Murder
Conspiracies
Action Packed Mystery/Crime Novel
STORY-LINE DEAD LAWYERS DON’T LIE BY MARK NOLAN
Jake Wolfe, former marine, call sign Jukebox, now a photo journalist, along with his friend and cop, Terrell, become embroiled in a murder conspiracy. Jake inadvertently becomes the target of the most successful assassin in the world when he is at the right place at the right time. This novel follows Jake and his pals as they ferret out the assassin, and try to solve the mystery. There’s more involved in these murders than meets the eye. Though a lengthy novel, it is well worth the read as you become enmeshed into the story.
Come along for a roller coaster ride as Jake and friends journey through this mystery crime thriller. My review of Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie, follows.
DEAD LAWYER DON’T LIE CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Author Mark Nolan has crafted an action mystery crime novel that will knock your socks off! This story rocks and rolls throughout with an intriguing story-line. Jake Wolfe, an ex-marine, photojournalist, and all around good guy finds himself in the middle of a murder conspiracy involving lawyers and a group known as The Council.
He is smart, funny, troubled by his war experiences, talented, has loyal friends, a good career, a manic fiancée, and mysteries/murders to solve. Jake has hidden depths that Mr. Nolan explored skillfully. Jake’s sense of humor was dry and the quips were very funny; the author included a little romance with the local veterinarian, Sarah, to add another level to the story.
Of course ex-Marine Cody, a Military Service dog retired due to injuries, was a wonderful addition; when Cody, a therapy dog for Stuart (a fellow ex-Marine who served with Jake and Terrell), jumped on the Stuart’s casket and refused to leave, I cried. Mr. Nolan described this so vividly I could see Cody’s sorrow at losing Stuart to death.
The descriptions of Jake taking dominant control of Cody were heart wrenching, called Alpha Rolled, it should not be tried by anyone inexperienced in the technique. It broke my heart; Cody came to realize that Jake would now be his alpha man; Cody would fight to the death for Jake and his pack. Two Marines met at the casket, faced the void, and came out a pack on the other side. Mr. Nolan either has experience or has talked extensively with someone who has experience of the bond that exist between the Marine dog and his human alpha. Semper Fi! my friend Semper Fi!
Mr. Nolan created wonderful personalities for Jake and his friends. Along for the ride of a lifetime he brings his buddy and brother of the spirit Lieutenant Terrell Hayes, Police Officer with San Francisco Police Department. Terrell served with Jake in the Marines. The interaction between Jake and Terrell was hilarious as well as heart warming.
His character development’s skillful done as he reveals each individuals depths, morals, weaknesses, and strengths. The relationships between the characters skillfully crafted, reveal some with mental instabilities, jealousies, envy, and in turn others who stand firmly behind each other as they travel through this fast paced novel.
Mr. Nolan has many characters in this novel, however he does not overwhelm the reader. Each character is necessary to the plot and story-line.
Mr. Nolan included a little romance and a lot of funny quips. Mr. Nolan included everything you need for a successful novel. He will keep you enthralled from the first page to the last as this story unfolds.
I came to feel somewhat sorry for the manic depressed and psychotic assassin, Ivan Zhukov aka “The Artist”, as Mr. Nolan revealed his troubled and sad life. His character is evil personified. Mr. Nolan created characters that you will either love or hate; I found I was not luke-warm in regard to his characters.
The pacing of the story was on target as he reveals plot after plot in this fascinating novel. The story-line never slowed or lagged. Mr. Nolan keeps you guessing and intrigued. I found I could not read this novel fast enough to suite my desire to find all the answers, solve an international conspiracy, and resolve the story-line.
Mr. Nolan’s writing skill and talent is very clear in this novel. Mr. Nolan’s novel has depth as you come to know each character. I felt I was a watcher standing on the sidelines as the story unfolded. Mr. Nolan has the ability to bring you into the story and you will not want to leave. Thank you Mr. Nolan for a well written novel.
I found myself comparing Jake and his friends to the characters in television series and movies I have watched in the past, and thought Jake would be the perfect character for a series or movie. Instead of “Rozzoli and Isles”, perhaps “Jake, Cody, and Friends”. He is the perfect hero, fighting crime along with loyal friends. Maybe in the future we see this novel on the big screen.
DEAD LAWYERS DON’T LIE RECOMMENDATION: 5+ STARS
I highly recommend this Dead Lawyer Don’t Lie to anyone that loves a solid, well written, mystery crime thriller. Do not let the length of the novel deter you from reading this fast paced action thriller as Mr. Nolan will take you through a fast paced story that will leave you wanting to read more of Jake’s adventures. I am sure Mr. Nolan has plans to continue Jake’s story.
I hope this review has done justice to this very good novel and inspired you to read Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie.
I received this book from the author in return for an honest book review.Book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; book reviews on line under my name and on my blog are my opinion.
DEAD LAWYERS DON’T LIE: ABOUT THE AUTHOR: BIO PROVIDED BY MARK NOLAN
“Mark Nolan began his writing career as a successful entrepreneur who created news stories for businesses that were featured in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Parade, Readers Digest and Associated Press. Nolan was born in San Francisco, grew up in the Bay Area of California and has also lived in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.”