I usually don't lean towards a legal thriller, but this one really caught my eye. And I'm so glad that it did. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the circumstances they saw themselves in throughout the book. This definitely opened my eyes to a new genre that I will gladly check out more often. Especially when this author is writing! His writing was so easily read and it seemed as if I just flew through this book. I know when I'm loving a book because I can fly through what could normally take 2-3 days to get through.

I really enjoy this author's legal thrillers. I would recommend reading A Criminal Defense before picking up A Criminal Justice. We first meet Nick and Piper in A Criminal Defense, which will provide some good background for readers.

Although we all know who the suspects might be, what we don't know is if there was truly a frame and just how the frame occurred. This is a hang-on-to-your-seat thriller. During the trial scenes, I found myself hoping for someone to come riding in to save the day. Excellent read that I highly recommend!

Before going into this book, I didn't know it was part of a series. But this fact did not decrease my enjoyment. I was still able to understand who all the characters were. And I will make sure to read the rest of the books. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book! It had many twists that I did not see coming. The writing was gripping and I was hooked on every word. I definitely recommend if you're looking for a suspenseful read filled with surprising plot twists.

A Criminal Justice by William L. Myers, Jr.

Brief Summary: This is the fourth book in the Philadelphia Legal series featuring attorney Mick McFarland. I have been a big fan ever since I read A Criminal Defense and will continue to read every book in the series. In this book, Mick is arrested for killing Edwin Hansen, brother of David Hansen, Mick’s client in book one. Mick is stunned by the compelling evidence which includes video footage of him killing the victim. His wife Piper will go to any length to clear his name and travels the country to find the man she is convinced set Mick up; while Marcie tries to protect her husband.

Highlights: Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book in the series. The technology aspects were interesting, but I felt like I had to suspend reality to buy into some of the plot twists. I was engaged and interested in the story; but it lacked the brilliant twists of the other books. It really helped to have read the previous books of the series; most notably the first book!

Explanation of Rating: 3/5.

I will continue to read Myers work; especially in the Mick McFarlane series.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

this was a really good suspenseful read, the characters were great and I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

I have loved the previous legal thrillers by William Myers, however, A Criminal Justice went too far over the line. There was too much corruption for my comfort level to the point that I struggled to find one character that could like, relate to or just care about a little bit. Even the ones from past books no longer were worth my time. This saddens me because there are so few good legal thriller writers out there these days and the ones who are there have become formulaic. I wish I liked it more.

This was the fourth book in a series. I did not read any of the other books in this series. I may have enjoyed it more if I had. It might have been easier to keep track of all the characters. Maybe I would have liked the characters better if I was more invested in them. For me, it read like a soap opera. There was a lot of overlapping interactions between the characters. They all seem to be hiding something even if it not what they are accused of.

I thought the book was boring and only finished it to write my review. Many of the facts were repeated over and over. The book could have been a lot shorter.

The writing style did not hold my interest. There were a lot of goofy unnecessary “sayings” thrown in throughout the book. “Love and hate are odd birds. So often found fluttering in the same heart.” The characters were all immature, spoiled adults.

I received this galley from NetGalley.

William Myers is an author who holds his readers and keeps them wanting more in this book. It is a follow up to his prior novel and in this book, he takes you to the next level as Mick McFarland is arrested for murdering Edwin Hanson and the video footage from the last novel comes to light in this one. This book keeps you engaged and you won’t want to put it down until you finished it.

I went into A Criminal Justice without having read the previous three books in the series.

What I liked:
- The legal thriller aspect and focus on the courtroom elements

What didn't work for me:
- There were a lot of characters that were not very developed and I found it hard to connect with them
- Since I struggled to connect to the characters, I was not invested in the main crime/plot of the book
- Lots of small plot lines that did not seem fully developed

I think this should be read as part of the series as maybe then I would have been more invested in the characters if I had their background from the past books.

I couldn’t get through this book. The writing was bad, the pacing and characters couldn’t catch my interest, and I didn’t care for the plot.

This novel thrives on expert characterization. It is a well written legal thriller that doesn’t slow down and will keep you guessing until the end.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I won't delve into the plot of this book, but WOW! what a ride. If you love legal thrillers and murder mysteries, then this is a book for you! There are so many different stories within the story that keep you guessing, yet they are all tied up in the end, with the exception of one question I was left with that never got answered.

All the characters were very well fleshed out, but it did take to a little while to get them all straight in my mind. I highly recommend this book. If you are on the fence about it, just go for it. Great read!

I received this book through the Read Now program at "NetGalley".

This story takes hold and doesn't release you until the very end. The facts of the case as laid out are almost unsurmountable for Mick's team to refute. The story has Mick accused of killing Edwin Hanson. Mick does not remember anything from that time period in which the event occurred. Videos and emails are introduced as key evidence and in the end Mick is arrested and awiting trial in jail.

All of Mick's team are pursuing leads to try and dispute the factual information. The prosecution team feels that this should be an easy win to prove him guilty.

As the trial begins and after the state rests its case, only then is there a glimmer of hope for the defense.

Piper has made a deal for assistance and what results will blow you away.

The ending of the trial is unbelievable and the very last part of the story ultimately depicts who the real killer was. If you want to find out all about the reason for why Mick as selected, then you need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.

The fourth in a series and although each case is contained in each book there are some definite throwbacks and character developments from book to book that you will want to know about before going into this one. Each one reads so smoothly and has some uniqueness to each of them, so you can even read them straight in a row.

I read the first three in a row and loved it. There was a delay between reading book three and four and I wish I didn't have a delay. I think there were some details from book three that I was missing when it went to reading this book. The case from book three was heavily featured in this one, so I would recommend reading them very close so you have that case in the back of your mind when you go to read this one.

Mick McFarland is arrested for murder very early into the book, so the book features those who surround him more than himself which was different from the other books. His law firm has to figure out who really committed the murder and how to get him out of jail. I loved that it took the whole team working together to solve the crime. All had to use their individual skills to get to a solution.

I love this series and hope that even if there aren't more in this series that Myers keeps writing. I like how he develops characters and then creates plots that make such great reads.

First, I have zero awareness that this is a part of series but that’s my bad. The story have lots of unexpected twists and I am moved. It’s just a bit funny I haven’t read the books before this so some of the events could make sense to me. But like I said, that’s my bad I didnt do research prior to requesting but I enjoyed reading it. I will definitely read the rest of the series.

This story has so many twists and turns it will give you whiplash trying to keep up with this explosive and riveting story. So well told and engaging. It's a must read. Happy reading!

Philadelphia Legal #4

Mick McFarland is a criminal defense attorney. He's arrested for the murder of Edwin Hanson. Edwin was the chairman and CEO for Hanson World Industries. He's also the brother of Micks former clients. Mick protests his innocence but the police are quick to inform him that there is a video of him committing the murder.

Before you start reading this book you should read, if you haven't already, A Criminal Defense, the first book in this series. This is a fast paced courtroom drama. This book picks up four years after A Criminal Defense left off. I was hooked from the start. There's lots of twist and turns and the characters are complex. I do recommend you read all the books in order. This is another great addition to this series. I love the authors style in writing these books. This is my favourite book in the series so far.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the author William L. Myers jr. for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Criminal Justice is the fourth in a fantastic legal thriller series and yes you should read these in order. What better time than now? They’re all free on KU and have been great reads for me, they’re all intricately plotted and twisty and this was no exception. Another clever installment in a series that I can definitely recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

Another good one in the Philadelphia Legal series!

Picking up four years after Criminal Defense (the first book in the series), Mick McFarland is being tried for murder. In the first book, Mick had defended David Hanson, but now is on trial for killing David's brother Edwin (CEO of Hanson Industries). As Mick's legal team fights to beat the prosecution in court, his wife, Piper, is on a mission to find the person who is out to destroy her husband's life.

I had previously read the first book in the Philadelphia Legal series (A Criminal Defense). While I enjoyed the first book better, this book was also engaging and a courtroom drama with tons of twists!

Thank you William L. Myers Jr, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#ACriminalJustice #NetGalley