The Midwest Lawyer

A Legal Thriller (Maggie Gallagher Legal Thriller Series, Book 1)

By: Peter Kirkland

Narrated by: Carrie Coello

A terrible accident could send an innocent man to prison…

Returning to her hometown after years of practicing law in Chicago, Maggie Gallagher is determined to put her family first—no more cases that could put her or her loved ones in danger. But when her childhood friend is arrested for the murder of a high school football coach, Maggie has to take the case. She knows Troy better than anyone, and she’s certain he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

But the evidence is stacked against him. The murder weapon, clothing fibers, and more all point to Troy. The Prosecuting Attorney is hungry for a win, and convicting Troy looks like a slam dunk.

As Maggie digs deeper, trying to find the truth, she uncovers a twisted trail of rage and broken lives surrounding Coach Schafer. And Troy has secrets of his own. Unless he comes clean about his past, there’s no way Maggie can mount a proper defense.

If she fails, Troy will go to prison. A shattered family will lose everything. And the real killer may strike again…

©2025 Relay Publishing (P)2025 Relay Publishing

Great Start to the Series!

This is the first book in the Maggie Gallagher Legal Thriller series, and it’s a great start! I enjoyed following Maggie through both her investigation and her personal life. The plot is interesting, well crafted, and intriguing, and the cast of supporting characters is impressive. Carrie Coello did a fantastic job bringing all the characters and the story to life. I’m looking forward to listening to the next in the series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

gripping and heart wrenching

Maggie Gallagher and her family moved back home and she is going from prosecutor to defense attorney. She immediately finds herself helping out an old friend who is accused of murdering the high school football coach when his young son gets a hold of a gun and shoots his older son. The narrator does a great job telling the story. It is difficult not to like Maggie and Auntie L and all the characters. Peter does a fantastic job with character development. This was a great book and I will definitely be reading or listening to the rest in the Maggie Gallagher series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I Couldn’t Stop Listening

This was my first experience with this author, and I’m absolutely planning to read and listen to more of his work. The story stayed interesting from beginning to end, with no dull moments and a seamless flow that kept me fully engaged. The narration was a perfect fit for the story and truly elevated the experience. Together, the storytelling and narration created a five-star listen that I highly recommend.

I LOVE THIS AUDIO BOOK

This was probably one of my favorites of all time. Great story, strong characters, really had me glued to find the outcome...I really enjoyed this one and I bet you will too. highly recommend this audio book!!

Family Loyalties and Legal Battle Lines: A Deep Dive into The Midwest Lawyer

The audiobook experience for The Midwest Lawyer is absolutely stellar, seamlessly blending Kirkland’s gripping prose with Carrie Coello’s immersive narration. Kirkland has a gift for storytelling that grabs hold of you and refuses to let go, delivering everything a legal mystery thriller should. It is a story packed with witty banter, genuine laughs, intense drama, and pulse-pounding suspense that feels both high-stakes and grounded.
​The plot follows Maggie as she moves her family from Chicago back to her small Ohio hometown seeking a slower, less stressful pace. However, her attempt to build a quiet law practice is upended when she steps up to defend a childhood friend in a serious criminal case. This decision puts her at a fascinating crossroads, directly at odds with her own family members on the police force and creating a complex web of conflicting loyalties. Watching Maggie navigate her new role while balancing her relationship with her teenage son and her supportive teacher husband makes the evolution of her character feel remarkably authentic.
​The cast is beautifully developed and memorable, from the multifaceted client to the resourceful aunt who serves as a bridge between the defense and the police. Carrie Coello provides a fantastic performance, giving each character a distinct voice that perfectly enhances the small-town atmosphere. If you enjoy a mystery with deep character development, murky family ties, and a protagonist transitioning from city prosecutor to small-town defense attorney, you won’t be able to put this one down.