In this lawyer-on-the-run suspense drama, attorney Quinton Bell loses the trial of his career, and possibly his life.
Dead By Proxy takes you on a heart-pounding journey through the life of a criminal defense attorney whose world is wiped out. When Quinton loses a career-defining case, he finds himself being hunted by the very client he tried to save.
As Quinton navigates the treacherous path of survival, he is running from a powerful and relentless adversary who will stop at nothing to see him silenced. Finally landing in Houston, he hides in plain sight while re-inventing his new life as a trial lawyer.
When he’s forced to take on a high-profile murder case, he exposes himself and those he loves to danger. With each passing moment, the noose tightens, and he must draw on every ounce of wit to outsmart those who still want him dead.
Will Quinton Bell find a way out, or will he forever be a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse?
Dead By Proxy is the first book in the edgy Proxy Legal Thriller Series. If you like memorable characters, smart gritty action, and jaw-dropping twists, then you’ll love Manning Wolfe’s fast-paced page-turner. PRAISE FOR DEAD BY PROXY:
“A riveting read that expertly teams courtroom drama and legal maneuvering with imminent danger, spine-tingling suspense, a touch of romance, and non-stop action. Talk about an adrenaline rush!” –Reedsy
“Manning Wolfe just put herself on my list of must-read authors!” –John Ellsworth
Quick plot summary for you to get this review started: 1) Main Character is a defense lawyer. He lost a BIG case defending a member of the Irish Mob. 2) He’s now on the run from said mob. Hiding out in Houston. As a defense lawyer. For criminals. Yeah. My thoughts as well. If I were on the run from the mob, I wouldn’t be hiding in plain sight as a defense lawyer! But I guess that’s also why I’m not the main character in a book! 😉
DEAD BY PROXY includes fast paced action, the plot twists and turns throughout the novel. I agree wholeheartedly with Ms. Wolfe’s profile of cinematic writing style. I could easily visualize the scenes and action throughout the novel. Wolfe’s writing style is descriptive, conversational, and captivating.
My only real legal thriller reading experience comes from Grisham books ages ago. AGES. I’d say DEAD BY PROXY is easily on par with those books. I did look up a few legal terms, but otherwise, I was fascinated by the courtroom action. Picking out the jurors. Planning out the defense. Confirming with other lawyers. All of it was compelling and pushed the plot of the novel forward.
The ending of DEAD BY PROXY sealed my appreciation of Ms. Wolfe’s story and writing skills. I was telling a friend I had 25 minutes left to read and A LOT of plot left to wrap up. And then, with a literal bang, everything was wrapped up. I was also SHOCKED by the reveal of the true killer. I had my guesses as to the actual killer. But was not even close.
And like the review over on Forgotten Winds, I also wonder how many judges keep guns behind the bench!
As a character, Quinton is not one I’d want to spend time with. I wouldn’t go so far as to call him an anti-hero; he’s morally ambiguous to be sure. While certainly handsome and successful, he uses his talents to keep criminals out of jail. But he does use his skills to save himself from the mob. Which is probably not something I would have managed to do.
My one personal complaint while reading is the main character’s name in the novel. This character’s name changes various times throughout the book due to the forementioned being on the run from the mob situation. I found it distracting to keep remembering the main character’s new names from scene to scene. I don’t think the alternative would have worked, either. Keeping the original character’s name while side characters are using the new name would probably have been just as distracting.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading DEAD BY PROXY. And I’m quite looking forward to the next in the series!
Thanks to author Manning Wolfe and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing this opportunity to review DEAD BY PROXY. I received the novel free in exchange for my honest review.
Manning Wolfe, an award-winning author and attorney, writes cinematic-style, smart, fast-paced thrillers and crime fiction. Manning was recently featured on Oxygen TV’s: Accident, Suicide, or Murder, and has spoken at major book festivals around the world.
Manning’s legal thriller series, featuring Austin attorney Merit Bridges, includes Dollar Signs, Music Notes, Green Fees, and Chinese Wall.
Manning’s new Proxy Legal Thrillers Series, featuring Houston attorney Quinton Bell, includes Dead by Proxy, Hunted by Proxy, and Alive by Proxy.
Manning is co-author of Killer Set: Drop the Mic, and twelve additional Bullet Books Speed Reads.
As a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Manning’s experience has given her a voyeur’s peek into some shady characters’ lives and a front-row seat to watch the good people who stand against them.
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What a great review, and I love it when you get to that point and think there’s NO WAY the author can wrap it up & pull off a great ending when SURPRISE! She does just that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Lynn
Agreed completely, Kristine! This one is a great ending!
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What a great review, and I love it when you get to that point and think there’s NO WAY the author can wrap it up & pull off a great ending when SURPRISE! She does just that. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Agreed completely, Kristine! This one is a great ending!