Defending Innocence

Small Town Lawyer #1

by Peter Kirkland

An innocent client harbors dark secrets…

Defense attorney Leland Monroe lost it all: his big-city job, his reputation and, worst of all, his loving wife. Now he’s back in his hometown to hit restart and repair the relationship with his troubled son. But the past is always present in a small town.

Leland returns to find his high school sweetheart hasn’t had the easiest of lives—especially now that her son faces a death sentence for murdering his father. Yet what appears to be an open and shut case is anything but. As Leland digs deeper to uncover a truth even his client is determined to keep buried, a tangled web of corruption weaves its way throughout his once tranquil hometown.

Leland soon realizes it’s not just his innocent young client’s life that’s at stake—powerful forces surface to threaten the precious few loved ones he has left.

Genres: Mystery, Legal Thriller, Thriller, Fiction, Legal, Crime, Audiobook

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2021

About the author

Peter Kirkland grew up in Beaufort, South Carolina. As a kid, Peter loved history and learning about his area. One year in school, he was given a project to research a few South Carolina law cases and the precedents they set and their effect on people’s lives.
This research project lit the flame for his passion for law and creating a more equal justice system since. Soon after this, Peter began reading legal thrillers voraciously and enjoyed the legal maneuvering and justice found within. As an adult he has continued researching the law and understanding the system and its effects on individuals. A few years ago, he decided to try writing his own legal thriller.


Now a full-time writer, he uses his research, passion for justice, and real case studies to bring together courtroom dramas with deep, rich characters, and gripping twists and turns. New to the industry, Peter would love to hear from readers and other authors and invites you to connect with him.

Reviews

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lawyer Makes Bad Decisions, Sending Him Back To His Small Town

I enjoyed this story, very easy to read and interesting plot with strong characters and some great legal moments. A big time prosecutor tries to help his wife, but in doing so breaks the law himself, ending his job and returning to his hometown. Now trying to make it as a defense lawyer, while keeping the peace with his teenage son. His son's best friend's Dad is murdered, and cops are immediately blaming the kid. The lawyer, Leland Munroe, takes the case, learning about his own son while listening to the both boys as adults. He realizes they have good heads on their shoulders and is proud of them, but this case may be his complete drop to the bottom. Small towns have plenty of gossip, and a police officer saw the boy with a crowbar near the murder scene.
A nice story, a little quick to end without further legal wrangling, but I look forward to the next.

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leland Monroe is the hero of Defending Innocence. He used to be a big city prosecuting attorney but now he has returned to his hometown with his teenage son. Before he knows it, he has been talked into defending a friend of his son - one who stands accused of murder. Leland soon realizes it’s not just his innocent young client’s life that’s at stake...

I liked Leland! But I loved Terri, the private investigator he hired, and who was formerly a police officer, as well as being a friend of Leland's from high school. And of course, I loved the dogs!

There were criminal activities galore going on in this small town and Defending Innocence kept me guessing until the end. Speaking of the end of the book, it felt rather abrupt to me. Abrupt is better than a cliffhanger, though.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story introduces Leland Munroe who has left his job as a prosecutor and returned to his hometown. Here he is trying to start his own law practice, but is currently working with Roy Hearst as he tries to develop his own clients. In this small town where very little happens, a body is discovered on the beach and is eventually identified as a homicide.

Leland is brought in to this case because the son of one of his school classmates has asked for his help. He takes the initial discussion and ultimately gets the role of a Public Defender. Having little in the way of funds and is lucky to get funding for this position. With all of the time it will take him, he wasn't going to be able to spend a little bit of time developing his own clients. Roy is still providing him with things to do.

With the assistance of a private investigator who was a friend from school as well as a former police officer, they chased down whatever sort of information was available. As the case went to trial, Leland was still trying to discover something to free his client.

To discover how this all played out and what kind of situations Leland wound up in, then you must read this book. It is well worth it.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0-4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this small town legal thriller. Great start to a new series as well as a new author to me.This was a quick easy read, fast-paced with enough of a mystery, courtroom drama, and plenty of surprises and twists to keep me page turning. I love a legal thriller, looking forward to diving into book 2

[Robert Cronin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading (or listening via audible) Defending Innocence by Peter Kirkland. The story details the struggles a private attorney has after transitioning from being a government attorney. Mr. Kirkland was able to detail these types of struggles with great detail. The emotional impact, the financial impact, and the psychological impact were described in a way that I felt the lead character's struggles. Top this off with a return to his hometown after his wife died from an DUI accident (that she caused), which also caused severe injuries to his own son (which the main character partially blames on himself because as a prosecutor he helped his wife avoid numerous previous DUIs), and you have a greater understanding of the mental issues that the lead character faces. And then, his HS girlfriend's son (who is also good friends with his son) gets charged with murder. The only way to get to the bottom of what truly occurred causes the lead character to face potentially deadly consequences.

[Leanne Hardy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked it but the dialogue is a little off putting to me, didn't have the best wording corrected which doesn't help when trying to get invested in a new book, for me the ending was super quick it just let the whole of what I read be for nothing :(

[Tink · Rating 2 out of 5]

Defending Innocence

Defending Innocence was an okay legal thriller but it ended very abruptly. We were in the middle of a trial and then it was like the author decided he needed to be done writing.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7) Beard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had an interesting but slow start. I stayed with it off and on and then, toward the end, it got very interesting with a few dangerous twists. I am pretty sure I will read the second book in this series at some point. The book sets the reader up to know all of the characters. These people become important later on. There is a lot of snooping around and shady business going on and then those same people the reader has come to know and enjoy are in serious danger. They become important to the story and this reader was on the edge of her seat wondering what else will happen.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the protagonist and some nice touches like his dog, but the atmosphere of the small town with a lot of drug problems and the nastiness of the murder victim rather turned me off. Also there was a lot of local corruption, and that was obvious to me too early, even though I did not yet know the details.
I dithered between 3+ and 4- but decided on 3 because I realize I would not be especially interested in reading another by this author

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this book until the end, when it all just rather abruptly stopped. I had got really into the story and it was as if the author thought, I've hit my word count, lets wrap this one up. Whether he did or didn't I don't know, but it just felt odd and rushed, especially when the story was going so well up until that point.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I got used to the narrator it all really flowed and I had to know how the story ended. I did feel like the end of the story was a bit rushed but apart from that would really enjoy more books from this author and narraror

[*kariiii* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent legal thriller. Held my attention and interest. A lot of characters were introduced but then placed to the side until the end. Wish there were more strings connecting the characters and the crime.

[Phil O’Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I shall be looking for another book by the same author straight away! Loved it.

[Raylene Prout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but good read. A little predictable, but I'm okay with that. Definitely enough twists and turns to keep me interested throughout. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Cathy Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read! Very hard to put down and finished in just 2 days!

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Everydayreader1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legal thrillers are one of my favorite genres. DEFENDING INNOCENCE is one of the best I've read in quite a while. Well written with strong and invested characters, it kept my attention and I had to know the outcome. One of those "stay up all night" reads for me. So glad the series continues. Thank you, Mr. Kirkland!

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I love legal thrillers an author's name I don't recognize is as interesting to investigate as a favorite author in the genre to automatically add the next book in the series. After reading Peter Kirkland's debut novel, he is now an automatic add to my tbr list.

Leland Monroe had worked as a prosecutor in Charleston, South Carolina for 16 years. That is the past. Before his wife died. Before he resigned his position instead of being fired. Leland's still an attorney but now he's working for Roy Hearst, former mentor from law school in the small town of Basking Rock. Now Leland is a single father trying not to burden his son Noah with the angst he feels every time he opens the mail and views his son's medical bills. Their relationship has changed. Noah had his whole life in front of him securing a baseball scholarship to USC in Columbia. That is the past. Before he was in the car with his mother and the accident that killed her. Now physical therapy and community college are his routine. Little did Leland realize his relationship with Noah would become even more complicated when his son's friend Jackson is arrested for murder. How can Leland say no when his high school sweetheart Mazie and mother to Jackson asks him to be her son's lawyer?

There are so many novels about widowed mothers starting over trying to push through their grief and do their best for their child(ren). The twist of a widower raising a teenage son was realistic and believable. The drama in this legal thriller is intense. The courtroom exchanges are gripping and riveting. The investigation, the small town politics, the opposing sides of the courtroom at each step from arraignment, bail hearing, pre-trial motions, to trial were so authentic it came as no surprise to read the author grew up in South Carolina and worked as an attorney prior to writing full-time.

The one annoyance in this novel was as Leland frequently started a sentence with, "I got..." I vacillated as to whether a prosecutor that had lived in Charleston for 16 years would flip back to using language that suddenly on his return to his hometown. But as others in town speak that way including his mentor and current boss I'm trying to give the benefit of doubt that it may be realistic but simply grating to me equal to the screech of fingernails on chalkboard.

I'm looking forward to the release of Book 2 on May 26, 2022.

[Nan Christine Borton-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Legal Thriller


Great Legal Thriller . This is my first book by this author and a 4 star rating means it is really good! I reserve 5 stars for the books I know I'l read again and again.
Enough twists turns and awesome characters, set in a place I've always wanted to visit - even more now because he brings the setting alive.His characters Leland his son Noah and Terri are ones I can't wait to learn more about!
Solid! A new Legal Thriller author has entered the room!

[Simon Gosselin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leland Monroe is an defense attorney who lost it all. To help restore his relation with his estranged son, he flew back to his hometown of Charleston, SC. There he will find his past love and her son, which is accused of an horrific murder. But has the case unraveled, past memories surfaced and hidden secrets are revealed.

Really good courtroom drama. Love the main character. More defined characters would help.

4*

[Sylvia A. Guido · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor grammar spoiled the story

This could have been a much better book except for the poor grammar. I winced every time the author used got instead of have, among many other errors. I won’t be reading any sequels by Peter Kirkland.

[Bill Brown]

Different kind of mystery. Hero is very ordinary.

I chose the 5-star rating because I'd enjoy reading more books like this. I like the author's understated, self-conscious style

[Mareli Thalwitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a good legal thriller in ages and Peter Kirkland's debut novel, Defending Innocence, did not disappoint. Welcome to the not-so-black-and-white-world of the legal thriller, Peter! I'm not a lawyer by a long shot, but I believe we might have a new anti-hero on the bar here.

The story opens with Leland Munroe moving back to his hometown. Leland is used to a big-city life in Charleston, being a hot-shot prosecutor. When things go terribly wrong, Leland and his teenage son, Noah, is forced to start a new life that doesn't reflect much of their previous lives. *

In the small coastal town, Leland aspires to start his own law-firm and moving away from prosecuting. He joins an old High School friend, Roy Hearts' law firm until he can built up his own clientele. Roy Hearts and the rest of the football team are still as much in each others pockets as only a High School click can be. **

It didn't take Leland long to realize that is not the only person in town down with his luck. His High School sweetheart, Mazie, didn't have the easiest life after getting getting involved with the wrong guy. After said wrong guy's body washes up a couple of days after our story unfolds, Mazie's son, Jackson, is the first and only suspect. Due to his legal background and being the only person Mazie trusts in town, Leland gets appointed as the public defender. With no retainer, no fancy car or country club membership. ***

And this is where the actions starts. Joining forces with another High School friend, Ruiz, a female Private Investigator, they quickly realize that all is not what it seems in the hometown. Is it ever? Small towns are known for the gossip, the groupies, the social differences and for the secrets. Ruiz and Mazie are already part of the underdogs, will Leland end up eating lunch in the diner, or at the country club? That all depends on what he does with the red herrings he pulls out of the water.

The story developed well with strong characters who definitely set the tone for more books to come. I think the courtroom scenes were well presented and that is a big bonus for me as a reader.

"Folks don't decide anything based on reason. They decide what they want to, or jurors believe what they want to, and then they come up with an excuse for it after the fact."

For the first in a series and a debut novel, this was a good read and worth looking forward to the rest of the series.

* We do get a glimpse of what went wrong in Charleston and the death of Leland's wife, Elise. But I would like to read more about the events that lead to Leland and Noah moving back to his hometown.

** I have no idea if all these guys were on the football team. I think there's a story lurking there as well.

*** There are a lot of red herrings in Defending Innocence. Let's go fishing a bit more here.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Story; Terrible Female Voicings from Male Narrator

Audiobook Review:
While they are not my go-to reading jam, I love a well-written legal thriller every now and then. So I'm delighted that I picked up this audiobook at a book review site. Except for one aspect, I found it a delightful read that kept me guessing as to the ultimate bad guys until the very end. The author threw down a lot of red herrings and blind alleys, weaving a complex world wherein this seemingly straightforward case took place. You couldn't help but feel for the young man who is at the heart of the case, an abused young man--abused his entire life by his father--who was fiercely protective of his mother when he could be. Yes, he was no perfect angel, with drug issues and tendencies toward vandalism,but he was only violent in answer to violence when protecting his mom. (By the way, his mother is the one touted as the main male character’s supposed high school sweetheart in the book's blurb. They weren't really such, from what I could gather from what the book actually said. Instead, they dated occasionally in high school, not true high school sweethearts.) The main male character is the small-town lawyer of the subtitle. He’s come back to his hometown after being a successful prosecutor in Charleston, coming home in disgrace--though not everyone knows the full extent of it--because he used the power of his position to bail out his now-deceased wife in her legal issues because of alcoholism. Even though we only see the back of him on the cover, that cover model appears to be far too young for the 40-something character. The man on the cover looks barely passed teenage years without a speck of gray and looks like a tween wearing his father's suit! The only thing I didn't like about the audiobook was the narrator, unfortunately. While he did a fantastic job voicing the main male character, he didn't do a great job with the young men and did an absolutely abysmal job voicing the women. I got to the point where I needed to shut off the book and move on to other things instead of continuing to listen to his absolutely horrid voicings of the women! An audiobook narrator should make you want to keep listening, not make you want to listen to a different book!

I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book despite it being the first I have read or listened too by this author but it certainly won't be my last. I grew up watching Perry Mason and this story took right back to that time. Although the ending (and unmasking) of the killer didn't take place in the court room, I did think that part was rather abrupt, I still really enjoyed it. Oh and the sidekick (read private investigator) is a woman. I like stories were the main character actually works out what is going and with Terri by his side Leland puts a lot of the pieces together. The story mostly focuses on the case but there is a little background family life to keep the pressure on, especially as the accused is his sons best friend. Leland as a single dad doesn't have it easy, after the death of his wife, his son's accident and addiction and loss of high powered job but he is a go getter and the book is in no way mopy, this makes it easier to connect and relate with the characters. I listened to it on a day and I am off to start the next book.
After the death of his wife Leland returns to his hometown to try and reconnect with his damaged son. This means giving up his Prosecutors job and turning to business law but when his son's best friend is accused of killing his abusive father, Leland steps up to defend the young man everybody believes is guilty. Leland has his work cut out for him, especially as his own client is hiding secrets.
I liked the narrator. He had a pleasant voice that he used well to being life and character into the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always on the look-out for new authors and interesting legal thrillers, I was not at all disappointed by Peter Kirkland's "Defending Innocence"'s storytelling, except, that I think the plot's conclusion merited more than one page. For instance: What about Leland's boss's role in the criminal activities going on in this smalltown? I had more questions and I thought there were a few loose ends, I would have loved to see explained.
For me, Leland Monroe was the best thing about this book; his moral integrity and intelligence were refreshing. I loved the way he took the measure of a man; quoting excerpts: "I had my views on what it said about a man’s intelligence to mindlessly go along with small-town prejudice, but he didn’t need to know them" or this one “Would you agree if I said you get the measure of someone’s character when you see how they treat folks who aren’t any use to them? And how they treat someone that they could get away with hurting?
Very wise words indeed, and you can't help but root for a person who thinks like that.
On top of that, for a man who has continuous doubts and worries about his personal life, Leland did an excellent job in court, cross-examining witnesses. He's a very good lawyer. Another thing I enjoyed was the setting of small-town SC & Charleston. I'm a huge fan of books set in Charleston.
I look forward what other things this author has to offer. (*** stars).

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Compassion ... was strictly circumscribed."
Almost a great start to a new series. A previously successful prosecution attorney in Charleston had loster everything when his wife died in an accident and his only son, Noah, was left seriously injured with enormous medical bills. Leland moved back to his home town, nearly penniless, and was struggling to build a new business, when a friend of Noah's is accused of the murder of his father and the boy's mother begs Leland to take on the case.
Narration of this book by JJ Hosenfeld was good, his first person recounting felt authentic, protagonists were given individual voices and the whole was well paced, calm and definitely added to the enjoyment of the story even to helping with the development of the characters. The book moves at a steady pace, the who-dun-it? aspect intriguing at first, but the ending was disappointing and felt rushed, out of place. It made the entire novel feel less than believable as a result: a pity because although bizarre, until the final chapters it had felt plausible.The

I enjoy courtroom dramas and this was enjoyable despite previous reservations noted above, and the small actual court room time in the book. Recommended for anyone else who finds pleasure in this genre and I look forward to book two

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat legal thriller!

By: Peter Kirkland
Narrated by: J.J. Hosenfeld

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance 5 of 5 stars Story 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 07-13-22:

Filled with twists, turns, nail biting suspense, heart stopping action, and realistically imperfect, beautifully developed characters, Defending Innocence is a dynamically written legal thriller that kept me up all night! Sleep was out of the question until I had ALL the answers! Sure, I had my guesses, I added up the clues, I made notes like a good armchair detective, and curses, I was foiled again and again! The plot, THIS plot is delightfully intricate and complex, but so throughly and creatively explained that not only was I completely engaged, I was able to stay immersed in the moment without being bored or confused! The writing is THAT good! The characters are realistically human and continually evolving through the entire course of the story! There were a few instantly fell for, a couple I absolutely loathed, some that had me on the fence till nearly the end, and a few I completely changed my opinion on as the story played out! No spoilers! Sorting out “who’s who” is half the fun of listening to this fantastically and convincingly narrated legal thriller! And fun is exactly what I had! I loved every single heart stopping moment! Five well earned stars!

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I love, a good thriller, highly recommend

My 1st reading this author penmanship and I like his style of writing. The twists and turns threw me off, I chose the wrong perp. I’m usually correct 98% of the times so I appreciate author great mysterious mind. The plot was incredible. The storyline was interesting even though I thought Leland was kind of naive a little. The characters are well developed, likable and relatable. I loved the fact that the author wrote the character Terri into the story to give it flavor. I also like the fact that the prosecutor and Leland have a good relationship. I like the setting of the story, close knit, southern hospitality. Leland is a good humble man. The most amazing thing is how the author humanized Leland. Leland life appeared realistic and familiar. He was an ordinary man struggling financially and still had a good heart to help others. The way he was measuring his money reminded me of myself. I’m excited to read book 2.

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small town, troubled youth with a juvenile record of vandalism and dealing in drugs, is accused of the murder of his father. His mother employs a lawyer with his own problem son, as well a record of a failed career and serious financial difficulties.

Although legal thrillers are immensely popular, it seems to me a notoriously difficult job to write a courtroom thriller that is neither too facile nor too heavy on the legal aspects. Especially when the judge and the prosecuting counsel do not bully and browbeat the defence counsel. Kirkland carries off a tough job with panache.

The several different strands of the story run parallel in a seamless, almost effortless manner that is subdued and yet confident, as Leland Munroe grapples with parenthood, a failing or failed business, tragedy in his personal life, as well as trying to figure out just how he can extricate a young man from an obviously trumped up charge. And witnesses are scared to speak…