From the first page the reader is drawn into a murder but it takes a while to discover where the story is heading. Never sure who is the criminal and a twist at the end when all becomes clear

Amazing read, a mix of suspence, intrigue, horror and of all things: magic! Loved every word and each character, I just was hooked from the beginning to the end! J D is a wonderful story teller and I will definitely be reading more of his books.

Graydon Wendt and his colleague are walking back to the office after a dinner appointment with a client during a huge winter storm. A car pulls up and shoots Grays colleague and beats up Gray. Gray remembers being shot too and an old man with an Irish accent saving him.

When Gray wakes up in the hospital there are no gunshot wounds. His memories are not clear and he is hallucinating. Was Gray shot and saved or is this part of a hallucination from the concussion?

He has headaches and isn’t up to par when he returns to work at his law firm where he is a real estate lawyer. Gray soon learns that the shooting was likely committed because the FBI had been investigating his law firm and some of their clients. Gray and his colleague are caught up in the investigation and it looks like Gray may take the fall for the criminal actions.

Who is behind all of this. Will Gray go to prison for a crime he didn’t commit?

This is my first book by this author and I was really impressed. I look forward to reading his next book.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

As one who likes legal thrillers I was little disappointed in this book. Drag on in places and was pretty predictable ended. First time reading this author , but will like to continue looking at some of his other books.

I must say I very much so enjoy a good lawyer story, myself being a person who is on that path career wise, this story did not disappoint.

This is the first book I read by this author and it sure won't be the last.

Book review : Merchants Bridge by J.D.Trafford is an immense intriguing legal thriller is the first book in Dark River Series.

This story is about Graydon "Gray" Wendt while walking back to the office after a late dinner with a potential client. His law partner is killed immediately, and Gray is knocked to the ground and shot twice in the chest.

A few days later, Gray wakes up in the hospital. His face is swollen. His body is sore, and his mind is scattered. Some of his clearest memories from that night are dismissed as by-products of a concussion. Although healing, Gray’s attempt to return to work is complicated by headaches and hallucinations. He struggles with paranoia and how to differentiate what is real and what is not.

I appreciate the way the story kept me hooked till the end. It was very difficult to relate what's going on and who is the actual culprit or how Gray will survive or lose his life????

The book is beginner friendly and the author's way of depicting different emotions, feelings or ongoing processes is commendable. Looking forward to read the upcoming book in the series.

I am thankful to netgalley and temple bar press for giving me a chance to read this book. I recommend this book to all mystery lovers.
Happy Reading!

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Merchants Bridge was an absolute treat to read, the main character was relatable, the story keeps you wanting more, & the last page gave me goosebumps. It starts with a murder and
explodes into so much more.

The opening has a strong hook, the characters have unique voices, & the main character is relatable pushing the story forward. The start leans on first person narration as you jump into Grays mind while the book balances out as the story unfolds and twists open up. First J.D. Trafford book and I enjoyed the writing style a lot, a good hook & hang that you won’t want to put down.

First, I'm sending my love to Netgalley and the author J D Trafford for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always love myself some crime/judicial system fiction and its quite refreshing to follow the case from an estate lawyer's perspective. There's still some juicy crime happening, but the book doesn't try to be a blockbuster with exaggerated drama and tension. Somehow I love that.

The pace is a bit slow at first, but it catches up towards the end. In a weird way I appreciate the hopeless tone this book carries. I'm sure it somehow mirrors the reality out there. It always boggles my mind to think of how many injustices had happen through the justice system.

"We like to say that we are searching for the truth, but we are more often searching for finality, regardless of whether it is right."

For me the best thing this book offers is its characters. There's endless depth and complexity to Gray. I'd trust Moyo with my life. I totally feel for Wirth. And I wishhh my neighbours are as kind as Haley and Midge.

If there's one thing to complaint, I'd say I wish the trials are more detailed. That's my drug right there. Still a good first book to a series. Looking forward to read more from the author!!

This is the first book I've read by J.D. Trafford and believe me, it won't be the last!

The book gripped me from the very start when Graydon and a colleague is walking home and get attacked. The part that stayed in my mind from start to finish was the mysterious shots that were in Graydons chest but the doctors couldn't locate any wounds. My mind kept going to the little Irish white beard man and who he was! I don't want to mention anything else that might spoil the books twists and turns but trust me, it's one of those 'sit on the edge of your seat, just one more chapter then I'm done' type of books. You can't get enough until you reach the end page but then you're still wanting more!

The plot was very realistic and kept you on the edge of your seat, wondering what was going to happen with Graydon, Ethan, Cassie, the whole lot of characters. It wasn't just a guessing game for the main character. EVERYONE had a guessing part..

If I remember correctly, there's going to be a book 2. SIGN ME UP!

I have just read Merchants Bridge by J.D. Trafford.

I must say that I do enjoy a good Lawyer story, and this one did not disappoint.

It is the first book that I have read by this Author.

A first book in the “Dark River Series”.

It starts off with lawyer Graydon "Gray" Wendt walking home with another lawyer after a business meeting.

A car speeds out, and attacks and kills one of the men, and seriously injuring the other.

Some good characters, a money laundering operation, and an overall great start to a new series in my opinion.

Thank you to Goodreads, Author J.D. Trafford, and Temple Bar Press for my advanced copy to read and review.
#MerchantsBridge #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley, J.D Trafford and Temple Bar Press for giving me this arc in exchange for a honest review.
When a real estate attorney witness his friend and partner being shot beside him and feeling two bullets striking his chest afterwards lines between reality are blurred when the medical examiner insists Gray wasn't shot.
While dealing with trauma his law firm Herbert and Bloom fires him due to multiple mistakes he's making. He's then charged with his friend's murder and goes on trial ,he has to prove his innocence before time runs out.
I really loved this book due to it written in third person and being fast paced. It also has mystical elements and was overall a really great read. I cannot wait for the next book in the 'Dark River Series' .

There are conflicting statements throughout such as references to timeline of events not being equal from page to page. There were out of place words - 'and' instead of 'at', misspelled words, missing or misplaced commas, and many other annoying little things that sasoned authors just don't do. Things that made me question a decision to actually finish the book. The only reason I finished was because there was actually an interesting story here - just told poorly - including going along with the story and all of a sudden being dumped into the characters dream or daydream or musing of some sort with no proper flow. There was also the horrible misuse of past and present tense. I realize this is fiction. I guess that's why the proceedings of the judicial system were so distorted.

The author jumped off into loose tangents that he makes a big deal a bout but then just leaves them hanging there. They served no purpose other than to prolong the incessant babbling of an author trying to hold the story together. Where were the copy editors and proofreaders on this one??

This is an author I've wanted to read as he writes about my favorite topic - the law. This book is a psychological murder mystery set in St. Louis, Missouri, a city I know nothing about, except watching the St. Louis Blues play my hockey team. About seventy-five percent of the story is the crimes committed and characters involved. The actual legal case, indictments and the court trial is the latter part of the story.
Middle-aged, divorced real estate Attorney Graydon Wendt, (Gray) watches as his law firm partner and friend Victor Morales is shot, murdered right beside him. Then he feels two bullets strike his own chest, or so he professes. The medical professionals insist he was not shot. He is badly injured, beaten and concussed. His long recovery includes pain, panic, paranoia,  anxiety attacks, flashbacks, hallucinations, some drug and alcohol abuse. There are also the quirky characters who saved him at the crime scene, or is that more of his imagination?
His ex-wife, Kendra, tries to be understanding and supportive. She's at his side in the hospital and allows him extra time with the kids.
His lawfirm, founded by Herbert Bloom, initially supports his extended recovery issues. As Gray's mistakes keep adding up he's put on leave, billable hours are the priority.
His reliable neighbors are the only ones who don't give up on him and are supportive. His passion and stress relief hobby is baking bread. As everyone thinks he's making it all up, it spirals down even more and he becomes the police departments primary target. He will have to find the proof of his innocence or end up in jail.
The crimes will mount up with missing files, disappearing witnesses, bribery, money laundering, cover-ups, developers and politicians all involved. It's a race against time as he's charged, the trial begins and his days are numbered.
The events were fast paced and full of surprises, twists and turns. There are lots of good, well constructed characters and some unexpected mystical people that left me pondering. I would read this author again, very suspense filled book, look forward to next in series.
Thanks to NetGalley, J.D. Trafford and to Temple Bar Press for the advance digital copy of "Merchants Bridge, Dark River Series, 1". These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily.

This book was a nice quick read focusing mostly on the main character. The side characters had the beginnings of being fleshed out. Look for more world building in the next novel in the series. No real surprises here but a quick read if a bit formulaic. Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

Well that was a little different?! This book had the usual, suspense, intrigue, and some great who done it but it also had a bit of hmmmm not really paranormal I'm not sure what you'd call it maybe luck of the superstition kind?! Lol but it was a great read! It was touch and go till right at the very end! Great book! I will definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I really enjoyed this book but I have to say that in the beginning there were a few times that I was very confused but by a third of the way through I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.. Gray is a lawyer who gets caught up into something after his partner s killed in front of him. He struggles with what happened that night and what he believed happened. I loved the story line, the unique twist and ending. Great read. Highly recommend.

Merchant's Bridge was a good read, although there were a few times when I had difficulty staying involved. The lead character, Gray, was believable and I felt really sorry for him when he was having such a hard time with the after effects of being shot. Of course the doctor never believed he was shot. There were no bullet wounds. I thought it was very kind of his ex-wife to keep him involved with their children. She always obliged him whenever he wanted them. She was actually a decent ex.

What his boss did to him was criminal. He was ruthless. But his boss's son, Ethan really came through for him. Like Gray, I thought he was against him. But he came through with flying colors.

I was glad when Gray decided against suicide. If he had committed suicide, his boss would have gotten away with murder. He did, after all, have Gray's partner killed.

I was pleased with the ending. He got his much longer for bakery. And Agent Wirth learned the truth about what happened to him and she shared it with him. Overall the book was a good read and I would recommend it for book club.

This legal thriller starts off with a bang - literally. Attorney Gray (Grayson) Wendt convinced his colleague to walk back to the office rather than taking a cab that ends in his colleague’s death and him in hospital. Waking up with a massive concussion but without the gunshot wounds to the chest he vividly remembers begins his shakey recovery. Is he hallucinating? Was it all his imagination? When he returns to work will he be seen as a conquering hero or a victim? Follow Gray as he tries to rebuild his life and figure out if he’s fighting his failing mind or a deeper conspiracy. A cerebral rather than a pulse pounding legal thriller. Highly recommend.

This book was great, the characters were well developed. The plot was interesting. Highly recommend it.

Routine mystery regarding money laundering/fraud in the real estate and local government offices (fancy that) and the set up of a fall guy to take the blame when the whole enterprise comes tumbling down. Few twists and turns and a relatively predictable outcome but an easy and quite enjoyable read. I was surprised the author has won awards as technically his writing is a little loose at times, somewhere between Grisham and Follett in quality, probably closer to Grisham. I probably wouldn't read any other offerings from this author, the subject matter genre is readily available from any number of authors who are better writers.