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Fatal Trust
Riveting Legal Suspense from Lawyer Todd M. Johnson
Ian Wells is a young criminal defense attorney struggling to build a Minneapolis law practice he inherited from his father while caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. Nearly at the breaking point, everything changes for Ian when a new client offers a simple case: determine whether three men qualify for over nine million dollars of trust funds. To qualify, none can have been involved in criminal activity for the past twenty years. Ian's fee for a week's work: the unbelievable sum of two hundred thousand dollars.
Ian warily accepts the job--but is quickly dragged deep into a mystery linking the trust with a decades-old criminal enterprise and the greatest unsolved art theft in Minnesota history. As stolen money from the art theft surfaces, Ian finds himself the target of a criminal investigation by Brook Daniels, a prosecutor who is also his closest law school friend. He realizes too late that this simple investigation has spun out of control and now threatens his career, his future, and his life.
Ian Wells is a young criminal defense attorney struggling to build a Minneapolis law practice he inherited from his father while caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. Nearly at the breaking point, everything changes for Ian when a new client offers a simple case: determine whether three men qualify for over nine million dollars of trust funds. To qualify, none can have been involved in criminal activity for the past twenty years. Ian's fee for a week's work: the unbelievable sum of two hundred thousand dollars.
Ian warily accepts the job--but is quickly dragged deep into a mystery linking the trust with a decades-old criminal enterprise and the greatest unsolved art theft in Minnesota history. As stolen money from the art theft surfaces, Ian finds himself the target of a criminal investigation by Brook Daniels, a prosecutor who is also his closest law school friend. He realizes too late that this simple investigation has spun out of control and now threatens his career, his future, and his life.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
80 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Todd M. Johnson
4 books120 followersTodd M. Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd's passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer.
A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.
The Deposit Slip, Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012. His second novel, Critical Reaction, was released in October 2013.
A third novel, Fatal Trust, is set in Todd's hometown of Minneapolis, and released in early summer 2017.
A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law, and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.
The Deposit Slip, Johnson's first novel, debuted in 2012. His second novel, Critical Reaction, was released in October 2013.
A third novel, Fatal Trust, is set in Todd's hometown of Minneapolis, and released in early summer 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 7, 2018
This book touches on several subjects, but mainly a murder and a thirty-five year old robbery. At the beginning we are not privy to where the money for a trust comes from, but wow you will be guessing right to the end. Then there are surprises abounding, and I didn’t see several of the things that happened coming.
The author has woven a tale that happens before the main character is born, but he is terrorized by part of it when he is nine.
We meet Alzheimer’s head on, and the author shows Ian’s Mom as lucid and then again in the capture of the horrible disease. You will love how they embrace Martha, but was surprised how often she was left alone, and we see some of what happens at that time.
Although this book is published by Bethany House, I was a bit disappointed that it really is not a Christian read, yes it is a clean story, but very little to point you to Faith.
Be ready to non-stop action, and some with their lives and jobs on the line, and you will have to read to the end to find out how things are going to turn out.
I received this book through Bethany House Bloggers, and was not required to give a positive review.
The author has woven a tale that happens before the main character is born, but he is terrorized by part of it when he is nine.
We meet Alzheimer’s head on, and the author shows Ian’s Mom as lucid and then again in the capture of the horrible disease. You will love how they embrace Martha, but was surprised how often she was left alone, and we see some of what happens at that time.
Although this book is published by Bethany House, I was a bit disappointed that it really is not a Christian read, yes it is a clean story, but very little to point you to Faith.
Be ready to non-stop action, and some with their lives and jobs on the line, and you will have to read to the end to find out how things are going to turn out.
I received this book through Bethany House Bloggers, and was not required to give a positive review.
August 25, 2017
My thoughts: One never knows when opening a book by an author one has never read before just what to expect. Will it be enjoyable? Will it be intense? Will it entertain? Just what will this author convey to the reader, and will I come back for more?
I can honestly say that this novel had me turning the pages wanting to know just what else young Ian Wells - attorney, loving son, good guy - will stumble into next. I thoroughly enjoyed Todd M. Johnson's writing style and the way he was able to keep my attention and weave the story of a young man, a law firm, lots of money, and long ago crimes all the while featuring the sad truth of a mother in the throes of Alzheimer's.
Mystery, suspense, touch of romance (squeaky clean), unsolved crimes of years past, quirky personalities, good guys, tough guys. Guns and secrets.
As this young attorney begins investigating and delving into the simple case of disbursing a trust fund, he finds himself joyfully facing an unprecedentedly large fee to perform his responsibilities and an unrealistically limited number of days in which to do so. Coupled with these facts is his recurring dream of a time in his childhood that seems to have some connection to the people involved in the trust.
When I discovered the bad guy in the story, I was totally surprised. This is a must read. Todd M. Johnson draws from his knowledge as a practicing attorney and weaves legalese well into the narrative. This is an author I'll be watching heretofore.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Bethany House publishers to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.
April 11, 2021
Solid legal thriller by a new to me author.
August 2, 2017
This was a good story, although I did predict a lot of the plot points. I do have to admit there were several, "I didn't see that one coming" moments as well. It moved very well and the main characters were good, especially Brook.
Ian Wells was interesting and sometimes a little naive, but I liked him. As the situation grew more dangerous he found his inner strength to get through the tough times.
The story itself was good. There was a good amount of action and mystery concerning who was behind everything. I enjoyed that aspect of it a great deal. The one thing that did bother me is there was nothing in the book to really call it "Christian" fiction. One character sings Amazing Grace and Martha went to church until she got sick. Beyond that and the fact there is no swearing or sex scenes there's nothing to distinguish it from any other book.
I'd definitely read this author again.
Disclaimer: I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.
Ian Wells was interesting and sometimes a little naive, but I liked him. As the situation grew more dangerous he found his inner strength to get through the tough times.
The story itself was good. There was a good amount of action and mystery concerning who was behind everything. I enjoyed that aspect of it a great deal. The one thing that did bother me is there was nothing in the book to really call it "Christian" fiction. One character sings Amazing Grace and Martha went to church until she got sick. Beyond that and the fact there is no swearing or sex scenes there's nothing to distinguish it from any other book.
I'd definitely read this author again.
Disclaimer: I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.
December 29, 2017
This book was good. I enjoyed it since I like suspense books, but there were many times when I was confused by what I read and I kept expecting the book to say something Christian, but it was completely neutral. Fatal Trust was clean, but not Christian. Since it is published by Bethany House Publishers, I expected it to at least mention Christ in some way.
The characters were well-developed and well-rounded. The dialogue was witty, engaging, and exactly what it needed to be.
If you like suspense, I think you will like this book.
The characters were well-developed and well-rounded. The dialogue was witty, engaging, and exactly what it needed to be.
If you like suspense, I think you will like this book.
December 29, 2020
“Tell me something—what kind of thing is a trust that it can let a man hide money even after he’s dead? Even money that didn’t belong to him in the first place?”
“Dreams, schemes, money machines, in pieces on the ground.”
“What in the name of everything holy was going on?”
This was my first book by Todd M. Johnson and I absolutely loved it! I was under the impression that this was going to be a legal fiction book; however, even though some of the main characters were lawyers, this is crime fiction at its core. And Johnson does an excellent job with it. There are not enough books like this in the Christian market. The characters had many layers and Ian was a great lead. The mystery aspects were phenomenal! While I was able to figure out one or two things, there were several things that I didn’t see coming at all. And the fact that there was so much going on and pretty complicated, I never felt lost or confused. The settings of Minnesota and Florida were great as well. Lastly, Todd M. Johnson is a Christian author but this book didn’t have much spiritual aspects. But that didn’t bother me as the story was so riveting and it was a clean read. I will definitely be checking out more of his books!
Check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/we...
“Dreams, schemes, money machines, in pieces on the ground.”
“What in the name of everything holy was going on?”
This was my first book by Todd M. Johnson and I absolutely loved it! I was under the impression that this was going to be a legal fiction book; however, even though some of the main characters were lawyers, this is crime fiction at its core. And Johnson does an excellent job with it. There are not enough books like this in the Christian market. The characters had many layers and Ian was a great lead. The mystery aspects were phenomenal! While I was able to figure out one or two things, there were several things that I didn’t see coming at all. And the fact that there was so much going on and pretty complicated, I never felt lost or confused. The settings of Minnesota and Florida were great as well. Lastly, Todd M. Johnson is a Christian author but this book didn’t have much spiritual aspects. But that didn’t bother me as the story was so riveting and it was a clean read. I will definitely be checking out more of his books!
Check out my blog!
https://wadeurspider01.wixsite.com/we...
August 13, 2017
Ian Wells had absolutely no idea what he was getting into when he took over his father's law practice upon graduation. He didn't know what to think when a malpractice suit landed on his desk either. How in the world was he to ever have a successful practice when money was tight, this lawsuit against him, and dealing with a mother with Alzheimer's?
One day he gets a mysterious phone call and subsequent appointment about a potential client. This client is willing to pay a very large sum of money up front, as well as more at the conclusion of the case, providing certain conditions were met. Ian is overwhelmed, because this offer couldn't have come at a better time. Can he meet the client's demands for meting out the trust funds?
I was completely captivated by this book from the first line. I do struggle with flash back scenes so I was a little confused for awhile but it didn't take long to figure out the differences. (Truth be told, I hate books and movies with flashbacks!) This story unwound and weaved through various angles and just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized I didn't. The twists and turns throughout this novel will have you wanting to go back and reread passages to see what you missed!! I was thoroughly entertained by this story and was completely surprised by the ending. I love it when a great author, such as Todd Johnson, can weave a story to keep the reader on his or her toes!
I would recommend this book to those who love a great mystery, thriller, or action! I appreciate very much reading a book of this magnitude that does not include the language and unsavory actions that is read in mainstream media. I'm so thankful for great quality books from authors like Todd Johnson and publishers such as Bethany House to keep me reading books in this genre without all the garbage!!!
Many thanks to Bethany House and Todd Johnson for providing a complimentary copy for review. The thoughts you have read here are my own.
One day he gets a mysterious phone call and subsequent appointment about a potential client. This client is willing to pay a very large sum of money up front, as well as more at the conclusion of the case, providing certain conditions were met. Ian is overwhelmed, because this offer couldn't have come at a better time. Can he meet the client's demands for meting out the trust funds?
I was completely captivated by this book from the first line. I do struggle with flash back scenes so I was a little confused for awhile but it didn't take long to figure out the differences. (Truth be told, I hate books and movies with flashbacks!) This story unwound and weaved through various angles and just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized I didn't. The twists and turns throughout this novel will have you wanting to go back and reread passages to see what you missed!! I was thoroughly entertained by this story and was completely surprised by the ending. I love it when a great author, such as Todd Johnson, can weave a story to keep the reader on his or her toes!
I would recommend this book to those who love a great mystery, thriller, or action! I appreciate very much reading a book of this magnitude that does not include the language and unsavory actions that is read in mainstream media. I'm so thankful for great quality books from authors like Todd Johnson and publishers such as Bethany House to keep me reading books in this genre without all the garbage!!!
Many thanks to Bethany House and Todd Johnson for providing a complimentary copy for review. The thoughts you have read here are my own.
August 7, 2017
Fatal Trust is abundant in mystery, suspense, action and a tiny bit of romance. It is eye-splitting in gut-wrenching thrills and chills in this book - the characters are daring, dashing, cheeky, bewildering, embellishing and emotional. They bring out the best in each other. Ian is caught up in a corner mystery He took over his father's practice after his father's passing - he has made it from wills and trusts to criminal defense - now - you think the mystery and suspense all started when he took on a criminal case right:???? Wrong!!!! It was when he took on a trusts case - How do you get into a trust case since you have only criminal cases - awesome question - MoooolAAAAHhhh - Money - his Mother is deteriorating because of her Alzheimer's - so this case - the more he delves into it - the more dangerous it becomes for him - there is a trust, murder, theft, do I need to go on - because I could - I really could? There are so many bends and turns in this one - punches in the guts - like his parents have some secrets - some serious geez man - then more gut wrenching bends and bows - this poor guy - you have no idea - you will get thrills and chills - and along with all of this there is get this - the best part - romance -- yay - romance - maybe - with Brooke (she makes him feels safe) - you have to read and find out - will his Mom make it? what is that gut wrenching secret? Will he make it through alive? if he does what does he come out on the other side to? What all is going on here? I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
September 2, 2017
Todd Johnson brings us another legal thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. What starts out as a mundane request to clear a couple of men as qualified for an inheritance worth over 9 million dollars, soon turns into a fight for survival for attorney Ian Wells and his mother. As Ian digs into the backgrounds to clear the individuals from any criminal activity over the last 20 years, he uncovers secrets about his own parents he knew nothing about and secrets that are putting his Alzheimer’s diagnosed mother into grave danger. Should he just “do the job” as the man suggests, or should he keep digging to see what he can find out about his dad? I know what you need to do, go BUY THIS BOOK!
Is this a "Guys Book"? This is a great read for anyone that enjoys a suspenseful legal thriller. The author provides some great twists and turns that will keep you guessing about the involvement and knowledge of his characters. He does a fanciful job of taking what could be a run of the mill book and turning it into an exciting read with all of the action he puts into Ian’s character. As an added bonus for us guys, though, there’s no romance to have to “skim” through!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Is this a "Guys Book"? This is a great read for anyone that enjoys a suspenseful legal thriller. The author provides some great twists and turns that will keep you guessing about the involvement and knowledge of his characters. He does a fanciful job of taking what could be a run of the mill book and turning it into an exciting read with all of the action he puts into Ian’s character. As an added bonus for us guys, though, there’s no romance to have to “skim” through!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
August 3, 2017
Ian Wells does his best to do the right thing. He isn't out to become a rich lawyer, but instead tries to be fair. With mounting bills and his mother's health declining, a new client promising a substantial fee sounds like just what he needs. However, he finds himself in something bigger than he first thought.
In Fatal Trust, Todd M. Johnson has written a great story that is entertaining to read. Though it is obvious that trouble is going to come from what Ian Wells does, there are several twists that keep the story interesting. There are several characters that get involved, but they are easy to keep track of and are well developed.
The action moves along quickly, but it isn't hard to keep up with it. Enough details are given so that you can relate to the people and events, but not so many that you get bogged down by them. Johnson's writing lets you get immersed into the story, and you can picture the events as they happen.
Ian Wells faces several tough decisions, and has to make the choice between standing on his principles and compromising them, even when he stands to make a lot of money on the compromise. It serves as a good way for us to take stock of the similar challenges we face in our day to day lives.
I received a free copy of Fatal Trust from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
In Fatal Trust, Todd M. Johnson has written a great story that is entertaining to read. Though it is obvious that trouble is going to come from what Ian Wells does, there are several twists that keep the story interesting. There are several characters that get involved, but they are easy to keep track of and are well developed.
The action moves along quickly, but it isn't hard to keep up with it. Enough details are given so that you can relate to the people and events, but not so many that you get bogged down by them. Johnson's writing lets you get immersed into the story, and you can picture the events as they happen.
Ian Wells faces several tough decisions, and has to make the choice between standing on his principles and compromising them, even when he stands to make a lot of money on the compromise. It serves as a good way for us to take stock of the similar challenges we face in our day to day lives.
I received a free copy of Fatal Trust from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
October 2, 2017
I enjoyed this legal suspense set in the Twin Cities--it was fun that I recognized a number of the places and neighborhoods mentioned, and even better, it offers one possible answer to Minnesota's greatest art heist. The author does a good job sucking the reader in, and just like Ian, we don't know just what we're getting into . . . until we're in too deep to stop. I'll have to read some of this author's earlier novels!
As a note, while there is a hint of romance, it is far more focused on the mystery and suspense; I wouldn't call it a romantic suspense, so if that's what you're looking for, be forewarned.
As a note, while there is a hint of romance, it is far more focused on the mystery and suspense; I wouldn't call it a romantic suspense, so if that's what you're looking for, be forewarned.
August 1, 2017
Like a roller coaster, Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson, gives us a thrill ride that keeps us guessing and the pages turning till the very end.
Ian Wells is feeling pressure these days. As a new defense attorney his law practice has been anything but easy. Trying to close cases for his late father’s practice, Ian relies on another attorney to send clients his way that unfortunately are not paying well if at all. On top of his career troubles his mother has fallen victim to Alzheimer’s disease and is needing more attention than he is able to provide. As Ian struggles with little clients of his own, money woes and his mother’s failing health an unexpected client presents himself that seems too good to be true. A trust worth millions of dollars prepared many years ago by his father Connor Wells has finally come due. The monies according to the trust are to be divided three ways provided each beneficiary had not been involved in any illegal activity since the trust’s draft in 1998. Connor Well’s was to receive two hundred thousand dollars once the investigation was completed and the monies distributed. That money will now fall to Ian if he decides to take the case and investigate the three beneficiaries. Ian is dumbfounded at the staggering sum his father was to receive. Although some attorneys have been known to charge large retainer fees, even this amount is a little suspicious. With mounting pressure to pay bills and provide more care for his mother he decides to take the case against his better judgement. As time goes by and Ian investigates the three beneficiaries he finds he has more questions than answers. The more he investigates the three beneficiaries the more he discovers a dark criminal past that goes back decades including an art heist involving a murdered security guard. Convinced his father may have been involved Ian digs deeper to get at the real facts and becomes a target by the very people who hired him. As Ian gets closer to the truth he enlists the help of a close friend, Brook Daniels from the District Attorney’s office. Together they will work to uncover the truth, but not before Ian and his mother become the next potential victims.
I really liked this book. I will say it again, I really liked this book. I have not read a mystery (thriller) in a long time so I jumped at the chance with Fatal Trust and I was not disappointed. Todd M. Johnson had me hooked from the first page till the very last. The twists and turns of the plot kept me guessing and I was very surprised at the end. The characters the author portrayed elicited many feeling as a reader. My favorite was Ian. Kind, intelligent and fearless to find the truth he was a perfect hero. Brook was on my favorite list too as was Ian’s legal assistant Katie. Katie’s loyalty and Brook’s affection for Ian was evident as both women put their careers and friendships on the line to get at the truth. Ian’s mother Martha was extremely complex and I appreciated all the surprises her character brought to the book.
As for the bad guys and every good mystery has them, Sean Callahan’s character made my skin crawl. Cruel and determined he would do anything to get what he felt he deserved. Rory Doyle on the other hand was a sad character. Never escaping his past, he lived with all the trauma and dysfunction of his father’s crimes. All the characters created melded together to make one exciting storyline. Like any good book I was anxious to have the mystery solved, but was sad when it was over. A great read for a warm summer night or any time, Fatal Trust will not disappoint.
Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson is an exciting read with all the twists and turns every good mystery reader loves. A great story with suspense and a little romance to enjoy with a glass of wine or a cold lemonade on a warm summer night.
I want to thank Bethany House via NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson for a fair and honest review.
Ian Wells is feeling pressure these days. As a new defense attorney his law practice has been anything but easy. Trying to close cases for his late father’s practice, Ian relies on another attorney to send clients his way that unfortunately are not paying well if at all. On top of his career troubles his mother has fallen victim to Alzheimer’s disease and is needing more attention than he is able to provide. As Ian struggles with little clients of his own, money woes and his mother’s failing health an unexpected client presents himself that seems too good to be true. A trust worth millions of dollars prepared many years ago by his father Connor Wells has finally come due. The monies according to the trust are to be divided three ways provided each beneficiary had not been involved in any illegal activity since the trust’s draft in 1998. Connor Well’s was to receive two hundred thousand dollars once the investigation was completed and the monies distributed. That money will now fall to Ian if he decides to take the case and investigate the three beneficiaries. Ian is dumbfounded at the staggering sum his father was to receive. Although some attorneys have been known to charge large retainer fees, even this amount is a little suspicious. With mounting pressure to pay bills and provide more care for his mother he decides to take the case against his better judgement. As time goes by and Ian investigates the three beneficiaries he finds he has more questions than answers. The more he investigates the three beneficiaries the more he discovers a dark criminal past that goes back decades including an art heist involving a murdered security guard. Convinced his father may have been involved Ian digs deeper to get at the real facts and becomes a target by the very people who hired him. As Ian gets closer to the truth he enlists the help of a close friend, Brook Daniels from the District Attorney’s office. Together they will work to uncover the truth, but not before Ian and his mother become the next potential victims.
I really liked this book. I will say it again, I really liked this book. I have not read a mystery (thriller) in a long time so I jumped at the chance with Fatal Trust and I was not disappointed. Todd M. Johnson had me hooked from the first page till the very last. The twists and turns of the plot kept me guessing and I was very surprised at the end. The characters the author portrayed elicited many feeling as a reader. My favorite was Ian. Kind, intelligent and fearless to find the truth he was a perfect hero. Brook was on my favorite list too as was Ian’s legal assistant Katie. Katie’s loyalty and Brook’s affection for Ian was evident as both women put their careers and friendships on the line to get at the truth. Ian’s mother Martha was extremely complex and I appreciated all the surprises her character brought to the book.
As for the bad guys and every good mystery has them, Sean Callahan’s character made my skin crawl. Cruel and determined he would do anything to get what he felt he deserved. Rory Doyle on the other hand was a sad character. Never escaping his past, he lived with all the trauma and dysfunction of his father’s crimes. All the characters created melded together to make one exciting storyline. Like any good book I was anxious to have the mystery solved, but was sad when it was over. A great read for a warm summer night or any time, Fatal Trust will not disappoint.
Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson is an exciting read with all the twists and turns every good mystery reader loves. A great story with suspense and a little romance to enjoy with a glass of wine or a cold lemonade on a warm summer night.
I want to thank Bethany House via NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of Fatal Trust by Todd M. Johnson for a fair and honest review.
January 2, 2023
This was a pretty OK page-turner. The only flaw was that the protagonist was such a dummy. When he throws away the shoebox with the newspaper clipping, it's just unbelievable. How could someone that stupid get a law degree. But then, come to think of it, I do know lawyers that stupid.
July 20, 2017
After taking over his father’s law practice, Ian Wells wants nothing more than to shift the firm’s focus from handling simple wills and estate trusts to a criminal defense office. However, with money tight and wary of his mother’s rapidly declining Alzheimer’s, Ian takes on one last trust settlement even though he is leery about the case’s high payout. His only job is to research the three potential beneficiaries to make sure they have not participated in any criminal activity in the last 20 years. Although the task seems simple enough, Ian not only finds his life is threatened, but incriminating “evidence” begins popping up linking Ian’s firm with tainted money from an art theft and murder occurring over thirty years ago, the trust fund account is mysteriously wiped clean, and conversations with his less-than-lucid mother hint that his parents may have been hoarding secrets. Disillusioned and alarmed, Ian finds his investigation quickly shifts away from the beneficiaries’ worthiness of the trust funds, to trying to untangle the links between the trust, the art theft and murder, his family, and each of the unique players who have surfaced during his investigation.
This book had me guessing throughout! I was absolutely shocked and blown away when all of the characters’ involvement in the trust case and past crime finally came to the surface! Surprises can be found with each page turn! Johnson’s orchestration of the plot events was seamless with everything coming together at the end to solve the mystery. One of the best mystery/suspense novels I’ve read this year! This one should be an award winner!
This review contains my own thoughts and opinions. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
This book had me guessing throughout! I was absolutely shocked and blown away when all of the characters’ involvement in the trust case and past crime finally came to the surface! Surprises can be found with each page turn! Johnson’s orchestration of the plot events was seamless with everything coming together at the end to solve the mystery. One of the best mystery/suspense novels I’ve read this year! This one should be an award winner!
This review contains my own thoughts and opinions. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
July 19, 2017
I would tend to classify this book as a clean mystery rather than Christian fiction. After finishing reading Fatal Trust, no particular Christian message came to mind. As a clean mystery, it was superb. I could not help but feel Ian Well’s anxiety as his life quickly became a train wreck. His mother is slipping further away due to Alzheimer’s. The law practice he joined following his father’s death is falling further and further into debt. The case that seemed like would pay the bills may involve an armed robbery and murder cold case, and might also incriminate his parents. To say Ian was in over his head would be an understatement, and his only life preserver might be his long-time friend Brook Daniels, an attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Would Brooke be willing to put her job, her career, on the line for him?
Fatal Trust is a fast-moving, action-packed story. Johnson holds his readers’ emotions in the palm of his hand from start to finish. He masterfully times the revelation of new information, often startling his readers and misdirecting them. Fans of legal stories and mystery fiction will likely love Fatal Trust. I was happy to find that I already have another book by Todd M. Johnson on my bookshelf. I extend my thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of Fatal Trust in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for providing this review.
Fatal Trust is a fast-moving, action-packed story. Johnson holds his readers’ emotions in the palm of his hand from start to finish. He masterfully times the revelation of new information, often startling his readers and misdirecting them. Fans of legal stories and mystery fiction will likely love Fatal Trust. I was happy to find that I already have another book by Todd M. Johnson on my bookshelf. I extend my thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for providing me a copy of Fatal Trust in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for providing this review.
July 22, 2017
Couldn't Put it Down!
I picked up Fatal Trust at Todd Johnson's booksigning on Thursday evening, began reading Friday morning, and by Friday evening, I'd finished it. This page-turner kept me guessing throughout the story, and also provided plenty of I-didn't-see-that-coming moments.
If you're looking for a riveting story, pick up Fatal Trust. Todd M. Johnson's best work so far.
I picked up Fatal Trust at Todd Johnson's booksigning on Thursday evening, began reading Friday morning, and by Friday evening, I'd finished it. This page-turner kept me guessing throughout the story, and also provided plenty of I-didn't-see-that-coming moments.
If you're looking for a riveting story, pick up Fatal Trust. Todd M. Johnson's best work so far.
July 26, 2017
What an action packed booked. I really enjoyed it. I am drawn to the mystery/thriller gene of books and especially any having to do with the financial area. The fast paced action kept the story moving. I had to stop and catch my breath a few times.
And I must admit that I was not prepared for some of the twists and turns. While I was not super fond of the main character, I did sympathize with him. By the end of the book he did have a lot to absorb about his family.
I think of Todd Johnson as a Christian writer but in this instance there were no Christian aspects to the book. It was, however, a book without bad language or sexual scenes. So it is a book I can recommend to my Christian friends.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
And I must admit that I was not prepared for some of the twists and turns. While I was not super fond of the main character, I did sympathize with him. By the end of the book he did have a lot to absorb about his family.
I think of Todd Johnson as a Christian writer but in this instance there were no Christian aspects to the book. It was, however, a book without bad language or sexual scenes. So it is a book I can recommend to my Christian friends.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 19, 2017
Johnson's third novel is a well-written foray into the darker side of the law, where boundaries become a bit blurred and you aren't always sure who the good guys and bad guys are. As someone who loves suspense novels, I appreciated that this novel had plenty of action-filled scenes, mysterious memories from the past, and some pulse pounding moments where the characters are in peril and you aren't sure how things will end up. Although this certainly isn't a character-driven novel, Johnson does a good job at fleshing out Ian's character in particular, showing us the good, the bad, and the ugly, but leaving us rooting for him all the same. I liked how the author isn't afraid to give his characters real flaws, as this of course makes them all the more believable. And Ian's mother, who has ever-worsening Alzheimers, ends up being quite the character in her own right. Of course, no good story leaves out the element of love, and Johnson does a fine job at weaving in that possibility as well (though no one would ever confuse this novel with a romance, which is just the type of book I was looking for when I picked up a copy of Fatal Trust!) I think what I most enjoyed about this book is that I really felt like I was putting the puzzles of the mystery together along with Ian, with the author giving enough clues (but also red-herrings) that I really had to think in order to figure things out. The last third of the story really picks up in pace and if you are anything like me, by the end you will be flying through the pages as fast as you can keep up. Now that, to me, is the sign of a good thriller!
A well-crafted plot with plenty of suspenseful surprises makes "Fatal Trust" an enjoyable read from start to finish. Those readers in the mood for a legal thriller should add this one to their arsenal. I award this novel a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
A well-crafted plot with plenty of suspenseful surprises makes "Fatal Trust" an enjoyable read from start to finish. Those readers in the mood for a legal thriller should add this one to their arsenal. I award this novel a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
November 22, 2017
A solid 3.5, a great suspense mystery. I found it a little confusing at times which is why it wasn't given 4 stars. Really enjoyed the ending it tied up and resolved nicely.
August 29, 2017
A few times a year I request a review copy of a book from Bethany House Publishers. Back in 2013, I received a copy of one of Johnson’s earlier books, Critical Reaction. While it wasn’t a book that completely blew my mind, it was still a really engaging thriller, and one that I enjoyed enough to check out Johnson’s first book, The Deposit Slip, which I actually liked even better than Critical Reaction. So when I saw that Johnson was publishing another book, I knew that I definitely wanted to read it. And, conveniently, Bethany House provided me with a copy to do just that! So many thanks to the publisher, and also to Johnson for providing yet another well-paced and engaging thriller.
Ian Wells is an attorney in Minneapolis who is slowly getting his practice where he wants it. His dad was an attorney also, and dealt in ‘boring’ things like wills, trusts, deeds, etc. (Actually, I worked for a lawyer who did this kind of stuff and it is amazing how boring it all is, so I totally empathized with Ian’s feelings). Ian has always wanted to go into criminal defense, but when his dad passed away he felt obligated to take over that practice. Over the last few years he’s been shifting to criminal law, but in the meantime he has had a lot of financial setbacks. His mom has Alzheimer’s and is getting to the point where she is going to need 24-hour care. Several other very expensive problems are cropping up in Ian’s life all at once.
And then he gets the phone call: a man wants Ian to help with the conclusion of a twenty-year-old trust fund – Ian must determine whether or not three men qualify to receive their share of the trust money. In exchange, Ian gets a huge payoff. Ian feels like there has to be something sketchy going on, but he’s reaching a point of desperation.
Johnson does a GREAT job pacing this book. I found myself drawn right in, and every baby step that Ian takes seems completely reasonable – until he suddenly realizes that he’s completely stranded in a complicated quagmire. Ian’s financial issues are involved just enough to make the story believable without making them absurd – just enough to make Ian ignore his gut and keep going. The tension ratchets up perfectly – at first I was just moderately interested in Ian and his life, but by about a third of the way into the book I could hardly put it down.
The romance in this book was at just about a perfect level – enough to provide some motivation for characters but not so much that it derailed the actual story. Like Johnson’s earlier books, there was nothing overtly religious in the story, but it was devoid of bad language, sex, and graphic violence, all of which I really appreciate.
I was genuinely impressed by the way this whole story came together. Small details that seemed irrelevant at the time end up tying together at the end. While I thought I had a lot of the story figured out, there were some extra twists that I didn’t see coming, but that didn’t feel at all unreasonable. Knowing the ending made me want to read the book again and see the clues that Johnson left, which (to me) is always the sign of a good thriller.
The only really weird thing about this book was that it was set in 2018. I never understand why books do this, because Johnson’s 2018 looked exactly like real-life 2017. And who knows what is going to happen in the next year that could make the 2018 dates seem really weird. I mean, if I wrote a book in 2000 and set it in September 2001 and the book never mentioned 9/11, it would seem really strange. So that kind of threw me off, even if it is a more or less minor thing to pick on.
All in all, 4/5 for a really well-paced and engaging story, and kudos to Johnson who has a 3/3 record for producing 4* reads for me to read!
Ian Wells is an attorney in Minneapolis who is slowly getting his practice where he wants it. His dad was an attorney also, and dealt in ‘boring’ things like wills, trusts, deeds, etc. (Actually, I worked for a lawyer who did this kind of stuff and it is amazing how boring it all is, so I totally empathized with Ian’s feelings). Ian has always wanted to go into criminal defense, but when his dad passed away he felt obligated to take over that practice. Over the last few years he’s been shifting to criminal law, but in the meantime he has had a lot of financial setbacks. His mom has Alzheimer’s and is getting to the point where she is going to need 24-hour care. Several other very expensive problems are cropping up in Ian’s life all at once.
And then he gets the phone call: a man wants Ian to help with the conclusion of a twenty-year-old trust fund – Ian must determine whether or not three men qualify to receive their share of the trust money. In exchange, Ian gets a huge payoff. Ian feels like there has to be something sketchy going on, but he’s reaching a point of desperation.
Johnson does a GREAT job pacing this book. I found myself drawn right in, and every baby step that Ian takes seems completely reasonable – until he suddenly realizes that he’s completely stranded in a complicated quagmire. Ian’s financial issues are involved just enough to make the story believable without making them absurd – just enough to make Ian ignore his gut and keep going. The tension ratchets up perfectly – at first I was just moderately interested in Ian and his life, but by about a third of the way into the book I could hardly put it down.
The romance in this book was at just about a perfect level – enough to provide some motivation for characters but not so much that it derailed the actual story. Like Johnson’s earlier books, there was nothing overtly religious in the story, but it was devoid of bad language, sex, and graphic violence, all of which I really appreciate.
I was genuinely impressed by the way this whole story came together. Small details that seemed irrelevant at the time end up tying together at the end. While I thought I had a lot of the story figured out, there were some extra twists that I didn’t see coming, but that didn’t feel at all unreasonable. Knowing the ending made me want to read the book again and see the clues that Johnson left, which (to me) is always the sign of a good thriller.
The only really weird thing about this book was that it was set in 2018. I never understand why books do this, because Johnson’s 2018 looked exactly like real-life 2017. And who knows what is going to happen in the next year that could make the 2018 dates seem really weird. I mean, if I wrote a book in 2000 and set it in September 2001 and the book never mentioned 9/11, it would seem really strange. So that kind of threw me off, even if it is a more or less minor thing to pick on.
All in all, 4/5 for a really well-paced and engaging story, and kudos to Johnson who has a 3/3 record for producing 4* reads for me to read!
August 22, 2017
I first came across this book in a monthly Bethany House email. I was distraught and torn because I literally want every single book in that monthly email. Seriously, it's almost impossible to chose. But I found my loophole. I prayerfully pick one and then request the remainders from NetGalley and cross my toes that I get approved for the whole kit and caboodle. Which, as you can tell because you are reading a review right now, that I was approved! The fact that this was a legal mystery/thriller was right up my alley. The fact that it was from a Christian publishing house was like free coffee. Just a disclaimer, while this book is from a Christian publishing house it is not necessarily a Christian book. Outside of a couple of verses from 'Amazing Grace' there were no other faith elements. However, it is a clean book with no language, sexual scenarios and lacked overt violence.
I was excited to dig into the story of Ian, and the backstory he uncovered with this mysterious trust. Let me get the not so positive things out of the way before I tell you why I actually really liked this book. There were entirely too many characters! OK, there probably really weren't but for someone who struggles with names (seriously, I'd probably never remember my name but for the fact I've had it way too many decades!) I was frequently confused. I came so close to grabbing a notebook to write all these people down so I could remember who was who and what they did both past and present. I almost felt like the intensity wasn't as intense as I had hoped but I'm starting to think that it's just me. Almost like I'm looking for something that was there but I didn't connect with it. That I will not hold aganist this amazing story.
This book, on the positive side, had all the good stuff I look for in a mystery and/or thriller. Characters that that drew me into their conflict, a mystery that I couldn't figure out (this one really did well) OK yes I did figure out a few things but not in a way that in any way detracted from the story but actually helped it. My gravy there was one (there were several all told) bombshell that actually took me by surprise. The rest were figured out with story flow the way they should have been. I LOVE a mystery that I haven't already picked only partway into the book. Johnson gave me that so... This book really does flow well, has engage-able characters, and takes the reader on a pretty good roller coaster ride.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.blogspot.c....
I was excited to dig into the story of Ian, and the backstory he uncovered with this mysterious trust. Let me get the not so positive things out of the way before I tell you why I actually really liked this book. There were entirely too many characters! OK, there probably really weren't but for someone who struggles with names (seriously, I'd probably never remember my name but for the fact I've had it way too many decades!) I was frequently confused. I came so close to grabbing a notebook to write all these people down so I could remember who was who and what they did both past and present. I almost felt like the intensity wasn't as intense as I had hoped but I'm starting to think that it's just me. Almost like I'm looking for something that was there but I didn't connect with it. That I will not hold aganist this amazing story.
This book, on the positive side, had all the good stuff I look for in a mystery and/or thriller. Characters that that drew me into their conflict, a mystery that I couldn't figure out (this one really did well) OK yes I did figure out a few things but not in a way that in any way detracted from the story but actually helped it. My gravy there was one (there were several all told) bombshell that actually took me by surprise. The rest were figured out with story flow the way they should have been. I LOVE a mystery that I haven't already picked only partway into the book. Johnson gave me that so... This book really does flow well, has engage-able characters, and takes the reader on a pretty good roller coaster ride.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Originally posted at https://fizzypopcollection.blogspot.c....
August 10, 2017
Full of suspense, Todd M. Johnson takes the reader around many corners of thought and feelings of tension. There is a trust fund and an Art Theft of a Rockwell painting and millions of dollars slipping about with "hot" twenties going about too. There is also family and childhood to think about over and over again. Plus, the life of an aging parent who has Alzheimer's disease. All of this is in "Fatal Trust."
One of the many thoughtful pages is this one about the past. It is with us forever. Our family comes to life again daily. Their secrets, their good and bad deeds shape our dreams and our nightmares. So the words of the hymn "Amazing Grace" have a powerful meaning and are well chosen by Todd M. Johnson. Whether we can hold a tune or not there is the knowledge that Grace is needed daily for ourselves and for our relatives. There is also the fragility of trust and greed.
This is one of the good quotes. It's about closure and unanswered questions which make life so frustrating.
'"What if you don't? And what about his father, and his father before him? What about the genes they passed on to you?"' It is about our gene pool. The unknown family secrets which can affect our reputations for a life time. All the way through the novel, there is a feeling of walking on ice in or testing the ice on an icy lake. Will this step cause an injury?
All the characters seem so real: Connor, although dead, also the mother and Ian, the son, and a helpful assistant. It's a mystery that is different and thought provoking. I did think it was overly long. I wanted more about the location, Minneapolis. I would have liked a little romance and color. I need to say it took quite a while for the Christian ideas to come across. After all it is a Christian mystery, isn't it? And more color is needed. Maybe the decor of a child's bedroom, the period of a desk or a description of "Spirit of 1776" by Norman Rockwell. Color please! Help me see what you are writing. Don't leave me blind. Perhaps, the attorney writes like an attorney and not like a journalist turned novelist. In the end, I am grateful for, as said, the suspense, the intelligence of the novel and the ideas about Finance and family and other people who enter our lives.
One of the many thoughtful pages is this one about the past. It is with us forever. Our family comes to life again daily. Their secrets, their good and bad deeds shape our dreams and our nightmares. So the words of the hymn "Amazing Grace" have a powerful meaning and are well chosen by Todd M. Johnson. Whether we can hold a tune or not there is the knowledge that Grace is needed daily for ourselves and for our relatives. There is also the fragility of trust and greed.
This is one of the good quotes. It's about closure and unanswered questions which make life so frustrating.
'"What if you don't? And what about his father, and his father before him? What about the genes they passed on to you?"' It is about our gene pool. The unknown family secrets which can affect our reputations for a life time. All the way through the novel, there is a feeling of walking on ice in or testing the ice on an icy lake. Will this step cause an injury?
All the characters seem so real: Connor, although dead, also the mother and Ian, the son, and a helpful assistant. It's a mystery that is different and thought provoking. I did think it was overly long. I wanted more about the location, Minneapolis. I would have liked a little romance and color. I need to say it took quite a while for the Christian ideas to come across. After all it is a Christian mystery, isn't it? And more color is needed. Maybe the decor of a child's bedroom, the period of a desk or a description of "Spirit of 1776" by Norman Rockwell. Color please! Help me see what you are writing. Don't leave me blind. Perhaps, the attorney writes like an attorney and not like a journalist turned novelist. In the end, I am grateful for, as said, the suspense, the intelligence of the novel and the ideas about Finance and family and other people who enter our lives.
August 30, 2017
Fatal Trust
By Todd M. Johnson
Following his father's death, Ian Wells took over his father's portion of the law practice. But his portion of the practice isn't doing as well as Ian had hoped. And caring for his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's has added an additional strain to his growing pile of bills and worry. So when an unexpected case is offered, one where he must determine where the three beneficiaries meet all the qualifications, he accepts the case.
Ian agreed to take on this unusual case because of the payout, one that could end many of his current financial difficulties. But the deeper he digs, the more concerned he becomes at what he is discovering. And even more disturbing are the questions he is uncovering. And with time at a premium - one week to decide who is worthy of a share of nine million dollars he suddenly finds himself moving, not so slowly, to center-stage of a criminal investigation.
With time ticking down Ian needs to uncover the truth about the trust he has been charged with handling before it is too late. If he doesn't discover the secret that someone has been hiding for years this could be his last case ever.
Todd Johnson has created a page-turning mystery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the suspense and danger steadily rises. Ian is a likable character whom one is rooting for throughout as he comes across the unexpected and deals his own past. This is a mystery where what you know could be as dangerous as what you don't know and Ian is caught between both.
I highly recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers. Having read Todd Johnson in the past I knew I would not be disappointed and my expectations were exceeded in every way. The story opens at the climax before taking the reader to a point 20 years in the past to an incident that seems unrelated to the story and yet has a bearing that is only fully understood when the climax is again reached. The motivations and layers that are revealed as the story unfolds in no way hints at what is to come so that the mystery is not given away early.
I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House through their blogger program with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
By Todd M. Johnson
Following his father's death, Ian Wells took over his father's portion of the law practice. But his portion of the practice isn't doing as well as Ian had hoped. And caring for his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's has added an additional strain to his growing pile of bills and worry. So when an unexpected case is offered, one where he must determine where the three beneficiaries meet all the qualifications, he accepts the case.
Ian agreed to take on this unusual case because of the payout, one that could end many of his current financial difficulties. But the deeper he digs, the more concerned he becomes at what he is discovering. And even more disturbing are the questions he is uncovering. And with time at a premium - one week to decide who is worthy of a share of nine million dollars he suddenly finds himself moving, not so slowly, to center-stage of a criminal investigation.
With time ticking down Ian needs to uncover the truth about the trust he has been charged with handling before it is too late. If he doesn't discover the secret that someone has been hiding for years this could be his last case ever.
Todd Johnson has created a page-turning mystery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the suspense and danger steadily rises. Ian is a likable character whom one is rooting for throughout as he comes across the unexpected and deals his own past. This is a mystery where what you know could be as dangerous as what you don't know and Ian is caught between both.
I highly recommend this book to fans of legal thrillers. Having read Todd Johnson in the past I knew I would not be disappointed and my expectations were exceeded in every way. The story opens at the climax before taking the reader to a point 20 years in the past to an incident that seems unrelated to the story and yet has a bearing that is only fully understood when the climax is again reached. The motivations and layers that are revealed as the story unfolds in no way hints at what is to come so that the mystery is not given away early.
I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Bethany House through their blogger program with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 29, 2017
In Fatal Trust, a new legal suspense novel by Todd M. Johnson, we follow Ian Wells as he tries to unravel the origin of a wealthy trust, the truth behind a decades old art heist, and his family's own buried secrets.
Ian is an up-and-coming Minneapolis lawyer who reluctantly inherited his father's law practice, and has since been trying to get out of the trusts and wills business in order to move into criminal defense. Business is slow, bills are piling up, and he's stuck at a crossroad - until a new client shows up wanting him to do a seemingly quick investigation for a trust dispersal, with a hefty fee for Ian already written into the contract. The one condition for him to get the fee is that he has to determine which of the three potential heirs have been involved in any sort of criminal activity for the last twenty years.
What starts out as a quick gamble to get a small fortune soon plunges Ian headfirst into the world of mobsters and unsolved crime. He finds himself becoming a target for both the potential heirs and the legal system, who are trying to solve the very crime that he's digging into and unraveling. Will Ian be able to keep his own conscience clean while discovering buried secrets about everyone he holds dear? Will he be able to clear his own name and avoid persecution for crimes he didn't commit?
This is definitely not a fast-paced thriller for those who like a quickly moving storyline. But the plot is solid, the characters are well established, and Todd has built a vivid image of the underground Minneapolis crime world of the '80s and '90s. A good read for anyone looking for a legal suspense that doesn't mind a slower unraveling to get to the finish line. It also has plenty of breakpoints, so it's great for those who don't have a lot of spare time to sit and invest in reading large sections at a time. 4/5 stars.
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Ian is an up-and-coming Minneapolis lawyer who reluctantly inherited his father's law practice, and has since been trying to get out of the trusts and wills business in order to move into criminal defense. Business is slow, bills are piling up, and he's stuck at a crossroad - until a new client shows up wanting him to do a seemingly quick investigation for a trust dispersal, with a hefty fee for Ian already written into the contract. The one condition for him to get the fee is that he has to determine which of the three potential heirs have been involved in any sort of criminal activity for the last twenty years.
What starts out as a quick gamble to get a small fortune soon plunges Ian headfirst into the world of mobsters and unsolved crime. He finds himself becoming a target for both the potential heirs and the legal system, who are trying to solve the very crime that he's digging into and unraveling. Will Ian be able to keep his own conscience clean while discovering buried secrets about everyone he holds dear? Will he be able to clear his own name and avoid persecution for crimes he didn't commit?
This is definitely not a fast-paced thriller for those who like a quickly moving storyline. But the plot is solid, the characters are well established, and Todd has built a vivid image of the underground Minneapolis crime world of the '80s and '90s. A good read for anyone looking for a legal suspense that doesn't mind a slower unraveling to get to the finish line. It also has plenty of breakpoints, so it's great for those who don't have a lot of spare time to sit and invest in reading large sections at a time. 4/5 stars.
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary print copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this honest review. All opinions are my own.*
October 13, 2017
If you are a fan of legal suspense, a la Grisham, Singer or Whitlow, then you definitely need to check out Todd M. Johnson. I have read all of his novels to date and am impressed by the twisting plots, well-developed characters, and the nuances of the legal wranglings. In Fatal Trust, a young lawyer must choose between doing the right thing or protecting his family — a family he quickly discovers has lots of secrets. I found this novel to be fast-paced and well-written, and is definitely a recommended read.
Set amidst courtrooms, seedy bars, and family neighborhoods of Minneapolis, Fatal Trust has a great sense of place. Johnson makes his home there and it shows. I’ve never been to the Twin Cities, but this book made me feel right at home. Of course, many of the attractions described in the book — alleys and barrooms — I’ll settle for visiting in the pages of the book! 😉 Main character Ian Wells is a character I quickly came to love. A man who has sacrificed his career dreams for his family, Ian is just about at the end of his rope at the beginning of the story. A windfall fee for a week’s worth of work on a trust is too good to resist. But as Ian soon discovers, something too good to be true usually is. Ian’s struggle is so very real. It is easy to be tempted to turn a blind eye or justify our actions when money is involved. Secondary characters are complex as well, especially Ian’s friend, US Attorney Brook Daniels, and Ian’s mother, Martha, and give this plot-driven legal suspense novel depth. The reader is let in on more of what is actually going on before Ian, but there are plenty of surprises in store for both. The ending is great and certainly not what I was expecting.
There is more action outside of the courtroom than in, but there’s plenty of legal maneuvering to satisfy fans of this genre. All in all Fatal Trust is a riveting read. I am hoping for many more from Johnson.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Set amidst courtrooms, seedy bars, and family neighborhoods of Minneapolis, Fatal Trust has a great sense of place. Johnson makes his home there and it shows. I’ve never been to the Twin Cities, but this book made me feel right at home. Of course, many of the attractions described in the book — alleys and barrooms — I’ll settle for visiting in the pages of the book! 😉 Main character Ian Wells is a character I quickly came to love. A man who has sacrificed his career dreams for his family, Ian is just about at the end of his rope at the beginning of the story. A windfall fee for a week’s worth of work on a trust is too good to resist. But as Ian soon discovers, something too good to be true usually is. Ian’s struggle is so very real. It is easy to be tempted to turn a blind eye or justify our actions when money is involved. Secondary characters are complex as well, especially Ian’s friend, US Attorney Brook Daniels, and Ian’s mother, Martha, and give this plot-driven legal suspense novel depth. The reader is let in on more of what is actually going on before Ian, but there are plenty of surprises in store for both. The ending is great and certainly not what I was expecting.
There is more action outside of the courtroom than in, but there’s plenty of legal maneuvering to satisfy fans of this genre. All in all Fatal Trust is a riveting read. I am hoping for many more from Johnson.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
January 12, 2018
Too Good to be True?
PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2018/01/11/... THANK YOU!
About to lose the law office his father started, Ian Wells is desperate to find a way to hang on. Additionally, he is the main caretaker, and financial provider for his Alzheimer’s stricken mom. His “friend,” Brook, wants to know why he has never taken their relationship to the next level—actual dating, perhaps with marriage in the future. Unknown to Brook, Ian has never had the courage to ask her. Suddenly, work on an unusual trust case falls into his lap. Even though this is outside the type of work he likes to do, he changes his mind when he is offered $250,000, more than ten times the normal fee.
As Ian starts this work, he becomes suspicious about the source of the money. At first, he doesn’t want to dig too deep because the extra money could do his law practice, and his mom, a lot of good. But as time goes on, he discovers many skeletons in his client’s closets, and shockingly, in his own. Then he realizes he is being framed as the fall guy for a big crime. He doesn’t know who to trust, or how to get out of the horrible mess he finds himself
in.
I love mysteries and thrillers, especially legal ones. The author did a great job not giving the ending away, so the “one who did it” was unexpected, and he crafted a good story line. Despite this book being published by a Christian publisher, there wasn’t a faith message, or a Christian character in the story. Wonderfully, this is a clean tale, with no sex or profanity, along with lots of interesting characters. You will experience lots of twists and turns in this four-star book, and most likely, you will get a surprise ending.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of Fatal Trust through Bethany House Publishing for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.
PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW ON MY BLOG: http://bookreadingtic.com/2018/01/11/... THANK YOU!
About to lose the law office his father started, Ian Wells is desperate to find a way to hang on. Additionally, he is the main caretaker, and financial provider for his Alzheimer’s stricken mom. His “friend,” Brook, wants to know why he has never taken their relationship to the next level—actual dating, perhaps with marriage in the future. Unknown to Brook, Ian has never had the courage to ask her. Suddenly, work on an unusual trust case falls into his lap. Even though this is outside the type of work he likes to do, he changes his mind when he is offered $250,000, more than ten times the normal fee.
As Ian starts this work, he becomes suspicious about the source of the money. At first, he doesn’t want to dig too deep because the extra money could do his law practice, and his mom, a lot of good. But as time goes on, he discovers many skeletons in his client’s closets, and shockingly, in his own. Then he realizes he is being framed as the fall guy for a big crime. He doesn’t know who to trust, or how to get out of the horrible mess he finds himself
in.
I love mysteries and thrillers, especially legal ones. The author did a great job not giving the ending away, so the “one who did it” was unexpected, and he crafted a good story line. Despite this book being published by a Christian publisher, there wasn’t a faith message, or a Christian character in the story. Wonderfully, this is a clean tale, with no sex or profanity, along with lots of interesting characters. You will experience lots of twists and turns in this four-star book, and most likely, you will get a surprise ending.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of Fatal Trust through Bethany House Publishing for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal.
August 2, 2017
Fatal Trust is the latest novel from the imagination of Todd M. Johnson. It is a well written, fast paced legal thriller about a lawyer in Minneapolis. The author begins with the final scene in the drama but then leaves the reader hanging at the end of the chapter. He then jumps back in time to lay out the foundation for the story and continues to build the tension towards the climax.
The book is focused on Ian Wells, a young, ambitious Minneapolis attorney who is struggling with building his legal practice while also caring for his mother who has Alzheimer’s. As his stress is building, he is presented with a simple, but unique new case. A client asks him to evaluate whether three men qualify to receive the proceeds of a nine million dollar trust by determining if any have been involved in criminal activity during the past 20 years. Ian’s fee for a week of work will be $200,000.
While the job seems too good to be true, Ian wants to turn the offer down. However, he desperately needs the money. Along the way, he gets pulled into a mystery linking the trust funds to a spectacular unsolved crime in Minnesota history. Ian soon finds himself caught between his clients and the U. S. Attorney’s Office and his simple job is now threatening his life.
Outside of Ian’s legal assistant who sings “Amazing Grace” while she is scared or under stress, the book has no discernable Christian content. It is simply an enjoyable, entertaining story.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/betha.... The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
The book is focused on Ian Wells, a young, ambitious Minneapolis attorney who is struggling with building his legal practice while also caring for his mother who has Alzheimer’s. As his stress is building, he is presented with a simple, but unique new case. A client asks him to evaluate whether three men qualify to receive the proceeds of a nine million dollar trust by determining if any have been involved in criminal activity during the past 20 years. Ian’s fee for a week of work will be $200,000.
While the job seems too good to be true, Ian wants to turn the offer down. However, he desperately needs the money. Along the way, he gets pulled into a mystery linking the trust funds to a spectacular unsolved crime in Minnesota history. Ian soon finds himself caught between his clients and the U. S. Attorney’s Office and his simple job is now threatening his life.
Outside of Ian’s legal assistant who sings “Amazing Grace” while she is scared or under stress, the book has no discernable Christian content. It is simply an enjoyable, entertaining story.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/betha.... The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
August 12, 2017
What started out to be a simple trust disbursement for attorney, Ian Wells, turns out to be anything but simple. In fact it is proving to be deadly. He knew something was off when he was offered a fee of two hundred thousand dollars for a week’s work, but with his mother’s medical bills mounting from Alzheimers and struggling to take his law practice in a different direction, he reluctantly took the job only to be dragged into a crime from the prohibition era that was never solved, along with family secrets that turned his world upside down.
Hang on to your seat! This mystery has so many twists and turns it will certainly keep you sitting on the edge. Ian asked his friend, Brook at the US Attorney’s Office for help on a background investigation of his clients. When his law firm, Wells and Hoy came up in the background check, Ian’s childhood dreams came more often. He didn’t understand them, but knew somehow his family was deeply connected to that long-ago unsolved crime.
This book is not only filled with mystery and intrigue, but also with Ian’s journey of struggling with right and wrong and finally settling on righting a wrong.
Mr. Johnson has woven a fantastic mystery without explicit language. In my opinion it is an exceptionally well-written book that I would highly recommend. I am looking forward to reading more of Mr. Johnson’s work.
Disclaimer: I received this Book from the publisher, Bethany House, for free to read and review through the blogger review program. I was not required to give a favorable review only an honest review, nor was I compensated for my review. All thoughts and comments in this review are my own.
Hang on to your seat! This mystery has so many twists and turns it will certainly keep you sitting on the edge. Ian asked his friend, Brook at the US Attorney’s Office for help on a background investigation of his clients. When his law firm, Wells and Hoy came up in the background check, Ian’s childhood dreams came more often. He didn’t understand them, but knew somehow his family was deeply connected to that long-ago unsolved crime.
This book is not only filled with mystery and intrigue, but also with Ian’s journey of struggling with right and wrong and finally settling on righting a wrong.
Mr. Johnson has woven a fantastic mystery without explicit language. In my opinion it is an exceptionally well-written book that I would highly recommend. I am looking forward to reading more of Mr. Johnson’s work.
Disclaimer: I received this Book from the publisher, Bethany House, for free to read and review through the blogger review program. I was not required to give a favorable review only an honest review, nor was I compensated for my review. All thoughts and comments in this review are my own.
August 22, 2017
Ian is a young attorney with bills piling up at his law practice and a mother dealing with early Alzheimer’s. A new case involving a nine-million-dollar trust fund, and an incredibly high lawyer’s payout, may be just what Ian needs. But as the case pulls him into a mystery involving a major unsolved crime from decades ago, his career—and his life—are put on the line in Fatal Trust, a legal thriller by author Todd M. Johnson.
I’ll admit this is one of those times when it’s not easy for me to explain why I enjoyed a book as much as I ultimately did.
The story wasn’t a gripping page-turner for me, though it did pick up more than halfway through. I didn’t make much of a connection with the characters, and Ian bordered on being too weak to me, not knowing what to do with himself in various areas. (It was nice when he’d finally show a little fire, even if it stemmed from anger.) And while I appreciate twists in a thriller, this one almost started to feel too twisty. With such a mix of different schemes and characters’ motives coming to light, it was hard to maintain a sense of the purpose(s) of it all.
Nevertheless, the story was interesting enough to keep me curious, and, yes, I enjoyed seeing how it would turn out. Aside from its Christian publisher, I wasn’t sure why it’s Christian Fiction, but as the story ends with room for more problems, there’s room for a sequel. I find that sometimes the overall moral of a story isn’t contained in just one novel.
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Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
I’ll admit this is one of those times when it’s not easy for me to explain why I enjoyed a book as much as I ultimately did.
The story wasn’t a gripping page-turner for me, though it did pick up more than halfway through. I didn’t make much of a connection with the characters, and Ian bordered on being too weak to me, not knowing what to do with himself in various areas. (It was nice when he’d finally show a little fire, even if it stemmed from anger.) And while I appreciate twists in a thriller, this one almost started to feel too twisty. With such a mix of different schemes and characters’ motives coming to light, it was hard to maintain a sense of the purpose(s) of it all.
Nevertheless, the story was interesting enough to keep me curious, and, yes, I enjoyed seeing how it would turn out. Aside from its Christian publisher, I wasn’t sure why it’s Christian Fiction, but as the story ends with room for more problems, there’s room for a sequel. I find that sometimes the overall moral of a story isn’t contained in just one novel.
_______________
Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
August 30, 2017
This was a book that took me a while to read. Not because of layers upon layers of plots or because of the writing style, but it was more of an interest factor for me.
While I do like some legal thrillers, and this one does remind me quite a bit of a Grisham novel, there were technical issues that kept me from truly enjoying the novel. The flashbacks, told in memory format, were quite irritating. It would bog the story down. In my opinion, it could have been handled in a brief summary or through dialogue. But pages and pages of memory lane tended to become old and boring.
At one point of the book, a scene with a clerk was used to alert us to crisp, old money. Of course this wouldn't be a strange occurrence, but it seemed out of place. And even the following scene of the man spying on the clerk to gain the passwords. These scenes more thrown in and not developed. A portion to explain a why, which I think did matter.
The ploys used in the book were the same old routine used in other books and movies: set a file aside and forget it, narrowly missing running into a bad guy, bad cop-good cop routine, etc.
I think I was hoping for a fresher take on a legal thriller. While it may not have been the best story I read, it was an okay read and I'm sure there are many Grisham fans who would love to read this story.
***I was provided a copy from Bethany Publishers in exchange of an honest review***
While I do like some legal thrillers, and this one does remind me quite a bit of a Grisham novel, there were technical issues that kept me from truly enjoying the novel. The flashbacks, told in memory format, were quite irritating. It would bog the story down. In my opinion, it could have been handled in a brief summary or through dialogue. But pages and pages of memory lane tended to become old and boring.
At one point of the book, a scene with a clerk was used to alert us to crisp, old money. Of course this wouldn't be a strange occurrence, but it seemed out of place. And even the following scene of the man spying on the clerk to gain the passwords. These scenes more thrown in and not developed. A portion to explain a why, which I think did matter.
The ploys used in the book were the same old routine used in other books and movies: set a file aside and forget it, narrowly missing running into a bad guy, bad cop-good cop routine, etc.
I think I was hoping for a fresher take on a legal thriller. While it may not have been the best story I read, it was an okay read and I'm sure there are many Grisham fans who would love to read this story.
***I was provided a copy from Bethany Publishers in exchange of an honest review***
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