My Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and author Robert Dugoni, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for October 22, 2024.

When the second book in the series, Beyond Reasonable Doubt opens, the team at Patrick Duggan & Associates are still riding the highs of their victory in the Vince LaRussa trial (book #1). The office phones have been ringing hot and the firm has been inundated with new, albeit smaller, less controversial, clients. But lots of small money generating clients will not keep the firm afloat forever, and Patrick Duggan & Associates needs another high-profile case, and they need it fast. Well Team, be careful what you wish for!

Isn't there a saying somewhere that says…"You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family?"

Former prosecutor, turned defence attorney, Keera Duggan has her work cut out for her with this next challenging case. Entrepreneur and wunderkind, Jenna Bernstein has been accused of murdering her business partner, Sirus Kohl. Unfortunately for Bernstein, (an old childhood friend of Keera's), this is not her first brush with the law. She'd been previously accused and tried of the murder of a former employee. In that case, she was represented by Keera's dad, Patsy, who successfully argued the case against Bernstein, and she was acquitted on all charges. Growing up, Keera had a healthy wariness of Jenna, she found her to be manipulative and very light on when it came to telling the truth. So why were they friends? Well, it's complicated…..

Keera wasn't keen on taking the case, she had reservations as to Bernstein's involvement. But as Patsy reminded her, a defence lawyer's job is to defend the accused's constitutional right to a fair trial - that it was the jury who decided the guilt or innocence. For Keera, this means she is going to have to put her personal prejudice aside while she navigates the legal and courtroom proceedings in this trial.

If you were to argue whether this book is more character driven or plot driven, you'd be splitting hairs. IMHO this is one of the few books where both elements are superbly executed. There are many memorable characters in this series, not all of them are likable, some are downright despicable - but they are relatable. Dugoni's portrayal of the Duggan family dynamics add yet another layer to the character driven part of the narrative.

Like a game of chess, this narrative has many moving pieces or 'legal moves'; which to the reader might not make sense at the time, but you are trying to guess your opponent's strategy and attempting to out manoeuvre them. It's a high-stakes game. The author excels at presenting and integrating the issues from a police perspective as well as from a legal perspective.

Another highly engaging and compelling read, and a wonderful addition to the series.

I'll end my review with the book's dedication from the author.

"To my wife, Cristina, for giving me the best life a husband and father could ever ask for. You deserve all the credit."

#I'mcryingnow

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publisher, Thomas & Mercer for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Another great book in what is shaping up to be. a great series. Characters are well developed and have great interactions. I would be friends with them. Plot is good and develops well with a twist at the end. I highly recommend this book

Another great book in this series. This is the second book and you definitely need to read the first one too. Keera Dugan defends a childhood friend who is known to be a liar. A well written mystery that I highly recommend.

Another phenomenal book in this series. The characters are so well written with such engaging plot lines and a mystery that’s not easy to guess until it’s revealed, making it impossible to put this book down.

Still riding the outcomes from her previous trial - Keera experiences a blast from her past. An old childhood friend, Jenna Bernstein, disgraced wunderkind CEO of a controversial biotech company is suddenly in the spotlight a second time, accused of murder. The first time, Keera's father, Patty defended her and got her off. However, now she's coming to Keera. Can Keera help her this time? More likely, does Keera want to help her?

What I love about Robert Dugoni is he takes his time with his novels. He slowly builds the case, taking the reader on a journey from all angles, very much like the jury described in the story. You feel like you get to know his characters, trying to anticipate Keera's next move. I enjoy the build up as well as the less then perfect endings - realistic but satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I read an advanced readers copy of Robert Dugoni's Beyond Reasonable Doubt - the second book in his new Keera Duggan series. This is another courtroom legal thriller, and I think Dugoni is on the right track with his new set of characters. I'd love to see some cross over. Bring Tracy Crosswhite in, or even better yet, David Sloane! But I digress.

The novel is kind of a slow burn. The first half focused on Keera investigating a potential client - who she has known since chldhood, and has largely despised. Jenna Bernstein is suspected in a murder, but not yet arrested. In some ways, I was surprised so much time was dedicated to that, but it all makes sense, and the book shifts dramatically in part two, where Jenna is tried - and Keera has to defend her. No spoilers, but the book is enjoyable, and while maybe a little predictable, another solid offering by Robert Dugoni, who has become one of my favorite authors. This will be a good read for folks.

Novels about criminal trials are abundant, but I commend author Robert Dugoni for Beyond Reasonable Doubt. It's a thrilling tale about the murder(s) of two tech titans. Keera Duggan makes a great lead character. The plot unfolds wisely. Recommended!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni. This is book two in the Keera Duggan series. The story was well-written and elements reminded me of the real life Elizabeth Holmes story, which gave it a touch of realism. I love how good Dugoni is at writing female characters and Keera is a fantastic main character! I felt like I knew her so well after book one that I was shocked this is only book two and I hope there are more to come. If you’re looking for a great series, try this one.

Wow! I’m sad to admit this was my first experience with a Robert Dugoni novel, especially since I love legal thrillers!

Jenna Bernstein is on trial for murder once again. She is now accused of killing her former business partner. There were allegations of corporate fraud that were putting her and her partner in jeopardy. Did Jenna murder him to escape prison time? If not Jenna, then who?

This story is centered around the courtroom and boy oh boy do I love a great courtroom thriller! Keera Duggan is the attorney who represents Jenna and she’s a damn good one at that! I loved each and every twist and reveal! This was the second book in the series. I have not read the first one and still enjoyed it immensely!

Thanks so much @amazonpublishling @thomasandmercer, @netgalley and @RobertDugoni for the opportunity!
Publication date October 22, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ raised to 5

"Beyond Reasonable Doubt," the second book in Robert Dugoni’s Keera Duggan series, is a thrilling legal drama that kept me hooked from start to finish. Keera, a defense attorney and former prosecutor, takes on a challenging case defending her manipulative childhood friend, Jenna Bernstein, accused of murdering her former partner.
What I love most about this book is how Dugoni expertly integrates legal procedures into the plot, making the courtroom scenes compelling and easy to follow. The story dives deep into Keera’s character, showing her strengths and struggles as she navigates this high-stakes case. The dynamics within the Duggan family add a rich layer to the narrative, making it even more engaging.
The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end. Even though the book is lengthy, it felt like a true-to-life trial, with meticulous attention to detail. "Beyond Reasonable Doubt" is a must-read for legal thriller fans!

Very grateful to the publisher for this copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

The second book in Robert Dugoni’s Keera Duggan series, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, is a riveting and expertly paced legal thriller that takes up right at the end of book one, Her Deadly Game. Once a prosecutor but now a defense attorney in her family’s law firm, Keera is faced with defending a childhood classmate who has a sociopathic, manipulative, consummate-liar history as well as finding Keera’s own footing and strengths as a lawyer in the shadow of her renowned father, Patsy Duggan, known as the legal “Irish Brawler.”

The writer’s talent at presenting and integrating legal issues and procedures clearly into the plot is top-notch. He expertly weaves a complex story that smoothly jumps in time for background, brings in the dynamics, flaws, and strengths of the close-knit Duggan family, and continues in the well-developed character of Keera in her own “Irish Brawler” persona in competitive chess and now the legal arena. The courtroom scenes are compelling even with the reader perhaps speculating on the identity of the killer at the same time Keera is devising tactics to bring such revelations into the realm of justice. The writer does not depend on irony but rather on a perfected flow of factual discovery. Somewhat unusual were several aspects of the killings, as well as the Keera’s strategic winning approach, which were like those in the first book.

Not having read any of this talented writer’s books, I read the first book in the series and then this second one. I could not put them down, and I will be reading more of his writing. I look forward to more Keera Duggan books in this impressive series.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (and well as book one with the Duggan “sacrosanct monthly Family Dinner" in its lighter tone and dysfunctional glory), and I am grateful to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and Robert Dugoni for early access to this book. This opinion is all my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

Keera Duggan defends a case for her ex childhood friend. Jenna is accused of murder having got off with a different murder years before.

While this is not my serial genre I do enjoy this series. The law, court, prosecution and defense is described in a straightforward manner. That didn’t mean this book had no twists and turns-far from it! It kept me guessing until the end. Keera is smart and thinks outside the box. A bit of a hero in her sphere. This book was long, and took me a while to complete, it felt like it reflected a true trial though. I enjoyed it.

There is a lot going on in this novel — murder, alcoholism, raising capital and bringing a new drug to market, a family law firm and the dynamics and conflicts therein, lawyer/client rivalry and conflicts since childhood, to name a few. Many of the principle characters are not likable and this reader had no problem determining the guilty party early on in the novel.
Mr. Dugoni always writes an interesting book and has a vivid imagination. I thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
What a book! This is another one of his best books I’ve read!
Meet Jenna, the ultimate liar, and mean woman accused of murdering her partner in her disgraced company. Keera, a childhood friend who has experienced Jenna’s evil is the lawyer defending her. Is Keera working to set a murderer free or is there someone with a bigger reason to murder? An absolutely riveting book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Welcome back Keera Duggan! Keera is a master chess player turned attorney. Prior happenings have shifted her from the district attorney's office to the firm run by her family. The case at hand involves a childhood nemesis into play and involves murder, fraud and mayhem. Under family pressure and despite her misgivings, Keera takes the case but sets the ground rules, managing to stick to them. Through careful investigation and following her instincts, she manages to close out the case in a satisfactory manner. I thoroughly enjoy this character and look forward to future books.

Page turner. I love the characters of the firm. They’re very relatable. I liked how at the end Thompson acknowledged that Keera was more than just the talented daughter of Patsy. Jenna fills her role in the story well even though she’s unlikable. It was interesting to see Keera defend someone she already knew and disliked.

Characters: 5🌟
Writing: 4.5🌟
Plot: 4🌟
Pacing: 5🌟
Unputdownability: 5🌟
Enjoyment: 4.5🌟
Overall: 4.67🌟

I loved this second book, and it was a quick read! Keera Duggan, the youngest child of famed lawyer, "Patsy" Duggan, the Irish Brawler, excels in this legal thriller. Her no-nonsense approach to win this case comes down to whether her selfish client is willing to tell the truth.

Author Robert Dugoni has a lot of strengths as a writer. One of those strengths is in creating memorable characters. In this series, Patsy Duggan and his daughter, Keera, are among his best. Defense lawyers are often depicted, in literature and in life, as less-than-desirable members of the law community: and many people despise them along with their often-despicable clients. This novel, which depicts a young lawyer defending a person she has known and disliked, with reason, all her life, causes the reader to rethink the whole concept of criminal defense. The American ideal is that every person, guilty or innocent, likeable or not, deserves to be heard and given honest consideration in our court system. I enjoyed this novel. Thanks to Netgalley who provided me with this ARC in return for this honest review

Big fan of Robert Dugoni. A solid writer who flies a little under the radar.
Beyond Reasonable Doubt is the second in this legal thriller series. Keera Duggan is a former prosecutor turned defense attorney. She continues to work in the family firm run by her father Patsy.
She takes on a murder case for her former frenemy Jenna Bernstein.
This is a solid legal thriller with an unlikable defendant and a lawyer trying to determine what type of lawyer she wants to be.
This is a series I would continue to read in the future.
Thanks to net galley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set for an October 2024 publication date, the second book in Robert Dugoni's brilliant new series, featuring Keera Duggan starts where the first book left off - sort of. Keera is about to enjoy a well-deserved vacation, and is reflecting on past trials, including the one that featured in the first book, "Her Deadly Game". Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
Her father, Patsy Duggan - the Irish Brawler - has taught Keera well, both at the game of chess and how to be an effective lawyer, but she wishes that she could just have some 'down time'; however, that's not to be, as she is summoned back to the office for an emergency: a former client of the firm, and childhood 'friend', previously defended by Keera's father is in need of defence, again.
How do you defend someone who you know is a master manipulator, liar, socio- and possible psychopath and still retain your integrity? Keera will have to face all of that without the guidance and assistance of her father.
Jenna Bernstein has been previously accused, and acquitted, of the murder of a former employee, but now it looks like she'll be in the docket again, accused of the murder of her ex-partner/lover/possible co-conspirator, who might just have been in the process of turning against her.
With overtones of the Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos fiasco, this is another fast-paced story, set mainly in the courtroom, where Keera Duggan shines, but also shows the investigation and background of all the main players.
Keera thinks she has come to the actual truth of the matter, after much investigation, but in the end, Keera has to rely on her client to tell 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth' and hope that she hasn't made a mistake.
Once again, a totally enjoyable book with just the right blend of police procedural, courtroom drama and personal insights. Highly recommended.