Twisting Judgment

Small Town Lawyer, Book 6

By: Peter Kirkland, Daleth Hall

Narrated by: J J Hosenfeld

A murdered judge. An innocent accused. Justice comes at a deadly price.

Small town defense attorney Leland Munroe isn't afraid to tackle cases others run from. But when a federal judge plunges to his death from a locked courthouse stairwell just before testifying, Leland is pulled into a deadly investigation. Every clue he uncovers drags him deeper into a dark web of deceit.

The FBI arrests Vinny Baptiste, a courthouse janitor with a troubled past and ties to the courthouse. It looks like an open-and-shut case—except Leland doesn’t buy it. The judge had secrets of his own, and the evidence points to a far more influential suspect hiding in plain sight.

As Leland races to uncover the truth and defend an innocent man, the cost of justice grows steep. And the rural retreat that’s been a safe haven in the past comes under threat from an unexpected direction.

In a system rigged to protect the powerful, can Leland expose the truth before the killer claims another victim....

©2025 Relay Publishing (P)2025 Relay Publishing

Captivating and Thrilling

Leland Munroe, a small-town defense attorney known for taking on the cases others avoid, is drawn into a dangerous investigation after a federal judge dies under suspicious circumstances just before testifying. When the FBI quickly arrests a courthouse janitor, Leland isn’t convinced and begins uncovering secrets that suggest someone far more powerful is behind it all. As he digs deeper, the stakes rise, his safe haven is threatened, and he must expose the truth before the real killer strikes again.

The authors, Peter Kirkland and Daleth Hall, clear, confident writing style makes this story instantly engaging, drawing readers in without unnecessary complexity or confusion. Their vivid imagery brings both the setting and the characters to life, creating a steady, pulse-quickening pace that keeps the tension high from start to finish. The characters are well developed and feel authentic, with motivations and reactions that ring true even in the most suspenseful moments. The dialogue is equally realistic, adding depth and energy while helping the story unfold naturally. Altogether, his skillful blend of clarity, atmosphere, believable characterization, and lifelike dialogue makes this a genuinely thrilling read.

The narrator delivers a polished, professional performance, giving each character a distinct voice that makes dialogue easy to follow while adding dimension to the storytelling. His skillful use of tonal inflection, pacing, and cadence brings scenes vividly to life, immersing the listener and maintaining a strong narrative rhythm throughout. He articulates clearly and modulates emotion with precision, building suspense at just the right moments without ever sounding exaggerated or forced. Particularly impressive is his sense of timing—pauses, emphasis, and shifts in intensity all feel intentional and effective. Altogether, his performance doesn’t just tell the story; it elevates it, making the audiobook thoroughly absorbing from beginning to end.

This remains one of those captivating series that keep the listener engaged from beginning to end because of the writing skill of the authors and J J Hosenfelds performance.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.

A good man and a good lawyer fighting the good fight.

Excellent legal procedural with well drawn characters and storyline. Attorney Leland Monroe is handling two cases one involving a death which appears to be a murder and another case with a young man charged for hacking financial information. He is representing two young men who could be innocent and whose lives will be derailed with out a dedicated defense.

Another great addition!

This is the sixth book in the Small Town Lawyer series, a legal thriller. It’s another great addition to the series. Leland’s investigation is entertaining and complex, full of intrigue, twists, and turns. The storyline is interesting and engaging. J.J. Hosenfeld did a great job bringing this story to life. I received a free copy of this audiobook via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Good Story

A pretty good legal thriller. But it tended to fizzle out towards the end like the book needed to end too soon. The narrator was very good with details and Lelund Monroe's character but son Noah sounded like a child and investigator/girlfriend Kathy had a slow old lady voice that totally ruined my vision of her.

Love this Series!

I have enjoyed every single story in this series, and this was one of my favorites. The legal aspects are always so interesting and I love how the characters have evolved. The narrator is so excellent that it’s hard to believe he is not the actual lawyer telling his story. Highly recommend! And my favorite part is a certain development that finally took place with this latest chapter in the series. I hope there are many more books in the future.