Law and Vengeance

Law and Vengeance is Mike Papantonio’s second legal thriller. He’s a plaintiff’s lawyer with a remarkably successful track record which has already landed him in the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. In addition to his prior book, Law and Disorder, he has written a number of books that seem to be primarily for lawyers. He’s also a host for the progressive TV syndicated show, Ring of Fire.

This is an action-packed, can’t-put-it-down story in which a progressive law firm takes on the gun lobby. The story has to do with a gun manufacturer which made a new but defective sight for handguns. The sight worked great at indoor air conditioned shooting ranges, but it had a different result when the conditions were hot and humid. Police officers and soldiers who were crack shots began missing and sometimes killing the wrong people. The author wrote, “Hiding behind the moral rectitude of the Second Amendment, the Gun Safety Institute did everything it could to promote the ‘rights’ of gun owners in America... The NRA and the Gun Control Institute have bought Congress lock, stock, and gun barrel… That has resulted in weapons manufacturers basically doing anything they want.” Very, very dirty tricks were being directed towards the plaintiffs including the murder of the lead lawyer on the case.

This legal drama is as good as Grisham. The ending was suspenseful and gripping. This one gets my strong recommendation, and I’ve already downloaded his first book.

The plot begins with a couple little vignettes that give an inciteful backstory and sets the stage for the story that begins to unfold. While the narrative doesn't move with Bruce Willis speed, the steady build-up is strong enough to get your attention and keep it. Firm mentor Angus Moore has taken on a massive suit with Arbalest citing wrongful deaths associated with Sight-Clops. He dies in the "accident" that also lands Gina in the hospital. The outraged (abused) psyche in Gina Romano turns her into a vengeance-seeking missile.

Law partner Nick Deketomis is drawn, along with Gina, into the battle against weapons manufacturers, their failed equipment and the deadly results and cover-ups.
Gina manages to resume duties, albeit low key research at first, while hobbling on a leg healing from a badly mangled break, surgical repair, bruises and contusions over her body, and goes from surgical cast to walking cast before her bruises are gone. (Good luck with that--my break was no where near that traumatic and it took much longer!)

The author pours on the passion in the dedication of the law firm's associates to force the issue with the judge and a successful conclusion. But the perp who issued the orders, the person who executed the orders, will not escape their scrutiny.

The reader gains a vested awareness in the case, characters are well fleshed, including that of the antagonist, and the legal sequences are interesting. Surely the author won't let the villain escape--but you'll just have to read for yourself--as Papantonio brings the climax to a satisfying conclusion.

I was offered a digital download by Select Book and NetGalley and it was my pleasure to read and review. Recommended to all crime, mystery, thriller and suspense, political, and law and order fans.

Gina Romano is an attorney you’d want on your side! She wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth but has a heart made of pure gold. Gina is a highly respected trial attorney with Bergman-Deketomis working to protect the public from conglomerate corporate America. The firm fights for the underdog and takes on cases that most firms wouldn’t bat an eye at.

Not only does Gina have a job that she loves and respects, she has a new man in her life who is making it hard for her to concentrate on the law at hand. He’s a cute veterinarian who carries the same strength and fight for animals and their rights. Is there any wonder the two of them got together? Just as she and Bryan’s romance was about to go to the next level, a weapons manufacturing case reared its ugly. The weapon in question was called Sight-Clops. Several police departments and soldiers have been issued this high-powered gun to help combat the mean streets and protect America from abroad. The only problem was when the person using Sight-Clops zeroed in on their target, it didn’t hit the target in question. Instead, it hit a person who wasn’t anywhere near the gun. Well, that can’t be?

Unfortunately, Sight-Clops was causing more harm to the officers and soldiers using the weapon and wreaked holy hell on the lives that were involved. Bergman-Deketomis decided this was a case it needed to fight because it had harmed so many people. Gina wanted to head first-chair in this case, but one of the firm’s founding members decided it was too tough for Gina to get involved. As Gina fights to win her argument, she takes a ride with Angus, a founding member, to discuss the merits and validity as to why she should take this case on, when a terrible accident occurs, killing Angus and damned there taking Gina’s life in the process.
When the dust clears, Gina’s holed up in the hospital, while her trusted friend and colleague is dead. This was a defining moment for Gina. She was going to be first-chair for the weapons case and avenge the person or persons responsible for her friend’s death. The closer Gina got to the guts of her case, the more dangerous it became for her and all those around her. And that, readers, is where this exciting story takes off! Oh my, this was one explosive read with all the law and order you could possibly handle.

Gina was such a strong character with her no-nonsense take charge and kick ass attitude. I absolutely loved her. She was a masterful beast throwing Lady Justice all sorts of shade and trickery along the way. This story had plenty of humor that gave the story so much character. When Gina chose her time carefully to depose the weapons manufacture, I couldn’t get enough of the back and forth. It was better than watching a tennis match. The law in this book was so spot on and perfectly executed, I was just in awe. What an incredible story.
Mello & June gives Law and Vengeance five shots into the air. Wowww, I loved this story. I’ve never read this author nor this series, but now I’m intrigued to learn more. Law and Vengeance goes on sale Tuesday, September 26, 2017. If you love legal thrillers, this is one you most definitely want to add to your eReaders. Enjoy! Until next time, Intellectual Minds, Keep on Reading.