Published by Dutton on July 19, 2016

Nick Heller is a private intelligence operative. A prominent insider lawyer contacts him because a story is scheduled to run on a gossip website that accuses the Chief Justice of maintaining a relationship with a prostitute. Even worse, the relationship was paid for by a casino owner who had a case before the Supreme Court. Heller’s job is to prove that the accusations are false.

The most interesting aspect of Guilty Minds, I think, is its discussion of gossip-mongering websites like TMZ and The Drudge Report and Perez Hilton that often operate like the modern version of yellow journalism. While much of the reported content isn’t political (in fact, most people find movie star gossip more interesting than smears of a senator whose name they don’t recognize), gossip mongers are easily manipulated for the sake of headlines (or internet rankings) in ways that serve political purposes. Of course, some (like Drudge) are overtly political and prefer muckraking to anything resembling journalism.

Somewhere in the middle of the novel, Heller is able to do something to help the Chief Justice, but the story is only beginning at that point. The rest of the novel ramps up the action as Heller tracks down the bigger mystery of why he was asked to solve the problem.

Action scenes keep the story moving in the second half. They are all reasonably credible, except for a “rescue” scene near the end, where Heller has a surprisingly easy time. That’s better, in my view, than the ridiculous thriller scenes in which one heroic guy manages to take out fifty security professionals in order to pull off a daring rescue.

Characters are not deep but they are sufficiently developed to make them interesting. Joseph Finder always writes prose that flows smoothly. Guilty Minds doesn’t have the intrigue of his best novels, but it’s a fun summer read. (Never mind that I read it in February -- it is always summer on Tzer Island.)

RECOMMENDED

I'm a fan of Joseph Finder. He's never let me down when I'm in need of an in-between book. An "in-between" book for me is a quick read, not demanding of too many brain cells, and is a genuinely fun ride. First let me say, I mean no disrespect to Finder and I certainly don't want to imply he's not a formidable author, because he is. I just find that the work I have read of his is written (as I've said before in other reviews I've written for him) that his novels are similar to a movie plot. And accordingly so. I won't Google the list of his novels that have been turned into motion pictures because whoever you are reading this review, should do some work as well (heehee). I'm just stating in no uncertain terms that I can picture the scene in a movie as I'm reading this particular author.

And really! What author wouldn't want to make it to the big screen? I mean... how cool is that.

So... I've been meaning to read the Nick Heller series for some time but I have no time... no time at all. Between working full-time and taking three classes I just have no time. Finder's novels fit right in the few moments I have to get lost in a story and he never disappoints.

Nick Heller is a bad-ass and is very good at his chosen profession of being a private spy after serving in the Army, and working in Special Ops for the Department of Defense. Suffice it to say he's well equipped and super capable of handling any job thrown his way. Heller is asked to investigate and kill a scandal that threatens a Supreme Court Justice by bringing to light an alleged affair with a call-girl. Before long, Heller discovers there's more to the scandal than meets the eye. His investigation causes him to cross paths with some very dangerous people who will stop at nothing to destroy whoever's in their way.

When I began Guilty Minds I was nervous that since this title is the third in the series I would be missing out on a lot but Finder quickly calmed that fear. It matters to me that I can pick up a book in a series and not feel lost or deprived. Finder weaved enough character background that I didn't feel like I'd missed anything. The first-person narrative provided insight to Heller's character which helped us to bond. Yes! I must bond with my protagonist.

I could end this review here and not get into my gripes but... that would be dishonest. Gripe #1 (and a little hypocritical of me) is that I felt a little more description could have helped Guilty Minds shift from the movie-option feel and fall better into the literal category. Those who first discover Finder may feel there was too much missing with the thinly placed characters, too short action scenes, and the quintessential love interest and damsel(s) in distress. The speed this novel moves at didn't allow these moments to develop. They simply happened and then we were on to the next adventure.

I guess when you say gripe #1 that means you have a gripe #2. My #2 gripe is that the ending was too abrupt. Way too abrupt.

Overall, I really did enjoy reading Guilty Minds. Finder is one of my favorite authors. Sure, I usually read his work before diving back into something a little more... literary but that in no way should diminish his work. Fans understand that you find Finder will provide a fast-paced rollercoaster of a ride that demands the reader's attention to the last page.

Copy provided by Penguin Group via Netgalley

Joseph Finder is one of my favorite authors, and for good reason: Once you start one of his books, it's impossible to put down.

This third book in the Nick Heller series does not disappoint. It grabbed me from the beginning and kept me reading until the end. It's impossible to put down the book once you reach the final scene, the showdown between our protagonist, Nick, and the evil forces he's fighting against.

Looking forward to the next Finder book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity. I loved this book as it was my first from Joe Finder. I will definitely look into other books by this author. I found this story to be very timely with recent cases between celebrities and media and alleged government corruption.

Guilty Minds is the third book in Joseph Finder’s Nick Heller series. Please check my archives if you are interested in reading my reviews of books one and two: https://bookhaunt.com/category/mysterythriller/

Investigator Nick Heller has had some harrowing cases so far and he comes into the ring fighting on each new case. His clients are usually very rich and powerful and if there’s one thing Nick has known since childhood, it’s that the rich and powerful usually have secrets. Nick might be a little paranoid but he’s pretty sure there’s always a lie at the bottom of each case he takes on, and once he uncovers that lie, that’s when he’s really onto something.

Nick agrees to return to Washington D.C. to meet with a mysterious client who won’t reveal his identity or any details until Nick meets him in person. His client is revealed to be Gideon Parnell, senior counsel at Shays Abbot. Gideon is the ultimate Washington insider and power broker with friends in high places. His dear friend, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is about to have a gossip rag publish a scurrilous story involving the judge’s relationship with an escort. Parnell wants Nick to derail this explosive story before it gains momentum. But when the call girl is killed and political scandal is certain, Nick once again begins to search for the truth behind the lies he’s been fed.

Nick Heller continues to be a strong, many-faceted and likeable lead character. The books in this series are real page-turners; escapist thrillers that touch on contemporary topics and investigative techniques. Joseph Finder’s writing is excellent and he keeps the energy level high.

I want to thank the publisher (PENGUIN GROUP Dutton) for providing me with the ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.