Nora Carleton returns for a third outing in FDR Drive by James Comey which is an interesting thriller but one I felt was a slightly unbalanced book.

The secondary storyline was the one that grabbed my interest the most but this felt rushed and a bit tagged on at the end which was a shame.

Overall the book is a good read and one I would recommend.

Could this really happen?
James Comey a police and court procedural that takes the reader through the miriad of layers of the justice system of the USA. He leads us through the alphabet soup of acronyms that cover the judiciary, Police, FBI, and other government organisations. By the very nature of this complicated system, the book is necessarily very detailed, but perhaps overly so in parts.
This is the 5hird book that has featured Nora Carleton and her team. Here, an extremist podcaster has extreme views, and some of the people he has targeted verbally end up being killed or seriously injured. Her task is to prove to a jury that he had incited followers to carry out the crimes. It's a fast-moving story, and we also continue to learn more of the private lives of Nora and investigator Benny.
This book has a ring of authenticity. It left me wondering if this crime could actually happen, or indeed if it already has.

Extremism right inthe public eye, on the soundwaves and seemingly impossible to shut down. Nora has a near impossible task, trying to silence someone who is inciting violence against named individuals without ever really saying the words.
The entire story is intricately plotted and the author clearly has a great knowledge of the inner workings of American justice systems, allowing the reader to work alongside Nora without ever tripping over some obscure terminology that spoils the flow!
Absolutely a 5 star read!

A novel of two halves. The plot and the courtroom drama. I was fascinated by the American judicial system playing out and was trying to work out what comparisons and contrasts could be drawn with the British system. The plot was made more pertinent by recent American politics but it was rather same old, same old and I have certainly read similar plots before.
Overall a very entertaining thriller.

Comey is just superb. It’s clear that he brings his knowledge and experience of homeland security to the fore in his books, but at heart, he’s a skilled and natural storyteller and right at the top of his game. This is his third book and although I didn’t think the other two could be bettered, I reckon this is his best. It takes hold of the reader at the start and throws them out at the other end. I was literally breathless a couple of times; the tension built and I realised I was actually holding my breath,

This is modern America. A confused and conflicted country. The land of the free and one where freedom of speech allows extremity a voice. It’s terrifying and compelling in equal measure. An extreme far right group is inciting domestic terror. A legal case against one of the ringleaders is brought to court and the arguments around whether free speech can be a crime is thought provoking and makes for an outstanding legal courtroom drama. Meanwhile, the very fabric of society is shredding. It’s chilling. And brilliant.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

A very current story about the intersection of freedom of speech and criminality. A return of Nora as the main character ably helped by Benny and his grittier ways.

This is the third Nora Carlton book and I was excited to read it. In this one the criminal is a an extremist podcaster and this felt apt and not a little scary. These are such well paced books - I read it in a sitting - but I also love the writing. The setting is great and the dialogue really brings the characters alive. ‘Like a working mom bringing down bad man’ is going to be my new catchphrase!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy. I hope Jame Comey is well into writing the next one.

Thanks to James and Netgalley for allowing me to read FDR Drive prior to the publication date.
This is the third book in the series, but can be read as a standalone novel.
Don’t be put off by the prologue which describes a bomb attack and is definitely not for the feint hearted.

It involves topical and controversial current day issues (Social media, influencers, 2 tier policing etc.)
The description of how vulnerable, disenfranchised people can be radicalised by influencers is interesting.

Sam Buchanan is a right wing broadcaster who, choosing his words carefully, uses his programs to spout vitriol and stir up hatred among his followers. (Buchanan’s character uses language which immediately conjured up images of a certain American politician).
When the people he has verbally attacked are murdered, Buchanan claims to have no responsibility and that he was just exercising his right to free speech.
The author has included details about the various departments within Homeland Security and the Justice Dept.
However I think that providing a basic reporting structure outwith the story would have been less distracting for the reader.

FDR Drive is a thought provoking legal thriller set in the USA of Trump and MAGA. Several murders are linked to a right wing radio personality. His followers were clearly behind the crimes but can US Attorneys make the case that his word made him legally liable?

The legal arguments raise issues around free speech and bring some difficult discussions into play. The novel is realistic although a little over detailed in places. \not having read the first two novels in the series, this still worked well as a standalone thriller.

This is another brilliant book about Nora and her team. Nora is now back in New York, and they are trying to make a case against an influencer who is directing his followers to kill people he disagrees with. This is just the tip of the iceberg of a more complex plot. The book starts with a shooting, then tells the story about how it happened. As the book progresses, you start to realise who has been shot, and need to keep reading to find out what happens afterwards. It is a really good writing trick and really increases the tension.
Lovely to see all these characters again, and see the next stages in their personal and professional lives.
Highly recommended.

This is the third Nora Carleton and Benny Dugan police procedural by James Comey and by far the best as it takes the reader down the rabbit hole of right wing conspiracy theorists before posing the question of how responsible should they be if their followers attack, kill or main people whose views they do not agree with.

The by play between the two main characters is as sharp as ever and their private loves are also well explored.

Comey's deep first hand knowledge of the workings of the various competing departments within homeland security also comes to the fore and make this an informed as well as exciting read which combines internal politics, legal ethics, action and courtroom drama.

Highly recommended.