A powerful, dramatic and emotional page turner that shines a spotlight on issues like police brutality and homelessness, Justice Gone by N Lombardi Jr. gripped me from beginning to end.
In a small town in New Jersey a homeless war veteran is beaten to death by police. Traumatised, his friend and fellow vet goes off the grid, causing counsellor Tessa Thompson to worry. This fear intensifies when three of the officers involved in the initial incident are shot, in a way that suggests a sniper , This sets off a manhunt for our missing veteran, and following his dramatic surrender, an equally if not more dramatic trial.
This book really does have it all, a topical social message, fantastic characters, great plot and pacing and more action and drama than should be permitted in one book. From heartbreaking emotional moments to intensely powerful courtroom scenes, reading the book felt like being on a roller coaster, there was never a dull moment, never a wasted page. While the characters are all interesting, my favorite by far was flamboyant show boating lawyer Nathaniel Bodine, who has the skills and knowledge to back up his courtroom theatrics.
I believe that this is the first in a planned series involving Tessa Thompson, and I look forward to reading more , but I do hope that she teams up with Bodine again.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.