Review of Deadly Blood

[abstactlemon]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Deadly Blood" by William Manchee.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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I think a perfect one-sentence summary is that William Manchee's Deadly Blood will keep you up and turning the pages of the book at 2 am in the morning. This gripping story follows Stan Turner, an attorney working in Dallas, as he plays the role of attorney ad litem for a divorce suit. He represents the teenager Melody Monroe, who believes her dreams have been fulfilled when she gets adopted into a wealthy couple's home after having lost her parents in an accident. It isn't all roses, however, and happenstance leads her to a situation where she's being blamed for the murder of her adopted father. Stan wants nothing to do with this case, but at the insistence of Melody, he accepts it and finds himself caught up in something much deeper.

This 300-page legal thriller far exceeded my expectations. I knew I was going to like it because I'm a big fan of the thriller genre, but there is something about the way Manchee crafts his story that just makes it impossible to let go. The fast pace and expertly crafted prose were a sight to behold, and they were only made better by the main character. Turner is not a criminal lawyer by any means, so it was especially fun watching him navigate the obstacles and curve balls that were thrown his way.

This is apparently the 12th book in a series, which comes as a shock but doesn't surprise me at all. The contradiction stems from the fact that the book reads like a standalone, but it makes sense that there are many books preceding this one because Turner feels like the type of character that the author has spent a lot of time writing. He is well-rounded, carries a staggering amount of depth, and is a great lead for the story. He is very competent, yet somehow still fits the underdog category.

The other characters didn't fall short either. Melody and other significant characters in the book were interesting to watch. The revelations, twists, and interactions between them made the book that much better. Manchee, being a real lawyer himself, was able to paint clear pictures of a courtroom, enhancing certain aspects tastefully to add to the scenes he depicted.

My only gripe with this book is that it didn't completely stick the landing for me, but other than that, this is easily 5 out of 5 stars. However, I must include a trigger warning. This book dives into sexual assault, so you might want to avoid it for that reason. If you still want to read it regardless and you enjoy legal thrillers, then this book will be your next favorite.

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Deadly Blood
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[Edet Joy]

My only gripe with this book is that it didn't completely stick the landing for me

[Tokede Kolawole]

It sounds like an interesting story about lawyers, courtrooms, cases etc. Since you did not complain about legal jargon, I'm assuming it was not frequently used in such a way as to confuse the reader. Great review.

[Adebusola Modupeola]

My only gripe with this book is that it didn't completely stick the landing for me, but other than that, this is easily 5 out of 5 stars. However, I must include a trigger warning. This book dives into sexual assault, so you might want to avoid it for that reason. If you still want to read it regardless and you enjoy legal thrillers, then this book will be your next favorite.

******
Deadly Blood
View: on Bookshelves

[Adebusola Modupeola]

think a perfect one-sentence summary is that William Manchee's Deadly Blood will keep you up and turning the pages of the book at 2 am in the morning. This gripping story follows Stan Turner, an attorney working in Dallas, as he plays the role of attorney ad litem for a divorce suit. He represents the teenager Melody Monroe, who believes her dreams have been fulfilled when she gets adopted into a wealthy couple's home after having lost her parents in an accident. It isn't all roses, however, and happenstance leads her to a situation where she's being blamed for the murder of her adopted father. Stan wants nothing to do with this case, but at the insistence of Melody, he accepts it and finds himself caught up in something much deeper

[Kemzy5]

I will add this book to my shelf soon to find out how Stan handled the case. Great review, thanks.

[NetMassimo]

This seems like an engaging legal thriller with a well-constructed plot. Good to know that it can be read as a standalone but I'll look into the whole series. Thank you for your great review!