An interesting slow-burn legal Thriller.

Heartbreaking in some places, it was easy to feel connected to the story. But as the slow burn began to build, the MC became more difficult to stay connected to.

If you enjoy legal Thrillers, this is a good read to check out. The narration for the audiobook was really good!

I love a good legal thriller. The plot of Thirst for Justice is unique and intriguing, fast-paced and thought-provoking, like something ripped out of today’s headlines. For me, one of the biggest benefits of being a bookie is learning something new, and boy-oh-boy, do I feel enlightened about the humanitarian crisis in Africa, environmental law, and bioterrorism. The problem with David Boyd’s novel is that it’s an obvious debut full of rookie writing missteps. What bothered me most was how much time he spent describing minutia throughout the book. I wanted to don my editor’s hat and take out my electronic red pencil to fix it. All-in-all, though, it is a pretty good first novel. I bet his next one will be even better. 3.5 stars.

Genres: Legal thriller, political thriller
Read-alike Authors: Robin Cook, John Grisham, Scott Turow, William Deverell Daniel Palmer

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advanced copy, and the chance to review this audiobook.

I really enjoyed this listen. The main character was extraordinarily emotionally driven and his actions were heartfelt and very genuine. I enjoyed the action and descriptions of his adventures. The medical descriptions weren't really my cup of tea, and I tended to tune those out. The narration was fine, with no glaring issues. I confess, this isn't the kind of book I usually choose, but I was pleasantly surprised at how engaging the story was, and I would easily recommend this to a friend.

“Thirst for Justice” by David Boyd was a captivating read.

Although I had mixed feelings about the main character, it was a gripping political thriller and I loved every bit of the courtroom drama.👌🏽

Having said that, I am a physician and also from Africa, and with all I have experienced in Africa and in our line of work, I’m not impressed by the main character, Michael MacDougall and the way he chose to show his commitment to his work.

Thank you NetGalley & ECW Press Audio for this audio book in exchange for a honest review.
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Michael MacDougal is a renowned surgeon in the Seattle, Washington area. As of late he has volunteered with the Doctors without borders and is in the Congo. While his work there is rewarding; it is also very disheartening for him. He sees firsthand how much suffering is happening in the Congo, especially to young children. Most of which is preventable by having the basic human need; a clean water supply.
After working a shift in the Congo, Michael and two of his companions are on their way back to their compound when they are stopped by rebels; which result in Michael suffering PTSD from one of his companions being murder, while the other was raped. This tragedy had Michael returning to the states sooner than expected; and much different than he left.
Michael couldn’t stand by any longer and do nothing while 10,000 innocent children die every day just from lack of vaccines and basic needs. Michael firsts attempts to change this by starting a new nonprofit The Blue Drop foundation. All that is needed is a penny increase to all drinks so; which will result in the US being able to help end poverty and these senseless deaths of children in third world countries. To Michael’s utter frustration no Politian endorses this foundation; resulting in him facing the reality this could take years, if ever, to take off and give the results he wanted.
Michael is left with only one option; which goes against his very instinct as a Dr. Michael plots to safely poison the Seattle water supply with PCE. After immense research to ensure the safety of American citizens, Michael enacts his plan to poison the water and makes his way back to the Congo for another round of helping the needy. While en route Michael sends a few emails informing higher up’s – including the President- on his actions, and demanding the US allocate and donate 100 Billion dollar to aid the crisis.
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OK so now let me tell you everything that happened to Michael MacDougal his identity was discovered had myself a bit shocked to say the least. I think as the reader I knew where he was coming from was not a place of terrorism or malicious intent; but from a Dr who is suffering PTSD and whose heart is breaking seeing children die needlessly. How he was treated by the government also rose more than a few eyebrows. Between tortures, possible assassination, as well a jury tampering; this book showed there could also be an ugly side to our government and judicial system, especially when there is the threat of terrorism.

A Thirst for Justice by David R. Boyd is thought provoking. It brings to light how good intentions can go wrong. The author wrote a very descriptive book that pulled me in. There is medical goodwill, extortion, courtroom drama, government control meshed into one. This is a fast paced listen. Geoffrey Pounsett delivered his performance with some fitting emotions. He is a new to me narrator. Thank you #NetGalley for letting me review this audiobook at my request, I did enjoy it.

Thanks NetGalley publishers and author for this advance readers copy!
This was more of a slow burn read to me! I thought the writing was done very well!
The characters were great and had that (believable feeling)
The narrator was actually pretty good and that's a big thing for me!
Overall I enjoyed this book!

I loved this one! What a refreshingly unique story!

This story took on a really huge topic with a lot of different facets, but it jumped right in and moved so efficiently though some really heavy topics. Everything was perfectly balanced to give you enough detail to make it believable but not so much that I was ever bored.

I did feel like the end concerning the phone talking and the jurors was a little much a little fast, overall it was awesome.

Highly recommended for fans of Lincoln Child.

S U M M A R Y 
Michael MacDougall is a renowned surgeon in Seattle, Washington. But something seems to be missing, despite his lovely wife and thriving career. He ends up volunteering with a doctors-across-borders type charity in the Congo. But while it's terribly rewarding, the horrible things he sees, and that happen to him, he is changed from the man he was. When he returns home after nearly being killed, he tries to find a way to help the innumerable children he tried to save in Africa. It leads him through a winding path to an unthinkable act. How far is too far when you're seeking justice for the innocent?

 C H A R A C T E R S 
I do feel like Michael is a pretty sympathetic character, and his unwinding from trauma is very obvious, but while it's happening, I felt farther and farther from him rather than closer. I feel like I should have felt more for him. Honestly I feel the worst for the wife, who didn't get nearly enough page time.

 P L O T 
Slow and fast in spurts. Anyone who wants a quick read probably won't find it here. It drug out interminably in some places, which perhaps contributed to my feeling of distance. I definitely agree to the comparisons to John Grisham's books, which I loved as a teen but find rather dull these days. But the exploration of conflicts we don't hear enough about, and the truth of the justice system and even parts of the military, ring way too true. It was an interesting read that leaves me feeling conflicted - on one hand, it was pretty well written, but it was very slow in places. I've had to really work to come to a decent rating.

 N A R R A T I O N 
Narrated by Geoffrey Pounsett, who I do not think I've listened to before. He has a very pleasant voice and inflection though, and I enjoyed him.

 O V E R A L L 
If you like legal thrillers that aren't necessarily quick, and definitely have a message, this is for you. I'm not upset I read it, but I don't ever see myself rereading it either. I am definitely not surprised that the author is an activist and a lawyer. I ended up with a solid 3 after a lot of seesawing over it.

Grabbed me on the first page and didn't let up. Well written and believable characters, a lot of unlikable ones too. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

This is outside of my usual comfort zone genre but I thought it sounded interesting so I gave it a listen. What I found was a thought provoking thriller that grabbed my attention from the beginning and held my interest throughout. The book is about a Seattle trauma surgeon that goes to the Congo to volunteer. He is touched deeply by what he sees and can no longer stand by waiting for others to help, he must do something to help. As he is ignored on his quest to help, he makes decisions that will change the path of his life forever. This is a book that really makes you think about what’s going on in the world around you as well as the impact you are or are not making. I found it to be a good, solid read.