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Talon Winter Legal Thrillers #5
Winter’s Duty
DUTY TO CLIENT > DUTY TO JUSTICE?
Attorney Talon Winter confronts the darker side of criminal law, in more ways than one, when she is hired to defend the indefensible.
A young man with every advantage in life is charged with murdering his own grandparents. The media goes into a frenzy. The state puts their top prosecutor on the case. And the young man’s parents, despite everything, hire the best defense attorney in Talon Winter. As the case proceeds, Talon wrestles with her role in the justice system, is tempted by an opportunity to abandon criminal practice altogether, and faces what it would mean for her both professionally and personally if she wins a case where the only truly just verdict is guilty.
STEPHEN PENNER IS AN AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR WITH OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD
Winter’s Duty is Book 5 in the top-rated legal thriller series featuring hard-nosed criminal defense attorney Talon Winter. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but also follows the personal and professional growth of Talon and her friends and foes.
"Talon Winter is a kick-ass main character." --Amazon Reader Review
If you're looking for an authentic legal thriller that doesn’t shy away from the big issues in the criminal justice system, you’ll love Winter’s Duty.
Attorney Talon Winter confronts the darker side of criminal law, in more ways than one, when she is hired to defend the indefensible.
A young man with every advantage in life is charged with murdering his own grandparents. The media goes into a frenzy. The state puts their top prosecutor on the case. And the young man’s parents, despite everything, hire the best defense attorney in Talon Winter. As the case proceeds, Talon wrestles with her role in the justice system, is tempted by an opportunity to abandon criminal practice altogether, and faces what it would mean for her both professionally and personally if she wins a case where the only truly just verdict is guilty.
STEPHEN PENNER IS AN AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR WITH OVER HALF A MILLION COPIES SOLD
Winter’s Duty is Book 5 in the top-rated legal thriller series featuring hard-nosed criminal defense attorney Talon Winter. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone novel, but also follows the personal and professional growth of Talon and her friends and foes.
"Talon Winter is a kick-ass main character." --Amazon Reader Review
If you're looking for an authentic legal thriller that doesn’t shy away from the big issues in the criminal justice system, you’ll love Winter’s Duty.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2021
257 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Penner
62 books164 followersStephen Penner is an author, artist, and attorney from Seattle, Washington. He has written more than 30 novels and specializes in courtroom thrillers known for their unexpected twists and candid portrayal of the justice system. He draws on his extensive experience as a criminal trial attorney to infuse his writing with realism and insight.
Stephen is the author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. The TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. And the RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. For more information, visit his website www.stephenpenner.com.
Stephen is the author of several top-rated legal thriller series. The DAVID BRUNELLE LEGAL THRILLERS feature Seattle homicide D.A. David Brunelle and a recurring cast of cops, defense attorneys, and forensic experts. The TALON WINTER LEGAL THRILLERS showcase tough-as-nails Tacoma criminal defense attorney Talon Winter and her closest allies. And the RAIN CITY LEGAL THRILLERS deliver the adventures of attorney Daniel Raine and his unlikely partner Rebecca Sommers. Stephen is also the author of the MAGGIE DEVEREAUX PARANORMAL MYSTERIES, recounting the exploits of an American graduate student in the magical Highlands of Scotland, and several other stand-alone works.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys painting, drawing, and spending time with his family. For more information, visit his website www.stephenpenner.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 19, 2022
Depressing, and not in a good way
The third star exists solely because of the continual strong points of this series: pacing, writing style, courtroom antics, etc. It's also a very daring entry, since it doesn't shy away from giving us a client whose guilt is unquestionable this time around. The crime is tragic and troubling, and you really do get a taste of what a defense attorney like Talon Winter must do to concoct methods to defend a client that she already knows is guilty. I don't envy such a daunting task as that. I know this happens in real life, but it doesn't make reading about it any easier, and I definitely give props to Penner for not keeping this entry too cookie-cutter.
It's official, though: As a character, Talon has lost a lot of her luster. While yes, I do tend to love her snark and her whit and her tenacity as a lawyer, this entry and its predecessor have gone quite out of their way to magnify Talon's negative traits to the point of making her unlikable. This is the downside of Penner not texturizing Talon to be something ELSE other than a good lawyer. He's writing someone that I can EASILY turn my back on. I don't like how Talon continues to demean, use, and manipulate men to her advantage. Worse, she's somehow sprouted this whopping superiority complex as not just a lawyer but as an entire person. It made me grumbly.
I get that Talon's always been a bit on the abrasive side, which was always part of her appeal, but this was a tad much for me to deal with. The sheer selfishness she displayed in this entry in particular was so very off-putting that she lost significant cool points. Unlikable star characters are a sure-fire way to turn me off a story, even if it happens late in the game. To be fair, I'm willing to admit that this specific plot and case brought out her obsessive duty as a defense attorney so MUCH that she's sacrificing whatever she can to get it done to her own satisfaction. But...still. I don't like this cold and callous Talon Winter as much as I used to and after the events of this book, I'm left wondering if I'll ever like her again.
Click here for my random commentary.
The third star exists solely because of the continual strong points of this series: pacing, writing style, courtroom antics, etc. It's also a very daring entry, since it doesn't shy away from giving us a client whose guilt is unquestionable this time around. The crime is tragic and troubling, and you really do get a taste of what a defense attorney like Talon Winter must do to concoct methods to defend a client that she already knows is guilty. I don't envy such a daunting task as that. I know this happens in real life, but it doesn't make reading about it any easier, and I definitely give props to Penner for not keeping this entry too cookie-cutter.
It's official, though: As a character, Talon has lost a lot of her luster. While yes, I do tend to love her snark and her whit and her tenacity as a lawyer, this entry and its predecessor have gone quite out of their way to magnify Talon's negative traits to the point of making her unlikable. This is the downside of Penner not texturizing Talon to be something ELSE other than a good lawyer. He's writing someone that I can EASILY turn my back on. I don't like how Talon continues to demean, use, and manipulate men to her advantage. Worse, she's somehow sprouted this whopping superiority complex as not just a lawyer but as an entire person. It made me grumbly.
I get that Talon's always been a bit on the abrasive side, which was always part of her appeal, but this was a tad much for me to deal with. The sheer selfishness she displayed in this entry in particular was so very off-putting that she lost significant cool points. Unlikable star characters are a sure-fire way to turn me off a story, even if it happens late in the game. To be fair, I'm willing to admit that this specific plot and case brought out her obsessive duty as a defense attorney so MUCH that she's sacrificing whatever she can to get it done to her own satisfaction. But...still. I don't like this cold and callous Talon Winter as much as I used to and after the events of this book, I'm left wondering if I'll ever like her again.
Click here for my random commentary.
February 22, 2026
this is the series with the american indian lawyer, talon winter
she is defending a man who was found holding a bloody baseball bat, covered in blood, over the 2 bodies of his grandparents
the parents hired her. the man seems to feel he was justified in killing them, the lawyer doesnt ask him questions about it
she hired a dr to testify as to his mind, he doesnt like the idea of anyone saying hes crazy
she is also being interviewed for a job for a firm who wants to hire her. shes not sure she wants the job at twice her pay.
her friend is having some troubles and needs her help but she doesnt seem to be able to find enough time to devote to her
during the trial the mom told the lawyer alone she did want him in prison the rest of his life. but the jury found him not guilty, he stands up and says he did it and got away with it
she quit that day and went back to the other kind of law, but not to the firm trying to hire her, they wanted her to take land away from the indians and she got the case on the other side, to get their land back, which she did cause i read the other book first
she is defending a man who was found holding a bloody baseball bat, covered in blood, over the 2 bodies of his grandparents
the parents hired her. the man seems to feel he was justified in killing them, the lawyer doesnt ask him questions about it
she hired a dr to testify as to his mind, he doesnt like the idea of anyone saying hes crazy
she is also being interviewed for a job for a firm who wants to hire her. shes not sure she wants the job at twice her pay.
her friend is having some troubles and needs her help but she doesnt seem to be able to find enough time to devote to her
during the trial the mom told the lawyer alone she did want him in prison the rest of his life. but the jury found him not guilty, he stands up and says he did it and got away with it
she quit that day and went back to the other kind of law, but not to the firm trying to hire her, they wanted her to take land away from the indians and she got the case on the other side, to get their land back, which she did cause i read the other book first
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2022
Tacoma defense attorney Talon Winter is hired by Chad and Karen Burgess to defend their son, Hunter, who had apparently murdered Karen's parents with a baseball bat. (He was found by the police shortly after the murder, covered in blood, with the bat in his hand.) Talon takes the case and does her duty as an advocate, giving Hunter the best defense she can muster under the circumstances. Meanwhile, a Seattle civil litigation firm makes her a tempting offer. They plan to open an office in Tacoma and would like her to head it.
Like the other books in the series, this is an absorbing courtroom drama.
Like the other books in the series, this is an absorbing courtroom drama.
January 16, 2022
This was the first book I read in the series. I like Talon, a very talented female in the law profession.
But to get a murderer off, almost proven "beyond a reasonable doubt", I think the story needs more work on that.
The relationship to the grandparents from the family is not explained. Shy would the mother want her parents dead???
So many questions. The story became boring in many of the leglese entries.
I am not sure if I will read any further books about this character Talon.
Maybe, maybe not.
But to get a murderer off, almost proven "beyond a reasonable doubt", I think the story needs more work on that.
The relationship to the grandparents from the family is not explained. Shy would the mother want her parents dead???
So many questions. The story became boring in many of the leglese entries.
I am not sure if I will read any further books about this character Talon.
Maybe, maybe not.
December 21, 2022
I've now read the whole Talon Winter Legal series and can strongly recommend these novels to anyone interested in richly drawn characters, interesting stories and, especially, taught legal and courtroom dramas. Talon Winter is one of the sharpest central continuing characters you'll ever read.
I've copied and pasted this review to all the Talon Winter books to try to spread the word. No need to read them in order, but I think you should.
I've copied and pasted this review to all the Talon Winter books to try to spread the word. No need to read them in order, but I think you should.
July 8, 2022
I really enjoy Mr. Penner's courtroom scenes. Although this is the second Talon Winter novel I've read, her character seems to be the author's male version of how an independent woman should act. To me Talon came off as a guy in woman's clothing seeking one-night stands which really had nothing to do with the courtroom story.
March 18, 2023
The main gist of the story and the best writing in the book is centered around the courtroom scenes. The chapters covering the subplots before and after the trial seemed to me to be disjointed and lacking in clear outcomes. Obviously this is one book in the series that does not stand too well on its own without more background on the characters, etc. I'd recommend the series be read in order.
May 28, 2022
Penney just gets better and better
I don’t write reviews to go over what the book was about, but that it was a page turner from beginning to the end. Go Talon!!!!! Can’t wait for book six.
I don’t write reviews to go over what the book was about, but that it was a page turner from beginning to the end. Go Talon!!!!! Can’t wait for book six.
February 24, 2024
Duty
Very exciting story. There is more truth in this story that I could imagine. This book makes you think and I like that . Thank you Mr. Penned looking forward to more of your work.
Very exciting story. There is more truth in this story that I could imagine. This book makes you think and I like that . Thank you Mr. Penned looking forward to more of your work.
March 5, 2024
Not logical
The son would not have said that he got away with it with the jury still in the room. I found the story interesting until that moment. Not a good ending. Not even a sort of good ending.
The son would not have said that he got away with it with the jury still in the room. I found the story interesting until that moment. Not a good ending. Not even a sort of good ending.
August 15, 2025
Not my kind of story
I really didn't like this story - it didn't seem possible that this could happen - also alot of swearing & unlikely things happened so I wouldn't recommend this book.
I really didn't like this story - it didn't seem possible that this could happen - also alot of swearing & unlikely things happened so I wouldn't recommend this book.
November 21, 2021
A very enjoyable story. I like courtroom scene stories.
December 14, 2021
I did not enjoy this book. Setting a sociopath free to kill again is bad enough, but every male character in this book is either arrogant, stupid, incapable , vicious or a sex buddy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
Very good
Plot is very complex but well written. Characters are well drawn and ibteresibg. Book was enjoyable and Iwill look for others.
Plot is very complex but well written. Characters are well drawn and ibteresibg. Book was enjoyable and Iwill look for others.
February 26, 2022
The story was well written.
It was a story that made sense. .The characters behaved in a well defined manner. The ending, well you have to.read the.book. You will enjoy this.
It was a story that made sense. .The characters behaved in a well defined manner. The ending, well you have to.read the.book. You will enjoy this.
August 15, 2022
jeopardy
Talon takes on a case that is sure to fail and somewhere along the line two more personal issues show up adding more suspense.
Talon takes on a case that is sure to fail and somewhere along the line two more personal issues show up adding more suspense.
June 13, 2023
This is so weak that I nearly didn't finish it.
August 1, 2024
Foul Language
Dislike all the use of the F word. Adds nothing to the story. Read all the series. Sane in all the books.
Dislike all the use of the F word. Adds nothing to the story. Read all the series. Sane in all the books.
August 15, 2024
Great read
Loved it read it during a tropical storm. Loved it very well written. Highly recommend wow Ms. Winter pulled one out of her sleeve
Loved it read it during a tropical storm. Loved it very well written. Highly recommend wow Ms. Winter pulled one out of her sleeve
October 17, 2025
Strange but very interesting....
Talon works hard, tries hard to find the truth. She is not afraid to challenge the government to save her client and bring out justice.
Talon works hard, tries hard to find the truth. She is not afraid to challenge the government to save her client and bring out justice.
December 24, 2025
Was kind of waiting for the why?
It was a good read but it left me hanging as to why it happened, what prompted the decision to do this?
It was a good read but it left me hanging as to why it happened, what prompted the decision to do this?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews