A power-hungry District Attorney seizes office, a beloved family friend is charged with murder, and prosecutor Jessie Black faces the toughest decision of her life.
For ten years, Jessie's career as a prosecutor at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has given her a mission in life, enabled her to fight for victims and their families, and deeply fulfilled her. She cannot imagine doing anything else. But when a new DA replaces her boss in a shocking election victory, all of that changes in a heartbeat.
The new regime cares nothing about justice, only politics. The message is clear - Jessie can adapt to the office's new priorities, or leave. Her dilemma intensifies when the DA targets a family friend who is close to Jessie's heart. When she was a young child, Max Coleman was there for her family when Jessie's mother passed away. Now Max has been accused of a horrific crime he did not commit, and it's time for her to be there for him.
Max needs a defense attorney and Jessie needs a new mission. But after a decade as a prosecutor, can Jessie Black really cross over to the other side of the courtroom?
Fantastic - gripping... It is a cannot stop reading story. I read it in 4 hours could not stop till I found out what really happened. Jessie is an exceptional character that The author created and makes it all appear real. A lot of action, no foul language, a very good story that seems so real, like being in a movie . Larry winters is a fabulous writer and the Jessie Black stories are extremely realistic.
Written by someone who doesn't know the criminal justice system. The events portrayed are obviously manipulated by the writer to put the female attorney against the Head Prosecutor who was a rude anti-woman jerk who she briefly worked for at the DA's office.
The story is unrealistic. The accused would never have been the primary suspect. No motive exists for him to commit such a horrible crime. There is no credible evidence against him. No prosecutor would ever change him with this crime.
The writer thinks that the readers will just buy this concocted story.
This book was hard to put down. I finished it the same day that I started, it was that good.
The story begins with Jessie and Leary hearing on the news that the current D.A., their boss, lost the election. They began to wonder what their future looked like. They were looking to buy a house, but they decided to put it off for awhile. At the Thanksgiving meal at Jessie's father's house, Jess mentioned her fears as to what might happen. Her father told that she shouldn't worry since her record was quite good.
At the start of the New Year, the axe fell on members of the old D.A. team. Jessie was not affected. Jessie received a call from a large law firm to come in for an interview. It was just a formality and was offered a position. Jessie initially rejected the offer, but later reconsidered once she learned that a case she was working on was dismissed by her new boss and her standing and opportunities would be limited. She reconsidered and accepted the offer after she learned of an upcoming arrest on a murder case.
Jess accepted the offer at the firm on the condition that she could defend the individual that was charged with the murder and that it was to be done on a pro bono basis. The law firm that she was going to did not do this type of legal work, but in the end they accepted her conditions.
Jess, with the assistance of an associate who was to be let go worked together to lay out a strategy. Since Jess had never worked as a defense attorney and neither had the associate, they had a lot to learn. With assistance from Leary as their investigator, they were able to develop a plan. The trial began an after the second witness for the State appeared, things took off.
To discover what events occurred t the point in the trial, who the defendant was and why Jessie was so intent on defending him. You also will discover why Jessie received the offer from the law firm as well. You must read this story. The ending will surprise you.
Conviction is Book 8 in the exciting 10 book Jessie Black legal thriller series, and one of the best stories to date. I said one of the best because I have been a Jessie Black and Larry A. Winters fan ever since he published the first Jessie Black novel, Burnout, in 2013. If, like me, love a strong female protagonist who kicks butt in and out of the courtroom, then this is the series for you. Like with all the best writers and best series, Larry has written these books so that we can read them in any order and enjoyed each story coming to a satisfying conclusion by the end of the book. However, the books build on one another. There is a major subplot that runs throughout all the books in the series, evolving, building, from book to book.
In Conviction, we find Jessie leaving the job she loves, the job of prosecuting criminals, being the one to see them get the justice they deserve, when Jesus Rivera loses the election and they voted a new DA in. Jessie joins a defense attorney firm to defend a man accused of kidnapping and murdering a 12-year-old boy who was his piano student. The man is an old Black family friend. She knows the man is innocent. She knows the man is incapable of such an act. Can she pull that off when all the evidence points toward his guilt? Will she win this case, as she had won all the cases she handled as a prosecutor, or will it be the first case she lost? Will she win this case in the courtroom or outside the courtroom? Well, read this page-turner for yourself to find out.
Sometimes the unexpected leads you in the right direction…
As an ardent fan of Perry Mason growing up, I love the legalities and innuendos of trials and the mystery of who-done-its. Combine this with excellent writing, interesting characters and an absorbing plot and you have an enjoyable reading experience.
Just when things were conducive for Jesse and Leary to invest in a house, they were confronted with disruption in their work place – potentially a financial setback – an accusation of murder that was too close to home to ignore and a life altering opportunity that challenged Jesse's very purpose and outlook within the legal system. Although you may have your suspicions earlier rather than later as to how things will work out, the path is well paved to make the journey getting there in the semi-darkness worth the ride. Larry Winters adds just enough surprise and suspense around each corner to hold your interest till you have read the last page and then makes you want more. I certainly recommend this book and the entire series if you like the ins and the outs of courtroom drama as much as I do.
Jessie Black has been an Assistant District Attorney for several years. Her track record is stellar. But Jessie’s world is about to turn upside down. Jesus Rivera, District Attorney for many years has just lost his election and is replaced by the new District Attorney Damon Fabre and chief prosecutor Rick Moreno. With that everything changes. Her boss, Warren, is fired along with Mark Leary, her husband. Meanwhile Jessie meets with her father whose best friend, Max Coleman, desperately needs her help. Jessie is conflicted on what to do—she had spent her whole career in the DA’s office. Her old boss, Jesus Rivera, has joined a defense law firm and has asked Jessie to come in for an interview. With everything up in the air and her friend Max Coleman in deep trouble, Jessie makes a heart-wrenching decision to leave the DA’s office, join the defense firm and take on the case of Max Coleman who is accused of kidnapping and murdering a 9-year old child. And the case begins. I read this book in two sittings—could not put it down. So many changes and so many twists and turns. I love this series and cannot wait for more.
Jessie Black, a prosecutor with strict principals and a strong woman who will stand up for what she believes is the right thing. Jessie branches out in this in a whole new way. This is book 8 in the series and although you can read it without reading the first seven, you will enjoy getting to know her and her family and friends. The books are all exciting—leaving the reader constantly guessing what will happen next while knowing that good will win over evil, but not having a clue how it will happen! You won’t regret reading this book and I bet you will go back to read the whole series, too.
Received an advanced copy but this is my honest review. I wouldn’t review a book this highly unless I thought very highly of the content.
When the unthinkable happens and Jesus Riveria loses the D.A.'s election life takes a hard turn for Jessie. At the same time her dad's best friend is accused of the murder of one of his piano students. With the nrrneyew D.A. Playing fast and loose with his new policies Jessie leaves the office and switches sides, becoming Mac's defence attorney. Switching sides she finds is a little hard to do, especially since her best friend Emily is the homicide detective. Fighting the emotional nature of the crime as well as prejudices from upper management at her new firm seems like more than she can handle. But as we have come expect she has some tricks up her sleeve.
The "mystery" was far from the best I've read. But the other aspects were a lot of fun.
What I especially liked was the character Jessie Black. She was smart, but not omniscient. She had a fair number of doubts about things and concerns about how she acted without being neurotic. In short, she seemed like a normal, decent human.
Most of the other characters were not too well developed. The character Moreno was a scumbag that would likely never be encountered by the average person. But, this did make it easy to hate him.
So, I really enjoyed this relatively short novel and will read the first book in the series next.
After a change in the DA’s office that results in a toxic work environment Jessie has a decision to make. Can she switch sides to defend a family friend accused of a horrific crime she knows he didn’t commit. The DA and police are convinced they have the right man. This was a fast read that will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens next. It has a great cast of characters and a great plot. This is part of a series but could easily be read as a stand alone. Than you to the author for an advanced readers copy.
The author puts together a story which will pull the reader in. Not clear if the detail is accurate, but with no alternate explanation it is very believable. A powerful female lead who has been seriously offended by people who are politicians at any cost rather than lawyer searching for the truth pulls the story with her. She brings in other female characters who enhance and fill the details of the story. The are investigations, court proceedings and action when she pulls together the facts which will bring the murderer to justice. I found it held my attention from start to finish.
This is the 8th book in the Jessie Black series and Mr Winters knocked it out of the park! I think this is the best one yet. Jessie is such a likable character and I love her and Leary’s relationship. This story is so full of action, intrigue and suspense There were so many surprises. It kept me wondering what would happen next. An awesome, highly recommended series This honest review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy from the author
It's hard when you switch sides, but Jessie Black makes the transition from Prosecution to Defense, at first kicking and screaming, but as her insight develops, she makes a terrific advocate for justice in her new role.
I enjoyed the book, I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the plot, it was pretty terrific, I enjoyed the writing, but then I always enjoy Jesse. I did not enjoy losing sleep to finish the book, I[m a bit tired today, and it's only 2:14, but it just couldn't be helped!
This series of Jessie Black, legal thrillers is one of the best I have ever read. They are so entrancing that I couldn't stop. They are all books that you can't put down. The way Larry Winters weaves his plots in and out of the courtroom is amazing. If you can't get pulled into the emotional and professional lives of the characters, you have no heart. I'm ready for #9.
Larry Winters has done it again! Jesse Black is a stellar lawyer who needed a change and she grabbed the chance to really help someone....enjoyed the pace and anticipation of her next move. If you are new to Larry's novels I strongly suggest you start at the beginning. Jesse Black is full of surprises and holds her own.
Under a new regime, Jessie finds herself switching sides. Now a defense attorney, she defends an old family friend who's accused of murdering a young boy,and discovers the criminal intent of those who had taken over her old office. All of the books in this series have been very good reads. I look forward to the next one.
Jessie was a prosecutor of the District Attorney of Philadelphia. At the top of her game, her world is abruptly upended when her boss and mentor is fired. Her father's friend is accused of murdering a child. Can she switch from being a prosecutor to a defense attorney and be good enough to save her father's friend? Read it and see! Big fan of Jessie Black!
This is a tense, action-packed legal thriller with a great plot, and intriguing characters. It also cast a light on some of the problems with litigation and how the very things that were enacted to protect can also hamper finding the truth. I found the perspective differences from the prosecuting lawyers and the defense attorneys very interesting.
The 8th book in the legal thriller series about Jessie Black, sees her doing something she’d never even contemplated. This certainly had me guessing about where the story would go before it reached its bitter / sweet ending. Having binge read the whole series to date, my only ‘regret’ is that I now have to wait to find out what is next for Jessie, and Leary.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series about Jessie Black. It has everything you want in a take of the legal king. Her very human nature and spirit place her in positions of great peril and it seems her resolve never changes. She has guts, humbleness and drive to recommend her.
Yep this is the eighth book in this series and Im still coming back for more. If you like getting to know your characters and being pleasantly surprised and maybe a bit patted n the back occasionally for guessing some clues then this series is for you. Thank you Mr Winters for exciting new reads withhold friends!
A new D.A. has been elected to office & is cleaning house. This includes Jessie, a top prosecutor. Her former boss has gone to a large firm which deals in corporate law & recommends Jessie, who initially is not interested in "going to the dark side." Until a close friend of her father's is arrested for murder !
Very believable. Having been involved with the legal system recently, I found everything about this book to be very possible. I was hooked in the first chapter and couldn't put it down. Jessie handled the switch to defense smoothly despite intense opposition from above...
Amazing book. Aside from terrific characters and plot what I found most interesting was the insider look at both the Prosecutor's and defense sides of the case. Thankfully I've never been involved with either so reading about how the offices are run, their opposing mind sets was an education. Thank you for that. Now on to your next book.😀
Once I started reading I had to stay awake to finish. Of course now it’s kind of challenging to write a review. I have not read any of the other books in the series, but this seems like a transitional book because Jessie gets a new job as a defense attorney instead of being a prosecutor. It seems like a good step for the character.
Jessie has a heart of gold- and ethics in spades. Follow as an excellent DA become a great defense attorney, with lots of uncertainty and danger along the way. Facing death has a way of distilling life down to the essentials. All of the Jessie Black stories deliver excellent reading- have fun!!
A well written, intelligent legal story. I haven’t read this author before but will definitely read more.
Jessie leaves the DA’s office to defend a family friend against a charge of kidnapping and murdering a child. Fighting the police who didn’t check any other possible suspects and a crooked DA its a tough case to win.
Wow, Larry Winter’s outdid himself with this one! I have read and enjoyed all of this series and this one was another exceptionally great story! I highly recommend all of his work as I always eagerly anticipate the next adventure! Most excellent job!
You pulled me right into Jessie’s new adventure and what an adventure it was! Your characters are so real, so human. Fast moving, no lulls, it kept my interest from beginning to end and I can’t wait until her next story comes out. Thank you, Larry!
Worth the wait. Seems like a .one time since the last book. Jessie is just as ethical and committed to to justice as always but from the other side of the courtroom. Strong characters and exciting storyline make this one of the best Jessie Black boo,s yet. Hope next book doesn't take so long.