Pike. Someone will have to pay and blood will be shed. This is yet another instance where fancy legal briefs and well-timed objections cannot save the day. Another decent addition to the series by Bernhardt, who’s looking at new angles to keep the novels fresh. Recommended to those who have enjoyed the series to date, as well as readers who enjoy the fast pace any trial and investigation brings a well-balanced book.
I am a longtime fan of William Bernhardt and his legal thrillers, which have taken things to new heights in a genre that appears supersaturated. His newer Daniel Pike series has grown on me, with its unique approach to defence work on the Florida streets. The premise of this piece leads itself to being the climactic novel where Pike can finally challenge Conrad Sweeney and air all the accusations, after seeing so many negative things with the philanthropist’s fingerprints on them. Pike has been through much in the series, but always seems to grow as an individual. While the central focus is character development and how to foil the ongoing plots of Sweeney, there is a great deal of important backstory that attentive readers will want to learn. Bernhardt has held out, offering only tidbits in the past, but this is where it all comes together, forcing Pike to digest much more than even he expected. The cast of strong secondary characters provides the reader with some great support as the story progresses. Pike’s peaks and valleys are certainly complemented by those who fill the pages of this thriller, offering a flavouring all their own. The story began a little slowly, seeking to flesh out some of the issues with the blackmarket and (another) scheme in which Conrad Sweeney is acting as puppeteer. However, once the civil law theme emerges and the narrative gains some momentum, it is a strong story that finds a decent groove. With a mix of boardroom and courtroom legal drama, there is much for the reader to enjoy while getting their dose of the law. Mid-length chapters allow the story to develop without offering too many teasing cliffhangers, though things move along quickly enough that the reader wants to keep going. It’s anyone’s guess how the series will progress from here, with an ending that leaves the reader somewhat in suspense and the title of the next book offering what might be a sense of closure. One can only guess what William Bernhardt has in store next, but it is sure to be something worth the wait.
Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for another winner. I can only hope you can balance your writing workshops and publications, as both are quite important to ensuring great novels emerge.
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/...
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
William Bernhardt is back with another legal thriller that pushes Daniel Pike and the Last Chance Lawyers into the middle of quite the quandary. After much string pulling in the background, Conrad Sweeney is forced to face Daniel in court, though justice may not be as blind as it claims to be. While on sabbatical to clear his father’s name of a murder for which he was convicted, Daniel Pike helps to upend a major organ trafficking ring. When the local leader is gunned down in court, Pike cannot help but presume that Conrad Sweeney, local philanthropist, may have something to do with it. Goading Sweeney into making some slanderous comments in public, Pike leaps on this and files a civil suit, hoping to both clear his father’s name and get Sweeney’s involvement with much of the crime in St. Petersburg on the record. However, while Pike turns to his colleagues at Last Chance Lawyers, he is not immune to issues of his own, having been involved with known murderers—both personally and professionally—and tried for the crime himself. As the legal wheels turn, Sweeney and his defence team seek to create as many blockages as possible, still plotting to ensure Pike never works in town again. Meanwhile, a cartel with ties to Sweeney is still riling after losing their latest black market scheme, all because of Pike. Someone will have to pay and blood will be shed. This is yet another instance where fancy legal briefs and well-timed objections cannot save the day. Another decent addition to the series by Bernhardt, who’s looking at new angles to keep the novels fresh. Recommended to those who have enjoyed the series to date, as well as readers who enjoy the fast pace any trial and investigation brings a well-balanced book.
I am a longtime fan of William Bernhardt and his legal thrillers, which have taken things to new heights in a genre that appears supersaturated. His newer Daniel Pike series has grown on me, with its unique approach to defence work on the Florida streets. The premise of this piece leads itself to being the climactic novel where Pike can finally challenge Conrad Sweeney and air all the accusations, after seeing so many negative things with the philanthropist’s fingerprints on them. Pike has been through much in the series, but always seems to grow as an individual. While the central focus is character development and how to foil the ongoing plots of Sweeney, there is a great deal of important backstory that attentive readers will want to learn. Bernhardt has held out, offering only tidbits in the past, but this is where it all comes together, forcing Pike to digest much more than even he expected. The cast of strong secondary characters provides the reader with some great support as the story progresses. Pike’s peaks and valleys are certainly complemented by those who fill the pages of this thriller, offering a flavouring all their own. The story began a little slowly, seeking to flesh out some of the issues with the blackmarket and (another) scheme in which Conrad Sweeney is acting as puppeteer. However, once the civil law theme emerges and the narrative gains some momentum, it is a strong story that finds a decent groove. With a mix of boardroom and courtroom legal drama, there is much for the reader to enjoy while getting their dose of the law. Mid-length chapters allow the story to develop without offering too many teasing cliffhangers, though things move along quickly enough that the reader wants to keep going. It’s anyone’s guess how the series will progress from here, with an ending that leaves the reader somewhat in suspense and the title of the next book offering what might be a sense of closure. One can only guess what William Bernhardt has in store next, but it is sure to be something worth the wait.
Kudos, Mr. Bernhardt, for another winner. I can only hope you can balance your writing workshops and publications, as both are quite important to ensuring great novels emerge.
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/...
June 20, 2024
Will Pike’s pursuit of justice destroy him when he learns the tragic truth?
I've been a fan of Mr. Bernhart's books for over 20 years when I discovered his Ben Kincaid series. I like this series, too, and Judge and Jury is another successful David-versus-Goliath story. The Last Chance Lawyer team continues to impress me and I always enjoy the recipes at the back of these books. The courtroom scenes stretched credibility, as usual, but Judge and Jury was still an enjoyable read!
I've been a fan of Mr. Bernhart's books for over 20 years when I discovered his Ben Kincaid series. I like this series, too, and Judge and Jury is another successful David-versus-Goliath story. The Last Chance Lawyer team continues to impress me and I always enjoy the recipes at the back of these books. The courtroom scenes stretched credibility, as usual, but Judge and Jury was still an enjoyable read!
July 17, 2024
Characters were unrealistic. Writing was annoyingly repetitive.
October 30, 2020
In Judge and Jury, author William Bernhardt continues his saga of the Last Chance Lawyers with a fast-paced, well-crafted story that challenges each major character to adapt to escalating attacks that threaten the very existence of their unique law firm. The series potential was evident from the first book in the series, The Last Chance Lawyer. Yet each of the subsequent stories have ramped up complexity, content, character development and the stakes. Even relationships that were peripheral, or non-existent in the first story have become essential to Dan Pike's development as a person. I have never seen a series capitalize on multiple relationships so effectively. Relationships that are constantly evolving and changing, as they do in real life. Never predictable and always entertaining, each story both satisfies and tantalizes the reader. I can’t wait for the next one.
August 22, 2021
Daniel Pike is a defense attorney with the Last Chance legal firm. They are a group of 4 really close friends that take cases that others won't.
In this one, Daniel has brought a civil case against the man that he believes was guilty of framing his father and sending him to prison, where he died. He has Maria handle the case (one of the attorneys at the legal firm), who is also in love with him. But, this case might get Daniel killed as he gets involved with a sex ring going on in their town and illegal selling of women and organs.
Dan is getting close to finding out what happened to his father, who might have framed him
and other secrets that come out!
I can't wait to start the next in the series, always enjoy reading about this group!!
In this one, Daniel has brought a civil case against the man that he believes was guilty of framing his father and sending him to prison, where he died. He has Maria handle the case (one of the attorneys at the legal firm), who is also in love with him. But, this case might get Daniel killed as he gets involved with a sex ring going on in their town and illegal selling of women and organs.
Dan is getting close to finding out what happened to his father, who might have framed him
and other secrets that come out!
I can't wait to start the next in the series, always enjoy reading about this group!!
February 2, 2022
Never trust a person who hasn't brought a book with them.
Smugglers target vulnerable girls without strong family connections--people who won't be missed.
What he's done is create an environment in which he can compel people to talk. A civil lawsuit. Subpoena power--the right to take depositions.
Depositions don't exist in the criminal world.
Taking the deposition
Smugglers target vulnerable girls without strong family connections--people who won't be missed.
What he's done is create an environment in which he can compel people to talk. A civil lawsuit. Subpoena power--the right to take depositions.
Depositions don't exist in the criminal world.
Taking the deposition
October 24, 2020
Judge & Jury + executioner
This one kept me guessing right to the last chapter. Dan finally finds the true facts of what happened and why the night that his father was charged and convicted of murder. He has a sister he did not know about. He looses the trial but there are a lot of surprise to be discovered. I won't tell you so you'll have to read the book to find out. I enjoyed the story right to the surprises at the end. Thanks for all the entertainment.
This one kept me guessing right to the last chapter. Dan finally finds the true facts of what happened and why the night that his father was charged and convicted of murder. He has a sister he did not know about. He looses the trial but there are a lot of surprise to be discovered. I won't tell you so you'll have to read the book to find out. I enjoyed the story right to the surprises at the end. Thanks for all the entertainment.
September 22, 2020
Can't wait for book 6
I enjoyed the coverage of an exciting civil case. Slander cases are typically full and rarely go to trial. I was happy to find out the story behind Ethan Pike's conviction but didn't see that playing out the way he did. Look forward to Dinah and seeing what happens with Sweeney in the last book.
I enjoyed the coverage of an exciting civil case. Slander cases are typically full and rarely go to trial. I was happy to find out the story behind Ethan Pike's conviction but didn't see that playing out the way he did. Look forward to Dinah and seeing what happens with Sweeney in the last book.
December 5, 2021
Different From the Rest
This book in the series was quite different in the sense that Dan Pike didn't have a client. He was in a trial, nonetheless. His new paramour played a more prominent role and Dan found a family member. Sweeney is still a thorn in his side but his power is diminished. On to the final book in this great series!
This book in the series was quite different in the sense that Dan Pike didn't have a client. He was in a trial, nonetheless. His new paramour played a more prominent role and Dan found a family member. Sweeney is still a thorn in his side but his power is diminished. On to the final book in this great series!
November 14, 2023
impossible to Put it Down
This is new author for me. I am a Grisham type of guy. Actually stumbled on Bernhardt in the “You might enjoy” section. Now I’m a believer. If you like “Law & Order” stuff, this is the series for you. Too bad I started at Book 5. Now I need to decide which book is next. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
This is new author for me. I am a Grisham type of guy. Actually stumbled on Bernhardt in the “You might enjoy” section. Now I’m a believer. If you like “Law & Order” stuff, this is the series for you. Too bad I started at Book 5. Now I need to decide which book is next. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
August 18, 2021
This is a good book. It has it’s twists which I didn’t see coming. I’m surprised and appalled by what things are smuggled Yuck!!!’
Organs, sharks fins, not right!!! The ending crossed the tees and dotted the i’s.
Organs, sharks fins, not right!!! The ending crossed the tees and dotted the i’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2023
This was OK, but showed the mc to be more of a spoiled brat than the other books are. And I'm tired, tired, tired of the carryover villain. I really dislike that. Get rid of your villains at the end of each book and give us something new.
December 8, 2023
A so-so effort IMO. Can’t put my finger on what I didn’t like, but even for these types of novels the plot had some challenging aspects. I’ll probably still read the next in the series, but may give it awhile.
May 29, 2024
Best yet
This has got better with each book I read. The characters are established but still one more to finish off, please don't keep dragging it on. It is bordering on taking too long. Keep writing.
This has got better with each book I read. The characters are established but still one more to finish off, please don't keep dragging it on. It is bordering on taking too long. Keep writing.
November 7, 2024
Always an interesting read
Dan leads an interesting life. Now that he has found someone (will not spoil it for you). It will be interesting to see what happens next for him and the team. Looking forward to book 6.
Dan leads an interesting life. Now that he has found someone (will not spoil it for you). It will be interesting to see what happens next for him and the team. Looking forward to book 6.
August 30, 2020
Great
Love all the Daniel Like story. This has one inconsistency that I could not understand. Why had Dan never inquired who his father's partner was
Love all the Daniel Like story. This has one inconsistency that I could not understand. Why had Dan never inquired who his father's partner was
September 7, 2020
Good for rainy day.
Twenty words is not much time to say good read for a series book. Not as good as the Series develops, but I could not wait for the ending.
Twenty words is not much time to say good read for a series book. Not as good as the Series develops, but I could not wait for the ending.
September 17, 2020
This series!!
Is so good. Lots of new backstory revelations and we are getting closer all the time to getting the Villian, Sweeney.
Is so good. Lots of new backstory revelations and we are getting closer all the time to getting the Villian, Sweeney.
October 11, 2020
A really great mystery with great twists and turns!
This was the best Daniel Pike book yet! A really good read! There are surprises that leave you wanting to know more!!!!
This was the best Daniel Pike book yet! A really good read! There are surprises that leave you wanting to know more!!!!
November 14, 2020
Oh yeah!!!!!!
So good!!! I laughed and cried and got angry!!! Loved this!!! Can't wait to read the next !!!!!!!! Than you!!!
So good!!! I laughed and cried and got angry!!! Loved this!!! Can't wait to read the next !!!!!!!! Than you!!!
June 22, 2021
Excellent book. I was cheering for Dan the whole time. This one had so many surprises. Can’t wait to see what happens next
February 21, 2023
A little more background information would be appreciated
Future readers of this book..beware. You're might want to skip this comment until after you read book 5. Now my comment. I enjoyed this book as I have the other 4 and look forward to book 6 (even though I do not look forward to the end of the series). Mr. Bernhardt Is a fabulous writer and he is good giving background information in his characters. However, you really missed the mark on the last chapter where Dan was visiting someone in a facility. You did not mention anywhere in the previous books (unless my memory is failing) that Dan had found his mom and had been visiting her. I would like to know how, where and when he found her. He was always so busy with his work and trying to stay alive. The book was sensational and this is my only complaint. Look forward to reading more of your books Mr. Bernhart when I am finished with book 6. Thank you sir.
Future readers of this book..beware. You're might want to skip this comment until after you read book 5. Now my comment. I enjoyed this book as I have the other 4 and look forward to book 6 (even though I do not look forward to the end of the series). Mr. Bernhardt Is a fabulous writer and he is good giving background information in his characters. However, you really missed the mark on the last chapter where Dan was visiting someone in a facility. You did not mention anywhere in the previous books (unless my memory is failing) that Dan had found his mom and had been visiting her. I would like to know how, where and when he found her. He was always so busy with his work and trying to stay alive. The book was sensational and this is my only complaint. Look forward to reading more of your books Mr. Bernhart when I am finished with book 6. Thank you sir.
June 2, 2023
Read it on a long plane journey. Didn't need to resort to inflight entertainment, this kept my attention throughout.
June 5, 2023
Really enjoyed this series!
June 15, 2024
So long and drawn out I just stopped.
July 31, 2024
Another great read.
I can't wait to continue the series. I live just north of St. Pete and enjoy hearing about the places I recognize. Anxious to see what happens to our villan.
I can't wait to continue the series. I live just north of St. Pete and enjoy hearing about the places I recognize. Anxious to see what happens to our villan.
February 11, 2025
I like this series
It's a great series with fine character development. Good stories and nice background. I hope there will be more stories soon.
It's a great series with fine character development. Good stories and nice background. I hope there will be more stories soon.
February 20, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. Not wild about the ending. Too many lose ends
March 3, 2024
5 down 2 to go.
The ending vs are like Paul Harvey's "the rest of the story". I have thoroughly enjoyed all books so far. Giving James Patterson a run for my money.
The ending vs are like Paul Harvey's "the rest of the story". I have thoroughly enjoyed all books so far. Giving James Patterson a run for my money.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews