Prime Suspects by Stephen Penner is a gripping legal thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The plot is intricately woven, with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing. The characters are complex and well-developed, and the writing is sharp and engaging. The pacing is perfect, with suspense building steadily throughout. A nearly perfect 4.75 stars—smart, thrilling, and an absolute page-turner. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Stephen Penner’s "Prime Suspects" is a high-stakes legal thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The fifth installment in the Rain City Legal series, this book follows attorney Daniel Raine as he takes on a case as complex as it is dangerous.

The story begins with the poisoning of Alexandra Pruitt, a successful real estate entrepreneur, at her own retirement dinner. With a plethora of suspects, including her long-term boyfriend and five women she mentored over the years, the police quickly zero in on one of her mentees, Meredith Beauchamp. However, Raine isn’t convinced of Beauchamp’s guilt and sets out to uncover the truth.

Penner masterfully weaves a web of deceit, secrets, and hidden motives, making it clear that nothing is as straightforward as it seems. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end. The inclusion of a missing will, forged business documents, and past secrets adds layers of intrigue to the narrative.

Raine’s character is tenacious and morally flexible, willing to bend the rules to save an innocent woman from a life behind bars. His determination and resourcefulness make him a compelling protagonist, and his interactions with the other characters are rich with tension and drama.

The novel’s pacing is relentless, with each chapter building on the suspense and drawing readers deeper into the mystery. Penner’s writing is taut and atmospheric, effectively capturing the high-pressure environment of the courtroom and the personal stakes involved.

"Prime Suspects" is a gripping addition to the Rain City Legal series, offering a blend of legal drama and psychological suspense. Penner’s ability to create a complex and engaging plot, combined with well-developed characters, makes this book a must-read for fans of the genre.

Recommended for readers who enjoy legal thrillers with intricate plots, unexpected twists, and a strong sense of suspense. "Prime Suspects" is a compelling and thrilling novel.

The fifth in the burgeoning Daniel Raine series of legal thrillers and this is well up to standard as the defence lawyer uses all his intellect, contacts and cunning to solve what looks to be an unsolvable murder with far too many likely culprits. The writing is taut and teen leavened with humour and the court scenes authentic and thrilling. This series has gone well under the radar but deserves far more attention.

Highly recommended.

When Meredith and a group of coworkers are invited to Alexandra’s house for a retirement party they all speculate a huge announcement is coming. Before that can happen two individuals find Alexandra deceased in her kitchen and Meredith is the prime suspect, but did she really do it??

Alexandra Pruitt is poisoned by arsenic but who poisoned her Meredith is quickly arrested for her murder but is she innocent Daniel Raine her defence lawyer sets out to prove her innocence. With plenty of twists full of good characters this is an entertaining read. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book. Thanks to Inkubator books and Netgalley for this review ARC.

ARC provided by Inkubator Books in exchange for an honest review.

Prime Suspects by Stephen Penner is a taut, suspense-filled thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. With its sharp writing and intricate plotting, this latest installment in the Detective Nick Sheridan series cements Penner's place as a master of crime fiction.

Detective Nick Sheridan is back, and this time, he’s faced with one of his most challenging cases yet: a brutal murder that has no shortage of suspects. As Sheridan digs deeper into the victim’s tangled web of secrets and lies, he uncovers a trail of deception that threatens to upend everything he thought he knew about justice and morality.

Penner's ability to craft complex, morally ambiguous characters is on full display here. Sheridan remains a compelling protagonist—flawed but driven, with a sharp intellect and an unyielding sense of duty. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, each character bringing their own motivations and secrets to the table, keeping the reader second-guessing who to trust.

The pacing is impeccable, with twists and turns that will leave you breathless. Just when you think you’ve pieced it all together, Penner throws in another curveball, making Prime Suspects a truly unpredictable read. The vivid descriptions of crime scenes and police procedures add a layer of authenticity that crime thriller fans will appreciate.

But what sets this book apart is its emotional depth. Penner doesn’t just focus on the case at hand; he delves into the personal struggles of his characters, giving the story an added layer of complexity and resonance. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of justice are explored with nuance, making this more than just a standard whodunit.

For fans of procedural dramas and gripping thrillers, Prime Suspects is an absolute must-read. Stephen Penner has delivered another standout novel that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Nick Sheridan’s journey.

Excellent murder-at-a-gala with suspects galore followed by twisty, intense and suspenseful courtroom drama! Highly recommended!
I thank NetGalley and the publishers for an advance electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pacy Rollercoaster..
The fifth outing in the Rain City Legal Thriller series and a fatal poisoning at a prestigious retirement dinner brings suspects out of the woodwork and a dilemma for Attorney Daniel Raine. He is almost certain that the police have picked the wrong suspect as the culprit and, so, he is out to prove it. A fast paced legal thriller with a deftly drawn cast and an intriguing plot. A pacy rollercoaster.

3.5 ⭐️ I wish I could give it 4, but it just wasn’t my kind of book I guess. I should state it is #5 in a series (which I didn’t realize), so maybe I had to read the others to fully enjoy it? It starts at a retirement reception (for Alexandra Pruitt), including 5 of her mentee realtors, when gasp - she’s found dead! There is no shortage of suspects, and the next day someone is arrested for murder. Insisting she’s innocent she hires criminal lawyer Daniel Raine to defend her, and prove her innocence. As the investigation progresses, the detective must find his way through a maze of lies, hidden motives, and unexpected alliances. The suspects are many, and everyone seems to have something to hide, making it ever more difficult for the detective to separate truth from deception.

I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

A pretty good book. I can't put my finger on what makes me say 4 stars, not 5. Interesting and a little humor. I would probably read another of Mr. Penner's books.

Prime Suspects is a mildly interesting novel about 5 female realtors who are friendly competitors and opens with them at a cocktail reception where one of them is murdered. There are a plethora of suspects and a mysterious announcement which was to have been made at the party and several questions surrounding a legal agreement and a will of the deceased. Basically, the characters are not particularly interesting and it is easy to become bored while muddling through to discover the perpetrator. I thank NetGalley and Inkubator for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.

Prime Suspects by Stephen Penner is a gripping and fast-paced crime thriller that takes readers on a suspense-filled journey through the twists and turns of a complex murder investigation. Penner skillfully blends mystery, intrigue, and psychological tension, making this novel an addictive read from start to finish.

The story follows a seasoned detective who is assigned to solve the murder of a high-profile individual. As the investigation progresses, the detective must navigate through a maze of lies, hidden motives, and unexpected alliances. The suspects are many, and everyone seems to have something to hide, making it increasingly difficult for the detective to separate truth from deception.

Penner’s writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into a world where nothing is as it seems. The pacing is excellent, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep the reader hooked, but always leaving them wanting more. The tension builds steadily throughout the novel, with carefully placed twists and red herrings that keep you guessing until the very end.

The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, who is both relatable and flawed. The detective’s personal struggles and internal conflicts add depth to the story, making them more than just a typical “good cop” character. The suspects, too, are multi-dimensional, with their own motivations and secrets that add complexity to the investigation.

What sets Prime Suspects apart from other crime thrillers is its psychological element. As the detective digs deeper into the lives of the suspects, the story explores themes of trust, guilt, and the impact of past choices. The complexity of human nature plays a central role in the investigation, and Penner uses this to create a captivating narrative that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant.

Conclusion: Prime Suspects is a compelling and well-crafted crime thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and psychological depth, Stephen Penner delivers a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking. Fans of mystery and crime fiction will find themselves hooked from the very first page.

I thought that this was a really good thriller! It was hard to predict who the actual killer was, and we were given lots of different suspects with lots of different motives. It was twisty with lots of turns, and it kept me entertained for sure.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

For me a good mystery or for that matter any book has to be able to hook me early on. This one did that. The characters were developed. The plot kept twisting. The resolution was clever. I enjoyed this book.

I thoroughly appreciated this fifth installment in the Rain City Legal Thriller series. I was engaged with the characters' journeys and felt they fit well within the narrative. It contained the elements I was seeking and delivered the suspenseful ambiance I craved. Stephen Penner's writing style is compelling, and I found myself wanting to explore more of this world.

I really enjoyed this as a fifth book in the Rain City Legal Thriller series, it had that concept that I was looking for and enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere that I was looking for. I was invested in what was happening to the characters and thought they worked well in this story. Stephen Penner has a strong writing style and wanted more in this world.

Alexandra Pruitt has mentored many women over the years so when she is poisoned at her own retirement dinner, these people are on the top of the suspect list..

Attorney Daniel Raine has his own thoughts about who killed Alexandra and sets out to prove the Police are wrong with their main suspect

This is a slow burn of a terrific tale. I loved how I felt involved with the uncovering of the case and the characters were just divine to get to know.

The plot unfolded beautifully and the author is a good storyteller... A few twists along the way, plenty of drama made this book a recommended read for me..

Daniel is a lone practitioner in Seattle’s sea of high-rise mega law firms. His successful friend, part-time investigator, well respected real estate agent (Rebecca Sommers) has invited him to a swanky retirement party. The honoree (Alexandra Pruitt) is her longtime mentor along with four other in group of women who owe their success to her. Daniel and Sommers don’t get to enjoy what was planned as a big celebration and an announcement about her business from their host. Alexandra Pruitt, Seattle’s real estate queen is dead, murdered. The ‘Fab Five’ women she’d mentored all stood to benefit. Daniel is a defense attorney, also a witness and possibly a suspect. One of the women is summarily arrested and charged with murder. Daniel is soon persuaded by Sommers to represent her friend. Who killed Ms. Pruitt, her longtime boyfriend, one of her mentees, the staff or caterers? Daniel is up against a Detective who’s sure she has proof to convict his client and a prosecutor with evidence and motive. There is a sizeable amount of money at stake with plenty of people who both want and need it. The trial is full of surprises with a client’s s future relying on Daniel and Sommers ability to find the truth. I’ve read all of the series and it’s a favorite. The courtroom drama and banter is always entertaining. I was caught off guard by the reveal, lots of twists and turns in the plot.
Inkubator Books (via NetGalley) provided an Advance Reader Copy of “Prime Suspects” (A Rain City Legal Thriller #5) by Stephen Penner, publication expected 11/27/2024. These are my honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without expectation of compensation.

Prime Suspects: A Rain City Legal Thriller Book 5 by Stephen Penner is a good legal thriller. I have not read all the books in the series, and this can be read as a standalone book.

When successful real estate entrepreneur Alexandra Pruitt is poisoned at her own retirement dinner, there are many suspects to choose from.

Attorney Daniel Raine thinks the police have it wrong on who they think killed Alexandra and sets out to prove it.

Raine knows he has his work cut out if he is to untangle this web of deceit.

The story has lots of characters to choose from regarding who could have killed Alexandra. There were a few parts of the story that were a bit slow, but overall, the book was good, and the ending was satisfying.

#PrimeSuspects #NetGalley

I enjoy the legal thriller theme, almost like a Law and Order episode. It's a classic and yet completely unique take on the whodunit murder mystery genre, with an outsider trying to untangle all the secrets and lies.