Blog Archives
The Lawyer’s Angel
Attorney James Crosson’s life is falling apart after his wife’s death. Crosson faces the start of a doomed time, from being the primary accused of the tragic accident to losing his career. A widow appoints Crosson to challenge the injustice that befell her late spouse. Unfortunately, justice is hampered by a rich, exploitative business tycoon to avoid facing the consequences of mishappenings caused by his company. While fighting the undefeatable with almost no chance of survival, James Crosson proves how inner and worldly demons are fought with persistence and in sync with divine intervention.
The Lawyer’s Angel by Scott Allen Benkie is a suspense law thriller crafted carefully with legal integrities. It takes you on a ride that will give you goosebumps when you expect it the least. From grief to guilt, it weaves complex treachery of emotions while simultaneously keeping the plot moving forward. Though the courtroom drama is mechanical, the author keeps it easy for readers from non-legal backgrounds to catch the essence of the law.
The book tries to intertwine spirituality with faith in justice. It explores a theme generally not inculcated in legal suspense. At some points, the plot seemed to be affected by the complexity of its multifold theme. The entire plot revolves around the main protagonist, which keeps the story tied to the main strand but also causes monotony in the narrative arc. The author adds a tinge of drama sustaining the realistic form of narration. In the end, it inspires you to fearlessly take control of your life and try your best to turn it around. It keeps you engulfed in the world of law, justice, and hope, with its characters effortlessly marking their way in your mind.
The Lawyer’s Angel is an engaging legal thriller that will have readers questioning whether truth and justice win in the end. It is a rollercoaster ride as the protagonist battles physical and mental demons in an effort to obtain justice.
Pages: 441 | ASIN : B09ZLSG6H6
Not a Solution For Crime
Demented follows a woman who’s trying to live a normal life after being assaulted, but finds that one of the attackers is her coworker which sets in motion a series of events that spiral out of control. What inspired the setup to this crime novel?
I felt a need to address what I see as misconceptions about the value of sending people to prison and a novel is the best way I know to do that. Demented allowed me to dramatize the difference between justice for the less wealthy (Troy) and the very wealthy (Adan and Beau). I was able to talk about the fact that simply sending people to prison is not a solution for crime. I was able to raise the issue of treatment of those who have completed their sentences and sincerely want a second chance to be good citizens.
What scene in the book was the most emotionally impactful for you to write?
There are many scenes that I consider powerful and it is hard to pick one that tops all the rest. But the scene where Cindy comes to Troy’s apartment to confront him. They struggle to work past their issues but don’t quite make it.
What were some challenges you set for yourself as a writer with this book?
First was resolving Troy’s post prison life. Does he build a new future of does obsess over revenge? And why? Depicting Cindy as events unfold. She doesn’t come off as a sympathetic character. She is resilient, proud and strong. She stumbles and she doesn’t get everything right but she never stops fighting. I think she does as well as any of us would in her circumstances. Talking about prison and the justice system without being preachy. Bringing down Adan Jackson without resorting to cheap tricks.
Do you have plans to write more stories featuring Private Investigator Nickey Arnold?
I am excited about Nickey. I have a story in mind and I have done some research but it’s in line behind my current project – a Civil War Saga based on my Great Grandfather’s years in the Union army.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
When Adan Jackson begins harassing her, Cindy tries to protect her secret past by ignoring him. When he escalates, she turns to Private Investigator Nickey Arnold for help.
The PI quickly finds herself caught up in unfinished business from the past. When she confronts Adan, things spin out of control. Troy Mondale, who served time for the rape, is dragged back into the mess. Adan descends into madness. His increasingly violent behavior forces Police Sergeant Jack Edwards to step in and put an end to the nightmare.
Demented is a story of crime, punishment and getting away with it. The insanity of our legal system is exposed. The sanity of our society is brought into question by this unforgettable tale.
Demented
Cindy Smith is a young woman living in Washington, D.C., making a life of her own. Her present seems perfectly happy until her past hunts her down. Cindy has frequent suspicious encounters with Adan Jackson at her workplace. Adan Jackson is one of the three men who gang-raped her sixteen years before and got away with a misdemeanor assault charge. Cindy engages a private investigator, Nickey Arnold, to deal with her tormentor. But, as Nickey investigates further, a harrowing set of events lead all three men to make their way back into Cindy’s life, and she has to reopen chapters she never wished to read.
Demented by Joe Clark is a crime thriller novel that begins like a mystery and ends like an action movie. As stated by the author, it is genuinely a “story of crime, punishment and getting away with it.” Though being a crime drama, the author successfully maintains the characters’ compassionate nature. The story revolves around events that would help bring the plot forward and dwells in the great depths of its real-life characters.
The writing style is simple yet gripping. The story progresses with multiple episodic scenes, which could be translated well into a screenplay. The plot may feel like a train where we keep adding carriages to reach the end. Though this might be interesting for readers who love the suspense as a genre, it might be mind-boggling for others. The numerous characters and their names could be hard to keep in line with the story. However, the multifold narrative, strong roles, and quick pacing story wouldn’t let readers put down the book. The author effectively covers a realistic description of how law and justice play out in society.
Demented is a mystery thriller that will leave readers wondering if it is right to believe everything is either black or white or if it has been a grey area all along. It is a reviving tale of right or wrong and everything in between.
Pages: 412 | ASIN : B0872HRL57
Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer
Daniel Simmons struggles between his work and family life. His wife, Hannah, wants more kids even after giving birth to their daughter, Lilly, which causes physical and mental trauma. Meanwhile, Simmons, an up-and-coming lawyer, is looking to make his way in the world. After receiving a call, Simmons gets the opportunity to take on his first case. Emmett Kendrick is a prisoner assigned to solitary confinement. Under constant scrutiny and harassment from the staff, Kendrick has made multiple attempts to change his circumstances through the legal system. Together Simmons and Kendrick work to make prison life more humane.
Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer by Michael Stockham is exceptionally well-written. The writing is beautiful, clear, and concise, and the author’s knowledge of medicine and legal commentary is impressive. It’s a relaxing and educational read with a storyline that slowly picks up the pace. Stockham provides much information regarding the legal and medical fields, but he does this to help the reader better understand what is going on.
The main character’s wife, Hannah, seems excessively aggressive towards her husband when the topic of children arises. She’s very stubborn and does not seem to want to explore other options, and she frustrated me as a reader. I feel sorry for Daniel because it almost feels like Hannah is driving him into a corner. It’s wonderful to have children, but at the expense of whom? Daniel’s character is one that many can relate to because he is trying his best to take care of his family while also focusing on his career. The fact that this book is inspired by actual events made this book even more intriguing.
I feel that if the medical scenes were cut shorter and simplified, the story would’ve been much more powerful. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book because once you get past the medical jargon, the tension begins to rise, and you begin to appreciate how beautifully written this book is.
Confessions of an Accidental Lawyer is a domestic and legal thriller that has been inspired by a true story. Readers will be given a look at the challenges faced by those in the medical and legal fields, as well as the prison system.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0B5YDHHCC
Getting Justice
Unconscionable tells the story of one family’s long quest for justice after their loved one was brutally murdered in a racially motivated attack. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This story was important for me to write because I know the actual family. I’m married to a cousin of the real victim. We’ve been together since 1990 and they’ve always talked about getting justice.
The story is based on true events. What aspects of the story were fictionalized and what aspects stuck close to the truth?
In the real story, there were only two perpetrators, not three. Location and setting are different. Some of the witnesses didn’t actually exist. Carl Castor was fictional. The marches were fictional as well. The woman portrayed by Francine Stoner Grant actually passed away in 2010. Truths are the victim’s brutal murder, his brother’s suspicious death in jail, the parent’s passing. Evidence tampering, terrorizing and threatening the family was true too. As well as the convictions and sentences.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The important theme was to accurately and adequately paint a true picture of the long history of racism in the deep south. Another theme was the love, faith and strength of the family and how frequently violent crime occurred with impunity.
When and where will your book be available?
The book is available at http://www.urbanedgepublishing.com,http://www.charlesrbuttsjr.com and GrdyBby@yahoo.com
Author Links: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Thirty-four years later, those suspected of the murder are finally indicted, arrested and set to stand trial. Follow the journey of an aggrieved family’s long quest for the justice of their loved one. Based on a true story, Unconscionable revisits the common and frequent racism that once ran amok in the deep South, and usually with impunity.
Unconscionable
How far would you go to see justice served? How far would you go to see a light shone on the truth? And what would you let it take from you in return? The Grier family is haunted by a terrible crime. They must face these questions in their search for what is right. Tragically lost and surrounded by a hatred that is embedded in the very foundation of their community, this family must rely on the strength and courage of each other to see their way through the storm. Because the only way they can prevail is together.
Unconscionable, by Charles R. Butts Jr., is a harrowing tale of injustice, corruption and loss, spanning across four decades. It follows the story of the Grier’s, a black family living in the deep south of America. When their son is horrifically murdered in a racially motivated hate crime, they find that it is only the beginning of their plight. Corrupt police officers, false investigations and a cover up that runs deep into the roots of their hometown are some of the obstacles they must overcome. But through love, belief and guidance, this incredible family will rally together to overcome the odds.
I really enjoyed this riveting crime drama. It gripped me from the first page with sharp writing and a thick atmosphere of intrigue. What I really enjoyed about this engaging crime thriller was that it was about the family, not just the crime. To experience their journey, the highs and lows, was surreal. I was there with them on every page. I felt every word. The characters are authentic and compelling. I have come to know The Griers and sympathize with them. I felt anger, sadness, disgust, pride and joy, all in one book. The authors writing allows you to easily get absorbed by this story and lets you explore all the powerful emotions that accompany a heinous crime.
Unconscionable is a heartbreaking story but an excellent read. I highly recommend this captivating story to readers who enjoy culturally relevant crime fiction novels with a spellbinding plot and captivating characters.
ISBN: 979-8-9855389-0-8
I Love To Write About The Struggle
Miranda Writes follows a disgraced attorney who must choose between going after the defendant that got away or pursuing her new career. What inspired the idea behind this story?
Miranda Writes is my sixth novel, and despite varying ages and backgrounds, all of my main characters share at least one thing; a desire for a do-over or a second chance at a happier, more satisfying life. I love to write about the struggle, the efforts that we go through to make that happen. My dearest friend, to whom the book is dedicated, was a lawyer and I wanted to honor her legacy with Miranda, a woman who believes in justice and tries to make sense of the world. RIP LGC
I was completely wrapped up in the mystery behind this story. Did you plan the mystery or did it develop organically while writing?
Right from the beginning, I had an idea that there was some sort of a coverup at a fairly high level and that both Miranda and Becky would be threatened. But the details came to me as I wrote, and the twists and turns evolved along the way. That’s what I love most about writing: the surprising path that a novel can take you on!
Miranda is a character I loved following. What were some questions you kept asking yourself as you were creating her character?
My main goal was to keep Miranda’s character authentic. Despite her years of experience as a successful prosecutor, she suffered a serious setback and I felt that she would naturally question many of her professional and personal decisions going forward. I hope that her renewed confidence in her abilities was apparent as the story progressed.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available? Could we see more stories with Miranda?
I had been working on a historical novel, but I couldn’t get Miranda out of my mind. I felt that there was more to her story and the words just started to flow. I expect you’ll see a sequel to Miranda Writes in 2023!!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Former Assistant District Attorney Miranda Quinn is on the brink of a career comeback when she gets a phone call. It’s a witness who disappeared three years earlier, resulting in a violent criminal going free. Miranda got fired as a result, but the witness has re-surfaced with a shocking story to tell; one that implicates Miranda and her ex, defense attorney Adam Baxter. And now, there’s a new victim.
Miranda’s legal advice blog-turned-podcast Miranda Writes is about to become a daytime TV show, but the negative press could destroy her credibility. Will the network stand behind her?
When it comes to the law, Miranda has all the answers, but the questions are getting harder and the stakes are getting higher. The dangerous web of lies and cover-ups she exposes leaves her questioning just how much she is willing to risk. She has the right to remain silent, but needs to speak up… doesn’t she?
Miranda Writes is a story of how far we’ll go to protect those we love and the power of second chances.
The Product Of My Warped Mind
You Have The Right To Remain Silent follows a high-profile lawyer as he takes on a brutal murder case involving a congressman that challenges him on all fronts. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I am usually inspired by an event in the news or cases I handled in my practice. You Have The Right to Remain Silent is the exception. The inspiration for the novel was a short article I read about a man who fell into a coma and could not participate in his own defense. I wondered (and then researched) how the legal system typically handled this unusual event. The result of my research (and novelist’s license) is You Have The Right to Remain Silent.
When you first sat down to write this story, did you know where you were going, or did the twists come as you were writing?
No, I had no idea. I hadn’t written a novel like this before. The closest example to this, in my portfolio, was my 3rd Zachary Blake legal thriller, Betrayal in Blue, which was not “ripped from the headlines” like the others. However, it was a follow-up to my 2nd novel, Betrayal of Justice, which was. In Silent, I wanted to introduce the concept of jury consulting, with the expert assistance of my good friend, Shari Belitz (a central character in the book), a real person and a great sport. She loves and approves her fictional self. I also knew the book would be a “whodunnit.” The rest, as I began to peck at my computer keys, was the product of my warped mind.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
For you aspiring novelists out there, my research consists of information available in a routine Internet search. As a lawyer, I might know legal concepts and specific laws that you don’t know, or use search terms or articles and materials that you might not be familiar with, but all of this information is available online. As a person who is old enough to remember “legal research” before computers and the Internet, I am constantly amazed on how technology has changed research. And, of course, this is a novel, not a court filing—if I fudge a bit, I enjoy, as I stated earlier, a novelist’s license.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
As you may or may not know, I took a short detour from my adult legal thrillers. I just released my cookbook, The Blake-Lewin Family Cookbook of Traditional Jewish Recipes: L’Dor V’Dor—From Generation to Generation II and my first children’s social justice picture book: Happy Jack, Sad Jack: A Bullying Story. The next book, if I can ‘kidnap’ my wonderful illustrator, Melinda T. Falgaust, will be the 2nd book in the Children’s Social Justice/Safety Series, probably late Fall, early Winter. Stay tuned!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | LinkedIn
Conservative talk-show host Mia Folger is in therapy with Dr. Harold Rothenberg. Mia and her husband, progressive Congressman Bradley Crawford, are not getting along these days, personally or politically.
When Crawford is found brutally dismembered and murdered, the evidence points to Mia as his killer. While the prosecutor pushes for a murder indictment, Dr. Rothenberg, convinced of his patient’s innocence, turns to an old friend—high profile attorney Zachary Blake, Detroit’s self-proclaimed ‘King of Justice.’
Blake will do anything for Rothenberg, the man who successfully treated his kids in their battle with a predator priest. Zack takes Mia’s case, but has his work cut out for him because Mia has been hospitalized, shocked into a catatonic state at the discovery of her husband’s mutilated body, unable to assist in her own defense.
Sensing he must prove Mia’s innocence to avoid an eventual life sentence, Zack enlists the aid of his crack investigator, Micah Love, and Micah’s cyber-specialist, Reed Spencer to dissect and poke holes in the case. But, for this case, Micah in convinced that Zack needs more—he recommends beautiful, sharp, brash, foul-mouthed, cocky-confident New York based jury consultant extraordinaire Shari Belitz and her team of mock trial/focus group gurus.
Shari is the best of the best. Her assignment in the Folger case? Flyspeck the evidence and unleash her arsenal of psychological techniques and predictive skills—use focus groups or mock juries to determine what evidence or circumstances would cause the real jury to declare Mia Folger innocent of all charges. Zack wants no part of Shari; one cocky lawyer-Zachary Blake-should be sufficient to prove Mia’s case. Blake knows what he needs for an acquittal; a brash jury consultant from NYC will only get in his way. But Micah persists and persuades Zack him to give Shari and her team a try.
Zack, Micah, Reed, and the irrepressible Ms. Belitz join forces in an all-out attack on the evidence, while evil characters lurk in the background, engaged in a sinister plot to assure Mia’s demise.
Expect the unexpected in this whodunit legal crime thriller, the 8th installment of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series, featuring all your favorite series characters and one brash, exciting newcomer who gives Blake all he can handle.
