Missing Evidence

Goodlove and Shek #5

by Al Macy

Attorney Garrett Goodlove’s newest client is only fifteen. The boy asks for help because he thinks his older sister may be some kind of vigilante. Belinda, eighteen and way too sexy for her own good, has been missing for five months. The police are convinced that she’s just another runaway. Her bullheaded stepdad agrees.

But the younger brother found Belinda’s secret stash of chatroom texts. They suggest she’s on a misguided mission to entrap and kill a sexual predator. If so, she’s in over her head and on a collision course with a first-degree murder indictment.

Goodlove promises Belinda’s family that he’ll help her.

But first, he has to find her.

Missing Evidence may be enjoyed as a standalone book or as part of the Goodlove and Shek series.

Genres: Legal, Fiction

295 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2021

About the author

Al Macy writes because he has stories to tell. In school he was the class clown and always the first volunteer for show and tell. His teachers would say “Al has a lot of imagination.” Then they'd roll their eyes.

But he put his storytelling on the back burner until he retired and wrote a blog about his efforts to improve his piano sight-reading. That's when his love of storytelling burbled up to the surface, along with quirky words like “burble.”

He had even more fun writing his second book, Drive, Ride, Repeat, but was bummed by non-fiction's need to stick to “the truth” (yucko). From then on it was fiction all the way, with a good dose of his science background burbling to the surface.

Macy's top priority is compelling storylines with satisfying plot twists, but he never neglects character development. No, wait … his top priority is quirkiness, then compelling storylines, then character development. No, wait …

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think what I enjoy most about this series is that the books are "stand-alone reads". Macy seems to have perfected the craft of writing a series that can easily be read out of order and enjoyed. He subtly defines words the reader may not be familiar with, and gives minimal descriptions of the characters who have recurring roles in the series.

I am definitely hooked on Macy's books.

[James Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several of this author's books. As an attorney, I find them to be exceptionally well researched. While there is some carry-over from one book to the next, you can easily read any book in this series in any order that you want. You will not miss anything. Each book stands on its own and each book has a start and an end.

There is something about the rhythm of this author's prose that just works for me. I find these books very pleasant to read and they keep me turning the pages to figure out what happens. I do not think I have ever mentioned the rhythm of writing before, in a review. But there is a certain rhythm in the best writing that just makes it more enjoyable. This author is a natural storyteller, and I have enjoyed all of his books that I have read.

Characters are interesting and believable. If I didn't know better, I would think that these are true stories being related from the archives of a criminal lawyer's illustrious career. I know from communicating with the author on occasion that he is not a lawyer...he just researches the heck out of his topics. You would never know that he was not a lawyer. Many lawyers are frustrated wanna-be authors. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the writing talent that Al Macy does.

As long as he keeps writing, I will keep reading his books!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review.

This story begins when Belinda's brother comes to Garrett's office. He believes that his sister has been abducted, but the police think she just went away. Garrett agrees to help and he has his investigator start gathering information. At the same time, Arthur who was a former client, wants to get into the private investigator field and requests Garrett's help. He becomes in the search for Belinda. AS the search went on, Arthur using drones is able to discover the hideout. When they got to the scene, they heard a scream and Arthur jumped the gun. In the end they rescued Belinda, but she wound up killing her captor.

The D.A. was gung ho to press murder charges against Belinda. The trial was held.

To discover what Garrett said during closing arguments, you need to read this book. It is definitely worth it.

[Doug Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defense attorney Garrett Goodlove and prosecutor Derek Slater are close friends outside of the courtroom in Redwood Point, California. When Derek begins to show signs of cognitive slippage, Garrett notices. Garrett also wonders whether Derek's cognitive issues are to blame when Derek decides to prosecute Belinda Winter, a young woman who gunned down the sexual predator who had held her captive for five months. But Derek, who always beats Garrett at chess, seems to be doing just fine in their courtroom chess match as well.

This is another fine entry in a great series of legal thrillers, with fascinating cases and characters. In addition to the regular characters, Dr. Arthur Toll reappears this time as an assistant to private investigator Louella Davis.

[Chris Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al Macy delivers yet again with his Goodlove and Shek series. As this is the fifth book of the series you’d rightly assume the author to have a handle on his characters, and that’s certainly true, but it should be noted that Al Macy has had these characters nailed down right from the start. With each new book it’s very much like revisiting old friends. It’s characters that truly bring a story to life and Al Macy has some excellent ones here. The story of Missing Evidence is a complicated story of a missing teenage girl and it takes many immensely entertaining turns before we finally get to the truth. The courtroom scenes themselves each come alive with the author’s knowledge and skill for creating believable scenarios. This is an excellent addition to an already excellent series.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was glad to see Al Macy's "Missing Evidence", 5th of the Goodlove & Shek series was out. I've read all the previous & this didn't disappoint. The description says it can be read as a stand alone but, you would miss interesting background on the cast of characters.
Attorney Garrett & has partner/wife, Jen, are teaming with PI, Louella, on a missing vigilante teen case. Arthur makes a reappearance from a prior case & is a unique character who could have his own book series. He's quirky, funny & likable.
The perpetrator is despicable and some of the subject matter could be disturbing to sensitive readers.
Overall a good plot with some twists, look forward to the next installment.

[Michael Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written story, with strong characters and descriptions that drew me in and made me feel I was in the room.  Mr. Macy is a master at presenting multiple plot lines, with twists and turns to keep you guessing, separating the investigations from the trial proceedings, and including a surprise at the end.  If you like detective stories and legal thrillers, you’ll like this series very much.  I will be reading more books by this outstanding author.  I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion.

[George W Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kidnapped

A kidnap victim gets revenge . Murder with special circumstances. What I liked most was the character of Arthur met first in previous books. The character I am disliking is Carly,the lawyer,s deaf sister. I find her recklessness unbelievable. Good read but not the authors EST.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written legal thriller with a fast paced plot and well developed realistic characters. A real page turner with plenty of action and suspense. Highly recommended read with a totally unexpected conclusion. Ready for the next book in this great series.

[Geraldine R. Gaugler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

A spellbinding read that grabs your attention. I had a feeling about how this story would end and was not surprised. The ending did leave me feeling a tad unsettled though.

[Chuck Clowdis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interestingly disappointing

The characters are somewhat intriguing, but a Con by a Con with unlikely twists simply don't prepare the Reader for an improbable conclusion.
Macy out twisted his usually good wordsmithing. And I've learned to expect better from Goodlove and Shek .

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book
Great author
Totally loved it
Thank you for the free Arc

[Stella S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappointed!

The characters embrace you and make you part of their team! They may be attorneys but they are definitely the good guys.

[Brad Lucht · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Al Macy's writing. He creates real characters, with a good balance of humor and drama.

[gary kleinman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and quite enjoyable. Recommend this book!

[Karen Styner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoy Mr. Macy’s books. They’re interesting with well developed characters. The stories move quickly and the books are usually a quick read.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent legal thriller, as are all of Macy's books that I have read.

[KH Khaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as great as previous books

[Leland Barta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read.

I enjoyed this book by Al Macy in the series. His books are easy to read and kept me interested thru the entire read.