This story follows Cal, a small town lawyer in Oregon. Told in first person, this story sucks you right into the character and makes you feel as if you know Cal well.

We follow Cal’s decision to hire Timotea. Before Cal realizes it, he is involved in the murder investigation of Timotea’s sister. This is a murder involving undocumented immigrants, ICE, and so much more. This book surprised me and kept me guessing for entirety. I also appreciated that it could be read as a standalone, but now I’m intrigued enough to go pick up more from this author.

Cal Claxton is an attorney in the Oregon wine country. Formerly an LA prosecutor, he has found a sense of peace in his new surroundings. When DACA recipient and college student, Timoteo Fuentes, approaches him for a part-time job, Cal senses a young man who is determined to live the American dream by working hard and planning for the future. Cal’s instincts prove to be correct. Timoteo, who want to be an attorney, is a good researcher and eager to learn. And then, the murder of Timoteo’s sister plunges both Cal and his assistant into an investigation that leads them into the world of illegal immigrants and surrounded by murder and deceit.

No Witness is an enjoyable book, with a well-developed plot and great characters. Cal is a solid and dependable figure and the book is easy to read and hard to put down. I didn’t realize there are seven previous Cal Claxton books, which indicates that No Witness can easily be read without any prior knowledge. I enjoyed my introduction to this series and I will definitely read more of Mr Easley’s books.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Cal Claxton, former prosecutor in LA, now current one man show in Oregon, has been busy since I last encountered him (in Matters of Doubt). His niece joins him when Gertie, his accountant, becomes ill.

He also has another assistant, Timoteo Fuentes, a DACA recipient, who has convinced Cal to hire him. Timoteo wants to become a lawyer, and the first part of that involves a lot of filing and research. The first big case he sees come into Cal's office, however, is one that hits too close to home: his sister's murder.

It is not necessary to read books one through seven to get here as this does stand on its own; however, to fully understand why Cal quit the big city and moved north, it is helpful to have read them.

Timoteo, his sister, and the entire extended family are undocumented, which makes investigating the case much harder - no one in the community wants to talk to a big white dude who is also a lawyer, especially potential witnesses.

Perseverance pays off, though, and Cal is on the case. But nothing is simple, and as injuries and bodies pile up, the investigation becomes more dangerous for everyone.

As with Matters of Doubt, I'll note that those who fall on the more conservative side of the aisle will be unlikely to enjoy this book. Cal is clearly what those sorts of people would call a social justice warrior, their voices dripping with derision.

Cal has a good heart and a better head. The investigation is fairly straightforward - although Cal has stopped turning up at every dead body before it's even cold, so that's a change of pace from the last one I read.

I'm giving it a solid four out of five stars.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the reading copy.

No Witness is the eighth installment of the Cal Claxton series. Although No Witness is book number eight, this reader had no problem with reading it as a standalone.

Cal Claxton is a retired L.A. prosecutor that has re-settled in Oregon with his one-man law practice. Cal is content with his existence even if at times his finances are a little strained. Being the sentimentalist that he is, Cal is drawn to hire a Dreamer and aspiring lawyer, Timoteo Fuentes as a clerk to help around the office. Timoteo turns out to be a very needed addition for research, filing and general office keeping. Little did Claxton know that he would eventually be plunged into a murder investigation of Timoteo’s sister, Olivia. And that the investigation into Olivia’s murder would be shrouded in secrecy, and silence among the undocumented witnesses.

Like the author’s other novels, No Witness is written in first person form and it bodes well with the author’s writing style. The characters contain the mainstays of Nando, the private investigator; and Gertie, his accountant. With each succeeding novel, new characters are added to the mix, which really builds the story.

The plot is a simple whodunnit, but it’s not as straightforward as one may think. The mix of characters and multiple storylines will keep the reader guessing until the end. No Witness is an immersive and engaging mystery that will surely please whodunnit fans. Five toothsome stars.

I received a digital ARC from Poisoned Pen Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

This is part of a series and this is the first one I’ve read. I was nervous that I wouldn’t know the characters and settings, but it was fine the narrative is so easy to follow and I feel like I could have picked up any of the books in the series and been able to follow. I live very close to Oregon and love reading books set near me. This story really held my interest in the fact that you didn’t guess a few pages in “who done it” and that is always a plus. I really enjoyed the book, will look forward to reading more by this author.

I liked the character and the personal touches which built him up to be real to the reader - the pet dog, for example. The pace was a bit slower than I usually like in a mystery but it did mean the characters could be developed well.

DACA, ICE, wine, and murder in Oregon

“No Witness” is part of the “Cal Claxton” mystery series, but anything that new readers needs to know is included in the current narrative. Cal Claxton and Archie, his Australian shepherd, live in the heart of scenic Oregon, beautiful country framed by the Coast Range and the Cascades.

The story is told in Cal’s first person narrative, and readers get to know him well. The investigation, discoveries, and thoughts unfold in chronological order, so readers learn what Cal knows when he knows it. Everyday activities are sprinkled throughout the narrative as he runs errands, gets the week’s shopping done, and builds stone walls. He is a lawyer; to him the law is a thing of beauty, but most of his “lawyering” is tedious, detailed work. Gertie runs the office, but when she suddenly becomes ill, her PhD psychologist niece, Zoe Bennet, takes over that job.

Timoteo Fuentes also helps Cal out in the office; he is a DACA Recipient and college student who has his mind set on a career in law. However, when Timoteo’s sister is killed, it is he who needs help from Cal. Since he, his family, and most of their community are “undocumented,” the situation is complex and fragile. Past associations, injuries, accidents, and more deaths complicate everything. However, if Cal can solve one of these problems, he can solve them all. Cal knows secure passwords are necessary, but sometimes it is an advantage to have a password that people who know you very well can eventually guess.

“Cal Claxton” mysteries work because Cal Claxton is a reliable character. Readers know he is solid, dependable, and determined. He has a strong sense of community responsibility and is predictable within a specific framework of conditions. Cal’s sense of justice and accountability is dominant; every book is compelling yet comfortable, unknown yet familiar. I received a review copy of “No Witness” from Warren Easley, Sourcebooks, and Poisoned Pen Press. I recommend the entire series and suggest eating toasted Dave’s Killer Bread with chunky peanut butter while you read.

Review posted on Goodreads

First of all thanks to NetGalley and all the team behind this book that it is published today for giving me the chance tl read it

It was the first book I read of the author and I was very thrilled to be able to read it, he has a fenomenal style and it is a story easy to follow, I think for foreign readers they would be able to read it too even if their english is not proficiency level.

The protagonist is also a very interesting and compelling character, who doesn’t fall into clichés in the genre

I hope you give a chance to read this amazing book and enjoy it as much as I did

Attorney Calvin “Cal” Claxton is back working on a case for the Fuentes family. Timoteo Fuentes, a DACA student, has plans to be a lawyer and convinces Cal to hire him. Cal has no idea that his relationship with Timoteo will lead to one of his most complex and dangerous cases. Timoteo’s sister Olivia is murdered as she is leaving their home and although Cal tries to save her, the gunshot wound is fatal. Was Olivia the target or another family member? Cal uses all of his known resources as he along with other members of the family are attacked. There is a dangerous killer on the loose and someone is targeting immigrants, but for what purpose? I have read and enjoyed the entire Cal Claxton series, but it was a little more difficult for me to get involved in this one. Still an enjoyable story and perhaps a new love interest for Cal? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I'm sorry that I haven't read this series before but quite please that I've now discovered it because this is a well written and topical novel that kept me guessing. Cal Claxton finds himself deep into the challenges of the undocumented when his assistant Timoteo's sister Olivia is killed. They are (were) DACA recipients but the rest of their family and many of those who have information are at risk. The realities of become known loom large, not only from ICE but also from narcos. It's a well crafted novel that goes beyond being a legal thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This has the good characters and smooth storytelling needed to make it a very good read.

A quick and easy read with a heavy backdrop of immigrant labourers and their dreams and hope for their children. The story flows easily and the characters are well built. The ground realities of immigration issues and the exploitation of the vulnerable people unmasks the American dream. Hope the issues in real life also get solved amicably.

This novel was sent to me by Netgalley on Kindle for review…The protagonist is an attorney with an office worker who has so many family issues, he must get discouraged…the main problem of course is murder. Just a little political, but that can be overlooked. The story moves somewhat slowly, but that too can be overlooked…all in all a good story. …

No Witness by Warren C. Easley
Rating: 4 stars

Summary: Recurring character Cal Claxton hires a young eager man to help and learn the ways of private investigation. When his sister is killed on a grape farm near Portland Oregon Cal steps in to help the migrant family when police fail to investigate throughly.

Comments. Easley has a great series of Cal Claxton PI crime novels. Much like William Kent Krueger race and politics play a large role in Cals life. Well worth your time.

I was excited to see that my wish had been granted to receive an ARC for this book! Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for granting my wish!
I had never heard of this series, but the synopsis on Netgalley intrigued me. It was fairly easy to jump right in without having read the other seven Cal Claxton books. I learned right from the start how likeable Cal Claxton is. This book had me mesmerized and was held captive until the very end! Truly a great mystery and now I need to read the others in the series!

I enjoyed this Cal Claxton mystery! While I haven't read the first seven books before this one.... Honestly it didn't take anything away from this book.
This mystery will grab you and not let go! I was hooked from the first page.
A really enjoyable read I believe everyone will like. Cal is a very likeable character who I grew to love! The writing was great with an awesome story I didn't want to end!
Now to go read the other books!