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Marc Kadella Legal Mystery #13
Fortuitous Justice
WHEN THEY THROW THE BOOK
AT YOU, WHO YOU GONNA CALL? You’d better call top Minneapolis criminal defense attorney Marc Kadella.
Fixer Burt Chayson had well and truly fixed it this time. About to be charged in a vote-buying scandal, he was overheard declaring that if he went down, he’d take some people with him. Within hours he’s dead, and, at first glance, it looks like a suicide—until incriminating fingerprints are found.
The suspect—and Marc’s client—is realtor Hope Slade, one of a group of law-breaking former Vikings cheerleaders, now known as the Suburban Housewife Hooker Ring. Hope’s had a little bad luck lately—her husband threw her out, her children no longer trust her, and she’s already facing a plethora of other criminal charges. All she needs is a murder rap.
But not only are her fingerprints on the murder weapon but the victim, a client of several of the Housewife Hookers, was last seen with her.
Relying on the SODDI (Some Other Dude Did It) defense that’s worked so well for him before, Marc knows he’ll have no trouble coming up with other suspects. But even if Hope’s not convicted of the murder, she faces RICO, prostitution, and money laundering charges.
And it’s not just Hope. The Grand Jury’s thrown the book at the entire hooker gang, apparently in an attempt to squeeze them for information on much bigger fish – a major local drug wholesaler. The major local drug wholesaler. And danger shadows them since some of those people the fixer had planned on taking down with him want to make sure the hookers don’t spill Burt’s pillow talk.
Carstens has outdone himself, laying out an amazingly intricate narrative that leads to a supremely satisfying flashbang! resolution that nobody sees coming – not even Marc.
A must-read for fans of taut legal thrillers like those of John Grisham, Richard North Patterson, Brad Thor, John Ellsworth, and Scott Pratt.
AT YOU, WHO YOU GONNA CALL? You’d better call top Minneapolis criminal defense attorney Marc Kadella.
Fixer Burt Chayson had well and truly fixed it this time. About to be charged in a vote-buying scandal, he was overheard declaring that if he went down, he’d take some people with him. Within hours he’s dead, and, at first glance, it looks like a suicide—until incriminating fingerprints are found.
The suspect—and Marc’s client—is realtor Hope Slade, one of a group of law-breaking former Vikings cheerleaders, now known as the Suburban Housewife Hooker Ring. Hope’s had a little bad luck lately—her husband threw her out, her children no longer trust her, and she’s already facing a plethora of other criminal charges. All she needs is a murder rap.
But not only are her fingerprints on the murder weapon but the victim, a client of several of the Housewife Hookers, was last seen with her.
Relying on the SODDI (Some Other Dude Did It) defense that’s worked so well for him before, Marc knows he’ll have no trouble coming up with other suspects. But even if Hope’s not convicted of the murder, she faces RICO, prostitution, and money laundering charges.
And it’s not just Hope. The Grand Jury’s thrown the book at the entire hooker gang, apparently in an attempt to squeeze them for information on much bigger fish – a major local drug wholesaler. The major local drug wholesaler. And danger shadows them since some of those people the fixer had planned on taking down with him want to make sure the hookers don’t spill Burt’s pillow talk.
Carstens has outdone himself, laying out an amazingly intricate narrative that leads to a supremely satisfying flashbang! resolution that nobody sees coming – not even Marc.
A must-read for fans of taut legal thrillers like those of John Grisham, Richard North Patterson, Brad Thor, John Ellsworth, and Scott Pratt.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2022
357 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Carstens
32 books114 followersDennis Carstens was born in Worthington, MN, and has lived most of his life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. He received a BA from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from a highly respected private law school, William Mitchell, in St. Paul. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and a retired trial lawyer, Carstens brings these life experiences to his fiction for a dose of realism and accuracy missing from much of the legal thriller genre today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 19, 2023
I have an image in my mind after reading FORTUITOUS JUSTICE. It is of a loom, with hundreds of threads hanging out. The weave adjusts some of the threads, moves the shuttle, and does it again – and again, until after many repetitions, you start to see an image. As the process of weaving continues, the image grows and changes and ends up being something you had not expected.
Thus it is with this novel. I have thoroughly enjoyed earlier Mark Kadella books (the name of the central character) although there are more threads than in previous works and the final image is wonderfully complex. The author manages to juggle a large cast of well-drawn characters with a list of complicated legal and criminal issues, and does it all so clearly that prior attendance at law school is not necessary.
In short – a great crime story, and a terrific and VERY engrossing read.
Thus it is with this novel. I have thoroughly enjoyed earlier Mark Kadella books (the name of the central character) although there are more threads than in previous works and the final image is wonderfully complex. The author manages to juggle a large cast of well-drawn characters with a list of complicated legal and criminal issues, and does it all so clearly that prior attendance at law school is not necessary.
In short – a great crime story, and a terrific and VERY engrossing read.
April 17, 2022
.
.
NOTE TO AUTHOR: I was a private eye in one of America’s biggest cities and dealt with lawyers whose names made the front page nationally, and with cops, robbers, spies, and FBI, etc. And I can tell you it was NOTHING like you depict.
Nothing.
NOTHING!
Nothing.
This was just too much bllsht, and not worth it to me to read, so I dumped all the Carstens books that i had.
.
.
.
NOTE TO AUTHOR: I was a private eye in one of America’s biggest cities and dealt with lawyers whose names made the front page nationally, and with cops, robbers, spies, and FBI, etc. And I can tell you it was NOTHING like you depict.
Nothing.
NOTHING!
Nothing.
This was just too much bllsht, and not worth it to me to read, so I dumped all the Carstens books that i had.
.
.
November 8, 2023
Plenty going on here.
Another superb book out of this stable with a plethora of plots going on. Marc is really having to pull out all the stops on what looks like a clear case of murder. Could have been suicide until somebody left fingerprints behind. Or did they?
I just love the repartee between Marc and Maddie as well as with Tony and Connie. They just gel so well together as a team. Keep them coming!!
Another superb book out of this stable with a plethora of plots going on. Marc is really having to pull out all the stops on what looks like a clear case of murder. Could have been suicide until somebody left fingerprints behind. Or did they?
I just love the repartee between Marc and Maddie as well as with Tony and Connie. They just gel so well together as a team. Keep them coming!!
September 5, 2025
Twists and turns
As usual not all investigation is by the letter of the law. Makes me wonder how much truth is in this story.
Marc is like many criminal defense attorneys, but this time his client is innocent. As the body count increases he realizes his client is in real danger. She says she knows nothing about the victims business, but someone sure thinks she does.
Enjoyed this book.
As usual not all investigation is by the letter of the law. Makes me wonder how much truth is in this story.
Marc is like many criminal defense attorneys, but this time his client is innocent. As the body count increases he realizes his client is in real danger. She says she knows nothing about the victims business, but someone sure thinks she does.
Enjoyed this book.
March 20, 2022
Fortuitous Justice
I always enjoy Dennis Carsten's books. This book had more than the usual number of overlooked mistakes, but was still a great story. The conversations involving the main character and others he engages with adds a clever touch of humor and lightens the seriousness of the subject of the books.
I always enjoy Dennis Carsten's books. This book had more than the usual number of overlooked mistakes, but was still a great story. The conversations involving the main character and others he engages with adds a clever touch of humor and lightens the seriousness of the subject of the books.
December 22, 2023
Excellent
Another excellent read by Dennis Carstens. His books draw you in quickly and keep you hooked. At least that is the case for me. This not a sequel to Twisted Justice but does contain spoiler info. Nothing good ever happens when crooked cops, drugs, murder & more deplorable acts enter everyday lives.
Another excellent read by Dennis Carstens. His books draw you in quickly and keep you hooked. At least that is the case for me. This not a sequel to Twisted Justice but does contain spoiler info. Nothing good ever happens when crooked cops, drugs, murder & more deplorable acts enter everyday lives.
July 5, 2024
I struggled getting through this book especially in the early chapters but persevered and finished it. The story did get more interesting as it evolved but it wasn't one of the author's best novels. I'm about to start the 14th book in the series and hope it is as fantastic as the very first book in the series.
June 21, 2025
must read court drama
I have loved every Marc Kadella book I have read . So many brilliant characters who all have a part to play. Who really killed the sleaze bag victim. Constant twists and turns so you have no idea what’s truly happening until the last page. All the loose ends finally get tied up .
I have loved every Marc Kadella book I have read . So many brilliant characters who all have a part to play. Who really killed the sleaze bag victim. Constant twists and turns so you have no idea what’s truly happening until the last page. All the loose ends finally get tied up .
March 15, 2022
Amazing
Another amazing book by Dennis Carstens. Full of suspense, witty banter and a great read from cover to cover. I can hardly wait for the book he writes. I couldn’t put it down.
Another amazing book by Dennis Carstens. Full of suspense, witty banter and a great read from cover to cover. I can hardly wait for the book he writes. I couldn’t put it down.
November 8, 2022
Great story
In this intense tale there is a lot of thrills and danger for the characters in the story. I wasn't sure until the end that Marc's client would survive long enough to reach the end of the trial.
In this intense tale there is a lot of thrills and danger for the characters in the story. I wasn't sure until the end that Marc's client would survive long enough to reach the end of the trial.
June 11, 2023
I have read them all.
Enjoyed every one. Carsten’s books have a special blend of legal suspense, police procedure and humor. The characters are well developed and consistent over time. Well done Sir.
Enjoyed every one. Carsten’s books have a special blend of legal suspense, police procedure and humor. The characters are well developed and consistent over time. Well done Sir.
October 22, 2023
No matter how many of these books I read, I don’t get bored. They are fast with a cast that one becomes familiar with. They’re funny, they’re fun, they’re serious and even scary. What’s not to enjoy, thoroughly enjoyable.
July 15, 2024
I Couldn't Put it Down
This was so good. It's a continuation of the previous book and boy does it make your heart pound! This series is fantastic. I look forward to reading more of Carsten's books.
This was so good. It's a continuation of the previous book and boy does it make your heart pound! This series is fantastic. I look forward to reading more of Carsten's books.
June 30, 2025
Great read!
I love how Dennis Carstens ties the stories together and delves into characters that could be minor but turn out to be major.
I hope Marc, Maddy and the gang come back for lots more adventures!
I love how Dennis Carstens ties the stories together and delves into characters that could be minor but turn out to be major.
I hope Marc, Maddy and the gang come back for lots more adventures!
November 16, 2025
Criminal Minds
Criminals and creepy people abound in this Marc Kadella Legal Mystery. Marc and his crew take on the bad guys, some of the police force and a bunch of sleazy politicians (sorry for being repetitive!). This is the kind of book you read in one day.
Criminals and creepy people abound in this Marc Kadella Legal Mystery. Marc and his crew take on the bad guys, some of the police force and a bunch of sleazy politicians (sorry for being repetitive!). This is the kind of book you read in one day.
April 5, 2022
Exciting
Once I got started, I could not put it down. Intriguing story with a perfect ending. Never a dull moment.
Once I got started, I could not put it down. Intriguing story with a perfect ending. Never a dull moment.
April 16, 2022
Excellent
If you enjoy legal mysteries, Dennis Carstens is the go-to author. This book is packed with crimes, legal shenanigans and so much drama.
If you enjoy legal mysteries, Dennis Carstens is the go-to author. This book is packed with crimes, legal shenanigans and so much drama.
April 20, 2022
Excellent story
April 25, 2022
Awesome!!!
I love this series, the characters are so unique and fun to follow. This latest book is as intriguing as the other books. Thanks much🐕
I love this series, the characters are so unique and fun to follow. This latest book is as intriguing as the other books. Thanks much🐕
May 9, 2022
Too many characters slow beginning stopped reading
July 17, 2022
É tanta ação e tantos conflitos jurídicos que é preciso que o leitor fique bem atento para não se perder. Uma narrativa interessante, sem sombra de dúvida, com um final bem pensado. Gostei.
November 3, 2022
I enjoyed this book, as I have the entire series. I do think that the romantic dialog between Marc and Maddie is a little over the top.
December 27, 2022
Gotta love that Maddy
Every Marc Kadella book just keeps getting better & better.
Dennis Carstens is one of my favorite authors.
Thank you for letting your fingers do the walking.
Every Marc Kadella book just keeps getting better & better.
Dennis Carstens is one of my favorite authors.
Thank you for letting your fingers do the walking.
February 1, 2023
Always a great read
I'm always sad when.I finish one of this series. I'm losing some friends Carstens doesn't write fast enough. What to do now? Great book!
I'm always sad when.I finish one of this series. I'm losing some friends Carstens doesn't write fast enough. What to do now? Great book!
February 3, 2023
Gave it 5 stars because it was written well and almost no typos. But too long and boring, sorry.
April 10, 2023
Get today
Good read from the first page; awesome full-body characters; descriptive background.Good storyline. You won’t put it down. Check it out!
Good read from the first page; awesome full-body characters; descriptive background.Good storyline. You won’t put it down. Check it out!
April 28, 2023
Another great legal thriller by Dennis Carstens. Love Marc, Maddy and Tony, etc.
May 5, 2023
This author knows how to keep the reader on the edge of his seat! I’m reading through the series. My neighbors come by to check my pulse occasionally. As usual with these thrillers, it rather fast,
May 10, 2023
These Marc Kadella legal mysteries are never disappointment!
June 9, 2023
Though I knew Marc would win his case, this was one of the more interesting cases.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews