⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Another Great Legal Thriller!

Fatal Verdict is the second book in Peter O’Mahoney’s Dean Lincoln Legal Series, and I’ve got to say — I liked this one even better than the first!

In this story, Dean and his boss Bruce are back in the courtroom, this time defending Haley Finch, a woman accused of murdering her husband after he mysteriously disappears. To make things more complicated, there’s talk about her ex also going missing — though she insists that situation was resolved and he’s very much alive. Dean and Bruce have to dig deep into the gritty details to uncover the truth and try to prevent a guilty verdict.

I really enjoyed both reading and listening to this one via the audiobook. The pacing was solid, and the courtroom scenes were compelling without being over-the-top. Bruce, who came off a bit pushy in the first book (especially with all those plea deals), seemed a lot more level-headed this time around — a change I appreciated. It also felt like Dean got a little more well-rounded here, with glimpses into his family life and a bit more personal depth.

The audiobook narration was excellent — smooth tone and good flow that made the story easy to follow and kept me hooked.

Overall, this was a strong follow-up in the series, and I’m really hoping there’s a third book on the way. If you're into legal thrillers with smart twists and strong characters, definitely give this one a try.

Five stars again for Peter O’Mahoney!

Smart, sharp, and totally addictive, this legal thriller had me hooked from the first chapter. Fatal Verdict by Peter O’Mahoney delivers serious courtroom drama with just the right balance of grit and emotion. The pacing was tight, the twists were well-placed, and I couldn’t get enough of the main character—flawed but easy to root for. If you’re into legal thrillers that feel grounded and genuinely high-stakes, this one absolutely delivers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
Rated PG-13 for legal tension, language, and mature themes.

Fatal Verdict is a gripping legal thriller that delivers steady tension, smart twists, and a compelling courtroom drama. I was immediately pulled into the case and the stakes, and I appreciated how the legal elements felt authentic without being overly technical.

The pacing worked well, fast enough to keep me turning pages (or in this case, listening straight through), with just enough time spent building character depth. The protagonist was easy to root for, and the way the mystery unfolded kept me guessing until the end.

The audiobook narration was strong and really helped set the tone. This is a great pick for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted legal thriller with layers of suspense and solid storytelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This review reflects my honest thoughts and opinions as a NetGalley reviewer.

Another hit legal thriller from Peter O’Mahoney. This sequel in the Dean Lincoln series draws you into to Beaufort scenery.

There’s a hurricane brewing over Beaufort, South Carolina.

And in the calm before the storm, big-city lawyer Dean Lincoln finds himself defending Haley Finch, a beautiful young woman accused of murdering her older boyfriend. Her supposed motive? He’d just won big on the lottery—and then changed his will in her favor. In the South, with Haley’s estranged husband suspiciously missing for the past two years and their marital funds dwindling fast, that’s motive enough.

But Lincoln knows nothing is ever quite as it seems down here, and once again finds himself scratching beneath the cracked veneer of the famous Southern charm. In Beaufort, money and influence all too often outweigh justice, so if Lincoln is going to dig right down to the truth, he’ll have to risk everything he loves

Dean Lincoln is on the case.  When Sammy rewrites his will five days before his death, the new benefactor is arrested for his murder. All of the evidence is circumstantial. Sammy paid off some of his brother's debt, and told him he would be included in his original will. There is a secondary story featuring a missing person thatcI was equally interested. Small town justice and some of the inner workings of the legal system. I really enjoy a good legal thriller, this one does not disappoint.  The twist at the end, was unexpected and fun to read.

Thank you to Brillance Publishing for the ALC. The narrator Troy Duran was excellent.

The verdict is in I enjoyed this book. Although not as much as the first book, well until the finale few characters and the twist takes place. This is because in the middle there was a lot of focus on the home life drama and while I liked it in the first book there was a bit too much focus in this book. It was still a good book and hasn't put me off jumping into the third book when it comes out. This book sees Dean Lincoln taking on two cases, which are very different from each other. The main case is to defend a woman who has been accused of killing her boyfriend for his money. This case makes it to court and a legal battle provides the entertainment and wonder of how he is going to clear her name. This case was quiet involved and with also a missing person in the mix there was a lot going on and suspects The lesser case sees him going up against his archnemesis who has refused to pay for work done. The archnemesis is the kind of guy everybody hates but with his money and influence people are afraid to cross, so of course I spent the whole time rotting for his comeuppance. Other than mister nasty I liked the characters. Looking forward to the next battle of words

When Dean and Emma return to there home town to take care of an ailing mother, it sees him partnering up with his old mentor in court. There latest case has them defending a woman of killing her boyfriend. Her first husband is supposedly missing and with her boyfriend having only changed his will days before his death, things don't look good. Can Dean and Bruce prove she isn't the killer the town thinks she is? At the same time the man who killed Dean's sister and his rich father are still causing problems. For not only Dean and his family but the whole town, Dean has to defend a man who ripped up Dean's archnemesis driveway after non payment. Can the little guy take on the big guys of the world and come out on top? Dean is about to find out.
I liked the narrator. He helped bring the story to life with just the power of his voice and took you along in a roller coaster ride of emotions along side the characters.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Fatal Verdict by Peter O’Mahoney is a tightly woven legal thriller that effortlessly blends small-town suspense with courtroom drama. When a murder rocks a quiet community, all eyes fall on a single suspect—a woman desperate to clear her name. Her only hope lies with Dean, a high-powered city lawyer who finds himself far from his comfort zone and in the middle of a case that’s more complicated than it first appears.

O’Mahoney crafts a layered narrative, balancing the central murder trial with a compelling side case that adds depth and urgency to Dean’s journey. The pacing is sharp, the stakes steadily rising as secrets unravel and motives are questioned. Dean is a strong, well-drawn protagonist—reluctantly pulled into a mess that demands both his legal skills and his instincts for uncovering the truth.

What sets this novel apart is its ability to maintain suspense on multiple fronts. The story builds with careful precision, leading to several satisfying twists that keep readers guessing. With crisp writing, smart plotting, and a strong emotional core, Fatal Verdict delivers a gripping and satisfying read from start to finish.