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Jason Rich #2
Rich Waters
A Wall Street Journal bestseller. From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Robert Bailey comes a haunting legal thriller about the price of redemption for a billboard lawyer who takes a case he can’t win in a town he can’t forget. Now that attorney Jason Rich has returned home to Guntersville, Alabama, the “In an accident? Get rich!” lawyer is anxious to leave his checkered past behind. Jason hopes this next chapter in his life will be a chance to confront his personal troubles while making amends with his family. But when a former high school football star stands accused of killing a police officer, Jason is unwillingly thrust into the chaos. The local meth king blackmails Jason into defending the alleged murderer, and Jason knows he can’t refuse. With the lives of his family and closest friends on the line, he takes the obviously unwinnable case. As Jason dives into the investigation, he vows to dismantle the meth empire gripping his hometown. But as he confronts alternative suspects and follows new leads, Jason realizes that everyone has secrets to hide and interests to protect―at any cost.
509 pages, Paperback
First published June 20, 2023
3029 people are currently reading
3661 people want to read
About the author
Robert Bailey
12 books1,317 followersRobert Bailey is the bestselling and award winning author of the McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers series, which includes The Final Reckoning, The Last Trial, Between Black and White, and The Professor, as well as the Bocephus Haynes’ series, which debuted with Legacy of Lies. He is also the author of the inspirational novel, The Golfer’s Carol.
Robert was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he’s loved stories, especially those about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Robert obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in North Carolina. Law School at the University of Alabama followed, where Robert made Law Review, competed on the school’s trial team and managed to watch every home football game.
For the past twenty-one years, he’s been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville. He and his wife, Dixie, have three kids.
Robert was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he’s loved stories, especially those about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Robert obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in North Carolina. Law School at the University of Alabama followed, where Robert made Law Review, competed on the school’s trial team and managed to watch every home football game.
For the past twenty-one years, he’s been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville. He and his wife, Dixie, have three kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews
May 30, 2023
This second installment picks up a few months after the first installment ended. The book summary basically introduces the premise for the primary storyline, the investigation and trial of the murder of a police officer, Kelly Flowers, by Trey Cowen, a former friend and teammate of Kelly’s. Cade, the local drug lord, is blackmailing Jason to represent Trey by threatening to kill everyone that Jason loves and cares about.
What the book summary doesn’t tell us is that both Kelly and Trey worked for Cade. Of course, there are secondary storylines like the one where Jason and Chase have broken up because Jason proposed to Chase and she kind of freaked out and split. There is also the one where both Nola, Jason’s niece, and Chase are now addicts as well as customers of Cade’s, and that he uses that to threaten Jason. There is also the one where the lead investigator for the police dept disappears because she was conducting an internal investigation on Kelly over suspicions that he was working for Cade and was the providing privileged info to Cade, with the Chief’s knowledge. Suffice it to say, there’s a lot going on and Jason’s life is still as much of a hot mess as it was in the first installment.
In the second half of the story, around the 60-65% mark, I became so annoyed and irritated with the direction the story was taking, especially over one particular scene, that I had to take a break from the book and started reading another book, one of my fave series installments, knowing that I wouldn’t be disappointed. Sometimes, I need to do this with some books, especially if I want to finish that book later.
After picking it back up, some of the storylines began to merge and the two different trial dates had arrived. This is one of the things that I dislike about legal dramas: all the courtroom antics and shenanigans. It’s all that nonsense that makes legal thrillers my least favorite thrillers. Fortunately, this leaned more heavily on the investigation part of the story than the courtroom part. The ending scenes for the primary storyline finally arrived and were a bit of a hot mess, as well as a little underwhelming.
I didn’t like this installment as much as I did the first one, which is kind of surprising since this installment was the reason why I even chose to read the series, starting with the first installment. For me, most of the story was a 2-2.5star read. I’ve said this before and it bears mentioning again, for me, a halfway decent ending can be the difference between a 2star and a 3star rating. The best part about this story was the Epilogue. LOVED IT!!! Hence, the 3star rating. This was actually the ending that I really wanted to read in the first installment.
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #RichWaters
What the book summary doesn’t tell us is that both Kelly and Trey worked for Cade. Of course, there are secondary storylines like the one where Jason and Chase have broken up because Jason proposed to Chase and she kind of freaked out and split. There is also the one where both Nola, Jason’s niece, and Chase are now addicts as well as customers of Cade’s, and that he uses that to threaten Jason. There is also the one where the lead investigator for the police dept disappears because she was conducting an internal investigation on Kelly over suspicions that he was working for Cade and was the providing privileged info to Cade, with the Chief’s knowledge. Suffice it to say, there’s a lot going on and Jason’s life is still as much of a hot mess as it was in the first installment.
In the second half of the story, around the 60-65% mark, I became so annoyed and irritated with the direction the story was taking, especially over one particular scene, that I had to take a break from the book and started reading another book, one of my fave series installments, knowing that I wouldn’t be disappointed. Sometimes, I need to do this with some books, especially if I want to finish that book later.
After picking it back up, some of the storylines began to merge and the two different trial dates had arrived. This is one of the things that I dislike about legal dramas: all the courtroom antics and shenanigans. It’s all that nonsense that makes legal thrillers my least favorite thrillers. Fortunately, this leaned more heavily on the investigation part of the story than the courtroom part. The ending scenes for the primary storyline finally arrived and were a bit of a hot mess, as well as a little underwhelming.
I didn’t like this installment as much as I did the first one, which is kind of surprising since this installment was the reason why I even chose to read the series, starting with the first installment. For me, most of the story was a 2-2.5star read. I’ve said this before and it bears mentioning again, for me, a halfway decent ending can be the difference between a 2star and a 3star rating. The best part about this story was the Epilogue. LOVED IT!!! Hence, the 3star rating. This was actually the ending that I really wanted to read in the first installment.
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #Thomas&Mercer #RichWaters
August 27, 2024
2 stars! ⭐️⭐️
This is the second book in the Jason Rich legal thriller series. It took me almost an entire month to get through it! It stinks because I enjoyed Rich Blood. Wow, what a letdown this was compared to the first book. Clocking in at 500 pages, this could’ve been so much better!
There is so much filler and fluff here. Examples: multiple pages of Jason working out - in detail - including what he’s wearing and his entire playlist. This happens a few times throughout the story. Constant reminders of his alcoholism and how much he wishes he could have a drink. There were also lots of things we learned in the first book that we didn’t need to repetitively re-hash. SO DRAWN OUT.
By the 70% mark I had lost interest and started skimming. The courtroom scenes (something I love in legal thrillers) were lackluster and the ending was blah. I think I’m gonna call it a day on this series. The third book is even longer and I don’t think I can take it.
This is the second book in the Jason Rich legal thriller series. It took me almost an entire month to get through it! It stinks because I enjoyed Rich Blood. Wow, what a letdown this was compared to the first book. Clocking in at 500 pages, this could’ve been so much better!
There is so much filler and fluff here. Examples: multiple pages of Jason working out - in detail - including what he’s wearing and his entire playlist. This happens a few times throughout the story. Constant reminders of his alcoholism and how much he wishes he could have a drink. There were also lots of things we learned in the first book that we didn’t need to repetitively re-hash. SO DRAWN OUT.
By the 70% mark I had lost interest and started skimming. The courtroom scenes (something I love in legal thrillers) were lackluster and the ending was blah. I think I’m gonna call it a day on this series. The third book is even longer and I don’t think I can take it.
October 10, 2025
Rich Waters is Book 2 in author, Robert Bailey’s Jason Rich series. In this instalment, which can be read as part of the series or as a stand-alone novel, Attorney Jason Rich, who usually specialises as an ambulance chaser, finds himself defending an apparently indefensible charge of murder of a police officer by a former high school football star. While the last thing a recovering alcoholic needs is to be thrust out of his comfort zone of personal injury litigation into criminal work of which he has absolutely no experience and having to defend a cop-killer in a small cop-friendly town, he is left little choice when he is blackmailed by a local, small time gangster and meth dealer. Rich lets nothing stand in the way of his doing the best he can for his client, one who is lacking in enthusiasm for his own defence. But just as he believes he is making some headway, he finds that there are those in the town who aren’t going to let him succeed.
Robert Bailey is a force to be reckoned with. Rich Waters gets off to a cracking start and doesn’t let up until the thrilling – and surprising – dénouement. This is a fast-paced court room drama by an author who knows his stuff. The main character, Jason Rich is a complex soul and like all Bailey’s characters, it will take the reader no time to reach the stage where they are personally acquainted. As a lawyer himself, the court room scenes have been accurately described and easy to visualise. The dialogue is believable, even if some of the antics outside the court room require a little stretch of the imagination. Rich Waters is a ripping yarn from an author to watch out for.
Robert Bailey is a force to be reckoned with. Rich Waters gets off to a cracking start and doesn’t let up until the thrilling – and surprising – dénouement. This is a fast-paced court room drama by an author who knows his stuff. The main character, Jason Rich is a complex soul and like all Bailey’s characters, it will take the reader no time to reach the stage where they are personally acquainted. As a lawyer himself, the court room scenes have been accurately described and easy to visualise. The dialogue is believable, even if some of the antics outside the court room require a little stretch of the imagination. Rich Waters is a ripping yarn from an author to watch out for.
January 18, 2023
Many thanks to both Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Rich Waters!
Expected publication: June 20th 2023
When a former high school football star stands accused of killing a police officer, Jason is unwillingly thrust into the chaos. Complications abound when the local meth king blackmails Jason into defending the alleged murderer.
I absolutely loved Rich Blood, and I wish I could say the same for Rich Waters. This time around, I was put off by a few things: Knowing every song Jason Rich was listening to at full volume got old after a while. Same with Jason repeatedly howling or screaming as loudly as he could whenever he was frustrated. I started wondering if he was an adult or a child! Lastly, and this one is probably being too nitpicky, what was with multiple characters repeatedly spitting on the ground? It was just weird.
Without a doubt, I enjoyed the courtroom drama, and I must say my favorite character was Colonel Satch Tonandel!
Mr. Bailey has mostly glowing reviews for Rich Waters, so it's possible this is a case of "It's not you, it's me."
Expected publication: June 20th 2023
When a former high school football star stands accused of killing a police officer, Jason is unwillingly thrust into the chaos. Complications abound when the local meth king blackmails Jason into defending the alleged murderer.
I absolutely loved Rich Blood, and I wish I could say the same for Rich Waters. This time around, I was put off by a few things: Knowing every song Jason Rich was listening to at full volume got old after a while. Same with Jason repeatedly howling or screaming as loudly as he could whenever he was frustrated. I started wondering if he was an adult or a child! Lastly, and this one is probably being too nitpicky, what was with multiple characters repeatedly spitting on the ground? It was just weird.
Without a doubt, I enjoyed the courtroom drama, and I must say my favorite character was Colonel Satch Tonandel!
Mr. Bailey has mostly glowing reviews for Rich Waters, so it's possible this is a case of "It's not you, it's me."
June 24, 2023
5.0 stars. An addictive, gripping read. Didn't want to put this book down. Things are still just as gritty and tense in attorney, Jason Rich's world, in this series 2nd book. Drug lord, Tyson Cade, ups the intensity and its all-out war between Jason and Cade as Cade threatens all Jason holds dear.
Robeet Bailey is quickly moving his way up on my list of favorite legal thriller authors. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
Robeet Bailey is quickly moving his way up on my list of favorite legal thriller authors. Can't wait for the next book in this series.
January 18, 2023
OMG - I'm so loving this Jason Rich series. I really enjoyed the first book and was excited to see this one come up for me to read.
It's time for another case for Jason Rich - one that will turn everything upside down. I was floored when we got to see a friend from another Robert Bailey enter the storyline. LOVED it.
If you enjoyed any of Robert Bailey's other books you will enjoy this one for sure.
Plus, this book like the first in the series, is based in a neighboring county. And I know several of the locations mentioned. That made it so much better.
It's time for another case for Jason Rich - one that will turn everything upside down. I was floored when we got to see a friend from another Robert Bailey enter the storyline. LOVED it.
If you enjoyed any of Robert Bailey's other books you will enjoy this one for sure.
Plus, this book like the first in the series, is based in a neighboring county. And I know several of the locations mentioned. That made it so much better.
February 14, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this legal thriller with its interesting characters and twisty story. It’s quite a long book at about 500 pages, but I was so engrossed that I didn’t even notice the pages. I read the first book in this series a while back and was so glad to get back in Jason riches orbit. This was a great follow up to that first book. There was a lot of heartbreak in this book, but it was so engrossing and the characters were well developed. I also appreciated the crossover with a character from a previous series, the Bocephus Haynes series, which I also read a while ago. I’ve already attained a copy of the third book in this series and am anxious to get started. If you enjoy legal thrillers, I highly recommend this one and if you enjoy college football in the SEC, it’s an added bonus since there are a lot of references to certain college football teams.
July 4, 2023
This book is the second book in a series; however, it can be read as a standalone. Personally, I prefer to read series from the beginning. Sometimes, I read a new book that I end up liking and then go back to read the other books in the series from the beginning.
I liked the first book, Rich Blood (I gave that a 4-star rating).
This book, Rich Waters, was extremely well written, easy to read, interesting, included detailed information on most the characters as well as the town setting, and was exciting with many twists.
This novel is definitely a five star rating in my mind.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I highly recommend Rich Waters!
I liked the first book, Rich Blood (I gave that a 4-star rating).
This book, Rich Waters, was extremely well written, easy to read, interesting, included detailed information on most the characters as well as the town setting, and was exciting with many twists.
This novel is definitely a five star rating in my mind.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I highly recommend Rich Waters!
October 7, 2023
Good mystery, good surprises
January 18, 2023
"Get Rich" - Get this book! Read this series!! Wow. This a great new series - great new legal thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Colorful characters. Great story line. Fast-paced, action packed. Well-written. This is a must read for 2023.
Definitely recommend you start with the first book for the backstory. It's important to understand the development of the characters.
Thank you #netgalley and #thomasandmercer for the eARC.
Definitely recommend you start with the first book for the backstory. It's important to understand the development of the characters.
Thank you #netgalley and #thomasandmercer for the eARC.
August 4, 2023
My first review ever, but I felt obliged after finishing the book. The action starts right off the rip and continually accelerates until the unexpected ending. I would recommend read Rich Blood first which is fantastic in its own right. If you’re a fan of legal thrillers, fast paced action, and great characters, this book is a can’t miss!
July 8, 2023
I do love a legal crime thriller and I’m a huge fan of Robert Bailey’s in fact I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read by the author.
Rich Waters is the second book in the series and I would recommend you read them in order, as characters from the first book play a big role in this book.This novel, while still good, did not measure up to Rich Blood. I thought it lacked the dramatic legal court scenes that I have come to love. But never the less the story is fast paced, and there’s plenty of action to keep the reader entertained. The climax of the story was satisfying and sets the scene for the third book in the series.
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Rich Waters is the second book in the series and I would recommend you read them in order, as characters from the first book play a big role in this book.This novel, while still good, did not measure up to Rich Blood. I thought it lacked the dramatic legal court scenes that I have come to love. But never the less the story is fast paced, and there’s plenty of action to keep the reader entertained. The climax of the story was satisfying and sets the scene for the third book in the series.
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
January 17, 2023
Jason Rich is back with all of his friends, colleagues, enemies, demons, and other baggage. He’s being blackmailed into defending a cop killer and he finds his hands tied by to many people who want him to fail. Ever a pleaser, he finds that he can’t make everyone happy as he tries another unwinnable case against the same DA he faced in the first book of this excellent series. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
July 11, 2023
Once you read a Robert Baily book, you will be hooked. Trust me!
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book to see what trouble Rich gets himself into next. You will become obsessed with these characters and never want to stop reading. The suspense of who, what, why, and WTF will have you begging for more!!
Start this series from the beginning. You will thank us later!! I'm ready for more!
I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book to see what trouble Rich gets himself into next. You will become obsessed with these characters and never want to stop reading. The suspense of who, what, why, and WTF will have you begging for more!!
Start this series from the beginning. You will thank us later!! I'm ready for more!
July 25, 2023
Outstanding!!
Robert Bailey hits it out of the park again! From The Professor through the complete series, the ending is worth it every single time!! The appearance of Bocephus gave me goosebumps. I can’t wait for Jason’s next adventure - Rich Returns, maybe?
Robert Bailey hits it out of the park again! From The Professor through the complete series, the ending is worth it every single time!! The appearance of Bocephus gave me goosebumps. I can’t wait for Jason’s next adventure - Rich Returns, maybe?
August 3, 2023
I have read and loved all of Robert Bailey’s legal thrillers. Thanks once again for writing another page turner that takes place in local Alabama.
September 29, 2023
I do not want to live in the South that Robert Bailey describes. All of his series are populated by corrupt cops, drug king pins, failed athletes, and other unsavory characters. Rich Waters is no exception. Trey Cowans is a washed-up former football player whom we met in the first Jason Rich story as the victim of a botched surgery. He is drinking his troubles away in a bar when his former friend, now slick police officer Kelly Flowers goads him into a very public fight. Then Flowers is murdered. Trey is charged with the killing and Jason Rich is forced by the local drug lord to represent him. But everyone is terrified of the drug lord and no one will cooperate. And then the deaths and disappearances start to mount.
All that said, it's a spirited read and Bailey connects the characters in Jason Rich's world to those from his other series, which is fun.
All that said, it's a spirited read and Bailey connects the characters in Jason Rich's world to those from his other series, which is fun.
March 9, 2025
Rich Waters is a billboard lawyer who is forced to handle a murder case defending a former high school football star accused of murdering a police officer. His defense is weak, as his client was drunk at the time threatening to kill officer's Flowers just hours before, which was video tapped. His 12 ga. Shotgun was found in his truck with a spent shell. Lots of secrets are unfolded by the characters of the players in this story
I enjoyed reading this book i never would
have found this author if i didnt participate in following Goodreads.
I enjoyed reading this book i never would
have found this author if i didnt participate in following Goodreads.
May 24, 2024
Holy Cow! Sometimes the second book in a series is a let down because the first one is so good. That is not the case with Rich Waters! It was just as good and possibly even better. Many surprising twist and turns The narration was excellent.
July 8, 2024
OUTSTANDING!!! Anxiously awaiting the next. Robert Bailey, I’d like to invite you and your wife to sit with me and my hubs under our patio for a few libations. I love every single book he’s written.
October 20, 2025
As someone from Guntersville, I just love reading about places I know, understand, and can visualize with such clarity. I flew through the first book and was excited to read this one but it was 150 pages too long with the trial maybe 10% of the story. Kept me reading but I was wondering when was it going to end? I will read the third book because I love my hometown.
July 24, 2024
Great series
November 13, 2024
Good pace for the story. Kept me interested until the final page. Make sure to check out the other books in this series. Ready for the next in the series and more from this author.
July 11, 2025
wow
I was unable to figure this one out until the author told us!! Great job! On to the last one in the series!
I was unable to figure this one out until the author told us!! Great job! On to the last one in the series!
August 19, 2025
3 ⭐️ only because of the second half of the book. The first half was 1. So much repeat of the first book. Boring. Also only a few characters in the book were likeable and of any worth. Bad cops, drugs, dealers, murders and sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2023
This series is just not as good as his others. This felt somehow boring. Nothing new or exciting here. 2 stars.
June 30, 2024
I really enjoyed the first book in this series a little more than this one. But overall it was an enjoyable read and good story.
May 29, 2024
Lots of action … fast paced and great characters !
January 9, 2023
I received an ARC of this second book in the author's Jason Rich series through NetGalley.
I have liked several of this author's pervious works, rating two of his books 5-stars and the first Jason Rich novel (Rich Blood) 4-stars. This novel, while still good, did not measure up to Rich Blood.
There were a lot of characters in Rich Waters and almost every single one of them had extreme issues, causing me to unable to see the plot as realistic. The pace was great and plenty of action kept me entertained. And the story was interrupted to allow the author to cement ambulance-chasing attorney Jason Rich as an eccentric with an affinity for pro wrestling and hard rock music.
In this story, Jason Rich takes on the defense of a former high school football star accused of murdering a policeman, one of his former teammates. Rich is not normally a defense attorney, but is coerced into taking this case on. The defendant is suffering from addictions, after losing out on his athletic career due to injury. Many of the characters in this book are drug addicts and/or illegal drug merchants.
This was an ARC, and I couldn't help but think that further editing could improve this book, tightening it up, removing rough edges.
I have liked several of this author's pervious works, rating two of his books 5-stars and the first Jason Rich novel (Rich Blood) 4-stars. This novel, while still good, did not measure up to Rich Blood.
There were a lot of characters in Rich Waters and almost every single one of them had extreme issues, causing me to unable to see the plot as realistic. The pace was great and plenty of action kept me entertained. And the story was interrupted to allow the author to cement ambulance-chasing attorney Jason Rich as an eccentric with an affinity for pro wrestling and hard rock music.
In this story, Jason Rich takes on the defense of a former high school football star accused of murdering a policeman, one of his former teammates. Rich is not normally a defense attorney, but is coerced into taking this case on. The defendant is suffering from addictions, after losing out on his athletic career due to injury. Many of the characters in this book are drug addicts and/or illegal drug merchants.
This was an ARC, and I couldn't help but think that further editing could improve this book, tightening it up, removing rough edges.
January 13, 2023
This is local author, Robert Bailey's, second Jason Rich story. Jason Rich, you might remember is successful billboard lawyer from Guntersville, Al. In book one he gets his sister off on a murder charge only to have her die once she gets out of jail. We now find Jason, guardian of his two nieces, still in Guntersville practicing law. But things are about to get complicated. Jason wants to take down Sand Mountain's local meth dealer before he has the chance to kill again. But can he turn to the police? Could there be a mole in the department? Oh and his long time friend and current girlfriend is MIA. His niece hate him and refuses to go to school. Jason is working very hard to stay sober and keep everyone alive. And there is a special guest appearance of The Bocephus Hanes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 355 reviews