Ron Shade, a Chicago based private investigator, doesn’t
trust lawyers. Yet despite his misgivings he agrees to take
the job offered by Rick Walters, an old friend, even though
he’s a lawyer. Walters needs help doing the legwork
for a wrongful death lawsuit. Shade then finds out that
they are going up against Mason Gilbert, one of the most
successful and distinguished lawyers in Chicago and Big
John Flood, a very famous private investigator. Soon he
feels like a novice who doesn’t stand a chance.
As if that wasn’t bad enough he finds out the trial
is to take place in three weeks and he needs to gather all
the evidence quickly. The first private investigator Rick
Walters had hired committed suicide but Shade quickly comes
to find out that all may not be what it seems.
Meanwhile he is asked by his former commanding officer,
Bielmaster, to help keep a convicted criminal away from
his daughter. Shade, out of guilt, reluctantly agrees because
Bielmaster is undergoing major bypass surgery and is unable
to do it himself. At the same time Bielmaster is offering
Shade the chance to be reinstated into the police force
if he helps him out. A chance Shade isn’t so sure
he wants.
To top it off the opportunity Shade has been dreaming of
suddenly comes along, a shot at the world heavyweight kickboxing
championship. Soon he finds himself out manned, outgunned
and facing the biggest challenges of his life. With the
final outcome uncertain, Shade gives it his all and hopes
that it will be enough.
The Final Judgment is an engrossing story on many fronts.
Pulled in by a first rate mystery you will find yourself
cheering for Shade as he goes up against the Goliath of
the legal and investigative world grasping for clues that
are as elusive as fairy dust. If you think you know what’s
coming next stick around and be surprised for Black has
written a story with enough twists and turns to keep you
guessing until the very end.
Shade perseveres even though the odds are stacked against
him. Black has written a likeable character in Ron Shade.
Someone tough yet tender with his own code of ethics that
keeps him moving in the right direction even when it’s
not the easiest path to take.
The kickboxing aspect of the story was intriguing adding
depth to the character of Shade. The heavyweight kickboxing
championship scenes were believable written, dynamic and
will have you standing and cheering as Ron Shade faces the
fight of his life.
Michael A. Black knows of what he writes. He’s written
an absorbing mystery with a fascinating look into the life
of a kick boxer/private investigator as he faces the toughest
challenges of his life.
Note: At the end of The Final Judgment Ron Shade meets up
with Alex St. James , a character from a mystery series
written by Julie Hyzy. Black and Hyzy are now working on
a collaborative book featuring both of their characters.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Andrea Maloney is a stay at home mom and jewelry designer who loves
to read. Her favorite books are mysteries, suspense and thrillers.
She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters and one
large cat.
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