I'm a sucker for any kind of thriller or mystery that involves politics, and while this one was OK, I wouldn't say it's one of the strongest pieces I've read. I felt like the plot kept chasing its tail, in and out of the courtroom, but never moving forward with the trial. I feel as if the plot was strongest when the characters were physically moving, especially when the courthouse seemed to be a secondary location.

I missed the first installments in this interesting legal series, haven’t had any problem getting hooked on the characters. The setting is in Southern Georgia and has a small town vibe. The characters included Maggie Reynolds as the Special Prosecutor, Judge Balk, a US Senator, the Criminal defense lawyer, the local Sheriff and a Deputy. The case is politically charged with conspiracies, power, money, embezzlement, greed and lies. The Senator is facing serious charges and the case is polarizing the community. There are even protestors and a possible kidnapping of the Judge.
The events, the character relationships and corruption kept me jumping to many possible outcomes. The one I wasn’t expecting left me with more questions than answers. The conclusion made me feel a little unsatisfied, as in real life not all outcomes are tidied up and loose ends remained. Perhaps there will be more clarity in the next installment of the series.
An Advance Reader Copy of “The Burden of Power” (Blake County Legal Thrillers #4) By Joe Cargile, Severn River Publishing, publication 05/28/2024, was provided by NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

There is a plethora of action in this mildly interesting novel - a judge abducted from his chambers, a senator on trial, an engaging young reporter, attorneys switched in the midst of a trial, an impending divorce, etc. It is all very confusing since the senator and the judge are friends since childhood and the judge would have been recused. There are several twists and turns in this somewhat intriguing novel along the way to a wholly unsatisfying conclusion.
I thank NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

is was just ok. Just took forever to get to the ending , then when it did I found it confusing.
Thanks NetGalley for the advance copy