Small Town Justice

A Janice Berne Mystery, Book 1

By: Emily S. Webster

Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

A small-town lawyer takes on an unpopular murder case that leaves her client in fear for his life. With the sheriff refusing to investigate any further and her client facing a second degree murder charge, Janice Berne discovers secrets lurking in her town of Connerston, Indiana. With her paralegal, Andy, and private investigator, Justin, she seeks out the truth before Stevie Evans' time runs out.

In a town of 9,000 surrounded by Midwestern cornfields, Janice Berne is all that stands between a corroding justice system and her clients' rights. Known by her neighbors and friends as a laid-back, charming, attractive woman prone to sarcastic banter, she spends her days in court fighting for her clients and her nights at home curled up with her notes and a glass of her favorite wine.

Upon receiving news of a murder, the first ever in Connerston's proud history, she rushes to the jail to meet with her long-time client Stevie Evans. However, when she arrives, she finds a client too terrified to tell her much of anything, and complicating the case even further is the fact that the victim's son is the deputy on duty in the jail when Stevie is booked, and he is not taking the news well at all, according to the bruises on Stevie's face.

Along the way, Janice and her team race against a 48-hour deadline from the prosecutor on the case: ASA Cody Brynte, who wants to make a plea agreement that will leave Stevie serving some hard time in prison. Stevie is insistent on taking the deal unless Janice and her office can work something out before then.

There's more than meets the eye at first glance in this murder. Some witnesses may be reluctant to testify, and others just may not be who they seem. There are upstanding public officials, lovable older ladies, officers of the law, low-level criminals, and all types of characters in the middle filling this town and complicating matters in trying to figure out just what happened to George Dunn.

©2015 Dustin Pierson Doyle (P)2015 Dustin Pierson Doyle

44 minute short story

As far as I can determine this is the only story published by this author. It is about a small town crime written from the perspective of the innocent suspect's lawyer.

Very short story

So short only 30 minutes long. It was weird to tie up so quickly

I received a free copy and left my honest review

Well done

She takes on a client that faces second degree murder charges. Finding there was a lot of secrets within this small town that was more to it then what she thought. Well done. Given audio for my voluntary review

Short and to the point

A lot of books could be this short and this entertaining.

Meghan Kelly did a good job narrating.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Suspenseful

Even in a small town things happen. Secrets and more made realistic by the Narrator. Don’t miss out.