MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
This novel which is set in West Los Angeles begins with Gloria Millhouse, a beautiful and intelligent law student who has been working on a project for innocent- for those who have been convicted and imprisoned for a wrong that they have not done. Gloria believed that Carl Forbes an African American boy who had been in prison for twenty-three years was innocent and it was her dream to set him free. Carl was arrested and tortured by the officers when he was seventeen years old and was coerced to confess the brutal murder of Shelley Goldstein.
The novel's plot changes as Gloria goes missing and is found dead in a car accident. After someone breaks into her car and steals her briefcase containing her notes and interviews the night she went missing. She was upset and devastated over the theft and was on her way to her father Keith's house in Malibu the night she died. The mayor and Gloria's father brought Jack Bertolino to investigate and take on the case of her murder. Jack Bertolino who has been running a successful private investigation firm also a retired NYPD inspector believes that there is a connection between Gloria's death and the sexual assault and murder of that happened twenty-three years ago of Shelley Goldstein. I enjoyed the questioning and interrogation part by Jack with Carl Forbes and Corcoran Brannigan, the councilman. The eyewitness a female who was a total liar would turn out be- Cherly Lee Williams who was paid for her testimony in this case where Carl a young black man was accused of murder. Thus the case unfolds the crime suspense with Jack and the suspects where Jack has to face his personal demons as well. Will Carl be exonerated? Who is the killer and what is there to hide?
Without having to explain a lot, I'm a fan of crime thrillers. 25 to Life is a standalone fast-paced story with non-stop action. If one enjoys murder mysteries, crime thrillers or a good police investigation procedure, this novel is a doubtlessly enjoyable and engrossing read from the series. The main lead is Jack Bertolino, besides Jack, there is enough cast of complex characters to keep the reader engaged and keep them on the edge of their seat. The author John Lansing is a talented storyteller who displays excellent writing skills and has come up with a compelling thriller.
Thanks to Partners in Crime Tours, John Lansing and the Publisher White Street Press for a digital complimentary copy for my honest review.
25 to Life
by John Lansing
August 21 – September 15, 2023 Virtual Book Tour
25 to Life is the fifth and latest installment in the Jack Bertolino series, written by John Lansing in the propulsive, cinematic, page-turning style he has become known for.
Gloria Millhouse, a beautiful African American law student, is working with the Project for the Innocent. She has done extensive research on inmate Carl Forbes, who she believes was wrongfully arrested, convicted and incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, the sexual assault and brutal murder of a teenage girl in Los Angeles twenty-three years ago. Gloria dies in a car crash on Malibu Canyon Road after questioning powerful, politically-connected men who were witnesses at Carl’s trial and knew the victim personally. Private investigator Jack Bertolino is brought on to discover the truth behind Gloria’s death. Was her crash simply a random accident or a conspiracy to prevent the courts from reopening the case and granting Carl Forbes a new trial? Jack believes that Gloria was murdered, and as the body count rises, it becomes clear that if Jack can find Gloria’s killer, he will also find the man responsible for the teenager’s assault and murder. And Carl Forbes can walk out of prison a free man.
Praise for 25 to Life:
“Los Angeles–based private investigator delves into a murder with ties to a wrongfully convicted man in Lansing’s detective novel.”
“The author packs this latest installment in the Jack Bertolino series with new and returning characters. Gloria’s mysterious death is the catalyst, but it’s this vibrant cast that truly propels the tense narrative. The author’s incisive writing sets Jack on the investigation right away, and succinct chapters breeze by as he compiles a suspect list and looks into a host of crimes. Even as the culprits become more apparent, Jack must still prove they’re guilty. It all leads to a superb ending and the unmistakable sense that this series is nowhere close to slowing down.”
“Razor-sharp characters propel a taut, suspenseful thriller.”
~ Kirkus Reviews
Author Bio:
John Lansing is the author of four thrillers featuring Jack Bertolino—The Devil’s Necktie, Blond Cargo, Dead Is Dead, and The Fourth Gunman—as well as the true-crime non-fiction book Good Cop Bad Money, written with former NYPD Inspector Glen Morisano. He has been a writer and supervising producer on Walker, Texas Ranger, the co-executive producer of the ABC series Scoundrels, and co-wrote two MOWs for CBS. The Devil’s Necktie is in development at Andria Litto’s Amuse Entertainment, with Barbara DeFina attached as a producer.
A native of Long Island, John now resides in Los Angeles.
Book Details:
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Published by: White Street Press
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 276
ISBN: 979-8-9885 166-1-3
Series: The Jack Bertolino Series, 5
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | More
Nice review! Thanks so much, glad you liked this one.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting me Smitha. "25 To Life" dropped today, and your great review is the icing on the cake. Your review was insightful and positive. Just what I needed on Pub day. Best, John
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