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Beach Lawyer #3
The Boardwalk Option
Attorney Robert Worth unreels a movieland murder as the Amazon Charts bestselling Beach Lawyer series continues.
When Robert Worth relocated his law practice to the Venice Beach boardwalk, he never thought he’d be cutting movie deals. But when his pal Reyes needs legal help with his film project, Robert agrees to look into it. The road to Hollywood fame takes a crooked turn after a potential billionaire backer turns up dead in his Brentwood mansion—and Reyes is arrested for first-degree murder.
Robert may not have any criminal-law experience, but with the help of his girlfriend, Gia, and his buddy Erik, a retired cop, he takes the case. He even zeroes in on the logical prime suspect. Appearances can be deceiving, however, in a city where the truth often ends up on the cutting room floor. It’ll take an aggressive lawyer with a fine-tuned BS detector to find the real killer in a sunlit town full of shady characters—unless his own death becomes the next Hollywood option.
When Robert Worth relocated his law practice to the Venice Beach boardwalk, he never thought he’d be cutting movie deals. But when his pal Reyes needs legal help with his film project, Robert agrees to look into it. The road to Hollywood fame takes a crooked turn after a potential billionaire backer turns up dead in his Brentwood mansion—and Reyes is arrested for first-degree murder.
Robert may not have any criminal-law experience, but with the help of his girlfriend, Gia, and his buddy Erik, a retired cop, he takes the case. He even zeroes in on the logical prime suspect. Appearances can be deceiving, however, in a city where the truth often ends up on the cutting room floor. It’ll take an aggressive lawyer with a fine-tuned BS detector to find the real killer in a sunlit town full of shady characters—unless his own death becomes the next Hollywood option.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2019
421 people are currently reading
915 people want to read
About the author
Avery Duff
3 books96 followersAvery Duff graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he earned his juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center. Returning home, he become a partner within five years with a Chattanooga law firm. He later moved to Los Angeles to become a screenwriter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 18, 2019
I won a kindle edition of this novel in a Goodreads Giveaway. While it is the third one in the series, it worked well as a standalone novel.
Our protagonist, Robert Worth, is no longer a lawyer with a large firm in California. Instead, he has now set up his law practice on the boardwalk in Venice Beach. The novel starts with a friend who has written and filmed part of a screenplay. His option has expired, but he is still having a contract problem. From there, the situation gets more involved. His friend is arrested for murder when a potential film backer is killed.
Robert, his girlfriend Gia, and his best friend Erik (a retired LAPD cop) work to find out the truth. While Robert's expertise is contract law, he certainly has the makings of a private detective and a criminal lawyer as well. The book is well-written with plenty of action, a charismatic main character, and a great assortment of supporting characters. There are multiple possible murderers that make for some great twists and turns.
Topics include murder, several legal issues, hedge funds, security issues of a variety of types, friendship, trust and so much more. Who really murdered the billionaire? Was it the screenwriter or the wife or one of several of the billionaire's acquaintances or someone else entirely? Will the contract issue be resolved? I recommend you read this murder mystery to find out.
Our protagonist, Robert Worth, is no longer a lawyer with a large firm in California. Instead, he has now set up his law practice on the boardwalk in Venice Beach. The novel starts with a friend who has written and filmed part of a screenplay. His option has expired, but he is still having a contract problem. From there, the situation gets more involved. His friend is arrested for murder when a potential film backer is killed.
Robert, his girlfriend Gia, and his best friend Erik (a retired LAPD cop) work to find out the truth. While Robert's expertise is contract law, he certainly has the makings of a private detective and a criminal lawyer as well. The book is well-written with plenty of action, a charismatic main character, and a great assortment of supporting characters. There are multiple possible murderers that make for some great twists and turns.
Topics include murder, several legal issues, hedge funds, security issues of a variety of types, friendship, trust and so much more. Who really murdered the billionaire? Was it the screenwriter or the wife or one of several of the billionaire's acquaintances or someone else entirely? Will the contract issue be resolved? I recommend you read this murder mystery to find out.
January 7, 2024
The last of a really good trilogy. Glad I read it. A unique lawyer unlike traditional attorneys.
May 11, 2019
Great book, with fantastic characters, plot and story. The dialogue sounds very real, and the book is easy to read with a clear timeline and not too many changes of perspective.
April 22, 2019
My third Beach Lawyer book and I have loved all three. At the beginning I was not so sure I would enjoy the book but by the end I thought it was a really well written book that flowed nicely. It starts with a dead body and one of the beach lawyer's friends is implicated. He then sets off the prove his friend innocent and uncover the conspiracy that lead to his friend being arrested. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you Netgalley, Avery Duff and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC for my honest review.
Thank you Netgalley, Avery Duff and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC for my honest review.
April 5, 2019
I got this as a arc e book for my i pad thru net galley. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. It is my first book read by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
May 23, 2019
Another action packed story about Robert Worth, beach lawyer. This time about a screen play and the people who option it and then want to keep the writer dangling just in case. The story takes the reader from the beach to a fancy party to seeing one of Robert’s best friends arrested for murder. Seems unlikely but the clues all point to Reyes. While Reyes is in jail awaiting arraignment, Robert gets to work to find out who really committed the murder. The story involves several characters, any one of whom could have been the murderer, but the actual killer is not revealed until the end. It is almost impossible to figure out why and who the murdered is and how all the connections get made. I enjoyed all three books and hope #4 doesn’t take a year to publish. This is a fast paced series and the writer’s skill is terrific. I listened on audible and the narrator, James Patrick Cronin, is also excellent. He has the skill to make his characters sound like who they are. Well done!
June 1, 2019
This is the third book in the beach lawyer series. I have read and enjoyed the entire series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review is my own opinion.
In this next 3rd installment of the series our attorney Robert Worth has established a new law practice in Venice Beach. His friend Reyes has asked him to do some legal work for a film. When Reyes is the prime suspect in a murder of a wealthy backer for the project Worth is determined to clear his friend , He ask for help where needed from his friends and soon he is on the trail of a cold blooded killer .
I enjoy this series for its base in LA and well rounded charcters . The author always has a interesting sleuth . i would recommend this book and look forward to the next in series.
In this next 3rd installment of the series our attorney Robert Worth has established a new law practice in Venice Beach. His friend Reyes has asked him to do some legal work for a film. When Reyes is the prime suspect in a murder of a wealthy backer for the project Worth is determined to clear his friend , He ask for help where needed from his friends and soon he is on the trail of a cold blooded killer .
I enjoy this series for its base in LA and well rounded charcters . The author always has a interesting sleuth . i would recommend this book and look forward to the next in series.
April 28, 2019
Robert's finally gone Hollywood! Not really. He's in Venice, still, but he's helping his friend Reyes, who is in the business when Reyes is arrested and charged with first degree murder. This is the third, and honestly the best, book in the series and don't worry if you haven't read the first two- you'll be fine. Robert's girlfriend Gia and his pal Erik investigate along with him but he's the real focus here. I'm a Gia fan. Thanks to Netgalley for the aRC. You'll get a little law, a little atmosphere, and a good readable mystery.
June 4, 2019
The Boardwalk Option, by Avery Duff, features a lawyer who has set up practice on the boardwalk. As a retired lawyer, I found this intriguing, as is the contract issue that triggers the plot’s action. Although the protagonist is a really good guy and a multidimensional character, this story quickly devolves into a typical murder investigation with an equally typical who “don it” mystery.
Although it will probably make a fun movie, I prefer more nuance and more character. This book was easy to read at the pool…easy to pick up and put down. However, I doubt either the story or characters will stay with me for very long. Nonetheless, I am quite sure many other readers will find it just the diversion they seek.
Although it will probably make a fun movie, I prefer more nuance and more character. This book was easy to read at the pool…easy to pick up and put down. However, I doubt either the story or characters will stay with me for very long. Nonetheless, I am quite sure many other readers will find it just the diversion they seek.
July 15, 2019
This was my third Beach Lawyer and found it the best to date. Robert Worth and Gia make a great team. With their ever confident investigator Erik, they are a hard bunch of individuals to beat.
After finishing this book I looked to see when we might see another and to my surprise, I learned that Mr. Duff had passed away this past January.
He was a great writer that was only getting better. I will miss his books and the Robert Worth saga that ended too soon as Avery Duff. My condolences to his family, friends and supporter's, which I can say now that I was one of.
After finishing this book I looked to see when we might see another and to my surprise, I learned that Mr. Duff had passed away this past January.
He was a great writer that was only getting better. I will miss his books and the Robert Worth saga that ended too soon as Avery Duff. My condolences to his family, friends and supporter's, which I can say now that I was one of.
May 30, 2020
Better than the first two!
Finally the author stopped trying to sound like a hip thirty year old player and stuck to telling a story. There was a minimum of trying to be cool language, legal terms, Film language and Spanish slang, unlike the last two. Instead he stuck to the story and plot. Not much of one, but definitely better paced and made more sense (for the most part) than the first two. Still too many characters who really serve no purpose. And the story seems to just run out of gas at the end. But it’s no horrible, unlike the first two books in the series.
Finally the author stopped trying to sound like a hip thirty year old player and stuck to telling a story. There was a minimum of trying to be cool language, legal terms, Film language and Spanish slang, unlike the last two. Instead he stuck to the story and plot. Not much of one, but definitely better paced and made more sense (for the most part) than the first two. Still too many characters who really serve no purpose. And the story seems to just run out of gas at the end. But it’s no horrible, unlike the first two books in the series.
September 16, 2020
I found this book difficult to start but I stuck with it and enjoyed it mostly. Coming from Scotland I have no hope of understanding what I imagine is street lingo of some sort which isn't clarified by the author. Seems strange to write a book this way which would narrow your reading audience somewhat.
I did read the first two books and don't remember my struggle understanding what was going on as I did with "Boardwalk Option".
However, it does indeed become a page turner when you get into it so not all bad although sadly this will be my last Avery Duff.
I did read the first two books and don't remember my struggle understanding what was going on as I did with "Boardwalk Option".
However, it does indeed become a page turner when you get into it so not all bad although sadly this will be my last Avery Duff.
September 16, 2021
Avery Duff has done a great job in The Boardwalk Option. It's about Robert Worth relocating his law practice to the Venice Beach boardwalk. He never thought he’d be cutting movie deals. But when his pal Reyes needs legal help with his film project, Robert agrees to look into it. The road to Hollywood fame takes a crooked turn after a potential billionaire backer turns up dead in his Brentwood mansion—and Reyes is arrested for first-degree murder.
The characters were very well developed and the storyline was easy to follow.
The characters were very well developed and the storyline was easy to follow.
April 30, 2019
The Boardwalk Option was a difficult read for me. I really wanted to like it, but I found myself putting it down after only reading a few pages. It did not grab my attention and suck me in. I think the street lingo/dialect slowed me down. That said, I can see that it will be quite popular with many readers. It simply did not resonate with me.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
May 14, 2019
Avery Duff kills it again!
Hats off Mr. Duff! Please don't stop at a trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed the Boardwalk Option. The plot is great. I think that the Beach Lawyer series could be a long term series. I hope so!👍👍👍👍👍
Hats off Mr. Duff! Please don't stop at a trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed the Boardwalk Option. The plot is great. I think that the Beach Lawyer series could be a long term series. I hope so!👍👍👍👍👍
May 1, 2020
Bad Option
First two books were enjoyable. Boardwalk Option is dreadful because I don't speak nor understand street lingo..gave up after 38%.
I even grew up in Santa Monica and couldn't relate to the banter and scene. UGH.
First two books were enjoyable. Boardwalk Option is dreadful because I don't speak nor understand street lingo..gave up after 38%.
I even grew up in Santa Monica and couldn't relate to the banter and scene. UGH.
May 11, 2021
So this is the 3rd installment in the beach lawyer series. I loved the 1st and 2nd one. I think the 3rd one could have been better. But I definitely enjoyed it. If you liked the first two, then yes read this too.
I love the characters, storyline, and the setup.
I love the characters, storyline, and the setup.
March 5, 2023
great promise
Loved first 2 books in this series. This one was disjointed and begged checking back several pages as it advanced. Still, the characters are loveable and beach stories always suck me in.
Loved first 2 books in this series. This one was disjointed and begged checking back several pages as it advanced. Still, the characters are loveable and beach stories always suck me in.
July 30, 2023
Sequels that get better are great
I anxiously await book for in the beach lawyer series. Just enough light-heartedness to keep me intrigued and plenty of twists and turns but not so many it's hard to keep up for a beach read.
I anxiously await book for in the beach lawyer series. Just enough light-heartedness to keep me intrigued and plenty of twists and turns but not so many it's hard to keep up for a beach read.
Read
May 1, 2024Don't want this story to end!
Loved the 3 books. Kept me constantly enttertained, just like a fun suspense movie does.
Great characters, I related to all of them and wanted to know what was coming but didn't want the story to end.
Hope they get made into movies.
Loved the 3 books. Kept me constantly enttertained, just like a fun suspense movie does.
Great characters, I related to all of them and wanted to know what was coming but didn't want the story to end.
Hope they get made into movies.
May 13, 2019
i was quite disappointed with this third "Beach Lawyer" book. It did not flow smoothly for me. It seemed Mr. Duff tried to hard to be "cool" and missed.
May 17, 2019
As usual
Book as usual didn't disappoint! Still love the main characters. The tale is woven we'll and I liked that I wasn't able to guess the ending.
Book as usual didn't disappoint! Still love the main characters. The tale is woven we'll and I liked that I wasn't able to guess the ending.
May 21, 2019
Getting better all the time
I was not disappointed with this latest Avery Duff book.
I can see it's time to retire this character now.
I was not disappointed with this latest Avery Duff book.
I can see it's time to retire this character now.
June 10, 2019
I hope he writes another book
June 15, 2019
Another Winner
Have now read all three books and loved them all. Characters are well liked and mostly believable. The story line will keep you guessing.
Have now read all three books and loved them all. Characters are well liked and mostly believable. The story line will keep you guessing.
June 16, 2019
The Boardwalk Option has enough twists and turns that many readers will be surprised by the ending of this book that is part serial killer thriller and part legal drama."
June 19, 2019
I love these books!
Third one I've read and every one is great, a quick exciting read with many loops and turns- perfect summer reading!
Third one I've read and every one is great, a quick exciting read with many loops and turns- perfect summer reading!
June 25, 2019
Love the series!
I like to get into the main characters in a book and this series fits the bill very well indeed!
I like to get into the main characters in a book and this series fits the bill very well indeed!
August 2, 2019
Good legal thriller. Lots of red herrings. It's an easy read and the setting is a boardwalk in Venice.
Read
October 9, 2019Good read
I have really enjoyed this series. Many twists and turns to hold your interest. I am looking forward to future books.
I have really enjoyed this series. Many twists and turns to hold your interest. I am looking forward to future books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews