Rich Blood (Thomas & Mercer 2022) is a superb legal thriller with all the classic elements and with the twists and turns Robert Bailey fans know to expect. It travels a somewhat different direction than Bailey’s prior best-selling Thomas McMurtrie series. Unlike McMurtrie, a law professor with a strong, somewhat inflexible moral code, the attorney at the center of Rich Blood—Jason Rich—is a man whose situational ethics allow him latitude and excuses. Rich has never tried a case. He is, in fact, afraid of the courtroom and has made his wealth extracting (or extorting) settlements in personal injury cases. That is, he is what is generally regarded as an “ambulance chaser.” He crassly advertises on billboards making grand use of his last name with his slogan: “In an accident? Get Rich.” Rich’s lax ethical standards and troubled personality make him unpredictable and therefore rather fascinating.

Rich is also fresh out of rehab, struggling with a serious alcohol addiction, and in trouble with the Alabama Bar Association for more than just his drinking. He is already at the end of a fraying rope when his estranged sister Jana calls needing his help. She is in jail on a murder charge, accused of killing her husband. All the evidence points at her guilt. Even her two teen daughters believe her guilty. Like her brother, she suffers from substance abuse. Complicating everything, she is deeply in debt to her dealer who doesn’t care who pays him so long as someone does.

Set in Guntersville, AL, the story uses the lush landscape of the area to its advantage. With fast pacing and ratcheting suspense, Rich Blood is a particularly compelling thriller. But it is Jason and Jana who make this such an enthralling read. Their love-hate sibling dynamics, their struggles with addictions, and their utter self-absorption make them often unlikable but always interesting.

With everything seemingly stacked against him and his sister, Rich reluctantly agrees to defend her at trial. He is not completely alone, having a loyal female partner and an equally loyal investigator. An old crush and a gang of unsavory men also offer backup. That Rich garners loyal support from those who know him best suggests he is more than just a dry drunk ambulance chaser. He might well be a man in search of his own virtue and valor.

The climax comes not just with a bang but with three shocking twists. Riveting, exciting, satisfying—Rich Blood encompasses every element of a classic thriller. Bailey just keeps getting better and better—and that is saying a lot. He is a Huntsville, AL attorney and the author of six prior legal thrillers. ( )

Y'know, sometimes you just need a decently-written potboiler of a legal thriller to cleanse the palate and just entertain you for a few hours.

This book does that, and it does it well.

There's not a lot new here, and if you've read enough older Grisham, you're gonna find a lot to love. Bailey definitely plays in the same sandbox. Tortured lawyer. Impossible to win case. Bombshell revelations. And lots and lots of southern atmosphere.

Overall, just a good, fun legal beach read. I'll absolutely read the next one. ( )

Alcoholic personal claim lawyer has first criminal trial defending his sister for murder ( )

I never expected to be a fan of legal thrillers, and perhaps, in general, I’m not. I am, however, a fan of Robert Bailey’s writing (which happen to all be legal thrillers).

Jason Rich is an attorney … an admitted ambulance chaser. Billboards clutter the roadways, from Florida to Alabama, with his face and his slogan, “In an accident? Get Rich!” It’s been successful for him and has made him a wealthy man.

But Jason has his struggles. He’s an alcoholic who’s facing an official reprimand from the bar association for appearing in court while under the influence. And if this wasn’t bad enough, now Jason has a new problem … his sister, Jana, has been arrested for her husband’s murder. The actual killer has already confessed but claims that he was paid by Jana to do the job.

Jana asks Jason to defend her – he’s the only person she trusts, despite the fact that he’s never tried a criminal case in his life.

He’s willing to take this on – more for the sake of his nieces than for Jana who, among her troubles, is indebted to a local drug kingpin for an enormous amount of money and to whom she pays off her debts with sexual services.

Jana’s story changes, even to Jason, over and over, but despite this, he’s inclined to believe her and will defend her while looking to protect his nieces who’ve been threatened by the drug lord.

This being the first book in a new series, there’s a fair bit of set-up that Bailey attends to, getting the reader familiar with Jason Rich, his background and his struggles. This takes up a good portion of the first half of the book and there are a few subplots that are begun here which don’t quite pan out in this book but which, I suspect, will play a part in subsequent books.

Jason’s addiction issues are a big part of his character but this never really comes into play during the course of this book. And while the local drug king is made out to be someone we must be afraid of (and he does make some minor actions to show he’s being serious) we don’t ever find him to be the immediate danger that we expect.

The very ending is a little bit unsatisfying. I’m not sure why Bailey gives us this little nugget – is it the lead in to the next book? I don’t think. There’s too much conclusion in this book for the last bit to come in to play here. (Am I being a little vague here? Yes I am … I don’t want to give any spoilers.)

I’m not from the South and I’m by no means a college football fan, but I do miss Bailey’s other legal thrillers, which feature some football greats.

Still, I like Bailey’s delivery and fast-paced books and Jason Rich definitely has some traits about him that will provide interesting fodder for books to come.

Looking for a good book? Rich Blood is a legal thriller by Robert Bailey, who has proven himself to be a top-notch author of fast-paced thrillers. This starts out a bit slow, but sets up the series for future books as well. ( )

Rich Blood by Robert Bailey is a fast-paced, can’t-put-down Southern family mystery. Filled with well-developed characters, personal and family drama, good and not-so-good friends, and a richly described Southern setting, this book is right up there with the best Grisham and Iles legal sagas.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this exciting book. ( )