The Crooked Angel: An Accidental Murder

Burr Lafayette Mystery #4

by Charles Cutter

Brian Dunn killed his wife with a deer rifle in the basement of their home. The police thought it was an accident. But was it?Brian remarried, moved from Petoskey, Michigan downstate to Grosse Pointe and started a new family. Six years later, an ambitious prosecutor finds new evidence and hunts Brian down.

The police burst into Brian's house while he's decorating the Christmas tree with his new wife and their five-year-old daughter. They haul him away charge him first degree murder.

Burr Lafayette, the deposed head of a major Detroit law firm, is recruited by his beautiful ex-girlfriend to defend Brian. A man at loose ends, Burr prefers dogs, boats, women and wine to clients and courtrooms. But he's a brilliant litigator.

He discovers there are more secrets than Brian ever let on. Just as he's about to solve the murder, Burr's own life is threatened.

A legal thriller with larger-than-life characters and a town too small for its secrets, The Crooked Angel is Steve Hamilton's A Cold Day in Paradise and Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent rolled into one.

Critics call Cutter’s books “pure Michigan.”

"Cutter’s narrative maintains a relentless edge while an unsettling ambiguity hangs over everything. Another superb installment in this legal thriller series."—Kirkus ReviewsThe Crooked Angel is the fourth book in the award winning Burr Lafayette mystery series.

Genres: Mystery

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2021

About the author

Charles Cutter is the author of the highly acclaimed Burr Lafayette legal thriller series, screenplays and short stories.

He is a cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.

Formerly a practicing attorney, Mr. Cutter has been in the media business for the past thirty years.

He lives with his wife, two dogs and four cats in East Lansing. He has a leaky sailboat in Harbor Springs and a leakier duck boat on Saginaw Bay.

He is at work on his next Burr Lafayette mystery.

For additional information, please go to www.CharlesCutter.com

Reviews

[Alaina Maxam · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS A VERY WELL WRITTEN MYSTERY. I DEFINITELY HAD A HARD TIME SOLVING THE MYSTERY. CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

[LORRIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

This was a fantastic book. I loved all the twists and turns that the author offered. With each page turned another secret dropped out

[Rick coppens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner. His writing style and story telling get better with each book. It's either that, or too much time passes between books, and I forget how good the previous one was. Either way, I enjoyed it very much......

[Pam Papworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th book by this author centered around the character of Burr Lafayette, a brilliant attorney...with personal issues. This character, his partner, and his legal secretary are just so much fun to read about. As with the other books, I did not know the answer to the mystery until it was explained at the end. I never understand all of the jargon about boats and fishing, but they are incidental to the storyline. If you are from Michigan, you will love all of the references in his books to places in the state.

[Mom2nine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the author, which was kind of cool, but unfortunately, the back cover was soaked in what appeared to be syrup and I almost tossed it. I am glad that I did not, as I enjoyed the story. Often mysteries are interesting, but far-fetched, not so with this one. It was low-key without gratuitous sex or violence, but most of all very believable, unusual, and interesting. The characterization was well done. I look forward to reading more books by this author. received in goodreads contest

[natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Goodreads for allowing me the chance to win this book. I am sorry to be so late in reading and reviewing it, but it was put in the wrong area and just found a week ago.

I really enjoyed this book and was so sorry it was misplaced. There were lots of twists and turns in "The Crooked Angel" and the characters and personal issues were very interesting. The surprising twist at the end really made this book a good one to read.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the end, I have to say this book was well worth reading.
A bit slow going to start, and sort of gave you the idea the lawyer wasn't much good....
But....
As the story progressed and the facts slowly unfolded.. Wow.. he is very good..
Loved the twist at the end.. and loved the casual way he let the others know he wasn't fooled.
I won this here, and my honest opinion is that it is worth reading.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a copy of The Crooked Angel from Goodreads. As a Michigander, I love reading mysteries set in Michigan and loved this story. That scene in the Tunnel of Trees was awesome! Can't wait to read the rest of the series. There are a few factual errors that distracted a little(term limits were not until 1992; the University Marriott wasn't in East Lansing until 1995, etc.), but I can recommend this read.

[Janet Ollman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any book written about the Mitten State gets a nod from me. I liked the book's setting in Petoskey, Michigan and the descriptions of the weather, white fish and restaurants where Hemingway frequented. It was a fun, in-between read.

[Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads.com. It was a very good mystery with several surprises.

Brian Dunn killed his wife by accident while cleaning his deer rifle. Six years later he is arrested on charges of murder. Did he plan on murdering his wife or was it actually an accident.

[Cheryl K. Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In person, I’m not sure I would like Burr Lafayette, but can’t deny that his style works. An intriguing mystery that to me wasn’t completely solved. What really did happen? Not sure and that’s why only 4 stars.

[Deloris Brinks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting twists!

This is an interesting story with a surprising twist at the very end of the case to make it a fun read.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was a very easy book to read. There was humour and a plot twist wchich I loved. I'm going to read more of his books.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this enjoyable read. Loved how the author reeled me in slowly until I couldn't wait to finish. Found a great ending. Think I'll be checking out the rest of his books.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for sending and to Goodreads for the contest.

Well-written mystery; lots of drama; satisfying (mostly) ending.
Looking forward to reading the others in the series

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book. Thank you for opportunity to read. It was a good read. There was a lot of manly stuff not interested in such as duck hunting.

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book in this series, hope he’s writing more.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun northern Michigan reads in summer

[Kathryn Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the Burr Layfayettee mysteries

[Wendy Welbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Burr Lafayette mystery!!