A dynamite debut: My review of "The Deposit Slip" by Todd M. Johnson @GrafMartin

ABOUT THE BOOK

$10,000,000 Is Missing.

Erin Larson is running out of options. In the wake of her father's death, she found a slim piece of paper--a deposit slip--with an unbelievable amount on it. Only the bank claims they have no record of the money, and trying to hire a lawyer has brought only intimidation and threats. Erin's last chance is Jared Neaton.

How Far Will One Lawyer Go to Find the Money?
 
When Jared wearied of the shady ethics of his big law firm and started his own, he never expected the wheels to fly off so quickly. One big loss has pushed him to the brink, and it's all he can do to scrape by.

And How Far Will Someone Go to Stop Him?

He's not sure if Erin's case is worth the risk, but if the money is real, all his problems could vanish. When digging deeper unleashes something far more dangerous than just threats, both Jared and Erin must decide the cost they're willing to pay to discover the truth.

MY REVIEW

I absolutely loved this debut novel from Todd M. Johnson and can confidently say it’s my favourite debut novel of the year, so far!

Now, to be fair, I love legal thrillers, so that fact alone gives this book a significant advantage. However, not only is this book a legal thriller....it’s a well-written legal thriller! The writing is taut and the pacing spot-on, and it did not at all feel like I was reading a debut novel. The story captured my interest from the first chapter, and didn't let go as it delved into the fascinating case of the $10,000,000 deposit slip, the origin of the money, and the ongoing efforts taken to quash any attempts to uncover the truth. Jared is a nicely developed character, realistically portrayed and unique enough to hold my interest. I was greatly appreciative of the fact that the author did not even try and touch the typical lawyer-turned-drinking-bum stereotype that so many legal thrillers seem to feature, but instead created a character in Jared that, while human and flawed, I still felt I could root for. I also enjoyed the story arc involving Jared's assistant, Jessie, and the subtle romance developing between them, as well as Jared's struggle to forgive his father for what happened in the past. All of the story lines tie up nicely in the satisfying conclusion, while leaving me wanting to know more about Jared and Jessie and what's in store for them.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good legal thriller...and anyone who just loves a good book. Well done Todd! I can't wait to see what the future holds for Jared! 5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. 



The Deposit Slip

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Todd M. Johnson has practiced as an attorney for over 30 years, specializing as a trial lawyer. A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, he also taught for two years as adjunct professor of International Law and served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong. This is his debut novel. He lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife and daughter. Visit his website at www.authortoddjohnson.com.