When a homeless war veteran is beaten to death by the police, stormy protests ensue, engulfing a small New Jersey town. Soon after, three cops are gunned down. A multi-state manhunt is underway for a cop killer on the loose. And Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veteran’s counselor, is caught up in the chase. Donald Darfield, an African-American Iraqi war vet, war-time buddy of the beaten man, and one of … of Tessa’s patients, is holed up in a mountain cabin. Tessa, acting on instinct, sets off to find him, but the swarm of law enforcement officers get there first, leading to Darfield’s dramatic capture. Now, the only people separating him from the lethal needle of state justice are Tessa and ageing blind lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. Can they untangle the web tightening around Darfield in time, when the press and the justice system are baying for revenge? Justice Gone is the first in a series of psychological thrillers involving Dr Tessa Thorpe, wrapped in the divisive issues of modern American society including police brutality and disenfranchised returning war veterans. N Lombardi Jr. is the author of compelling and heartfelt novel The Plain of Jars.
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If you haven’t read Justice Gone yet, stop reading this review, go read the book and come back. I know you have a TBR pile, but forget that. Pick this up and read it. It’s incredible and definitely on my favorites of 2019 list!
This is an emotionally charged novel. A fair warning, many of the scenes were brutal and are scenes that will stick with you. N. Lombardi’s writing is so magnificently realistic that visualizing these scenes was inevitable. Lombardi is a clever, talented writer that is able to draw out feelings as he delves into a very relevant subject and sheds some light on the justice system.
If you ignored me in the beginning of my review, I hope now you’ll go pick this up. It’s one of the best legal novels I’ve read to date. Highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. All opinions are my own.*
Iissues such as police brutality and the treatment of vets are hard to write about, but this book addresses both with unflinching honesty. Mr. Lombardi writes with authority about legal procedures, war veteran disabilities, mental health difficulties, PTSD, and police brutality – all intrinsic parts of this story that starts when Jason Felson, a decorated war veteran and homeless man, is beaten to death by four police officers for the crime of standing on a street corner. The town erupts and soon after, three cops are killed by a sniper. A multi-state manhunt is underway for a cop killer on the loose. Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veterans counsellor, is caught up in the chase because the suspect is one of her patients. She is the head of the New Hope Trauma Recovery Centre that runs a centre for posttraumatic stress disorder. Another important character is Nathaniel Bodine, the blind defense attorney for the defendent. I liked the blind lawyer, and Tessa Thorpe was a strong character as well. The story was told through several viewpoints, all of which were well developed. In all, a fast-moving interesting story. Highly recommended.
This book was such an intriguing, suspenseful, thriller read that is truly ripped straight from the headlines!
This book is thought-provoking, compelling, well-researched, with complex characters, elaborate plot points, and touches on multiple topics including real-world issues.
I found myself thoroughly invested in the storyline and totally caught up with the character’s outcomes.
This book hit on one of America’s toughest tragedies that we are still working through today – the homeless population, especially that of our war vets vs. the police. It’s a very ugly battle and this book spares no detail on its case featuring this particular dilemma.
I liked the main characters, Dr. Tessa Thorpe, Donald Darfield, and his brilliant, witty lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. It was not hard not to get wrapped up and invested in these characters, especially that of Donald and wanting to make sure he is treated fairly, and that the actual guilty person goes to jail not just the convenient or most obvious person. I enjoyed the feisty lawyer, Mr. Bodine. I was curious to see what he had up his sleeve next. I couldn’t help but wonder if him being blind was a play on justice. I liked Tessa, but I wanted more from her. I felt she could be this strong, fierce character and I am hoping in her upcoming books she takes on a more powerful role.
I really like that this book takes real-life issues head on and allows the reader to easily connect with the characters and explore their take on the case. This would be a great book for book club as it would easily spark over many intriguing debate topics!
This book has a great storyline that flows, terrific writing style with detailed scenes, well-developed characters, is fast paced, and keeps you completely entertained through the last page.
I really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear Mr. Lombardi Jr. was very familiar and well-versed on criminal procedures, legal procedures, war veteran disabilities, mental health difficulties, PTSD, police brutality cases, mass media, etc. The author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
I enjoy police procedural books and I have to say this book did seem to fall into that genre too, while still staying true to its legal thriller category. Since this book spends almost half of its pages inside the courthouse there is still quite a bit of legal jargon, but thankfully it’s done in an entertaining, tasteful, and understandable fashion, and without being overly dumbed down.
Warning! There are some very intense, graphic detail scenes in this book. I have to admit it was a bit hard to read some of those passages, as they were quite dark, and I’ll be honest I did skim past a few of those lines here and there.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all legal thriller, mystery, suspense, police procedural readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
OMG. I was raging and saddened for Joey Felton. Fucking animals…a familiar story that has shared more than one headline in our current events…a man beaten to death by the police…a scape goat. A trial where all the biases and failings of the justice system are exposed. A frightening look at out justice system…the good and the bad.
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This is a ripped from the headlines novel. It’s about police brutality, veterans, PTSD, and homelessness in a story that is made even bigger by the news media. It’s about people trying to make a difference despite the feelings of frustration that they feel.
The novel begins with a homeless veteran being beat to death by three police officers. The city officials decide that they will hide the fact that there is a video of the beating and they will protect the police officers. Someone else has a different plan and the three officers are murdered at their homes. A multi-state manhunt is started as they look for Darfield, a black friend of the murdered veteran since they were in combat together. The person with the most knowledge of both men’s mental health is Dr. Tessa Thorpe who did psychological counseling for both men. She becomes very involved with the background behind the accusation and helping to find a way to exonerate Darfield. The main trial lawyer is a brilliant blind attorney who has to prove Darfield’s innocence and fight against the people and the media who have decided that he is guilty.
This book is very well written and is a good look at issues that are happening today. The characters are very believable and there is real tension throughout the book. When I read a book with a trial in it, I usually skip over the trial information but in this book, I read every word and learned a lot about the justice system. Dr. Tessa is a wonderful caring person and I look forward to future books in this series that involve her.
This is the best legal drama that I’ve read in a long time and I highly recommend it.
Sometimes when you begin a book, you just know it’s going to be something you want to read. I’m not exactly sure how to describe that feeling. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an exciting scene that starts in the first paragraph. I think it is the flow of the writing, the kind that keeps your interest. This book had that flow, at least it did until it blasted me in the face with action. Wow, what a start for a novel. I was appreciative of his writing; mad at the story and the injustice. I was a little of everything and that is because the author and his words made me that way. That means having the talent to write mere words on paper and create a huge amount of emotion in your readers.
Injustice, unfairness, unwarranted violence, our cops and our military, are easy subjects to write about and evoke emotions as I said in the previous paragraph. They are also subjects to create interesting characters around. That happened here and some really enjoyable characters came out of this book. Characters you hope to read more about.
This book has been categorized as being a part of the legal/thriller genre. I’m not sure that’s quite where I’d put it. Actually, it’s rather difficult to describe. It definitely is a thriller and it has a lot of legal activity in it, but it’s almost crime fiction or a mystery too. So, I guess if you like to read any of these genres, you’d enjoy it. There are a lot of points here for discussion and some thought-provoking ideas. An enjoyable read and yet a somewhat deep book.
Lombardi Jr. has at least 2 other books published that I can see ratings on, and all seem to be well rated.
3.75 out of 5 stars
“Justice Gone” by N. Lombardi Jr. details the sequence of events in a small town after policemen beat a homeless man to death. The search for justice and the maneuverings of those in positions of power is depicted, along with the far-reaching repercussions that ensue.
This book is categorized as a legal thriller and contains a sometimes brief spotlight on a number of very sensitive subjects that are prominent in current headlines—homelessness, police brutality, cover-ups, PTSD and other problems that returning vets are dealing with, and political maneuverings, to name a few. Those who are squeamish should be advised that the book opens with a heartwrenching and violent act that sets the stage for subsequent events, which are sometimes also very harsh and brutal.
I was struck by the portrayal of events as they are colored by individuals’ perspective and biases, and later astounded to see how people can reach such different conclusions when presented with the same material.
The author uses a third person omniscient point of view for most of the book, which allows the reader to get inside different characters’ minds but this also tended to distance one from them as well and got a little frustrating and prevented me from getting to know or connecting with any particular person. I enjoyed the twists that the story takes and felt that the antics of the elder Bodine almost stole the show at times. Although I appreciated Tessa’s stated passion for her patients and her determination to see things through to the end, I was also disappointed in her passivity and wanted her to have a stronger role in the story.
This is a thought-provoking story that gives a look at the wheels of justice and shines a spotlight on what goes on behind the scenes as well as in front of the cameras. Those who enjoy mysteries and legal thrillers might want to get caught up in this tale.
A copy was provided for review
It starts with a phone call. A bar owner sees a homeless man on the street. The police are told that he’s been checking doors on cars parked on the street.
Two cops show up and ask for back up. The homeless man is not armed. A total of 6 cops take him down, beating and tasering him relentlessly.
The man who is now dead is a war veteran … highly decorated.
The power that be decide that this case must be addressed and put away. They come up with a plan …. send the case to the Grand Jury .. but come back with no verdict. The cops will be suspended temporarily with pay.
But then the media … and the public … learn there was a recording of the entire incident and the police have it in hand.
There are protests and marches and media questioning the police. The man’s’ family is going to sue …. where is the justice for this young man who survived war time only to come home to be beaten to death.
And then 3 of the cops are killed .. and a cop killer holes up in a cabin … just waiting.
Dr. Tessa Thorpe is a veteran’s counselor. She was the victim’s counselor and she’s also the counselor for the cop-killer… and wartime friend of the deceased. Who will get to him first …. angry cops or Tessa and an ageing blind lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine.
What happens when the press and the justice system are baying for revenge?
Dr. Thorpe is a well defined, finely drawn character. She’s compassionate and not always as professional as she should be. There is a trauma in her earlier life that she also has to deal with on a daily basis.
This book takes a long, lingering look at the justice system in this country. In recent years, we’ve all seen the headlines .. the war between cops and the public …. sometimes a racial divide. Shouldn’t cops be held to a higher standard? Isn’t there a better way to treat the homeless, those with mental illnesses? It’s a complex issue of right and wrong and the author takes us from end to the other.
Justice Gone is the first in a series of psychological thrillers involving Dr Tessa Thorpe, wrapped in the divisive issues of modern American society including police brutality and disenfranchised returning war veterans. N Lombardi Jr.
Many thanks to the author / Roundfire Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this Psychological Drama. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.