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Law and Addiction
MIKE PAPANTONIO PULLS BACK THE CURTAIN ON AMERICA'S DEADLY OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN THIS SPELLBINDING THRILLER ABOUT GREED, CORRUPTION AND THE POWER OF PERSONAL CONVICTION.
One week before his law school graduation, Jake Rutledge is shattered. His fraternal twin, Blake, has died of a drug overdose. When Jake returns to his hometown of Oakley, West Virginia, he discovers that his brother was not the only person hooked on opioid painkillers. The entire region has been ravaged by an epidemic insidiously planned and carried out by one of America’s most powerful pharmaceutical companies.
Still wet behind the ears, Jake is determined to seek justice for all the victims of Big Pharma’s greed. He soon learns that the drug companies’ tentacles reach far and deep. His only hope is to get Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis to help. A partner at one of the country’s most powerful law firms, Deke’s “as tough as a two-dollar steak” and well-known for his winning tactics against corporate wrongdoers. With just enough persistence, Jake coaxes Deke to see Oakley’s devastation firsthand. Overwhelmed, Deke agrees to join forces with Jake.
And that’s when the real heat begins. Death threats, bribes, unlawful property seizure schemes – all are connected to the massive distribution of both legal and illegal drugs. Everyone is impacted, from the highest levels of corporate America to corrupt local officials to their lackeys and hapless victims. The complexity of the schemes is overwhelming.
Working tirelessly, the lawyers begin to uncover the truth. Along the way, Jake falls in love with Anna Fowler, a former homecoming queen who has succumbed to the power of opioids. With his support, she weans herself off the drugs. Hope begins to bloom — when suddenly, Jake disappears. As Deke undertakes a desperate search to find him, questions swirl. Has Jake abandoned Anna and his crusade? Can the case against the evildoers move forward without him? Will Oakley and its residents survive? Law and Addiction is real-life drama at its finest — a book that clears away the darkness page by page, spotlighting a profound truth about our society through expert storytelling.
Mike Papantonio is a truth-teller, a crusader who uses fiction to entertain and inform his readers about some of the most pressing issues of our time. In each of his thrillers, from Law And Disorder to Law And Vengeance, and now Law And Addiction, he lays bare the conspiracies and white-collar crimes that hurt ordinary Americans — and that are rarely covered by the national media.
A senior partner of Levin Papantonio, one of the country’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, Papantonio uses his own cases as springboards for his novels. He has aggressively taken on Big Pharma, tobacco, weapon manufacturer, and the automobile industry, among other bastions of corporate greed.
One of the youngest inductees into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, Papantonio is also a well- known media presence as host of America’s Lawyer on the RT America television network and co-host of the syndicated radio show Ring of Fire. A skilled musician and athlete, he is based in Pensacola, Florida.
One week before his law school graduation, Jake Rutledge is shattered. His fraternal twin, Blake, has died of a drug overdose. When Jake returns to his hometown of Oakley, West Virginia, he discovers that his brother was not the only person hooked on opioid painkillers. The entire region has been ravaged by an epidemic insidiously planned and carried out by one of America’s most powerful pharmaceutical companies.
Still wet behind the ears, Jake is determined to seek justice for all the victims of Big Pharma’s greed. He soon learns that the drug companies’ tentacles reach far and deep. His only hope is to get Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis to help. A partner at one of the country’s most powerful law firms, Deke’s “as tough as a two-dollar steak” and well-known for his winning tactics against corporate wrongdoers. With just enough persistence, Jake coaxes Deke to see Oakley’s devastation firsthand. Overwhelmed, Deke agrees to join forces with Jake.
And that’s when the real heat begins. Death threats, bribes, unlawful property seizure schemes – all are connected to the massive distribution of both legal and illegal drugs. Everyone is impacted, from the highest levels of corporate America to corrupt local officials to their lackeys and hapless victims. The complexity of the schemes is overwhelming.
Working tirelessly, the lawyers begin to uncover the truth. Along the way, Jake falls in love with Anna Fowler, a former homecoming queen who has succumbed to the power of opioids. With his support, she weans herself off the drugs. Hope begins to bloom — when suddenly, Jake disappears. As Deke undertakes a desperate search to find him, questions swirl. Has Jake abandoned Anna and his crusade? Can the case against the evildoers move forward without him? Will Oakley and its residents survive? Law and Addiction is real-life drama at its finest — a book that clears away the darkness page by page, spotlighting a profound truth about our society through expert storytelling.
Mike Papantonio is a truth-teller, a crusader who uses fiction to entertain and inform his readers about some of the most pressing issues of our time. In each of his thrillers, from Law And Disorder to Law And Vengeance, and now Law And Addiction, he lays bare the conspiracies and white-collar crimes that hurt ordinary Americans — and that are rarely covered by the national media.
A senior partner of Levin Papantonio, one of the country’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, Papantonio uses his own cases as springboards for his novels. He has aggressively taken on Big Pharma, tobacco, weapon manufacturer, and the automobile industry, among other bastions of corporate greed.
One of the youngest inductees into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, Papantonio is also a well- known media presence as host of America’s Lawyer on the RT America television network and co-host of the syndicated radio show Ring of Fire. A skilled musician and athlete, he is based in Pensacola, Florida.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2019
18 people are currently reading
2354 people want to read
About the author
Mike Papantonio
13 books155 followersMIKE PAPANTONIO is an American trial lawyer, television presenter, radio talk show host, and author. He is a senior partner with Levin Papantonio, one of America’s largest plaintiffs’ law firms, and was one of the youngest inductees into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. He has aggressively taken on Big Pharma, tobacco, corporate polluters, and weapons manufacturers, among other bastions of corporate greed, and uses his own cases as springboards for his seven-book series of legal thrillers featuring Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis.
Mike was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Jesus Camp (2006) and in the award-winning documentary Oxy Kingpins (2021), about how a network of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers worked together to orchestrate and perpetuate the opioid crisis that has killed over half a million people in America. He was also featured in The Devil We Know (2018), which highlighted the dangers of DuPont’s man-made chemical C8 and was adapted into the Hollywood blockbuster film Dark Waters (2019), starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins. And he was a key figure in Beyond Pollution (2012), regarding the truth behind the largest man-made natural disaster in history, the BP Oil Spill.
Mike’s most recent legal thriller is A Death in Arcadia, inspired by the infamous Dozier School for Boys. It will be published in March 2026.
Mike was featured in the Academy Award-nominated documentary Jesus Camp (2006) and in the award-winning documentary Oxy Kingpins (2021), about how a network of pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and retailers worked together to orchestrate and perpetuate the opioid crisis that has killed over half a million people in America. He was also featured in The Devil We Know (2018), which highlighted the dangers of DuPont’s man-made chemical C8 and was adapted into the Hollywood blockbuster film Dark Waters (2019), starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, and Tim Robbins. And he was a key figure in Beyond Pollution (2012), regarding the truth behind the largest man-made natural disaster in history, the BP Oil Spill.
Mike’s most recent legal thriller is A Death in Arcadia, inspired by the infamous Dozier School for Boys. It will be published in March 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 7, 2020
Law and Addiction by Mike Papantonio is a unique read that dives into the corruption of the opioid epidemic.
Through the eyes of an attorney, we see the world falling apart due to the extreme decisions about wildly corrosive medication. The opioid epidemic is a truly interesting topic to talk about in a book. Everyone knows about it yet it is somehow a very touchy topic. Almost everyone I know is aware of someone who suffers from addictions, normally due to opioids. Having a book address these issues and dive into such a sensitive topic was truly intriguing.
All Jake wants is for someone to pay for the loss of his brother, and he goes to extreme lengths to reach this goal. This book takes a unique look at the problem, through the legal side of things. The book moves fast, it has twists and turns to keep you hooked and it really makes you think. When you sue big pharma companies, life isn't going to be easy for you. The dynamics that go on behind the scenes is wild and scary and thrilling.
I will admit that this is not my typical go to book. I like reaching out and taking chances with books that don't fit into my normal romance, YA and children's novel explorations. This book was a real treat! I didn't enjoy it as much as I would if I liked this genre. I can only imagine a fan of crime thrillers getting their hands on this book because they will be totally enchanted by it. Mike has a fulfilling writing style that really makes you think.
My biggest highlight of the book was the term "Zombieland". My city has an opioid problem and it does indeed feel like you are in Zombieland if you come across certain individuals. It's scary, and everyone has had the same idea as Jake. If only someone would go after the big pharma companies that don't try to help the problem. But that's ethics and greed for you. Ethics doesn't always win.
Overall, this book felt very real, really intense and totally brutal. It's thrilling and addicting and deals with real problems. I truly respect Mike Papantonio for writing this book. It's a real gem!
Four out of five stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
Through the eyes of an attorney, we see the world falling apart due to the extreme decisions about wildly corrosive medication. The opioid epidemic is a truly interesting topic to talk about in a book. Everyone knows about it yet it is somehow a very touchy topic. Almost everyone I know is aware of someone who suffers from addictions, normally due to opioids. Having a book address these issues and dive into such a sensitive topic was truly intriguing.
All Jake wants is for someone to pay for the loss of his brother, and he goes to extreme lengths to reach this goal. This book takes a unique look at the problem, through the legal side of things. The book moves fast, it has twists and turns to keep you hooked and it really makes you think. When you sue big pharma companies, life isn't going to be easy for you. The dynamics that go on behind the scenes is wild and scary and thrilling.
I will admit that this is not my typical go to book. I like reaching out and taking chances with books that don't fit into my normal romance, YA and children's novel explorations. This book was a real treat! I didn't enjoy it as much as I would if I liked this genre. I can only imagine a fan of crime thrillers getting their hands on this book because they will be totally enchanted by it. Mike has a fulfilling writing style that really makes you think.
My biggest highlight of the book was the term "Zombieland". My city has an opioid problem and it does indeed feel like you are in Zombieland if you come across certain individuals. It's scary, and everyone has had the same idea as Jake. If only someone would go after the big pharma companies that don't try to help the problem. But that's ethics and greed for you. Ethics doesn't always win.
Overall, this book felt very real, really intense and totally brutal. It's thrilling and addicting and deals with real problems. I truly respect Mike Papantonio for writing this book. It's a real gem!
Four out of five stars!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
July 29, 2019
Mike Papantonion has done an excellent job in showing how greed and corruption can be carried to such an extreme that bodies are falling by the thousands and towns are dying because of it. Truly horrifying!
Let;s look at it through an attorney’s eye…though it is fiction, I feel Mike Papantonio shares a lot of himself in Law and Addiction.
I am not going to get on a pedestal and rant, but I do not think the media has done a good enough job of covering this epidemic that the United States is facing today. I had heard of it, but kinda shrugged it off, thinking….it would never affect me. Thank goodness it hasn’t, directly, but as I read Law and Addiction so many things were brought to light that I couldn’t just shrug it off any longer. I feel everyone would benefit from reading this and be aware…companies and the government are not always there to help you. It is up to YOU to stay educated and aware of the things going on around you.
Now…to the fiction…we have to have a character, a good guy that has no idea what he is getting into when he tries to make the culprits responsible for his brother’s overdose pay. I love how Jake showed no fear, no hesitation, believing all things are possible. He doesn’t know what he’s in for and that’s a good thing, because he might have stopped before he ever started if he knew what was up ahead.
Mike Papantonio does a good job of showing the process…the legalities…the paper mountains…the brick walls…and the determination and patience necessary to take on Goliath, the ‘American drug cartel’ and ride the Oxy Express (I-75). There is a side story that comes about and more criminals are waiting for their moment to rear their greedy, ugly heads and take advantage of those less fortunate.
Everything really amped up from Chapter 33 on. Blurry, tear filled eyes were happening and I was surprised at that…ya know, this is a legal thriller, not the romantic suspense that I devour. But, it is not dry and boring. It is not all bad and sad, even though Jake is put through hell and I didn’t know if he would make it or not. The characters grow as individuals and as a group, making a family, of sorts. It is not all gloom and doom, we do have some smiles and laughs, love and romance, along the way. All the things necessary for a well rounded life in the thriller world. Law and Addiction read like a true story…even the far fetched parts were plausible.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Law and Addiction by Mike Papantonio.
See more at fundinmental
Let;s look at it through an attorney’s eye…though it is fiction, I feel Mike Papantonio shares a lot of himself in Law and Addiction.
I am not going to get on a pedestal and rant, but I do not think the media has done a good enough job of covering this epidemic that the United States is facing today. I had heard of it, but kinda shrugged it off, thinking….it would never affect me. Thank goodness it hasn’t, directly, but as I read Law and Addiction so many things were brought to light that I couldn’t just shrug it off any longer. I feel everyone would benefit from reading this and be aware…companies and the government are not always there to help you. It is up to YOU to stay educated and aware of the things going on around you.
Now…to the fiction…we have to have a character, a good guy that has no idea what he is getting into when he tries to make the culprits responsible for his brother’s overdose pay. I love how Jake showed no fear, no hesitation, believing all things are possible. He doesn’t know what he’s in for and that’s a good thing, because he might have stopped before he ever started if he knew what was up ahead.
Mike Papantonio does a good job of showing the process…the legalities…the paper mountains…the brick walls…and the determination and patience necessary to take on Goliath, the ‘American drug cartel’ and ride the Oxy Express (I-75). There is a side story that comes about and more criminals are waiting for their moment to rear their greedy, ugly heads and take advantage of those less fortunate.
Everything really amped up from Chapter 33 on. Blurry, tear filled eyes were happening and I was surprised at that…ya know, this is a legal thriller, not the romantic suspense that I devour. But, it is not dry and boring. It is not all bad and sad, even though Jake is put through hell and I didn’t know if he would make it or not. The characters grow as individuals and as a group, making a family, of sorts. It is not all gloom and doom, we do have some smiles and laughs, love and romance, along the way. All the things necessary for a well rounded life in the thriller world. Law and Addiction read like a true story…even the far fetched parts were plausible.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Law and Addiction by Mike Papantonio.
See more at fundinmental
May 10, 2019
Opioid addiction has become a national crisis! More cases of overdose fill the news on a weekly basis. Police regularly carry and administer Narcan for overdosing addicts. Meanwhile, as Mike Papantonio has so carefully and deftly delineated in this fictional account of reality, attempts to deal with the problem on a local and national basis continue, attempts to stem a raging flood of addiction and death.
Jake Rutledge is a new lawyer who lost his twin brother to this horrifying disease. Jake and Blake had a favorite term they used with each other about having each other’s back. Now Jake is determined to carry out his promise because of his grievous loss. Having no money and no connections isn’t exactly a wild card in legally pursuing the sources and markets that are part of the mass distribution system of selling opioids. However, Jake’s got guts and high-caliber intelligence to get his search going. So he begins by suing two companies that sell massive amounts of drugs to little known small towns in and around what is known as “Zombieland.”
He then connects to a highly successful lawyer with a dynamic record of experience in suing Fortune 500 companies. They begin by suing companies who have made a killing (literally and figuratively) in West Virginia and Ohio. Readers will be riveted to the course of each court phase and the wiliness of Jake and Deke, his attorney second chair, in challenging big shot attorneys.
Readers, however, won’t be ready for the methods used to suppress and then shut Jake up. No spoilers here. Suffice to say, Jake meets Blake’s former girlfriend who is now addicted to Oxycontin and helps her through her gritty efforts to withdraw from her addiction. He himself is about to undergo empathic thoughts and feelings after hoodlum attempts to bribe his efforts fail.
The reader also meets several characters who deal and distribute drugs, individuals who are caught innocently in the dragon net of illegality and can’t get out to survive!
All in all, the reader can anticipate the ending but that’s only after brutality and other machinations have all failed to stymie Jake’s efforts. Mike Papantonio has penned a necessary legal thriller that everyone should read. The question readers are left with is “Where do we go from here?” Highly recommended contemporary fiction!
Jake Rutledge is a new lawyer who lost his twin brother to this horrifying disease. Jake and Blake had a favorite term they used with each other about having each other’s back. Now Jake is determined to carry out his promise because of his grievous loss. Having no money and no connections isn’t exactly a wild card in legally pursuing the sources and markets that are part of the mass distribution system of selling opioids. However, Jake’s got guts and high-caliber intelligence to get his search going. So he begins by suing two companies that sell massive amounts of drugs to little known small towns in and around what is known as “Zombieland.”
He then connects to a highly successful lawyer with a dynamic record of experience in suing Fortune 500 companies. They begin by suing companies who have made a killing (literally and figuratively) in West Virginia and Ohio. Readers will be riveted to the course of each court phase and the wiliness of Jake and Deke, his attorney second chair, in challenging big shot attorneys.
Readers, however, won’t be ready for the methods used to suppress and then shut Jake up. No spoilers here. Suffice to say, Jake meets Blake’s former girlfriend who is now addicted to Oxycontin and helps her through her gritty efforts to withdraw from her addiction. He himself is about to undergo empathic thoughts and feelings after hoodlum attempts to bribe his efforts fail.
The reader also meets several characters who deal and distribute drugs, individuals who are caught innocently in the dragon net of illegality and can’t get out to survive!
All in all, the reader can anticipate the ending but that’s only after brutality and other machinations have all failed to stymie Jake’s efforts. Mike Papantonio has penned a necessary legal thriller that everyone should read. The question readers are left with is “Where do we go from here?” Highly recommended contemporary fiction!
March 9, 2019
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Law and Addiction” by Mike Papantoino, Waterside Productions, April 2019.
WOW! WOW! Kudos to Mike Papantonio, Author of “Law and Addiction” (A Legal Thriller) for writing such a captivating, intriguing, enthralling, suspenseful, page-turning, riveting, unpredictable and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this novel are Legal Thriller, Suspense and Mystery and Fiction. Mike Papantonio is a well-known attorney that has helped fight major legal battles with high-powered corporations. His fictional characters and story are based on many of his court cases. The author describes his dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, and motivated. The time-line of the story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the cast or events .
Jake Rutlege come home from graduating law school to go to the cemetery to visit his twin brother who had died from an overdose of drugs the week before. Jake notices how the town has deteriorated, and is made aware of the Opioid crisis in the area. Jake is determined, as the “little guy” to go after the people responsible for this. He partners with his former Law teacher, and another attorney to fight this.
Little does Jake the dangers that await him. There is corruption in law enforcement, blackmail, kidnapping and more deaths from drug use. There are twists and turns, and ups and downs. Many things in this story are unpredictable and frightening. What is so thought-provoking is that there really is a drug problem in America!! Major corporations make a tremendous amount of money.
I couldn’t put this book down. Many things seem so shocking. I would highly recommend this legal thriller for those readers who enjoy a high-packed action packed thriller that leaves you thinking. I received an ARC of this book.
Edit
WOW! WOW! Kudos to Mike Papantonio, Author of “Law and Addiction” (A Legal Thriller) for writing such a captivating, intriguing, enthralling, suspenseful, page-turning, riveting, unpredictable and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this novel are Legal Thriller, Suspense and Mystery and Fiction. Mike Papantonio is a well-known attorney that has helped fight major legal battles with high-powered corporations. His fictional characters and story are based on many of his court cases. The author describes his dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, and motivated. The time-line of the story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the cast or events .
Jake Rutlege come home from graduating law school to go to the cemetery to visit his twin brother who had died from an overdose of drugs the week before. Jake notices how the town has deteriorated, and is made aware of the Opioid crisis in the area. Jake is determined, as the “little guy” to go after the people responsible for this. He partners with his former Law teacher, and another attorney to fight this.
Little does Jake the dangers that await him. There is corruption in law enforcement, blackmail, kidnapping and more deaths from drug use. There are twists and turns, and ups and downs. Many things in this story are unpredictable and frightening. What is so thought-provoking is that there really is a drug problem in America!! Major corporations make a tremendous amount of money.
I couldn’t put this book down. Many things seem so shocking. I would highly recommend this legal thriller for those readers who enjoy a high-packed action packed thriller that leaves you thinking. I received an ARC of this book.
Edit
November 26, 2019
I have to say the publishers blurb really says it all so that makes it a bit difficult to review.
However, here goes…...Jake is a lawyer who’s brother was addicted to opioid medication and dies as a result. Jake decides to sue two pharma companies who market the drugs to highlight the extent of the problem ravaging the country.
Obviously they are not happy with this and do everything they can to ‘persuade’ him to drop the case.
This is a truly chilling legal thriller due to its subject matter, the opioid crisis is not going away…..so who should be brought to account?. This is a tale of greed, corruption and heartbreak. Gripping and scary in its reality.
Thank you to Michelle at FSB Associates for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
However, here goes…...Jake is a lawyer who’s brother was addicted to opioid medication and dies as a result. Jake decides to sue two pharma companies who market the drugs to highlight the extent of the problem ravaging the country.
Obviously they are not happy with this and do everything they can to ‘persuade’ him to drop the case.
This is a truly chilling legal thriller due to its subject matter, the opioid crisis is not going away…..so who should be brought to account?. This is a tale of greed, corruption and heartbreak. Gripping and scary in its reality.
Thank you to Michelle at FSB Associates for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
July 11, 2019
Thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for the free copy in exchange for my honest review
This was my introduction to Papantonio and I had heard nothing but great things before picking up LAW AND ADDICTION. I’m going to start out by saying that the author’s knowledge and experience in this field is very evident. I love picking up fiction that has topics that the author is well-versed in or has worked in the field they’re writing about. That gives the book a very authentic feel.
The opioid problem in the US isn’t slowing down. You see more and more cases of overdose in the news – or in some cases you know someone that has overdosed (I know a couple people that struggled with opioid addiction). I’m an avid watcher of Drugs, Inc. and Intervention and it’s something so prevalent in our society today. When new up-and-coming lawyer Jake takes on the big pharmaceutical companies, he crosses paths with Deke, an incredibly successful lawyer known for suing huge Fortune 500 companies. After seeing the devastation the opioid crisis has had in Oakley (an area also known as Zombieland).
The author takes us on a gritty and twisty ride with this legal thriller. We get to see both sides of the opioid crisis in the country. Jake will have to battle his way through blackmail, threats, corrupt law enforcement, kidnapping, and all while he is coming to terms with is twin brother’s death from an overdose. I would highly recommend this to those that love a good legal thriller or to those interested in the drug crisis that is sweeping the nation. I will definitely be going back to pick up Papantonio’s other books!
This was my introduction to Papantonio and I had heard nothing but great things before picking up LAW AND ADDICTION. I’m going to start out by saying that the author’s knowledge and experience in this field is very evident. I love picking up fiction that has topics that the author is well-versed in or has worked in the field they’re writing about. That gives the book a very authentic feel.
The opioid problem in the US isn’t slowing down. You see more and more cases of overdose in the news – or in some cases you know someone that has overdosed (I know a couple people that struggled with opioid addiction). I’m an avid watcher of Drugs, Inc. and Intervention and it’s something so prevalent in our society today. When new up-and-coming lawyer Jake takes on the big pharmaceutical companies, he crosses paths with Deke, an incredibly successful lawyer known for suing huge Fortune 500 companies. After seeing the devastation the opioid crisis has had in Oakley (an area also known as Zombieland).
The author takes us on a gritty and twisty ride with this legal thriller. We get to see both sides of the opioid crisis in the country. Jake will have to battle his way through blackmail, threats, corrupt law enforcement, kidnapping, and all while he is coming to terms with is twin brother’s death from an overdose. I would highly recommend this to those that love a good legal thriller or to those interested in the drug crisis that is sweeping the nation. I will definitely be going back to pick up Papantonio’s other books!
May 8, 2019
Sometimes I get to a point where I feel bogged down in a certain genre and need a change. That is when a Suspense/Mystery/Thriller is always my go-to. I feel like they make me think and help get my mind off of things more than any other genre.
What would you do if someone who was your other half dies and the circumstances surrounding their death just don't make sense?
There is a great balance between the characters, their life, and the suspense/thriller aspect. I loved being about to understand Jake's connection to Blake and his unwavering focus on finding the truth.
The plot was fast paced and flowed smoothly and the characters were those who I really liked reading about. They were interesting and compelling.
What would you do if someone who was your other half dies and the circumstances surrounding their death just don't make sense?
There is a great balance between the characters, their life, and the suspense/thriller aspect. I loved being about to understand Jake's connection to Blake and his unwavering focus on finding the truth.
The plot was fast paced and flowed smoothly and the characters were those who I really liked reading about. They were interesting and compelling.
Read
August 5, 2019I was interested in reading Law and Addiction because I work in a town that has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. Every week I read the local paper purely for the police blotter. In between the entertaining tales of some really stupid criminals there is report after report of officers treating overdoses. I find it interesting to see how many dose of naloxone they need for each person. The record I've seen so far is 14 doses. (That person then woke up and refused all other medical treatment.) So when this book describes the cost to towns of treating all these addicts and overdoses I understand what it is talking about.
I've also had a few people bring their dogs in who they claim are on mega doses of tramadol for their arthritis. Usually an in-depth conversation about alternatives to controlled medication and a discussion of the dispensing schedule we will have them on to make sure they aren't getting too many means we never see those people again.
In the middle of reading this book I actually had to put it down to go pick up some opiates from a pharmacy. The husband had had surgery and was prescribed opiates even though it was fairly minor. He took some prescription NSAIDS and iced the area and did well. Opiates were a bit of overkill in this instance. (He asked how we were going to get rid of them. I said I'd take them to work. He slowly questioned again, "What are you going to do with them?" Yeah, he knows the town I work in. "Getting rid of them" there can be interpreted a few ways. For the record, I am going to put them in the Drug Destroyer solution.)
On the other hand, my doctor side comes out and I don't really want more regulation on access to them by doctors for people (and animals) who really need them. They have a place in medical care. Proper dosing and monitoring are the key.
Down the street from my house there is a place with a chalkboard in the front lawn with a running total of people who died from overdose in the city since they started keeping count. I think they are in the 600s.
All of that means that I can relate to the setting for this story. Jake is a new lawyer who has lost his twin brother to an overdose. He decides to try to get local governments to let him sue pharmacy companies on their behalf for the cost of treating the addiction crisis.
The book does a good job explaining the various causes and effects of the problem. Some of them I hadn't thought of before. I hadn't tied together economic collapse due to decreased business in affected communities with the ability for other people to buy up real estate cheaply potentially leading to gentrification and large profits.
A lot of this book consists of lawyers sitting around and discussing how they are going to build their case. It is a lot of exposition. That is interesting if you want to see how people put these kinds of large cases together. It is also how you get the information about how opiates came into these towns and what it causes. I think this book works as an educational piece but it doesn't really work as a thriller for me. There is a bit of mystery but it never really gets intense and "can't put it down." Use this as primer on opiate addiction and the economic effect on towns more than a nail biting story.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
December 6, 2019
Law and Addiction was an incredibly powerful, thought provoking novel. I was pulled right in from Chapter One and could not put it down. I felt a range of emotions throughout the novel, anger, compassion, hurt – but definitely a lot of anger.
The story begins with the death of Blake, Jake’s fraternal twin from an overdose. Jake, who was just finishing law school, is shattered as he never saw the signs of addiction in his brother. He is left wondering how did this happen, could he have done more, should he have seen the signs and so many more emotions. His hometown has been ravaged by opioids – people he has known his whole life are struggling with addiction. The town has quickly become a ‘zombie land’, where there is no hope, poverty and the citizens are feeling the physical and mental damage from opioids. The book really brings home that addiction is not always what you believe it is – any one can suffer from addiction and we need to pull apart the stigma of addiction, so that they can receive help.
Jake (like so many of us), feels anger – anger for his brother and the people of this town. But when he starts to do some digging, the facts that he finds is astonishing and he knows that he wants to make a difference, to ensure that no one suffers the loss he felt. He is prepared to go to war with the pharmaceutical companies to ensure that this is stopped.
As he begins his lawsuit (with the help of two other lawyers) against the pharmacy companies, the story really speeds up. We uncover bribes, death threats, illegal distribution and the list goes on. The story has so many working parts but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, you realize how far people will go for financial gain and corporate greed. It leaves you feeling disappointed with people but with some hope that there are still good people out there fighting for the rights and protection of all people.
This is an amazing novel from start to finish – a definite must read novel. The plot was fantastic – not what I was expecting but incredible all the same. It was educational but entertaining, but definitely leaves you with a lot of food for thought.
The story begins with the death of Blake, Jake’s fraternal twin from an overdose. Jake, who was just finishing law school, is shattered as he never saw the signs of addiction in his brother. He is left wondering how did this happen, could he have done more, should he have seen the signs and so many more emotions. His hometown has been ravaged by opioids – people he has known his whole life are struggling with addiction. The town has quickly become a ‘zombie land’, where there is no hope, poverty and the citizens are feeling the physical and mental damage from opioids. The book really brings home that addiction is not always what you believe it is – any one can suffer from addiction and we need to pull apart the stigma of addiction, so that they can receive help.
Jake (like so many of us), feels anger – anger for his brother and the people of this town. But when he starts to do some digging, the facts that he finds is astonishing and he knows that he wants to make a difference, to ensure that no one suffers the loss he felt. He is prepared to go to war with the pharmaceutical companies to ensure that this is stopped.
As he begins his lawsuit (with the help of two other lawyers) against the pharmacy companies, the story really speeds up. We uncover bribes, death threats, illegal distribution and the list goes on. The story has so many working parts but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, you realize how far people will go for financial gain and corporate greed. It leaves you feeling disappointed with people but with some hope that there are still good people out there fighting for the rights and protection of all people.
This is an amazing novel from start to finish – a definite must read novel. The plot was fantastic – not what I was expecting but incredible all the same. It was educational but entertaining, but definitely leaves you with a lot of food for thought.
January 28, 2023
A little slow, bumpy, uneven, particularly at the outset, the book could benefit from addressing this. But it gathers speed as it goes. And has the advantage of a true trial lawyer as author, or co-writer.
Add to that the importance of the topic. Opioid addiction in America, the complicity of the pharmacy industry, the inability of law enforcement to solve it. And how it fades into illegal rings, then the cartels, and the fentanyl crisis (the reader’s knowledge suggests the last, but the transition is well hinted at).
Fiction offered a way into the subject, and aligned with some of what I saw as a country lawyer, and with the death of two I still miss.
Add to that the importance of the topic. Opioid addiction in America, the complicity of the pharmacy industry, the inability of law enforcement to solve it. And how it fades into illegal rings, then the cartels, and the fentanyl crisis (the reader’s knowledge suggests the last, but the transition is well hinted at).
Fiction offered a way into the subject, and aligned with some of what I saw as a country lawyer, and with the death of two I still miss.
September 13, 2019
Read my full review here: https://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot....
Lots of books are advertised as “torn from today’s headlines.” But Law and Addiction actually is.
Here is the summary:
“One week before Jake Rutledge is scheduled to graduate from law school, he receives the devastating news of the death of his fraternal twin, Blake. What makes this death even more terrible for Jake is that his brother died of a drug overdose. Until hearing of his death, Jake had no idea his brother was even using drugs.
When Jake returns home to Oakley, West Virginia, he takes a hard look at the circumstances of his brother's death. In the five years Jake has been away for his schooling, his hometown has drastically changed. Because of the opioid epidemic and the blight it has brought, many now call Oakley "Zombieland". Jake can see how his town's demise parallels his brother's.
Undeterred, the newly minted lawyer takes on the entrenched powers by filing two lawsuits. Jake quickly learns what happens when you upset a hornet's nest. The young attorney might be wet behind the ears, but he is sure there is no lawyer that could help him more than Nick "Deke" Deketomis and his law firm of Bergman/Deketomis. Deke is a legendary lawyer. When he was Jake's age he was making his name fighting Big Tobacco. Against all odds, Jake gets Nick and his firm to sign on to his case before it's too late.”
Jake is an appealing protagonist. He is modest, unassuming, and trusting. He is willing to accept the advise from Deke Deketomis, the lawyer who has appeared in Papantonio’s other novels, Law and Disorder and Law and Vengeance. Jake is also ambitious, because of his willingness to take on the “Big Three” drug companies while at the same time taking on a smaller local case for his high school “crush.” Jake soon realizes that the role of the lawyer is essential in cases such as these. “What was rarely acknowledged was the unofficial oversight role that was increasingly filled by lawyers, Without the potential threat of legal action, important checks and balances wouldn’t exist, especially in light of increasingly lax government oversight.”
My feelings about the plotline, the characters, and the writing is similar to that of the Publisher’s Weekly reviewer: “Readers, however, will have to look past wooden characters, the stilted dialogue, and the statistical information dumps to get to the novel’s well-intentioned core. Papantonio makes a passionate if clumsy case for the need to do more to fight opioid addiction.”
It is certainly a timely book. Just yesterday, the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy was front page news as word that the Sakler family, owners of the largest manufacturer of opioids, had raided the company coffers when they realized that the company was going down. And in Sunday’s New York Times, Nicholas Kristoff had a heartbreaking editorial about babies in West Virginia who are born addicted. Fourteen percent of babies born in West Virginia are born exposed to drugs and another five percent more are exposed to alcohol—that’s about 20 percent of all babies born in that state.
Papantonio was on the cover of the July 1 issue of Publisher’s Weekly. He is certainly carving a niche for himself in the legal procedural genre.
Lots of books are advertised as “torn from today’s headlines.” But Law and Addiction actually is.
Here is the summary:
“One week before Jake Rutledge is scheduled to graduate from law school, he receives the devastating news of the death of his fraternal twin, Blake. What makes this death even more terrible for Jake is that his brother died of a drug overdose. Until hearing of his death, Jake had no idea his brother was even using drugs.
When Jake returns home to Oakley, West Virginia, he takes a hard look at the circumstances of his brother's death. In the five years Jake has been away for his schooling, his hometown has drastically changed. Because of the opioid epidemic and the blight it has brought, many now call Oakley "Zombieland". Jake can see how his town's demise parallels his brother's.
Undeterred, the newly minted lawyer takes on the entrenched powers by filing two lawsuits. Jake quickly learns what happens when you upset a hornet's nest. The young attorney might be wet behind the ears, but he is sure there is no lawyer that could help him more than Nick "Deke" Deketomis and his law firm of Bergman/Deketomis. Deke is a legendary lawyer. When he was Jake's age he was making his name fighting Big Tobacco. Against all odds, Jake gets Nick and his firm to sign on to his case before it's too late.”
Jake is an appealing protagonist. He is modest, unassuming, and trusting. He is willing to accept the advise from Deke Deketomis, the lawyer who has appeared in Papantonio’s other novels, Law and Disorder and Law and Vengeance. Jake is also ambitious, because of his willingness to take on the “Big Three” drug companies while at the same time taking on a smaller local case for his high school “crush.” Jake soon realizes that the role of the lawyer is essential in cases such as these. “What was rarely acknowledged was the unofficial oversight role that was increasingly filled by lawyers, Without the potential threat of legal action, important checks and balances wouldn’t exist, especially in light of increasingly lax government oversight.”
My feelings about the plotline, the characters, and the writing is similar to that of the Publisher’s Weekly reviewer: “Readers, however, will have to look past wooden characters, the stilted dialogue, and the statistical information dumps to get to the novel’s well-intentioned core. Papantonio makes a passionate if clumsy case for the need to do more to fight opioid addiction.”
It is certainly a timely book. Just yesterday, the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy was front page news as word that the Sakler family, owners of the largest manufacturer of opioids, had raided the company coffers when they realized that the company was going down. And in Sunday’s New York Times, Nicholas Kristoff had a heartbreaking editorial about babies in West Virginia who are born addicted. Fourteen percent of babies born in West Virginia are born exposed to drugs and another five percent more are exposed to alcohol—that’s about 20 percent of all babies born in that state.
Papantonio was on the cover of the July 1 issue of Publisher’s Weekly. He is certainly carving a niche for himself in the legal procedural genre.
December 13, 2019
have to say the publishers blurb really says it all so that makes it a bit difficult to review.
However, here goes…...Jake is a lawyer who’s brother was addicted to opioid medication and dies as a result. Jake decides to sue two pharma companies who market the drugs to highlight the extent of the problem ravaging the country.
Obviously they are not happy with this and do everything they can to ‘persuade’ him to drop the case.
This is a truly chilling legal thriller due to its subject matter, the opioid crisis is not going away…..so who should be brought to account?. This is a tale of greed, corruption and heartbreak. Gripping and scary in its reality.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
However, here goes…...Jake is a lawyer who’s brother was addicted to opioid medication and dies as a result. Jake decides to sue two pharma companies who market the drugs to highlight the extent of the problem ravaging the country.
Obviously they are not happy with this and do everything they can to ‘persuade’ him to drop the case.
This is a truly chilling legal thriller due to its subject matter, the opioid crisis is not going away…..so who should be brought to account?. This is a tale of greed, corruption and heartbreak. Gripping and scary in its reality.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.
May 27, 2019
The opioid crisis has been on the nation’s radar in the last several years, and Mike Papantonio, a longtime and prolific trial attorney as well as author of his third novel, Law and Addiction, takes on the escalating diverted prescription drug problem in fiction form with a well-researched, well-documented, and entertaining thriller.
Newly graduated attorney Jake Rutledge loses his twin brother to an opioid overdose. When Jake returns to their small West Virginia hometown, he’s surprised by how economically depressed the town is as well as how many openly addicted people reside there. Jake vows to take on the companies who made it possible for his brother’s easy access to pills to feed an addiction that developed after a construction site injury, and he uses the few contacts that he has to convince a few counties in West Virginia and Ohio to let him bring lawsuits against a pharmaceutical company for willingly selling too many pills to depressed communities. Once successful and knowing that he can’t fight these companies alone, he uses his ambition and wit to join forces with two successful and powerful attorneys who have experience in taking on large corporations, and the uphill battle is just beginning.
As Jake and company’s lawsuits look like they will be successful, some people become very nervous and that spells trouble. Jake isn’t prepared for the distance that some will go to silence him, or for the repercussions it will have on his life and future. Dangerous times are ahead for Jake, but can he move forward without looking back?
I really enjoyed the thrill of trial preparation and the courtroom proceedings themselves. While Jake was a natural in the courtroom, he was still learning the ropes. His more senior co-counsel Nick Deketomis, who’s taken on big tobacco earlier on in his career and won, is smooth, smart, and commanding, and Jake learns a lot from him. While this is the third book that Deke is in, I had no problem getting to know him thanks to the author’s weaving of backstory without being heavy handed about it.
I give Law and Addiction a four out of five. Well-written and realistic, Jake’s story unfolded at a fantastic pace as we follow his life both inside and outside the courtroom: his struggles and victories, his hurts and pain, as well as his hope at finding happiness after the loss of his brother. I had a hard time putting this book down, and I was invested in the well-developed characters-good, bad, and grey–as well as the fast-paced plot and action. This was my first book by Mike Papantonio, and I don’t think this will be my last. You definitely leave the last page having learned something new and thought provoking while having been entertained.
(Also on Bewitched Bookworms. Book received for free from publisher in exchange for honest review for book tour)
Newly graduated attorney Jake Rutledge loses his twin brother to an opioid overdose. When Jake returns to their small West Virginia hometown, he’s surprised by how economically depressed the town is as well as how many openly addicted people reside there. Jake vows to take on the companies who made it possible for his brother’s easy access to pills to feed an addiction that developed after a construction site injury, and he uses the few contacts that he has to convince a few counties in West Virginia and Ohio to let him bring lawsuits against a pharmaceutical company for willingly selling too many pills to depressed communities. Once successful and knowing that he can’t fight these companies alone, he uses his ambition and wit to join forces with two successful and powerful attorneys who have experience in taking on large corporations, and the uphill battle is just beginning.
As Jake and company’s lawsuits look like they will be successful, some people become very nervous and that spells trouble. Jake isn’t prepared for the distance that some will go to silence him, or for the repercussions it will have on his life and future. Dangerous times are ahead for Jake, but can he move forward without looking back?
I really enjoyed the thrill of trial preparation and the courtroom proceedings themselves. While Jake was a natural in the courtroom, he was still learning the ropes. His more senior co-counsel Nick Deketomis, who’s taken on big tobacco earlier on in his career and won, is smooth, smart, and commanding, and Jake learns a lot from him. While this is the third book that Deke is in, I had no problem getting to know him thanks to the author’s weaving of backstory without being heavy handed about it.
I give Law and Addiction a four out of five. Well-written and realistic, Jake’s story unfolded at a fantastic pace as we follow his life both inside and outside the courtroom: his struggles and victories, his hurts and pain, as well as his hope at finding happiness after the loss of his brother. I had a hard time putting this book down, and I was invested in the well-developed characters-good, bad, and grey–as well as the fast-paced plot and action. This was my first book by Mike Papantonio, and I don’t think this will be my last. You definitely leave the last page having learned something new and thought provoking while having been entertained.
(Also on Bewitched Bookworms. Book received for free from publisher in exchange for honest review for book tour)
June 6, 2019
Law and Addiction is classified as a legal thriller. I wouldn’t categorize it as a thriller, at least not in the way that most people would expect. What the book does contain is this — a lawyer takes on opioid distributers to try to make them accountable for the devastations that opioids have caused throughout America, including his twin brother’s overdose related death. These large companies have purposely flooded small towns with a vast supply of drugs, all while knowing how addicting they are. Unfortunately, even though this is a work of fiction, this story rings true for many real places. A quote used in this book that sums up the opioid crisis is this: “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” — Dante’s Inferno. Obviously opioid distributing companies aren’t the only ones at fault. Pharmaceutical companies and doctors that have financial incentives for prescribing these drugs also play a role in this national crisis. The addicts themselves are responsible for their own choices, but due to companies and and doctors making these drugs easily available, they travel down a road they might not have traveled if the drugs were harder to get.
This book hit close to home for me. I live in a city that is known for its drug problems and criminal activity. When I tell people where I’m from, they always say “isn’t that whole city a dump? isn’t there a lot of shootings that happen there?” I’m lucky in the fact that I live outside the city, away from where most of the bad stuff happens, but I still work at the hospital located in the middle of the city. The hospital is thriving because there is so much devastation, poverty, and sickness in this area. I’ve been told countless stories about junkies getting treated there, but haven’t seen it first hand since I work in the lab. One father overdosed in the bathroom of the hospital, right after his baby was born. And this isn’t surprising for the area in which I live. Sadly, my town isn’t alone. This is becoming a problem almost everywhere.
This book doesn’t address the people who choose to go out and try drugs off of the street. The people who are the focus of the story are innocent and ignorant. Some of them have refused to take aspirin for a headache because they don’t want to take unnecessary medication. They are people who have been injured or hurt and are in desperate need of relief. They don’t realize that this relief can lead to a dark, dark path, resulting in an addiction that will change their lives forever. The author of Law and Addiction strives to highlight the opioid epidemic and show how companies are even profiting off of it. For this reason, and if you aren’t already familiar with how large companies benefit from the opioid crisis, I recommend this book.
The reason I didn’t rate it higher is due to the fact that I would classify it more as a legal procedural than a thriller.
Thank you tlcbooktours for my free review copy!
This book hit close to home for me. I live in a city that is known for its drug problems and criminal activity. When I tell people where I’m from, they always say “isn’t that whole city a dump? isn’t there a lot of shootings that happen there?” I’m lucky in the fact that I live outside the city, away from where most of the bad stuff happens, but I still work at the hospital located in the middle of the city. The hospital is thriving because there is so much devastation, poverty, and sickness in this area. I’ve been told countless stories about junkies getting treated there, but haven’t seen it first hand since I work in the lab. One father overdosed in the bathroom of the hospital, right after his baby was born. And this isn’t surprising for the area in which I live. Sadly, my town isn’t alone. This is becoming a problem almost everywhere.
This book doesn’t address the people who choose to go out and try drugs off of the street. The people who are the focus of the story are innocent and ignorant. Some of them have refused to take aspirin for a headache because they don’t want to take unnecessary medication. They are people who have been injured or hurt and are in desperate need of relief. They don’t realize that this relief can lead to a dark, dark path, resulting in an addiction that will change their lives forever. The author of Law and Addiction strives to highlight the opioid epidemic and show how companies are even profiting off of it. For this reason, and if you aren’t already familiar with how large companies benefit from the opioid crisis, I recommend this book.
The reason I didn’t rate it higher is due to the fact that I would classify it more as a legal procedural than a thriller.
Thank you tlcbooktours for my free review copy!
November 24, 2019
Papantonio was a highly regarded tort lawyer before he began writing Legal Thrillers. His very successful career includes a turn as President of the National Trial Lawyers Association, and was selected as one of the youngest trial lawyers to be inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. Many readers may recognize him from his nationally syndicated radio show"Ring of Fire". Law and addiction is his third novel following the success of Law and disorder (2016) and Law and Vengeance (2017).
In Law and Addiction, Papantonio takes on the pharmaceutical companies who are responsible for the current opioid epidemic in the United States. Our protagonist, Jake Rutledge, is filled with anguish when he learns of the death of his twin brother, Blake. Blake has died from a drug overdose. Like many addicts, has been able to keep his addiction hidden from his brother. Filled with remorse, Jake returns to his home town. vowing to avenge his brother. He finds a community riddled with the effects of addiction; almost apocalyptic in appearance. The economic foundation of the community has floundered, Many of the remaining citizens are tied to the chains of craving for a fix... his town is now sneeringly called "Zombieland"
Jake decides to tackle the source of the problem. Those who engage in corporate greed, and the lawyers who assist them are his targets. He soon realizes how out of his depth he is. Not only is he swimming with sharks, there is chum in the water. Fortunately he has the sense to request help from Nicholas Deketomis.
Readers of Papantonio's earlier works have met him in Law and Disorder. The taut chilling thriller takes the reader on a page turning adventure into the opioid nightmare.
As a former Mental Health Counselor specializing in addictions, I was impressed with the accuracy and the depth of Papantonio's research. By focusing on the legal aspects, he is able to present the problem along with a possible solution. In our tumultuous world, where short attention span reigns, Papantonio reminds us that truly ignorance does equal death. A stimulating read for our times.
Highly recommended
In Law and Addiction, Papantonio takes on the pharmaceutical companies who are responsible for the current opioid epidemic in the United States. Our protagonist, Jake Rutledge, is filled with anguish when he learns of the death of his twin brother, Blake. Blake has died from a drug overdose. Like many addicts, has been able to keep his addiction hidden from his brother. Filled with remorse, Jake returns to his home town. vowing to avenge his brother. He finds a community riddled with the effects of addiction; almost apocalyptic in appearance. The economic foundation of the community has floundered, Many of the remaining citizens are tied to the chains of craving for a fix... his town is now sneeringly called "Zombieland"
Jake decides to tackle the source of the problem. Those who engage in corporate greed, and the lawyers who assist them are his targets. He soon realizes how out of his depth he is. Not only is he swimming with sharks, there is chum in the water. Fortunately he has the sense to request help from Nicholas Deketomis.
Readers of Papantonio's earlier works have met him in Law and Disorder. The taut chilling thriller takes the reader on a page turning adventure into the opioid nightmare.
As a former Mental Health Counselor specializing in addictions, I was impressed with the accuracy and the depth of Papantonio's research. By focusing on the legal aspects, he is able to present the problem along with a possible solution. In our tumultuous world, where short attention span reigns, Papantonio reminds us that truly ignorance does equal death. A stimulating read for our times.
Highly recommended
October 16, 2019
My Recommendation: Definitely worth the read, this book does so much more than it set out to do. Sure, you have the opioid epidemic and Jake's triple personal stake in it by the end of the novel, but you have issues such as corporate oversight, corporate interference in government work, corrupt government and law enforcement officials, and then all the personal stories on top of that!
My Response: Unlike, Off the Grid , this book was worth saying yes to the publicist.* This book was engaging, a fast read, and had characters that were written well and believably realistic from the newly minted idealist lawyer Jake Rutledge to the West Virginia county chief prosecutor Eva Whistler, all of these characters felt real.
Law and Addiction is the story of Jake Rutledge and his battle against the opioid epidemic and big pharma after his twin brother dies of an opioid overdose. And, honestly, you couldn't get more timely with a book release with all of the news stories about Purdue Pharma (Google news search) and the crackdowns in Boston after a corrections officer was attacked (Boston 25 News).
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
*I received a copy of Law and Addiction in return for my honest opinion. No money or goods were exchanged.
My Response: Unlike, Off the Grid , this book was worth saying yes to the publicist.* This book was engaging, a fast read, and had characters that were written well and believably realistic from the newly minted idealist lawyer Jake Rutledge to the West Virginia county chief prosecutor Eva Whistler, all of these characters felt real.
Law and Addiction is the story of Jake Rutledge and his battle against the opioid epidemic and big pharma after his twin brother dies of an opioid overdose. And, honestly, you couldn't get more timely with a book release with all of the news stories about Purdue Pharma (Google news search) and the crackdowns in Boston after a corrections officer was attacked (Boston 25 News).
Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.
*I received a copy of Law and Addiction in return for my honest opinion. No money or goods were exchanged.
October 1, 2019
This is a timely legal thriller. Our country is facing a crisis in the our communities as we deal every day with new opiod overdoses. The cost is more than we should be willing to accept.
I had some complaints about this book, but after closing it, I realized my complaints were perhaps petty, but also a good strategy to sharing the more important message of this story.
We are given a perfect hero. He has had some challenges in his life, but he is a crusader and he's smart and kind and able to get things done. He interacts with other perfect people who cherish their wives, work upstream, but still have plenty of money to fly around on private jets. Some of this was hard to swallow in the moment. However, what this group of really good people set out to accomplish and the battle they have on their hands may require really good people.
What Papantonio does very well in this novel is to shine a light and humanize the opiod crisis. We go into West Virginia and see all of the different mechanisms at work. As readers, we get to see the desolation and heartache the influx of drugs have caused. We get a taste of addicts, people in recovery, drug mules, and people who take advantage of the situation financially.
There was a lot of sitting around and discussing next steps as our dream team of lawyers plotted their next moves, but this never felt unneccessary or repetitive. During the course of the story there was also love, friendship, humor, grittiness, twists and turns.
The author is clearly well-versed in this type of law and in this growing crisis. This is a book people should read to help understand why the opiod crisis is not going away and why each of us should care.
I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had some complaints about this book, but after closing it, I realized my complaints were perhaps petty, but also a good strategy to sharing the more important message of this story.
We are given a perfect hero. He has had some challenges in his life, but he is a crusader and he's smart and kind and able to get things done. He interacts with other perfect people who cherish their wives, work upstream, but still have plenty of money to fly around on private jets. Some of this was hard to swallow in the moment. However, what this group of really good people set out to accomplish and the battle they have on their hands may require really good people.
What Papantonio does very well in this novel is to shine a light and humanize the opiod crisis. We go into West Virginia and see all of the different mechanisms at work. As readers, we get to see the desolation and heartache the influx of drugs have caused. We get a taste of addicts, people in recovery, drug mules, and people who take advantage of the situation financially.
There was a lot of sitting around and discussing next steps as our dream team of lawyers plotted their next moves, but this never felt unneccessary or repetitive. During the course of the story there was also love, friendship, humor, grittiness, twists and turns.
The author is clearly well-versed in this type of law and in this growing crisis. This is a book people should read to help understand why the opiod crisis is not going away and why each of us should care.
I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2019
Law and Addiction by Mike Papantonio
It isn’t often that you recommend a fictional novel as being important but I do so recommend this as being important. I read Dreamland last fall which was non-fiction focusing on the opioid crisis. Papantonio’s novel is a fictional book on the same crisis but based on what I have learned since reading Dreamland, this novel is thinly disguised reality. Dreamland also gave me the impetus to do some research into the pill mills.
Jake and Blake are twins. Blake stayed home in West Virginia where his life took a turn for the worse. Jake finished college and became an attorney. Jake becomes motivated to discover how billions of legal opioids ended up hooking millions of legitimate and illegitimate users. This story is right out of today’s news. Narcan (NARCAN® (naloxone)) has now become part of contemporary society. School nurses, local cops, fireman, colleges and churches are stocking Narcan due to the epidemic. Even out here in the affluent burbs, there are obits weekly on opioid overdoses.
Papantonio presents much of the factual information found in Dreamland but in a fictional manner that his bound to capture more readers. Novels sell better than history books and Papantonio makes it easy to learn about the crisis. As a former counselor who had some real-life experience with drug abuse, I did not see a single thing in this book that wasn’t accurate, frighteningly accurate.
This was not a fun read but a very worthwhile read.
I highly recommend it.
It isn’t often that you recommend a fictional novel as being important but I do so recommend this as being important. I read Dreamland last fall which was non-fiction focusing on the opioid crisis. Papantonio’s novel is a fictional book on the same crisis but based on what I have learned since reading Dreamland, this novel is thinly disguised reality. Dreamland also gave me the impetus to do some research into the pill mills.
Jake and Blake are twins. Blake stayed home in West Virginia where his life took a turn for the worse. Jake finished college and became an attorney. Jake becomes motivated to discover how billions of legal opioids ended up hooking millions of legitimate and illegitimate users. This story is right out of today’s news. Narcan (NARCAN® (naloxone)) has now become part of contemporary society. School nurses, local cops, fireman, colleges and churches are stocking Narcan due to the epidemic. Even out here in the affluent burbs, there are obits weekly on opioid overdoses.
Papantonio presents much of the factual information found in Dreamland but in a fictional manner that his bound to capture more readers. Novels sell better than history books and Papantonio makes it easy to learn about the crisis. As a former counselor who had some real-life experience with drug abuse, I did not see a single thing in this book that wasn’t accurate, frighteningly accurate.
This was not a fun read but a very worthwhile read.
I highly recommend it.
April 1, 2019
Jake Rutledge is about to have his world turned upside down. As a youngster growing up Jake and his twin brother Blake were close but when Jake goes off to law school Blake starts to hide the truth from his brother.
After the heart breaking news that Blake has died of a drug overdose Jake returns to his home town.
Soon a picture starts to form… it’s not just Blake who has suffered thanks to drugs..It seems like his home town is struggling to win a win addiction..it’s so much bigger than Jake first assumes.
What follows is a quite an emotional at times but overall powerful tale as Jake sets out to take this all the way to the top..the drug companies themselves.
For me the best bit of the book has to be Jake himself, you she the events play out with different viewpoints, the lawyer and the grieving brother. The plot was seamless and moving as Jake struggles to keep control to do his brother proud.
I couldn’t fault this book, it had me hooked, shocked & gasping at every page turn. To say I was sucked in with this one is an understatement.
This is my first time reading Mike Papantonio’s work but it certainly won’t be my last. Law and Addiction was hard-hitting and edgy and throughly engrossing. The rawness of this tale is what really give it that hard hitting edge I need in a legal thriller..I felt it..
Well written, super plot, reals issues and a great mix of likable characters make this a gem to read.
After the heart breaking news that Blake has died of a drug overdose Jake returns to his home town.
Soon a picture starts to form… it’s not just Blake who has suffered thanks to drugs..It seems like his home town is struggling to win a win addiction..it’s so much bigger than Jake first assumes.
What follows is a quite an emotional at times but overall powerful tale as Jake sets out to take this all the way to the top..the drug companies themselves.
For me the best bit of the book has to be Jake himself, you she the events play out with different viewpoints, the lawyer and the grieving brother. The plot was seamless and moving as Jake struggles to keep control to do his brother proud.
I couldn’t fault this book, it had me hooked, shocked & gasping at every page turn. To say I was sucked in with this one is an understatement.
This is my first time reading Mike Papantonio’s work but it certainly won’t be my last. Law and Addiction was hard-hitting and edgy and throughly engrossing. The rawness of this tale is what really give it that hard hitting edge I need in a legal thriller..I felt it..
Well written, super plot, reals issues and a great mix of likable characters make this a gem to read.
September 5, 2019
First, I was offered a review copy from the author's publicists.
I was able to make it to page 20 before giving up. In the beginning of the book the twin who dies of an overdose has a moment of clarity before dying of his brother returning to town and needing to get off the drugs. I have a hard time believing that you could have a moment of clarity before dying of a drug overdose.
When Jake, the lawyer, arrives in town I had several issues with his backstory. I currently have a family member attending law school and I know from her that it's nearly impossible to have a second job, as Jake has at UPS. And not only does Jake have the job at UPS he has made zero contacts in law school. No internships, no friends. And when he decides to sue the drug companies he doesn't have the first idea of where to go. He doesn't think to reach out to a friend from school, but to a lawyer he's never talked to before?
When I begin questioning the story before page 20 it's not a good sign. If you want a story that better explores the opioid problem Saving Beck is a stronger story written by a mother who went through the story with her own son.
I was able to make it to page 20 before giving up. In the beginning of the book the twin who dies of an overdose has a moment of clarity before dying of his brother returning to town and needing to get off the drugs. I have a hard time believing that you could have a moment of clarity before dying of a drug overdose.
When Jake, the lawyer, arrives in town I had several issues with his backstory. I currently have a family member attending law school and I know from her that it's nearly impossible to have a second job, as Jake has at UPS. And not only does Jake have the job at UPS he has made zero contacts in law school. No internships, no friends. And when he decides to sue the drug companies he doesn't have the first idea of where to go. He doesn't think to reach out to a friend from school, but to a lawyer he's never talked to before?
When I begin questioning the story before page 20 it's not a good sign. If you want a story that better explores the opioid problem Saving Beck is a stronger story written by a mother who went through the story with her own son.
October 29, 2019
It took me a little bit longer to get into Law and Addiction, but as soon as Jake assembled his legal team this became a page-turner for me. Papantonio did a commendable job leading readers through the intricacies of this sort of litigation all while utilizing language that even a layman could understand.
I didn’t feel particularly satisfied at the end but given the opioid epidemic is still a very relevant issue these days, I shouldn’t have expected it to be wrapped up with a bow. Perhaps most striking was Papantonio’s passion for justice, anti-corruption and compassion for the communities ravaged by the opioid epidemic. While this is a work of fiction, the same intensity we saw in the author’s note shines through in Papantonio’s collection of attorneys fighting Big Pharma.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of Law and Addiction sent by FSB Associates (physical copy). All thoughts and opinions are my own. **I did end up purchasing the ebook so I could read it on the go when I didn’t want to put it down!
I didn’t feel particularly satisfied at the end but given the opioid epidemic is still a very relevant issue these days, I shouldn’t have expected it to be wrapped up with a bow. Perhaps most striking was Papantonio’s passion for justice, anti-corruption and compassion for the communities ravaged by the opioid epidemic. While this is a work of fiction, the same intensity we saw in the author’s note shines through in Papantonio’s collection of attorneys fighting Big Pharma.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of Law and Addiction sent by FSB Associates (physical copy). All thoughts and opinions are my own. **I did end up purchasing the ebook so I could read it on the go when I didn’t want to put it down!
June 14, 2019
Law and Addiction by Mike Papantonio will draw you in and hold your attention till the very last page. The story is centered around Jake Rutledge, a very persistent young attorney who won’t let anything stand in his way of obtaining justice for the death of his twin brother. Along the way Jake teams up with a powerful plaintiff attorney who helps him navigate the complex web of corporate corruption. With each turn of the page, the dynamic duo uncovers the evidence needed to build their case and bring down the opioid manufacturers responsible for Jake’s brother’s death. Throughout the book, Papantonio fills each page with captivating characters, and articulates in astonishing detail the struggles faced by Jake and others in the wake of the opioid epidemic. Definitely an interesting and entertaining read for anyone. Also a great read for anyone interested in the inner workings of a large plaintiff’s law firm. Page count: 294 Genre: Legal thriller.
May 11, 2019
This well researched novel provides insights into the scope and nature of the opioid crisis in America. By weaving the details into a well written novel, the author takes readers behind the statistics and media hype to the people and communities who are most affected – real people, the addicts and their families. Even “good guys” can get hooked, sometimes through no fault of their own. You are quickly drawn into the story and held captive, wanting to see how things play out – both within the court room and in the lives of the main characters. To me, the ending was a bit disappointing, I was left wondering about the outcome of the next stage(s) of the lawsuit. Nonetheless, a very interesting and worthwhile read.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
FTC disclosure: I received an advance review copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.
May 16, 2019
The author goes 3/3 with another great read here. The first few chapters will have your attention grabbed and invested in the outcome and story of the main characters. I won't spoil anything but the author does a great job of making the reader feel like they are a part of the story and even might find themselves with a bit of nervous excitement as the newby attorney faces his first big test in front of the judge.
If I were to be critical, the only downside to this book is there isn't a grand conclusion or wonderful happy ending... But of course there isn't! This fight has only just started!
I will tell you that while a work of fiction I did learn from this book too. It did change my viewpoint and understand of addicts and this crisis. Now I must know more!
If I were to be critical, the only downside to this book is there isn't a grand conclusion or wonderful happy ending... But of course there isn't! This fight has only just started!
I will tell you that while a work of fiction I did learn from this book too. It did change my viewpoint and understand of addicts and this crisis. Now I must know more!
March 28, 2019
Law and Addiction by Mike Papantonio is a captivating, suspenseful. a page-turner that is unpredictable and thought-provoking. A novel that is perfect for fans of mystery suspense thrillers with its twists and turns ups and downs and things that are unpredictable and frightening. Once I started reading I could not put down. The characters are well-developed with intriguing backstories that help to tell the story. Papantonio is a remarkable writer that draws you in and holds your attention until the shocking end.
May 7, 2019
That synopsis completely drew me in. I knew I wanted to read this novel and had high hopes for the story and writing.
The premise is unique, which made me excited to read it just from the synopsis. This is one of those stories that will start off with a bang and not let up until the very last page.
The plot was very well paced and while some parts were easy to predict, there were also plenty of surprises along the way and ultimately it led to a great read overall.
You will not be disappointed by the novel Papantonio has created.
The premise is unique, which made me excited to read it just from the synopsis. This is one of those stories that will start off with a bang and not let up until the very last page.
The plot was very well paced and while some parts were easy to predict, there were also plenty of surprises along the way and ultimately it led to a great read overall.
You will not be disappointed by the novel Papantonio has created.
May 12, 2019
I did enjoy this book. The storyline is based around the current opioid addiction crisis and Jake, a newly qualified lawyer who's brother dies from this "disease". Little does he realise just how widespread this disease has become, or how easy it is for people to succumb to. The very nature of this disease and it's effects on people from family and friends right up to law enforcement, is exposed and it's brutality is brought to the fore. I would have preferred that the story carried on further as I felt the end was a little premature.
May 21, 2019
Mike Papantonio captures the heart of the Opioid crisis in America with this thrilling and heartbreaking story. His characters become real as you follow their path through Opioid addiction and the symptoms of withdrawal. Papantonio has shined the light on big pharma and their marketing dollars spent on pushing this drug into society. As one reads the story, you think about your family, friends and neighbors and what if they are unknowingly the next addict. Buy it today, you won't be disappointed.
August 29, 2019
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Jake Rutlege comes back from graduating law school and goes to the cemetery to visit his twin brother who had died from an overdose the week before. Jake notices how the town has gone down hill and of the Opioid crisis in the area. Jake wants to find the ones responsible for it and take them down. He did go to Law school. But little does Jake know the dangers that await him. Everything from corrupt cops to Blackmailing and throw in a ton more overdoses.
Overall I liked it just didn't love it.
Jake Rutlege comes back from graduating law school and goes to the cemetery to visit his twin brother who had died from an overdose the week before. Jake notices how the town has gone down hill and of the Opioid crisis in the area. Jake wants to find the ones responsible for it and take them down. He did go to Law school. But little does Jake know the dangers that await him. Everything from corrupt cops to Blackmailing and throw in a ton more overdoses.
Overall I liked it just didn't love it.
May 21, 2019
This is a very character driven novel and I love the fact that Papantonio gives us both characters to root for and dislike.
My favorite part of this novel was the fact that along the way you don't know what is going to come next. There were many surprises and the way that the author was able to keep the pacing just right really helps everything flow naturally.
There is a darker element to the novel that I loved. I also really enjoyed the authenticity of the crime element.
My favorite part of this novel was the fact that along the way you don't know what is going to come next. There were many surprises and the way that the author was able to keep the pacing just right really helps everything flow naturally.
There is a darker element to the novel that I loved. I also really enjoyed the authenticity of the crime element.
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