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Justice for Loretta
"A methodical murder mystery with a shocking twist." –BestThrillers
Carter Mills was a successful and well-known investment broker. He and his wife Loretta had an ideal marriage with three kids, a beautiful home, and even a condo in the Dominican Republic. But their storybook life ended on the day that Loretta fell in the shower and died. Carter tried to save her, he'd even tried to do CPR, but it wasn't enough. His beautiful wife and the mother of his children was gone.
When the police were called to the Mills home on a reported unconscious person after a fall, Sgt. Steve "Mac" MacIntosh knew in his bones that something wasn't right. Loretta had a deep gash in her skull that seemed too extreme to have happened from a fall. He noticed bruising on Loretta's body and a black eye that was so swollen, her eye was shut.
No. This wasn't an unfortunate accident. This was a homicide that had been staged to look like an accident. And now it was up to Mac to fit together the pieces of the puzzle that would lead him to the killer so that he could find justice for Loretta.
-LeeAnne James
Carter Mills was a successful and well-known investment broker. He and his wife Loretta had an ideal marriage with three kids, a beautiful home, and even a condo in the Dominican Republic. But their storybook life ended on the day that Loretta fell in the shower and died. Carter tried to save her, he'd even tried to do CPR, but it wasn't enough. His beautiful wife and the mother of his children was gone.
When the police were called to the Mills home on a reported unconscious person after a fall, Sgt. Steve "Mac" MacIntosh knew in his bones that something wasn't right. Loretta had a deep gash in her skull that seemed too extreme to have happened from a fall. He noticed bruising on Loretta's body and a black eye that was so swollen, her eye was shut.
No. This wasn't an unfortunate accident. This was a homicide that had been staged to look like an accident. And now it was up to Mac to fit together the pieces of the puzzle that would lead him to the killer so that he could find justice for Loretta.
-LeeAnne James
- GenresMystery
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2022
68 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 17, 2022
Title: Justice for Loretta
Author: LeeAnne James
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Series: The Thin Line Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Justice for Loretta" by LeeAnne James
My Assessment:
'Justice for Loretta' was quite a mystery-thriller read that had a lot going on from 'domestic abuse, greed, betrayal, dramatic twists and turns, a murder, and I don't want to leave out that court case.' The story was a sad read with an ending that would make you think...really; however, I don't believe that end happened as the accuser said because he was such a liar. So, you will have to read this good story and see what you think about it and how this author brings it to a close.
Author: LeeAnne James
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Series: The Thin Line Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Justice for Loretta" by LeeAnne James
My Assessment:
'Justice for Loretta' was quite a mystery-thriller read that had a lot going on from 'domestic abuse, greed, betrayal, dramatic twists and turns, a murder, and I don't want to leave out that court case.' The story was a sad read with an ending that would make you think...really; however, I don't believe that end happened as the accuser said because he was such a liar. So, you will have to read this good story and see what you think about it and how this author brings it to a close.
October 25, 2022
Justice For Loretta by LeeAnne James is a story in three parts.
Part 1 tells Loretta’s story of her early life, meeting her future husband Carter and the eventual breakdown of her marriage.
Part 2 takes place after Loretta’s death and switches to a CSI style police investigation procedural as Steve "Mac" MacIntosh picks up the hunt following an anonymous tip off
Part 3 takes a ‘John Grisham’ courthouse drama style as we follow the trial of the murder suspect led by District Attorney Dennis Wozniak and his legal team.
In all three parts the story is well told and the characters are nicely detailed including their flaws and foibles. Part 2 does just enough with the level of attention on the investigation and forensic work to keep the story moving along without getting bogged down with extraneous details.
The final part also deals well with the court processes without the reader needing to be a third year law degree student to follow the case. Some nice explanatory bits are dropped in where necessary which helps everything along.
The writing style throughout is easy to follow, fast flowing and holds the attention of the reader nicely.
If you are paying attention at the beginning of the book then the final payoff is not entirely unexpected, but still packs a punch to round off the story.
There are a few nice touches that, whilst not relevant to the overall plot, give interesting insights to the lives of some of the characters which helps the reader engage with them as people rather than two dimensional generic stereotypes.
In summary, this is a well written drama composed in three distinct parts each led by a different character. The story is engaging and fast moving, the main characters nicely rounded and the level of detail, particularly in the investigation and court sections, fits the style.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good drama or has an interest in crime fiction or court room thrillers.
Part 1 tells Loretta’s story of her early life, meeting her future husband Carter and the eventual breakdown of her marriage.
Part 2 takes place after Loretta’s death and switches to a CSI style police investigation procedural as Steve "Mac" MacIntosh picks up the hunt following an anonymous tip off
Part 3 takes a ‘John Grisham’ courthouse drama style as we follow the trial of the murder suspect led by District Attorney Dennis Wozniak and his legal team.
In all three parts the story is well told and the characters are nicely detailed including their flaws and foibles. Part 2 does just enough with the level of attention on the investigation and forensic work to keep the story moving along without getting bogged down with extraneous details.
The final part also deals well with the court processes without the reader needing to be a third year law degree student to follow the case. Some nice explanatory bits are dropped in where necessary which helps everything along.
The writing style throughout is easy to follow, fast flowing and holds the attention of the reader nicely.
If you are paying attention at the beginning of the book then the final payoff is not entirely unexpected, but still packs a punch to round off the story.
There are a few nice touches that, whilst not relevant to the overall plot, give interesting insights to the lives of some of the characters which helps the reader engage with them as people rather than two dimensional generic stereotypes.
In summary, this is a well written drama composed in three distinct parts each led by a different character. The story is engaging and fast moving, the main characters nicely rounded and the level of detail, particularly in the investigation and court sections, fits the style.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys a good drama or has an interest in crime fiction or court room thrillers.
September 1, 2022
I was committed to a review so even though the read had a full slow start, I kept slugging through. It did not disappoint. Fast forwarding through the beginnings of characters lives just to get to the juicy part of the storyline is not my idea of a good time. The twists and turns at the end were a little disconcerting to. However, this being a series, I can allow that is perhaps the set up. There were no clues as to Loretta's Jeckle and I feel every good story deserves at least one because we are not watching a film. We can't see it. Carter's personality as self absorbed and selfish was fleshed out well so I felt cheated at the end with Loretta with what came out. Then again, one is left with but if of a cliff hanger was he a victim, was she a closet monster, keep reading to find out....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2022
Justice For Loretta is a skillfully crafted mystery that will leave readers anxious to turn the page as the story winds through the demise of a marriage and the legal process that follows. Author LeeAnne James schools her readers on the legal process from investigation to final justice and brings those readers to a conclusion no one could have imagined. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to wait to read more of James’ The Thin Blue Line series. - Barbara Luker, author of “I Carry Your Heart.”
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August 2, 2022My first time reading this author (Leeanne James) and I was absolutely amazed. I kind of guessed the ending, BUT was thrown off by it at the ending of the book. In "The Thin Blue Line Series", I Loved the characters and how they all played their parts so well. There was sadness, happiness, and laughter. I can't wait to be reading more of Leeanne James books. Thank you for putting your book out there for me to find and being an author I will follow.
August 12, 2022
Part domestic drama, part courtroom thriller, JUSTICE FOR LORETTA packs a punch as it traces the anatomy of a crime from the victim's early years until the aftermath of the trial. Peopled by fully drawn characters and a deep understanding of procedure in police stations and in the justice system, this suspenseful page-turner kept me reading late into the night on the way to its shocking final chapter that I'm still thinking about. A stellar debut from LeeAnne James.
November 3, 2024
So well written I kept checking to make sure this was not true crime. Readers meet Loretta and see her life as she marries and has children. Then a 911 call, Loretta is dead from a fall in the shower. But the clues don't add up, so we follow the investigator as he makes an arrest. Then the trial. This is a short synopsis of a story that will pull you in and give you enough clues so that you'll be completely shocked in the end.
August 4, 2022
Intriguing
Was it murder or an accident or self-defense? This murder mystery involves domestic abuse, greed and betrayal then finally the death of the wife. Answers lead to more questions. The court battle is intense but did the jury reach the right decision? Read and draw your own conclusions.
Was it murder or an accident or self-defense? This murder mystery involves domestic abuse, greed and betrayal then finally the death of the wife. Answers lead to more questions. The court battle is intense but did the jury reach the right decision? Read and draw your own conclusions.
July 31, 2022
An entertaining, page-turning story of the death of a woman and the subsequent investigation. It seems straight forward until it isn't. A great story well told with a ending that will blow your mind. Give this mystery/thriller a read!
August 1, 2022
Great book
Really enjoyed this book. For being a very serious story it has quite a bit of humor. The twist at the end will make you think and wonder if it was possibly the truth. If you believe what Carter has to say. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Really enjoyed this book. For being a very serious story it has quite a bit of humor. The twist at the end will make you think and wonder if it was possibly the truth. If you believe what Carter has to say. I look forward to reading more in this series.
August 2, 2022
A sad story that reads like a true-crime drama
I enjoyed reading this story that seems real, without overly dramatic twists and turns. It makes it more believable, unfortunately too common, and sad.
I enjoyed reading this story that seems real, without overly dramatic twists and turns. It makes it more believable, unfortunately too common, and sad.
August 6, 2022
A youthful courtship in college grows into a family lost in selfishness. James takes you on a journey from innocence and youthful pleasures, where love and understanding is replaced by control and lies, ending in the nightmare of a marriage gone horribly wrong.
January 28, 2023
Intriguing twists, lies, and truths
If you like murder mysteries, suspense and a touch of Law and Order, you will not be disappointed. I thought and waited for the other person to do it and surprised by the raw honesty at the end. Really a great book, I could not put it down.
If you like murder mysteries, suspense and a touch of Law and Order, you will not be disappointed. I thought and waited for the other person to do it and surprised by the raw honesty at the end. Really a great book, I could not put it down.
August 3, 2022
Review
Wow! He was a narcissist right to the very end! Poor loretta. She realized too late she needed to get away from her bastard of a husband. A good story with a perfect ending.
Wow! He was a narcissist right to the very end! Poor loretta. She realized too late she needed to get away from her bastard of a husband. A good story with a perfect ending.
October 23, 2022
Worth the time
Well written and developed with mostly believable characters, although a bit slow at times, with a somewhat anticlimactic, disappointing ending
Well written and developed with mostly believable characters, although a bit slow at times, with a somewhat anticlimactic, disappointing ending
August 2, 2024
Great thriller
This story had you at the first page. Lots of drama and w. The main character Carter was a real piece of work. Good read!
This story had you at the first page. Lots of drama and w. The main character Carter was a real piece of work. Good read!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews