Deadly Proof – Rachel Dylan – Atlanta Justice #1 – Bethany House Publishers – Published 5 September 2017

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Synopsis

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower’s allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer.

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he’s intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything–even murder–to keep the case from going to trial.

My thoughts

Right from the start, Deadly Proof sets itself up as a very fast-paced book. Events progress quickly, making it easy to be drawn into the story, while the tension increases throughout, culminating in a thrilling end. Deadly Proof is an exciting legal thriller, with threads of friendship, romance, and faith.

Kate Sullivan has just been handed the biggest legal case of her career – fighting for justice against a big pharmaceutical company responsible for the deaths of many people. But when a possible whistleblower ends up dead and Kate herself finds herself being followed and attacked, she will need the help of Private Investigator, ex-Army Ranger, Landon James to pull the pieces of this case together.

Deadly Proof centres around a big legal case and the legal footwork necessary to uncover and obtain justice. This book never shies away from the reality of the legal work involved. While there is a lot of legal jargon and discussions, explanations are deftly woven into the story as the lawyers explain themselves to other characters who have a lesser knowledge of the legal proceedings and therefore help out the readers who are equally unfamiliar with these procedures, while keeping the story moving. Deadly Proof is a fast-paced legal thriller, with plenty of action and tension, as well as romance. The writing style is sharp and effective in this genre, with quick dialog and not a lot of focus on details outside of the immediate action.

Deadly Proof is written from four different points of view. Kate and Landon are the two main characters and have the majority of the chapter time, but sections from the perspectives of Ethan, the lead defence lawyer and one of his associates, Nicole are also included. This allows the reader to experience both sides of the case and build a better understanding of the investigation.

While the ending gives a tidy solution to the story, I thought everything was resolved a little too quickly and easily. I would have like to see it further developed, but it does stay consistent to the fast-paced nature of the rest of the book.

Deadly Proof is the first book in what is set to be an exciting legal-thriller series. There are plenty of characters from this book who would make excellent protagonists in their own story and I am eager to discover what and who the next book in the series will be about.

Deadly Proof is recommended for readers who enjoy suspense books with a rapidly unfolding plot, strong characters, and romance, or for fans of DiAnn Mills or Janice Cantore.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Fiction

Genre: Christian suspense.

Themes: Lawyers, law, legal proceedings, romance, friendship, faith, pharmaceuticals

Published: 5 September 2017 by Bethany House Publishers.

Format: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook. 320 pages.

ISBN: 9780764231100, 9780764219801, 0764219804

Find it on Goodreads