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He bends the rules. She knows them by heart. Together, they'll stop a killer.

In the high-stakes world of Philadelphia law, Hal and Kristina Nolan are an unstoppable force. Hal, with his charismatic charm and unorthodox tactics, pairs perfectly with Kristina's razor-sharp intellect and unwavering ethical compass. Together, they've built a legal empire on a record of seemingly impossible courtroom victories.

But their greatest challenge yet is about to test the limits of their skills, their marriage, and their moral boundaries.

When a series of devastating blows strikes their firm, Hal and Kristina find themselves fighting on multiple fronts. As they scramble to save their business from ruin, they're thrust into a high-profile murder case that threatens to unravel everything they've built. Personal and professional lines blur as they're forced to confront ghosts from the past and enemies hiding in plain sight.

With their firm under siege, their marriage tested, and unseen enemies closing in, Hal and Kristina must push their legal brilliance to the limit. From incisive cross-examinations to daring eleventh-hour maneuvers, they'll stop at nothing to uncover the truth. But in a world of secrets and power plays, can they find justice without sacrificing everything they've built?

Fans of the Jessie Black series will recognize the Nolans, but this electrifying spin-off stands on its own and proves that in law and love, it's all about how you argue your case.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2025

391 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

Larry A. Winters

30 books115 followers

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5 stars
529 (61%)
4 stars
253 (29%)
3 stars
73 (8%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
1,740 reviews13 followers
December 20, 2024
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Hal and Kristina having achieved financial stability when it all goes to pot when they are attacked by Ransomware. Hal wanted to fight it, but Kristina convinced him to pay it. As a result, their fortune was wiped away. The story then picks up with the firm now just made up of the two of them and doing small cases which does not provide a lot of income. In comes Ariana, Hal's high school girlfriend, that wants his help to defend her sister Paige. Paige has been charged with leaving an accident scene as well as vehicular murder with the death of a cop. Hal wanted to take the case because it would put them in the spotlight once more while Kristina was not in favor.

The two eventually agreed to defend Paige and they then started preparing their defense. The time for the trial appears and they have plotted what they will use to defend her. As the case begins, they begin to learn things about Paige that they were not aware of and as a result needed to relook at how they would defend her. In addition, Hal has been threatened and told to lose the case. The Prosecution now rests its' case and now it is the time when Hal and Kristina will present. Things look bleak at this time and it will soon be time for closing arguments.

To discover what Hal and Kristina learned, who was threatening Hal, what strategy the defense presented as well as learn how it all played out, then you need to read this book.
Profile Image for Jerry Walch.
667 reviews16 followers
January 4, 2025
I have long been a fan of Larry A. Winter since I read Burnout, the first book in his 15-book Jessie Black legal thriller series eleven years ago. Wow! It doesn’t seem that long. If you have never read Larry, the Jessie Black series is the place to start. The Hal and Kristina Nolan Legal Thriller Series is a spin-off of that impressive series.

I recently told Larry in a personal email that Jessica Black would be a hard act to follow and that I couldn’t see him creating a better more powerful series than The Jessie Black Series and he hasn’t done that with his latest new series, the Hal and Kristina Legal Thriller Series. What he’s done is create a new series using characters we met in that formidable Jessie Black series. The Hal and Kristina Nolan isn’t a better series, but it’s just as formidable as the Jessie Black series.
If you love legal thrillers where the action happens both in and outside the courtroom, you’ll love all of Larry A. Winter's books, especially these two series. Move over John Grisham, there’s a new sheriff in town!
Profile Image for Neil Turner.
Author 10 books100 followers
January 6, 2025
The Legal Limit is the first book in a brand-new legal thriller series written by Amazon bestseller Larry A. Winters, author of the Jessie Black Legal Thrillers. It features the husband-and-wife defense attorney team of Kristina and Hal Nolan, who are riding high from their success tackling high-stakes cases in Philadelphia. They’re a formidable force that gets by on Kristina’s legal wizardry, coupled with Hal’s willingness to push rules to the limit, and occasionally beyond. Larry Winters readers will recognize the Nolan’s from their captivating appearances in the Jessie Black series. As always, Winters delivers a terrific legal thriller that features great characters, exciting courtroom action, and surprising twists and turns that will keep you turning pages late into the night. This promises to be a terrific series. I’m looking forward to book two!
2,068 reviews25 followers
January 1, 2025
Hal and Kristina’s law firm had just won a big case when their business is hacked and in order to keep all their clients information safe they are forced to pay the ransom. Now they are barely paying the bills but have a new case that could put them back on their feet. This book is full of twists and turns, most of them caught me completely off guard. This is definitely a page turner. If you like legal thrillers with a good plot, interesting characters and quite a few surprises this book is for you. Thank you to the author for an advanced readers copy .

234 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2025
Lawyers extraordinaire

A very good read introducing new characters to follow. I’m usually more into action thrillers but this legal who dunnit kept me reading. Started and finished today. Hal and Kristina are forced into bankruptcy by a cyberattack, and closed their vey successful law office. Bankruptcy lost them all their clients and left them struggling to survive. An old highschool flame of Hal’s asks him to defend her sister, charged with killing a police detective. Through aggressive legalese, they help her with acquittal. But is justice served? ENJOY!
Profile Image for Treva Parkins.
35 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2025
Loving the Nolan’s

I loved the courtroom drama. An interesting dynamic with Hal going from cocky, arrogant, scheming defense attorney to indignant & outraged when discovering just what type of human being he is defending. I love the way the Nolan’s were able to navigate around their ethical obligation to their client. Kind of reminds me of Michael Connelly’s Mickey Haller!! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
224 reviews
January 7, 2025
Strange turn of events

Hal and Kristina Nolan are the It couple of defense attorneys. They have their own lavish law firm, but one day are hit with ransomeware and must pay the ransome that bankrupts their firm. They find themselves starting over building their clientele. They take on a case of a hit and run. The victim is a police detective and the alleged assailant is a high school teacher. Many twists and turns in this courtroom drama! Great read!
86 reviews
March 2, 2025
Legal Thriller Tense and Tantalizing

The Nolan Law firm was on top and enjoying the fruits of their labors when a sudden twist of random ware struck and sent them spiraling down to the bottom again. Follow the brave couple as they pull themselves up by their bootstraps in a no-holds-barred murder trial that will determine their future as well as their client's. Twists, turns, humor and grit in and out of the courtroom.
172 reviews
June 26, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. The story shows when there is understanding between two how they become one. After having to down size Hal and Kristina takes on a case where a teacher is accused of murder and they believed her based on what they were told. As the story unfolds they realized she is guilty. How do they get her to go prison as they know they will be successful by winning the case. Good story and well written.
29 reviews
November 4, 2025
Larry Winters has become one of my favorite authors starting with his Jessica Black's series. He never disappoints me with each of his books. His stories have more twist and turns than a pretzel. Also, his characters whether they are the protagonist, are the antagonist, are the victims, and are the assassin they become live people, not cardboards cutouts. Mr. Winters can make the readers feel that they are actually in every scene of the story. LEGAL LIMIT is no acceptance.
Profile Image for Gena Wood.
112 reviews3 followers
December 18, 2024
Hal & Kristina Nolan have it all, it seems. These two are practically polar opposites.... BUT so much alike in many ways, it's scary. Their banter is sometimes off the charts...but, they've always got each others' back.
I absolutely couldn't put this one down! I'm looking forward to many more in this new series.
I highly recommend it.
89 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2025
good story, nicely plotted

I love legal procedurals that make sense. Our lawyers are a married couple with different gifts. They find themselves in a bad place in their practice as a result of some hackers who ransomed their legal files. They have a nice balance of ethics, good judgement and risk taking, i look forward to their next adventure.
247 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2025
After going from top earners in the legal field to the bottom of the barrel, this couple has one chance at climbing back to the top. Will they risk it? This book takes you from one theory to another as to who killed the cop. By the end of the book, you wonder what else can be packed into this nail-biting legal thriller.
44 reviews1 follower
January 25, 2025
Great, fast paced thriller does not disappoint!

The Hal and Kristina series is going to be a smashing success! These characters are flashed out in the story and you come to know and like the Nolan’s. Great book that held my interest as I devoured the pages. Larry Winters has done it again with a style uniquely his own. I highly recommend this book!
1,714 reviews10 followers
December 29, 2024
Hal and Kristina Nolan have appeared for the defense in courtrooms in other Larry A Winters novels, but now they have their own series. With humor, wit and an uncanny knowledge of the law, together they fight to prove the innocence of their clients.
451 reviews6 followers
January 3, 2025
Just wow!

I admit I was a little hesitant about this new book with Hal Nolan but, oh wow, it was totally riveting! I highly recommend and am looking forward to the next adventure! Great job Mr. Winters!
16 reviews
January 5, 2025
So good!!

This book was hard to put down. Twists and turns abound, and if you like action, this will not disappoint.

Looking forward to the next book but I don't know how Winters can top this one.

9 reviews
January 8, 2025
Great book you can’t guess the ending.

This one kept me up till the wee hours of morning. I was determined to finish it. It kept me on my toes. I can usually figure out the ending. But not this one. I hope You’ll enjoy it as much as I did!!
2 reviews
January 14, 2025
Legal Limit - A Gripping Legal Thriller

The ‘Legal Limit’ is a must-read for fans of legal thrillers. It’s a gripping and suspenseful story with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.
Profile Image for Sammye.
4,398 reviews30 followers
January 17, 2025
This is the first book in the Hal and Kristina Nolan series. It’s a wonderful beginning! The plot is riveting and so entertaining. It’s action packed and full of twists and turns that kept me reading. It’s an amazing legal thriller.
36 reviews
January 19, 2025
Legal limit


Really enjoyed this. The defense lawyers did a brilliant job. Certainly was surprised with the twist in the story but so glad that in the end justice was done. Hopefully there's going to be a second book.
6 reviews
February 15, 2025
first author book

I enjoyed the story line but the unusual and, sometime inappropriate actions of lawyer Hal Norton, were difficult to read. I will read the next book when it comes out!
508 reviews2 followers
September 2, 2025
great book very well done

I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment  I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
5 reviews
November 12, 2025
Fast paced Interesting

I definitely would recommend this book. I was not expecting any of the final wrap up on the ending of this well crafted mystery. Kept my interest the entire read.
Profile Image for Michael Wells.
1,083 reviews6 followers
November 27, 2025
Not so innocent

Hal and Kristina her husband and wife lawyer. Negative involved in a case that has many twisted terms. What seems innocent is not so innocent and what seems guilty is not so guilty. I enjoyed the plot twist and the characters. I recommend this book for all readers.
131 reviews1 follower
January 1, 2026
good fun easy read

I got a free short story about these characters and loved it. I bought this one next. Read it compulsively. Great twist and good characters throughout. Really enjoyed.
312 reviews3 followers
December 22, 2024
The legal power couple is on its way back! They are representing a friend accused of running over a cop. Wow! You will never guess the direction this story takes!
17 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2025
Start of another Great Series

Another great series of stories from Mr Winters. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book.
21 reviews
January 3, 2025
I could not stop reading

Winters continues to excel with legal dramas. Now on a new journey with the Nolans, he keeps you riveted with anticipation.
245 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2025
As usual a very good plot. Liked the bantering between the Nolans. Good twists and red herrings. I always look forward to Larry's books. Very entertaining!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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