A brutally honest rendering of what some of us have to go through to make a living. Had to read it through part of the night for the outcome because it was intricate in a realistic way and unpredictable, the best kind of novel! Have always enjoyed the John Grisham, Lisa Scottoline lawyer/thriller type of mystery, as long as they don't go too deep into forensics and this one does not disappoint! Very nicely written!

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read in exchange for my honest review.

"Good Intentions" by JD Trafford delves into the harrowing world of Judge Jim Thompson, a man determined to uphold justice even as his world falls apart. I embarked on this legal thriller with great anticipation, but, regrettably, I could only make it 20% of the way through the book before deciding not to finish.

The novel begins with a compelling premise—a murder mystery intertwined with the complexities of the foster care system, where every decision carries weighty consequences. Judge Jim Thompson's internal struggles and public backlash added depth to his character, making him a relatable protagonist battling with his own self-doubt and moral compass.

JD Trafford exhibits a commendable understanding of legal intricacies, which adds an authentic touch to the story. However, it was the pacing and execution that made it difficult for me to fully engage with the book. The plot seemed to lack the gripping intensity that one would expect from a legal thriller, and the story's progression felt somewhat sluggish in the initial stages.

Additionally, the character development, especially that of supporting characters, was another area where I felt the novel was lacking. I yearned for more depth and insight into their lives and motivations, which would have made their interactions with Judge Thompson more impactful.

Nonetheless, I must emphasise that my decision to stop reading at 20% of the book may not do justice to the entire story. As the mystery unravels and the connections between Judge Meyer's past and Judge Thompson's present come to light, the novel may take unexpected twists and offer greater intrigue.

While "Good Intentions" didn't fully captivate me, I recognize that legal thrillers have a dedicated fanbase, and readers with an interest in the judicial system and its complexities may find this book more compelling than I did.

In conclusion, "Good Intentions" sets the stage for a thought-provoking legal drama with commendable writing and a promising premise. However, the pacing and character development impacted my reading experience, prompting me to set the book aside prematurely. If legal thrillers are your genre of choice, I encourage you to explore this novel and decide for yourself whether it delivers on its potential.

A mystery and a legal drama wrapped in to one good book. It is engrossing and entertaining. This book is a quick read and will keep your interest past your bedtime.

“Good Intentions” by J.D. Trafford is one of those well-written novels that grabs on to the reader and does not let them go until the last page is turned. Judge James Thompson is a relatively new judge who hears the cases of families in crisis, and he is often called upon to make decisions that in hindsight were not always a perfect choice. The two things that keep him going is his mentor and knowing that he is trying to make life better for a child. When his father figure and mentor is murdered, the many secrets of the system he has worked hard for is suddenly revealed and he is forced to question everything he knows. This novel is gripping and eye-opening to many aspects of an overwhelmed underfunded system that has been set up to protect our most vulnerable citizens. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Loved this book. This is a highly emotional and controversial story line full of angst, anger, betrayal, and the deep and horrifying realities of child abuse. and murder. The background seemed well researched and the characters are well rounded. Please read this book as it will leave you crying and routing for the characters to thrive and survive.

This is a fascinating legal thriller with masterfully done court scenes that are riveting. Legal thrillers are one of my favorite areas to read as they delve into the law in a way we laypeople do not normally deal with. This is a complex, enthralling look at the life of a family court judge.
I enjoyed the authors previous works and was thrilled to receive this for review. Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my opinion.

The legal system of child protective services are very difficult. The judges have to make life changing decisions about who is responsible for abused and neglected children. Jim is an appointed judge trying his best to make good decisions . His job is very stressful and he is under tremendous pressure. When his mentor and father figure is murdered he is lost and misses his confidant that he depended on for courtroom advice. .
Jim decides to get involved with a investigation on his own of finding the killer. Along the way his career is near imploding and he fears his future. He continues on finding a list of possible suspects he never imagined and secrets about his mentor that changes his view of the court.
As he traverses the clues of his mentor's murder he finds various suspects and possibilities. In the end the murderer is found and brought to justice but Jim's life is forever changed.
This is a fascinating read and I enjoyed the court scenes. I highly recommend this book for all that enjoy legal thrillers. A fast paced interesting read with high courtroom drama and thrills.

I read Little Boy Lost by J.D. Trafford last year and was blown away by the book's fabulous story. So, picking Good Intentions by J.D. Trafford was not a hard decision.

Judge Jim Thompson mentor has just been murdered and he's the first to stumble over the body. As if that is not bad, he's under media scrutiny after a boy that he decided to go back to his mother was later found dead. He's under pressure, trying to figure out why his mentor Judge Meyer was killed, as well as dealing with media and a new case.

I enjoyed reading Good Intentions. Just as Litle Boy Lost is the story in this book engrossing and it's not hard to be upset and angry when everyone seems to be out for blood. Jim's blood. He's under enormous pressure from work and he can't let go of a feeling that there is something in the past that could be the reason for the death of Judge Meyer. Perhaps an old case...?

The book is well-written and the last part is really tense! I recommend this book warmly!

Good Intentions captured my interest from the very first page. It is a compelling, page turner of a mystery with lots of twists and turns. The story matter, although appalling, is intriguing and made me think about how I might handle decision making in these types of cases. I found myself thinking about the book when I could not sit and read, leaving projects undone because I had to know what would happen next.

Good Intentions is a book I want to share with family and friends. I think it would make a great book discussion selection, and I can totally see it made into a movie. This is the first book I've read by J. D. Trafford, and I definitely want to read more.

This was a well written thriller that also gave insight into the difficult job of being a judge that has to make decisions on foster care. Highly recommend.

A very unusual legal thriller. Lots of suspects and a surprise ending. A young judge is under suspension and his mentor is killed. Why he searches for answers his life and his wife are in danger,

Good Intentions is a well written suspense. I enjoyed the plot, well developed characters and the author's writing. The author is new to me and I anticipate reading many more of their books. Highly recommend to mystery fans.

Surprisingly docile family court judge in Alameda County, CA faces the murder of his mentor and the messy aftermath while personally running his own secret investigation. The tension between his professional ennui, and curious uncertainty regarding his future focus on the bench, and his lack of clarity about his mentor, while pursuing information about his death, make for an interesting tale. Author J.D. Trafford offers enough detail to make the court scenes very realistic. The book is fast and highly engaging. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Nicely done legal thriller that sheds light on the difficult decisions faced by judges dealing with the foster care system. Jim Thompson is a well written character, the plot zips along, and this makes a good read for fans of the genre. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

What happens when you have the power to change lives and are you able to live with the consequences of that decision? This book looks at that question. It had just enough courtroom drama mixed with the right amount of personal problems and police investigation to create a fast moving story. It was an quick, easy read. Thank you #netgalley and #thomas&mercer for the eARC.

This was a great story about prejudices and how they aren't always clear-cut. This story had heartbreaking moments and thrilling moments and all kinds of moments in between. You could almost physically feel Jim's emotions as they were described to us in written word.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling mystery that will keep you guessing and interested from page 1 through the final word.

A case of professional prejudice and jealousy at work in the judiciary, tainted with the hard brush of corruption, Judge Thompson watched as things started falling apart, revealing secrets he never knew existed, after the murder of his mentor Judge Meyers. With his life seeming to unwittingly slowly began to unravel around him. Jim Thompson decided he no longer would be the victim but the one in control and no one's kitten. A Judiciary crime thriller that's gripping, filled with deep emotions, captivating, intense, this story had depth, I truly enjoyed reading it's pages they are absolutely riveting.