Hollywood will be knocking at Joey Hartstone's door again to produce this page-turning legal thriller into a movie or TV series. James Euchre is a patent attorney in Marshall, Texas, where all big companies go to settle their patent disputes in court. Euchre finds himself representing a patent client, Amir Zawar, on murder charges for killing a judge. Key to the plot are Layla Stills, an attorney who joins Euchre's council, and Lisa "the Leg" Morgan, an investigator who helps the team. Good story with strong characters.

I originally requested the book because of the setting. Marshall, Texas is a small non-descript East Texas town I am quite familiar with, and I had to find out what someone could write about it. What I learned is that Marshall is the home of a Federal District Court that hears patent cases from all around the country and is famous for the big payouts awarded. Because of that, the town is inundated with patent attorneys. Thus enters the main character in The Local.

Big city law firms need locals to help with jury selection and to put a familiar face to their cases. James Euchre is one of the best.

This book has everything you could want, as a reader. There is court drama, a murder, a high-stakes law firm, a bit of romance, and local color. As I read the book, I was convinced the author must be from the area. Who else would know about Karnack or Uncertain, Texas? It just goes to show the power of detailed research. Mr. Hartstone made me believe he knew every nook and cranny in Harrison County, in and out of the courtroom.
James Euchre is working with a large law firm from New York when the prestigious judge who had presided over the Federal District Court for over twenty years is murdered. Not only was the judge Euchre’s friend, but a father figure and mentor. He is determined to bring the killer to justice.

It doesn’t help when his client, Amir, from Pakistan is arrested and charged with the murder. James Euchre is a patent attorney. He’s never practiced criminal law, although his father did and made quite a name for himself across the state. But Amir is adamant he wants James to represent him and prove his innocence.

There are many shocking discoveries throughout the unfolding of this story, including publicly accusing the esteemed judge’s replacement of the murder. I will say the author did a fantastic job of keeping the true identity of the killer under wraps until the very end and I did not even come close to guessing who it was.

This is a fantastic story that I devoured! If you like fast-paced action, lots of suspense while at the same time seeing the very human side of the characters, you will love this novel.