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ARRAIGNED: A Legal Thriller
A politician. An affair. A murder.
Following the death of a political aide, a state senator turns to his law school classmate Ken Dwyer for help. Political pressure mounts, and Dwyer is tasked with solving the crime before his client is arraigned. As he investigates the death, politicians and union bosses attempt to pin the crime on Dwyer’s client. The closer Dwyer gets to the truth, the more danger lurks in the shadows.
Will the discovery of the murderer lead to justice, or result in Dwyer seeking acquittal of a guilty person?
Following the death of a political aide, a state senator turns to his law school classmate Ken Dwyer for help. Political pressure mounts, and Dwyer is tasked with solving the crime before his client is arraigned. As he investigates the death, politicians and union bosses attempt to pin the crime on Dwyer’s client. The closer Dwyer gets to the truth, the more danger lurks in the shadows.
Will the discovery of the murderer lead to justice, or result in Dwyer seeking acquittal of a guilty person?
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2021
166 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
John W. Dennehy
29 books70 followersJohn W. Dennehy is an American novelist and short story writer. His thrillers include
Limited Damages
,
Jurassic War
,
Pacific Rising
, and others.
His stories have appeared in Crimson Streets, Typehouse Literary Magazine, Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Dual Cost Magazine, Shotgun Honey, Near to the Knuckle, and many more. A U.S. Marine veteran, he graduated from UNC Wilmington and Suffolk Law. John was a Litigation Partner in a Boston law firm for many years. He is a member of International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America.
He lives in New Hampshire. Website: https://johnwdennehy.com/
His stories have appeared in Crimson Streets, Typehouse Literary Magazine, Pennsylvania Literary Journal, Dual Cost Magazine, Shotgun Honey, Near to the Knuckle, and many more. A U.S. Marine veteran, he graduated from UNC Wilmington and Suffolk Law. John was a Litigation Partner in a Boston law firm for many years. He is a member of International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America.
He lives in New Hampshire. Website: https://johnwdennehy.com/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 11, 2022
Pretty good
An easy read but some details did not ring true. Do judges really swear in witnesses in Massachusetts courtrooms? If the author lives in NH. he should know that the correct name of the college is St. Anselm not Anslem.
An easy read but some details did not ring true. Do judges really swear in witnesses in Massachusetts courtrooms? If the author lives in NH. he should know that the correct name of the college is St. Anselm not Anslem.
April 30, 2022
interesting
A bit long and technical but an interesting read and a surprising ending. The words flowed and gave meaning to the story
A bit long and technical but an interesting read and a surprising ending. The words flowed and gave meaning to the story
December 20, 2021
Ken Dwyer, who owns a small law firm, defends a friend, a state senator who has been charged with the murder of an aide. The defense team talks about how little evidence there is that the senator committed the crime, but there’s not a little evidence there’s no evidence. No DNA, no witnesses, no proof the senator was even present when the aide died, and no motive (the police claim, with no proof that the senator had an affair with the aide, but how is that a motive?). There’s even doubt the death was murder. So why was the senator prosecuted. Beats me. The author doesn’t give a convincing reason.
Just as bad, Ken is targeted by union thugs who don’t want the senator to get off so they insist Ken quit the case. Ken reasonably points out the wealthy senator will just get another attorney, but the thugs say no one will be as good as Ken. Really? A rich man in Boston won’t be able to find a lawyer who is as good as Ken? The attacks on Ken and his colleagues are a real low point in believability.
In addition, the plot doesn’t move quickly or smoothly and most of the characterizations are so so at best (I did enjoy the portrait of the trial judge). Not a very good novel.
Just as bad, Ken is targeted by union thugs who don’t want the senator to get off so they insist Ken quit the case. Ken reasonably points out the wealthy senator will just get another attorney, but the thugs say no one will be as good as Ken. Really? A rich man in Boston won’t be able to find a lawyer who is as good as Ken? The attacks on Ken and his colleagues are a real low point in believability.
In addition, the plot doesn’t move quickly or smoothly and most of the characterizations are so so at best (I did enjoy the portrait of the trial judge). Not a very good novel.
March 24, 2022
Had so much potential
Surprised that the publisher didn't note the excessive use of the author's use of the word 'canted' multiple times - often in the same chapter - and throughout the book. Surely there could have been other synonyms: inclined, turned, looked askance ... Also, how many times does one need to describe heels clicking on a tiled floor?! These were annoying distractions that detracted from the flow of the story and my enjoyment of it.
Surprised that the publisher didn't note the excessive use of the author's use of the word 'canted' multiple times - often in the same chapter - and throughout the book. Surely there could have been other synonyms: inclined, turned, looked askance ... Also, how many times does one need to describe heels clicking on a tiled floor?! These were annoying distractions that detracted from the flow of the story and my enjoyment of it.
January 15, 2022
excellent book
Excellently written. Kept my interest to the end. The ending surprised me. Would have been nice to know if Alyson, Kara, and the city were sued by Brad. Enjoyed the story very much. Will recommend to friends. Thank you.
Excellently written. Kept my interest to the end. The ending surprised me. Would have been nice to know if Alyson, Kara, and the city were sued by Brad. Enjoyed the story very much. Will recommend to friends. Thank you.
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July 20, 2023Excellent
This is an author I discovered by accident but as I started to read his books I stayed up into the wee hours to devour them. My hope is that will be more to this series. I wish I was able to give them more than 5 stars
This is an author I discovered by accident but as I started to read his books I stayed up into the wee hours to devour them. My hope is that will be more to this series. I wish I was able to give them more than 5 stars
September 11, 2023
An interesting political thriller
This was an entertaining and engaging book to read. This legal novel had several plots and twists to the story. I do wish Dwyer and Courtney would have eventually gotten together.
This was an entertaining and engaging book to read. This legal novel had several plots and twists to the story. I do wish Dwyer and Courtney would have eventually gotten together.
December 23, 2023
Fantastic Read
In depth, easy to follow legal mystery! More than just about the case but detailed background and insight into the characters involved as well as the clever strategy as the trial moves to completion. Then, a fantastic surprise ending!!!
In depth, easy to follow legal mystery! More than just about the case but detailed background and insight into the characters involved as well as the clever strategy as the trial moves to completion. Then, a fantastic surprise ending!!!
April 11, 2022
Fairly tight writing
Characters were believable and maintained their positions through the entire novel I would recommend it to any mystery loving frirnds
Characters were believable and maintained their positions through the entire novel I would recommend it to any mystery loving frirnds
February 7, 2023
Tough read as usual… would recommend this book to whomever needs a good nights sleep.
July 7, 2023
From one lawyer to another.
As lawyer I can congratulate John Dennehy for so accurately describing what takes place during a criminal trial. Now I’ll read Books 1 and 2.
As lawyer I can congratulate John Dennehy for so accurately describing what takes place during a criminal trial. Now I’ll read Books 1 and 2.
January 16, 2024
Entertaining!
An interesting book and a page turner! Looking forward to your next one! My only critic is get a better editor and lose the word "canted".
An interesting book and a page turner! Looking forward to your next one! My only critic is get a better editor and lose the word "canted".
August 8, 2025
An excellent legal thriller
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews