Michael Cordell

Our Trespasses by Michael Cordell is a great paranormal thriller with plenty of twists and turns that had me hooked from the start.

At the center of the story are identical twins Matt and Jake. The brothers grew up in small town Hatchett, Nebraska and have lost touch since Matt moved way to New York city after high school. These two have a strong psychic connection and this is the reason why Matt moves out of town, in order to get away from this overwhelming supernatural bond he has with his twin.

Without giving too much away, one day Matt feels intense pain and he realizes Jake has just been murdered. After being gone for several years, Matt finds himself back home for his brother’s funeral. While trying to make amends at home with his mother and a few old friends, Matt also tries to find answers about to his brother’s murder which remains unsolved.

This was a fast paced story and with a few unexpected plot twists and terrifying scenes. I find the twin connection to be very interesting. I love it when a story just pulls me along and keeps me guessing like this one did. I can always appreciate scary scenes and this book delivered that in spades.

With themes of family issues, addiction, good vs evil and redemption, Our Trespasses was a great thrill ride and I recommend it if you enjoy paranormal stories with a nice dose of horror and mystery.

https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2022/09/17/our-trespasses-a-paranormal-thrille...… (plus d'informations)

Thane Banning was a real estate attorney until 5 years ago when he became embroiled in the justice system with an inconceivable result of a conviction. Does an innocent man get sentenced to death row? Thane had no way to prove his innocence 5 years ago. Meeting his nemesis Bradford Stone in court once again the outcome is different. Thane gains freedom on a technicality. But is it truly freedom when the court of public opinion responds to you as a murderer/death row inmate? Do you give up or work to get your life back on track? Should you even try?

A tantalizing legal thriller! Michael Cordell is no stranger to writing as a produced screenwriter, and playwright, and for >15 years has taught screenwriting. For readers of this genre, this articulate writer adding novelist to his credits delivered an immersive reading experience. I was lured into the story by the setting, theme, character development, plot, and conflict. When I least expected the pace to heighten the author used all of his writing craft like a Formula One driver coming out of the last turn toward the checkered flag and the last pages were electrifying.… (plus d'informations)

CONTEMPT was an intriguing and engaging legal thriller with a surprising twist. Real Estate Lawyer Thane Banning was wrongly accused and convicted of murder. After five years in prison, he manages to get his conviction overturned on a procedural error.

Thane's out of prison but not with a cleared reputation. The court of public opinion and the victim's father are sure that he was guilty. The District Attorney Bradford Stone hates the idea that Thane got out. Stone has quite a reputation for being tough on crime and political ambitions too. Thane's release doesn't provide good optics.

The only ones who believe in Thane are his former boss Joseph Crowell who runs a boutique law firm specializing in real estate developers and their project, and Thane's wife Thane's wife Hannah who almost never lost faith in her husband's innocence but who doesn't really know the man who has come back to her.

When a man he met in prison comes to him for help when he's accused of murder, Thane tries to discourage him. Thane's specialty is real estate law, after all, But the chance to finally take on the DA who has decided that Skunk Burns' case would give him needed publicity for his upcoming campaign, Thane can't pass up the opportunity. What also draws him in is the fact that the man Burns is accused of killing is the same police detective who arrested Thane.

Thane has help from a friend who helped him learn how to survive in prison, Gideon who is a career criminal now out on parole, and Kristin Peterson, a law student twelfth in her class and looking to give herself an edge in the job market when she graduates.

These three unlikely heroes are taking on the might of the LA District Attorney's office. But the underdogs aren't going to play by the rules if it means losing the case.

I really enjoyed this story and couldn't put it down. Thane is an intriguing character who doesn't realize how much prison and death row has changed him. I liked the fast-paced plot and all the twists and turns that it took.

Fans of legal thrillers will enjoy this one and hope for more about the characters.… (plus d'informations)

I received an ARC copy of the book for an honest review.
I can't remember who had sent me the copy and had searched my emails for any evidence, but I made a commitment and read it.
There are many negatives about this book that told me to stay away. Many reasons might be true to some extent, but for me, the subject that deserved to be highlighted is forgiveness. The topic does not fit with the genre, and though paranormal and suspenseful; forgiveness ties it over for me.
From the beginning, you notice the connection that the twins, Jake and Matt had and the devastation when one was murdered. The brutal cut could be felt miles away and once the other brother returned to Hatchet; all hell broke loose. Literally.
There are a few characters that really went deep into their emotions to sort out this problem no one was prepared for. The angle of the priest who wasn't ordained brought it full closure. No one could be touched by the leading events and not be changed. It wasn't possible.
Lies were uncovered, a romance began that never ended, and a town has been saved. All because of one person who had to forgive, which broke the spell from Hell.
I think this was done excellently. The build-up in the story increased at a good pace and the ending was unexpected and thrilling.
Definitely a good read.
Thanks for the opportunity. I am definitely looking forward to more books from this author.… (plus d'informations)