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Coming February from Angry Robot Ltd – Exhibit A

Thank you to the author and publisher for the advance reading copy via netgalley.

Thomas Jackson McMurtrie is a living legend scorned. Forty years ago, he gave up a promising career as a trial lawyer to become a law professor at the University of Alabama at the request of his mentor. Alabama football Coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant. Now Tom is forced into retirement, betrayed by both a powerful colleague and his own failing health.
Meanwhile, the young family of one of his oldest friends is killed in a tragic road collision. Believing his career is over, Tom refers the case to a brilliant, yet beleaguered, former student, who begins to uncover the truth behind the tragedy, buried in a tangled web of arson, bribery and greed.

It has been a while since I found a great legal thriller to read – I was a huge fan of Steve Martini’s Paul Madriani series until they became way too political and conspiracy theory based, and Grisham became the same although I do peripherally enjoy those still. So when I recently read Nick Stone’s “The Verdict” which was excellent it put me firmly back into the mindset of wanting to read more of this type of novel. So when I came across “The Professor” on netgalley it seemed to be the perfect solution and it was.

Thomas Jackson McMurtrie has been a long term law professor, at the behest of his coach and mentor many years ago. Betrayed and let down by a colleague he is suffering ill health and retires to lick his wounds. When an old friend asks for his help he refers her to Rick Drake, an ex student who has his own problems…Rick believes he has a solid case but as it all starts to fall apart around him he realises he needs help. And there is only one man for the job…

I found this absolutely gripping and fascinating from page one, filled with wonderfully drawn intriguing characters and an engaging and captivating storyline that twists and turns its way to a satisfying conclusion, this is the start to what promises to be one of my favourite legal series. I simply cannot wait to see what is next for team McMurtrie and Drake.

This is a true David versus Goliath tale – up against a firm that will do anything to cover up their complicity in a terrible accident, Rick has his work cut out for him. Some of it is scary stuff – you can easily imagine this sort of thing happening in real life, it has an absolutely authentic feel to it throughout. Without giving too much away I can say that you will never be sure who is going to come out on top – the author keeps you guessing and at times my heart was pounding.

Extremely well written with a beautiful flow to it, this was one of those books that you don’t want to put down until you have finished – and one that your mind keeps drifting back to while you are out in the real world doing all the mundane routine things that keep you away from your books. I loved it and if you are a fan of legal thrillers you will as well.

Highly Recommended.

Happy Reading Folks!