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Tony Valenti #2
Plane in the Lake
The crash of a sightseeing plane kills five. An investigation will explain what happened. Or will it?
The well-heeled owners of the tour company scheme to pin the blame on their two-man maintenance team. But it isn’t that simple. Was the well-connected, rookie pilot with a massive hangover to blame? Was it, in fact, faulty maintenance? Fate?
Tony Valenti is hired to defend the outgunned mechanics in a case where nothing is as it seems. He’s up against a win-at-all-costs legal behemoth with resources that dwarf those of his mom-and-pop law firm. Only facts can save his clients, but Tony’s search for the truth is thwarted at every turn by opponents who will stop at nothing to win.
Tony is already on the ropes when he makes the startling discovery that he has adversaries beyond the courtroom—enemies far more dangerous than a corrupt corporation and its lawyers. Plunged into a moral quagmire in which he’s forced to risk one life to protect another, Tony isn’t only battling to win a lawsuit… he’s also racing to save the most precious people in his life.
“A fine story that will keep readers thoroughly engrossed to the end.” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“With his trademark breezy style reminiscent of Dennis Lehane, Turner has produced another devourable thriller.” Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
The well-heeled owners of the tour company scheme to pin the blame on their two-man maintenance team. But it isn’t that simple. Was the well-connected, rookie pilot with a massive hangover to blame? Was it, in fact, faulty maintenance? Fate?
Tony Valenti is hired to defend the outgunned mechanics in a case where nothing is as it seems. He’s up against a win-at-all-costs legal behemoth with resources that dwarf those of his mom-and-pop law firm. Only facts can save his clients, but Tony’s search for the truth is thwarted at every turn by opponents who will stop at nothing to win.
Tony is already on the ropes when he makes the startling discovery that he has adversaries beyond the courtroom—enemies far more dangerous than a corrupt corporation and its lawyers. Plunged into a moral quagmire in which he’s forced to risk one life to protect another, Tony isn’t only battling to win a lawsuit… he’s also racing to save the most precious people in his life.
“A fine story that will keep readers thoroughly engrossed to the end.” D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
“With his trademark breezy style reminiscent of Dennis Lehane, Turner has produced another devourable thriller.” Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2021
786 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Neil Turner
10 books100 followersNeil Turner is the author of the gripping and highly-acclaimed Tony Valenti Thrillers series. If you like underdogs battling for survival—John Lescroart’s Dismas Hardy, Greg Iles’s Penn Cage, Michael Connelly’s Micky Haller, or John Grisham’s Jake Brigance—it’s time to start reading Tony Valenti.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 1, 2021
The characters are quickly introduced, briefly covering motivations for doing what they are doing.
Tony’s background and cases he has previously worked on sets up a rather high standard of just what this character is capable of.
It’s an easy read that chucks you into the overall arch quickly. The two separate cases battle for Tony’s attention, both equally important to him, and the author does a good job of balancing out these cases throughout the book.
The plot is easy to follow, motivations and intentions clearly set up, characters slowly progress throughout the story, each event revealing more about the characters.
I enjoy how the author gradually reveals the disturbing details about the background of Tony and the people he cares for. They have been through abuse, trials, and have come out stronger. There is no sense that things have been handed to him. He has worked to get where he is.
Based on some of the other reviews, I was expecting a faster paced thriller, suspending me in anticipation to see what happens next. Unfortunately, it did not hit the mark. I was hoping to pull something more from it, and it just wasn’t there. Don’t get me wrong, the book wasn’t bad.
It seemed more of a legal drama, than a suspenseful thriller.
Although the characters were set up pretty well in the beginning, the emotional connection for the characters lacked the more I read about them, partly due to the fact when his family is in immediate danger, his emotional response isn’t really there. That could be intentional on the author’s part for his character to suppress his emotions so he stays focused, it just prevented me from becoming invested in any of the characters, and what happened to them.
It is hard to feel for a character that shows emotion to a past hurt, yet when something terrible happens in the present, it was just like another typical day.
The ending is pretty much what you would expect, concluding what the book has been leading up to.
If you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat kind of thriller with twists and turns, then this one isn’t for you.
It is more about Tony trying to ‘save’ people close to him while the corrupt try to manipulate events throughout. An easy read to get through pretty quickly as it is not a complicated plot.
Personally, I feel this is more character driven than a plot driven story.
Tony’s background and cases he has previously worked on sets up a rather high standard of just what this character is capable of.
It’s an easy read that chucks you into the overall arch quickly. The two separate cases battle for Tony’s attention, both equally important to him, and the author does a good job of balancing out these cases throughout the book.
The plot is easy to follow, motivations and intentions clearly set up, characters slowly progress throughout the story, each event revealing more about the characters.
I enjoy how the author gradually reveals the disturbing details about the background of Tony and the people he cares for. They have been through abuse, trials, and have come out stronger. There is no sense that things have been handed to him. He has worked to get where he is.
Based on some of the other reviews, I was expecting a faster paced thriller, suspending me in anticipation to see what happens next. Unfortunately, it did not hit the mark. I was hoping to pull something more from it, and it just wasn’t there. Don’t get me wrong, the book wasn’t bad.
It seemed more of a legal drama, than a suspenseful thriller.
Although the characters were set up pretty well in the beginning, the emotional connection for the characters lacked the more I read about them, partly due to the fact when his family is in immediate danger, his emotional response isn’t really there. That could be intentional on the author’s part for his character to suppress his emotions so he stays focused, it just prevented me from becoming invested in any of the characters, and what happened to them.
It is hard to feel for a character that shows emotion to a past hurt, yet when something terrible happens in the present, it was just like another typical day.
The ending is pretty much what you would expect, concluding what the book has been leading up to.
If you are looking for an edge-of-your-seat kind of thriller with twists and turns, then this one isn’t for you.
It is more about Tony trying to ‘save’ people close to him while the corrupt try to manipulate events throughout. An easy read to get through pretty quickly as it is not a complicated plot.
Personally, I feel this is more character driven than a plot driven story.
October 13, 2021
I received an ARC for an honest review.
This is the 1st book that I have read from this author and it will not be the last. The story grabs your attention right from the beginning with a description of the tour plane crashing into the lake. The individuals that were taking the tour as well as the pilot were all killed. The tour party was the family of a U.S. Senator so all parties that had anything to do with the plane's operation were identified in a suit the Senator bought. Tony is asked to take representation of the partners who were responsible for the maintenance on the plane. The owners of the plane were willing to throw this group to the wolves and felt that their fortunes were completely safe. In addition to the maintenance partners, the individuals that provided the fuel were also included in the lawsuit. These individuals were members of the mafia and made an agreement with the tour operators that they also would do everything they could to make sure that the people responsible for the maintenance of the plane would take the fall.
This sort of case was not one Tony was familiar with, but with the help of Penelope, his law partner, they proceeded building their defense. At the same time that this was going on, there was an event that kept Tony's attention, but he was able to handle it as well as another roadblock that someone was trying to create regarding the case.
To discover the hurdles that Tony needed to overcome, how his friends helped and what the findings of the accident were from the NTSB and who was the individual they found responsible, then you must read this book.
This is the 1st book that I have read from this author and it will not be the last. The story grabs your attention right from the beginning with a description of the tour plane crashing into the lake. The individuals that were taking the tour as well as the pilot were all killed. The tour party was the family of a U.S. Senator so all parties that had anything to do with the plane's operation were identified in a suit the Senator bought. Tony is asked to take representation of the partners who were responsible for the maintenance on the plane. The owners of the plane were willing to throw this group to the wolves and felt that their fortunes were completely safe. In addition to the maintenance partners, the individuals that provided the fuel were also included in the lawsuit. These individuals were members of the mafia and made an agreement with the tour operators that they also would do everything they could to make sure that the people responsible for the maintenance of the plane would take the fall.
This sort of case was not one Tony was familiar with, but with the help of Penelope, his law partner, they proceeded building their defense. At the same time that this was going on, there was an event that kept Tony's attention, but he was able to handle it as well as another roadblock that someone was trying to create regarding the case.
To discover the hurdles that Tony needed to overcome, how his friends helped and what the findings of the accident were from the NTSB and who was the individual they found responsible, then you must read this book.
June 12, 2021
This is the first book I have read by this author and I don’t think it will be the last. I loved all the Italian heritage stuff and the “hotheaded Italian stubbornness “ of the father is highlighted well. We live in Italy and believe me this is a very common trait amongst Italian men!!
They storyline is very complex and at times I found it difficult to follow and had to back track at times. However once I got my head around the different characters I really enjoyed it. Great action thriller with a legal slant. Some bits were not fully explained I.e who was Joe and what was his connection to it all??? What did he actually want ( I don’t believe is was the money).
A story of deceit, honour, loyalty and legal wrangling with hints of mafia & Italian heritage.
My only real criticism is that It might have been made easier to read if there were slightly less “larger than life” characters or a bit at the beginning giving some details on each main character .
But great ending - well written story.
I would definitely like to read the next book in this series
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
They storyline is very complex and at times I found it difficult to follow and had to back track at times. However once I got my head around the different characters I really enjoyed it. Great action thriller with a legal slant. Some bits were not fully explained I.e who was Joe and what was his connection to it all??? What did he actually want ( I don’t believe is was the money).
A story of deceit, honour, loyalty and legal wrangling with hints of mafia & Italian heritage.
My only real criticism is that It might have been made easier to read if there were slightly less “larger than life” characters or a bit at the beginning giving some details on each main character .
But great ending - well written story.
I would definitely like to read the next book in this series
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 9, 2021
Plane in the Lake is the second book in The Tony Valenti Thrillers and is a riveting read. This exciting thriller pits Tony against ruthless people who will stop at nothing to win. Can Tony keep his loved ones safe?
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
May 28, 2024
This was a book well worth reading. I had my faith restored in the legal thriller genre.
March 29, 2023
It is an easy read; I tend to read more World War Two stories, due to my age and Korean service time, but I like to break it up with other types of novels. This is a good alternative mystery that was entertaining to read
February 21, 2023
Plane in the lake
Convoluted tale with more twists and turns than most people could keep track of, but the author did an excellent job of keeping me tuned in and interested throughout the entire time. Summary was easy to read and believe plus the ending was the best that could have resulted.
Convoluted tale with more twists and turns than most people could keep track of, but the author did an excellent job of keeping me tuned in and interested throughout the entire time. Summary was easy to read and believe plus the ending was the best that could have resulted.
June 15, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author uses dialogue to portray Tony and his family’s Italian heritage. I like how the author shows the theme of loyalty throughout the book. Not only the dedication of the old veterans towards Fransesco, still determined to protect him even after one of them got shot. But also Tony’s loyalty towards Billy, trying to defend him even if it put his own family in danger
The author writes mainly from the point of view of Tony Valenti. It is also how the author shows the ongoing battle in his mind between his loyalty towards a friend and his desire to keep his family safe. This desire leads him to make foolish decisions, increasing his frustration with his ability to keep his family safe.
As much as I like Tony Valenti, some of his decisions strike me as rather foolish. Although he doesn’t mention Joe’s visit to detective Jake Plummer, I would think he would at least keep the glass Joe used for possible fingerprints, should he decide to trust Jake with it in the future.
Plane in the Lake is a complex novel with various angles. The use of different storylines keeps the readers guessing about how it all connects. We find it easy to associate with Tony and his inner battles: how can he protect his family and still do what is right?
Trigger Warnings: Violence | Death | Profanity | Deity Swears
The author uses dialogue to portray Tony and his family’s Italian heritage. I like how the author shows the theme of loyalty throughout the book. Not only the dedication of the old veterans towards Fransesco, still determined to protect him even after one of them got shot. But also Tony’s loyalty towards Billy, trying to defend him even if it put his own family in danger
The author writes mainly from the point of view of Tony Valenti. It is also how the author shows the ongoing battle in his mind between his loyalty towards a friend and his desire to keep his family safe. This desire leads him to make foolish decisions, increasing his frustration with his ability to keep his family safe.
As much as I like Tony Valenti, some of his decisions strike me as rather foolish. Although he doesn’t mention Joe’s visit to detective Jake Plummer, I would think he would at least keep the glass Joe used for possible fingerprints, should he decide to trust Jake with it in the future.
Plane in the Lake is a complex novel with various angles. The use of different storylines keeps the readers guessing about how it all connects. We find it easy to associate with Tony and his inner battles: how can he protect his family and still do what is right?
Trigger Warnings: Violence | Death | Profanity | Deity Swears
September 29, 2022
This was nonstop, page-turning action start to finish. A great and fun read. It’s book No. 2 in Neil Turner’s Tony Valenti thriller series. For this author, I began with his first in the series, A House on Liberty Street. It was equally exciting and spurred me on to No. 2. I like reading these chronologically. While Plane In The Lake is certainly worthy of standing alone, there are threads of a continuing story from the first to the second, providing context and on-going development of compelling characters. The author’s masterful story-telling skills are on full display. I particularly was impressed with Neil Turner’s ability to inject high drama in the courtroom and legal disposition scenes. The writing is riveting. Highly recommended.
October 4, 2023
A Good Read
I am no reviewer. This is my 2nd encounter with Tony Valenti, and I think I've fallen in love with Neil Turner's cast of characters. Without them Tony would would never survive. If you like your main character to be like the guy next door, loveable in a doofus kind of way, but always willing to help you out in a jam; then grab book # 1 A House on Liberty Street, then when you haven't had enough of Tony and his pals, and the scrapes he gets them in go on to read #2 Plane in the Lake. You'll enjoy some legal thrills and some nasty criminals, but I think you are going to follow me to the bookstore for #3 and so on. (But Neil you could tell Tony to cut back on the bourbon!)
I am no reviewer. This is my 2nd encounter with Tony Valenti, and I think I've fallen in love with Neil Turner's cast of characters. Without them Tony would would never survive. If you like your main character to be like the guy next door, loveable in a doofus kind of way, but always willing to help you out in a jam; then grab book # 1 A House on Liberty Street, then when you haven't had enough of Tony and his pals, and the scrapes he gets them in go on to read #2 Plane in the Lake. You'll enjoy some legal thrills and some nasty criminals, but I think you are going to follow me to the bookstore for #3 and so on. (But Neil you could tell Tony to cut back on the bourbon!)
September 17, 2023
Disappointed
I was a little put off by the way the author portrayed Tony Valenti! He came off as a not too bright individual in the common sense department! The guy was supposed too her a lawyer for heavens sure!! The story line was good, I just don't understand the portrayal of her characters! There were times I put the book down not sure I wanted too continue reading!
I was a little put off by the way the author portrayed Tony Valenti! He came off as a not too bright individual in the common sense department! The guy was supposed too her a lawyer for heavens sure!! The story line was good, I just don't understand the portrayal of her characters! There were times I put the book down not sure I wanted too continue reading!
January 18, 2023
Run of the mill
This was a good story but disappointing book. Tony Valentía couldn’t hold a job, couldn’t maintain a relationship, couldn’t take care of his daughter, was a coward and a drunk. He was pathetic and dragged down the whole book.
Don’t waste your time.
This was a good story but disappointing book. Tony Valentía couldn’t hold a job, couldn’t maintain a relationship, couldn’t take care of his daughter, was a coward and a drunk. He was pathetic and dragged down the whole book.
Don’t waste your time.
June 9, 2023
#2 in the series done. Another excellent read! Don’t miss it. On to #3 with much anticipation!👏🏻
June 27, 2021
Thanks to BookSirens for the advance digital copy of "Plane in the Lake" by Neil Turner, book 2 of The Tony Valenti Thrillers series. I did not read the 1st book, nor have I read this author before. This is my honest review.
The setting is Chicago with lots of reference to old world Italian mobsters. The story begins with a Cessna plane & passengers crashing into lake Michigan. Then a lot of cloak & dagger mafia.
Valenti, divorced with teenage daughter, is a lawyer, drives a Porsche, wears a Rolex, but still lives with his father and works at an office in a strip mall.
He & partner take on the defense of R & B Ramp Services, being sued by Butterworth Coleman (big, wealthy firm), for liability related to the plane crash.
At about half way through book & there have been scattered references to the lawsuit. The story has veered off into Valenti's father being shot at. There are mobsters, FBI, retired cops doing security and lots of domestic drama with X-wife, daughter, and female friends.
Multiple plots woven together, not much legal until 67% into book. There is an abundance of intrigue, suspense and action, some realistic, some a bit farfetched. I struggled with some of the timelines.
I did not dislike the book, but it was not what I expected. I wonder if I had read the first maybe it would've made more sense. While the description tag word includes "legal" the story is certainly not a courtroom thriller. I would give the author credit for originality and atmospheric drama.
The setting is Chicago with lots of reference to old world Italian mobsters. The story begins with a Cessna plane & passengers crashing into lake Michigan. Then a lot of cloak & dagger mafia.
Valenti, divorced with teenage daughter, is a lawyer, drives a Porsche, wears a Rolex, but still lives with his father and works at an office in a strip mall.
He & partner take on the defense of R & B Ramp Services, being sued by Butterworth Coleman (big, wealthy firm), for liability related to the plane crash.
At about half way through book & there have been scattered references to the lawsuit. The story has veered off into Valenti's father being shot at. There are mobsters, FBI, retired cops doing security and lots of domestic drama with X-wife, daughter, and female friends.
Multiple plots woven together, not much legal until 67% into book. There is an abundance of intrigue, suspense and action, some realistic, some a bit farfetched. I struggled with some of the timelines.
I did not dislike the book, but it was not what I expected. I wonder if I had read the first maybe it would've made more sense. While the description tag word includes "legal" the story is certainly not a courtroom thriller. I would give the author credit for originality and atmospheric drama.
April 2, 2025
Past, secrets, trust and lies
I enjoyed this book better than the first one in this series. The storyline is more interesting. This book bought out different emotions in me. The characters are well described and developed. They are relatable. You can vividly imagine how each character was. You can picture them as someone you know in real life. The father frustrates me. I’m glad the author is keeping Pat and Tony in the friendship zone. A romance is not suitable and it would throw the story off. They should remain friends. Brittany is a good kid but dating too young. I’m old fashioned, ok. I love Tony character but his decision making mechanism is so flawed. How you not trust people who put their life on the line for you and your family? He kept too many secrets and by keeping those secrets created terrible consequences 💔💔.
I enjoyed this book better than the first one in this series. The storyline is more interesting. This book bought out different emotions in me. The characters are well described and developed. They are relatable. You can vividly imagine how each character was. You can picture them as someone you know in real life. The father frustrates me. I’m glad the author is keeping Pat and Tony in the friendship zone. A romance is not suitable and it would throw the story off. They should remain friends. Brittany is a good kid but dating too young. I’m old fashioned, ok. I love Tony character but his decision making mechanism is so flawed. How you not trust people who put their life on the line for you and your family? He kept too many secrets and by keeping those secrets created terrible consequences 💔💔.
October 28, 2025
Tony is back, fighting the good fight for a small company against the big dogs.
I really enjoyed the first book and was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the same mark. I felt it centred around the family drama more than the legal perspective. I felt the cleverness of the first book didn’t quite follow through to the second.
Papa grated on me throughout the book as well, I wanted to love him but just couldn’t get past the ignorance and selfishness.
There are some suspenseful scenes, action and a jaw dropper moment, which was enjoyable.
I do love the fighting for the underdogs premise of the book, but I don’t think I’m in a rush to read the third book.
3.5 stars, generously rounded up to 4.
I really enjoyed the first book and was excited to read this one. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the same mark. I felt it centred around the family drama more than the legal perspective. I felt the cleverness of the first book didn’t quite follow through to the second.
Papa grated on me throughout the book as well, I wanted to love him but just couldn’t get past the ignorance and selfishness.
There are some suspenseful scenes, action and a jaw dropper moment, which was enjoyable.
I do love the fighting for the underdogs premise of the book, but I don’t think I’m in a rush to read the third book.
3.5 stars, generously rounded up to 4.
February 10, 2025
Audiobook: I was as entertained by book two as I was by the first book in the series. I followed Tony's journey with bated breath as he faced some of his biggest challenges yet. I appreciated the unexpected twists as I never knew what new obstacles Tony would encounter as the story unfolded. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I thought Gary Bennett's narration enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
January 4, 2026
I enjoyed reading this as well as the first novel Turner wrote
I really like the way Mr Turner writes his books. He has a way of describing physical and visual interactions between characters in his stories. His plots are are amazing and entertaining, especially his action pages, that is when a reader cannot put the book away.
I really enjoy plots that have what I call believable entertaining stories, with this book he goes above that for my reading pleasure. I think he should have shortened the length of the book and made chapters 33 or 34 into an epilogue
I really like the way Mr Turner writes his books. He has a way of describing physical and visual interactions between characters in his stories. His plots are are amazing and entertaining, especially his action pages, that is when a reader cannot put the book away.
I really enjoy plots that have what I call believable entertaining stories, with this book he goes above that for my reading pleasure. I think he should have shortened the length of the book and made chapters 33 or 34 into an epilogue
February 12, 2025
Tony and Penelope have teamed up to form a partnership to represent the common man. Both have come from bigger law firms. Their first case involves a suit against their clients for negligence in maintaining and fueling a tourist plane that crashes into Lake Michigan. Their clients state that they did nothing wrong and that pilot error caused the plane to crash. The mafia gets involved and Tony and his family are threatened.
Not as good as the first book in the series.
Not as good as the first book in the series.
May 14, 2025
Second in the series. Tony Valenti is called to represent airplane mechanics after a tourist plane went down.
New plot but carry over concerns related to his father.
I was dismayed at some bad grammar in the story,
"The morning after being grilled by the FBI, Billy joins Penelope and I in our conference room, , ,"
It should be 'Penelope and me'. I almost stopped reading as this should have been caught, but I plowed ahead anyway.
New plot but carry over concerns related to his father.
I was dismayed at some bad grammar in the story,
"The morning after being grilled by the FBI, Billy joins Penelope and I in our conference room, , ,"
It should be 'Penelope and me'. I almost stopped reading as this should have been caught, but I plowed ahead anyway.
December 30, 2024
A good story and characters and I found I enjoyed this second in the series, but not as much as the first one. I think it was that there was so much going on with so many of the characters. Lots of reflection, angst, fear, arrogance… I look forward to the next book.
February 17, 2025
A good read. The story keeps your interest. Good dialogue. Tony should share more info though.
March 9, 2025
This was ok. Not as good as the 1st book in the series but worth reading.
March 23, 2025
Didn't truly enjoy this book. ½ thru the book I am still not sure what's the main theme.
April 4, 2025
Again another great book, full of twist and turns
August 7, 2025
A great read…Enjoying Neil Turners books
December 28, 2025
Another enjoyable read in this Tony Valenti series. An uphill task to prove the innocence of Valenti's clients.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews