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Atlanta Murder Squad #4
A Hard Way to Die
Jekyll Island. A little slice of relaxing paradise. But when lawyers from all over Georgia descend to the island for their annual conference, the murder of the state bar president is a surprise addition to the agenda.
Chance Meridian, finally able to take a long-delayed honeymoon after getting his murder squad up and running, has more interest in the beach than a new case. But the Governor has other plans. Thrust into an investigation far from home, Chance soon learns that the dead man had more enemies than is good for one’s health—most of them living under the victim’s own roof. Faced with a desperate murderer willing to kill again, Chance must untangle a web of deceit before one final act of violence changes his life forever.
A standalone thriller in the best-selling Atlanta Murder Squad series, A Hard Way to Die is a taut mystery brimming with suspense until the very end.
Chance Meridian, finally able to take a long-delayed honeymoon after getting his murder squad up and running, has more interest in the beach than a new case. But the Governor has other plans. Thrust into an investigation far from home, Chance soon learns that the dead man had more enemies than is good for one’s health—most of them living under the victim’s own roof. Faced with a desperate murderer willing to kill again, Chance must untangle a web of deceit before one final act of violence changes his life forever.
A standalone thriller in the best-selling Atlanta Murder Squad series, A Hard Way to Die is a taut mystery brimming with suspense until the very end.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2022
18 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Lance McMillian
8 books44 followersLance McMillian is a recovering lawyer who gave up the courtroom for the classroom. For over a decade, Lance has taught Constitutional Law to future lawyers at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School. Now he writes books. The Murder of Sara Barton is his debut novel.
Being a great writer first requires being a great reader. Lance loves taut legal thrillers, heart-pounding crime fiction, and captivating murder mysteries. His literary inspirations include Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, John Grisham, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ross Macdonald, Walker Percy, Agatha Christie, and, of course, Harper Lee.
Lance's writing career began as a weekly columnist for The Daily Tar Heel while an undergraduate at UNC. As a UGA law student, he also contributed columns to The Red and Black. In the academic realm, his scholarly work about lawyers and pop culture has appeared in leading law journals. The American Bar Association chose him to write a book chapter in its acclaimed project Lawyers in Your Living Room: Law on Television, which included chapters by actors Sam Waterston and James Woods.
But if Lance is being honest, writing novels is the most fun.
Being a great writer first requires being a great reader. Lance loves taut legal thrillers, heart-pounding crime fiction, and captivating murder mysteries. His literary inspirations include Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, John Grisham, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, Erle Stanley Gardner, Ross Macdonald, Walker Percy, Agatha Christie, and, of course, Harper Lee.
Lance's writing career began as a weekly columnist for The Daily Tar Heel while an undergraduate at UNC. As a UGA law student, he also contributed columns to The Red and Black. In the academic realm, his scholarly work about lawyers and pop culture has appeared in leading law journals. The American Bar Association chose him to write a book chapter in its acclaimed project Lawyers in Your Living Room: Law on Television, which included chapters by actors Sam Waterston and James Woods.
But if Lance is being honest, writing novels is the most fun.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 26, 2023
An overtly biblical worldview, very unusual for this genre. Wish more writers could do this. Love this series.
April 4, 2024
While I enjoy the characters of Chance, Scott and JD, and look forward to each book in the series, I am not as overjoyed with the stories ever since the first two. I want more shock value, maybe?
What I liked in this book: a murder occurs right at the beginning and we are introduced to the possible suspects. None of them were likeable and I did not correctly guess the murderer. Also, I like the dynamics between Chance and Scott, how their personalities mesh.
What I didn't like: the simplicity with which Chance guesses the murderer. It seemed to need more proof or a better "a-ha" moment than that. I am not a fan of the Chance-Kate pairing. I would like Chance to have more temptations and have him rely on his deep moral convictions and faith to help him sort things out.
I will move on to #5 in the series sooner rather than later.
What I liked in this book: a murder occurs right at the beginning and we are introduced to the possible suspects. None of them were likeable and I did not correctly guess the murderer. Also, I like the dynamics between Chance and Scott, how their personalities mesh.
What I didn't like: the simplicity with which Chance guesses the murderer. It seemed to need more proof or a better "a-ha" moment than that. I am not a fan of the Chance-Kate pairing. I would like Chance to have more temptations and have him rely on his deep moral convictions and faith to help him sort things out.
I will move on to #5 in the series sooner rather than later.
January 31, 2024
The story is mysterious and thrilling with some drama and twists. This is a suspense thriller with a lot of suspects that will keep the readers guessing till the end. The engaging plot and the twists with the revelation of secrets will keep the readers engrossed till the end. Moreover, if the readers have read the previous book and know the back story about the protagonist ‘Chance’, they will appreciate the story even more. It is a highly recommended book for readers who like this genre.
Personally Take:
I love reading this series. I am so invested with the characters and I just love the way the author writes his books. It was a great mystery which had me curious till the very end.
Personally Take:
I love reading this series. I am so invested with the characters and I just love the way the author writes his books. It was a great mystery which had me curious till the very end.
August 18, 2022
Another really good mystery in this series. So many suspects, such a dysfunctional family. Breaking down all the secrets and reasons for the murder are realized. Well written. This author truly knows how to draw you in and keep your interest. I knew who the killer was about half way but was still worth the read. Great mystery and interesting characters.
January 23, 2023
Another fabulous combination. Author Lance McMillian and Narrator George Newbern. This is the 4th book I’ve now listened to by this author and really hope there will be a 5th. I love the MC Chance Meridian and lots of other interesting characters. George is amazing at all the various voices. Well written and very authentic. Highly recommended.
January 8, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much for the series- true to style yet unique plot. This was definitely the smoothest, most refined of the series. Overall, this was well done and everything I waited for in its release.
February 4, 2024
Each one a great story
Having now read the 4 books in the series , I can honestly say I have each one to be full of many suspects with many reasons each one is guilty. Chance leads you through his thinking and yet the the guilty one is a surprise looking forward to number 5
Having now read the 4 books in the series , I can honestly say I have each one to be full of many suspects with many reasons each one is guilty. Chance leads you through his thinking and yet the the guilty one is a surprise looking forward to number 5
October 4, 2022
Nail-biting like all the rest of the Atlanta Murder Squad series! So intense and captivating, I finished it in one day! Can’t wait for the 5th book in the series!
January 8, 2023
The narrator of this book has changed the tenor of the characters series from the first two books and doesn't make the book as good as the first two.
July 22, 2023
3.5
I saw this one coming from the beginning. Still a good police procedural.
I saw this one coming from the beginning. Still a good police procedural.
May 26, 2024
A bit drawn out.
October 8, 2024
A Page turner
Lance McMillan does not disappoint. His style of writing keeps one engrossed and challenges you to guess who done it. Some romance to top it off.
Lance McMillan does not disappoint. His style of writing keeps one engrossed and challenges you to guess who done it. Some romance to top it off.
January 23, 2023
Surprisingly, I believe I have had enough of this author and this story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews