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Atlanta Murder Squad #2
Death to the Chief
Modern-day Georgia. The state Supreme Court celebrates the opening of its new courthouse, but the Chief Justice—shot dead in his chambers—is late to the party.
Enter ex-lawyer Chance Meridian. Pressed into service by an offer he cannot refuse, Chance launches the search for the bold killer. But dirty politics is part of Atlanta’s DNA. The town is full of secrets—secrets too damning to see the light of sunshine. And if Chance cannot crack the case and fast, the next murder on the court’s docket ... could be his own.
A standalone follow-up to the best-selling The Murder of Sara Barton , Death to the Chief is a thrilling legal mystery that oozes with intrigue and suspense.
Enter ex-lawyer Chance Meridian. Pressed into service by an offer he cannot refuse, Chance launches the search for the bold killer. But dirty politics is part of Atlanta’s DNA. The town is full of secrets—secrets too damning to see the light of sunshine. And if Chance cannot crack the case and fast, the next murder on the court’s docket ... could be his own.
A standalone follow-up to the best-selling The Murder of Sara Barton , Death to the Chief is a thrilling legal mystery that oozes with intrigue and suspense.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2021
About the author
Lance McMillian
9 books45 followersLance McMillian is a recovering lawyer who gave up the courtroom for the classroom. For over a decade, Lance has taught Constitutional Law to future lawyers at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. Now he writes books. The Murder of Sara Barton is his debut novel.
Being a great writer first requires being a great reader. Lance loves taut legal thrillers, heart-pounding crime fiction, and captivating murder mysteries. His literary inspirations include Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, John Grisham, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ross Macdonald, Walker Percy, Agatha Christie, and, of course, Harper Lee.
Lance's writing career began as a weekly columnist for The Daily Tar Heel while an undergraduate at UNC. As a UGA law student, he also contributed columns to The Red and Black. In the academic realm, his scholarly work about lawyers and pop culture has appeared in leading law journals. The American Bar Association chose him to write a book chapter in its acclaimed project Lawyers in Your Living Room: Law on Television, which included chapters by actors Sam Waterston and James Woods.
But if Lance is being honest, writing novels is the most fun.
Being a great writer first requires being a great reader. Lance loves taut legal thrillers, heart-pounding crime fiction, and captivating murder mysteries. His literary inspirations include Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, John Grisham, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ross Macdonald, Walker Percy, Agatha Christie, and, of course, Harper Lee.
Lance's writing career began as a weekly columnist for The Daily Tar Heel while an undergraduate at UNC. As a UGA law student, he also contributed columns to The Red and Black. In the academic realm, his scholarly work about lawyers and pop culture has appeared in leading law journals. The American Bar Association chose him to write a book chapter in its acclaimed project Lawyers in Your Living Room: Law on Television, which included chapters by actors Sam Waterston and James Woods.
But if Lance is being honest, writing novels is the most fun.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 19, 2021
This was the second book I have read by this author , and I really liked the first one, but that being said I struggled with this one. It did not seem fresh and felt like I had been there and seen it before and it just did my hold my interest. The main character was ok and the story was meh and the ending was ok and it just felt like a generec story to me-so if your low on reading material you could do worse and maybe give it a spin but I want more from a book.
June 14, 2021
I read the first book because it was offered as a Kindle deal from Amazon. I absolutely loved it! When I finished I felt very attached to the main characters and wished I could know what happened with them in the future. I had no idea a book 2 was coming and was ecstatic when I got a notification to buy it.
I can tell you that there was very strong character development, both the "good guys" and the "bad guys." I need characters to root for and want to read to find out what happens to them. At the same time, it's always fun to have characters to hate and wish the worst of too. I know, not very nice, but hey I didn't write the characters like that hahaha.
The plot was really a murder who done it. There were a couple of rather obvious suspects thrown out. But I knew that it is usually the case that it is never the obvious suspects.
I loved reading about the clues as to each suspect as well as their relationship to or with any of the other characters. Could a good guy be lead to believe that one or more of the suspects couldn't possibly be guilty? Could a bad guy use a good guy to lead them to point the finger at other suspects? Yes, and yes.
The characters and what was revealed about each of them was intertwined perfectly with the movement of the story line. So we learn about characters' past and where they are now. How did the past influence the current? Isn't everyone in some way influenced by the things that happened to them?
I was very happy with the ending of the story. It made sense, was nothing obvious and very importantly to me, it was not some convoluted complicated story. I truly had no idea who done it until the very end and the end made sense to me.
As I said above, I truly wanted to know what happened to the main characters going forward and was so excited that there was a Book 2!! I bought it right away and it jumped the line on my Kindle and read it right away. Again, a who done with it with multiple suspects, but this time I knew many of the main characters and I watched them grow. I hate when characters in book series stay the same throughout book after book. There was real character growth in this book.
The ending was great and I am hoping that the book series will continue!
I definitely recommend this book!
I can tell you that there was very strong character development, both the "good guys" and the "bad guys." I need characters to root for and want to read to find out what happens to them. At the same time, it's always fun to have characters to hate and wish the worst of too. I know, not very nice, but hey I didn't write the characters like that hahaha.
The plot was really a murder who done it. There were a couple of rather obvious suspects thrown out. But I knew that it is usually the case that it is never the obvious suspects.
I loved reading about the clues as to each suspect as well as their relationship to or with any of the other characters. Could a good guy be lead to believe that one or more of the suspects couldn't possibly be guilty? Could a bad guy use a good guy to lead them to point the finger at other suspects? Yes, and yes.
The characters and what was revealed about each of them was intertwined perfectly with the movement of the story line. So we learn about characters' past and where they are now. How did the past influence the current? Isn't everyone in some way influenced by the things that happened to them?
I was very happy with the ending of the story. It made sense, was nothing obvious and very importantly to me, it was not some convoluted complicated story. I truly had no idea who done it until the very end and the end made sense to me.
As I said above, I truly wanted to know what happened to the main characters going forward and was so excited that there was a Book 2!! I bought it right away and it jumped the line on my Kindle and read it right away. Again, a who done with it with multiple suspects, but this time I knew many of the main characters and I watched them grow. I hate when characters in book series stay the same throughout book after book. There was real character growth in this book.
The ending was great and I am hoping that the book series will continue!
I definitely recommend this book!
April 18, 2022
This is a complicated book to review. I was not terribly attracted to the plot, but fell in love with The main character of the first book in the series. This second book was an easy read, and I finished it in two or three days. The plot itself b turned out better than I expected, and once again I was surprised by the murderer. Exploring my thoughts, I think the books major downfall lies in the spoiler. I felt very disappointed that Chance fell in love with Kate so quickly. This does not go at all with the portrait of him that Lance McMillan had been building. I don’t think there was much character development with Kate, and she was so villainized much of the time so that I was not fairly given a chance to fall in love with her alongside him. This book may receive a better rating had I not been so blown away by the first one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
The story is mysterious, thrilling and dramatic. This is a murder mystery novel with twists and a lot of drama surrounding the protagonist. The story continues after the end of Book 1 and the protagonist finds himself investigating a murder. In this book, the protagonist also comes in terms with some part of his past too and finds himself a new love interest. There are many suspects and characters so the protagonist tries to find a needle in the haystack by trying to eliminate the suspects. The engaging plot with the action and twists will keep the readers gliding through the story. It is a highly recommended book for readers who like this genre.
Personal Take:
After reading the previous book by the author, I was really excited to pick it up. Even though I was hoping for a courtroom drama like the previous book, this book had the air of mystery surrounding it right from the beginning. It had me intrigued and I couldn’t have guessed the twists even if I tried to. This was a good murder mystery and I am looking forward to read the next book in this series.
Personal Take:
After reading the previous book by the author, I was really excited to pick it up. Even though I was hoping for a courtroom drama like the previous book, this book had the air of mystery surrounding it right from the beginning. It had me intrigued and I couldn’t have guessed the twists even if I tried to. This was a good murder mystery and I am looking forward to read the next book in this series.
September 26, 2023
Another amazing book by Lance McMillian, and I plan to read the 3rd in the Atlanta Murder Squad series sometime in the near future. I wondered if this author was a pen name for John Grisham, but I see that is not the case at all. This is a huge compliment to McMillian because Grisham is the best when it comes to legal thrillers.
This mystery had a lot of suspects and I didn't peg the one as the murderer, so it got me. There was a lot of action and went in a lot of directions.
I love the way the author makes Chance Meridian such a good, yet flawed, character. I love that he is complex and has a dark side, but we mostly see the light in him. I love the deep, philosophical thoughts he has. I love the way the character contemplates God and quotes from the Bible. I love the murder mysteries and look forward to the next one. The only part I didn't love was the very ending when Chance makes a very rash decision that seemed completely out of character for how he had been written up to this point in the series. For that, 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
This mystery had a lot of suspects and I didn't peg the one as the murderer, so it got me. There was a lot of action and went in a lot of directions.
I love the way the author makes Chance Meridian such a good, yet flawed, character. I love that he is complex and has a dark side, but we mostly see the light in him. I love the deep, philosophical thoughts he has. I love the way the character contemplates God and quotes from the Bible. I love the murder mysteries and look forward to the next one. The only part I didn't love was the very ending when Chance makes a very rash decision that seemed completely out of character for how he had been written up to this point in the series. For that, 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
December 27, 2025
The 1st book was more exciting but this is a recommend must read
Too much romance . I’m really disappointed with the marriage. It seems Chance fall in love too quickly. He barely knows this woman. I mean less than 2 weeks. Who does that? He was still thinking about Ella when he met Cate. How his feelings change so fast? So, I guess it was never love he felt for Ella. But I just took an unliking to Cate. I really wanted Chance and Ella to give it a chance. But I understand Ella position too. I guess my culprit but for the wrong reason. I thought it was bc of a relationship between the 2 men went wrong. But author, weren’t they supposed to have read his Miranda rights 1st b4 they made him confess and wasn’t it stupid of a cop to confess without an attorney or being read his Miranda rights. Being a cop, he shouldn’t known better, I would think. I’m excited for their new gig.
Too much romance . I’m really disappointed with the marriage. It seems Chance fall in love too quickly. He barely knows this woman. I mean less than 2 weeks. Who does that? He was still thinking about Ella when he met Cate. How his feelings change so fast? So, I guess it was never love he felt for Ella. But I just took an unliking to Cate. I really wanted Chance and Ella to give it a chance. But I understand Ella position too. I guess my culprit but for the wrong reason. I thought it was bc of a relationship between the 2 men went wrong. But author, weren’t they supposed to have read his Miranda rights 1st b4 they made him confess and wasn’t it stupid of a cop to confess without an attorney or being read his Miranda rights. Being a cop, he shouldn’t known better, I would think. I’m excited for their new gig.
December 14, 2022
I found book one to be more absorbing from the beginning, this book took awhile longer to grab me, but maybe I am more easily distracted during this time of year. I certainly enjoyed it enough to be thrilled that book four just came out and I am starting book three as soon as I finish this review.
I enjoy listening to the narrator and I also have a fondness for the characters, so, all in all it is an enjoyable series.
I enjoy listening to the narrator and I also have a fondness for the characters, so, all in all it is an enjoyable series.
January 27, 2026
I LOVE this author and these books. Maybe because I was a legal assistant and know a lot about the law, plus I read tons of murder mysteries. Love the characters, Chance, Scott, Cate, the others. I was sad at the end of this book but LOVE the way the story evolves! Such good stories and this is the 2nd, I am now on the 3rd and love there are 4 more to read! I wish Lance would write faster, lol!
March 18, 2021
This book was an absolute page-turner. The author masterfully keeps the reader guessing until the end. I finished it in just a few days and cannot wait for the next. I was so happy to see that McMillian seems to be setting this up as a series in the end because I find myself incredibly invested in these characters.
June 1, 2022
I enjoyed this book. I would give 3.5 stars if possible. The explanations by the main character regarding his thoughts and retelling history presume the reader hasn’t read the first book; it’s boring if you have read the first book recently. The plot is not as enthralling as the first book. However, the author did an excellent job concealing the solution to the mystery and I did not solve it.
August 13, 2022
I listened to the audible audiobook version but Goodreads now makes it nearly impossible to add editions that are missing. They need to go back to user community book updates.
Now on to the book. This book had excellent narration and pretty good story. It wasn't as good as the first book in the series though. I will definitely listen to the 3rd book in the series soon.
Now on to the book. This book had excellent narration and pretty good story. It wasn't as good as the first book in the series though. I will definitely listen to the 3rd book in the series soon.
December 27, 2024
Kept me reading, bought the whole series
Another one I couldn't put down and this time I didn't figure out who the murderer was. And as before, I love the main character's fidelity to his faith, and honesty about his struggles, when so many books simplistically portray Christians as hypocrites or worse.
Another one I couldn't put down and this time I didn't figure out who the murderer was. And as before, I love the main character's fidelity to his faith, and honesty about his struggles, when so many books simplistically portray Christians as hypocrites or worse.
December 28, 2023
Though this was a repeat
I thought this was a repeat of book 1- I was wrong. This time the woman that Chance gets involved with is not the villain. Looking forward to reading book 3
I thought this was a repeat of book 1- I was wrong. This time the woman that Chance gets involved with is not the villain. Looking forward to reading book 3
March 21, 2021
Awesome Read!
Excellent follow up to The Murder of Sarah Barton. I didn't want to stop reading...I can't wait for the next book!
Excellent follow up to The Murder of Sarah Barton. I didn't want to stop reading...I can't wait for the next book!
June 5, 2021
I finished it in one day. Awesome book.
July 21, 2023
The ending was weird to me. Am I the only one that felt zero chemistry between Chance and Cate? Is he just…. Stupid when it comes to women? 🤷🏽♀️ Anyway, the rest of the story was great.
October 29, 2023
So many suspects , plots and twists. This book kept me guessing all the way until the end who killed the chief ..
January 11, 2024
I like Chance's laid back approach. Decent mystery.
October 7, 2024
This was a good sequel to book 1 but it had more romance than I care for in a legal thriller. Great narration. I'll probably pick up book 3 sometime in the future as overall I like his writing style.
January 17, 2025
couldn’t put it down!
This story kept my attention and had trouble putting it down! Really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more by this author.
This story kept my attention and had trouble putting it down! Really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more by this author.
July 22, 2025
This is the second Atlanta Murder Squad that I read in succession. This is a good no excellent book. Worth 5 stars to me!
November 5, 2025
Enjoyed the murder mystery investigation with the twists and turns and loved the development of the characters. Will read on this Atlanta Murder Squad
October 1, 2025
Chance quit playing with me ……… getting married within 2 weeks after your last gf was a psycho serial killer is insane
October 3, 2023
Great suspense during the investigation
June 7, 2021
Such a spell-binding WhoDunnit mystery of mysteries. Leaves you guessing to the very end. I have to honestly say that I did not figure this one out at all nor did I see it coming and I can usually figure them out with most authors. I honestly could not put this book down and read it within 3 days as I just had to know the ending. Another excellent read from Lance McMillian! I totally recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews