"Murders on Death Row" by Michael Ramos is a gripping and chilling thriller that delves deep into the dark and twisted world of crime and justice. Ramos’s writing is taut and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds within the confines of death row. The novel masterfully explores the psychological complexities of both the inmates and those tasked with overseeing them, weaving a tale filled with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. With well-developed characters and a plot that delves into the grey areas of law and retribution, "Murders on Death Row" is a thought-provoking and intense read that challenges readers to consider the true nature of justice. Perfect for fans of crime fiction that isn't afraid to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a rocking legal thriller that takes the reader from a sleepy California town to the hot lights of South Beach to the classy streets of Italy. It has several stories that interconnect and still leave a little extra twist for the end. Much of the story is told in the first person by Tony Garcia. The one time high school football star is a fierce prosecutor with a reputation for getting results. He ends up with two high profiles cases on his hands at one time.

Someone did society a favour by killing several residents of Death Row with the same lethal cocktail they might have expected had the State fulfilled its sentence. Clearly it is an inside job but what was the reason and who was responsible? At the same time he is investigating the murder of his former football coach and mentor. The prime suspect was someone who was on the team who now has connections with one of the murdered men on Death Row. The story weaves like a spiders web as the plot twists back and forth. My only complaint was the narrative would change from Garcia’s to someone else and in a story with so many moving parts, it always took a moment or two to figure it out.

Garcia comes across as a decent, ethical and driven character who is also able to balance his personal life with his professional. With his crack team behind him, he not only solves the murders but he pays his former coach the highest honour. The lessons the coach taught are the ones that hold Tony in good stead in his chosen field and help bring justice to the coach. There is a real symmetry to the story. Five purrs and two paws up.

I found Murder on Death Row to be a light read. It wasn't nearly as intense is what I'm accustomed to, nevertheless, I enjoyed it. A huge problem I had with it was that the ending sucked. Two people got away with murder. Another problem was the fact that the first person voices varied and it was hard to keep up.

Assistant district attorney Anthony Garcia was the attorney investigating three death row murders and the murder of his high school coach, Coach Rogers. All of the murders were involved in with the cartel distribution of drugs. The reason Coach Rogers was killed was because he found out some information about the drug cartel and was about to go to the authorities with it. The man that was accused of the murder was framed.

So the entire book was about the investigation. It was also about Anthony's rise to become district attorney. I found the story believable but I would have most certainly enjoyed more grit and intensity to it. That said, I gave this book three out of five stars.

Murders on Death Row is an electrifying thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Anthony Garcia's relentless pursuit of justice amidst the shadows of San Quentin's death row kept me hooked, as did the personal vendetta that drives him forward. The intricate web of conspiracy and corruption woven throughout the story added layers of suspense and intrigue, making each twist and turn all the more captivating. What I loved most about this book was its ability to keep me guessing until the very end, with its unpredictable plot and richly drawn characters. If you're a fan of heart-pounding legal thrillers with a dark twist, then this is definitely a great read!

Listen up, my fellow book rebels! Murders on Death Row isn’t your grandma’s cozy mystery—it’s a legal rollercoaster with more twists than a pretzel factory! Anthony Garcia, our prosecutor extraordinaire, dives headfirst into a spine-chilling puzzle. Death row? It’s like a high-stakes poker game where the chips are lives. And Garcia? He’s got the fire of a jalapeño in a salsa contest. From California’s gritty crime fiction to Miami’s neon-lit streets, this book is hotter than a Miami heatwave. Drug cartels, political corruption, and ancient Florence secrets? Honey, it’s a buffet of intrigue. So grab your legal briefs and join the Garcia fan club. Trust me, you’ll finish it and scream, ‘More, please!’ 🌟🔍📚

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for this eARC. Michael Ramos is a new author to me and the blurb for Murders on Death Row appealed to me and I thought it would be my kind of read.

It definitely was and I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The writing is good, easy to follow, flows well and I was drawn into the story immediately. Here the main character Anthony Garcia is asked to investigate two death row murders and the murder of his childhood football coach. I think the plot line is good and well thought out, the characters mostly likeable and there are lots of threads in the story to hold my attention and pique my interest. The story moves from past to present times flawlessly and the glimpses into Garcia's home and personal life really add to the story and give his character depth. All the threads start to come together and are tied up in a surprising way at the end, which sets up the next book nicely. Whilst this is the second book by Michael Ramos, I think it can be read on its own although I will read the previous book when I can and look forward to the next one. If you like crime books with realistic, believeable characters I'd recommend this.

4 stars