I received an ARC of The Local through NetGalley courtesy of Doubleday Books.
I originally requested the book because of the setting. Marshall, Texas is a small non-descript East Texas town I am quite familiar with, and I had to find out what someone could write about it. What I learned is that Marshall is the home of a Federal District Court that hears patent cases from all around the country and is famous for the big payouts awarded. Because of that, the town is inundated with patent attorneys. Thus enters the main character in The Local.
Big city law firms need locals to help with jury selection and to put a familiar face to their cases. James Euchre is one of the best.
This book has everything you could want, as a reader. There is court drama, a murder, a high-stakes law firm, a bit of romance, and local color. As I read the book, I was convinced the author must be from the area. Who else would know about Karnack or Uncertain, Texas? It just goes to show the power of detailed research. Mr. Hartstone made me believe he knew every nook and cranny in Harrison County, in and out of the courtroom.
James Euchre is working with a large law firm from New York when the prestigious judge who had presided over the Federal District Court for over twenty years is murdered. Not only was the judge Euchre’s friend, but a father figure and mentor. He is determined to bring the killer to justice.
It doesn’t help when his client, Amir, from Pakistan is arrested and charged with the murder. James Euchre is a patent attorney. He’s never practiced criminal law, although his father did and made quite a name for himself across the state. But Amir is adamant he wants James to represent him and prove his innocence.
There are many shocking discoveries throughout the unfolding of this story, including publicly accusing the esteemed judge’s replacement of the murder. I will say the author did a fantastic job of keeping the true identity of the killer under wraps until the very end and I did not even come close to guessing who it was.
This is a fantastic story that I devoured! If you like fast-paced action, lots of suspense while at the same time seeing the very human side of the characters, you will love this novel.
It is set to release on June 14, 2022. I highly recommend you don’t miss this one!
I love finding books with settings that aren’t NY or LA or DC, and what a benefit that it’s a place you’re familiar with. Sounds like a great story. Thanks for sharing, Jan.
I agree, Staci. Combine a small town with a legal thriller and you’ve got a hit! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
What an intriguing review! And the cover is really different. I love it! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us, Jan!
I’m glad you enjoyed the review, Marlena. This book was so good! And yes, the cover is very different. Thanks for stopping by!
It sounds like an excellent story, Jan, and it’s always nice when you can so thoroughly relate to the locales in a book. I love that cover, too. Is the story set in an earlier decade?
No. It’s set in modern times with cell phones and computers. There is a whole backstory about the truck on the cover. It’s one James Euchre uses in all of his closing arguments. When he was a teenager, he worked three jobs, saved up, and finally got enough money to buy this red pickup he’d had his eye on for a long time. Then someone stole it. So, he uses that example of what it feels like when someone steals something from you (as in patent infringement.) It’s a great read and I’m so glad I got approved for it!
Okay, I was wondering about the truck. Thanks for explaining that!
That’s really neat that someone wrote a book about a town you’re familiar with, and especially one that has all the ingredients for an exciting read. Thanks for the ‘heads-up’ on this one.
It is a great read and I devoured it in two sittings. Thanks for stopping by, Mark!
I’m hoping I’ll be approved for an ARC of this book. Like you, living so close to Marshall, I had no idea they had a Federal Court there. The author certainly did his research to know about Karnack and Uncertain!
Great review, Jan!
I hope you get approved, too, Joan. I think you would enjoy the story as much as I did. Thanks for stopping by!
Great review, Jan! Don’t you just love when an author can make you feel as if you are right there in the town. Kudos to that author for doing his research. 🙂
Yes, I do! He did such a great job, I was shocked to find that he lives in L.A. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a good read, Jan. Thanks.for sharing the review!
An excellent read, Denise. Thank you for stopping by!
Right up my alley as I love books involving courtroom drama. John Grisham is one of my favorite authors.
Then, I can promise you that you would enjoy this book, Pete. It has so many different aspects to it, including racial profiling. I hope you get a chance to grab a copy. Thanks for stopping by!