Lethal Defense (The Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller Series)
A client savagely kills a man to protect a friend. A lawyer with secrets must prove it was justified.
A riveting legal thriller from Michael Stagg.
Attorney Nate Shepherd sees nothing but opportunity when an out-of-town lawyer wants to hire him as local counsel on a high-profile murder case. Nate joins the defense team, even though his family worries that the case hits too close to home.
When circumstances force Nate to take on a bigger role, he ignores his family’s fears and throws himself into his client’s defense. But as he digs deeper, every aspect of the case raises memories of a terrible event that Nate has tried his best to bury.
Battling an aggressive prosecutor in court and a dogged reporter outside it, Nate fights to prove that his client’s brutal, bloody slaying of an evil victim was right. But when Nate’s own story is exposed, it threatens his client’s freedom … and Nate’s carefully constructed life.
Can Nate fend off his own demons long enough to save his client?
Lethal Defense is the first book in the gripping Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller series. If you like razor-sharp dialogue, captivating characters, and riveting trials, you’ll love this fierce courtroom drama by Michael Stagg.
Since Michael Stagg broke onto the legal thriller scene, readers have been enthralled by his courtroom dramas, keeping his books on Amazon bestseller lists for months at a time. Known for authentic dialogue and compelling courtroom scenes, Michael Stagg breathes humor and realism into legal thrillers that are populated with characters that readers can’t wait to return to again and again.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B086B9TTQY
Publisher : Independently published
Publication date : March 24, 2020
Language : English
Print length : 414 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8630342010
Item Weight : 1.03 pounds
Dimensions : 5.25 x 1.04 x 8 inches
Book 1 of 8 : The Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller Series
Best Sellers Rank: #131,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #37 in Legal Thrillers (Books) #96 in Vigilante Justice Thrillers #2,159 in Murder Thrillers
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (16,535) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
$18.99
A client savagely kills a man to protect a friend. A lawyer with secrets must prove it was justified.
A riveting legal thriller from Michael Stagg.
Attorney Nate Shepherd sees nothing but opportunity when an out-of-town lawyer wants to hire him as local counsel on a high-profile murder case. Nate joins the defense team, even though his family worries that the case hits too close to home.
When circumstances force Nate to take on a bigger role, he ignores his family’s fears and throws himself into his client’s defense. But as he digs deeper, every aspect of the case raises memories of a terrible event that Nate has tried his best to bury.
Battling an aggressive prosecutor in court and a dogged reporter outside it, Nate fights to prove that his client’s brutal, bloody slaying of an evil victim was right. But when Nate’s own story is exposed, it threatens his client’s freedom … and Nate’s carefully constructed life.
Can Nate fend off his own demons long enough to save his client?
Lethal Defense is the first book in the gripping Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller series. If you like razor-sharp dialogue, captivating characters, and riveting trials, you’ll love this fierce courtroom drama by Michael Stagg.
Since Michael Stagg broke onto the legal thriller scene, readers have been enthralled by his courtroom dramas, keeping his books on Amazon bestseller lists for months at a time. Known for authentic dialogue and compelling courtroom scenes, Michael Stagg breathes humor and realism into legal thrillers that are populated with characters that readers can’t wait to return to again and again.
From the Publisher
ASIN : B086B9TTQY
Publisher : Independently published
Publication date : March 24, 2020
Language : English
Print length : 414 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8630342010
Item Weight : 1.03 pounds
Dimensions : 5.25 x 1.04 x 8 inches
Book 1 of 8 : The Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller Series
Best Sellers Rank: #131,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #37 in Legal Thrillers (Books) #96 in Vigilante Justice Thrillers #2,159 in Murder Thrillers
Customer Reviews: 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (16,535) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
BSmith –
exceptional, riveting and inspiring, highly recommend
This’s my 1st time reading this author writing. And I have to admit that I was captivated from chapter 1. Some books have slow start but this author drew me in immediately. This book is well written and edited. The storyline was exciting and engaging. The characters were interesting and well developed. I loved the family dynamic. The characters have a good relationship. I loved some of the humor and banter between characters. Lindsey was hilarious to me. Hank personality was intriguing. Danny too jumpy, just nerve wrecking to be a man. Nate was a strong awesome man, lawyer and husband. I knew there was a special story behind Nate. I’m happy that he’s beginning to accept his grievance for his loved one. I’m glad he’s able to start living again and is able to share his memories and to memorialize his loved one so others can see her through his glass lens.
Amazon Customer –
Decent enough that I bought the next two
Stagg’s writing style does not offend which says a lot these days. But this book offered no real plot surprises. I predicted the ending quickly. The murder was lurid, which was interesting the first go-round. But the trial beat the luridness into boredom for me. It was mainly the interplay of characters that kept me interested. Even scenes where nothing occurred had tension because of the way characters rubbed each other the wrong way. I liked the sure-handed way the legal elements were managed, but not the overly detailed scenes of boring jury instructions. I bought the next two books which I guess says enough. He’s not Turow or Michael Connelly, but that’s a high bar. He’s not a stylist like Robert Parker was, either. Decent bed time reading though.
Meade Bishop –
Great read, incredible series
The entire Nate Shepard Series is an exciting read and hard to put down. Nate is a likable, strong, caring and thoughtful character. The legal process is described well without being burdensome and stories move quickly with tons of action. I fell in love with the entire Shepard family with their manly men and down to earth women. Cade the bondsman and Olivia the investigator lend more color to the stories with their commitment to fitness, health and honor. The new “friends” I made while reading the series will be missed until the next book comes out. Soon I hope.
John S Black –
I truly enjoyable read!
I rarely take the time to review a book but I felt compelled to in this case as I felt this was one of the best legal thrillers I have read in a long long time. And I read A LOT of them, lol. The writing was excellent, the characters well drawn out for the most part (some were a bit stereotypical, but the three main characters I felt were very unique in their own right and well put together), and I found myself getting drawn deeper and deeper into the story as the book progressed until i just had to finish it. It even moved me at times. I mean what more can you ask from a book, right?Best of all, there wasn’t this amazing ‘twist’ at the end where the lawyer magically finds a key piece of evidence withheld from the reader the entire book, or suddenly thinks of something they had somehow missed the entire time to save the day. In essence, no Superhero ending that I often feel is so overused, just a great story taken to a solid conclusion through good writing. Highly recommended. Oh, and I have already downloaded the next in the series 😉
Caitlin –
unexpectedly one of the best books I’ve ever read
Captivated by the first paragraph, this novel will pull you in but then let you rest at times so your head doesn’t feel like it will explode from a binge read. Until the ending and then you absolutely won’t be able to put it down. This book will make you think, laugh, question your own thoughts / which way you would lean if a member of the jury, you will cry. And you will absolutely be please if this was the last book of Nate Shepherd. It’s that good and the end feels like closure. But then there’s more, and you can’t wait to see what’s next. For a self-published author… I’m in awe of the caliber and quality of this book. Well done Mr. Stagg.Read this book, it’s a good one
ffoley –
Just like a Real Trial
Just like a Real Trial. I’ve been the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney in different murder trials and there are always things that come up in a trial you never expected. This book is dead on. This is a very well written book. Stagg may be my new favorite writer. I gave it a 4.75. Best I ever gave.
tcjunkcollector –
great read
Finally, a book that wasn’t written for eight graders. I truly enjoyed this book. It was very well written. Hard to put down
Kindle Customer –
Guessing until the verdict
I enjoyed this book. I like a good legal mystery. I like a good clean read. The storyline reminded me of The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly. I enjoyed the characters, the courtroom sequence was well written, and of course I enjoyed the verdict. I plan to read more of Hate Shepherds adventures.
CM –
A Page turner with something happening the whole time. I liked the characters with Hank being interesting with his outlook on life.I’ve read all the books in this series but not in the correct order and it’s a series I’ll gladly read again.
silstar –
I can see now finally see what good lawyers/barristers can do if they are really looking for the truth. Silstar
Amazon Customer –
The story is fast paced. You would think how can someone write a whole book on a slam dunk case… well read the book to find out! I liked the authors racy style of writing. – a cross between Michael Connelly Bosch series and John Grisham eye for details.
William J S Boyle –
I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book and have subsequently bought the rest in the series. It’s well written with good characterisation and great courtroom scenes. I’m addicted to legal thrillers with lots of court scenes and this fills the bill. Not high literature but really enjoyable.
Ray –
It was a good story, twists and turns, suspense. But the big plus was the 3 d generation of characters that were believable. The author made you care.