If you enjoy Law and Order and the like, you will like this book. There was a lot of legal terminology, but the author does a great job of not letting it bog down the story. I look forward to reading more.

Debut author James Barretto’s “Mystic Wind” is a legal thriller that fans of Scott Turow and John Grisham, and films and TV series like “The Departed,” “The Verdict,” and “Boston Legal” may enjoy.

A savage beating by gang members has left former Boston prosecutor Jack Marino without the courage and passion necessary for courtroom work. For the last few years, he has toiled alongside his wife at his father-in-law’s high-powered law firm, leaving him unfulfilled. But then a judge, a friend from Jack’s ADA days, appoints him to defend an indigent client wrongfully accused of murdering a friend at the polluted fringes of the Mystic River, just outside the strip club where they work blue-collar jobs. With no money to mount a defense, before a different judge who hates him, and opposed by a district attorney and his first deputy for whom this trial is a must-win, the odds are not in Jack’s or his client’s favor. Will Jack be able to surmount the forces arrayed against them, and his own demons, to gain his client’s acquittal?

There’s a lot about “Mystic Wind” that I like. It’s well written. Although a debut, I felt I was in the hands of a seasoned storyteller. I found the settings vividly described, the dialogue realistic, and the courtroom scenes interesting and filled with tension.

But there are some weaknesses. The characters might have been more subtly drawn. Jack, a kid from the projects with a talent for trial law battles a never-ending stream of rich and/or powerful, thoroughly corrupt judges, politicians, police, and lawyers, including his own wife. In other words, the “good guy” is very, very good and the “bad guys” are all unredeemable. It’s a scenario that’s been utilized many, many times before. Unfortunately, Jack is not unique enough to elevate the scenario to a truly compelling level. Also, I found some of what happens in the story so extreme that I had trouble believing it.

But the ending is something of a “nail-biter.” Mr. Barretto manages to get his hero into deep, deep trouble and I found myself quickly turning the pages to discover how he gets out, if at all.

All in all, this is a fair-to-good entertainment; three and a half stars rounded up to four.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. The views expressed above are my independent opinion.

I loved this book! My background in dealing with judges made this book a true pleasure to read. The smooth flow of the chapters never allow you to drop the intensity of the plot. The anticipation keeps you turning the pages. You'll find yourself rooting for the main character. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Oceanview Publishing, as well as to NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Mystic Wind.

After star-prosecutor Jack Marino is savagely beaten in retaliation for his work as head of the District Attorney's Urban Gang Unit, he is let go. He's lost the fire that has driven him for so many years. Jack is then convinced to take a case as a defense attorney and the result is a nail-biting ride! I found Mystic Wing, by turns, to be fascinating, infuriating, and inspiring. Although there are parts in the book where reality is stretched, they didn't interfere with my reading enjoyment.

I am amazed that this book is a debut novel! Mystic Wind reads like a novel from a well-established author. It's easy to tell that Mr. Barretto is a former attorney and is currently a judge. I'm eager to read the second book in the series!

Extremely well thought out book, with great character development throughout. And one feedback is that it was a little hard to get into at the beginning but after a few pages it was hard to put down!

A gritty legal thriller set in the violent underbelly of Boston. Some improbable, if entertaining, sequences. Enjoy the ride and silence your inner voice saying “but that would never happen!”

Mystic Wind is a hooking crime thriller in the legal field by James Barretto. Jack Marino is a lawyer who is passionate about humanity and tuff on crime. James has carried us into the world of Marino where we are surprised by the sudden turns and twists. We follow him in the courtroom where his arguments are hanging by the thread and odds are tipping away from him. We visit the old projects' houses and see the pitiful lives of the occupants. We get to see the richer part of life and how crime is using both edges to thrive. We build a house of cards and try to gather evidence to make it stand.
Jack Marino is fighting for the life of a young family man(David Lamb) caught in the middle of traffic. He has been accused of murdering a very close friend whom he worked with and their lives were a copy of each other. The prosecution has made a case and David must hang. David is silent hoping he can just explain his case to the police and walk out. We follow Jack as he helps David to open up. They end up opening a can of worms. Everything is screaming danger. Will Jack hold on when things are falling apart?

I liked many things about this book. The story is attention-grabbing and gripping. I got tense while following the events yet I didn't want to miss out on what will happen next. The description of events is clear, one can see the environment. The stories are developing in a pattern that complements each other. The characters had good development. The book had a good organization of chapters and events. The cover page is wonderfully done.

There are things I have to point out as I didn't like them at all. There are no page numbers among other introductory parts. Chapter 1 has unnecessarily short sentences. Some beginning with "or" p2. Consider revising p4. It is made of two long sentences. Pg2 This sentence has a typo -at the biggest of the two-. Other chapters I found to be professionally edited.
I would rate this book 4.5 of 5 stars. This is because the book is entertaining uniquely. It builds up anticipation and not easy to guess the outcomes. I would have given it a total score except for there are issues I have noted above.

I would like to see Jack Marino in other books, in the same manner, Jack Reacher was a major character in several books.

This book is a must-read for the lovers of mystery, crime, thrillers, and law-related fans. Those fighting crime will identify with Jack and also see the dark side of the law. Other professionals will enjoy this book, it is mind furnishing.

I would give this more than 5 stars! An Outstanding story, tense writing, an overall absorbing book that was hard to put down. Without giving any of the plot or characters away, I would recommend this to all mystery readers. And I am eagerly awaiting the next mystery book from this author!

A fast paced legal thriller with a lot of improbable action sequences. The court scenes lack the punch of a legal thriller. A quick read if you don’t get too much into it.

I enjoyed this fast-paced and suspenseful debut from James Barretto, who I found grittier than Grisham. The storyline was well-written, and I couldn't help but root for the protagonist. Suspense, violence, and legal drama - this one has it all!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!

Wow! I was hooked from the very beginning! I was sweating and fearing for my life along with the characters. The images were clear, I could feel like I was right there with them! Intriguing story and even greater sense of place and setting!

A great book to read if you want to kept in suspense and generally entertained. Suspend reality a bit and you’ll enjoy a good book.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Oceanview Publishing and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A wonderfully entertaining courtroom drama that pushes the limits of reality, at times. That doesn’t ruin it for me though, I enjoy a good story.

Mystic Wind, by James Barretto, has some great author blurbs. Those authors say he has pulled off a great courtroom drama. And Barretto has himself been a trial lawyer from what I read. Now he aspires to great courtroom drama, the kind that the best authors can create. The kind that real trial lawyers see. In his acknowledgments, Barretto seems to concede that he has at times foregone reality for entertainment. I submit that to be a mistake. His exaggerations in the novel deduct from its credibility. I've tried dozens of jury trials myself, and I did not recognize many of the scenarios in Mystic Wind. But I do concede that it is often entertaining.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Wow! What a book! Wow this storyline was amazing what a great and interesting story! So sad but yet it had suspense, intrigue, kept me on the edge of my seat waiting what would happen!! Ugh I can't believe he died?! That was the only part that I didn't like lol but I understand! This book was so very interesting and interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Wow! What a storyline! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!