Member Reviews
Let me start by saying I’ve loved all of Zunker’s previous books. The writing is usually crisp and the stories are usually compelling. “Runaway Justice” just didn’t measure up to Zunker’s other work.
The story itself is a good one and I really wanted to like the book. The writing was decent but the character development left a bit to be desired.
Having said all that, I remain a BIG fan of Chad Zunker and his great storytelling! This one just didn’t do it for me.
I've read several books by Chad Zunker and have enjoyed them all. His books are easy to follow and very fast paced. Many times I had to stop reading and didn't want to. I highly recommend this book and anything else that he's written.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview Runaway Justice by Chad Zunker. This is book 3, but I have not read Zunker's other books.
Although I quickly caught up; Zunker does a good job on that count, i think it is always a disadvantage to start a series book later in the series.
This is a good crme novel, set in Austin, with deep and interesting characters.
good read. 3 stars.
I enjoyed this fast paced, easy read. The plot was cleverly crafted with characters that were well developed and realistic. It had twists and turns and kept me interested throughout.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Gripping, whipcrack plotting and neat details. An eye to the world of Austin, with office politics and how ambition can get you only so far. Zunker writes clear characters well and loves his characters
Runaway Justice a book about a lawyer named David, a boy named Parker who has been on his own since his parents died and there were no other relatives. Parker forwas in foster care three other times and was abused each time.. The fourth time Parker had enough and ran away. Parker ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessed a murder. The murderer knew Parker witnessed it. He ran until he got caught stealing with a group of homeless boys. Parker was caught and ended in Juvenile hall. David took his case. There are a lot if twists and turns. The story takes you to a heartfelt love and a protective feeling that David felt towards Parker.. Its a page turner. The murderer chases Parker throughout the story and keeps you wanting to know what is going to happen to Parker! The FBI gets involved but there is a mole and because of it the murderer was one step ahead of David and Parker. I highly recommend this book.
I read (and liked) the first book in the series, but I couldn't get into this. It seemed more of the same. The plot seems too contrived, the characters too needy. It's overplayed.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.
This is not your normal lawyer type story that you would expect. Here, David meets with a client who is 12 years old and has been arrested for stealing. David is able to get Parker, his client released and has him placed in a home for wayward boys. Upon arrival, the FBI shows up and wants to talk to Parker regarding the killing of a federal witness. David puts them off and the next day, upon Parker having contact with an unknown man, he runs away from the home.
David upon being notified and as luck would have it, has received an private investigator who has been sent by the court to provide 40 hours services Pro-Bono. David and Jess, the P.I., began their search for Parker. The FBI is also searching for Parker and have put a tail on David. The individual leading the FBI team has received news which causes him to set aside his search and concentrate on finding his son who has been abducted.
As the story progresses, David and Jess have made a discovery of the person who wants to have Parker killed and also had the Federal witness murdered. This individual also wanted to kill Parker as well. As an aside, it seemed like this person had a great deal of information which could only come from the FBI.
Parker has managed to avoid the people chasing him and winds up stealing a car and driving towards the border. David starts heading to where Parker's phone identified a location. The chase was on and the question was who would get there first.
To find out why the witness was killer, who was the boss doing the direction, and what happens when the groups all converge on Parker's location, you must read this book to discover. You won't be disappointed.
David Evans, an attorney in Austin , Texas, devotes his much of his law practice to defending and advocating for the homeless. It is all pro bono work, but he makes enough in normal practice to get by. The. One day a street teen whom David had helped before phones to beg him to help a pal - and an accomplice- twelve year old runaway Parker Barnes who is being held in juvenile hall for purse snatching.
When lawyer Evans interviews the boy, he finds a scrawny , very frightened kid who seems to be hiding something. It is only when the FBI shows up at the detention center demanding to talk to young Parker Barnes that Evans learns that the boy is wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of a witness in a Federal case. Later that night, the boy flees the center and goes into hiding . David Evans sets of to find out what Parker is afraid of and who he is hiding from.
“Runaway Justice” is a quick, entertaining read. I was able to breeze through it in an afternoon. There is not a lot of deep social commentary to the story, but the main character, his new assistant, Jessie, a PI serving a forty- hour community service penalty for punching her ex- boss who got a bit too “ touchy”, and especially the boy, Parker are all captivating characters. Although the hero is a lawyer, there is no courtroom drama in the book,but there is a car chase, a nasty , amoral killer for hire and quite a few tense moments. A satisfying climax , too.
There is nothing objectionable in the book.
Recommend and to those who enjoy a reader- friendly crime novel and an interesting set of characters. ( Note that this book is part of a continuing series, but it is not necessary to have read the previous novels to fully enjoy this one. )
I think that new readers will want to put Mr. Zunker on your authors to look for list.
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The third installment of Chad Zunker's David Adams series doesn't disappoint. His perspective on Austin as a progressive Texas city is on point, geographically and culturaly; I've lived there, and it's an accurate depiction of the good and bad. His perspective on the plight of underprivileged and under-served people is also refreshing. He's not all 'hat and no cattle', as he's been involved with this population in his life, and that is apparent in many aspects of this series. His ability to conjure longing for belonging, family, and place is moving. I've seen myself, my father, and my life in many of the plot points. This and the previous two installments are one-sitting readable, and fulfilling. All killer, no filler. Enjoy.
Unfortunately this book is not for me. The characters lack depth and the language is stilted and the picture painted is dull. I couldn't rouse the enthuasiasm to buy in to the relationships and therefore I didn't get to the end. Maybe this genre just is not for me. Why not give it a try anyway.
Given the popularity and quality of writing of this series (and the author's books in general), this will likely be both popular and highly rated. Zunker knows how to pull-in readers and keep them engaged, and this one is no different. The story is engaging and interesting with some good suspense elements, and the dialog and characters were nicely crafted.
I really appreciate the ARC for review!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is the 2nd book in a series. f you didn't read the first , thats ok, all is explained. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. It was nice to see not a lot of unnecessary language. For there next book , it would be nice to se the main character get back to being a lawyer.
This is another book in the David Adams series by Chad Zunker. David left his high paying corporate job to open a small law office with a partner. He works in family law and the outcasts. He is called to help Parker Barnes a 12 year who is arrested for purse snatching. It turns out Parker is running from some bad people for what he witnessed. The FBI is on the case, but information keeps leaking
David uses his circle of friends and an investigator to help him with the case. I really enjoyed the story and the writing is particularly good.
I like the way Mr. Zunker writes and how he portrays the disenfranchised. The book was fast paced with lots of action. I recommend the series and happy have an advance copy from Net Galley for an honest review
Runaway Justice by Chad Zunker is fast paced, page turner with reliable characters and scenarios. Good guys, better guys/gals, nasty bad guys/gals and a bit of twist at the end. Enjoyable read. Will be looking for previous books in this series.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
loved this book, great story and characters. I couldn't put it down. A real page turner even though thats a cliche.
Parker Barnes, a young runaway, parents both dead, in and out of abusive foster homes inadvertently witnesses the murder of a federal witnesses. The assassin is on to him and now he’s running for his life.
David Adams, left the jaded world of corporate law to save the souls of those less fortunate,; the homeless and vulnerable.
Fate brings them together. Now Parker is on the streets tailed by a desperate, drug addled hit man, David must find him first and now you have the FBI muscling in. Who is leaking information as to Parker’s whereabouts? Parker’s on the run for his life and the streets of Austin are closing in.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC digital copy. My thoughts are my own and this review is unsolicited.
Three years ago I sat on this bench in the mall after reading another soul-crushing publishing email rejection. A twenty year journey already filled with over one thousand rejections. Today I sit here with the #1 book in the Kindle Store. Fight for your dreams!
The third book in this excellent series is just as good as its predecessors as lawyer David Adams seeks to protect a runaway orphan who witnessed a murder. David’s ragtag army of friends gains a new member as an investigator joins the action and provides some interesting byplay with the lawyer. The “army”, FBI, and the bad guys interact in a well-designed story with characters that you care about..
Another great book from this author. I've read the first two and was hooked. He reels you in with great story writing making you fall in love with the characters. Can't wait for more.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an early release of this book.