Is True Guilt Ever Black And White?
Synopsis
Don Hartshorn’s new legal thriller The Guilty Die Twice is a taut, character-driven puzzle box in which past and present clash in unexpected and electrifying fashion—a page-turner in the truest sense.
A Gripping Texas Legal Thriller and Family Drama
The Guilty Die Twice is the story of a sweltering Texas night when a drug deal double-cross ends in a spray of warm blood and hot lead. The results: two fresh stiffs, one paralyzed eyewitness … and one red-hot murder investigation that’s about to turn the city of Austin upside-down.
It’s also the story of estranged brothers Travis and Jake Lynch—one a bleeding-heart public defender, the other a hard-nosed DA—who see their bitter family feud spill over into the courtroom when they find themselves on opposite sides of this highly political capital case. Travis hates the death penalty and will go to any lengths to save his client from the Big Chair, while Jake needs a high-profile conviction to clinch an upcoming election.
But truth and justice are never absolute, and soon Travis and Jake find themselves tangled in a tightening web of lies, politics, and corruption. Can these embattled brothers cast aside their differences in the name of true justice? Or will the truth of what happened that blood-streaked Texas night go to the grave with the accused?
Details
- Title: The Guilty Die Twice
- Author: Don Hartshorn
- Publisher: TCK Publishing
- Publication Date: March 1, 2020
- Page Count: 261
- Content: Profanity toward the first of the book which helped depict certain characters. Thereafter it is used sparingly.
My Thoughts
This captivating story turned out to be much more than I was expecting. And that’s not to say I wasn’t expecting a lot, since I love legal fiction. It entertained but also opened thoughts regarding the subject of capital punishment. And in the midst of this memorable story are characters that I soon wanted to revisit in a series.
This captivating story turned out to be much more than I was expecting. And that’s not to say I wasn’t expecting a lot, since I love legal fiction. It entertained but also opened thoughts regarding the subject of capital punishment. And in the midst of this memorable story are characters that I soon wanted to revisit in a series.
The story is told across two timelines both involving the Lynch brothers who are attorneys. One storyline slowly unfolds throughout the book in italics, and it is regarding a situation that happened 10 years ago.
For me, Hartshorn caught my attention and curiosity with the first chapter, but the next two or three chapters felt disjointed and hard to follow. And then when 6 boys (lots of names) were added to the mix plus profanity, I wasn’t sure how much of the book I’d be reading. But, I kept reading. Why? Because Hartshorn’s writing was excellent. I wanted to see where the story was heading.
And believe me, I’m so glad I made that choice. The 6 names, which momentarily raised a flag for me, weren’t an indication of an author who needed a kazillion characters to present a story. And the profanity was fairly brief. It was more part of a few characters’ personalities.
The more I read the more I needed to know. And shortly afterward I found myself caught tightly in this storyteller’s web. Spider Don Hartshorn had me caught and I was having a hard time escaping the urge to read just a little bit more.
The further I got into the book, the more the characters began to step up and take a very important part in the story. I was caring about them. I understood big brother Jake. Travis, his younger brother, was trying to find answers. Each character, (and there certainly weren’t a kazillion) came across as real, warts and all. The emotion was true.
If you’re looking for suspense or a thriller, that’s not how I’d classify this book. Are you searching for a deep discussion regarding capital punishment? Nope. This is a book that is more character-driven. Some might call it a slower read, yet it wasn’t for me. And the ending was quite satisfying, leaving me wanting more from these characters, much more!
What Concerned Me
The second chapter through about the fourth concerned me. Backstory, characters, and situations came too fast. I felt slightly lost and overwhelmed.
What I Liked Best
The character development won me over. Also, the handling of a difficult topic was done remarkably well.
For people who want a bit of a twist, the story also checks that box.
My thanks to TCK Publishing for a review copy of the book and the ability to post a review of my opinion.
Rating
My true rating is 4.5 but I rounded up
About the Author
Don Hartshorn is an author, freelance editor, volunteer mediator, and globetrotter. He draws inspiration for his stories both from man’s highest aspirations and from his petty, grimy motivations. After traveling the world for the US government and doing time as a prisoner of Corporate America’s well-oiled machine, this Texas native son has come home to roost in San Antonio. And there he’ll stay—until the next big adventure comes calling.
For more information about upcoming releases, visit his website at donhartshorn.com, follow Don on Twitter, or like his Facebook page.
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