I really enjoyed this book which whilst not true is based on true events . it has a concise, pacy narrative which takes us through response to police brutality. The author builds the narrative with real expertise and there are few slow spots. The characterisation is good, My only question is about the balance of people who are Forces veterans. I loved the court room scenes which i felt were really true to life. The reveal at the end took me completely by surprise I had someone else pinned from about half way. I would definitely read more from this author

I believe this is loosely based on a true story of a veteran being killed by US police. The story is interesting although at times a little unbelievable, particularly the relationship with Tessa and the chief of police.
The story is enjoyable and has good pace although the court scenes, particularly the jury deliberations almost seem like another book tagged on at the end..
I would like to read further Tessa Thorpe or Bodine books to see how their characters develop.
Unusually I did not work out the culprit for the murder of the three police officers until near the end so enjoyed the twist in the story..
I would recommend this book as an introduction to N Lombardi Jr novels.

This new novel by N. Lombardi Jr. is based on actual events in 2011 when military veteran and diagnosed schizophrenic Kelly Thomas was brutally beaten to death on a city sidewalk by six members of the Fullerton California Police Department. The author takes some liberties to add more events and alter the outcome, but neither of the endings, real or imagined, have a happy ending. I also want to note that this isn’t a “down with cops” book. It expresses that some policemen are bad; the vast majority are true and good people.
The main plot of the story revolves around Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a psychologist for post-war vets affected by PTSD and an ornery, colorful and wise attorney, Nathaniel Bodine (who is very hard not to like) as they defend Donald Darfield, a veteran who has been charged with taking the law into his own hands, at the cost of 3 policemen’s’ lives.
The court drama is good a bit drawn out, but other than that, the characters are interesting and realistic. To me, the most important function of this book is to continue to remember Kelly Thomas, who was created, vilified and murdered by the very society he chose to serve.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to John Hunt Publishing, Roundfire Books for making it available.)

This book delivers a knowledgeable albeit prejudiced punch in a bow to the plight of our PTSD veterans, both with the lack of support for vets as well as the state of awareness of our law enforcement bodies. The protagonist is Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veterans counselor, who decries the loss of one of her own, beaten to death, as she champions the support of Donald Darfield, close buddy of the vet killed by law enforcement in a less than enlightened confrontation.

This is an excellently drawn scenario, plausible to the point of eliciting ginchy reflex, and proffers major sympathy for the well-fleshed characters. Dr. Thorpe is largely the reason Darfield survived his heated resistance to the army of officers ready to take him into custody for the deadly sniper deaths of three of those officers. This narrative grabs you immediately and draws you into the psychological thriller that ramps up as it goes. The lawyer for Darfield is introduced and immediately so well developed you can see, hear, and be spellbound by his expertise in law, handicapped or not. You'd want this powerful "Ironside" on your side.

I was absolutely drawn into the emotionally supportive and intelligent Dr. Thorpe and loved the introduction and crafty legal manipulations of Nathanial Bodine and his daughter assistant and the sympathetic plight of Darfield. As this is to be the first in a series of psychological thrillers, I say grab this while you can as you will want to be glued into the next book of the series. These characters are strong and wily. The author knows how to craft his characters and it will become necessary for you to see where he is taking this.

I received this ebook download as an initial direct request from the author for a read and review and received through the publisher and NetGalley. Recommended as a not-to-miss thriller.

Tessie and Cassie are two counselors who deal regularly with vets. Jay and Donald need help. Jay is the first to visit the cl8nic and has a close relationship with Tessa. Jay recommends his close friend and fellow combatant Donald. Both have PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) from their time as snipers in the war. One day Jay is beaten to death by 6 policemen. A man hunt ensues. Donald becomes their main target. He is captured and a trial ensues. The trial is very detailed and shows how defence and prosecuting lawyers perform. Is he guilty? You will have to read this well written book to find out. I found it quite fascinating, but it is possibly not an easy read for everyone.

A fantastic story that is so heart felt and about the injustices in life and how our war veterans shouldn't be treated as badly as they can be. But there is one epic twist in there that blows the mind!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel surrounding a homeless vet's murder by the police when they believe he's being insubordinate. His previous therapist, Tessa gets involved as she realizes he was confused and suffers from PTSD. But when three policemen are gunned down by a sniper, his army buddy, Donald is implicated and flees, only later to be taken into custody. And so begins a very tense and realistic trial, the outcome of which no one expects. I look forward to more of this author, featuring Tessa as she represents a strong female force who is both compassionate and fierce!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a engaging story. I like how it dives into PSTD and how much Veterans adure.

Dr. Tessa Thorphe is a veteran counselor. As she try to find out if her patient Donald is the one who killed three cops who had beaten a friend of his.

Tessa races against the clock to save him from a lethal injection and she get help from a blind lawyer named Nathaniel as they dig deeper they untangle a web of police brutality and the treatment of war veterans.

Wow - what a great book!

I had very low expectations when I started this book by an author I had never come across before but it engaged me from the start and I found it original and moving.

The heroine is Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veteran's counsellor, who specialises in dealing with war veterans suffering with PTSD and how she copes with the situation when one of her clients is suspected of the revenge killing of three cops who beat another veteran to death.

The action is breathless but the characters are well drawn and credible and the author has a deep knowledge of and sympathy with the plight of veterans.

As if it was not already good enough, the second half of the book introduce us to the irascible blind lawyer Nathaniel Bodine who is a wonderful invention and mesmerising to see in action.

This is apparently the first of a new series and the author has set the bar extremely high.