Can an up-and-coming prosecutor convict a killer for a murder that happened fourteen years ago? When a drug dealer reaches out to assistant district attorney Jessica Black with information about a case that has gone unsolved for over a decade—the brutal murder of a little boy—Jessie sees an opportunity to bring long-delayed justice to the murdered child’s family. But convicting the boy’s killer … convicting the boy’s killer won’t be easy. Much of the evidence is old or lost, the detective who originally investigated the crime seems to have secrets of his own, and someone is willing to kill to ensure that what happened fourteen years ago remains an unsolved mystery forever.
Jessie’s not the type to give up easily, though. Especially when she’s seeking justice for a child and his family.
Grave Testimony is a short legal thriller that takes place prior to the events of Burnout, the first book in the Jessie Black series. At 35,000 words (approximately 150 pages), Grave Testimony is lightning-paced while still delivering all the great characters, unpredictable twists, and intelligent courtroom action you love from Larry A. Winters.
If you’re a newcomer to the series, Grave Testimony is a powerful introduction to Jessie and her world. If you’re already a fan, you’re going to love this exciting look at a period before the other books.
Buy Grave Testimony and start reading today.
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Grave Testimony (A Jessie Black Legal Thriller Prequel)
By Larry A. Winters
5 out of 5 stars
The story Grave Testimony (A Jessie Black Legal Thriller Prequel) by Larry A. Winters is a book that will pull you in and won’t let you go until the final page. It is a story that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. There are twists that I didn’t see coming. I love the character of Jessica Black. She is a strong, intelligent, and independent woman. She is an assistant district attorney that works hard to get justice, even if the case was over a decade ago. It is a case that will break your heart. The killing of a little boy. Will Jessica overcome the obstacles that seem to be derailing the case? Will she get justice for the child and his family? Read this book to find out. This story that took me on an emotional ride. There are additional characters that are introduced. Some of them are helpful to Jessica. Then there are others who have I wondered about their motives and actions. This is a fast-paced book that you don’t want to miss. I highly recommend reading this book. This is a prequel to a series and I can’t wait to read the next book.
The book introduced me to Jesse Black. I loved it. I can’t wait to Bevin reading Larry’s other books. Jesse is a strong and smart woman.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is the first in the series that I have read but I will definitely look for more.
The author has written an intense story with strong characters that work hard to find the years old murder of a young child. Jessie Black stands true to her job as a prosecutor in bringing the suspected killer to justice while also helping to heal the broken relationship between the child’s mother and sister.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a happy ending.
Captivating from the get-go…
A well-written legal thriller with an easy flow – I like that the chapters are relatively short and propel you forward. I didn’t want to put it down. The story, with its multiple facets, is engaging and mood altering – arousing the reader to feel what the characters are going through. The unsolved crime draws you in and you want to discover answers just as much as Jesse and Jacoby do. Is it even possible after fourteen years while faced with strong residual emotions and unexpected events to finally achieve restitution for those deeply scarred?
I won’t give anything away but I will encourage others to read a very entertaining prequel to what I expect will be an excellent series. So, I am now anxious to read Burnout by Larry A. Winters and add him to my list of preferred authors.
I have to admit I am not a big fan of legal thrillers, but when I read the blurb about Grave Testimony I had to give it a try. I have also never read anything by Larry A. Winters, but that will be changing. I may be one of a handful that don’t like John Grisham’s books. I tried several different ones and there just wasn’t any passion that I could feel from his books. This book was full of passion from the Assistant District Attorney and the Detective on a 14 year old homicide case of a seven year old little boy. But that is not where the book starts off. It starts of f with a mother trying to see her now pregnant daughter that she hasn’t seen in fourteen years because her daughter thinks her mother killed her little brother and got away with it. She knocks on the door but her daughter’s husband nor her daughter will let her come in.
We then move to the courtroom where Assistant DA Jessica Black is waiting on a verdict from a very heinous crime that had taken place in Philadelphia. When she hears guilty on all charges she, her boss and the detectives are all thrilled. Then we go to a bar where everyone is celebrating the victory. Jessie has too much to drink as does the lead detective in the case and they make a huge mistake by going out to his car and getting hot and heavy. Then there are flashed and they know they have been photographed. The next morning the picture and story are all over the internet and news media. When Jessie goes to work she gets lots of looks and snide comments and is called into her bosses office. They have a long talk but she is not fired. The next day she calls in sick and later Detective Issac Jacoby calls and asks her to meet him at the 9th District Police Station that he has a person that wants to make a deal that he says will solve the 14 year old murder of the seven yr. old little boy. The station is not that far from her apartment. When she gets there Jacoby wants to know what took her so long, did she walk? And she says yes she did. The prisoner who wants to tell them his story about the homicide is in the room waiting when the two of them walk in. They ask is he ready to get started and he says not until his lawyer gets there, He comes in shortly and even makes a snide comment at Jessie. He wants all of the charges against his client dropped, then he will tell the story and go home and not back to prison. Jessie says it doesn’t work that way and they haggle back and forth. Jessie says her last offer is after he testifies then the charges will be dropped. The lawyer says no way, let’s get out of here but Clay Robinson, the prisoner says he will take the deal. The paperwork is signed and they set up a video camera and Jessie asks him questions about the murder. Clay goes into great detail to tell them what happened. They tell him they will have to confirm as much of the story as they can and he goes back to prison.
I don’t feel like I should tell anymore but lots of action takes place from this point until the end of the book. I really loved the book with all the twists and turns and if you have never read it. I highly recommend it.
In Short, A well written Book, Compliments to the Author
Grave Testimony by Larry A. Winters was a winning read! Packed a punch for justice. Such skillful writing too, by Author Larry A. Winters, that developed a great plot, and then great characters to bring it home. Grave Testimony flowed from the start, and did not let up until the last page. Held me bondage throughout the whole book. Evokes a lot of emotions in the reader. The Jessie Black character, that Author Larry A. Winters brought to life, played an astounding part in the story. Some lives end, as others begin, in Grave Testimony, and some relationships that seem meant to be, sadly can’t be. All in all, Grave Testimony by Larry A. Winters is a real testimony to real life, with his unique writing, and Mr. Winters deserves lots of credit for his skillful writing for birthing life into Grave Testimony. This book is a MUST READ! Enjoy!
Prequel to “Burnout” A must read to set the stage for the characters in the next books. A great, if shorter, Legal Thriller about a cold case murder. Fast paced with unexpected twists, murders and humanly flawed characters. Loved it as well as “Burnout” the 1st book in the series.