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Inhuman Trafficking: A Legal Thriller
A fast-paced thriller in the tradition of John Grisham, Joseph Finder, and John Lescroart
For Nick “Deke” Deketomis, going where angels fear to tread in waging legal battles has long been a way of life. As managing partner for one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, Deke has gone toe to toe with some of the largest corporations in the world. His firm specializes in the tough, even quixotic, cases that few lawyers would dare to take on. Like human trafficking.
Deke’s target this time is Welcome Mat Hospitality, a firm known for its truck stops and lodging throughout the United States. What Welcome Mat doesn’t advertise is the human trafficking—for sex work and slave labor—going on at many of its properties. For the sake of better profits, Welcome Mat’s ownership has turned a blind eye to this lucrative enterprise.
As invested as Deke is in the case, though, it takes on even greater urgency when the past comes calling with word that his fifteen-year-old goddaughter, Lily Reyes, is missing. When Deke learns that Lily has fallen prey to a notorious trafficker, his personal and professional worlds converge. For his goddaughter to survive, Deke must prevail not only in the legal arena but outside of it.
For Nick “Deke” Deketomis, going where angels fear to tread in waging legal battles has long been a way of life. As managing partner for one of the nation’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, Deke has gone toe to toe with some of the largest corporations in the world. His firm specializes in the tough, even quixotic, cases that few lawyers would dare to take on. Like human trafficking.
Deke’s target this time is Welcome Mat Hospitality, a firm known for its truck stops and lodging throughout the United States. What Welcome Mat doesn’t advertise is the human trafficking—for sex work and slave labor—going on at many of its properties. For the sake of better profits, Welcome Mat’s ownership has turned a blind eye to this lucrative enterprise.
As invested as Deke is in the case, though, it takes on even greater urgency when the past comes calling with word that his fifteen-year-old goddaughter, Lily Reyes, is missing. When Deke learns that Lily has fallen prey to a notorious trafficker, his personal and professional worlds converge. For his goddaughter to survive, Deke must prevail not only in the legal arena but outside of it.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published October 5, 2021
27 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Mike Papantonio
13 books161 followersMIKE PAPANTONIO is an American trial lawyer, television presenter, radio talk show host, and author. He is a senior partner with Levin Papantonio, one of America’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, and was one of the youngest inductees into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. He has aggressively taken on Big Pharma, tobacco, corporate polluters, and weapons manufacturers, among other bastions of corporate greed, and uses his own cases as springboards for his seven-book series of legal thrillers featuring Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis.
Mike was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Jesus Camp (2006) and in the award-winning documentary Oxy Kingpins (2021), about how a network of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers worked together to orchestrate and perpetuate the opioid crisis that has killed over half a million people in America. He was also featured in The Devil We Know (2018), which highlighted the dangers of DuPont’s man-made chemical C8 and was adapted into the Hollywood blockbuster film Dark Waters (2019), starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins. And he was a key figure in Beyond Pollution (2012), regarding the truth behind the largest man-made natural disaster in history, the BP Oil Spill.
Mike’s most recent legal thriller is A Death in Arcadia, inspired by the infamous Dozier School for Boys.
Mike was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Jesus Camp (2006) and in the award-winning documentary Oxy Kingpins (2021), about how a network of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers worked together to orchestrate and perpetuate the opioid crisis that has killed over half a million people in America. He was also featured in The Devil We Know (2018), which highlighted the dangers of DuPont’s man-made chemical C8 and was adapted into the Hollywood blockbuster film Dark Waters (2019), starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins. And he was a key figure in Beyond Pollution (2012), regarding the truth behind the largest man-made natural disaster in history, the BP Oil Spill.
Mike’s most recent legal thriller is A Death in Arcadia, inspired by the infamous Dozier School for Boys.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 23, 2021
The title "Inhuman Trafficking, a legal thriller" appealed to me because it is my favorite genre and these authors are new to me.
An unsavory subject, human trafficking. My knowledge of human trafficking is based on what's available in the news, not much. I was hesitant to read, because sometimes fiction can be too close to reality and I wasn't sure I could take the cold, hard facts. The story was very tastefully writen. Yes, there are scenes describing young girls taken and put into what amounts to slave labor, sex trafficking, drugs, abuse, strip clubs, etc. I don't think you can sugar coat the practice of human trafficking, but the authors scenes were more illustrative and didn't present for shock value. In fact, I suspect the reality of a trafficked person is far more horrific.
There is a good balance of the legal aspects, court scenes, nonstop action, twists and a relatible cast of characters set mostly in Florida, land, air & sea.
Attorney Nick “Deke” Deketomis is a senior partner in one of the nation’s largest plaintiff law firms. Michael Carey is an associate and an X- airforce parachute jumper. Jake works investigations. Carol Morris is head of Safety and Security and Investigative Services. She has her hands full trying to reign in lots of testosterone.
The firm is currently suing Welcome Mat Hospitality, a truck stop chain, for allowing human trafficking. The plight of foreign H2B workers is central to the criminal activity.
In the meantime, Lily, Deke's goddaughter, has been abducted and is herself trafficked. Lily's eventual captor Mad Max was the mystical, reclusive, cruel, demented Moon Man. The connections of these separate events collide in unforeseeable ways. The suspense carries throughout the search for Lily and other missing girls. There are murders, explosions, fires, and the harrowing pursuit for justice.
I highly recommend this book and will definitely look for other books by these authors. This would make a great start for a new series (hint)!
Reading an Advance Reader Copy is a lot like eating from a box of mixed chocolates without the diagram, you never know what you're going to get. This book was my favorite in the box. Many thanks to Mike Papantonio and Alan Russell, Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this advance digital copy. This review is mine given voluntarily.
An unsavory subject, human trafficking. My knowledge of human trafficking is based on what's available in the news, not much. I was hesitant to read, because sometimes fiction can be too close to reality and I wasn't sure I could take the cold, hard facts. The story was very tastefully writen. Yes, there are scenes describing young girls taken and put into what amounts to slave labor, sex trafficking, drugs, abuse, strip clubs, etc. I don't think you can sugar coat the practice of human trafficking, but the authors scenes were more illustrative and didn't present for shock value. In fact, I suspect the reality of a trafficked person is far more horrific.
There is a good balance of the legal aspects, court scenes, nonstop action, twists and a relatible cast of characters set mostly in Florida, land, air & sea.
Attorney Nick “Deke” Deketomis is a senior partner in one of the nation’s largest plaintiff law firms. Michael Carey is an associate and an X- airforce parachute jumper. Jake works investigations. Carol Morris is head of Safety and Security and Investigative Services. She has her hands full trying to reign in lots of testosterone.
The firm is currently suing Welcome Mat Hospitality, a truck stop chain, for allowing human trafficking. The plight of foreign H2B workers is central to the criminal activity.
In the meantime, Lily, Deke's goddaughter, has been abducted and is herself trafficked. Lily's eventual captor Mad Max was the mystical, reclusive, cruel, demented Moon Man. The connections of these separate events collide in unforeseeable ways. The suspense carries throughout the search for Lily and other missing girls. There are murders, explosions, fires, and the harrowing pursuit for justice.
I highly recommend this book and will definitely look for other books by these authors. This would make a great start for a new series (hint)!
Reading an Advance Reader Copy is a lot like eating from a box of mixed chocolates without the diagram, you never know what you're going to get. This book was my favorite in the box. Many thanks to Mike Papantonio and Alan Russell, Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this advance digital copy. This review is mine given voluntarily.
August 7, 2022
Just like every other book from Mike Papantonio once I started this I couldn't put it down, great read!
September 3, 2021
This story grabbed me right away and didn’t let go until the end. At several moments, I thought I knew what was going to happen but then I turned out to be wrong. The authors did a great job of letting the characters ebb and flow, while flipping back and forth from each setting that each character was in until all their worlds coalesced and overlapped.
Nick “Deke” Deketomis was probably my favorite character, if only because of his no B.S. attitude and actions in court as well as out of it. A close second favorite was Michael. Even though it’s a total cliche, I’m glad that all of the many bad guys in this book didn’t win. MM was super creepy and totally off his rocker. What Lily did to survive a full moon in his prison was risky, rather brilliant and also very bizarre… but it worked. I guess when you’re as nuts as MM was, it’s no surprise that it did. The ending was perfect and very sweet.
I do wonder how the majority of these events transpired without law enforcement being involved. It was rather unsettling. Many times I kept waiting for them to contact the FBI but they didn’t. I’m not too sure Deke’s explanation for why not to include at least local law enforcement was believable. Dirty cops are out there… but not ALL of them are dirty. I also had hoped to see Judge Irwin punished in some way for his ridiculous rulings. I think this book could’ve benefited from another 50-75 pages to fully flesh out the plot and characters.
All that said, I also feel like some needed background was either missing or details not explained enough. Like how Deke mentioned that he had been a murder suspect a few years prior… what?! I wanted to read more about that! Also, more details surrounding Michael’s past and how he came to meeting Mona as well as how Jake managed to get disbarred and then turn to investigations would’ve been good to read. Some of it was revealed but it was a very short summary and left me hoping for more. It made me wonder if these characters had been in other books previously where perhaps each of their backgrounds were explained better.
All in all, 4/5 stars. I appreciated the authors’ writing styles and wished the story was longer. I would be interested in reading more books by this author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC for free!
Nick “Deke” Deketomis was probably my favorite character, if only because of his no B.S. attitude and actions in court as well as out of it. A close second favorite was Michael. Even though it’s a total cliche, I’m glad that all of the many bad guys in this book didn’t win. MM was super creepy and totally off his rocker. What Lily did to survive a full moon in his prison was risky, rather brilliant and also very bizarre… but it worked. I guess when you’re as nuts as MM was, it’s no surprise that it did. The ending was perfect and very sweet.
I do wonder how the majority of these events transpired without law enforcement being involved. It was rather unsettling. Many times I kept waiting for them to contact the FBI but they didn’t. I’m not too sure Deke’s explanation for why not to include at least local law enforcement was believable. Dirty cops are out there… but not ALL of them are dirty. I also had hoped to see Judge Irwin punished in some way for his ridiculous rulings. I think this book could’ve benefited from another 50-75 pages to fully flesh out the plot and characters.
All that said, I also feel like some needed background was either missing or details not explained enough. Like how Deke mentioned that he had been a murder suspect a few years prior… what?! I wanted to read more about that! Also, more details surrounding Michael’s past and how he came to meeting Mona as well as how Jake managed to get disbarred and then turn to investigations would’ve been good to read. Some of it was revealed but it was a very short summary and left me hoping for more. It made me wonder if these characters had been in other books previously where perhaps each of their backgrounds were explained better.
All in all, 4/5 stars. I appreciated the authors’ writing styles and wished the story was longer. I would be interested in reading more books by this author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC for free!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2021
This would make a great film, it is a fast paced legal thriller. The focus is on the grim topic of sex trafficking. “The world has turned a blind eye to these actions for too long.” Attorney Nick “Deke” Deketomis is a senior partner in one of the nation’s largest plaintiff law firms, specializing in the tough cases few other lawyers would dare to take on. One such case is against Welcome Mat Hospitality, a firm with truck stops and motels across the country, which has been turning a blind eye to the blatant sex trafficking going on at their properties for the sake of profits. The Interstate 20 is described as a sex trafficking super highway. The issue becomes personal for Deke, when he discovers his green-eyed 15 year old goddaughter, Lily has got caught up in the tangled web of sex trafficking, tricked by her “boyfriend” into paying off his debt by selling her body. Many of the girls being trafficked are minors and most are foreign nationals in the US on an H2B temporary work visa or illegal immigrants from Mexico.
Most of the action happens in Florida, but the pacing builds to a thrilling Mission Impossible style climax in Las Vegas. This is a real page turner of a book, mixing courtroom drama and undercover sleuthing. The boat on the cover of the book is a reference to a strip cruise, where 5 Ukrainian strippers/hookers go out on a cruise but only four return. The missing girl, Karina, had earlier managed to contact Deke’s firm to enlist their services.
The characters are well drawn, Deke is a passionate lawyer trying to draw attention to the plight of the victims of “inhuman trafficking”. He explains to a junior associate and legal rookie, Michael Carey, retired from the US air force after breaking his back (whose unique skill set proves very useful to the plot).
We need rage. Every good trial lawyer has to channel the controlled rage. If you are not angry, no jury is going to get angry.
It is an entertaining read about a subject that should be addressed “Human trafficking is worse than a sewage spill.” If you enjoy writers like John Grisham, I would imagine you’d like this.
With thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this advance digital copy. This review is mine given voluntarily.
Most of the action happens in Florida, but the pacing builds to a thrilling Mission Impossible style climax in Las Vegas. This is a real page turner of a book, mixing courtroom drama and undercover sleuthing. The boat on the cover of the book is a reference to a strip cruise, where 5 Ukrainian strippers/hookers go out on a cruise but only four return. The missing girl, Karina, had earlier managed to contact Deke’s firm to enlist their services.
The characters are well drawn, Deke is a passionate lawyer trying to draw attention to the plight of the victims of “inhuman trafficking”. He explains to a junior associate and legal rookie, Michael Carey, retired from the US air force after breaking his back (whose unique skill set proves very useful to the plot).
We need rage. Every good trial lawyer has to channel the controlled rage. If you are not angry, no jury is going to get angry.
It is an entertaining read about a subject that should be addressed “Human trafficking is worse than a sewage spill.” If you enjoy writers like John Grisham, I would imagine you’d like this.
With thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for this advance digital copy. This review is mine given voluntarily.
September 7, 2021
I received this ARC through "NetGalley's" Read Now program.
This is the 1st book that I have read by this author and did not know what to expect. I selected it based on the description that was provided and I was not disappointed. The story begins with Lily, Deke's Godchild, being taken advantage of and sold to sex traffickers. Deke had not paid any attention to Lily since being named and felt he didn't provide the security needed, but told Lily's mother that he would search for her daughter. At the same time this was going on, Deke was pursuing a case against a chain suspected of sex trafficking, but he put out feelers trying to locate the individual that stole Lily. As things went on, Deke had a couple of chances of getting Lily's abductor, but they all fell threw.
Latter Diane, one of Deke's team, received a call from someone who had become a sex slave and wanted help. With little information, they searched for Katalyn with little luck. Michael an attorney in Deke's firm became her attorney and began searching finding various leads that eventually paid off. Unknown to Michael, he indirectly was involved in Deke's search for Lily.
To discover how Deke's lawsuit worked out, what the search for Katalyn revealed and whether Lily was discovered, then you need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.
This is the 1st book that I have read by this author and did not know what to expect. I selected it based on the description that was provided and I was not disappointed. The story begins with Lily, Deke's Godchild, being taken advantage of and sold to sex traffickers. Deke had not paid any attention to Lily since being named and felt he didn't provide the security needed, but told Lily's mother that he would search for her daughter. At the same time this was going on, Deke was pursuing a case against a chain suspected of sex trafficking, but he put out feelers trying to locate the individual that stole Lily. As things went on, Deke had a couple of chances of getting Lily's abductor, but they all fell threw.
Latter Diane, one of Deke's team, received a call from someone who had become a sex slave and wanted help. With little information, they searched for Katalyn with little luck. Michael an attorney in Deke's firm became her attorney and began searching finding various leads that eventually paid off. Unknown to Michael, he indirectly was involved in Deke's search for Lily.
To discover how Deke's lawsuit worked out, what the search for Katalyn revealed and whether Lily was discovered, then you need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.
August 3, 2021
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.
This book caught my attention from page one, and held it all the way to the end. I'm pretty particular about thriller novels, but the "legal" aspect of this one drew me in. Generally, I like thrillers that feel more like an episode of Law and Order than a horror movie, and Papantonio delivered that with every word.
The story takes place in several perspectives at once, alternating POV between chapters. As a reader, I was able to follow along, and almost participate in the investigation by trying to guess how close the different plotlines were to coinciding (I was wrong at least twice before I got to the end, but the journey was so very worth it). It's not news that human trafficking is a terrible, cruel industry, but it makes for a captivating narrative as we watch lawyers try to pick apart its nuances and find their way to the top of the food chain.
There's only so much to be said without giving away the entire plot, but the ending ties everything together in a heartfelt, uplifting way. All the world's problems aren't solved with this one mission, but things are looking up for the right characters. And really, what more could we ask for?
This book caught my attention from page one, and held it all the way to the end. I'm pretty particular about thriller novels, but the "legal" aspect of this one drew me in. Generally, I like thrillers that feel more like an episode of Law and Order than a horror movie, and Papantonio delivered that with every word.
The story takes place in several perspectives at once, alternating POV between chapters. As a reader, I was able to follow along, and almost participate in the investigation by trying to guess how close the different plotlines were to coinciding (I was wrong at least twice before I got to the end, but the journey was so very worth it). It's not news that human trafficking is a terrible, cruel industry, but it makes for a captivating narrative as we watch lawyers try to pick apart its nuances and find their way to the top of the food chain.
There's only so much to be said without giving away the entire plot, but the ending ties everything together in a heartfelt, uplifting way. All the world's problems aren't solved with this one mission, but things are looking up for the right characters. And really, what more could we ask for?
December 26, 2021
Inhuman Trafficking by Mike Papantonio and Alan Russell
This is a well researched, fictional book that shines a light on one of society’s more despicable cockroaches, human trafficking. Every day kids as young as 13 are sold for their bodies. It gives one pause when you look at a kid and think they could be abducted or abused. Deke, attorney, and Jake a disbarred attorney work together again to track down a missing girl with ties to Deke and in the meantime discover the depths of the sex slave trade.
The authors show a side of humanity that you really don’t want to see. The willingness of people to look the other way, to look down their noses and to despise the women who are often pulled into the sex trade against their wishes. Prostitution is often described as a victimless crime but that makes the often-erroneous assumption that the prostitute is willing and able to choose that life.
The book is written as a novel but sheds light on a societal issue that is frequently ignored. There is action and characters you can like as well as a cast of deplorable villains.
I can’t say it was an enjoyable read but it is most definitely worth reading.
I strongly recommend it.
This is a well researched, fictional book that shines a light on one of society’s more despicable cockroaches, human trafficking. Every day kids as young as 13 are sold for their bodies. It gives one pause when you look at a kid and think they could be abducted or abused. Deke, attorney, and Jake a disbarred attorney work together again to track down a missing girl with ties to Deke and in the meantime discover the depths of the sex slave trade.
The authors show a side of humanity that you really don’t want to see. The willingness of people to look the other way, to look down their noses and to despise the women who are often pulled into the sex trade against their wishes. Prostitution is often described as a victimless crime but that makes the often-erroneous assumption that the prostitute is willing and able to choose that life.
The book is written as a novel but sheds light on a societal issue that is frequently ignored. There is action and characters you can like as well as a cast of deplorable villains.
I can’t say it was an enjoyable read but it is most definitely worth reading.
I strongly recommend it.
September 8, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Deke is a prominent lawyer who fights against large corporations and his latest fight hits close to home. He is fighting a large hotel chain who is involved in human trafficking and discovers that his goddaughter has been forced into prostitution by her boyfriend. With the help of his colleagues he tracks down various people involved in the trafficking but Lily always seems just out of his reach. One of the sex slaves tries to contact Deke’s form for help but disappears before they can help her. One of the firms lawyers Michael takes on the case to find and represent her. The cases all seem to be intertwined and in order to get to Lily, Michael has to use his past skills in the military to help rescue her. I was drawn into this story from the start. Although it was a disturbing subject matter it didn’t go into too much detail of what the people went through., which I appreciated. The characters were interesting and you wanted to see the good guys prevail and the bad guys get their comeuppance. This was a legal thriller with some action thrown in, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Deke is a prominent lawyer who fights against large corporations and his latest fight hits close to home. He is fighting a large hotel chain who is involved in human trafficking and discovers that his goddaughter has been forced into prostitution by her boyfriend. With the help of his colleagues he tracks down various people involved in the trafficking but Lily always seems just out of his reach. One of the sex slaves tries to contact Deke’s form for help but disappears before they can help her. One of the firms lawyers Michael takes on the case to find and represent her. The cases all seem to be intertwined and in order to get to Lily, Michael has to use his past skills in the military to help rescue her. I was drawn into this story from the start. Although it was a disturbing subject matter it didn’t go into too much detail of what the people went through., which I appreciated. The characters were interesting and you wanted to see the good guys prevail and the bad guys get their comeuppance. This was a legal thriller with some action thrown in, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
January 10, 2022
The world can be a bad place. This story really colorfully illustrates the underbelly some young girls experience when they think they’re chasing their dreams.
The legal thrillers by this author are truly stunning. The first chapter made the characters and the story completely compelling, and it was hard to put the book down. In the first couple pages, Lily thinks she’s being stalked. While the situation wasn’t what she originally thought, her relief is short-lived.
Once Karina is introduced, we hope we may have found our underdog. All the girls inspired hope, as they tried so hard to make the most of a horrible situation, and possibly get out with their lives. Unfortunately, as the story was meant to mimic real human trafficking, there were a lot more losers than winners.
Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. While it included characters who were mentioned in previous books by the author, their introduction was adequate to understand who they were without their entire backstory. I’d recommend this to those who enjoy legal thrillers and stories that raise serious emotions about tragic social issues.
https://booksithinkyoushouldread.blog...
The legal thrillers by this author are truly stunning. The first chapter made the characters and the story completely compelling, and it was hard to put the book down. In the first couple pages, Lily thinks she’s being stalked. While the situation wasn’t what she originally thought, her relief is short-lived.
Once Karina is introduced, we hope we may have found our underdog. All the girls inspired hope, as they tried so hard to make the most of a horrible situation, and possibly get out with their lives. Unfortunately, as the story was meant to mimic real human trafficking, there were a lot more losers than winners.
Overall, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. While it included characters who were mentioned in previous books by the author, their introduction was adequate to understand who they were without their entire backstory. I’d recommend this to those who enjoy legal thrillers and stories that raise serious emotions about tragic social issues.
https://booksithinkyoushouldread.blog...
September 29, 2021
I'm going to be the odd one out. Less a legal thriller than a plain old action thriller with some law thrown in, this topical novel is at times so over the top and implausible that, well, it strains credulity. Deke, a plaintiff's attorney, has taken on Welcome Mat, which runs truck stops, motels, etc, for ignoring the trafficking that goes on at its locations. Then his goddaughter Lily is pulled in when her boyfriend convinces her that she can pay off his debt. So Deke goes into action mode and, along with his colleagues, sets out to save her. No one works with law enforcement. It's a familiar plot with some interesting characters. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC.
October 13, 2021
Good story; tough subject
Trigger warning: The title says it all, very sad facts about the sex trade in America.
The warriors are interesting and brave; their enemies range from truly evil to money hungry to caught in a Faustian vise. It’s hard to believe that the industry explored herein is so pervasive and that its owners/operators are so dismissive of human life, but it rings true.
Mike Papantonio has undoubtedly seen it all in his practice; Alan Russell adds his way with words to get that story told!
Trigger warning: The title says it all, very sad facts about the sex trade in America.
The warriors are interesting and brave; their enemies range from truly evil to money hungry to caught in a Faustian vise. It’s hard to believe that the industry explored herein is so pervasive and that its owners/operators are so dismissive of human life, but it rings true.
Mike Papantonio has undoubtedly seen it all in his practice; Alan Russell adds his way with words to get that story told!
September 23, 2021
Inhuman Trafficking – John Grisham watch out! Mike Papantonio and Alan Russell have written a legal thriller that gets to you in Chapter One and does not stop until the ending. Deke Deketomis is a well-developed protagonist, and the supporting characters are totally believable. I read this book in one sitting – the subject matter is so timely and heartbreaking. Definitely plan to read more from Mike Papantonio. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
February 19, 2022
Another excellent Nick “Deke” Deketomis legal thriller. Though not a "Law and..." book, it still has all the legal action that makes this series a thrill to read. My review includes a link to an excerpt, in case anyone wants a sneak peak, it's the first chapter.
My Review
My Review
May 27, 2022
Inhuman Trafficking is a pretty fast-paced novel and you'll be turning the pages much quicker than you expect.
The topic, as you can probably glean from the title, deals with human trafficking – it's tragic, gritty, and absolutely heartbreaking. I don't really have much to say other than if you like legal thrillers, this is a good book to read in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy.
The topic, as you can probably glean from the title, deals with human trafficking – it's tragic, gritty, and absolutely heartbreaking. I don't really have much to say other than if you like legal thrillers, this is a good book to read in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy.
September 18, 2021
WOW......This would make a great film, it is a fast, action paced legal thriller. The focus is on the grim topic of sex trafficking. which the world has turned a blind eye to for WAY too long.!! This book caught my attention from page one, and held it all the way to the end.
I highly recommend this book!!!
I highly recommend this book!!!
August 23, 2023
This book drained me lorddddddddddd. The writing was average, the characters/development was laughable, and the climax was not entertaining nor worth the wait. I thought it would get better, but as I closed the last page in bed I again thought to myself maybe I should start writing books because WTH was that and how is it 4.35 stars?
August 11, 2021
Timely, if distasteful, topic is presented very well in this legal thriller told from several points of view. Well-developed characters and an excellent plot. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
May 18, 2022
A solid read. Although it’s a work of fiction, I’m sure similar things are happening everyday right under our noses. I felt the need to bathe and scrub the nasty off after reading this book, but I don’t regret having my eyes opened to a world I knew little about. Forewarned is forearmed.
August 9, 2025
Good read, interesting characters and good story line. Slower start for me but by mid book I was hooked. Had a little of everything, legal matters and the lawyers, military rescues, family issues, as well as sex trafficking and the horrors associated with it.
October 22, 2021
Outstanding! A must read!
October 22, 2021
Fantastic read! Could not put the book down. Hope they make a movie about it.
January 26, 2022
Excellent
A very intense but revealing story. So glad Mr. Papantonio has taken up this cause. Thank you for bringing this to light.
A very intense but revealing story. So glad Mr. Papantonio has taken up this cause. Thank you for bringing this to light.
April 13, 2022
Didn't really see the need for the Max Miller story but a nice read for a legal thriller.
January 23, 2023
really good book
I enjoyed this book so much that I went looking for other books by the same author. I bought 3 additional books and look forward to reading them!!
I enjoyed this book so much that I went looking for other books by the same author. I bought 3 additional books and look forward to reading them!!
January 30, 2023
Interesting read
I liked the writers style. He gave each character a heart which you should be able to identify with during the thought process of each one
I liked the writers style. He gave each character a heart which you should be able to identify with during the thought process of each one
July 4, 2022
Excellent story well told. The subject of human trafficking is an ugly one. What humans do to each other is sad. Greed is a driving force. As the story unfolds we see the underbelly of the business. I like Deke. He doesn't give up as he hunts for his goddaughter that was abducted and assumed to be sold into the slave trade. I stayed up way too late reading this one. Excellent!!
I read the book on NetGalley
I read the book on NetGalley
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews