I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

A pretty good book. I can't put my finger on what makes me say 4 stars, not 5. Interesting and a little humor. I would probably read another of Mr. Penner's books.

Prime Suspects is a mildly interesting novel about 5 female realtors who are friendly competitors and opens with them at a cocktail reception where one of them is murdered. There are a plethora of suspects and a mysterious announcement which was to have been made at the party and several questions surrounding a legal agreement and a will of the deceased. Basically, the characters are not particularly interesting and it is easy to become bored while muddling through to discover the perpetrator. I thank NetGalley and Inkubator for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

Prime Suspects by Stephen Penner is a gripping and fast-paced crime thriller that takes readers on a suspense-filled journey through the twists and turns of a complex murder investigation. Penner skillfully blends mystery, intrigue, and psychological tension, making this novel an addictive read from start to finish.

The story follows a seasoned detective who is assigned to solve the murder of a high-profile individual. As the investigation progresses, the detective must navigate through a maze of lies, hidden motives, and unexpected alliances. The suspects are many, and everyone seems to have something to hide, making it increasingly difficult for the detective to separate truth from deception.

Penner’s writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into a world where nothing is as it seems. The pacing is excellent, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep the reader hooked, but always leaving them wanting more. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, with carefully placed twists and red herrings that keep you guessing until the very end.

The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, who is both relatable and flawed. The detective’s personal struggles and internal conflicts add depth to the story, making them more than just a typical “good cop” character. The suspects, too, are multi-dimensional, with their own motivations and secrets that add complexity to the investigation.

What sets Prime Suspects apart from other crime thrillers is its psychological element. As the detective digs deeper into the lives of the suspects, the story explores themes of trust, guilt, and the impact of past choices. The complexity of human nature plays a central role in the investigation, and Penner uses this to create a captivating narrative that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant.

Conclusion: Prime Suspects is a compelling and well-crafted crime thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and psychological depth, Stephen Penner delivers a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Fans of mystery and crime fiction will find themselves hooked from the very first page.

I thought that this was a really good thriller! It was hard to predict who the actual killer was, and we were given lots of different suspects with lots of different motives. It was twisty with lots of turns, and it kept me entertained for sure.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

For me a good mystery or for that matter any book has to be able to hook me early on. This one did that. The characters were developed. The plot kept twisting. The resolution was clever. I enjoyed this book.

I thoroughly appreciated this fifth installment in the Rain City Legal Thriller series. I was engaged with the characters' journeys and felt they fit well within the narrative. It contained the elements I was seeking and delivered the suspenseful ambiance I craved. Stephen Penner's writing style is compelling, and I found myself wanting to explore more of this world.

I really enjoyed this as a fifth book in the Rain City Legal Thriller series, it had that concept that I was looking for and enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for. I was invested in what was happening to the characters and thought they worked well in this story. Stephen Penner has a strong writing style and wanted more in this world.

Alexandra Pruitt has mentored many women over the years so when she is poisoned at her own retirement dinner, these people are on the top of the suspect list..

Attorney Daniel Raine has his own thoughts about who killed Alexandra and sets out to prove the Police are wrong with their main suspect

This is a slow burn of a terrific tale. I loved how I felt involved with the uncovering of the case and the characters were just divine to get to know.

The plot unfolded beautifully and the author is a good storyteller... A few twists along the way, plenty of drama made this book a recommended read for me..

Daniel is a lone practitioner in Seattle’s sea of high-rise mega law firms. His successful friend, part-time investigator, well respected real estate agent (Rebecca Sommers) has invited him to a swanky retirement party. The honoree (Alexandra Pruitt) is her longtime mentor along with four other in group of women who owe their success to her. Daniel and Sommers don’t get to enjoy what was planned as a big celebration and an announcement about her business from their host. Alexandra Pruitt, Seattle’s real estate queen is dead, murdered. The ‘Fab Five’ women she’d mentored all stood to benefit. Daniel is a defense attorney, also a witness and possibly a suspect. One of the women is summarily arrested and charged with murder. Daniel is soon persuaded by Sommers to represent her friend. Who killed Ms. Pruitt, her longtime boyfriend, one of her mentees, the staff or caterers? Daniel is up against a Detective who’s sure she has proof to convict his client and a prosecutor with evidence and motive. There is a sizeable amount of money at stake with plenty of people who both want and need it. The trial is full of surprises with a client’s s future relying on Daniel and Sommers ability to find the truth. I’ve read all of the series and it’s a favorite. The courtroom drama and banter is always entertaining. I was caught off guard by the reveal, lots of twists and turns in the plot.
Inkubator Books (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “Prime Suspects” (A Rain City Legal Thriller #5) by Stephen Penner, publication expected 11/27/2024. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without expectation of compensation.

Prime Suspects: A Rain City Legal Thriller Book 5 by Stephen Penner is a good legal thriller. I have not read all the books in the series, and this can be read as a standalone book.

When successful real estate entrepreneur Alexandra Pruitt is poisoned at her own retirement dinner, there are many suspects to choose from.

Attorney Daniel Raine thinks the police have it wrong on who they think killed Alexandra and sets out to prove it.

Raine knows he has his work cut out if he is to untangle this web of deceit.

The story has lots of characters to choose from regarding who could have killed Alexandra. There were a few parts of the story that were a bit slow, but overall, the book was good, and the ending was satisfying.

#PrimeSuspects #NetGalley

I enjoy the legal thriller theme, almost like a Law and Order episode. It's a classic and yet completely unique take on the whodunit murder mystery genre, with an outsider trying to untangle all the secrets and lies.

★★★★.5

If you’re looking for a great courtroom thriller, look no further!

Daniel Raine is invited to the retirement party of Alexandra Pruitt, one of Seattle’s top real estate entrepreneurs. When she’s suddenly found dead, there’s no shortage of suspects. After hours of interviews, Meredith Beauchamp is taken into custody, and the dinner party guests finally leave in the early morning.

Meredith is one of five mentees whose success and careers are owed to Alexandra. Though the evidence is staggering, Daniel believes the other mentees, along with Alexandra’s longtime partner, have equally strong motives. And therein lies the problem: Daniel cannot pinpoint blame on a single individual. Instead, he must demonstrate how each suspect had the means and opportunity while uncovering what happened to Alexandra’s will and other missing business documents. Secrets decades in the making will have to be unraveled to solve this twisty case…

The story is immediately engaging! As Daniel and the reader meet the prime suspects, the retirement party almost feels like a family gathering where Alexandra, the matriarch, has her mentees competing for her attention. Each character is well developed and easy to distinguish. I loved the “friend of a friend” dynamic between Daniel and Meredith; each trusts their mutual friend but struggles to fully extend that trust to each other. The courtroom scenes are insightful and filled with detailed legal procedures without being overwhelmingly technical. Penner’s own experience shines through in the deft handling of witness interviews, knowing when to press and when to step back. Penner hooked me from the start and kept the suspense alive until the very end. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkubator Books, and Stephen Penner for an early copy!

Stephen Penner has done it again, another phenomenal Rain City Legal Book about my favourite fictional lawyer, Daniel Raine! "Prime Suspects" is about a case that looks to be a loser from the get go, but he manages to turn around in true Daniel Raine style, by being risky. I love this book, just like his others, because it is written in great legal detail, has a great plot, twist and it's gripping to the very end.

Legal/Whodunnit but with a very entertaining lawyer. I didn't read the first one so it was a little confusing to understand the relationship between the 2 main characters, but it was a very fun read. Lots of suspects and interesting investigation into them. It was little too bogged down in the details of some of the legal items, but overall a great read.

Thank you NetGalley!

A high society dinner. Served with a side of murder!
Good book! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a great who done it and a few twists and turns. The story was interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

The author, once again, creates believable characters and a plot that that gets untangled a little at a time. To prove his client’s innocence, a lawyer only needs to create reasonable doubt, and when so many want the victim dead, that would seem to be an easy task. The author creates an interesting story to keep the reader guessing.