A brisk mystery that's more of a legal thriller about drugs and blackmail. And corruption in a small town. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the genre.

I love Robert Bailey’s books. I grew up reading Grisham but lost track of his books at some point. My love for legal thrillers was reignited when I came across a Robert Bailey book. I enjoy his books so much that I save them for special occasions. I was in the middle of a reading slump and a lot of pressure at work when I picked this title. For 3 days, I had something to look forward to and truly enjoyed being lost in these pages.

Jason Rich is quite a troubled lawyer. He is a recovering addict who doesn’t seem to be handling anything in his life well and is at the verge of losing everyone he loves. He finds himself defending another troubled young man who is battling his own demons and also facing a murder charge. Jason didn’t want to take the case but he had no choice in the matter. This further added to the tension and mystery of the case.

Rich Waters has quite a number of interesting characters. I loved Jason with his quirkiness, love for WWE and his music choices. I also enjoyed the ex-military brothers who formed Jason’s security team. Even the bad guys had an interesting storyline. All characters were very well developed and stood out in a way that makes me think I can pick them out of a police lineup.

The story begins with a tense scene leading up to a murder. I remained captivated from the first to the last page. I loved the investigation and enjoyed the courtroom drama. I also liked the complexity and unpredictability of the case. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series or anything else the author comes up with next. This was an absolute stunner!

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 and 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

The set up is realistic and gritty, the scourge of drugs on too many lives. Set in small town Alabama, a former high school quarterback has been arrested for killing a police officer.

Jason “Get Rich” is drafted to the case and must use all his legal skills to defend him. He is fighting not only in court but all the behind scenes opponents in town- crooked cops, a drug kingpin and his niece caught up in it all. Will his sobriety make it through?

Second in the Jason Rich series but easily understood as a stand alone. Fans of John Grisham will devour this one.

Summary: Jason Rich returns. The personal injury lawyer of “Get Rich” renown faces his second ever criminal trial when a local law enforcement professional is murdered and Rich is pressured into defending the prime suspect.

What’s to Love? I don’t usually read books in a series, but for Robert Bailey’s books, I make an exception. I love that I know the places he writes about in Alabama, but he describes them so thoroughly that I think I would feel like I knew them even if I had never been there. His writing flows so naturally, not just in his descriptions but through believable conversations as well. I also love that some of my favorite characters from his previous series make cameos in this latest book.

What’s to Leave? Even though I found myself not wanting to put the book down, I would appreciate a few more upstanding characters who, to quote an old saying where I grew up, “don’t cuss, don’t chew, and don’t date those who do.” While I understand that he is exploring the seedier side of life, and I like that his characters are never painted in black and white, I could do without the strip clubs and the bad language. This book, in particular, includes multiple references to sexual abuse. If these are triggers or nonnegotiable for you, I recommend you skip this one.

What’s to Learn? I have a friend who once had to represent a client in a court proceeding as a first-year law student because the lead counsel didn’t show up. I asked him how he knew what to do and say. His answer: “Matlock.” I can imagine his answer could have equally been: “Robert Bailey’s books.”

Conclusion: If you enjoy legal thrillers from the likes of John Grisham or Scott Turow and haven’t yet read Robert Bailey, you should give his books a read. Start with "The Professor."

*Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ADC (advanced digital copy) of the "Rich Waters" in exchange for my honest review.

Excellent book! Robert Bailey is a star in the thriller genre. Please check out his series as Rich Waters is his latest and most phenomenal one yet.

The narrative was boring in the first part that I had put it down thrice. The court scenes were better. I liked the McMurtie series much more. This was disappointing.

A fast paced legal drama featuring Jason Rich, a flamboyant attorney representing injured clients, mostly liability cases. This is the second in the series, alright to read alone, better if you’ve read the first. His gaudy billboards are all over Alabama making him wealthy. Addiction is an underlying subplot of Jason’s family, much as in our country and society today. A neighborhood in his hometown has long been run by criminals dealing illegal substances and their own brand of justice, outside the law. His personal demons has jeopardized his license to practice.
Police officer Flowers has been shot and killed. His high school buddy, Trey, very publicly threatened him so his arrest for Capital murder is swift. Cade, the local drug kingpin, uses mob like tactics to coerce Jason into representing Trey. Trey won’t, can’t or doesn’t provide any assistance to Jason for his own defense. His guilt or innocence remained problematic to me throughout the story. I had suspicions, the plot kept me in turmoil. Witnesses are either uncooperative, hiding, missing or too scared to testify. Jason’s family (what he has left), his trusted law partner, and his staff are all at risk, being threatened by the drug lord who demanded he represent Trey.
The story takes you through the arrest, Preliminary hearing, grand jury, trial prep, witness testimony for the State and the defense. I was glued to the pages and delighted by a surprise appearance of a beloved character from another of Bailey’s series. This is a favorite author of mine and I’ve read many of his books. His praise is well deserved. This is a great follow up to “Rich Blood” and I look forward to reading more.
The digital advance reader copy of “Rich Waters” by Robert Bailey, Published by Thomas & Mercer, was provided to me by NetGalley. These honest thoughts are all my own personal opinions given voluntarily without any compensation.

I really liked the first book, Rich Blood, so I was thrilled when NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer offered me opportunity to read an advance copy.

It's even better than the first book. The characters are all interesting and the action keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. And best of all, it kept me guessing up until the end what the final outcome would be.

Rich Waters by Robert Bailey is another fast- paced, intense, powerful mystery. Part of the ongoing series about Jason Rich and his exploits with love, law, death, addiction, and drama, this book once again checks all the Southern lawyer mystery boxes. Another excellent read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this outstanding ARC.

First, I thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for granting me an ARC of Rich Waters In exchange for an unbiased and unapologetic review.

My initial reaction to the book is I read Robert Bailey’s first book, and I immediately knew that the second book would be epic. The novel hooked me from the first page until I reached the final page. I did not want to put the book down!

What I like most about the book is the incredible storyline Mr. Bailey created. Talk about being on the edge of your seat! I was doing just that while reading this beautiful masterpiece. The antagonist was scary, and I hated him! I also enjoyed how fast-paced the novel was. It flowed flawlessly.

I was satisfied with the book’s ending. It was a chef’s kiss! I can see another book from the end. If not, I would be okay with that. LOL!

I implore every legal thriller reader to please get this book. You will not regret it! 5-star rating from me!

If you've never read any of Robert Bailey's books, you are so lucky! I wish that I could go back and read all of them again for the first time! Rich Waters is just as amazing and suspenseful as his others. You feel such a connection to the characters in the series, and his writing makes you feel as if you are experiencing everything right alongside the characters. Once you pick this book up, you won't put it down until you find out how it ends!

The storyline is excellent and the characters were compelling. Would recommend
Thank you to Robert Bailey, NetGalley, and Thomas & Mercer for the arc of this book.

Robert Bailey's writing is better than ever in "Rich Waters", the second book in the series about Alabama attorney Jason Rich! This book is fascinating and has so may twists and turns. The fact that he mentions my hometown, Florence, Alabama and many of the businesses and landmarks there is just icing on the cake for me. If you love John Grisham books, you owe it to yourself to check out this author. He writes about similar situations and I think I like Bailey's books even more. I gave this book 5 well deserved stars. Thanks @netgalley for this ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This book has it all - lawyers, crooked cops, strippers, drug dealers, murderers, you name it. This is the 2nd book in the series and while I didn’t read the first, I didn’t have a problem keeping up. With that being said, now I WILL be reading the first. Action packed, easy to follow, flows well, and we’ll written!

Great follow-up thriller. The first book was full of twist and turns, and this follow-up delivered the same in spades. Really well paced, I felt connection to the characters and was holding my breath until the end. Great follow-up and I can’t wait to see what happens with Jason and family in volume 3.

Rich Waters is the second installment of the Jason Rich series by bestselling author Robert Bailey. As Jason fights his alcoholism, his niece’s addition, and problems at his law firm, Tyson Cade forces him to take a case that he knows he can’t win. Trey Cowan is accused of killing Officer Kelly Flowers; the evidence is overwhelming and everyone in their small town thinks he is guilty. Trey will give him no information from jail, and Jason suspects it is because Cade is behind the murder. Everything seems to go wrong as the case progresses.

Bailey does an excellent job of developing his characters; they seem like real people. Jason, the protagonist, is quite unique – arrogant, rich, insecure, etc. However, he does have a good brain when it comes to solving cases. Tyson Cade is another character that is in both books in this series, and he is a terrible bad guy who uses blackmail to get people on his side.

Also, Bailey is an excellent story teller, and the story flows and is easy to follow. This novel is a bit wordy, however, so the reading doesn’t go fast. However with the twists and turns, as well as surprises, especially at the dénouement, the book will keep thriller aficionado’s interest.

Those who have read Robert Bailey’s books will be familiar with many of the characters mentioned in this novel. And although it can be read as a standalone novel, it is recommended that the previous novels be read, especially Rich Blood, before picking this one up.

Special thanks to Ne

This is my first (yes I am kicking myself) book of Robert Bailey’s. This will not be my last.
I am in love with this book. I am speechless. Just when I thought I knew the ending, I was completely wrong. Now I have to read his other books.
Having family from rural northern Alabama, I happen to know about the true good ol’ boy system. It’s sickening.
This review is all over the place, I apologize. I just haven’t read a book this good in quite some time. 5/5 stars

I found Rich Waters to be filled with unlikeable characters — alcoholics, drug users and dealers, murderers, crooked police, pole dancers and strippers, etc. Despite the unsavoriness of the characters, I felt compelled to continue reading to find out what would occur next and looked forward to the trial where the lawyer matches wits with the district attorney. This book is well written and those who enjoy this genre will not be disappointed. I will be anxiously awaiting Robert Bailey’s next novel.

I thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

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: I felt that 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 a child or an adult! 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."