What do you think?
Rate this book
Madison Knight #5
Just Cause
One cold case could be what kills her…
“Another exciting police-procedural adventure that will leave you turning the pages.” –Stacy Eaton, USA Today bestselling author
Eight years ago, a young defense attorney was murdered, shot down in his driveway. Detective Madison Knight’s suspicions immediately led her to the Russian Mafia, but with no concrete way of proving their involvement, she had to let the case go. Now that new evidence has surfaced, she’s ready to flip things on their head and get justice once and for all—even if that means making herself an enemy of the mob.
But it’s not just them she has to worry about. As her investigation continues, the body count stacks up, and she uncovers that someone within the upper echelons of the Stiles PD just might be in bed with the Mafia. Assuming she can stay alive long enough, will she have to the courage to expose the corruption and finally close her cold case?
Just Cause is a fast-paced crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns you’ll never see coming. Perfect for fans of the police procedural genre. Uncover clues, follow leads, and catch a killer like thousands of readers have done before you. Buy this international bestselling book today and join the investigation!
What readers say about Just Cause:
“There is so much action…Very intense.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is an action-packed story.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A page burner that you cannot put down.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book full of suspense and fear.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Arnold combines action, suspense and a little romance.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The book pulls you in and keeps you turning page after page.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The plot is unusual. It is rich and flows.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderfully written book in the Madison Knight series.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Really thrilling, like all her books.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well-woven story as usual from this author.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Arnold is in a league with the author James Patterson and I truly mean this as a compliment.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Great storyline and characters.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Fast-paced, action-packed, must read!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Another exciting police-procedural adventure that will leave you turning the pages.” –Stacy Eaton, USA Today bestselling author
Eight years ago, a young defense attorney was murdered, shot down in his driveway. Detective Madison Knight’s suspicions immediately led her to the Russian Mafia, but with no concrete way of proving their involvement, she had to let the case go. Now that new evidence has surfaced, she’s ready to flip things on their head and get justice once and for all—even if that means making herself an enemy of the mob.
But it’s not just them she has to worry about. As her investigation continues, the body count stacks up, and she uncovers that someone within the upper echelons of the Stiles PD just might be in bed with the Mafia. Assuming she can stay alive long enough, will she have to the courage to expose the corruption and finally close her cold case?
Just Cause is a fast-paced crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat with twists and turns you’ll never see coming. Perfect for fans of the police procedural genre. Uncover clues, follow leads, and catch a killer like thousands of readers have done before you. Buy this international bestselling book today and join the investigation!
What readers say about Just Cause:
“There is so much action…Very intense.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is an action-packed story.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A page burner that you cannot put down.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This book full of suspense and fear.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Arnold combines action, suspense and a little romance.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The book pulls you in and keeps you turning page after page.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The plot is unusual. It is rich and flows.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wonderfully written book in the Madison Knight series.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Really thrilling, like all her books.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well-woven story as usual from this author.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Arnold is in a league with the author James Patterson and I truly mean this as a compliment.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Great storyline and characters.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Excellent.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Fast-paced, action-packed, must read!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 16, 2014
646 people are currently reading
359 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Arnold
78 books1,286 followersCAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 21, 2019
Okay Heart Racer
This book continues to evolve the characters prime characters of Madison Knight and Terry Grant. The continuing growth of the side characters Cynthia, Sovereign, Lou, Matthews, and Winston are just as good. The fact that the chief up and resigns when Madison confronts him and she get a way to prove he is dirty is very compelling.
My heart palpated when I read the scene in the Russian mobs place of business. The drive that the writer gives the character of Madison Knight is one I think many women have when working in a male dominated field.
This is a great series and I look forward to more by Carolyn Arnold as Madison Knights journey continues.
This book continues to evolve the characters prime characters of Madison Knight and Terry Grant. The continuing growth of the side characters Cynthia, Sovereign, Lou, Matthews, and Winston are just as good. The fact that the chief up and resigns when Madison confronts him and she get a way to prove he is dirty is very compelling.
My heart palpated when I read the scene in the Russian mobs place of business. The drive that the writer gives the character of Madison Knight is one I think many women have when working in a male dominated field.
This is a great series and I look forward to more by Carolyn Arnold as Madison Knights journey continues.
July 7, 2025
As I keep reading this series (obviously I like torture) I find myself rooting for something to happen to Madison so the series will stop even though I know it goes on for many more books.
I didn't think I could like a character less than Brandon Fisher, but Madison is so much worse. Ugh. I wish I could talk myself out of reading the rest of the series but I already bought them and I have issues with doing that.
I didn't think I could like a character less than Brandon Fisher, but Madison is so much worse. Ugh. I wish I could talk myself out of reading the rest of the series but I already bought them and I have issues with doing that.
August 23, 2017
Madison in hot water.
Madison sure has a way of making people she likes get upset with her. That's especially true with her partner, Terry in this book. There is so much action and links from one person to another, old crimes and new. Very intense.
Madison sure has a way of making people she likes get upset with her. That's especially true with her partner, Terry in this book. There is so much action and links from one person to another, old crimes and new. Very intense.
August 23, 2017
Madison sure has a way of making people she likes get upset with her. That's especially true with her partner, Terry in this book. There is so much action and links from one person to another, old crimes and new. Very intense.
November 4, 2017
Ended to quickly
I loved the pace of this one. I was engaged by the storyline and was wanting more. I only gave it four stars because it ended to quickly. Unanswered questions and not fully solved as the last ones. I know you want another book but come on!
I loved the pace of this one. I was engaged by the storyline and was wanting more. I only gave it four stars because it ended to quickly. Unanswered questions and not fully solved as the last ones. I know you want another book but come on!
September 17, 2022
Awesome read
I absolutely reading detective novels and this one does no disappoint. Madison, the main character is a straight forward, no nonsense kind of last with a hidden soft side. I highly recommend this series.
I absolutely reading detective novels and this one does no disappoint. Madison, the main character is a straight forward, no nonsense kind of last with a hidden soft side. I highly recommend this series.
Read
October 29, 2019Great read! Intersting twist throughout the book!
January 1, 2022
Story is interesting and keeps your attention, but the book stops very abruptly.
July 26, 2022
Great read! Kept me guessing!
Read
April 30, 2025Read 4/25
May 28, 2025
Riviting
Fast paced breath holding adventure. Great believable characters. Amazing twists and turns. Can’t wait to read the next book. Just can’t put it down.
Fast paced breath holding adventure. Great believable characters. Amazing twists and turns. Can’t wait to read the next book. Just can’t put it down.
October 4, 2024
This was such a good luck Madison night and her partner Terry they work together a lot of times Madison goes rogue on her own. She was dealing with people from the mafia. It was so scary but things that she went through but she kept going. This is a great great book, I am onto book number six now in this series anybody wants a good series with a kick butt detective female this is your book. Thank you so much Carolyn Arnold for such a great read. 🩷📚😊
October 16, 2014
Just Cause by Carolyn Arnold is the 5th book in her exciting Madison Knight series. In case you are not familiar with this series, here is a brief synopsis: Madison Knight is a tough, say it like it is detective in the major crimes division. Madison fights and solves crimes, despite the minimal support she gets from her co-workers. In Just Cause, Madison secretly works on a cold case of the Russian Mob that has haunted her since the beginning of this series. She is breaking the rules, because she knows her superiors will forbid her to be working on the case, which has become very personal to Madison.
Just Cause starts off with a bang, and Madison is literally moments away from her own death. The mob has taken her hostage at the start of the book, and they play their own torture game, Russian Roulette, with her. Since she never told anyone where she was going, she fears the end is near. Terry, her partner is at his desk, wondering where Madison is, as she is never ever late. Fortunately, Terry gets others involved and just when the next bullet is to be triggered, he comes to Madison’s rescue. Exciting? You bet. And this was just the first few pages of the book.
What follows is an exciting story of Madison trying to investigate and get the goods on the Russian mob, before all the possible witnesses to help her are eliminated one by one. This is an action packed story, and with each twist or death, I would be giving away spoilers, which I do not want to do. This is a page burner that you cannot put down, which you need to read.
In previous reviews of this series, I have mentioned that this series has some similarities to the In-Death series, with the exception of the secondary characters and the fabulous team In-Death has. Madison Knight stands alone for most of the time, which I have mentioned before, and is somewhat of a stickler for me. She does have a good friend, who is even better in this book. Terry her partner is a little better, but still somewhat annoying to me, but some is Madison’s own fault. I love Hershey, her dog, and at times it seems Hershey is the only happiness for her. Her immediate supervisor has made improvements in how he acts with her, and we do learn more about the chief, who is always nasty. Overall, there is hope for Madison to find some happiness with someone, and build a loyal team. She is a tough nut to crack.
With that being said, Just Cause was a great addition to this series. Carolyn Arnold outdoes herself with putting together the pieces of this mystery, and holding our attention all the way through. If you enjoy crime dramas, mysteries, thrillers, a tough hard-nosed cop and non-stop action storylines, look no further than the Madison Knight series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Just Cause starts off with a bang, and Madison is literally moments away from her own death. The mob has taken her hostage at the start of the book, and they play their own torture game, Russian Roulette, with her. Since she never told anyone where she was going, she fears the end is near. Terry, her partner is at his desk, wondering where Madison is, as she is never ever late. Fortunately, Terry gets others involved and just when the next bullet is to be triggered, he comes to Madison’s rescue. Exciting? You bet. And this was just the first few pages of the book.
What follows is an exciting story of Madison trying to investigate and get the goods on the Russian mob, before all the possible witnesses to help her are eliminated one by one. This is an action packed story, and with each twist or death, I would be giving away spoilers, which I do not want to do. This is a page burner that you cannot put down, which you need to read.
In previous reviews of this series, I have mentioned that this series has some similarities to the In-Death series, with the exception of the secondary characters and the fabulous team In-Death has. Madison Knight stands alone for most of the time, which I have mentioned before, and is somewhat of a stickler for me. She does have a good friend, who is even better in this book. Terry her partner is a little better, but still somewhat annoying to me, but some is Madison’s own fault. I love Hershey, her dog, and at times it seems Hershey is the only happiness for her. Her immediate supervisor has made improvements in how he acts with her, and we do learn more about the chief, who is always nasty. Overall, there is hope for Madison to find some happiness with someone, and build a loyal team. She is a tough nut to crack.
With that being said, Just Cause was a great addition to this series. Carolyn Arnold outdoes herself with putting together the pieces of this mystery, and holding our attention all the way through. If you enjoy crime dramas, mysteries, thrillers, a tough hard-nosed cop and non-stop action storylines, look no further than the Madison Knight series.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
January 23, 2017
The main character in the book, Madison Knight, has devolved into someone who has become almost intolerable. What the author has written describing her behaviour to show that Detective Knight is driven or highly determined is just plain boorish and totally unacceptable. If it were not for the fact that I had already purchased the next books by Ms. Arnold, I would not read any more of her books.
I fail to see how authors feel that being "driven" allows their characters to take on traits that are rather offensive.
On a lighter side, I really do wish that Ms. Arnold would learn to spell some basic words correctly. Referring to envelopes as "stationary" repeatedly instead of "stationery" is a bit embarrassing for a professional writer. There are numerous other syntax and spelling errors that should have been caught in her books before they were published.
I fail to see how authors feel that being "driven" allows their characters to take on traits that are rather offensive.
On a lighter side, I really do wish that Ms. Arnold would learn to spell some basic words correctly. Referring to envelopes as "stationary" repeatedly instead of "stationery" is a bit embarrassing for a professional writer. There are numerous other syntax and spelling errors that should have been caught in her books before they were published.
December 10, 2016
if you are a fan of the characters and there back story - this is an excellent book for character development. You learn alot about the main character Madison driving force behind her work ethic and why her relationships are the way they are.
The procedural part of book (the case) is really there to move the story along and seems is summed up to quickly and convienantly. Thus wraps up a cold case.
i really enjoyed the read.
The procedural part of book (the case) is really there to move the story along and seems is summed up to quickly and convienantly. Thus wraps up a cold case.
i really enjoyed the read.
September 7, 2016
**SPOILER FREE**
Another great book from this author! And just as the plot thickens. The characters will keep you guessing! Where we're heading in the story is one to be reckon with.. But this detective... well... if you don't want her trailing... don't leave behind anything worth looking into!
*Received for an honest review*
Another great book from this author! And just as the plot thickens. The characters will keep you guessing! Where we're heading in the story is one to be reckon with.. But this detective... well... if you don't want her trailing... don't leave behind anything worth looking into!
*Received for an honest review*
December 1, 2015
JUST CAUSE
Well I'm just saying might be getting too scary for me! This book full of suspense and fear. Especially for me! Keep up the good work but let there be love!!
Well I'm just saying might be getting too scary for me! This book full of suspense and fear. Especially for me! Keep up the good work but let there be love!!
June 26, 2016
Madison Knight takes on, what might be, her toughest case yet. Just Cause is the best in the series so far. Madison show more of her human and more vulnerable side.
Read
April 20, 20175th book in series i am working my way thru. This book was thw most intense of them all. I do really enjoy these books.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews