With an interesting premise, this book did not draw me in the way I had hoped. Implausible at times and with the timelines all over the place, it just didn’t flow the way it should have. The plot holes didn’t help, but Margolin has a way with the court room drama and he reeled me in when we reached the trial.

Secrets within secrets within secrets and so much more. Robin Lockwood has come a long way from her days as a champion MMA fighter. Now she's championing for her clients and her list of wins is impressive. Her life is going well but there are storm clouds in her future. When she takes a case as a favor it all goes horribly wrong. It brings her to her knees and she questions whether she wants to continue with law and with Portland. Needing to time to sort out her next move, she heads home. Soon enough a client comes her way and she decides to take on her case. More secrets from this case lead her into more personal challenges and they are tied to Portland.
So far there are five books in this excellent legal thriller series. I hope there will be many more. The writing in tight and engages the reader from the first paragraph to the last one. There are more than enough twists and turns to keep the reader off balance and wondering what next? Robin is one heck of a main character, a woman, a lawyer, a friend - the kind of person we would all like to have in our life.
My thanks to the publisher, Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The fifth book of this popular legal drama series opens with an explosive courtroom scene that changes the life of Portland defence attorney Robin Lockwood. She takes some leave and heads home to the small town of Elk Grove in the mid-west to recover from the traumatic event. While there she is asked by a local lawyer Stan McDermott if she’d be interested in assisting him on a tricky case he has been asked to defend, that of Marjorie Loman, a surrogate mother who kidnapped the baby from his new parents after giving him up for adoption. Not only is it a messy surrogacy case but Marjorie is accused of hurting the baby. Defending Marjorie helps Robin put herself back together and be the top lawyer she is.

Robin soon discovers there is more to Marjorie’s story than at first appears. Hiding out in the town under a false name, Marjorie is wanted by the police in Portland for questioning over the murder of her husband. So after her trial in Elk Grove, she will ask Robin to defend her in a murder trial. This results in two back-to-back trials involving the same defendant and although the novel may have worked just as well with two separate perpetrators defended by Robin, it does result in encouraging Robin to return to her practice in Portland to defend Marjorie for a second time.

Margolin’s legal dramas are always very sharp and to the point, while at the same time being eloquent and easy to follow. He writes in short, punchy chapters that flow well together with the legal arguments presented succinctly in an engaging manner. Robin is an interesting character – an ex-MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter, who is tough, resilient and smart. She is renowned for her innovative defence strategies and it’s great to watch her in action. I did feel that Marjorie’s character could also have been developed a bit more as I never got to see inside her head and to find out what makes her tick. Without a sense of what she was feeling it was difficult to find any empathy for her or have any emotional investment in the outcome of the trials. Nevertheless, the intriguing cases and the nicely drawn courtroom scenes do pull the reader right into the novel. As well as some good twists that you don’t see coming and a cracker of an ending that is especially gratifying.

Thank you to NetGalley, Phillip Margolin and St Martin's Press for the free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

I found the beginning of this novel a bit jammed with too many stories and got a bit confused, but it quickly all makes sense and you really get into it. I really enjoyed it after that and then had more understanding on why the beginning is written the way it is. I enjoyed this one even though it's more of a legal thriller, but there is still so many twists and a lot of action. I really enjoyed it and it was such a quick read.

Unaware there were other books before this one. I dove in and it was a fast paved legal thriller that hooks you from the start.
Might just have to go back and read the others.

Thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

The Darkest Place by Phillip Margolin is the fifth installment in the legal thriller Robin Lockwood series. Each book of this series really could be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel with each having the case involved wrapped up by the end. There is some important character development that carries over from book to book however with all the main characters so it’s best enjoyed from the beginning.

In the first book of the series readers were introduced to Robin Lockwood, a former MMA fighter, who had been just beginning as an assistant attorney and now she is back tackling her own cases after working with her mentor Regina Barrister. Now Robin has suffered a tragedy in her life sending her back to her hometown where she meets another attorney looking for an assist on a huge case. Robin of course pitches in to help the defendant with another unusual defence.

The Robin Lockwood series is one that I have followed from the beginning being a fan of legal thrillers. This one has that element of action inside and outside of the courtroom that I love and with one tough lead I couldn’t help but become a fan. Even after following from the beginning I can’t help but be surprised with each new book with the direction the story takes with this latest installment being no exception with it’s own shocking twists that kept the pages turning.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

If Robin Lockwood has learned anything as a defense attorney, it's that nothing is what it seems but this time she's really got one on her hands. Her commitment to doing pro bono work meant that she agreed to take on the case of a man accused of rape - and this case- no spoilers- has horrible personal consequences for her. So why then, when she's meant to be taking time at home in Elk Grove, does she take on Marjorie Loman? Loman was a surrogate but things went very wrong and now she's charged with kidnap and assault. But wait, there's more. Margolin has always written taut legal thrillers that never go too deep into legal maneuvering and that's the case here as well. There's an ethical question for Robin as well as some interesting challenges. I've read this series from the beginning and have enjoyed watching Robin expand as a character but don't worry if this is your first- it will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Going for 5 stars as I found I could not put down the latest Robin Lockwood novel.

The Darkest Place has Robin heading home to recover from a horrific experience.

She agrees to be part of the defense team for a surrogate mother accused of kidnapping her baby.

The action is non stop, the case is a fascinating and a nail biter.

Robin you are my hero and anyone would be lucky to have you on their side.

You can easily read this a stand alone but it will have you wanting to read all of Phillip Margolin's novels.

Phillip Margolin is a great story teller and the pages always turn quickly.

I can't wait for Book 6 and see what Robin does next.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press , Minotaur Books for a thrilling read.

Featuring defense attorney, Robin Lockwood, this book was filled with emotional ups and downs. Robin takes on a pro bono case that irrevocably changes her life forever, once again proving the old adage that choices have consequences. In this case, Robin suffers a severe loss and a total change in plans for her future, turning the book in a new direction that I never saw coming. She returns home to Elk Grove to try to recover some sense of direction and purpose in her life and there she is asked to help an old friend defend a woman accused of assault and kidnapping. Robin throws herself wholeheartedly into the defense and is able to rise above her overwhelming circumstances. As an attorney, Robin Lockwood is without equal and in this book, the author showed a more human and vulnerable side of her. The plot was at times predictable but also totally absorbing. There were a few twists that I enjoyed, but mostly I enjoyed getting to know Robin better and how she overcame a disaster in her life. The characterization made the book, in my opinion, but the plot wasn’t far behind. Fans of courtroom drama with fleshed-out characters and plenty of fast-paced action will enjoy this book. I love that the author always portrays a character who stands firmly for justice.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Robin Lockwood book #5

A Legal Thriller

I haven’t read the previous novels so I was apprehensive plunging into the unknown with this latest. No need to worry, the stories we follow meshed beautifully and little background needed to follow what happened in the past to move forward and enjoy these captivating legal battles.

In this latest: we are deep into two cases

Robin Lockwood a well-respected defense attorney in Portland, Oregon, goes home to Elk Grove, a farming community in the Midwest recuperating after she suffered a personal tragedy and needed a well-deserved rest.

The first case:

But rest was not to be, soon after her arrival, an old friend and local lawyer asked for her help defending Marjorie Loman accused of kidnapping a baby for whom she was a surrogate and assaulting the adoptive parents. But this was not her only problem.

The second case:

Marjorie had also an arrest warrant in connection with the murder of her husband in Oregon. Robin decided to represent her if Marjorie was found not guilty on her first charge.

In the two stories we go back in time and read what lead to Marjorie’s troubles.

My thoughts:

There is constantly building suspense as the two separate cases resolved and of course the denouement is a complete surprise. The plots are intricate, written with some clever twists. When an error was committed by the nurse when Marjorie gave birth resulting in a psychosis and post-partum problems associated with surrogacy, Robin used amazing tactics to highlight the problems in court. Not only the court proceedings are vividly said through expert voices what comes out from their testimonies are quite informative and eye-opening.

The author knows his way around a courtroom his skills make legal trials fascinating. This is definitely a page-turner very hard to put down. Mr. Margolin does an excellent job developing his characters. The novel is well-written and absolutely spellbinding

The variety and experience of legal cases Philip Margolin employs in The Darkest Place reads like a roller coaster ride through Robin Lockwood’s life. A consummate storyteller, the author writes a relentless, compelling narrative. Unfortunately, even the promotional blurb withholds details to keep from spilling plot spoilers. The reality is that Robing Lockwood experiences a challenging combination of personal, professional, and emotional challenges in this example of Margolin’s exceptional writing skills. With this entry, the author sets a high bar for his next Robin Lockwood adventure.

This is the fifth in the Robin Lockwood series; it is the second I have read. It is a very fast, easy read. I read it in an afternoon.

There are a lot of characters and multiples storylines introduced very quickly; in time, they do come together. It was a decent plot. A light legal procedural if you are so inclined.

Margolin serves us up another novel in his Robin Lockwood series which just keeps getting better and better!

Robin Lockwood, a highly noted lawyer in Portland, Oregon, has finally found happiness in her personal life. Pressed by a judge to take a pro bono case, that happiness is soon erased in a tragic turn of events. Robin returns to Elk Grove to mourn and heal with her family. A lawyer in the small town asks her advice on a case, and she agrees to be co-counsel. They are defending Marjorie Loman who agreed to be a surrogate mother and is now charged with assaulting the adoptive mother and kidnapping (and subsequently abusing) the baby.

While defending Loman, Lockwood discovers that she is also wanted for another, even more serious crime in Portland. This client will become one of her most memorable yet.

For me, the courtroom trial is always one of the highlights of Margolin's books. I love the professional crispness and cleverness, the pull and tug for the jury's support, the twists and turns presented.

I've been reading Margolin for years and will continue to look for his new books. I really enjoy his writing style, his pacing, his "hooks", and the depth of his characters. He gives very good reads!

My thanks to Margolin and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an e-ARC of the novel through NetGalley. The novel is scheduled to be published on March 8, 2022. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Sequestered in a remote location in Oregon, Marjorie Loman was surprised by a knock on her door late at night. Two police officers give her the news that her husband’s body was found in an alley behind a trash can near Portland.

Surrogates were being paid around $50,000 to carry another families’ child. The nine months would cover the period waiting for the courts to release the joint properties. She will then be well set for the rest of her life. Her husband, however, had taken most of the couple’s assets and converted them to gold bars and no one knew where the bars were hidden.

The author always writes intricate plots with some clever twists. I formed a quick empathy for Marjorie and did not understand why the people in Oregon were so caustic towards her. She wants to keep the baby after a nurse let him sleep with her the night of his birth. The subsequent psychosis that followed that error made a very gripping tale.

The author held my interest throughout the book and kept me intrigued as well as educated me. I suggest the book to anyone who is considering surrogacy. The author weaves parallel plots in a gripping manner and releases a very satisfying read. 4.5 stars - C.E. Williams

The author continues his Robin Lockwood series. This is a case that starts with one client that leads to a return to her home town of Elk Grove and leads to the the discovery of another case. It is well written and an engaging, quick read. A definite for fans of the series or author.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog. .

Robin Lockwood returns in an interesting legal page-turner. The former Mixed Martial Arts fighter turned defence lawyer finds herself involved in not one but two cases that test her adherence to the lawyer’s oath to defend her charges to the best of her abilities. What is she to do when she is contracted to defend a criminal so utterly reprehensible? When she doubts the honesty of a woman accused of murdering her husband? When she has similar doubts in the case of surrogate accused of kidnapping the child she had contracted to give to another couple? Lockwood’s legal dilemmas are complicated further by her personal ones, after suffering the loss of a loved one, leading her to return to her childhood home of Elk Grove, where she reconnects with her family, including her brothers, all former high-level athletes themselves. Fans of legal procedural will enjoy this one, and Lockwood lovers will not be disappointed.

Phillip Margolin brings back former MMA wrestler and increasingly prominent attorney Robin Lockwood as she defends difficult clients and personal setbacks. The story begins in Portland with Robin accepting a court=appointed case that no other lawyer will touch, is followed by a trip home where she helps a friend defend a client with ties back in Portland.
As a legal narrative, Margolin is once again efficient and engaging as he takes us through the legal arguments, Robin's gambits that may or may not pay off, and thought provoking debates on the relationship between a defense lawyer and her clients. That said, overall this book doesn't have a cohesive narrative flow. It's as though Margolin had a few ideas of interesting cases and did a bit of a force-fit to pull them all together in one book. The book ends with an opportunity to bring Robin new professional challenges, it will be interesting to see if the author picks up that thread.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Phillip Margolin,St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Phillip Margolin is back with another explosive legal thriller that is sure to keep the reader on the edge of their seats. Robin Lockwood has made a name for herself since leaving the life of an MMA fighter in the past. However, it all comes tumbling down after a personal tragedy befalls her. Robin retreats back to her hometown, where she can convalesce. At the same time, a surrogacy case heats up and Robin eventually agrees to take on a client, working her magic in the courtroom. Little does Robin know, there is more to this woman than meets the eye, including some antics back in Portland that will require legal attention too! Margolin impresses and keeps the reader flipping pages well into the night.

Robin Lockwood is happy to have a successful legal practice and some strong partners to keep things going. When she agrees to take on a pro bono case as a favour, Robin case show her courtroom magic and continue to grab headlines. However, it is all forgotten when someone close to her dies in the middle of the case, leaving her distraught and not wanting to go on.

Convalescing back in her hometown, Robin cannot see any reason to continue on, though there is something about Elk Grove that keeps her waking up each morning. When she sees a local woman has been taken into custody around a surrogacy situation, Robin finds enough spark to climb back into the saddle and agrees to defend Marjorie Loman. After entering a surrogacy contract, Marjorie gives birth to a healthy baby boy and has second thoughts about returning him to his parents. What follows is a case of apparent kidnapping and assault, but Robin thinks that she can convince a jury otherwise.

It soon comes out that Marjorie has been in Elk Grove under an alias and that she faces murder charges back in Portland, where she sure to face trial. Again, Robin agrees to come to her client’s rescue and takes on the case, fuelled by a desire to help this woman who has been down on her luck. While working through the case, Robin sees that some things just don’t add up and she begins to wonder if Marjorie Loman might have another side she wishes to keep hidden from everyone. A great legal thriller that speeds along, much like many of Phillip Margolin’s novels.

It takes a great deal to put together a legal thriller that is both succinct and impactful. Phillip Margolin has done that repeatedly in the novels that I have had the pleasure of reading. He’s always working a few cases and keeping his protagonist rushing from spot to spot, but there is never a sense of superficiality to the writing or her development. This was another winner in the series and I can only hope there are more to come.

Robin Lockwood has evolved a great deal throughout the series, effectively connecting with fans as the stories progress. Here, there is a curveball tossed into the mix and the reader can see devastation flow through the veins of the protagonist, forcing her to reinvent herself. Robin Lockwood is tough, but this is perhaps too much. With much grit and determination, Robin dusts herself off and shows why she is an amazing lawyer and woman, making an impact in many ways throughout this stellar novel.

While I have not read every novel his has penned, I have a good handle on the work of Phillip Margolin and can assure myself that the books keep getting better. He’s able to work with a strong narrative that builds as the story gains speed, working through plot twists and numerous character developments to culminate in a chilling ending. The pacing with short chapters is key and keeps the reader pushing forward, eager to see how things will progress throughout. I love a good legal thriller and can only hope that there are more, particularly with Robin Lockwood at the helm.

Kudos, Mr. Margolin, for another winner. You know just how to pen a great story that has me hungry for more in the genre!

A good continuation of this series but not my favorite. It was kind of sad and dark in places and a bit implausible at times. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for review

This is the fifth installment in the Robin Lockwood series, and I've read them all. Robin is a great charcter as a defense attorney and her cases are always intriguing. There are two major cases in this book: one is a rapist; the other is murder (with a little abuse and kidnapping to boot).

Robin takes a pro bono case of a rapist no one else wants to represent. She finds him disgusting, but knows that everyone needs a defense. She had no way of knowing her choice to represent him would devastate her life.

The kidnapping / assault case is in Robin's hometown of Elk Grove. While this is happening, Robin finds out there is a warrant for the woman's arrest in Oregon for a murder. This case gets really messy and Robin faces many questions during the process.

Interesting cases and a strong character make the Robin Lockwood series a good one to follow. I've enjoyed all the books. There's enough complexity to keep my attention and the situations are intriguing.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on March 8, 2022.