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Sam Johnstone #1
Misjudged
When a disabled veteran takes a new job as an attorney in a small Wyoming town, he is thrust into a mysterious murder case.
Sam Johnstone was hoping for renewal when he took a job at a boutique law firm in rustic Wyoming. The mountains and streams of the west would be a refreshing, quiet place to start over after years of war and turmoil in his personal life.
But after a local woman is brutally murdered, Sam realizes that things aren’t so quiet in this rural American town. The accused is one Tommy Olsen, a known delinquent who had been sleeping with the victim. Sam is repulsed by the crime and wants nothing to do with the case, but meets with Tommy to make sure he has legal representation.
Yet things are not as they seem.
What begins as a cut-and-dry case becomes infinitely more complicated as new facts are uncovered, and Sam agrees to serve as Tommy’s defense attorney.
With the killer’s identity still unknown, Sam is enveloped in the small-town politics and courtroom drama of a murder investigation that keeps getting more shocking.
But if Sam can’t uncover the truth, an innocent man might be punished...while the real killer watches from the shadows.
Sam Johnstone was hoping for renewal when he took a job at a boutique law firm in rustic Wyoming. The mountains and streams of the west would be a refreshing, quiet place to start over after years of war and turmoil in his personal life.
But after a local woman is brutally murdered, Sam realizes that things aren’t so quiet in this rural American town. The accused is one Tommy Olsen, a known delinquent who had been sleeping with the victim. Sam is repulsed by the crime and wants nothing to do with the case, but meets with Tommy to make sure he has legal representation.
Yet things are not as they seem.
What begins as a cut-and-dry case becomes infinitely more complicated as new facts are uncovered, and Sam agrees to serve as Tommy’s defense attorney.
With the killer’s identity still unknown, Sam is enveloped in the small-town politics and courtroom drama of a murder investigation that keeps getting more shocking.
But if Sam can’t uncover the truth, an innocent man might be punished...while the real killer watches from the shadows.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2020
22825 people are currently reading
3870 people want to read
About the author
James Chandler
14 books150 followersNote: There other authors with this name.
James^^Chandler
James Chandler spent his formative years in the western United States. When he wasn't catching fish or footballs, he was roaming centerfield and trying to hit the breaking pitch. After a mediocre college baseball career, he exchanged jersey No. 7 for camouflage issued by the United States Army, which he wore around the globe and with great pride for twenty years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel of Air Defense Artillery. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Eastern Oregon University and a Master's degree from Marshall University. He earned his Juris Doctor by attending night school at the George Mason University School of Law while assigned to the Pentagon, and practiced law in Wyoming for twelve years before his appointment to the bench. When he isn't working or writing, he'll likely have a fly rod, shotgun or rifle in hand. He and his wife are blessed with two wonderful adult daughters and one grandson. He is a recipient of the Western Horizon Award. He loves to hear from readers and can be reached at james@james-chandler.com.
James^^Chandler
James Chandler spent his formative years in the western United States. When he wasn't catching fish or footballs, he was roaming centerfield and trying to hit the breaking pitch. After a mediocre college baseball career, he exchanged jersey No. 7 for camouflage issued by the United States Army, which he wore around the globe and with great pride for twenty years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel of Air Defense Artillery. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Eastern Oregon University and a Master's degree from Marshall University. He earned his Juris Doctor by attending night school at the George Mason University School of Law while assigned to the Pentagon, and practiced law in Wyoming for twelve years before his appointment to the bench. When he isn't working or writing, he'll likely have a fly rod, shotgun or rifle in hand. He and his wife are blessed with two wonderful adult daughters and one grandson. He is a recipient of the Western Horizon Award. He loves to hear from readers and can be reached at james@james-chandler.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 756 reviews
February 24, 2022
'Misjudged' is an excellent first book to James Chandler's Sam Johnstone series. Sam is a lawyer who has had a hard time making a go of it due to suffering from horrible PTSD accumulated during his service in war - and also costing him the loss of a leg and triggering severe alcoholism.
Listening to Johnstone defend a man who is charged with murder and how it propels him to try to get back on track is inspiring. His client's life is on the line and without competent representation he knows he will feel responsible for another life lost - too many lives he already feels responsible for losing in battle.
The plot takes us up and down many hills and valleys to go with the numerous twists and turns. Love learning about the legalities of murder cases and the intricacies of the courtroom. The lengths some lawyers will go to win a case for career mobility with no regard or conscious for the consequences to another human being's life is deplorable and (sadly) not uncommon.
Especially enjoyed hearing the conversation Mr. Chandler provided with Sam answering questions another character asked him regarding what, why and how everything went the way it did at the end of the case, as well as what the future may look like for all those involved.
James Anderson Foster is one of my favorite narrators of all time and this performance is yet another thrilling pause-resister showcasing his supreme narrative skills.
Looking forward to book #2 - 'One and Done'.
Listening to Johnstone defend a man who is charged with murder and how it propels him to try to get back on track is inspiring. His client's life is on the line and without competent representation he knows he will feel responsible for another life lost - too many lives he already feels responsible for losing in battle.
The plot takes us up and down many hills and valleys to go with the numerous twists and turns. Love learning about the legalities of murder cases and the intricacies of the courtroom. The lengths some lawyers will go to win a case for career mobility with no regard or conscious for the consequences to another human being's life is deplorable and (sadly) not uncommon.
Especially enjoyed hearing the conversation Mr. Chandler provided with Sam answering questions another character asked him regarding what, why and how everything went the way it did at the end of the case, as well as what the future may look like for all those involved.
James Anderson Foster is one of my favorite narrators of all time and this performance is yet another thrilling pause-resister showcasing his supreme narrative skills.
Looking forward to book #2 - 'One and Done'.
February 3, 2021
This first novel from a smaller press is absolutely perfect. Strong characters, the author surely knows the legal system, and the pace is just right, quick and entertaining, but never rushed. I'll be on the hunt for Chandler's next one.
November 17, 2020
I think I have stumbled upon a series with potential to really entertain with some meat to the mysteries that unfold. This is the first book and we meet a main character with a truckload of baggage from his time as an active serviceman in the military who comes back with not only physical scars, but deep mental/emotional scars as well. After blowing up his life in DC, he finds himself with one last chance to pull his life together and practice law in a small town in Wyoming which he promptly starts pulling apart by taking on a death penalty murder trial against his law firms wishes. The story twists and turns with hints of corruption swirling about while the main character struggles to hang on to his mind and sobriety. The story is full of grit and wit with a hefty dose of meat to sink your teeth into. I can't wait to see what happens in the following books! Bring on more!
November 10, 2020
This book reminded me of the early John Grisham books that had flawed characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing how the case would be resolved. In this case, we have a story filled with well-developed flawed characters who for the most part try their best to do the right thing. Mr. Chandler has created Sam Johnstone, a lawyer with PTSD and plenty of demons from his time in the middle east, but in some instances, he reminded me of the old Perry Mason and Matlock lawyer shows. Additionally, Mr. Chandler employs enough misdirection in this story I was absolutely certain I knew who murdered the divorce lawyer, until I knew I was wrong. This is a series I want to follow to see where Sam Johnstone’s journey takes him next. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
June 11, 2023
The first entry in the Sam Johnstone series, Misjudged begins by introducing us to the man himself: a disabled war Veteran longing for nothing more than a simple and peaceful life after many years of faithful service.
I like Sam. He has his problems - PTSD and the loss of a leg from his time in Afghanistan. He also struggles with alcohol abuse. Yet, he feels strongly about defending a fellow Veteran who has been charged with murder in a death sentence case and who also has PTSD and is an alcoholic.
There were plenty of interesting red herrings driving the storyline - but for me, reading about two alcoholics became tedious at times. I would have enjoyed the book more had the plot concentrated less on alcoholism and more on the law/courtroom, which I had been expecting. Still, a good book, however.
I like Sam. He has his problems - PTSD and the loss of a leg from his time in Afghanistan. He also struggles with alcohol abuse. Yet, he feels strongly about defending a fellow Veteran who has been charged with murder in a death sentence case and who also has PTSD and is an alcoholic.
There were plenty of interesting red herrings driving the storyline - but for me, reading about two alcoholics became tedious at times. I would have enjoyed the book more had the plot concentrated less on alcoholism and more on the law/courtroom, which I had been expecting. Still, a good book, however.
June 13, 2023
I "Misjudged" this book. Badly.
Updated review (for my original, scroll down to bottom).
Disclaimer: This book was a wakeup call for me. When I first tried to read it, I made it to a mere 4% on my Kindle, decided I didn't like the writing style, promptly gave up, and then gave it a 1-star rating and review. Now, after having returned to give this book a good and proper chance (at the prompting of a fellow Goodreads member), I've realized the error of my ways. Gone are the days where I rate and review books I didn't finish, as I did with this one. It is unfair to judge unread books, and I admit it.
That being said, I am honestly relieved that it ended up being decent and bearable. Not only was the story intriguing, it also reinvigorated my love for legal thrillers. I loved the courtroom battles, the lawyerly antics, the engaging dialogue amongst characters, and the generally quick pace of it all being told to me. The characters were vivid and felt realistic. Author James Chandler did a fine job ensuring that I wasn't overwhelmed with all the lawyer mumbo jumbo. Funny to say, but if I had only managed to move past the original 4% to 14% I might have stuck around, since that's when things REALLY take off. Tsk tsk to me.
Now, while I did end up liking this entry more than I expected, it did still have problems, namely with some features of its writing style (which was one of my original complaints). It was chaos. You're introduced to what feels like a multitude of characters, seemingly at all once, and it's hard to fixate on any single person because by the time you do, some other person's POV cuts in. As a result of this, I found myself losing track of names and whether or not that character is significant. I had a hard time bonding or fixating on any single character, even the one who's meant to be the star (Sam Johnstone). Some characters are suddenly in each other's lives in seemingly important relationships, but you don't get to fully experience their initial connections.
It also didn't help that the passage of time was poorly indicated. I swear, it felt like Sam actually LIVED in restaurants, given how many chapters/sections involve him sitting in and eating as the story came together all around him. While I did appreciate that characters had lives outside of court, it was still a big mess, honestly. Fortunately, most of the mess was concentrated at the beginning of the story and you do, eventually, start to grow more accustomed to who's populating the story. My other complaint is the abruptness of the ending. There were so many different things going on that I didn't buy how easily it all wrapped up. It felt like multiple short-cuts at once, ESPECIALLY with the killer.
All in all, though, I'm GLAD I gave this book another chance and can now comfortably declare that I look forward to continuing the series. Hopefully, the complaints I have can be ironed out author James Chandler better settles into his element.
Click here for my random commentary.
********************************
Original Review (2022)
Did not finish. Pretty rare of a thing for me to do, not finish my books, but there are a few exceptions to my set rule. I want to feel guilty for the rating, but in the end...if I didn't enjoy myself going in, then it likely may not be different going out. I didn't see myself going the distance, sadly, which is a pity because I love me some legal thrillers.
The writing style in this thing shoulders most of the blame. It was immediately jarring, like it was trying too hard to be sophisticated when in actuality it was pitifully overdone. It introduces too many new character perspectives far too soon, and those perspectives are too clunkily thrown in to allow me enough time to even LIKE anyone.
Narrating a story in this 3rd-person fashion can often come across as too busy to properly engage me as a reader, and it's the best way to detach me from the characters you're trying to get me to connect with. The following sentence is but one example of the writing style that just did NOT work for me way too early on:
It tries way too hard to something super telling when it doesn't have to be this hard, and the fact that it's needlessly hard doesn't make me want to read any further. Was it honestly not better to do something along the lines of this?:
Why make a complicated mess of so simple a thing? Squishing thoughts on top of themselves when you could just straighten it out to be more pleasing to read just makes no sense to me. Unfortunately, this particular style was everywhere in the pages I read, and because of this, I'll not finish this book nor this series.
Updated review (for my original, scroll down to bottom).
Disclaimer: This book was a wakeup call for me. When I first tried to read it, I made it to a mere 4% on my Kindle, decided I didn't like the writing style, promptly gave up, and then gave it a 1-star rating and review. Now, after having returned to give this book a good and proper chance (at the prompting of a fellow Goodreads member), I've realized the error of my ways. Gone are the days where I rate and review books I didn't finish, as I did with this one. It is unfair to judge unread books, and I admit it.
That being said, I am honestly relieved that it ended up being decent and bearable. Not only was the story intriguing, it also reinvigorated my love for legal thrillers. I loved the courtroom battles, the lawyerly antics, the engaging dialogue amongst characters, and the generally quick pace of it all being told to me. The characters were vivid and felt realistic. Author James Chandler did a fine job ensuring that I wasn't overwhelmed with all the lawyer mumbo jumbo. Funny to say, but if I had only managed to move past the original 4% to 14% I might have stuck around, since that's when things REALLY take off. Tsk tsk to me.
Now, while I did end up liking this entry more than I expected, it did still have problems, namely with some features of its writing style (which was one of my original complaints). It was chaos. You're introduced to what feels like a multitude of characters, seemingly at all once, and it's hard to fixate on any single person because by the time you do, some other person's POV cuts in. As a result of this, I found myself losing track of names and whether or not that character is significant. I had a hard time bonding or fixating on any single character, even the one who's meant to be the star (Sam Johnstone). Some characters are suddenly in each other's lives in seemingly important relationships, but you don't get to fully experience their initial connections.
It also didn't help that the passage of time was poorly indicated. I swear, it felt like Sam actually LIVED in restaurants, given how many chapters/sections involve him sitting in and eating as the story came together all around him. While I did appreciate that characters had lives outside of court, it was still a big mess, honestly. Fortunately, most of the mess was concentrated at the beginning of the story and you do, eventually, start to grow more accustomed to who's populating the story. My other complaint is the abruptness of the ending. There were so many different things going on that I didn't buy how easily it all wrapped up. It felt like multiple short-cuts at once, ESPECIALLY with the killer.
All in all, though, I'm GLAD I gave this book another chance and can now comfortably declare that I look forward to continuing the series. Hopefully, the complaints I have can be ironed out author James Chandler better settles into his element.
Click here for my random commentary.
********************************
Original Review (2022)
Did not finish. Pretty rare of a thing for me to do, not finish my books, but there are a few exceptions to my set rule. I want to feel guilty for the rating, but in the end...if I didn't enjoy myself going in, then it likely may not be different going out. I didn't see myself going the distance, sadly, which is a pity because I love me some legal thrillers.
The writing style in this thing shoulders most of the blame. It was immediately jarring, like it was trying too hard to be sophisticated when in actuality it was pitifully overdone. It introduces too many new character perspectives far too soon, and those perspectives are too clunkily thrown in to allow me enough time to even LIKE anyone.
Narrating a story in this 3rd-person fashion can often come across as too busy to properly engage me as a reader, and it's the best way to detach me from the characters you're trying to get me to connect with. The following sentence is but one example of the writing style that just did NOT work for me way too early on:
"...some viewed the military background he had tried so hard to conceal on his resume with if not outright antagonism then at least barely concealed distaste."
It tries way too hard to something super telling when it doesn't have to be this hard, and the fact that it's needlessly hard doesn't make me want to read any further. Was it honestly not better to do something along the lines of this?:
"Though he tried to conceal it on his resumes, some still viewed his military background with antagonism, or at least barely concealed distaste."
Why make a complicated mess of so simple a thing? Squishing thoughts on top of themselves when you could just straighten it out to be more pleasing to read just makes no sense to me. Unfortunately, this particular style was everywhere in the pages I read, and because of this, I'll not finish this book nor this series.
July 2, 2021
One and done......
I skipped most of the book. I got it based off the other 5 stars. I’m not sure what they based the 5 stars on. I hated all the characters starting with the Defendant, I absolutely hated the prosecutor, Ann, and everything the Judge did was wrong. He had evidence that would free the Defendant and he sat on it. Seriously!?!? Well, the prosecutor sat on what she knew too. Very unrealistic! I’m an avid reader and I work in a law firm and this crap had me pissed I bought it. I won’t be reading another one by his author.
I skipped most of the book. I got it based off the other 5 stars. I’m not sure what they based the 5 stars on. I hated all the characters starting with the Defendant, I absolutely hated the prosecutor, Ann, and everything the Judge did was wrong. He had evidence that would free the Defendant and he sat on it. Seriously!?!? Well, the prosecutor sat on what she knew too. Very unrealistic! I’m an avid reader and I work in a law firm and this crap had me pissed I bought it. I won’t be reading another one by his author.
March 4, 2022
Writing was simplistic and basic. No segues, abrupt leaps from time to time, location to location. Did not engender sympathy nor understanding for the veteran angle; it was overdone and emphatically emotional/dramatic at times. The insistent repetitiveness of Johnstone "I'm a veteran, he's a veteran, we refuse to get treatment so our behavior is acceptable because we are struggling" did not elicit empathy, sympathy, nor understanding; it was downright defensive and 'in your face'. By the end of the book and its endless jumping from topic to topic, emotion to emotion, without lead-in or basis, I was tired and just wanted it to end. All characters were simplistic and one-dimensional, caricatures without substance. No surprises, no 'thrills', nothing to see here. PS the forensic team does not wear those white suits to keep from getting blood on themselves, they wear them so that THEY do not contaminate the scene.
November 11, 2020
Although the first third or so of this book moved rather slowly, it began picking up the pace and becoming quite intriguing after Sam took on Tommy’s case. Tommy was not the most upstanding citizen, so he didn’t make a very good client, but his character was written in a way that you actually believed him and just had to root for him to be proven innocent. His attorney Sam likewise had his own personal issues, and was certainly fighting an uphill battle in defending Tommy, who had been arrested for the murder of a female attorney he had been seeing. Isn't it fun to cheer for the underdogs though, especially when the corrupt judicial system seems to be fighting them every step of the way? This book gave me the satisfying conclusion that I love in these kinds of books, and I recommend it highly. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and am giving my voluntary and honest opinion.
January 11, 2021
I rarely write a book review. Consider this an exception. This was ONE HELL OF A GOOD BOOK. After somewhat of a slow start introducing the players in the story, it took off swiftly and was an excellent read. Now I have to wait until the middle of February '21 to read One and Done #2. James Chandler is a very good story teller. He kept me in the dark for a very long time and that is the way I can appreciate a good book.
I am suggesting that you don't waste the opportunity to read a book that you hate to put down. If you like a good 'Who done it' along with court drama coupled with interesting personalities, you had better get the book now. It was an excellent read.
I am suggesting that you don't waste the opportunity to read a book that you hate to put down. If you like a good 'Who done it' along with court drama coupled with interesting personalities, you had better get the book now. It was an excellent read.
November 11, 2020
Sam is an amazing lawyer and does a wonderful job. He has his own life problems to deal with. Through all this, he still tries hard to help. Can’t wait for the next.
October 21, 2022
Disabled vet lawyer from Washington DC relocated to Cody, Wyoming! He is definitely an outsider but more so when he takes on defense of a murder of a well like attorney! Fun police and courtroom procedural!
First in a series! What a gift it is to find a new series!
First in a series! What a gift it is to find a new series!
November 22, 2022
20,000+ Amazon reviews
An excellent story about a murder that is investigated and goes to trial in a small town in Wyoming.
What I liked:
-The lead defense attorney is a vet who lost a leg in combat and carried a lot of guilt for losing some of his men. He has issues he struggles with
-The defendant is also a vet, damaged by war.
-The author followed many different points of view.
-The story was written well and helped my attention.
-You weren't sure who did the murder until late in the book.
What I didn't like;
Nothing.
An excellent story about a murder that is investigated and goes to trial in a small town in Wyoming.
What I liked:
-The lead defense attorney is a vet who lost a leg in combat and carried a lot of guilt for losing some of his men. He has issues he struggles with
-The defendant is also a vet, damaged by war.
-The author followed many different points of view.
-The story was written well and helped my attention.
-You weren't sure who did the murder until late in the book.
What I didn't like;
Nothing.
November 24, 2022
The 'Murder Mystery' and case was good. The theme that 'the defendant wasn't a good person but didn't commit this particular crime' was good.
But everything else was just not very well written. There were a lot of unimportant bits in the beginning which were not related to the story in any way, the actual case and story could have been more detailed? and I felt there should have been something more at the end?
But everything else was just not very well written. There were a lot of unimportant bits in the beginning which were not related to the story in any way, the actual case and story could have been more detailed? and I felt there should have been something more at the end?
August 19, 2022
There is a janitor named Fricke and his assistant named Frac in Misjudged: A Legal Thriller written by author James Chandler. Too cutesy for me. Frac is described as dim-witted, yet there is not much interaction to show his personality.
Also annoying was Chandler's use of word like, "September glooming." What is glooming? Or emplaced? And "While you think about it, I mean, I'll just ask sort of parenthetically." I believe the character was saying he while the other was considering the offer, he would scout around just in case the answer was "yes." Or did the character mean he was asking the other parenthetically?
Such as: I am not asking you to answer right now, just mentioning that I might make the offer some time in the future, so, giving you time to think about it.
The numerous court scenes that have nothing to do with the plot may be included to qualify the novel as "legal," it was not at all a "thriller." Or it could be I missed the thrilling aspect as I became so bored with the novel, I skipped to the end even though I almost knew who the killer was. I might have discovered more clues as to the actual killer if I had read it all.
I never heard of a street drug called "spice." I also did not know what Vyvanse is. I do not know how a character who "stipped naked" later "dropped his pants." He could not very well drop his pants when already naked.
I liked the premise of the story; interesting plotline; did not like the above types of writing.
Also annoying was Chandler's use of word like, "September glooming." What is glooming? Or emplaced? And "While you think about it, I mean, I'll just ask sort of parenthetically." I believe the character was saying he while the other was considering the offer, he would scout around just in case the answer was "yes." Or did the character mean he was asking the other parenthetically?
Such as: I am not asking you to answer right now, just mentioning that I might make the offer some time in the future, so, giving you time to think about it.
The numerous court scenes that have nothing to do with the plot may be included to qualify the novel as "legal," it was not at all a "thriller." Or it could be I missed the thrilling aspect as I became so bored with the novel, I skipped to the end even though I almost knew who the killer was. I might have discovered more clues as to the actual killer if I had read it all.
I never heard of a street drug called "spice." I also did not know what Vyvanse is. I do not know how a character who "stipped naked" later "dropped his pants." He could not very well drop his pants when already naked.
I liked the premise of the story; interesting plotline; did not like the above types of writing.
November 6, 2020
Sam Johnstone became a lawyer after losing a leg while serving in the military. His PTSD has cost him his job in Washington DC and he agrees to join a law firm in a small Wyoming town. He somewhat reluctantly agrees to defend a former marine who is accused of murder. He must defend his client while navigating through small town corruption, the town’s perception that his client is already guilty and his own battle with PTSD and addiction.
This wasn’t a bad book on the whole. It was interesting enough to hold my attention and I did enjoy reading it. There did, however, seem to be characters that seemed to have no purpose other than as filler. There were areas that I felt needed more development. The corruption that was introduced really didn’t get examined very thoroughly in my opinion and left me wondering. The final revelations also needed more depth so that we as readers could really understand the motivation of some of the characters. Ultimately this was a decent read, but it still left me with questions and feeling slightly dissatisfied at the end.
This wasn’t a bad book on the whole. It was interesting enough to hold my attention and I did enjoy reading it. There did, however, seem to be characters that seemed to have no purpose other than as filler. There were areas that I felt needed more development. The corruption that was introduced really didn’t get examined very thoroughly in my opinion and left me wondering. The final revelations also needed more depth so that we as readers could really understand the motivation of some of the characters. Ultimately this was a decent read, but it still left me with questions and feeling slightly dissatisfied at the end.
February 10, 2022
Don't waste your time!
Most disjointed book I've ever read! Just kept jumping around. Most characters introduced by full names. But judges named by last names only, Judge Harris or Judge Dailey only. Then all of a sudden he's talking about Jo! So, who's Jo? Beats me! In another scene the main character is in bed with another character. Up till then we didn't even realize they knew each other!? Later on they're out to dinner! Huh?! Isn't that backwards?
This book is so disjointed it's nothing but irritating! I rarely put a book down without finishing it. I didn't even get a quarter of the way thru this one! Its really terrible!
Most disjointed book I've ever read! Just kept jumping around. Most characters introduced by full names. But judges named by last names only, Judge Harris or Judge Dailey only. Then all of a sudden he's talking about Jo! So, who's Jo? Beats me! In another scene the main character is in bed with another character. Up till then we didn't even realize they knew each other!? Later on they're out to dinner! Huh?! Isn't that backwards?
This book is so disjointed it's nothing but irritating! I rarely put a book down without finishing it. I didn't even get a quarter of the way thru this one! Its really terrible!
April 4, 2023
:( I wanted to like it. But it was super repetitive in a lot of places and then just glanced over plot lines in others. Cut to a restaurant with Sam and Veronica. Cut to Sam fishing. Cut to the courtroom. Cut to the judges chambers. Cut to some unnecessary scene with these folks and their wives. Over and over. What did the janitors have to do with ANYTHING? Pretty much every character was unlikable save Sam but his story felt so disjointed. The more I write about it the more I want to go down to 1 star but the book didn’t actually make me angry with its unlikability , it was just annoying. Glad it was free though, thanks Kindle prime.
July 3, 2022
I should have quit this. But,I slogged onward. Pretty formulaic and so so so much dialogue that I forgot who was who. Three stars for dealing with veterans and their issues, but seriously how do you do that and then present women in slutty, bad mommy, wife kept in the dark stereotypes in the same book? Ugh.
March 11, 2023
A great start to legal thriller series
The story follows Sam, a veteran who declared disabled from over ten years ago and afterwards he went to study in law school, and since he still facing mental health issues, he couldn’t keep a job from his drinking and bad behaviors, and as a las resort, he accepted an offer to work for one of his high school classmate’s office in a small town in Wyoming.
The town has been shocked when Ms. Smith, an independent lawyer, was killed in her house and a veteran was the main suspect, Sam was very eager to help him even though the whole town was against him, including his friend, as the new inexperienced attorney who is having troubles and now defending a killer, and the story starts to unfold.
When i start to read and find out the book was written in a third person structure, i was in doubt that i will like it, as the legal thriller is more enjoyable to be in the head of the main character, however after the first chapter, it was very intentional as they include everyone in the court and take their perspective, starting from the janitors to the judges.
It was very informative and enjoyable, even though i figured what was going on early in the book and the twists were somehow flat, but i still enjoyed the courtroom drama and all the police takes in the story, and i think i am going to read the next book in the series.
Recommend
The story follows Sam, a veteran who declared disabled from over ten years ago and afterwards he went to study in law school, and since he still facing mental health issues, he couldn’t keep a job from his drinking and bad behaviors, and as a las resort, he accepted an offer to work for one of his high school classmate’s office in a small town in Wyoming.
The town has been shocked when Ms. Smith, an independent lawyer, was killed in her house and a veteran was the main suspect, Sam was very eager to help him even though the whole town was against him, including his friend, as the new inexperienced attorney who is having troubles and now defending a killer, and the story starts to unfold.
When i start to read and find out the book was written in a third person structure, i was in doubt that i will like it, as the legal thriller is more enjoyable to be in the head of the main character, however after the first chapter, it was very intentional as they include everyone in the court and take their perspective, starting from the janitors to the judges.
It was very informative and enjoyable, even though i figured what was going on early in the book and the twists were somehow flat, but i still enjoyed the courtroom drama and all the police takes in the story, and i think i am going to read the next book in the series.
Recommend
March 24, 2022
Ok well this is how you do a premiere novel.
This had me hooked from the beginning. It's a little intimidating to start from the sheer amount of players and their roles, but it settles in nicely.
It was extremely well written and accurate without being dry or textbook-y. Even being into courtroom dramas/crime thrillers, I didn't feel like it was over-explained (it was actually difficult to put it down). It was a fantastic mix of lawyer things, plot and intrigue. Perhaps my only critique is it's on the long side with the amount of backstory given. It didn't feel impossibly long, and the second book is about 150 pages shorter so I think it's just part of the set up. But, the backstory is relevant you still feel like you're a part of the storyline. There's no meandering.
The title obviously gives a few things away, however, there's so much more to the novel. I saw the plot twist going in a different direction than it did, so I was pleasantly surprised.
This had me hooked from the beginning. It's a little intimidating to start from the sheer amount of players and their roles, but it settles in nicely.
It was extremely well written and accurate without being dry or textbook-y. Even being into courtroom dramas/crime thrillers, I didn't feel like it was over-explained (it was actually difficult to put it down). It was a fantastic mix of lawyer things, plot and intrigue. Perhaps my only critique is it's on the long side with the amount of backstory given. It didn't feel impossibly long, and the second book is about 150 pages shorter so I think it's just part of the set up. But, the backstory is relevant you still feel like you're a part of the storyline. There's no meandering.
The title obviously gives a few things away, however, there's so much more to the novel. I saw the plot twist going in a different direction than it did, so I was pleasantly surprised.
November 10, 2021
Fun legal thriller.
April 15, 2022
Strong story, with realistic people who all make mistakes. One juror was more significant than she seemed when first introduced, the one with a "mouth like a cat's ass"! There were a few problematic points in the telling, but in the end they could be considered not to be exculpable (how about that legal phrase). I'll probably get around to reading more of Mr. Johnstone.
January 26, 2022
It’s been a while since I read a book so fast . Onto the next now because this is addictive
KU read
KU read
January 15, 2023
Pretty sure this is the first time I'm giving 5-star reviews for each book in a series. Books 1-4 were all read in the span of a little over a week via Kindle Unlimited. (Dec 19-Dec 27)
I first saw this book on a Kindle screen saver. I made a mental note to look it up when I finished whatever 10-20-30 books I had on my current list. I finally pulled it into KU last week and started it on a lunch hour at work. Mid-week, I finished it. Then, in the next 3-4 days, I devoured books 2, 3, and 4. Now I'm just waiting on Book 5 to be published.
SERIES REVIEW:
Damn - Chandler's writing is excellent! I love a good mystery, but you can't keep me away from a tense courtroom drama.
Sam Johnstone is the main character in all five books. He's a veteran whose service ended after an explosion that took out a handful of the men serving under him. He wasn't without injury as he lost part of one leg. He's messed up. No other way to word it. He's hurt - physically, emotionally, you name it. He has PTSD and isn't doing anything to make it better beyond self-medication, alcohol being his vice of choice.
Through the GI Bill, he gets into law school and then works at a firm in DC - thanks to connections - but loses his job because he's too volatile and can't stay sober. A friend hires him for a job out in Wyoming as a last-chance effort to keep him employed. It works.
Kind of.
His friend barely makes ends meet but needed help. When a homicide presents a fellow veteran in need of legal representation, Sam wants to take the case, but his friend doesn't want it. Sam branches out on his own - for better, for worse, the reader can decide.
The courtroom drama is fantastic. There's a judge who seems like he's out to make sure the defendant should be found guilty by undermining the defense counsel. A prosecutor who isn't always as forthcoming as she should be. Sam, working on his own, keeps plugging away because he's on the side of the law. It's gritty, it's messy, and it makes for a great story.
In a book where you're sure of one thing, you, as the reader, get pulled into so many twists and turns and can't help but love the ride.
Chandler, a veteran and lawyer himself does a spectacular job of tying the reader to the prosecution, the defense, the judicial, as well as the jurors throughout the trial. His characters are gritty, morally grey, messy, and wonderful. They're imperfect and they're flawed and that makes for a fascinating woven tale that will cause you to lose sleep so you can read just one - more - chapter! (So glad I read these over the holidays so staying up until 3am to finish a book didn't affect my work-life!)
Series side notes:
* I love Sam's journey. It's slow and messy and awesome. And he doesn't always win.
* The defendants - aren't always guilty, aren't always not-guilty. They're definitely not all likeable.
* Sometimes, I wanted to scream at Sam - for a variety of reasons. You'll see.
* I love how some of the relationships between lawyers, police / investigators, judges, etc, developed throughout the series.
* It wasn't that much of a character, more a simple setting, but I really want to travel to Wyoming!
Book 1 - Misjudged
Book 2 - One and Done
Book 3 - False Evidence
Book 4 - Capital Witness
Book 5 - Truthful Witness (Comes out Aug 29, 2023) Yeah. I have to wait. (so rude!)
Please tell me there are going to be more books in this series!
In the meantime, since I have to wait until almost Labor Day 2023 for Book 5, I've started checking out other authors by Severn River Publishing. Their authors are all military - either veterans or families of veterans / active-duty military. I've already snagged Unsympathetic Victims by Laura Snider.
I first saw this book on a Kindle screen saver. I made a mental note to look it up when I finished whatever 10-20-30 books I had on my current list. I finally pulled it into KU last week and started it on a lunch hour at work. Mid-week, I finished it. Then, in the next 3-4 days, I devoured books 2, 3, and 4. Now I'm just waiting on Book 5 to be published.
SERIES REVIEW:
Damn - Chandler's writing is excellent! I love a good mystery, but you can't keep me away from a tense courtroom drama.
Sam Johnstone is the main character in all five books. He's a veteran whose service ended after an explosion that took out a handful of the men serving under him. He wasn't without injury as he lost part of one leg. He's messed up. No other way to word it. He's hurt - physically, emotionally, you name it. He has PTSD and isn't doing anything to make it better beyond self-medication, alcohol being his vice of choice.
Through the GI Bill, he gets into law school and then works at a firm in DC - thanks to connections - but loses his job because he's too volatile and can't stay sober. A friend hires him for a job out in Wyoming as a last-chance effort to keep him employed. It works.
Kind of.
His friend barely makes ends meet but needed help. When a homicide presents a fellow veteran in need of legal representation, Sam wants to take the case, but his friend doesn't want it. Sam branches out on his own - for better, for worse, the reader can decide.
The courtroom drama is fantastic. There's a judge who seems like he's out to make sure the defendant should be found guilty by undermining the defense counsel. A prosecutor who isn't always as forthcoming as she should be. Sam, working on his own, keeps plugging away because he's on the side of the law. It's gritty, it's messy, and it makes for a great story.
In a book where you're sure of one thing, you, as the reader, get pulled into so many twists and turns and can't help but love the ride.
Chandler, a veteran and lawyer himself does a spectacular job of tying the reader to the prosecution, the defense, the judicial, as well as the jurors throughout the trial. His characters are gritty, morally grey, messy, and wonderful. They're imperfect and they're flawed and that makes for a fascinating woven tale that will cause you to lose sleep so you can read just one - more - chapter! (So glad I read these over the holidays so staying up until 3am to finish a book didn't affect my work-life!)
Series side notes:
* I love Sam's journey. It's slow and messy and awesome. And he doesn't always win.
* The defendants - aren't always guilty, aren't always not-guilty. They're definitely not all likeable.
* Sometimes, I wanted to scream at Sam - for a variety of reasons. You'll see.
* I love how some of the relationships between lawyers, police / investigators, judges, etc, developed throughout the series.
* It wasn't that much of a character, more a simple setting, but I really want to travel to Wyoming!
Book 1 - Misjudged
Book 2 - One and Done
Book 3 - False Evidence
Book 4 - Capital Witness
Book 5 - Truthful Witness (Comes out Aug 29, 2023) Yeah. I have to wait. (so rude!)
Please tell me there are going to be more books in this series!
In the meantime, since I have to wait until almost Labor Day 2023 for Book 5, I've started checking out other authors by Severn River Publishing. Their authors are all military - either veterans or families of veterans / active-duty military. I've already snagged Unsympathetic Victims by Laura Snider.
September 21, 2021
A look behind a Wyoming murder investigation and trial.
March 5, 2022
Gets you fired up
I spent from about halfway through the book to the end mad at one character or another. I don't know whether the author James Chandler wrote it that way or not, but it successfully kept me reading as fast as I could to find out what happens in Misjudged: A Legal Thriller that is surprisingly Chandler's first book.
Unfortunately, I spent a good portion of the first half of the book annoyed. I blame it on the way it was written and not on my personal reading preferences. I had a difficult time keeping up with the sequence of events in the beginning as well as all of the characters. It wasn't until the pretrial events and the trial where everything seemed to fall in place more. That is what garnered the four stars.
It has been awhile since I read a legal thriller so we could chalk it up to that, but as an avid reader I often expect the author to be able to bypass those nuances and draw me right in. I was definitely drawn in enough to keep reading in order to find out what happens to the accused murderer and veteran Tommy (I forgot the last name and unlike with a novel I can't flip the pages back).
It does not help Tommy's case that he's a heavy drinker who has had run ins with the law since right before his military discharge. It's just unfortunate, and extremely aggravating, that he is judged - character wise - based on these facts. When, I would like to think, people are not judged because they are imperfect as no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Now if Chandler had not made Tommy so likeable it's possible I would have felt differently about this entire trial.
You'll like this novel if you enjoy legal thrillers that are well-written and factual when it comes to the ends and outs of court cases. You will also appreciate the unexpected twists. I liked it enough to ignore the 300+ books already on my Kindle and purchase the next one in the series.
I spent from about halfway through the book to the end mad at one character or another. I don't know whether the author James Chandler wrote it that way or not, but it successfully kept me reading as fast as I could to find out what happens in Misjudged: A Legal Thriller that is surprisingly Chandler's first book.
Unfortunately, I spent a good portion of the first half of the book annoyed. I blame it on the way it was written and not on my personal reading preferences. I had a difficult time keeping up with the sequence of events in the beginning as well as all of the characters. It wasn't until the pretrial events and the trial where everything seemed to fall in place more. That is what garnered the four stars.
It has been awhile since I read a legal thriller so we could chalk it up to that, but as an avid reader I often expect the author to be able to bypass those nuances and draw me right in. I was definitely drawn in enough to keep reading in order to find out what happens to the accused murderer and veteran Tommy (I forgot the last name and unlike with a novel I can't flip the pages back).
It does not help Tommy's case that he's a heavy drinker who has had run ins with the law since right before his military discharge. It's just unfortunate, and extremely aggravating, that he is judged - character wise - based on these facts. When, I would like to think, people are not judged because they are imperfect as no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. Now if Chandler had not made Tommy so likeable it's possible I would have felt differently about this entire trial.
You'll like this novel if you enjoy legal thrillers that are well-written and factual when it comes to the ends and outs of court cases. You will also appreciate the unexpected twists. I liked it enough to ignore the 300+ books already on my Kindle and purchase the next one in the series.
July 1, 2021
Debut Legal Mystery Worth Your Consideration!
Misjudged is the debut book in a new legal mystery series by James Chandler that I found to be very enjoyable; and, as a result, immediately after finishing it I ordered Chandler’s second book, One And Done.
My satisfaction with Misjudged stems from Chandler’s ability to tell an entertaining, well-paced story that includes its fair share of twists and turns, as well as good insights into the legal system. But the main reason for my satisfaction pertains to its providing some strong, well-developed characters, and especially its main character, Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone is a likable but highly flawed attorney due to his traumatic military experiences while deployed that left him with a serious physical disability as well as serious life-altering emotional wounds due to dealing with PTSD. After struggling unsuccessfully in his personal and professional life, Johnstone accepts a position to join an old friend’s one-person legal practice in a small Wyoming town. Despite a strong warning from his employer/friend, he agrees to defend an ex-military man dealing with similar personal issues who is accused of murder.
If you like legal mysteries that stand out a bit from the pack, I think you’ll find that Misjudged is deserving of your attention.
Misjudged is the debut book in a new legal mystery series by James Chandler that I found to be very enjoyable; and, as a result, immediately after finishing it I ordered Chandler’s second book, One And Done.
My satisfaction with Misjudged stems from Chandler’s ability to tell an entertaining, well-paced story that includes its fair share of twists and turns, as well as good insights into the legal system. But the main reason for my satisfaction pertains to its providing some strong, well-developed characters, and especially its main character, Sam Johnstone.
Johnstone is a likable but highly flawed attorney due to his traumatic military experiences while deployed that left him with a serious physical disability as well as serious life-altering emotional wounds due to dealing with PTSD. After struggling unsuccessfully in his personal and professional life, Johnstone accepts a position to join an old friend’s one-person legal practice in a small Wyoming town. Despite a strong warning from his employer/friend, he agrees to defend an ex-military man dealing with similar personal issues who is accused of murder.
If you like legal mysteries that stand out a bit from the pack, I think you’ll find that Misjudged is deserving of your attention.
November 15, 2021
It was an ok courtroom mystery. There were several aspects I didn’t care for. SPOILERS AHEAD: One being Fric and Fracke or whatever their names were. Why were they introduced into the story? Completely unnecessary characters that seemed to serve as a weak device to shift blame from one person to another to hide the actual culprit. Also, the major twist was incredibly predictable. END OF SPOILERS. Overall it was a quick read considering. I’ll read Chandler’s second one anyway probably. 3 stars.
Read
May 20, 2024I like legal thrillers, but this book really turned me off by having pretty much everyone a drunkard or druggie , etc. I was also really annoyed by the author TWICE making the same mistake, saying that Norquist, in Wyoming, was a thousand miles EAST of Sam, who was on the east coast, and that Sam was a thousand miles WEST of Norquist (p 5 and p 15).
Thirty pages was enough.
Thirty pages was enough.
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