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WHEN YOU FIGHT THE SYSTEM, THE SYSTEM FIGHTS BACKKarim Jackson, college student and social justice activist, joins a protest at a newly completed private jail in downtown Tacoma, Washington. When the director of the jail comes out to confront the protesters, a physical altercation ensues. The director ends up on the ground with a fatal head wound, and Karim ends up arrested for his murder.Attorney Talon Winter defends Karim against the murder charges, struggling to convince the prosecutor that Karim didn’t actually cause the death and anyway he was acting in self-defense. But the prosecutor isn’t going to cut a deal for someone accused of killing one of their own. When Talon gets too close to the truth, a third lawyer jumps in—a partner from Talon's old law firm, representing the private jail company.Talon battles both the power of the government and the corporate prison complex to save a man from losing his freedom for a crime he didn’t commit.STEPHEN PENNER IS AN AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR WITH OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLDWinter’s Justice is Book 4 in the top-rated legal thriller series featuring hard-nosed criminal defense attorney Talon Winter. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but also follows the personal and professional growth of Talon and her friends and foes."Talon Winter is a kick-ass main character." --Amazon Reader ReviewIf you're looking for an authentic legal thriller that doesn’t shy away from the big issues in the criminal justice system, you’ll love Winter’s Justice

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2020

457 people are currently reading
137 people want to read

About the author

Stephen Penner

62 books164 followers
Stephen 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.

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5 stars
782 (61%)
4 stars
373 (29%)
3 stars
96 (7%)
2 stars
14 (1%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
90 reviews
May 25, 2022
Another way to learn the law

Penner’s books are amazing! Each one that I read just enhances my knowledge of the law. I cannot imagine being a lawyer for the defense, but Talon sure makes it easy for me to understand it. Thank you Stephen Penner.
Profile Image for Linda.
778 reviews18 followers
September 19, 2022
Intriguing, but underwhelming at the same time

With a case as thought-provoking as the one presented here, it's hard to believe it can rate any less than 5-stars (at least in my book). A young and aspiring black man inadvertently causes a death of an overly confrontational white man while trying to protect himself at a protest, and the DA is all too eager to call him a murderer because of it. Talon, of course, is even more set to call the tragedy an unfortunate accident as a result of self-defense. She's got a battle ahead of her to prove her case, one that she's all too willing to throw herself into in her usual Talon fashion.

This book definitely gets the most important thing right, which is the pretty much all the courtroom antics. The lawyerly squabbles and bickering are certainly entertaining as they tend to be in this series. And often frustrating, too. One thing author Stephen Penner does well (as any writing lawyer would do) is offer glimpses into the ugly side of the justice system. Whether their stories are made up or inspired by actual cases, it's still the same result. The cases are always so damn interesting, and you can't help but let them seep into your core and trouble you a little bit.

Where this story started to underwhelm me was with characters, including the firmly established Talon Winter. Talon is unfortunately getting the same treatment as Brunelle did in his own series, in which she doesn't lead much of a life outside of her job. While Penner may do a fantastic job with the legal part of his writing, I sadly STILL can't say the same for the development of his characters' personal lives. There's no familial life, no relatable circumstances. There's just Talon being snarky in the courtroom and actively using men to her benefit. She's nasty and dismissive to Curt, who unfortunately has been reduced to a sort of lovesick puppy now. It's all so...disappointing.

At any rate, was I still entertained? Yes, in many ways I was. But am I starting to sigh with disappointment over the missing things that can help make and keep these books perfect? Yes. Yes, I am. Let's see what the next book holds, and whether or not Talon will continue to lose her appeal.

Click here for my random commentary.
319 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2022
Young black man, in self defense, and a old white man dies. DA decides it's murder.

As a mean is attack, the victim defends himself and the attacker dies. The DA decides to call it murder, as the attacker is part of "the system". The defense lawyer must prove it was self defense.
108 reviews
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.
6 reviews
January 29, 2022
Fully ejoyable courtroom drams

If you enjoy a hood legal thriller, this one has all the ingredients, including a strong female protagonist. I hope the rest of the series holds me as well. Read it in six hours.
447 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2022
Super story but is the American justice system really so stupid and who thinks Talon is a good first name for a girl, if she'd been a boy would she have been called Clawed ? Apart from that she is a good lead character with plenty of attitude and a way with words. Thumbs up from me.
Profile Image for Sandra Burns.
1,807 reviews42 followers
January 30, 2022
Wonderful read!

If you like, John Grisham, you will like this.A lady lawyer, takes a case about a death. A friend of hers, brother, was being charged with murder. In the law, things are not always clear cut.
There are circumstances, that make the law, be seen differently.
9 reviews
February 1, 2022
Waste of time reading! No real plot! Dull! Not a thriller! Didn’t and don’t think lawyers talk or act like Winter. Her attitude was bad! Cussing not necessary! Will not be reading anymore from this author!
544 reviews5 followers
August 3, 2022
In this legal thriller, Tacoma attorney Talon Winter defends a college student who has been charged with murder in what seems to be a clear case of self defense. As in other books in this series, Talon goes all out to defend her client and deals with some interesting legal issues.
2,576 reviews
April 18, 2023
free ebook

a man was at a protest against private jail. his sister a lawyer and her lawyer friend were there watching. the man from the prision grabbed him and he pushed the man off. the man fell and hit his head on the sidewalk and died

they arrested him for murder. his sisters lawyer friend is defending him

he was found not guilty
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
15 reviews
July 17, 2023
Talon is not a nice person

In the other series, the prosecutor at least was a nice guy, even if he was bad with women. Talon Winter is such an unlikable person. I don't know why anyone wants to spend any time with her. She's rude, mean, unfriendly, and racist against whites.
45 reviews
March 26, 2024
What an incredible read

At first I wasn't sure if I would finish the book, but the more I read the better ie joyed each chapter. Their were some twists and turns I wasn't expecting. All in all it was great. I just started this book, and now I want to read book 1.
Profile Image for Jim E..
342 reviews7 followers
July 5, 2021
I enjoyed the story , but found it hard to like the main character. She seems to have no life outside of law, and it is very difficult to get to know her as a person.
Profile Image for Sandra Frangou.
35 reviews
July 10, 2021
I have read all of Stephen Penner's books. You can't go wrong with any of his books. Just make sure to read them in order.
157 reviews
July 17, 2021
Exciting

Very good! I like how this book takes you through every step. And I love the court room drama. I really enjoyed this book.
485 reviews
January 27, 2022
Justice

Here is another person attempting to write, but cannot do so without throwing f-bombs all over. I’ll go elsewhere for good literature.
Profile Image for barbara pint.
193 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2022
Review

Enjoyed this book from start to finish. Very likable main character and her way of handling herself. Recommend this book highly.
8 reviews
February 8, 2022
Good Court Room drama

Love reading a good court room drama and this one delivers. Talon Winter can be my defense attorney anyday. Can't wait till Talon is back in courtroom.
6 reviews
January 15, 2023
justice

The end was inevitable but the trail to the end was fascinating. I read the book in one sitting! Absorbing!
152 reviews
February 20, 2024
Justice

What a captivating story. This book is one to read you can't put it down great story from start till the end. The ending was as good as it gets.
35 reviews
April 7, 2024
great story where Justice was preserved

I liked the story line, I liked the logical way the defendant was proven not guilty and the different interpretations of the law
Profile Image for Nora Walker.
2 reviews
Read
December 21, 2024
Great characterization and gripped my attention from the word GO! Sufficient legal detail to demonstrate more than just good preparation/research, intertwined with a human story.
1,629 reviews
August 25, 2025
Excellent legal thriller where there is no doubt about who the bad guys and good guys are.
420 reviews2 followers
October 15, 2025
What a twist...

Just as all was going right...and wrong.... problem is solved. Ending was disruptive at best. May the best person win next time.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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