I’m thrilled some legal suspense books have popped up in the Christian market this year. Admittedly, they’ve probably been around for a while and I’m just finding them so maybe I should say I’m thrilled to read some of the new legal suspense books this year. John Grisham books used to be a favorite of mine, and cleaner options with faith threads running through them are a needed alternative.
Even though Rachel Dylan has published several books in the Love Inspired Suspense line, I wasn’t aware of her until her Atlanta Justice series with Bethany House showed up on my radar.
Deadly Proof kicks off the series with intensity. Dylan’s legal knowledge shines through. Even those with zero introduction to the way the law works can follow along because the main character, Kate, explains the legalese throughout the book.
Add in a lawsuit against a large pharmaceutical company, an ex-Army Ranger turned PI, and suspicious happenings for the perfect formula for an engaging, keep-you-guessing read.
I loved that Kate is a strong and intelligent heroine with a solid ethical and spiritual spine. Both Kate and Landon deal with darkness in their lives, but Kate’s light is evident. Even though she’s a strong, confident woman, Kate needs a hero in her life.
Reminiscent of Grisham’s The Rainmaker, Deadly Proof is one to pick up and enjoy for fans of law, suspense, mystery, or looking for a read to get lost in.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Deadly Proof

by Rachel Dylan

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers
Christian

Pub Date 05 Sep 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Deadly Proof through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

Attorney Kate Sullivan has the biggest case of her career, she is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical who is in trouble due to a cover-up to deal with their newest drug. After a whistle blower dies Kate realizes just how dangerous this assignment is.

Former Army Ranger and now Private Investigator Landon James is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblowers allegations, and he soon discovers that the company is likely engaging in a dangerous game for profit. But soon Landon finds himself developing feelings for Kate.

Determined to do what he can to keep Kate safe, but as the case deepens it is apparent that someone will go to any length even murder to stop this case from going to trial.

I give Deadly Proof five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Legal suspense at it's best!

Attorney Kate Sullivan seeks justice for the innocent who have been wronged. She knows the stakes are high when given the lead on a case that can make or break her career. Kate learns she will be going up against a close friend as the opposing counsel. Having attended law school together, Kate feels like Ethan will be trustworthy. However, when personal threats are made, Kate is no longer sure who she can trust. Kate turns to PI Landon James for help. Landon is dealing with a lot of past mistakes in life, but when he realizes Kate could be in real danger he is determined to keep her safe. Kate also has secret past struggles, and she is determined to help Landon overcome his own personal lack of faith. Will their strong determination pay off... or cost them everything?

Rachel Dylan does justice to this first book in her new series Atlanta Justice. The suspense definitely keeps you guessing who can or can't be trusted. Rachel's personal experience in law makes everything in this story seem real. Her characters also feel like real people with real life problems that just about any of us can relate to. The strong message of faith is powerful, and a good reminder of what really is most important in our lives. I believe Rachel Dylan will soon be a name at the top of Christian authors bestsellers list.

"I was provided with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own."

Deadly Proof was my first time reading anything by Rachel Dylan and... wow!... was it good or what? When I first heard about it, I was instantly intrigued and knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint! I was hooked from the first chapter and never wanted to put it down. The action and suspense continually progressed and by the end, I could not read fast enough. At one point, I found myself literally gasping for breath. There were lots of twist, turns, and shocking surprises. It definitely kept me guessing.

Kate's a super strong and powerful attorney who's fighting for the underdog, the innocent victims. It's not about the money for her, she genuinely wants to help people. She's very relatable and easy to like. Landon's protective and extremely thorough with his job. He's got some demons, but is actively working to become a better person.

It was very interesting to get an inside look at corporate law and learn some of the ins and outs. Dylan did a great job at explaining all the legal terminology without it being clunky or sounding out of place. I really enjoyed getting to see both sides of the case. While it was mostly from Kate's side, there was also a peek at the opposing counsel.

I haven't read many legal thrillers, but after absolutely loving this one, I can't wait to check more out. And I'm definitely going to check out Dylan's other books. I can't recommend this book enough and I can't wait for the next one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my own honest opinion.

Deadly Proof – Deadly Proof is book one in Atlanta Justice series. I could not put this book down. I read it in less than 2 days. Rachel created two realistic and likeable characters in Kate and Logan. You fall in love with then even with the baggage they are carrying. Rachel struck a nice balance of legal thriller and relationship development.
Kate was a successful lawyer with her own personal battles that many readers will be able to relate to. She worked too many hours and struggled finding time to spend with her girlfriends.
Logan is a former Army Ranger now a private investigator. I adored Logan even when he revealed what caused the rift between him and his friend.
Kate hires Logan to help with a case. The relationship builds as they spend more time together.
I am not fan of drug companies and it was easy to hate the villain in this case.
I highly recommend the book. I am a fan of Rachel and she did not disappoint in Deadly Proof.

Right from the start, Deadly Proof sets itself up as a very fast-paced book. Events progress quickly, making it easy to be drawn into the story, while the tension increases throughout, culminating in a thrilling end. Deadly Proof is an exciting legal thriller, with threads of friendship, romance, and faith.

Kate Sullivan has just been handed the biggest legal case of her career - fighting for justice against a big pharmaceutical company responsible for the deaths of many people. But when a possible whistleblower ends up dead and Kate herself finds herself being followed and attacked, she will need the help of Private Investigator, ex-Army Ranger, Landon James to pull the pieces of this case together.

Deadly Proof centres around a big legal case and the legal footwork necessary to uncover and obtain justice. This book never shies away from the reality of the legal work involved. While there is a lot of legal jargon and discussions, explanations are deftly woven into the story as the lawyers explain themselves to other characters who have a lesser knowledge of the legal proceedings and therefore help out the readers who are equally unfamiliar with these procedures, while keeping the story moving. Deadly Proof is a fast-paced legal thriller, with plenty of action and tension, as well as romance. The writing style is sharp and effective in this genre, with quick dialog and not a lot of focus on details outside of the immediate action.

Deadly Proof is written from four different points of view. Kate and Landon are the two main characters and have the majority of the chapter time, but sections from the perspectives of Ethan, the lead defence lawyer and one of his associates, Nicole are also included. This allows the reader to experience both sides of the case and build a better understanding of the investigation.

While the ending gives a tidy solution to the story, I thought everything was resolved a little too quickly and easily. I would have like to see it further developed, but it does stay consistent to the fast-paced nature of the rest of the book.

Deadly Proof is the first book in what is set to be an exciting legal-thriller series. There are plenty of characters from this book who would make excellent protagonists in their own story and I am eager to discover what and who the next book in the series will be about.

Deadly Proof is recommended for readers who enjoy suspense books with a rapidly unfolding plot, strong characters, and romance, or for fans of DiAnn Mills or Janice Cantore.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog, https://madisonslibrary.wordpress.com

I love the peak that Rachel Dylan's Deadly Proof gives into the mysterious world of corporate law. Kate Sullivan is a strong well-defined character who stands by what she feels is right. Landon James does his best to protect her. Deadly Proof is suspenseful and has several plot twists that keep the story moving at a fast pace. I will definitely be on the lookout for her books in the future!

From Amazon

Riveting New Series Offers Legal Suspense with a Romantic Twist

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower's allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer.

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he's intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything--even murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

About the author

Biography
Rachel Dylan writes Christian fiction including legal romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade and enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. The Atlanta Justice Series which features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta kicks off with Deadly Proof. Lynette Eason described Deadly Proof as "a legal thriller that will keep you turning pages late into the night." In addition, Rachel writes the Danger in the Deep South including Lethal Action and Devoted Defender which appeals to fans of edge of your seat romantic suspense. Rachel also writes the Windy Ridge series including Trial & Tribulations and Fatal Accusation. These legal thrillers with elements of spiritual warfare are great for fans who enjoy books by Peretti or Dekker. Trial & Tribulations was a Selah finalist in 2016. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

Deadly Proof is the first book in the Atlanta Justice series. It was my first time reading a book by Rachel Dylan, and it certainly won't be my last! Lawyer Kate Sullivan is fighting a Goliath pharmaceutical company whose newest drug has killed or harmed those who have taken it. Her case takes a deadly turn when a star witness ends up dead and is facing threats of her own against her life. She hires private investigator Landon James to dig deeper into the case and protect her life. Dylan does an excellent job creating complex characters that make the plots twists and turns even more enjoyable. This book would be great for anyone who likes legal thrillers, and is a promising start in a new series. My one complaint is that the author could have done a better job explaining e-discovery in order to make the story even stronger.

Wow Rachel Dylan does not disappoint. This book has it all suspense, emotion, fear, romance. I enjoyed this book from page one to the very end. The characters where fun and enjoyable to read about. The storyline had build up and just kept my attention from the start. I seriously couldn't put the book down.

Deadly Proof ( Atlanta Justice #1 )
By: Rachel Dylan
Deadly Proof is book one in Atlanta Justice series. Rachel Dylan has another winner. She did not disappoint. I caught myself trying to read faster to see what was going to happen next. Deadly Proof is one of those legal thrillers that when you start you do not want to put it down . Dylan had me on the edge of my seat all through the book. She kept me guessing till the end. The story and the characters both were well developed. Kate Sullivan is an attorney and she has been chose for lead council to take on Mason Pharmaceutical, a certain drug is highly dangerous. The life of a sixteen year old girl was taken . Kate wants to help the family and others too come. Action is around every corner , no where is safe. Landon is trying to keep Kate safe, but it is hard. People are being killed and disappearing. Can Kate and her team get the information they need to prove their case? I really liked Landon, he is my kind of hero. Trying to keep Kate safe is a big order, can he do it?
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the Publishing company and NetGalley, but was not told that I had to give a positive review.

DEADLY PROOF. By Rachel Dylan and Bethany Publishers New series Atlanta Justice book 1. Love the cover, the look of suspense, that is just the beginning for this thrilling story. Kate spends more time in office than at home. She wanted top spot on the pharmaceutical litigation. A woman comes to her, telling her to dig deeper, get the testing results. A meeting scheduled, instead was of her body, not information she wanted Kate to have. Is Kate the next target, being on the counsel. Landon tells her she's still to naive. His interest in her is more than just professional. The plot is tense, characters are well defined, you are caught from the beginning with Kate. How deep is the lawsuit, is it more than just one drug. Is those on the council safe. Readers will love this new series by Rachel Dylan, from Bethany Publishers will be released August 5. Given ARC by Net Galley for my voluntary and honest opinion.

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan
This first book in the new Atlanta Justice series by Rachel Dylan is superb. There isn’t a lot of Christian Legal Fiction out there so I was thrilled when Bethany House picked up this author as I’d already grown to love her independent books and Love Inspired Suspense books.
One of the biggest reasons I was excited about this series was the fact that it is a series of three books with female lawyer main characters. So many of our books are centered on the hero in the books so it is nice to have a strong female lead.

Kate is strong and determined and independent and works all the time. But throughout the book we also get to see her personal life where she has two wonderful friends who do their best to keep her from being a work-a-holic. Landon is a former military private investigator who can’t help but go beyond the job to protect Kate. I really liked Kate’s strong work ethic. I also really liked how she wasn’t a lawyer for the money but because she really cares about people.

Both characters had their fair share of personal faults. I really liked that Kate’s were down to earth realistic hardships that many people including myself have dealt with. And while I don’t know a lot about the trials that face military personnel after their deployments I can only imagine that Landon’s struggles were well portrayed as well. One of the things I love about Bethany House books is that there is always a strong sense of faith. Throughout the book Kate was a shining example of faith and was constantly praying. I love how her influence showed through in almost every chapter of the book. I also loved that she wasn’t afraid to be a witness to friends and co-workers.
This book is a strong legal fiction. There is a lot of legal jargon throughout but what I loved most about this book and its legal jargon was how well Dylan explained all of the legalese. I also loved the strong credibility that Dylan’s career as a lawyer lends to this book. It makes it so realistic.

I also loved the action in this book. I definitely never got bored because there was constantly another adventure on each page. And Dylan is a master of surprises. She definitely threw me for a loop toward the end! I love that I can never figure out her endings.
You don’t want to miss this new legal suspense from Rachel Dylan. She does for Christian legal fiction what Janice Cantore does for Christian police fiction and Candace Calvert does for Christian medical fiction.
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. This review is my honest opinion.

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan is a complex Christian corporate thriller which I really enjoyed.
A lawsuit against a large pharmaceutical firm means much is at stake. The reader sees both sides, only one is concerned with justice. The other is interested in power and money. To be concerned about others is seen as a weakness. "If you want to make it to the top, you need to start thinking about yourself more and less about others." The reader knows that these two things are not mutually exclusive but will the characters?
The reader is treated to a marvellous plotline of truth and lies, double dealings, mistrust and cover ups, and criminal activity. Your attention is grabbed at the start and held throughout.
The presence of God is there, sustaining us through all life's trials. "Her faith... kept her from falling into a deep bout of darkness... and never leaving the house." Faith will lift you up when life threatens to drag you down.
For some, life has been so hard that it feels like God has moved away. "God had abandoned him when he'd needed the Lord the most... why would he listen to him now?" God never leaves us but walks alongside us throughout our troubles but sometimes we cannot feel Him. God waits for us to return to Him. He is just a prayer away. "One prayer at a time. God, I am weak. I need You."
The novel has the themes of depression and PTSD. Both are similar and can crush us but "He [God] can break the chains that you feel trapped by."
Guilt and forgiveness go hand in hand. As forgiveness is given, so relationships can be restored.
The novel shows how easy it is to get sucked in and pulled downwards by a love of power. "He couldn't help but feel like he may have really crossed over to the dark side." Life presents us junctions where we can choose to do the right thing or not. Our conscience should lead us.
I really enjoyed Deadly Proof as I became immersed in the novel and sped through the book. It was a marvellous thriller and I cannot wait for the subsequent books in this Atlanta Justice series.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.