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.

"Prime Suspects: A Rain City Legal Thriller Book 5" by Stephen Penner delivers a gripping blend of legal drama and suspense. The narrative follows the sharp-witted protagonist as they navigate the murky waters of the criminal justice system in a rain-soaked Seattle. Penner's writing is taut and atmospheric, effectively building tension while exploring themes of justice and morality. The character development is strong, with a cast that feels both relatable and complex. Fans of legal thrillers will appreciate the intricate plotting and unexpected twists. Overall, it's a compelling addition to the series that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.