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Thane Banning #2
Conviction
He orchestrated a murder. Now he must defend the man charged with the crime.
Thane Banning is ready for a fresh start. He survived five years in Forsman Prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and now he’s started a law firm to defend the innocent. But the past won’t stay buried for long.
Kilo Miller, a violent felon who tried to kill Thane in prison, is charged with Joseph Crowell’s murder, and Thane agrees to take the case. Thane knows for certain that Kilo didn’t kill Crowell—because Thane knows who did. It’s a secret he must protect in order to keep his family safe, but LAPD’s top detective is getting closer to the truth.
When strong evidence surfaces implicating Kilo in the murder, Thane discovers that conspiracy runs deep in LA’s court system. But proving Kilo's innocence could reveal Thane's own dark history and send him back to death row.
With help from his colleagues Gideon and Kristen, Thane must uncover who is framing Kilo and targeting his associates before he loses the case—and even his freedom. His conviction to represent the innocent forces him to face the ultimate test:
Is he willing to let an innocent man go to prison to avoid his own life sentence?
Thane Banning is ready for a fresh start. He survived five years in Forsman Prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and now he’s started a law firm to defend the innocent. But the past won’t stay buried for long.
Kilo Miller, a violent felon who tried to kill Thane in prison, is charged with Joseph Crowell’s murder, and Thane agrees to take the case. Thane knows for certain that Kilo didn’t kill Crowell—because Thane knows who did. It’s a secret he must protect in order to keep his family safe, but LAPD’s top detective is getting closer to the truth.
When strong evidence surfaces implicating Kilo in the murder, Thane discovers that conspiracy runs deep in LA’s court system. But proving Kilo's innocence could reveal Thane's own dark history and send him back to death row.
With help from his colleagues Gideon and Kristen, Thane must uncover who is framing Kilo and targeting his associates before he loses the case—and even his freedom. His conviction to represent the innocent forces him to face the ultimate test:
Is he willing to let an innocent man go to prison to avoid his own life sentence?
- GenresLegal ThrillerThriller
359 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2022
402 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 5, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and TCK Publishing for the opportunity to read this legal thriller that introduced me to a promising author. I enjoyed the well-developed characters, their dialogue and the suspense. It can be read as a stand-alone book, but I thought lawyer Thane Banning's dilemmas, actions, interpersonal relations, attitude, and concerns depended much on what happened in the previous book, Contempt, so I immediately purchased and downloaded it. I will be looking forward to future books written by Michael Cordell!
November 5, 2023
In "Conviction: A Legal Thriller," Thane Banning's quest for justice continues, and it's another rollercoaster ride of suspense. Thane, determined to clear the name of an innocent man, is confronted with secrets from his own dark past. The conspiracies in L.A.'s court system add layers of complexity, and the ethical dilemma Thane faces is truly thought-provoking. With the help of his colleagues, Thane navigates treacherous waters. Michael Cordell's storytelling prowess shines through, and this book, like its predecessor, is a gripping tale that left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating what comes next in this compelling legal thriller series.
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November 14, 2022
When I read the blurb for Conviction, I was intrigued. While I read many books (and stress a lot), I rarely read legal thrillers. So, I accepted the invitation, and I am glad I did. This book is an important book to read.
Conviction is the second book in the Thane Banning series. Unlike most other books in other series, readers can read this one as a standalone. The author briefly explained what happened in book one and brought up other characters/events. But the book primarily focused the what Thane, Kristin, and Gideon were doing for their current clients.
The plot of Conviction was intriguing. Thane Banning is a lawyer who had spent five years on death row, convicted of a murder he didn’t do. After being released, he started a law firm to defend people falsely accused of crimes. Almost simultaneously, two cases come across his desk. One case involves Gideon’s nephew. Arrested after delivering a package to a house for a friend, Gus is held in prison. But a dirty cop threatens to send him to jail for a long time if he doesn’t tell him what he wants to hear. The other case involves the inmate who tried to kill Thane. He had been arrested for the murder of Thane’s mentor. Thane knows that he is innocent. Why? Because Thane knows who killed his mentor. As the lawyers work with their clients, they realize that the corruption of the police and DA’s office runs much deeper than they initially thought. Can they prove the innocence of their clients? Or will their clients go to jail on false charges?
Conviction takes place entirely in Los Angeles. The author didn’t bring Hollywood or the actors up. Instead, he focused on the everyday people that live there-the good, the bad, and the morally gray people. I enjoyed it.
The author amazingly wrote the main characters in Conviction. There was depth to them that I wasn’t expecting. And the secondary characters added an extra oomph to the storyline.
Thane: I enjoyed his character. He was as morally gray as a character could get. He understood what it was like inside prison. He also emphasized with the family members whose loved ones were falsely accused. I also liked his investigation style. It was a little unorthodox but never crossed the line where the evidence would be inadmissible in court.
Gideon: I enjoyed his scenes. I don’t know why he was in prison or how he got out (it was probably explained in book 1), but I do know, from what I read, that it was justified. Gideon had no issue using his size to intimidate people into giving him information (thinking of his nephew’s friends).
Kristin: I wouldn’t say I liked her character as much as the other two. She was almost too abrasive in some scenes and weak in others. She did hit her stride, though, during Kilo’s trial. Her takedown of that detective was muah (chef’s kiss).
Gus: I was enraged for him. He was done dirty by his friends (mostly Jamie but also Andre, to an extent). I couldn’t believe what I was reading when he was arrested and held in jail. He wasn’t even allowed a phone call, which ticked me off. And then to listen to the detective say what he did. My blood boiled. I know this is a reality of POC daily, and it sickens me.
Kilo: OK, so when Kilo was introduced, and Thane agreed to take his case, I had the same reaction as everyone else in the office. Why? But only some things are what it seems with Kilo, and I was surprised at what was revealed., and I was surprised at what was revealed. I loved how dedicated his wife was to him. I was rooting for him to be found not guilty.
The secondary characters, as I mentioned, were just as well-written as the main ones. I did have my favorites. I loved the saucy (and snarky) Letitia. She had me nodding my head during her scenes. So much of what she said is true. Cricket was my other favorite. She was a ten-year-old hacker Thane was representing for free and was terrific. She stole the scenes every time she appeared. I loved that she was repentant for what she did and told Thane that she would keep doing it. I hope she is made more of a main character in upcoming books.
Conviction fits very well into the thriller genre. I was kept on edge the entire time and didn’t know what would happen from one chapter to the next. That is the way someone should write a legal thriller. There was a point where I thought Kilo wouldn’t get off. I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen.
The author amazingly wrote the main storyline. It was a twisty, turny storyline that (along with the thriller angle) kept me glued to the book. I had doubts that Thane could keep himself from being implicated in his mentor’s death, and the author did nothing to dissuade me from thinking about that.
The secondary storylines were just as good as the main one. They added additional information and background on several secondary characters and the main ones.
The end of Conviction was a nail-biter. As stated above, I worried for Kilo and Gus. But, after a major twist (I saw it coming and relished it), the author had an ending that I enjoyed and loved. I cannot wait to read book three when it comes out.
Three things I like about Conviction:
The characters (primary and secondary). They were believable and well-fleshed out.
The social justice issues that the author addressed.
The storylines. They were all well-written.
Three things I disliked about Conviction:
Detective Malone. He was as slimy as they come, and I hope he gets what is coming.
Stick (Andre’s brother). He was an evil man, and I hope he gets what is coming.
The ex-DA. He kept showing up on Thane’s runs. It gave me stalky vibes.
I would recommend Conviction to anyone over 21. There is moderate violence, language, and sexual situations. There is also a scene where Kristin is physically assaulted in her apartment.
Conviction is the second book in the Thane Banning series. Unlike most other books in other series, readers can read this one as a standalone. The author briefly explained what happened in book one and brought up other characters/events. But the book primarily focused the what Thane, Kristin, and Gideon were doing for their current clients.
The plot of Conviction was intriguing. Thane Banning is a lawyer who had spent five years on death row, convicted of a murder he didn’t do. After being released, he started a law firm to defend people falsely accused of crimes. Almost simultaneously, two cases come across his desk. One case involves Gideon’s nephew. Arrested after delivering a package to a house for a friend, Gus is held in prison. But a dirty cop threatens to send him to jail for a long time if he doesn’t tell him what he wants to hear. The other case involves the inmate who tried to kill Thane. He had been arrested for the murder of Thane’s mentor. Thane knows that he is innocent. Why? Because Thane knows who killed his mentor. As the lawyers work with their clients, they realize that the corruption of the police and DA’s office runs much deeper than they initially thought. Can they prove the innocence of their clients? Or will their clients go to jail on false charges?
Conviction takes place entirely in Los Angeles. The author didn’t bring Hollywood or the actors up. Instead, he focused on the everyday people that live there-the good, the bad, and the morally gray people. I enjoyed it.
The author amazingly wrote the main characters in Conviction. There was depth to them that I wasn’t expecting. And the secondary characters added an extra oomph to the storyline.
Thane: I enjoyed his character. He was as morally gray as a character could get. He understood what it was like inside prison. He also emphasized with the family members whose loved ones were falsely accused. I also liked his investigation style. It was a little unorthodox but never crossed the line where the evidence would be inadmissible in court.
Gideon: I enjoyed his scenes. I don’t know why he was in prison or how he got out (it was probably explained in book 1), but I do know, from what I read, that it was justified. Gideon had no issue using his size to intimidate people into giving him information (thinking of his nephew’s friends).
Kristin: I wouldn’t say I liked her character as much as the other two. She was almost too abrasive in some scenes and weak in others. She did hit her stride, though, during Kilo’s trial. Her takedown of that detective was muah (chef’s kiss).
Gus: I was enraged for him. He was done dirty by his friends (mostly Jamie but also Andre, to an extent). I couldn’t believe what I was reading when he was arrested and held in jail. He wasn’t even allowed a phone call, which ticked me off. And then to listen to the detective say what he did. My blood boiled. I know this is a reality of POC daily, and it sickens me.
Kilo: OK, so when Kilo was introduced, and Thane agreed to take his case, I had the same reaction as everyone else in the office. Why? But only some things are what it seems with Kilo, and I was surprised at what was revealed., and I was surprised at what was revealed. I loved how dedicated his wife was to him. I was rooting for him to be found not guilty.
The secondary characters, as I mentioned, were just as well-written as the main ones. I did have my favorites. I loved the saucy (and snarky) Letitia. She had me nodding my head during her scenes. So much of what she said is true. Cricket was my other favorite. She was a ten-year-old hacker Thane was representing for free and was terrific. She stole the scenes every time she appeared. I loved that she was repentant for what she did and told Thane that she would keep doing it. I hope she is made more of a main character in upcoming books.
Conviction fits very well into the thriller genre. I was kept on edge the entire time and didn’t know what would happen from one chapter to the next. That is the way someone should write a legal thriller. There was a point where I thought Kilo wouldn’t get off. I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen.
The author amazingly wrote the main storyline. It was a twisty, turny storyline that (along with the thriller angle) kept me glued to the book. I had doubts that Thane could keep himself from being implicated in his mentor’s death, and the author did nothing to dissuade me from thinking about that.
The secondary storylines were just as good as the main one. They added additional information and background on several secondary characters and the main ones.
The end of Conviction was a nail-biter. As stated above, I worried for Kilo and Gus. But, after a major twist (I saw it coming and relished it), the author had an ending that I enjoyed and loved. I cannot wait to read book three when it comes out.
Three things I like about Conviction:
The characters (primary and secondary). They were believable and well-fleshed out.
The social justice issues that the author addressed.
The storylines. They were all well-written.
Three things I disliked about Conviction:
Detective Malone. He was as slimy as they come, and I hope he gets what is coming.
Stick (Andre’s brother). He was an evil man, and I hope he gets what is coming.
The ex-DA. He kept showing up on Thane’s runs. It gave me stalky vibes.
I would recommend Conviction to anyone over 21. There is moderate violence, language, and sexual situations. There is also a scene where Kristin is physically assaulted in her apartment.
March 16, 2024
I liked this book, I liked it a little less than the first one though, mainly because the story and the ending from book one dominated this one as well.
I am ok with a theme that keeps running as a parallel story line, but I like the characters and the writing so much that I want to see new narratives.
I really like that characters are not naively white or black, I enjoy the moral dilemmas.
Kristin’s “ I am not a helpless girl” was a bit over the top though, who wouldn’t want someone trying to protect them from a psychotic criminal?
I really hope Michael Cordell will continue writing this series.
I am ok with a theme that keeps running as a parallel story line, but I like the characters and the writing so much that I want to see new narratives.
I really like that characters are not naively white or black, I enjoy the moral dilemmas.
Kristin’s “ I am not a helpless girl” was a bit over the top though, who wouldn’t want someone trying to protect them from a psychotic criminal?
I really hope Michael Cordell will continue writing this series.
November 30, 2022
A legal thriller where many not-so-legal tactics were used. It tackles the one age-old question on whether the ends justify the means surprisingly well and gives you some food for thought by the end of the book.
This is a sequel, but the book gives you enough bits of info about the first book so that you don't feel like you're missing out on any references to it. We have Thane Banning, a lawyer who has experienced being wronged by the legal system, having been previously sent to prison for a murder he didn't commit. After he was proven innocent and back to lawyering, he takes on a case where a young boy of color is being charged with drug dealing after he was accidentally set up in a drug bust situation. To keep things short, there is a certain degree of deception involved in the evidence for the case, and when your opponent is playing dirty, it's easy to land yourself in a situation where it seems like all odds are stacked against you.
It's a saddening situation, and it was mostly all the unfairness going on that kept the pages turning. To be honest, I wasn't very satisfied with how things turned out and even found it to be rather anticlimactic. The case felt like a backdrop, and the main conflict is actually Thane's internal conflicts regarding his time in prison and how it affected him personally. But by the end of the book, I appreciated what it was trying to convey. I also ended up feeling conflicted about what I felt about the question and whether the situation could have panned out differently. So, I bumped it up to 4 stars for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and TCK Publishing for providing me with a free ARC of this book.
This is a sequel, but the book gives you enough bits of info about the first book so that you don't feel like you're missing out on any references to it. We have Thane Banning, a lawyer who has experienced being wronged by the legal system, having been previously sent to prison for a murder he didn't commit. After he was proven innocent and back to lawyering, he takes on a case where a young boy of color is being charged with drug dealing after he was accidentally set up in a drug bust situation. To keep things short, there is a certain degree of deception involved in the evidence for the case, and when your opponent is playing dirty, it's easy to land yourself in a situation where it seems like all odds are stacked against you.
It's a saddening situation, and it was mostly all the unfairness going on that kept the pages turning. To be honest, I wasn't very satisfied with how things turned out and even found it to be rather anticlimactic. The case felt like a backdrop, and the main conflict is actually Thane's internal conflicts regarding his time in prison and how it affected him personally. But by the end of the book, I appreciated what it was trying to convey. I also ended up feeling conflicted about what I felt about the question and whether the situation could have panned out differently. So, I bumped it up to 4 stars for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and TCK Publishing for providing me with a free ARC of this book.
December 20, 2025
I bloody did it again!
Okay, so first of all – this is a fantastic book and an absolute must-read if you like legal thrillers.
But also, I somehow managed to read these books out of order.
Not that it matters – but first time around, I somehow started with book 3 in the series, instead of book 1. It was great, actually it was absolutelty fantastic – so I didn’t feel like it mattered at all. Sure, there were some character introductions that I didn’t really understand, and some backstory that it was assumed I knew from before, but I picked it up after just a little while and it didn’t really matter.
It was the same with this book – after a few dozens of pages, when I realized I was reading book 2 in the series, and not book 1.
Honestly, it hardly matters. All the books follow Thane Banning, super-lawyer-and-protector-of-the-people, and actually, I thought this one was much more interesting than book 3.
In this we see Thane Banning build up his law firm, after whatever terrible ordeals happened in book 1 (which I’ve never really gotten a proper grasp of since I haven’t read the first book, but I know it locked him for five years) – and anyway, it’s awesome to see the company take shape and follow Thane’s colleagues as they develop into hard-ass law firm employees.
This second book in the series sees Thane take on the defense of a hardened criminal he knows for a fact is innocent (don’t ask me how) as well as Thane’s collleagues trying to prove a teenagers innocence. Honestly, it’s fascinating, capticativating anf thrilling all at once.
Thing is, Cordell is a damn good writer. His books are fast-paced and to the point, yet at the same time you never feel like you’re left hanging or in the dark. There’s nothing that isn’t told, and nowhere do you feel like you’re left in the dark – except when you ought to be.
Honestly, I don’t even feel like I’m missing out on book 1 – even though I know I messed up again – somehow. Maybe one day I’ll get around to actually start the series properly with book 1.
So, I love the genre, legal thrillers have always captivated me and Cordell is up there with the best of them. If you’re anything like me, I highly recommend it.
Okay, so first of all – this is a fantastic book and an absolute must-read if you like legal thrillers.
But also, I somehow managed to read these books out of order.
Not that it matters – but first time around, I somehow started with book 3 in the series, instead of book 1. It was great, actually it was absolutelty fantastic – so I didn’t feel like it mattered at all. Sure, there were some character introductions that I didn’t really understand, and some backstory that it was assumed I knew from before, but I picked it up after just a little while and it didn’t really matter.
It was the same with this book – after a few dozens of pages, when I realized I was reading book 2 in the series, and not book 1.
Honestly, it hardly matters. All the books follow Thane Banning, super-lawyer-and-protector-of-the-people, and actually, I thought this one was much more interesting than book 3.
In this we see Thane Banning build up his law firm, after whatever terrible ordeals happened in book 1 (which I’ve never really gotten a proper grasp of since I haven’t read the first book, but I know it locked him for five years) – and anyway, it’s awesome to see the company take shape and follow Thane’s colleagues as they develop into hard-ass law firm employees.
This second book in the series sees Thane take on the defense of a hardened criminal he knows for a fact is innocent (don’t ask me how) as well as Thane’s collleagues trying to prove a teenagers innocence. Honestly, it’s fascinating, capticativating anf thrilling all at once.
Thing is, Cordell is a damn good writer. His books are fast-paced and to the point, yet at the same time you never feel like you’re left hanging or in the dark. There’s nothing that isn’t told, and nowhere do you feel like you’re left in the dark – except when you ought to be.
Honestly, I don’t even feel like I’m missing out on book 1 – even though I know I messed up again – somehow. Maybe one day I’ll get around to actually start the series properly with book 1.
So, I love the genre, legal thrillers have always captivated me and Cordell is up there with the best of them. If you’re anything like me, I highly recommend it.
October 27, 2022
I was given a free copy of this book through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It initially took a few chapters for me to get into this book and get to know the characters and their back stories as I have not read the first book. Despite this I really enjoyed the book and the characters in it. I have since got my hands on the first book in this series and look forward to reading it.
It initially took a few chapters for me to get into this book and get to know the characters and their back stories as I have not read the first book. Despite this I really enjoyed the book and the characters in it. I have since got my hands on the first book in this series and look forward to reading it.
November 18, 2022
4+
“When the shiv plunged into his side, Thane didn’t even realize he had been stabbed.” With an opening line like this, you will know this is not a cozy read or a typical courtroom-driven legal thriller. But Thane Banning is not your typical defense attorney, having spent five years of a life sentence in prison for a murder he did not commit before being exonerated. Now he devotes his legal practice to trying to prevent others from being wrongfully convicted by giving them top-notch defense representation.
In Conviction, Thane tests the ethics behind his practice to the limit by defending the man who tried to stab him to death in prison, Kilo Miller. He feels he has to defend Kilo because he knows for a fact that he is innocent, but he cannot reveal to anyone how he knows this. On the flip side of ethics, Thane and his partner Kristin are also defending Gus, the Black teen-aged nephew of ex-con Gideon, who is now one of the members of Thane’s team. Gus, is innocent of the drug charges against him but is being pressured by an unscrupulous police detective into lying in order to entrap a big-time drug dealer.
Conviction has all of the elements I loved in the first Thane Banning novel, Contempt. The plot is enthralling, with lots of devious tricks and shenanigans by the bad guys and the police and the lawyers (Okay, okay, don’t say, “How can you tell the difference?”), both inside and outside the courtroom.
Michael Cordell has a highly readable writing style, very vivid without a lot of descriptive passages. He has a special knack for pithy chapter endings, sometimes suspenseful, sometimes humorous, and sometimes touching, as when Gus and his sister are talking about a traumatic event from their childhood. “ ‘No child should ever have to do what you did.’ Gideon looked back at his sister. ‘I was never a child.’”
It is the people (Notice I do not say “characters”.) in the book, though, that really make the book special. I have marginal notes that say things like “all of this sounds very human.” It is especially a thoughtful exploration of the man Thane Banning and the devastating effect that five years in prison had on him and the people who knew him, including his wife. One of the reasons I am drawn to legal thrillers is that they tend not to have the degree of nastiness found in many thrillers. As a result, I was at first repelled at some of the things that people in the book do (and still am), but then Cordell led me to understand some of it even when I do not agree with it. He helped me understand better the actions of the detective. When you see the truly devastating effects of the drug traffic, what lengths are defensible to help stop a major dealer?
You can enjoy Conviction if you have not read Contempt but I highly recommend reading Contempt first. Given the importance of character in the book, getting more of the background will help the reader understand them better. And I hope and expect to get to know them even better in future books.
“When the shiv plunged into his side, Thane didn’t even realize he had been stabbed.” With an opening line like this, you will know this is not a cozy read or a typical courtroom-driven legal thriller. But Thane Banning is not your typical defense attorney, having spent five years of a life sentence in prison for a murder he did not commit before being exonerated. Now he devotes his legal practice to trying to prevent others from being wrongfully convicted by giving them top-notch defense representation.
In Conviction, Thane tests the ethics behind his practice to the limit by defending the man who tried to stab him to death in prison, Kilo Miller. He feels he has to defend Kilo because he knows for a fact that he is innocent, but he cannot reveal to anyone how he knows this. On the flip side of ethics, Thane and his partner Kristin are also defending Gus, the Black teen-aged nephew of ex-con Gideon, who is now one of the members of Thane’s team. Gus, is innocent of the drug charges against him but is being pressured by an unscrupulous police detective into lying in order to entrap a big-time drug dealer.
Conviction has all of the elements I loved in the first Thane Banning novel, Contempt. The plot is enthralling, with lots of devious tricks and shenanigans by the bad guys and the police and the lawyers (Okay, okay, don’t say, “How can you tell the difference?”), both inside and outside the courtroom.
Michael Cordell has a highly readable writing style, very vivid without a lot of descriptive passages. He has a special knack for pithy chapter endings, sometimes suspenseful, sometimes humorous, and sometimes touching, as when Gus and his sister are talking about a traumatic event from their childhood. “ ‘No child should ever have to do what you did.’ Gideon looked back at his sister. ‘I was never a child.’”
It is the people (Notice I do not say “characters”.) in the book, though, that really make the book special. I have marginal notes that say things like “all of this sounds very human.” It is especially a thoughtful exploration of the man Thane Banning and the devastating effect that five years in prison had on him and the people who knew him, including his wife. One of the reasons I am drawn to legal thrillers is that they tend not to have the degree of nastiness found in many thrillers. As a result, I was at first repelled at some of the things that people in the book do (and still am), but then Cordell led me to understand some of it even when I do not agree with it. He helped me understand better the actions of the detective. When you see the truly devastating effects of the drug traffic, what lengths are defensible to help stop a major dealer?
You can enjoy Conviction if you have not read Contempt but I highly recommend reading Contempt first. Given the importance of character in the book, getting more of the background will help the reader understand them better. And I hope and expect to get to know them even better in future books.
May 7, 2023
We open shortly after the events of book one—Thane is preparing to eulogize his deceased employer, Joseph Crowell.
The author definitely has a thing for 5s, as we jump from Joseph’s funeral to…five months later.
We learn that Thane negotiated a huge settlement from the city of Los Angeles—for himself, and for a new law firm.
Kristin (love her) and Gideon (love him) are back, thankfully. Even though Kristin is an attention whore, she remains super cool and very loyal. It’s great that the team has stuck together. Letitia is a spitfire, but she’s extremely racist.
Cricket and the hacking is cute.
A lot of racialization where it’s overkill. The secondary and tertiary black characters come off as contrived and inauthentic.
While the villains are somewhat OTT in the first installment, they reach Dr. Evil levels here.
Some of the Gus plot points make little sense…why is no one, the authorities or even his own legal team, asking about or concerned with Jamie?
Gideon’s sister, Pearl, is a welcome addition. It’s good to learn more about Gideon’s background.
Thane being hypocritical about Kilo/Kyle actually works. The world is shades of grey—things are rarely just black and white (though this writer can sometimes try to paint them that way).
This author really struggles with race. Overcompensating? Incessant virtue signaling and over-racialization of…the entire story and almost all of the characters.
Way less action than Contempt—with middling results. The pacing isn’t the best in this novel, either. The story is compelling, and the efforts to not appear formulaic are appreciated, but the turn/downhill portion of the rollercoaster is very late. Not much time left for cleanup and resolution.
The ending is satisfying—until the bit with Stone. That seems to make things more complicated than they need to be.
The author definitely has a thing for 5s, as we jump from Joseph’s funeral to…five months later.
We learn that Thane negotiated a huge settlement from the city of Los Angeles—for himself, and for a new law firm.
Kristin (love her) and Gideon (love him) are back, thankfully. Even though Kristin is an attention whore, she remains super cool and very loyal. It’s great that the team has stuck together. Letitia is a spitfire, but she’s extremely racist.
Cricket and the hacking is cute.
A lot of racialization where it’s overkill. The secondary and tertiary black characters come off as contrived and inauthentic.
While the villains are somewhat OTT in the first installment, they reach Dr. Evil levels here.
Some of the Gus plot points make little sense…why is no one, the authorities or even his own legal team, asking about or concerned with Jamie?
Gideon’s sister, Pearl, is a welcome addition. It’s good to learn more about Gideon’s background.
Thane being hypocritical about Kilo/Kyle actually works. The world is shades of grey—things are rarely just black and white (though this writer can sometimes try to paint them that way).
This author really struggles with race. Overcompensating? Incessant virtue signaling and over-racialization of…the entire story and almost all of the characters.
Way less action than Contempt—with middling results. The pacing isn’t the best in this novel, either. The story is compelling, and the efforts to not appear formulaic are appreciated, but the turn/downhill portion of the rollercoaster is very late. Not much time left for cleanup and resolution.
The ending is satisfying—until the bit with Stone. That seems to make things more complicated than they need to be.
June 23, 2023
This is the second in the Thane Banning series, a worthy follow-up to 'Contempt' which I stumbled upon recently. Like its predecessor, it's a slick legal thriller with a morally ambiguous defence lawyer who specialises in representing (and exonerating) disadvataged clients who are being railroaded by a judicial system that has priorities other than the truth.
As in the first novel in the series, the book is not without its flaws and needs a lighter touch rather than a sledgehammer. There is a certain amount of what feels like virtue signalling and the characters are exaggerated to an extent that occasionally irritates. There is, for instance, a ten-year-old girl who not only talks but also acts like a highly educated thirty-year-old with a gift for repartee, the ability to hack into court records, and a mental agility that seems less than plausible. I also have my reservations about new addition Letitia, whose job interview and people skills border on the farcical and whose sole purpose seems to be to provide a touch of humour. Even the plot is contrived in places, the master plan dependent upon a number of factors that have to go Thane's way if he is to avoid humiliation.
But the pace is just about perfect and had me hooked throughout and I don't subscribe to the theory that a book has to be flawless to earn that fifth star. I read for many reasons and if I emerge from a book, feeling that it was a more than worthwhile investment, that's enough for me. If there is a third in this series, I will be sure to read it.
As in the first novel in the series, the book is not without its flaws and needs a lighter touch rather than a sledgehammer. There is a certain amount of what feels like virtue signalling and the characters are exaggerated to an extent that occasionally irritates. There is, for instance, a ten-year-old girl who not only talks but also acts like a highly educated thirty-year-old with a gift for repartee, the ability to hack into court records, and a mental agility that seems less than plausible. I also have my reservations about new addition Letitia, whose job interview and people skills border on the farcical and whose sole purpose seems to be to provide a touch of humour. Even the plot is contrived in places, the master plan dependent upon a number of factors that have to go Thane's way if he is to avoid humiliation.
But the pace is just about perfect and had me hooked throughout and I don't subscribe to the theory that a book has to be flawless to earn that fifth star. I read for many reasons and if I emerge from a book, feeling that it was a more than worthwhile investment, that's enough for me. If there is a third in this series, I will be sure to read it.
December 19, 2022
Conviction is a sequel of a legal thriller Contempt which following a lawyer name Thane who must clear his name and rearrange his life after being prison for a murder he didnt commit. Actually I am nervous to started read this one but lucky author gave readers few background stories about the first book so we still can enjoy and followed this book smoothly.
After John Grisham actually I rare read this sub genre. But this book is well written and keep me intrigued until the last. I like the storytelling style since first page, it is an attention grabbed paragraph. I also like how the plot is going on perfect layers of informations without revealing too much facts. The legal points seem realistic enough. The main character is flesh out, morally grey and I draws into his personal struggles and emotions suffer. I enjoyed the pace, all good twist and all colorful strong languages.
Thank you Netgalley and TCK Publishing for provided my copy. I am enjoyed my reading time and my thoughts are my own.
After John Grisham actually I rare read this sub genre. But this book is well written and keep me intrigued until the last. I like the storytelling style since first page, it is an attention grabbed paragraph. I also like how the plot is going on perfect layers of informations without revealing too much facts. The legal points seem realistic enough. The main character is flesh out, morally grey and I draws into his personal struggles and emotions suffer. I enjoyed the pace, all good twist and all colorful strong languages.
Thank you Netgalley and TCK Publishing for provided my copy. I am enjoyed my reading time and my thoughts are my own.
January 6, 2023
This is the first of Michael's books I've read and on the strength of this novel, it definitely won't be the last. Despite this being book 2 in a series with references to previous plot lines, this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book and it worked equally well as a stand-alone book. I was hooked from page 1. The main characters are Thane, Gideon and Kristen who are part of a legal team. Having wrongly been accused of murder and serving time Thane is compensated by the state and uses the money to set up a law firm to defend others in similar situations. He works alongside Gideon, a fellow inmate and Kristen who is new to the bar and keen to gain experience.
When a former prison inmate with whom Thane has a chequered history is accused of murder, Thane knows he couldn't have done it as he himself was involved in planning the offence. Will he step up and prevent the wrong man being convicted and, if so just how far is he prepared to go to accomplish this..
A gripping story with murder, injustice, corruption and a decent man at its heart, what more could you ask for.
When a former prison inmate with whom Thane has a chequered history is accused of murder, Thane knows he couldn't have done it as he himself was involved in planning the offence. Will he step up and prevent the wrong man being convicted and, if so just how far is he prepared to go to accomplish this..
A gripping story with murder, injustice, corruption and a decent man at its heart, what more could you ask for.
May 25, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for my copy of this book.
Legal thrillers are my favourite genre, so I was excited to read Conviction.
Thane is a legal defence lawyer with a difference. He has spent 5 years in jail himself, so he knows more about criminals than the average lawyer. After being wrongfully charged, Thane is given a compensation gift, which helps him open his legal office. He vows to protect the innocent.
Thane is a likable character and his ways of trying his cases are not always as straight forward as we might expect. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much, to see the round about ways this legal team find out the truth. But Thane also has his own secrets to protect. Secrets that even his own team don't know.
We meet a whole range of side characters, who I hope to see some of again in this author's next book. Yes, I'm already hoping for a book 3.
My only advice on reading this book, would be to read the first book first. I haven't, and I did feel like I was missing getting the whole story as clear as it would have been if I'd read Contempt first. I've now added this to my tbr.
A thoroughly enjoyable legal thriller with a range of eclectic characters.
Legal thrillers are my favourite genre, so I was excited to read Conviction.
Thane is a legal defence lawyer with a difference. He has spent 5 years in jail himself, so he knows more about criminals than the average lawyer. After being wrongfully charged, Thane is given a compensation gift, which helps him open his legal office. He vows to protect the innocent.
Thane is a likable character and his ways of trying his cases are not always as straight forward as we might expect. This is one of the reasons I enjoyed the book so much, to see the round about ways this legal team find out the truth. But Thane also has his own secrets to protect. Secrets that even his own team don't know.
We meet a whole range of side characters, who I hope to see some of again in this author's next book. Yes, I'm already hoping for a book 3.
My only advice on reading this book, would be to read the first book first. I haven't, and I did feel like I was missing getting the whole story as clear as it would have been if I'd read Contempt first. I've now added this to my tbr.
A thoroughly enjoyable legal thriller with a range of eclectic characters.
September 22, 2022
Excellent legal thriller. This is the second in a very good series, and even though this book can be read as a standalone, I’d recommend reading the first book for two reasons: get to know the main characters, and read another really good book. In this story lawyer Thane Banning is back defending the defenseless. His firm has resources due to suit against the city for false imprisonment, and rather than battling a misguided DA, this time they battle a detective who likes to abuse his power. An we’ll-designed plot and interesting supporting characters add to enjoyment of this clever tale. I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley from publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
November 11, 2025
a real page turner
Done well but a little weak on the lawyering side. My son works for the DA’s office and I talked to him about the no bail for Gus. First of all the lead detective has absolutely no say in the matter. There is an automatic bail hearing on all cases. A youthful first time offender with a clean history a good student in a stable home will be offered bail. Not even having a bail hearing is a huge mistake showing a lack of research. Otherwise I like the banter and chemistry of the Thane world. Will read book three and any other future in this series.
Done well but a little weak on the lawyering side. My son works for the DA’s office and I talked to him about the no bail for Gus. First of all the lead detective has absolutely no say in the matter. There is an automatic bail hearing on all cases. A youthful first time offender with a clean history a good student in a stable home will be offered bail. Not even having a bail hearing is a huge mistake showing a lack of research. Otherwise I like the banter and chemistry of the Thane world. Will read book three and any other future in this series.
December 30, 2022
I really enjoy legal thrillers so was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to preview this book. I read it as a standalone but think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous one, as a lot of Banning’s actions and feelings seemed to depend on what had happened before. However, the plot was interesting and engaging and the characters were well-developed. I’m looking forward to the next one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.
January 17, 2023
Loved this series
I choose this rating because I could not foresee how the book ends. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a thriller. I really liked Thane and his people. There were laughable as well as the horrid circumstances that Thane found himself in. I loved the wife that supported him even when she thought he was ruining everything. I would never have guessed the surprised ending. I will be following Mr. Cordell.
I choose this rating because I could not foresee how the book ends. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a thriller. I really liked Thane and his people. There were laughable as well as the horrid circumstances that Thane found himself in. I loved the wife that supported him even when she thought he was ruining everything. I would never have guessed the surprised ending. I will be following Mr. Cordell.
March 27, 2023
Unrealistic Character qualities
No one in their right made would hire Letitia, making that vein of character totaling unrealistic and not believable. Detracted from authenticity of the rest of the plot . Crickets character was also a little annoying and farfetched. It seems the author is trying too hard, leading to contrived personalities. Actually detracts from a fun and exciting book. Plot and story line was excellent.
No one in their right made would hire Letitia, making that vein of character totaling unrealistic and not believable. Detracted from authenticity of the rest of the plot . Crickets character was also a little annoying and farfetched. It seems the author is trying too hard, leading to contrived personalities. Actually detracts from a fun and exciting book. Plot and story line was excellent.
July 7, 2025
Another fabulous book in this series….
So looking forward to book 3 in early August. What was so great about this book was how the author weaved the storyline between the first book and Conviction. I like the writing style which keeps the story going without a lot of unimportant stuff that so many books get hung up on (too many characters and storylines). This author is a very talented writer. Be sure to read this series. You will not be disappointed.
So looking forward to book 3 in early August. What was so great about this book was how the author weaved the storyline between the first book and Conviction. I like the writing style which keeps the story going without a lot of unimportant stuff that so many books get hung up on (too many characters and storylines). This author is a very talented writer. Be sure to read this series. You will not be disappointed.
February 5, 2023
A different kind of courtroom drama.
A flawed and frustrated lawyer with the burden of a secret but the truth plays different parts, and unravels everyone's truth but his own. Well played follow up of Contempt with the definite foreshadowing of things to come. Can't wait for the next installment.
A flawed and frustrated lawyer with the burden of a secret but the truth plays different parts, and unravels everyone's truth but his own. Well played follow up of Contempt with the definite foreshadowing of things to come. Can't wait for the next installment.
March 24, 2023
A decent read!
Mr. Cordell has a ways to go before he's up with some of the "heavy weights" that pen legal thrillers, but I feel he's on his way. There could have been less dialogue between characters that didn't did not make any difference in the story. I'll have to wait awhile before I think about trying another read by Michael.
Mr. Cordell has a ways to go before he's up with some of the "heavy weights" that pen legal thrillers, but I feel he's on his way. There could have been less dialogue between characters that didn't did not make any difference in the story. I'll have to wait awhile before I think about trying another read by Michael.
January 25, 2025
Thane is out of jail and has opened his law practice. The cast of characters are interesting. Each one has a whole developed back story that impacts their view of the legal system. Thane takes on cases that the police want to pursue to get his client off the streets. One of them is the guy that tried to kill him when he was in prison. The twists and turns kept me in grossed in the story.
March 26, 2023
Great followup
Great followup to Contempt. Interesting characters. Good storyline and premise. Enjoyable legal thriller. Looking forward to the next installment. Including Thane as a father.
Great followup to Contempt. Interesting characters. Good storyline and premise. Enjoyable legal thriller. Looking forward to the next installment. Including Thane as a father.
May 16, 2023
This was one fabulous read!
This book kept me guessing to the very end. This is the second in the series and I can't wait for more. I absolutely love this book, the twist and turns or mind boggling and kept me on the edge of my seat.
This book kept me guessing to the very end. This is the second in the series and I can't wait for more. I absolutely love this book, the twist and turns or mind boggling and kept me on the edge of my seat.
February 17, 2024
Conviction
I’ll continue reading these legal thrillers as long as Michael Cordell continues to put them out. Reasonably well written; I like Thane and Gideon and Kristen and Letitia now!
I’ll continue reading these legal thrillers as long as Michael Cordell continues to put them out. Reasonably well written; I like Thane and Gideon and Kristen and Letitia now!
October 9, 2025
Conviction
This is a very well written story that kept me turning the pages. I love the concept and the characters, while diverse, fitted well.
The pace held my interest from start to finish.
This is a very well written story that kept me turning the pages. I love the concept and the characters, while diverse, fitted well.
The pace held my interest from start to finish.
October 19, 2025
What a Legal Thriller
Thank you Michael Cordell. My wife and I love your books. Their hard to put down. We can’t wait for your next book. For those of you that want to read excellent Thrillers, get on the train and start reading theses novels. They are wonderful
Thank you Michael Cordell. My wife and I love your books. Their hard to put down. We can’t wait for your next book. For those of you that want to read excellent Thrillers, get on the train and start reading theses novels. They are wonderful
December 25, 2022
Justice
Is the legal system always fair? This is one of many questions that you will be asking yourself throughout this book. My hope is that this author will continue this series.
Is the legal system always fair? This is one of many questions that you will be asking yourself throughout this book. My hope is that this author will continue this series.
December 25, 2022
Excellent author. I anxiously await to read more of this authors books
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