Charlie Warren is an attorney but it wasn't an easy road getting there. Charlie's father died when he was young and his mother remarried. Unfortunately, she married a con man and he took all of the family's money before he disappeared. Charlie had to put himself through college and law school and the experience of his life molded his practice. He has a civil practice and specializes in helping those who have experienced what his mother did.

His newest client fits the bill. Vesper Ellis was widowed three years ago. Her husband left her well off but after his death, she grieved him and then was busy with her own business. She didn't track her investments but now that she has, she realizes that her accounts are missing money. She comes to Charlie to see if he can help. After investigating, he discovers that the malfeasance is concentrated at two different brokerages and that the managers of Vesper's accounts are related. He notifies the brokerages that he will be filing a civil case on Vesper's account. But that stirs up trouble. Soon the two are being followed and there is even personal violence attempted.

In the meantime, a strange thing occurs. It turns out that there may be a way after all these years to salvage his mother's money. Charlie is given evidence that reveals his stepfather's real name and a way to retrieve the money that was hidden in various accounts and taken over by the states he opened accounts in. Charlie notifies his mother and she returns to Los Angeles to help Charlie. Can he get justice for his mohter?

Thomas Perry is known for his intricately plotted mystery novels. He has several successful series; the Jane Whitfield novels where she helps people disappear, the Butcher Boy series about a criminal family and The Old Man which is now a television series. I've often thought if I needed to disappear and managed to do so successfully, it would be because of what I've learned from Thomas Perry's books. In this novel, Charlie Warren opens up the world of legal practice, giving readers an inside look at the intricacies of civil cases. I listened to this novel and the narrator had a clear voice that moved the action along. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

Couldn’t really get into this audiobook. Storyline was thin and characters were not relatable. Fans of the author might like it more.

Pro Bono by Thomas Perry is a gripping and intense thriller that follows Charles Warren, a Los Angeles attorney with a talent for recovering embezzled or hidden assets. When he takes on the case of a young widow trying to track down the missing money from her late husband's investment accounts, Charlie quickly recognizes a familiar scam—one that reminds him of a painful incident from his own past. This connection pulls him deep into a web of fraud, criminal deceit, and personal guilt.

As Charlie investigates, he becomes a target, with dangerous individuals intent on stopping him from uncovering the truth. Perry masterfully weaves suspense and tension throughout the story, keeping readers on edge as Charlie faces threats, gunfire, and deception at every turn. The emotional complexity of Charlie’s character adds depth to the story, as his past weighs heavily on him, influencing his pursuit of justice.

Perry’s ability to craft a fast-paced narrative full of twists and betrayals makes Pro Bono an edge-of-your-seat read. With its well-drawn characters, thrilling action, and intricate plotting, this novel is a standout in the suspense genre. Fans of crime thrillers and legal dramas will find themselves captivated by Charlie’s relentless quest for justice—and the high stakes that come with it.

Charles Warren is an attorney specializing in recovering assets for people who have been defrauded. His mission was inspired by the long-ago fleecing of his mother. Now a widow has hired him after she discovers money missing from the investment accounts of her late husband. I actually enjoy reading about financial crimes, clever criminals and even more clever detective work. However, this is a thriller author, so he ramps up the brute force.

The book begins with the confusing introduction of way too many characters - in three settings. Their stories eventually converge in the present, but I wish that the author had found a simpler way to introduce them. Charles and the widow are both threatened, chased and harmed, presumably having something to do with her missing cash. This leads to the even more characters. Once that situation was resolved, the book wasn’t finished. There were more characters to introduce and more mayhem. The book did hold my interest. It’s similar to other books that I’ve read by this author. It’s a simple, fast moving entertainment to read on a plane. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

This is a Mystery/Thriller. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and the narrator was very good. I really enjoyed listening to this book. I got totally pulled into this story, and I did not want to put this book down. This had me guessing and sitting on the edge of my seat. I loved all the action/suspense and the drama. I also loved the fast pace this story was told in. Great read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Charles Warren is an attorney and forensic accountant. As a teenager, he discovered that his widowed mother’s second husband had been stealing from her. The man is killed in a car accident (or maybe it wasn’t an accident) and when a prison work crew comes by the scene, two of the men discover some documents in the trunk of the the car and hide them to be recovered when they are out of prison. Now 15 years later, Vesper Ellis is referred to Charles in a similar situation. Her husband had been stealing her assets as well, which leads to an interesting road through investment firms and the occasional (I hope) unscrupulous investment manager. She asks Charles to help her which he agrees to do “pro bono” as sort of a penance for what happened to his mother and him. But now the two criminals are now out of prison and they are after Charles to get the money they have waited so long for. Charles stops them and enlists them to help him in recovering Vesper’s money. Sounds a lot more complicated than it is. But the ride has plenty of twists and turns as once one problem is solved, another turns up. The book is fast paced with a likable protagonist.

Note: Reviewed as an audiobook with thanks to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley. What is very important in listening to audiobooks is the narrator and L. J. Genser did a pretty good job.

Action packed and fast paced legal thriller.

How I love a good story that involves lawyers and clients in distress. It’s even better when the attorney isn’t sleazy but instead is smart and well-intentioned. This fit the bill for me as I was really in the mood for some legal machinations and clever maneuvers on the right side of the law.

Loved the character of Charles Warren, a lawyer and CPA whose expertise, beyond the typical divorces and other civil litigation, was in financial crimes. He had a great backstory to explain why he wanted to help victims of con men stealing money and that explained his motivation to help Vesper Ellis. She was another great character along with many others in the book.

There was lots of action, excellent writing, and even when some situations strained to the point of credulity, I still enjoyed reading and the narrative kept me glued to the pages. There was a little romance and a lot of info about bad actors embezzling money from their clients.

I was able to listen to the audiobook while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator did a great job voicing the characters and bringing an appropriate amount of dramatic flair to the story. I definitely enjoyed this one as I have most of this author’s other books. I’m a sucker for a good legal thriller and this hit all the marks.

In the book Pro Bono, author Thomas Perry writes about Los Angeles attorney Charles “Charlie” Warren who is skilled in the art of finding hidden money and assets for his clients. His newest case involves helping a beautiful widow make sense of her late husbands investments. But things are not adding up and the more Charlie uncovers the more dangerous things get. This is a fast pace, signature Thomas Perry book. The characters are easy to connect with and the story is easy to follow. I would recommend this action packed book. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The overall plot of an attorney helping a widow find missing money is very intriguing and the type of storylines I enjoy reading.
This is my first Thomas Perry book I’ve read/listened to and I have to say I am not a fan. I felt there were too many characters, and just all over the place with the side stories. At times it was work to keep my attention.

I’ve heard Thomas Perry is a wonderful author, so I will give him another chance.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in print and audiobook format.

"Pro Bono" by Thomas Perry, narrated by L.J. Ganser

Thomas Perry's "Pro Bono" is a slow-burn masterpiece of noir fiction that unfolds like a haunting jazz ballad.

Narrated with chilling intimacy by L.J. Ganser, the audiobook immerses listeners in a world of simmering tension and moral ambiguity.

Perry masterfully crafts a story that avoids the clichés of the genre. There are no flashy car chases or over-the-top violence. Instead, "Pro Bono" focuses on the psychological toll of a life lived on the edge. Ganser's voice, rough-edged and weary, perfectly captures the jaded cynicism of the protagonist, a retired hitman haunted by the ghosts of his past.

The story unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing the atmosphere to thicken with dread. Perry meticulously builds suspense, leaving the listener constantly on edge, anticipating the inevitable confrontation. Ganser's nuanced performance adds another layer of depth, conveying the protagonist's internal turmoil and simmering rage with chilling realism.

"Pro Bono" is a haunting and unforgettable listening experience. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and a reminder that sometimes the most effective thrillers are the ones that linger beneath the surface.

Perry created a chilling and unforgettable atmospheric masterpiece in "Pro Bono".

The protagonist in this story is a complex and morally ambiguous figure, expertly brought to life by Ganser's nuanced performance.

"Pro Bono" is highly recommended for fans of noir fiction, audiobook enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a slow-burn thriller.

Thomas Perry continues honing his considerable skills, with each book better than the last.

2.5 stars - I'm not quite sure where to start with the review on this one. First and foremost, thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC copy of the audiobook of Pro Bono. The narrator did a great job of keeping me engaged. The book was a little harder to follow - there were elements of money laundering, stealing, false identities, murder and a very small piece of romance. Financial crimes definitely aren't my usual cup of tea so that could play into the lower rating. The book almost felt like it was 3 small stories/books in one, with varying story lines. There were a LOT of characters that were introduced and it was hard to keep track of who was on what side, especially because so many of them had fake identities and/or nicknames (Christina became Chris, which definitely wasn't necessary). I was also slightly disappointed with the ending - felt like there needed to be an epilogue to wrap up what happened to ALL the characters involved (again, because there were so many).

Thomas Perry's PRO BONO is a brilliant standalone novel that not only explores moral dilemmas and justice, but also delves deep into the complexities of the legal world, making the reader feel intrigued and morally engaged.

As a teenager, Charles Warren discovers his stepdad is stealing money from his mother. Years later, he became an attorney and forensic accountant who helped others in similar situations. When Ellis Vesper notices money missing from her savings and stock accounts years after her husband's death, she walks into Charles's office. Once he takes her case pro bono, the bureaucratic wheels start to turn as the complex schemes are unraveled slowly. And when you think the book is wrapping up, a new set of issues arise. The story, with its engaging and thought-provoking plot, was a fun and quick read.

The audiobook narrator, LJ Ganser, delivers a stellar performance,, bringing the story to life and transporting listeners to the heart of the action.

Thank you to Netgalley and HighBridge Audio for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review and to author Thomas Perry for writing yet another highly entertaining book!

Who knew being a civil lawyer and CPA could be so dangerous? Thomas Perry has once again written a thriller with an unlikely hero in the almost always nice guy, Charlie Warren. You will learn more than you ever wanted to know about how con men and bad guys in investment firms can steal from unsuspecting women, what legal maneuvers are necessary to recover stolen funds, and how a trauma in his past turned Charlie into the guy he now is – both the good and the bad.

There is a quote by Erich Fromm that pretty much describes this book. "Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction."

I have read a few Thomas Perry books and while a great read, this is not his strongest work. Maybe it is because I read the others rather than the audiobook versions and the one I did listen to before had a different narrator. I tend to like books more when the emphasis on characters is my own.

I also found it a little hard to connect with many of the characters (and there are quite a few across two timelines). It felt like Vesper should be a 60 year old Southern housewife in the beginning and well, it is hard to feel sorry for the various people - from the actual thieves to the companies who try to hide their wrongdoings and all of the people who help them. There are just so many people who will never be satisfied with the amounts they take from others or care about pain they cause doing it. Lots of unlikeable characters but not enough to really hate them despite the awful things they are doing for no reason but greed.

We do find out what Charlie did as a teen fairly early in the book and it comes back to haunt him in an unusual way that does not go as planned. When it feels like the book is coming to an end and then you have another storyline full of more greedy people who just can't turn down the chance for more money as Charlie's own family are back in the crosshairs of con-artists and like those before them in the book, they are willing to kill for money.

A few bits and pieces that I would have liked to see tied up a little more (like the fallout for the families and companies) but Charlie probably wouldn't have been involved with those to mention too. Some of the relationships/storylines were a bit obvious too but overall, a well written book with a decent legal/thriller plot that hasn't been overdone in the past and one that I couldn't put down (well put my headphones down).

Narration: L.J. Ganser is a good narrator, his voices separate the characters without being too different or fake sounding. He is a very clear but slow speaker so I had this one at a slightly higher speed than normal without issue.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I want to give a massive thank-you to NetGalley and Mysterous Press for an Advance Listern Copy of Pro Bono, out everywhere January 17, 2025

I’ve never read anything by Thomas Perry or heard of the author until I requested this on NetGalley because the synopsis grabbed me. The audiobook of this was phenomenal and the actor did a great job for each of the characters.

What an absolute ride, the story felt like watching a true crime show.

Vesper, who recently lost her husband notices discrepancies in their accounts. Makes an appointment with a Lawyer, Charles who also works as a CPA. Charles specializes in finding money stolen money and returning it to his clients. Charles, had chosen to be come a lawyer based on what occurred in the past. During this investigation, things unravel from Charles’ past and the two story lines intertwined.

The ending did feel rushed, which is my reason for three stars!

Decent story and legal thriller overall. The story revolves around an attorney/CPA Charlie Warren that makes it his life mission to assist clients protecting them against con artists after his personal experience of surviving a con man with his family. He helps them recover stolen assets also. The plot was engaging, with twists and turns to keep readers intrigued.

Narration was good, but switching from calling Charlie to Warren so suddenly, within the same chapter confused me for a bit. I eventually realized they were now referring to him by his last name, but it may have been better to stick with one or another the entire book.

Charles Warren is an attorney who has dedicated his career to helping people recover assets that have been hidden or embezzled. When he was a teenager, his widowed mom was the target of such a scheme, and it led Charles down some dark paths. He now is working to help others and clear his conscience. The book follows him in a new case of missing money that is a tangled mess. A woman had married a con man who then passed, and she is trying to get her money back that he took.

The writing is well done, and it was action packed, but there were so many characters that some of them fell flat. Fewer characters with more depth always make for a better read to me. Overall, this one was alright, but after researching Thomas Perry more, it sounds like he has better books out there. I haven't read anything by Thomas Perry before, and he has some good ones that I will look into.

This was a great legal thriller that was absolutely a non-stop, action packed, whirlwind of a book.
I felt like the story was actually 2 in 1. There’s the initial storyline of Charlie and Vesper (his new client who goes missing) and then another one involving his mother and her missing money.

I had no idea what was going to come next in this thriller and I really didn’t want to stop listening (audiobook). The only struggles I had were:

1.) I thought Vesper was a 76ish year old woman for the first 20% of the book (until Charlie rescues her) and not a mid-30s woman.


2.) There were too many characters to keep up with.


The narrator was great though and it really made for an enjoyable audiobook. This is my first Thomas Perry book and I’ll definitely be picking up another!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Highbridge Audio for allowing me to preview this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

theft, mystery-fiction, local-law-enforcement, lawyers, due-diligence, California, abduction, suspense, surprises, surveillance, felons****

The motivated attorney vs. the scumbags who embezzle from vulnerable women.
Expect the unexpected in this convoluted tale of 'Guess who's the lawbreaker'. There's a lot going on and some of it goes back almost twenty years. I think it was well done and the characters are mostly believable. Lots of sidetracks and double twists. Very interesting.
Voice actor L. J. Ganser has the script well in hand and I believe that he adds a lot to the story.
*I requested and received a free temporary audio proof from HighBridge Audio via NetGalley. Thank you!
#Pro Bono by Thomas Perry Narrated by L.J. Ganser
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