Assume Guilt: A Matt Barlow Mystery

by Paul Lisnek

“Paul Lisnek hits all the right buttons in this story with a twist, which only a life-long Chicagoan can tell…and Paul does it VERY well. Bravo!” —Bill Kurtis, Journalist and Anchor, Decades Network With loyalty, family secrets, and death involved, Matt Barlow must discover the real facts. Attorney Matt Barlow vowed he’d never be part of a criminal case again, not after failing to save an innocent man from the death penalty. A jury consultant on civil cases, Matt doesn’t waver until… When Chicago’s top real estate developer and aspiring politician Charles Marchand is charged with the death of his wife, Sandra, loyalty to an old friend pushes Matt into signing on as the jury consultant for the defense. But the case is about much more than guilt or innocence. As Matt—and his staff—delve deeper into the evidence, they uncover information Marchand himself would just as soon stay buried, including the death of a college classmate that links him to the corrupt Leo Toland, Governor of Illinois. Before the truth and lies are untangled, Matt even finds himself secretly working with his half-brother, who just happens to be on the governor’s payroll.

192 pages, Hardcover

Published October 23, 2018

Reviews

[Jamie Lindemulder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline. It was interesting and I liked the ending, which had a really nice twist. The main character, Matt, is likeable and I thought it was cool that he had a dog (because I love dogs!).

There were a lot of characters (too many for my brain to sometimes keep up with) and I didn't really see the need for the secondary story of Potash Pharmaceuticals.

It was a good page turner, and I look forward to reading the other Paul Lisnek book I have on my TBR shelf ("Assume Treason").