A Final Judgment

Ron Shade #3

by Michael A. Black

Lawyers … Chicago-based Private Detective Ron Shade has a cop’s inherent distrust of them, even though it’s been years since he was relieved of his badge. Still, when his old friend, Rick Walters, who happens to be a member of the bar, needs help doing the legwork for a wrongful death lawsuit, Shade reluctantly agrees. Then he finds out they’ll be going up against the preeminent attorney in Cook County, Mason Gilbert, and his famous detective associate, Big John Flood. Both men are local legends and Shade feels like a novice stepping into the ring for a title shot. To make matters worse, the trial is in only three weeks and there’s a lot of work to do. The first PI that Rick Walters hired committed suicide midway through the preparation. Or did he? Little inconsistencies start to pop up as Shade begins his investigation, and pretty soon he’s hot on the trail of something very elusive in a case like this: The truth. Then an opportunity he’s been dreaming of suddenly materializes: a shot at the world heavyweight kickboxing championship. Finding himself up against seemingly unbeatable opponents, Shade feels like he’s been swept up in a maelstrom as he tries to cover all the bases. But this time Shade finds out that the final judgment just might be death.

344 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 2006

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black’s third book in the Ron Shade series is probably its best. We see our main character a Chicago P.I.-go-kick boxer tossed into a few cases simultaneously, as he is also in the midst of training for an upcoming bout. We learn a little more about Shade and see him at his best, cracking open two cases while also juggling yet another romantic interest. Black is able to use his time on the police force and apparent interest in the squared circle to bring the character to life and the plot to keep the reader hooked. I quite enjoyed the closing chapters of the book, perhaps some of the most exciting in the entire series, and the final chapter parallels a great foreshadowing.

Black has a great writing style and is able to present a wonderful dialogue, plot, and character development. His style works well with his close friend (and fellow author) Julie Hyzy, who penned the Alex St. James series and with whom Black penned a ‘joint character’ mystery. I am looking forward to these two coming together to solve a case, coming from vastly different pasts. Shade and St. James will surely work as well together, as the two authors seem to present similar styles, yet keep an air of distinctness in their work.

Kudos Mr. Black…. And now the joint work. I hope it works as well as your solo career.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I was quite inpressed with the story. It's hard to imagine a good book can have a prfessional fighter as a PI, but this auther has done a fine job of creating a "truely believeable" character in Ron Shade.
I do feel bad I have been reading these books out of order,,, but since I didn't know the order, I just been reading them as I find them, lol. But they are good enough to go back and re-read in order.