Sal Amici, is a great protagonist, along the lines of Jack Reacher and other titular characters in a series crime thriller. Bitingly sharp, enigmatic, and enough suspense to keep readers invested in this crime-procedural thrill-ride until the very last page. The Sal Amici novels are fun to read.
– ★★★★★ Explore Authors Magazine
A twisty legal thriller that explores both sides of a sinister cat and mouse game- Independent Book Review
Unlawful Games Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers’Favorite (Five Stars)
Barely a day after being acquitted, David Flores made headlines after killing his wife and child. The reputable defense attorney for a New York law firm, Salvatore Amici, was having a hard time with the fact that he had helped acquit a murderer – David Flores. To his horror, Salvatore is asked by his seniors to represent Sean Lancaster, a city tycoon and philanthropist, in yet another murder case. Apparently, the tycoon had specifically asked for Salvatore to be his attorney. Sean Lancaster was being charged with the first-degree murder of his wife and three children, and two counts of sexual assault. Hesitantly taking the case, Salvatore finds himself treading a dangerous path that puts his job, reputation, marriage, and life on the line. Why does Lancaster specifically ask for Salvatore as his attorney? Get yourself Adam Klein’s Unlawful Games to know more.
If you are looking for a mystery thriller legal novel laced with a gripping tale of nasty love affairs, family drama, betrayal, money, bribes, blackmail, prison life, courtroom drama, dirty secrets, and so much more, Adam Klein’s Unlawful Games is a must-read for you. Klein breathes life into the scenes with vivid depictions. The narration has a subtle tone to it. Klein forges an intriguing plot, with mind-blowing plot twists. I loved how tremendously dramatic the scenes were; this made the reading experience fun. Klein had me going through a rollercoaster of emotions in depicting the well-developed characters’ emotions. This allowed me to connect with the characters and understand them. Albeit egotistical, Salvatore is an emotionally sensitive, intelligent guy with a big heart and it broke my heart to see others taking advantage of that. Unlawful Games is a magnificent piece of work and I loved it. I have just added it to my favorites shelf. I am looking forward to reading more of Adam Klein’s work.
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite (5 Stars)
Unlawful Games by Adam Klein is a legal thriller that follows the trials and tribulations of Salvatore Amici. Salvatore is a successful lawyer who has the best of everything. With a great career, a wonderful wife, and incredible children, Amici is high on two big wins when disaster happens. His client is caught for murder just a day after his acquittal, and Salvatore is crushed. However, what surprises him is that a new client specifically asks for Salvatore to represent him after the disaster. But Salvatore isn’t sure if he should take the case because Sean Lancaster is also charged with the first-degree murder of his entire family. He isn’t ready, but something about Sean’s case calls Salvatore, so he takes it. What he doesn’t know is that this new case just might be his undoing.
Unlawful Games is the perfect story for a legal thriller that teeters on the edge of being the best mystery I have ever read. Salvatore is a sensitive man who is in touch with his emotions, yet he knows how to gain control of them, along with everything else in his life. In short, he is an intelligent, perfect man who just happens to be conflicted. The story is dark at times, but Adam Klein brings it back to the lighter side by adding more suspense and plenty of action to make sure we are in the moment with Salvatore at all times. The pace is perfect, but the real gems of the story are the descriptions. They are vivid and transportive. This is the kind of story that you love to read again.
Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers’ Favorite (5 Stars)
Unlawful Games is a legal thriller by Adam Klein. Defense attorney Salvatore Amici has just won the biggest case of his life. A day after his client is out of jail, he murders his wife and son. Sal feels that he is partly responsible for the murders. He had a sense that his client was lying to him. When Sean Lancaster is arrested for the murder of his family, he wants Sal to defend him. Sal has no idea why Sean chose him to defend him. They don’t know each other at all. Sal is told by his bosses to defend Sean, and if he wins the case, there is a good possibility that he can become a partner. Sal accepts the case, and his life is completely turned upside down.
Adam Klein executes an excellent plot in Unlawful Games. He never bores us with lengthy legal procedures. It is fast-paced and packed with action. The story is intriguing and complex from the beginning until the end. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what to expect. As soon as I tried to predict what would happen, there was a surprise waiting. The characters are authentic and well-defined. With all that was going on in Sal’s life, there were a few rough days when he had to keep his wits about him in the court case. It is an excellent story with a surprise twist at the end.
Unlawful Games review by Joelene Pynnonen for Independent Book Review
Sal Amici is living the dream. Having just won a seemingly unwinnable trial, his law firm has him in their sights for partner. He has a gorgeous, devoted wife and two amazing kids. A new multimillionaire client asks for him specifically when approaching Sal’s law firm; it looks like it’s his lucky day. If Sal manages to win this high-profile trial, the partnership is in the bag.
But taking on philanthropist Sean Lancaster as a client could be his undoing. Though he claims he’s innocent, Sean has been accused of brutally murdering his wife and three children. He is also a cagey, shadowy type who seems strangely at home in the violent prison environment he is being kept in.
On top of this, Sal can’t shake the feeling that there’s a devious reason that Sean asked for his representation. With his funds, he could hire a team of elite defense attorneys. Trying to keep up with the workload and his demanding, and possibly dangerous, client takes a toll. Soon, it seems that the wonderful life Sal had built might come crumbling apart around him.
Unlawful Games is the first book in the Sal Amici series. It is a suspenseful legal thriller infused with a flurry of twists. Told alternately from the perspectives of the defense attorney and the client, it’s a mystery that unravels bit by bit. It reads like a cat and mouse game: We get a glimpse into the minds of both the players, antagonist and protagonist. The major difference is that, for a long time, Sal isn’t even aware he’s being hunted.
Unlawful Games starts strong. A rising star lawyer given a high-profile case that could make his career sets the stakes high from the outset. As Sean’s intentions begin to unfold, it becomes clear how much Sal has to lose as well as gain.
The suspense is thick through the entirety of Unlawful Games. As the book delves deeper and deeper into Sean’s twisted psychology, it becomes clear how much control he has in Sal’s work and personal life. As the book progresses, it feels more and more like a trap is about to close around Sal, and the entire world he has built will implode.
Later on, the plot can be tripped up by some coincidences, inexplicable behaviors, and confusing character motives. The explanation for why these events take place also requires some suspension of disbelief.
There’s a lot to like in Unlawful Games. The villain is as sinister as they come, the atmosphere is taut, and there are twists aplenty.
Crossroads Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers’ Favorite (5 Stars)
New York City residents were relieved by the news of the arrest of the City’s notorious serial killer dubbed “The Night Slasher.” The police had nabbed Joseph Millstone (believed to be The Night Slasher) just outside a house where he had allegedly murdered a family of five. Millstone’s only request is that he be represented by the reputable defense attorney Salvatore Amici at his trial. With multiple homicide charges against him, Millstone faced a lot of time in prison. On the other hand, Salvatore’s ex-wife Danielle who is in prison is hell-bent on ending Salvatore’s life. She teams up with her boyfriend and Salvatore’s ex-client Sean Lancaster, who has returned from hiding. Will Salvatore survive what the dangerous duo has headed his way? Get yourself Adam Klein’s Crossroads to know how it all goes down.
Adam Klein once again delivers a compelling read, featuring the famous and savvy defense attorney Salvatore Amici. Crossroads is a must-read for lovers of crime thriller novels based on an unraveling tale of love, loyalty, vengeance, betrayal, murder, blackmail, money, and secrets. There are dirty cops, savage inmates, hired assassins, and so much more. Klein kept me on edge with spell-binding plot twists, cliffhangers, drama, thrills, and suspense. His impressively vivid depictions made the reading experience feel like watching a movie. His great sense of humor only made it even more fun. Klein explores his characters’ complex qualities and attitudes. This allowed me to feel their emotions and identify with them. The cast was amazing and I could not get enough of them. I loved the book and can’t wait to read another of Klein’s magnificent works.