Tension! Lots of it as the story builds to a surprise ending. The intertwining and entanglements keep the book moving along rapidly. The character development is interesting with some being fully developed and others superficially but for a reason that is realized eventually. Good mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

WOW!!!!! Somethin' else!!! Great story, good writing, and a total twist at the end. Hopefully Mr. Robbins is working on another book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

This legal thriller is not my usual read, i am open to new things but the book for me was not my favorite. I found the writing good but the characters had trouble connecting with me and the plot was just too slow for me to look forward to reading the book. I can see how many people enjoyed it, it just wasn't for me.

A top-notch Washington D.C. litigator, Rob Jacobson, gets the case lawyers dream about. Unfortunately, he’s in charge of the defense of his longtime friend and former President of the United States, Jack Cutler. He is accused of killing his mistress and unfortunately for him, the government has no other suspects. Jacobson has his work cut out as Cutler is definitely not a saint. Cutler is an egotistical philanderer who enjoys kinky sex and heavy drinking, while also contending with anger management issues. Cutler’s loyal wife has not only had to endure his infidelities, she’s also suffered physical abuse from him as well. To make things even more complicated, the murder victim, Amanda Harper, had also been Jacobson’s former paramour.

The author, Lawrence Robbins, is an accomplished trial and appellate litigator who has argued numerous cases in the United States Supreme Court and the federal circuit courts of appeals. He incorporates his copious courtroom experiences into this story. The courtroom scenes are vibrant and scintillating, providing an authenticity that gives the feeling that the author is recounting actual details from trials he has participated in. The author has also utilized various aspects from stories that have made the headlines, such as the Chandra Levy/Rock Creek Park murder case.

There are enough red herrings and characters with motive to keep one guessing who the murderer is. There are numerous complicated relationships and characters with deep rooted issues. The friendship between Jacobson and Cutler is quite complex and compelling. Cutler hasn’t always been a great friend as the school pranks he played on Jacobson were demeaning and embarrassing. On top of that, Cutler’s wife Jessica had been Jacobson’s first love. As the case progresses, Jacobson’s emotions are pushed to the limit as he discovers the extent of Cutler’s extramarital affairs and abusive behavior. Even though their friendship is strained, Jacobson remains committed to proving Cutler’s innocence, even to the extent of opening up the possibility of Jessica being a murder suspect.

The verdict is in: If you’re looking for a light, fun read that has suspenseful courtroom drama and complex characters, this book is guilty as charged!

A gripping legal thriller that combines courtroom drama with political intrigue. The narrative is both suspenseful and authentic and the plot is fast paced with enough twists and turns that I was kept on the edge.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Not your typical legal thriller, when your client is the president and he's accused of murder. Less than a month after incumbent president Jack Cutler is defeated in his bid for reelection, Cutler's mistress is found dead in a Washington, DC horse park.
The ex-prez begs his childhood friend, esteemed defense attorney Rob Jacobson, to be his lawyer for the murder trial. Rob reluctantly accepts, adding his mentor, Jane Cashman.
Robbins stacks the deck with possible killers: Cutler's wife and daughter, Jacobson's ex-wife and mentally damaged son, even the attorney's mysterious older brother.
A vicious game of cat and mouse ensues with the unveiling revealed in the final paragraph.
I had to go back and read the last chapter to reimagine the surprise ending.
The President's Lawyer is a fast paced thriller with enough red herrings to occupy a fish tank. Highly recommended.

The President’s Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins was such a great read. Fast paced, well structured and written. And wow…what a great book. I can’t wait for the author’s next book.
I can’t thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley enough for allowing me to preview this book.

I really enjoyed this legal thriller The President's Lawyer. Rob Jacobson, is asked by his childhood best friend, and former President of the United States to be his defense lawyer, after being charged with the murder of his mistress.

This book was very intriguing, and hard to put down. It had compelling and flawed characters, and it kept you guessing. I loved learning about the new technology being used for evidence gathering and selecting juries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the advanced reader copy. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a legal thriller.

What a great legal thriller. When Jack, an ex-President of the US is accused of murdering his mistress, he calls on his lifelong friend and lawyer, Robbie Jacobson. Jack and Robbie met in HS when Jack was the BMOC and Robbie was the scholarship kid who was a little nerdy. Jack defended Robbie but also used him as the butt of some of his antics.

Robbie has gone on to become a very successful defense lawyer and he uses all of his courtroom skills to try to get Jack off. Most of the story is told from his POV but interspersed with short chapters from another voice and we aren't sure who that is. I found that a little confusing in the beginning but I think that is the point. We start guessing who it is.

The courtroom scenes are gripping and so well written. It's hard to root for very many of the characters, certainly the ex-president is a cad but that doesn't mean he's a murderer. His wife had a complicated relationship with Robbie in their early life, their personal lives have been so intertwined, can't imagine that in real life but probably does happen. The ending will blow you away.

Definitely worth a read, it's quick; I literally didn't put it down... reading it on a plane ride home.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Can Robert really defend his best friend, Jack, an ex-President, who is accused of murdering Robert’s ex-girlfriend and who became Jack’s mistress?

Robert was leery about taking the job until Jack passed a lie detector test and was deemed innocent.

He agreed to defend Jack, but how did it work out?

Jack’s background information showed he has anger issues, has had multiple affairs, has assaulted his own father, and killed a dog.

Robert decided he needed someone else to help with the defense and asked his retired law partner Jane to help.

She outright told Robert she is not a fan of Jack and all she knows about him.

Jane finally decided she will help, and it's good she did.

We get the background on both men’s lives, a very interesting collection of evidence, and outstanding courtroom drama.

There are some sensitive revelations that may offend, but THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER is well written and will keep readers completely engaged and anxious to get back to the book.

This is an amazing debut that will knock you right out of the jury box - very well done. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this political thriller - my first time diving into the genre.

Trying to piece the case being argued together throughout the trial was very engaging, and the chapters that dove into the therapy sessions were fascinating. As you read, you will convince yourself of the guilty party many times, and you may be right but not in the way you think!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy!

A Legal thriller

Attorney Rob Jacobson is asked by his lifelong best friend, the former President of the U.S., to defend him when he is accused of murdering his mistress. Typical of many powerful men, the president has anger issues, some unconventional sexual habits and can be an unpleasant man. As the high-profile case unfurls their past complicate Rob’s efforts and doubts begin to take roots in his head: could his friend be capable of murder?.....politic aside let the trial begin...

The thriller is mostly entertainment it starts at a snail pace and keeps pretty much that tempo till the end. We have intensive background on both the president and the defence attorney and through the story tid-bits of memories show up. By the end we pretty well know these two characters and what makes them tick.

I loved the court shenanigan the back and forth between the defence and the prosecutor was active and well-done, mostly amusing. Following the court proceedings there is a fair amount of edge-of- your seat action with a few surprises tossed in. Rob defends Jack and will prove his innocence in the trial of the century with all one’s might.

This story is written by a man familiar around a courtroom and knows how to pull his readers into the drama. Once in the courtroom I couldn’t put this book aside. The story is narrated mostly by Rob although by the end one unknown character share his voice setting doubts and second guessing who the killer may be..... Wow what a mind-blowing ending.....

This story is a quick read, entertaining and suspenseful.

THE PRESIDENT'S LAWYER - I did not care for this story. The characters did not interest me. The pace was a bit slow. I felt bombarded by the vulgar language, and I did not care for the depravity. Basically, just an average story. The last chapter was interesting. Source: Netgalley. 3*

I love a good legal thriller and this one was top notch! Loved it! I was pulled into the story immediately and honestly the whole way through. It's a quick, entertaining, suspenseful read with quite a few twists that I didn't predict. The courtroom scenes are filled with drama and the ending totally caught me off guard! Really great book!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tension building had me on the edge of my seat, absolutely entertaining ‼️

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced e copy!

I would like to thank Netgalley for an eARC of this book.

When I first read the blurb of this book that this book is perfect for John Grisham fans I was immediately sold. And I had just finished reading a John Grisham book so when I went into this book it was absolutely just like a John Grisham novel.

This book is exactly the courtroom and background drama I live for: the high-profile scandal, the husband-wife relationship, the mistress, the friend who was friends with both husband and wife, etc. All of it was just the perfect mix.

I finished reading this book in two days; it was that good. It was literally a page turner. Even though I figured out who the real killer was when I was 18% done but I still had a lot of fun reading this book. And I am sure other readers who are fans of John Grisham or fans of legal thrillers will enjoy this as well.

Wow! The president’s Lawyer is a fast paced legal thriller that will keep you guessing right up to the end. The story is complicated and the characters are all too familiar with one another.

I look forward to reading more by Lawrence Robbins.

Thank you to #AtriaBooks, #NetGalley and Lawrence Robbin’s for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #ThePresidentsLawyer

4 stars for a legal mystery with some twists and turns. There are two narrators, Rob Jacobson, a prominent criminal defense lawyer in Washington, DC, and an anonymous mental patient speaking with his psychiatrist. Rob is contacted by his childhood friend, former US President Jack Cutler. Jack is being prosecuted for the murder of Amanda Harper. Jack and Amanda were having an affair, and his DNA and fingerprints are on the victim.
However, Rob also had an affair with Amanda, and this is a major conflict of interest. Jack says he doesn't care and still wants Rob to defend him. Rob reluctantly agrees. As the case progressed, I thought that I knew who the killer was, but I was wrong. The ending was a surprise.
Warning: There are brief descriptions of bondage. Jack calls it "rough sex."
Thanks to Zakiya Jamal at Atria Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC of "The President's Lawyer", by Lawrence Robbins. I could have read this one in one sitting (and I almost did). It's been a long time since a book grabbed me like this and kept me reading, hour after hour.
(Sort of) ripped from current headlines, this one has more twists and turns than an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster - and is filled with just as much danger.
John Cutler, ex-president of the United States is accused of a horrendous crime - the murder of a young woman.
Rob Jacobson is the ex-president's lawyer and longtime friend - right back to their childhoods.
The former first lady, Jessica, is also the defense lawyer's former, childhood girlfriend, and the one who got away.
But, so is the victim!
The details of the murder are salacious, to say the least - unsubstantiated rumours of kinky sex practices, amplified by right-wing pundits, the (initial) absolute denial of the ex-president of any contact with the victim, the possibility of other mistresses....
The evidence is overwhelming: DNA, fingerprints, hair, a piece of White House cutlery(??). But he swears that he never harmed her, that he loved her (at least he admits this reluctantly).
The bulk of the story centres on the eventual trial, and what surprises surface. The trial itself is masterfully portrayed, as each day brings new revelations and theories, with competing expert witness painting perhaps opposite pictures of the crime itself, and the culpability of former president Cutler.
At first, the tendency of the author to use flashbacks as part of the story was a bit disconcerting, but they quickly began to make sense.
At many times in the course of the narrative, I thought I could see where this one was going - but I was wrong! And you might be, too. Absolutely recommend for fans of murder mysteries and courtroom dramas.

Well, what hat have we got here!?😱
Just one of the best legal thrillers I’ve read in a very long time!

Love a superb legal thriller? With an almost endless amount of edge-of-your seat courtroom action? Packed full of shocking surprises tossed in?

The verdict is in…this is the book for you!

I almost passed up this book because I was expecting it to have a strong political edge, and right about now I’ve had enough of all things politics.
But no worries! Our defendant may be an ex-president but that’s about all the politics this gem serves up! The author keeps the focus strictly on the trial.

Jack and Robbie have been friends since childhood. Jack went on to become the President of the United States while Robbie has remained his loyal friend practicing as a successful criminal lawyer.

But when Jack is accused and subsequently arrested for murder, it’s up to Robbie to defend him and prove Jack's innocence in the trial of the century!

You may think you know how this trial is going to end! HA! Not a chance!

I literally gasped! Absolute mind-blowing ending!

The author is a highly experienced trial attorney and it’s all on display in his writing. I was shocked to see this was a debut. I truly hope he’s currently working on his next book, as I will be the first in line!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books