A thrilling legal thriller full of intrigue, mystery, suspense and heart pounding action. Mitch is a lawyer by day but he sure gets himself into some deep trouble. It felt like everyone was after him the good and the bad. The story ramps up to a alarming fast pace about halfway through and from there I didn't want it to stop. I was unsure how it would end but I just had to find out. The layered chapters drawing me in as I got to further investigate. I enjoyed the characters even the ones that I didn't like because they make the plot more believable. This is the first book I have read by this author and I am excited to read more if this is anything to go by.

This is a legal thriller with a slight difference- nothing seems to happen in the courtroom!
Mitch is a lawyer in Oakland, doing research for judges. When he is asked to testify for Paco Castillo, a nefarious gangster, he cannot refuse as he is tasked with telling the truth in his job. However, when, after Mitch’s testimony, Paco avoids gaol and asks Mitch to search for his missing wife Mitch is in a quandary as he has an expensive habit he cannot kick. He decides to make a pact with the devil, fearful about how his gambling debts are affecting his relationship with his wife and hoping that Paco will keep his promise and pay them off.
This leads to violence and danger for both Mitch and his family. Caught up in a no win situation and trying to stay ahead of Paco and do the right thing for his wife and son, Mitch has to make some very difficult decisions. As this is all happening he also comes across a conspiracy amongst the judges he works for. There is certainly a lot going on in this novel and in Mitch’s life!
There is a great deal of double crossing as well as many characters in this book so although it was an extremely fast paced read it was also sometimes difficult to keep up with what was happening. I certainly had to keep my wits about me! Mitch makes some very strange decisions but over all he comes over as a likeable character and I wouldn’t mind reading more about him in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy.

Although the premise of this book was intriguing I didn’t feel that it lived up to expectations. Too wordy - I skipped passages - it could have done with better editing. Also, I frequently found it difficult to believe in Mitch’s behaviour. Too much double crossing going on for my liking. The character I liked best was Alma…now she would make a great, sassy, main character!

He freed a monster. Now the city wants his head. Mitchum Sweeney is fifty, divorced, and one bad hand away from financial ruin. By day, he’s a judicial staff attorney at Oakland’s Superior Court. By night, he’s dodging creditors and chasing lost causes. But when his expert testimony sets cartel kingpin Paco Castillo free, Mitch becomes a target for the union, the FBI, and Paco himself. Castillo has one final demand: find his missing wife, and Mitch’s mountain of gambling debt disappears! Great thriller! This book had chilling suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, action, and a few shocking twists! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!