Justice Gone by N. Lombardi Jr. ~ Review

by Susan Roberts

"Burnfield, New Jersey, just another banal town in a part of the country that nobody thinks about, was about to become famous;  or rather, more aptly put, infamous.  People sauntered past lackluster shops unaware that in a few days, the lackadaisical streets would bear the rabid frustrations that divided the nation;  a pus-like bitterness that was held in check by the demands of everyday survival and the distractions offered by obsessive consumerism and brazen media."  (p2)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

February 2019; Roundfire Books; 978-1785358760
ebook, print (336 pages); thriller

Justice Gone is a ripped from the headlines novel.  It's about police brutality, veterans, PTSD, and homelessness in a story that is made even bigger by the news media.  It's about people trying to make a difference despite the feelings of frustration that they feel.

The novel begins with a homeless veteran being beat to death by three police officers.  The city officials decide that they will hide the fact that there is a video of the beating and they will protect the police officers.  Someone else has a different plan and the three officers are murdered at their homes.  A multi-state manhunt is started as they look for Darfield, a black friend of the murdered veteran since they were in combat together. The person with the most knowledge of both men's mental health is Dr. Tessa Thorpe who did psychological counseling for both men.  She becomes very involved with the background behind the accusation and helping to find a way to exonerate Darfield.  The main trial lawyer is a brilliant blind attorney who has to prove Darfield's innocence and fight against the people and the media who have decided that he is guilty.

This book is very well written and is a good look at issues that are happening today.  The characters are very believable and there is real tension throughout the book.  When I read a book with a trial in it, I usually skip over the trial information but in this book, I read every word and learned a lot about the justice system.  Dr. Tessa is a wonderful caring person and I look forward to future books in this series that involve her.

This is the best legal drama that I've read in a long time and I highly recommend it.

Buy Justice Gone at Amazon

About the Author

N. Lombardi Jr., the N is for Nicholas, has spent over half his life in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, working as a groundwater geologist. Nick can speak five languages: Swahili, Thai, Lao, Chinese, and Khmer (Cambodian).

 His second novel, Journey Towards a Falling Sun, is set in the wild frontier of northern Kenya.

His latest novel, Justice Gone, was inspired by the fatal beating of a homeless man by police.

Nick now lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Justice Gone is the first in a series of psychological thrillers involving Dr. Tessa Thorpe, wrapped in the divisive issues of modern American society including police brutality and disenfranchised returning war veterans.

WINNER OF 4 AWARDS

2019 NEW YORK CITY BIG BOOK AWARD
2019 AMERICAN FICTION AWARD
NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARD - Best legal thriller 2019
SILVER MEDAL 2019 READER'S FAVORITES AWARDS

Susan Roberts lives in North Carolina when she isn't traveling. She and her husband enjoy traveling, gardening and spending time with their family and friends. She reads almost anything (and the piles of books in her house prove that) but her favorite genres are Southern fiction, women's fiction, and thrillers. Susan is a top 1% Goodreads Reviewer. You can connect with Susan on Facebook, Goodreads, or Twitter. 

Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.