Pro Bono
By Thomas Perry

Thomas Perry writes suspense thrillers that keep the reader hooked from the first page to the last. The plots are always intricate, the cast of characters always quirky – sometimes you actually find yourself liking the "bad guys".

This one starts with a murder. A young man has found out that his widowed mother has been taken in by a con man, who has married her and stolen most of her money. Charlie Warren, the son, chases after the fleeing grifter and forces his car off the road, killing him.

Enter Copes and Minkeagan, two convicts on a fire fighting detail on their way back to prison. They arrive at the scene of the car wreck, find some potentially wealth producing papers in the trunk of the car, and manage to hide them for retrieval at some future time.

Time passes, just how much time is never explained, but Charlie has gotten away with murder and become a lawyer. Into his office comes Vesper Ellis, a widow who thinks her investment accounts have been robbed. When the paths of Ellis and the two now free convicts (also not explained) converge, the story heats up and the complications set in. This is typical Perry.

For Perry's books to work requires a certain suspension of disbelief, but they are so much fun that the details don't seem to matter all that much. Perry is true to form here – another thrill ride at the carnival.

In Pro Bono, Thomas Perry gives the reader two mysteries in one volume. The first thrill ride starts when Vesper Ellis comes to Charles Warren's law office to have him investigate strange goings on with the investment accounts she inherited from her late husband. She then disappeared. rles Warren goes around trying to discover what is going on and ends up with the beginning of the second mystery which ties in with actions he had taken while a teenager. To solve both situations Charles and two former cons end up working together on the first case (about 75% of the book) before Charles could focus full-time on the second case and retrieve those funds. Thomas Perry wrote an engaging book that would have been more fun if the 2nd case had had more time to develop. The last part of the book seemed rushed and there was story-lines left dangling. But, if you enjoy Thomas Perry, this title will not disappoint.

Thanks Netgalley and Mysterious Press/Penzler Publishers for the chance to read this title.

Financial fraud is a grave and widespread crime. In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to fraudsters, much of it non-recoverable. However, from a literary standpoint, it’s not the most interesting crime to portray. While many fascinating books and films have been about elaborate heists or con jobs, the more mundane siphoning of funds to fake accounts doesn’t make for interesting reading or viewing. Popular thriller writer Thomas Perry tries his luck at making financial fraud the basis for his new thriller, “Pro Bono,” but the results aren’t very thrilling.

The hero of “Pro Bono” is attorney Charles Webster. As a teenager, Webster’s stepfather got control of his mother’s considerable inheritance and stole millions. Webster put a permanent end to the stepfather’s criminal career (and life) and then dedicated his own career to helping other victims of financial fraud. He now specializes in family law and inheritance matters, and recovering missing assets is his forte. (He’s also a CPA.) Webster often ignores the law and professional ethics in his quest to make his defrauded clients whole. He burglarizes homes and offices and plants illegal trackers and wiretaps when needed to get the goods on fraudsters.

Webster’s latest client, Vesper Ellis, is an attractive young widow who entrusted the management of her late husband’s substantial estate to several investment firms. Vesper suspects money is missing from her accounts and goes to Webster for help. He determines that two of her money managers are crooks who have siphoned off Vesper’s money and those of other clients into their personal accounts. To recoup Vesper’s losses, Webster must convince the investment firms to make her whole.

I found the legal aspects of “Pro Bono” interesting. When Webster threatens a lawsuit against the investment firms, they deny everything and try to stonewall him by refusing to return messages, breaking appointments, and other annoying delay tactics. These tactics are par for the course in potential business litigation, and I enjoyed seeing Webster work his way around the red tape.

However, I doubt most of Perry’s followers read “Pro Bono” to get a primer in white-collar business litigation. So, the crooked financial advisors resort to tried-and-true strong-arm tactics by hiring a couple of goons to threaten Webster and steal his evidence. Unfortunately, they prove to be about as inept a pair of thugs as you’ll find in this type of thriller. The two crooked financial advisors are even less threatening when trying to personally stop Webster. Readers don’t want criminals to succeed in books like “Pro Bono,” but they do want to believe the protagonists are in real danger. This novel’s overall level of villainy is about what you would encounter in a typical Hardy Boys book.

The dishonest financial advisors aren’t even the most annoying characters in “Pro Bono.” That “honor” goes to a pair of ex-cons who were inmate firefighters on a prison bus 18 years earlier. They found the wreckage of Webster’s stepfather’s car and figured out the teenager ran the stepfather off the road, killing him. During their prison stay, they learn who Webster has become and think there could be a substantial payday in store for them when they eventually encounter the adult Webster. I won’t describe how the two ex-cons figure into the plot. However, they are among the least believable and most annoying characters I’ve encountered in crime thrillers. Perry could easily have turned them into a far more worthy pair of adversaries for Webster than the investment advisors or their inept goons. Unfortunately, their entire subplot is badly botched.

The discussion of the actual fraud and its detection in “Pro Bono” is brief and general. I suspect a detailed description would have been overly technical and incredibly dull. However, by keeping the discussion of the crime’s mechanics brief, the author seems to run out of material about three-quarters of the way through the book. He then inserts a brand new subplot into the story. At this point in the novel, Webster decides to recover the money his stepfather stole from his mother 18 years earlier. Again, readers will get a rather uninteresting legal education on the disposition of abandoned funds. As Webster tries to recover the money, his stepfather’s equally larcenous relatives learn there might be unknown-to-them millions lying around that they might get their hands on. This subplot seems to have so little to do with the book’s main storyline that it might have originated as an unpublished shorter work that the author rolled into the body of the novel.

I’ve read several of Thomas Perry’s earlier books, but “Pro Bono” is the first I can’t recommend. The sections that work are interesting, such as Webster’s efforts to get through the legal red tape thrown at him by the investment firms. Unfortunately, the action scenes, usually Perry’s strength, are too short and entirely lacking in suspense. The book’s villains aren’t likable people, but they are petty and inept. The crooked advisors and their goons never really present the sort of menace that makes for a great thriller. Further, the last few chapters seem to belong in a different book. Even the book’s title has little to do with anything in the novel. “Pro Bono” has too few pros and too many cons to recommend.

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

Perry has been writing thrillers since the early 80s and is knocks out books of pretty consistent quality. The main character in this book is a young lawyer dealing both with a client who might be defrauded and fraudsters targeting his mother. It is good to be in the hands of such a solid craftsman, and the book moved quickly, although I wasn’t completely engrossed in the plot which never really fired on all cylinders. Felt like a minor Perry, good to pick up if you have read them all, but if you are dipping your toe in, go grab Metzger’s Dog.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was so fun, suspenseful and intriguing. I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed this book and will continue to watch for new books by this author.

Thank you to Net Galley for the advance ecopy of this title. This was a fast-paced novel about an attorney who is harboring bitterness over a scam pulled on his mother, and gets the chance to remedy it through many twists and turns and unholy alliances. Perry's writing is always tight, and not predictable, with great dialogue.

Thomas Perry is a well-known source of topnotch contemporary suspense and thrillers. He’s received the Edgar Award once and the Barry Award twice and been shortlisted for major awards too many times to count. His latest stand-alone thriller is a fascinating deep dive into banking and investment crime.

Pro Bono (Mysterious Press, 14 January 2025) introduces Charlie Warren, a lawyer and CPA who specializes in finding money hidden from his clients. He fell into this niche early, as his widowed mother was robbed by an opportunistic second husband while Charlie was in college and Charlie tried unsuccessfully to trace the money Mack Stone took. Now Vesper Ellis retains him for assistance, as she thinks something is wrong with her investment accounts. Withdrawals have been made in her dead husband’s name and balances are not what they should be. Charlie agrees with her assessment; he narrows the inconsistencies to two investment firms and files the papers to ask for a legal accounting of the monetary discrepancies, thereby alerting the senior managers of the stockbrokerages of likely problems. Shortly after the asset management companies acknowledge the requests, Vesper turns up missing and a pair of thugs try hard to keep Charlie from his meeting with one firm’s lawyers.

Charlie has considerable presence of mind when the goons attack, more than I expect most lawyers might have. He also shows himself willing to cut corners in the manner of his illustrious predecessor Perry Mason. He is definitely the lawyer to call in case of trouble.

The story falls naturally into three parts, each showcases a different approach to appropriating money from someone else. I found the tutorials on financial crime absorbing and educational but I think some bits, particularly where the investment company culprits fall out, as thieves inevitably will, could have been tightened up to good effect. The transition from one story line to the next is a little awkward but not enough to disrupt the flow. This thriller could easily be two short stories and one novella with the same main character.

Overall, I loved this book. A well told story with an ingenious plot and original characters. Charlie Warren has series potential but I see the title is listed as a stand-alone. Recommended, especially for fans of legal thrillers and financial mysteries.

During a crime, or really any event in life, the "starring role" shifts as time passes. The main character might be the criminal planning the crime, then shift to the victim, then back to others affected by the outcome. I'd never thought about this until reading Pro Bono, by Thomas Perry.

The point of view shifts frequently throughout Pro Bono, flowing smoothly from one person to the next as the crime(s) develop. The focus also shifts from one crime to another throughout the story. This is a tricky way to write, since giving away too much or too little at any moment can ruin the surprise, the "oh I see what you did there" moments from the reader. I don't want to get too specific here in case I ruin it, but those moments definitely exist throughout the story!

The primary character, the one who is the center of attention most often, is Charlie Warren, a lawyer who takes on the case of young widow who is being fleeced out of her money by her conman husband. This hits home for Charlie, and he vows to help her even when layers of deception and surprising allies are uncovered as he investigates.

There are lots of layers, lots of points of view, and lots of action. This isn't really the type of book of I read often, but I enjoyed it, and I certainly admired the deft hand of the author as he moved the reader through the intricate plot without ever losing the thread!

Are people after his client or after him?

Charles Warren is an attorney in LA who also is a certified CPA, and as such has a proven track record for tracking down and recovering assets which have gone missing, been deliberately hidden or were out and out stolen. When a beautiful young widow named Vesper Ellis walks into his office one day, having been referred by a friend whose divorce Charles had handled, it is apparent that she is in need of both sets of his skills. Since her husband died several years earlier she has left their investment portfolio alone, living instead on what she made at her own job while the various stocks, bonds and so forth continued to grow. When she took a closer look at some of the reports a few days earlier, she noticed some activity that didn't make sense and also saw little sign of the portfolio having accumulated additional funds. Charles agrees to look into the matter (people taking advantage of widows is a trigger for him, based on something which happened to his mother years earlier) and Vesper hands over the financial papers she brought with her. Charles is followed home and shot at that evening and discovers that his briefcase was stolen from his car at some point along the way, and he isn't certain which of his recent cases might have caused someone to go after him. But when Vesper goes missing, not answering his phone calls and not being in touch with her friends he suspects he knows which case it must be after all. and continues to look into her financial situation even as he tries to find out what happened to her. He discovers that there are people unconnected to Vesper who have Charles in their sights, and things get serious very quickly...because when large amounts of money are at stake, some people would do just about anything to take or keep possession of it whether or not it is rightfully theirs.
In this standalone novel author Thomas Perry presents an interesting conundrum involving those who prey upon the vulnerable, whether as individual con artists or by hiding within reputable financial institutions. Protagonist Charles Warren is a man who takes such actions very personally, his mother having been the victim of just such a scam which changed the course both of her life and his. He knows where and how to look for missing assets, using his knowledge of accounting to dicover where they have gone and wielding his legal abilities to cut through the roadblocks tossed in his clients' way. He also can hold his own when physically threatened, which hints at there being something in his background not yet shared with readers that makes him a harder target than expected. Vesper is an interesting character, someone whose background as wife and hostess to a successful man belies the inner strength she shows when forces take steps to eliminate her from pursuing her concerns. There's a pair of felons who have served their time and some financial types who give the profession a bad name and other characters to flesh out the story. After a little confusion at the beginning of the story (with various elements of backstory rolling out which only make sense later in the book), I was pulled right into the main plot and enjoyed the twisty path to discovering who was behind the different attacks on Charles and Vesper, and what their motives turned out to be. A secondary storyline took prominence in the closing chapters of the book and I found that part a bit rushed and with some elements which strained credulity....maybe that should have been the basis of a sequel, and given more time to flesh out the characters....but I still found it an entertaining read and would definitely read another featuring Charles Warren. Readers of authors like Paul Levine, Michael Connelly and John Sandford should give this a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishing/Mysterious Press for allowing me early access to a copy of Perry's latest thriller in exchange for my honest review.

<b>Pro Bono et Cui Bono?</b>
<i>A review of the Mysterious Press Kindle ARC via NetGalley, obtained in advance of the publication of the official hardcover/ebook/audiobook (January 14, 2025).</i>

Attorney Charles Warren had met a major conman and grifter in his youth. So he already has some idea of what he is up against when the newly widowed Vesper Ellis comes into his office asking for assistance in tracking missing funds from her bank accounts.

But the stakes are bigger than ever when suddenly he finds himself being targeted by unknown stalkers who even steal his briefcase from his car shortly after he takes on the new client. There are increasing twists and surprise villains which build throughout this latest novel from the master of the 'hunt and hide' / 'seek and evade' suspense thriller.

Before it is over, not only Ellis and Warren, but even his own mother, who had been the victim of the conman in Warren's youth, will become possible targets for murder. It becomes absolutely unputdownable as the culprits circle their victim and our heroes make a desperate attempt at a rescue. This was yet another terrific read from Thomas Perry, who was the author of last year's <i>Hero</i> (January 2024), which I 5-star rated and described as being <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5952847642">Relentless</a>.

My thanks to the author, the publisher Mysterious Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

<b>Trivia and Link</b>
Author Thomas Perry will be interviewed by the Poisoned Pen Bookstore YouTube channel on Tuesday January 14, 2025 when the book is officially released. You can be notified in advance or watch the archived interview afterwards <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jCxittBTsc">here</a>.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

This novel is yet another home-run for an outstandingly talented author...

*Pro Bono* by Thomas Perry is a masterful and thrilling exploration of justice, morality, and the intricacies of the legal world. Perry, known for his skillful storytelling and intricate plots, delivers a novel that is compelling and thought-provoking, keeping readers engaged from the first page to the last.

This story follows a dedicated defense attorney who takes on pro bono cases to help those who cannot afford legal representation. When a seemingly straightforward case turns into a complex and dangerous investigation, the attorney finds himself entangled in a web of deceit, corruption, and moral dilemmas. Perry expertly navigates the legal intricacies, presenting a narrative that is realistic and suspenseful.

Perry has created a deeply complex and relatable character whose dedication to justice and unwavering moral compass drive the narrative forward. The attorney's inner struggles and personal growth are portrayed with sensitivity and depth, making the character compelling and sympathetic.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, bringing their own unique perspectives and adding depth to the story. Perry excels in creating multi-faceted characters that feel authentic and contribute meaningfully to the plot. The interactions between characters are dynamic and realistic, enhancing the overall narrative.

Perry's writing is sharp and evocative, with a keen eye for detail that brings the settings and scenes to life. The legal procedures and courtroom drama are meticulously researched, adding authenticity to the story.

The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of high tension interspersed with quieter, reflective passages that allow for character development and introspection.

The novel's themes of justice, redemption, and the ethical complexities of the legal profession are explored with nuance and insight. Perry challenges readers to consider the moral dilemmas faced by those within the legal system and the impact of their decisions on the lives of others. This thematic depth adds a layer of intellectual engagement to the thrilling plot.

"Pro Bono" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that showcases Thomas Perry's talent for crafting intricate and engaging stories. With its well-developed characters, realistic legal drama, and compelling narrative, this book is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers and anyone interested in the complexities of justice.

Perry has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller, delivering a novel that is entertaining and intellectually stimulating.

Charlie Warren is an attorney who works hard at recouping funds that have been stolen from his clients investments accounts. This became his legal passion after witnessing his own mother's
experience at being embezzled by her criminal husband when Charlie was just a teen.
When his current case turns put yo have a possible connection to his mother's case from years ago, Charlie is all in and off on the hunt to safe his client's money and get retribution for his mother.
The action begins and never lets up.
Interesting story with very good reach back connections.
Characters, for the most part, were strong and defined well.
Good read.

Pro bono by Thomas Perry is a 5-star book. I have always enjoyed Mr. Perry’s stories and writing.
Charles is a divorce lawyer and CPA who specializes in finding hidden assets. A con man took all his mother’s money-so his mission in life is to help people.
When Vesper comes to his office with discrepancies in her accounts, He is on the case pro bono.
When two men arrive who have information about his mother’s case. The two storylines link together.
I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it. I have already preordered the audio book—

Pro Bono is like reading an episode of Dateline with wilder twists. It is about a con man who cheats Charlie's mother out of her money. He becomes a lawyer and CPA to help people like his mother. When Vesper Ellis comes into his office with financial statements thinking something is wrong with her accounts he is on the case. Others show up with information that may help him track his mother's lost money. It is definitely a cat and mouse chase. I really enjoyed reading this book but I did feel that the ending was rushed. It seems to have gotten to a point where the writer just wanted to end it.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #ThomaPerry and #MysteriousPress for a copy of this book.
#ProBono

Charles Warren, Los Angeles attorney, has dedicated his career to aiding people in financial straits. He is particularly skilled at the art of recovering assets that have been embezzled or hidden. In his newest case, helping a beautiful young widow find the money missing from her late husband’s investment accounts, Charlie recognizes a familiar scheme one that echoes the con job that targeted his own widowed mother many years before, and that led him, as a teenager, to commit a crime of retribution that still weighs on his conscience! Great read!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It had great suspense, very intriguing, murder, mystery, embezzlement, and a bit informative! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Like all Thomas Perry thrillers, this book is meticulously written and I like that, although it would be a bit dull if all thrillers were written this way. The primary plot is about lawyer and CPA Charlie Warren recovering money for a client whose stockbrokers have been swindling her. The secondary and tertiary plots are about recovering the money for Charlie's mom, who was swindled by her husband before his death in a car accident. I debated rating it 4 stars because it's a well written book, but two things bothered me. First and most important is the too-rapid decision by the stockbrokers to intimidate and threaten Charlie, who is, after all, only an attorney. The second is the inclusion of an unneeded subplot involving the unsavory family of the dead husband. Every reader will know how that's going to work out so why bother with it?

Thomas Perry has definitely found an audience following the TV adaptation of his 2017 thriller, “The Old Man.” His latest novel maintains the formulaic conventions of his recent work and steers clear of the quirky, imaginative trail he blazed with his 40-year-old classic, “Metzger’s Dog.”

“Pro Bono” follows a linear storyline involving crime and punishment. The protagonist begins as a teenager set on avenging the victimization of his mother by his immoral stepfather. The characters cross paths over the ensuing 20 years in ways that aren’t entirely plausible, but advance the action. The revenge-seeking son becomes a benign lawyer, but never discards his embrace of sudden and savage violence when he determines it is for a greater good. If this story has an underlying theme, it’s that good and evil can take on different but indistinct forms and present themselves in random ways. The book’s female characters are all single-dimensional and the dialogue is not sparkling.

This one can be rated well below the very best of Perry’s prolific work, such “The Butcher’s Boy,” which I would describe as borderline genius. “Pro Bono” seems like an entirely commercial undertaking, possibly written with a quick movie deal in mind. The book will help pass the time agreeably in an airport lounge as an alternative to anything with James Patterson’s name on the cover, and that in itself is a worthy-enough purpose.

This has everything I love about Thomas Perry's books. It jumps in and grabs the reader right from the start, with plenty of fast-paced action in an easy-to-follow plot. The characters are simple and likable, and relationships are established quickly. When you're looking for a book that you can pick up and read in a day or two without having to invest in the characters this is for you. The drawback for me is that the book really could have wrapped up about 50 pages earlier. The final section really felt like a "forced fit" and probably should have been left on the cutting room floor. Still, a fun read. Thank you to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have read every Thomas Perry book and always enjoy the thrill ride Perry sends his readers on. pro Bono is no exception.

This thriller has all the hallmarks of Perry’s best. The good guy really is a good guy based on his quest to see justice served to the bad guys. In this case, Charles Warren is an attorney and accountant. His mother got conned many years ago, so when a widow comes to him with a similar story, he is determined to help her and ensure the bad guys do not do this to others. Along y the way, we meet a pair of ex convicts who are quirky and funny, some bad rich guys, and other criminal types. The methods Charles uses to get out of scrapes and take precautions are as ingenious and fun to read as any James Bond novel. Needless to say, there is nonstop action.

This was an exhilarating read, and I finished it in one sitting.

Charles Warren, a LA attorney is asked by a new client to review some financial statements that appear to have missing funds. As Charlie continues to probe, he sees a distinct pattern emerge of embezzlement. Through many twists and turns he is entrenched in a web of deceit, lies and corruption. It is up to him to find justice. An entertaining read!