It was a good read. I enjoyed it. I liked the characterizations and the plot kept moving pretty well.

This is my first Victor Methos book and a big thank you to Netgalley for introducing me to him. It is fair to say I am a new and committed Methos fan. This is a lawyer drama with many twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout. I was definitely surprised by the ending, which is always good. I have since read another Victor Methos book which I also enjoyed. I would definitely recommend this book and anything else written by Victor.

A mostly okay story overall. I certainly enjoyed some aspects of it more than others. The ending felt a little bit rushed but was a mostly satisfying wrap up.

Victor Methos writes an excellent legal thriller. This one has it all, including a really complex, layered lawyer I shouldn't have liked. Mr .Methos made an ambulance chaser a compelling character. Setting this book around a school shooting hits close to home lately, and it was treated respectfully and thoroughly. There may be some gun aficionados that have problems with the anti gun narrative, but I was fine. I am currently seeking out other books from the author.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

A terrific and captivating beginning! This book reeled me in from the first couple of pages. The main character is Peter Game, an attorney who advertises on billboards as being an "Injury Lawyer: The Best Game in Town." He describes himself and others like him as "shotgun lawyers," who cannot be selective in the cases they take on, "because, like the spread of buckshot, we took everything, hoping at least one hit its target and made us some big money."

Having read THE NEON LAWYER, which I thoroughly enjoyed by the way, I was expecting to read an original intriguing legal thriller, and if you are, too, you may be disappointed. This book presents within a fictional setting the argument for gun control. Depending on whatever side of the issue you are on, this may influence how well you enjoy the book. Frankly, I had a hard time rating this book, because, although it was well written, it had too much of a "standing on a soapbox" feel and didn't adequately present a balanced argument for the support of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Regardless, I do look forward to reading more from this author.

I highly recommend this book for all that enjoy legal thrillers and fictional stories of tough attorneys struggling to survive. This is the second book I have read by this author and one of my favorite books of 2018 ! I do highly recommended his previous book "The Neon Lawyer". This book is a exciting read and one that I enjoyed cover to cover as its the definitive legal thriller.
This book involves the very sensitive subject of a school shooting. The outcome is a case against the gun maker of the gun that killed the victim. The subject is written with compassion and care to the subject and the victim.

Peter Game is one tough attorney and I really loved his character so much. He is gritty, not afraid to do what it takes to succeed and try's harder to fight for his client. His underhand tactics are written to perfection and integral to his personality. The law involved in the case was strongly written and had a fast pace to hold the reader enthralled . It was hard to put down and I read it deep into the early morning hours.
The scenes in the courtroom were my absolute favorites by far and I was shocked and equally appalled at the lengths that the defense went to to try to force their case . Peter Game stood his ground and whatever the defense threw at him he was able to deflect. Gun manufacture cases are very touchy in this country and this was written with exposure of the gun maker as key to the story and the underhanded politics that enter into this kind of case. All in all a simply brillant read ! Thank you with gratitude to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book for review. My honest opinion is my own. I highly recommend this book !

Can a personal injury lawyer only in it for the money change his thinking about what is important in the law? I thought the story gives us a great look at how Peter Game changed his life and how he approached his law practice. Children have been killed in a school shooting with a military grade gun. Peter tells Melissa, the mother of Danny who died in the shooting. She wants to go after the manufacturer. Whether you are for or against guns this is a story about Peter and his interaction with the people in his life. Well worth the read.

Book Review: The Shotgun Lawyer by Victor Methos

"Every legal novel I've written is based on a case I actually had." The author conducted more than one hundred trials, with only two losses under his belt. He worked as a "neon" lawyer - street lawyer working under a neon sign, a prosecutor for Salt Lake City, and founded what would become one of the most successful criminal defense firms in Utah.

It is this deep legal experience which blends with a fluid writing style that make his novels compelling.

As in his prior works, "The Neon Lawyer", "The Invisible Client", "A Gambler's Jury", the title has key significance. The protagonist, Peter Game, describes himself as a "shotgun lawyer" because like the spread of buckshot, he takes everything, hoping at least one hits its target and makes big money.

But does it prove to be all about money?

In this book, the author takes on the Second Amendment and the PLCAA (Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act), which protects firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable when crimes have been committed with their products.

The act provides some exceptions. Methos expounds on a stipulation that firearms manufacturers and dealers may also be held liable for "negligent entrustment" when they have reason to know a gun is intended for use in a crime.

The reader senses that the author may be onto something important and significant, perhaps issues which may be proffered in real life cases with the increasing preponderance of school shootings.

"They have a duty to make sure their guns don't kill innocent people, and they're violating that duty by allowing a weapon like this to be sold to the public".

The book's case is about a ten-year old murdered and shot in the back while trying to escape from such a shooting on his bike. A fictional modified BL-24 assault rifle "meant for war" and "designed for use by German soldiers in WWII solely for offense on the battlefield", manufactured by fictional Tanguich Rifles, is used in the shooting.

Legal machinations, dirty tricks, compromise and deceit, protective orders, blackmail, the planting of evidence, leaks to the press, some activism, compassion and empathy, add color and flavor.

It's the classic David and Goliath tale, against "one of the richest attorneys in the U.S.". Does the shotgun lawyer have the mettle and firepower to succeed?

Review based on an advance reading copy presented by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

The Shotgun Lawyer was a fantastic read and is easily going to be one of my top reads of the year. I love a good legal thriller and this is one of the best that I’ve read. It deals with a sensitive subject in terms of a school shooting (and the anti-gun rhetoric may put of some US readers who love their guns) but I felt that it was handled well and thought that the argument put forward against the gun company was a fair and thought-provoking one.

Peter Game is one hell of a character and I couldn’t have liked him more. He was a lot of fun to read about and his underhand tactics were just brilliant. His personal life was as much of an interest to me as the main storyline and given how the story ended I would love to see Peter and some of these characters again. The lawyer aspect was extremely strong and the story moved at a fast pace and with short chapters I barely put this book down because it was that good. The scenes in the courtroom were my favourites and I was shocked at the lengths that the defence went to in order to try and shut Peter’s case down.

In terms of the ending I felt it was a little bit rushed and some things never really got the closure that I thought was needed but what I most enjoyed about the ending was that it wasn’t some heroic, over the top and unbelievable ending. It was true to life, packed full of emotion and left me thinking about the book even after finishing it. It’s a memorable story with memorable characters. There’s nothing about The Shotgun Lawyer that I didn’t enjoy and I highly recommend the book to legal thriller fans, especially those who are fans of Michael Connelly’s Mickey Haller.

First Sentence: This was it.

Peter Game is an ambulance chaser, a personal injury lawyer who takes the cases no one else will in order to make a quick buck, but who dreams of the big score. Melissa Bell is the mother of a 7-year-old school-shooting victim. In spite of the law, Bell wants Peter to sue the manufacturer of the gun used to kill her son, six other children, and a teacher. Standing against Peter are the opposing attorney, Brennen Garvin, the gun lobbies, and the entire legal system.

Those who follow the discussions on gun laws and the rights of those, directly or indirectly, harmed by guns may know--"The law was clear: gun manufacturers were in no way responsible for what people did with their guns." Yet Game begins with the assertion that cases against gun manufacturers can be won—"These gun guys, what they're scared of is publicity, not having to pay out money. … if a lawyer goes to them and signs and NDS and keeps everything quiet, they'd rather settle than have another case in the papers. Even if they win."

Methos walks one down the path of how things happen, including the way in which those who shouldn't be able to buy guns are able to obtain them. He explains the whole process of strawmen, or scarecrows—people who go into stores and buy quantities of guns for people who can't legally purchase them.

Stories which deal with the law are fascinating but can also be confusing for non-lawyers. Methos explains each of the terms and aspects in a way which can be easily understood without slowing down the pace of the story.

This is such a wonderfully current book. It is one some people won't like and possibly may not read. But others will read it and cheer for the characters and the subject. The gamesmanship, from both sides of the aisle, that goes on is rather astonishing and not something about which the average person would even consider or be aware. If one is called to serve on a jury, which is a fascinating experience, one may look at it with different eyes.

Methos clearly conveys the nerves a lawyer may experience the night before a jury case. At the same time, he offsets it well with the complications in Peter's life. The situation with Peter's son provides a good balance to the focus on the legal case.

There is a very well-done scene of Peter hitting bottom, surging to a "Rocky" moment, and being knocked down again. Things such as that truly humanize the character.

"The Shotgun Lawyer" is a terrific read with an ending which is realistic. The next time one is considering reading legal suspense, consider walking past the usual names and try Methos instead. He doesn't disappoint.

THE SHOTGUN LAWYER (LegalSusp-Peter Game (née James)-Utah-Contemp - VG
Methos, Victor - Standalone
Thomas & Mercer – Oct 2018

I don’t read Victor Methos books….I inhale them. Dinner is late and the laundry piles up until the book is finished. I like every single thing about his books. From the variety of characters to the social issues he addresses, Methos has become one of my favorite authors.

In The Shotgun Lawyer, Peter Game is an attorney, raising a teenage son after a divorce and looking for a big win in the courtroom. But, for now, he’s a small-time personal injury attorney, operating on a shoestring, and taking nearly every case that comes his way. But, his newest case is different. After some lengthy internal debates, Game agrees to represent a mother who has lost her seven-year-old son in a school shooting. Their target (no pun intended)? The gun manufacturer.

This book has so many elements that I enjoy. The dialogue is sharp and believable. There are a variety of characters…Game’s ex-fiance and extraordinary attorney, his clerk and sidekick, the victim’s mother and a motley group of corporate executives and defense attorneys. And, there’s Game himself – a conflicted attorney who tries to do the right thing. I truly enjoyed reading each and every page.

Now I will wait patiently for the next book. Meanwhile, Victor Methos is on my list of people I would like to sit next to on a long flight. I can only imagine the great war stories he has about his profession. Thank you, Mr Methos, for providing so many hours of reading enjoyment!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Peter Game is your typical ambulance chasing attorney who is just getting by. He's not above pulling some outrageous shenanigans in front of the jury to win his cases. He could be riding high on a family member's coat tails and have his pick of working within the most prestigious legal firms in Salt Lake City, but you must admire him striking out on his own taking the cases that the big Personal Attorneys won't touch. The call lawyers like himself "Shotgun Lawyers" because, like the spread of buckshot, they take everything, hoping at least one hit its target and makes them some big money. Unfortunately for Peter that hasn't happened yet. I loved the way he operates, it's priceless!
He’s driving home from the office when he hears about a local mass shooting at an Elementary school. He quickly turns it off his life is full of bad news he doesn’t need anymore to way him down.
Peter is raising his 17-year-old son, Michael who is growing up and doing his own thing and he can't seem to wrap his head around this. His little buddy that he loved to hang out with is no longer wanting to hang out with his ole dad any longer. So, he attempts online dating and that’s like shaking Pandora’s box he never knows what’s going to pop out and so far, it’s nothing good.
He receives a call from a potential client and agrees to meet her at her home, he's not above going to their homes anything to get them to sign a representation agreement and get the case rolling he's under the impression that this is product reliability issue, boy, when he finds out who this client wants to sue his heart, skips several beats! Melissa Bell, who's young son Danny was killed in that mass shooting that he heard about on the radio. She wants to sue the Tanguich Guns which happens to be homegrown Utah Company that has been around for many decades. The gun lobbyist has made these types of lawsuits impossible to even contemplate let along win. He tries to let her know this in the kindest way possible that he's not the right person for his job. She said he was the only one who would even speak to her and she's desperate, she doesn't want to get rich, she wants to get the high-powered assault weapons off the street.
Peter leaves her home with a heavy heart, he feels her pain but he's at a loss as what he can do. He consults with his good friend Jake, who gives him a little bit of guidance and so he agrees to try to help Ms. Bell with her case. Has he made a colossal mistake?
He gets farther than he ever dreamed but it gets extremely nasty, he finds himself questioning his decision at times but with the help of several fellow attorneys and a brilliant yet, questionable law clerk he preserves.
This is a classic David and Goliath story, I loved it. This is a fantastic legal thriller, you’ll find yourself flying through the pages. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but he’s got a new fan in this reader.
Disclosure: I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-galley in exchange for my honest opinion and the opinions I expressed above are my own.

4.5 stars

“From the bestselling author of The Neon Lawyer comes a page-turning thriller about a scrappy lawyer and his fight for justice. “

Victor Methos writes books I want to read.and his newest one “The Shotgun Lawyer” is no exception! His cases and characters are oddly compelling as well as self-deprecating and insightful. This book was nearly impossible to put down! I have yet to read a book by Methos that I was not immediately drawn into. I love the swagger and sass from lawyer Peter Game who takes on an unwinnable case. I figured I knew how this book was going to end, but I kept reading because the writing was so good. I was wrong! The ending totally surprised me yet was perfect.

I appreciated the insight into the American gun culture and the players at force within the struggle of gun control. Methos tackled a difficult issue; school shootings, yet did it with tact, humor and compassion. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The views given are my own. #NetGalley #TheShotgunLawyer#Thomas&Mercer

We have another excellent novel from Victor Methos. I enjoy the way we are steered through the intricacies of the legal shenanigans our legal eagle Peter Game gets up to, and the fact that Peter Game is just holding on by the seat of his pants, hoping for that retirement case to come along. Yet he still leads with his heart. A good, fast read though some of the good guys are anything but.

I received a free electronic copy of this legal novel from Netgalley, Victor Methos, and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

The Shotgun Lawyer is an excellent page turning legal thriller.
Peter Game is a personal injury lawyer, his sole interest is making money to retire early, but really he's drifting from case to case, aimless with no real ambition, he is actually a brilliant lawyer but has a reputation for being unethical.
After a mass shooting at a school which kill Melanie's 7 year old son she asks him to take on case to sue the manufacturer of the automatic weapon that was used in the shooting.
Peter knows that this is an impossible case to win, with the Gun Lobby, the political power these companies hold plus a small thing such as the American Constitution he has an impossible task, but he's persuaded to take the case to his surprise having great sympathy for this bereaved mother.
So starts the trial, the gun company employing a top shark of an attorney who will stop at nothing to win a case, bringing on many dirty tricks and threats.
A fantastic story with such well constructed legal arguments at trial which makes for awesome courtroom dialogue. It's takes a lot for a book to make me loose sleep but this one did as unable to put it down until the very satisfying ending. Well done Mr Methos, you must have been a helluva lawyer!
My thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book.

Very good book similar to John Grisham books. Loved the story, twists and the way people change. A wild shot at winning but injustice wins.

Author Victor Methos chooses a politically-charged, hot button issue in this thrilling courtroom drama. When no one else will step forward to represent a grieving mother who lost her young son in in a school ground massacre, lawyer/hustler Peter Game reluctantly agrees to take the case against the gun manufacturer. Precedent, judges, the gun lobby, and high-priced legal firms all line up against Game and his client, but he and his ragtag team, despite the obstacles, fight the good fight. A great story with characters that I’d love to see in future stories.

Known for his cynical, often unethical, reputation, personal injury attorney Peter Game will take any case. He’s a bit of a rogue whose sole interest is in making money. He’s out to make a name for himself, hoping for that one big case that will bring him fame . . . and then piles of money will come his way.

What comes his way is Melissa Bell, a grieving mother who lost her seven-year-old son, Danny, in a school shooting. She wants justice for her son; she wants to sue the manufacturer of the automatic weapon used to murder the children and their teachers.

Peter faces an uphill battle: a brilliant opposition lawyer with access to the company’s deep pockets and a legal system influenced by powerful gun lobbies. It may be the case of a lifetime . . . if Peter can find a way to make the rules work in his favor. But Peter soon finds himself more concerned with justice for Melissa and her young son . . . even though he may lose everything.

Interesting characters and a timely plot unite to deliver a strong, first-rate story. Unexpected twists play on the emotions and keep the tension mounting as the narrative unfolds. It’s an unputdownable, quick read, guaranteed to keep the reader rooting for justice until the final page is turned.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this Advance Reader’s eBook from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley
#TheShotgunLawyer #NetGalley

I was able to read a copy of this book via Net Galley. Many thanks to them and also the author, Victor Methos.

The storyline of this book involves a mass shooting at an elementary school. The mother of one of the fallen children wants to sue the gun company that manufactured the weapon used to kill her son.

Typically, I would not read this kind of book, simply because of the emotional/political content. I chose to read this one, however, because I have read books by this author before and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them/his writing. I definitely made a good choice – this book is fantastic! My hope is that this is just book one of many more to come with these characters. I thoroughly enjoyable read.

Great legal story! Hope this is a new series beginning, not just a stand alone. I found the characters fascinating, and the storyline so timely in this country. Excellent read.