“A shot in the dark, right in the gut, that’s what Carstens is good at. The Key to Justice is full of twists and turns as the Twin Cities live in terror of a violent stalker. Carstens aims to be realistic about the law and its enforcers, and he hits it right … The plot is as full of surprises as a Minneapolis Jucy Lucy and ultimately just as satisfying.” -Tony Dunbar, Anthony- and … ultimately just as satisfying.” -Tony Dunbar, Anthony- and Edgar-nominated author of the Tubby Dubonnet legal thriller series.
THE CASE OF A LIFETIME WALKS IN THE DOOR…
Financially embarrassed, getting a divorce, living in a shabby apartment, and distinctly short of clients, Marc Kadella’s beginning to question why he ever went into the law when a friend brings him the case all Minneapolis is watching—defending an accused serial killer. If he wins, it could turn his life around—if he blows it, he better go into sales.
Dennis Carstens weaves a gritty, street-wise narrative in this action-packed legal thriller, sure to please fans of courtroom drama and classic noir. You can almost see the guys in this one sporting fedoras, and the babes would stop traffic even without the cleavage Carstens makes their standard attire. But there’s a contemporary angle sure to please fans of both sexes–the toughest guy in the story is gorgeous investigator Maddy Rivers.
Carstens seems to relish getting her into increasingly brutal fights, some with laughs—like the time she roughs up a couple of rogue cops and takes away their guns. And when this author gets into an action scene, the prose flexes its muscles like a prison weightlifter.
Kadella and Rivers’ job is to find the evidence that will exonerate Kadella’s client Carl Fornich, a convicted sex offender recently out of prison. But the prosecution’s evidence is stacked a mile high—the murder weapon found at his house, an eyewitness, a semen sample, and blood from two victims. To top it off, the cops really want to nail this guy—one cop in particular.
Carstens realistic take on the law as a nuts-and-bolts, often rickety way to make a living blends nicely with his worldly-wise portrayal of backroom deals, crooked cops, and judges and politicians who connive and collude right on up to the governor’s mansion.
It’s a classic David-and Goliath setup, and the author’s got some pretty fancy twists in store as Kadella unravels a complicated plot to set his client up, and Maddy battles demons that just keep coming at her. Fans of John Grisham, Scott Pratt, Richard North Patterson, and of course the most beloved lawyer sleuth of all time, Erle Stanley Gardner’s Perry Mason, will gobble up this one and go back for the rest of the series.
more
It was a little slow getting started, learning who all the characters were, but after the storytelling was underway, the book was amazing! It really makes you sit back and think.
For what ever reason I just could not get into the book. That is rare for me. I think it was heading into an obvious formulas with overarching angry character, the good guy, and the bad guy that might really be good guy but there might really be abad guy who is not the first guy…..and about then I gave up. The writing was good and I don’t think I can blame the authors sometimes one own state of mind impacts the enjoyment. This book at this time just didn’t work.
Captivating. Realistic. Page turner! I was shocked to read the authors note in the back that this novel was his first attempt! Bravo and very well done. Given time, this author may be up there with John Grisham.
I enjoyed the book. I like lawyer courtroom novels and this one kept me in suspense
It was a good read.
Very enjoyable read. Dennis Carsten can always be counted on for a very entertaining story.
THRILLER! Debut novel? This is the best of the best. A criminal lawyer bent on defending a man accused of serial murders who is framed by a cop. The judge is determined to find him guilty before the trial begins. The cop grooms his star informant to testify that he witnessed the accused fleeing the scene of a murder. The entire case is riddled with lies. But all is not as it seems as the story unfolds layer by layer to a breathtaking conclusion.
Very entertaining. Loved the characters.
Could not put it down. Read it in one day
this was my second book in succession by a lawyer which i was apprehensive that would be impossible for two excellent books in a row, by lawyers, but this was entertaining factual and yet a thriller hope that this author has become a regular as this book was a five star for me
A good legal thriller and a great first book by this author. I’m looking forward to his next work.
Learned a few things, and loved it!!! Completely dispelled my image of wealthy attorneys , just not having to get out there and market their trade like the rest of us!!
Nice insights to the relationships among the characters and great plot twists . Just bought the set ! One’s on pre-order! Sir, are you resting? I’m sure you’re not running out of material!
VBTOOO
I just didn’t enjoy this book like I usually do
the side story about the legal battle w/the IRS was and other court cases not related to the main story was distracting. I skimmed over those chapters
This is one of the best legal thrillers I’ve ever read!!!
I like the characters in this book. And find the writing enjoyable – easy to read and not a total formula plot.
Excellent read from a first time author. I enjoyed the plot and characters very much
This book was awesome to the very last word …
That was intense and suspenseful! It was an enjoyable read with interesting characters. Yes, there were mistakes, but they didn’t bother me that much. I wouldn’t want to miss a good, interesting story because of a few writing errors and this was a very good, very interesting story.