Peter Kirkland is a favorite author of mine. His latest, The Midwest Lawyer, is available this now. I loved it. Pick this one up.

This book was an enjoyable, fast read court drama. The storyline had a smooth flow. The characters were well developed. This is a book which I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good courtroom mystery.

Interesting book. Relatable characters. Kept you coming back for more.

Easy to read crime/lawyer drama.

Thanks to netgalley & the publisher for this ARC read. All opinions are my own.

Very well written and lots of twists. Good character development and easy to follow the various cast of suspects! I enjoyed this novel and will look for more by this author.

The legal thriller Midwest Lawyer by Peter Kirkland takes the reader to the county courtrooms and Donahoe county jails in Kerry, Ohio, drama filled with twists and intrigue in every trial conducted. It's just not the suspense but also the legal jargons and arguments used by lawyers in their daily fight in the court with judges portrayed through the well developed characters Carol Becker and Maggy.

In the narrative Maggy takes up two crime cases where Troy Weaver is accused to have committed with his own guns and have been send to Jail for shooting his son Benny. Mr. Troy is Maggy's client and an old school mate. Her determination and win win attitude even when she gets nowhere in finding evidences to prove her client Troy not guilty is quite impressive and captivating. Terry Weaver of Kerry, Ohio, turned himself on to arrest warrant for aggravated murder as the county prosecutor's office alleges that Mr. Weaver is responsible for the death two years ago of a former Kerry high school football coach Grant Schafer. Mr. Troy's defense counsel is Margaret Gallagher(Maggy) who is proving his innocence. She is confident and sure to exonerate Mr. Troy in due course. Maggy believes he has not committed any murder when Mr. Troy is hiding behind many lies and evidences that are produced by witnesses and forensic reports.

Is Mr. Troy lying to his lawyer Maggy who is fighting his case. Will she prove his Innocence before the next murder strikes. This thriller novel Midwest Lawyer strikingly keeps you guessing in every page.

Thanks to Netgalley and Relay Publisher for an advance copy for my honest review and opinion.

Not really sure why “Midwest” is part of the title since this story could have taken place anywhere. A gun accident finds one young child seriously wounding his older brother, and their dad being jailed. The “Midwest Lawyer” answers the call to defend her childhood friend and soon faces issues with the community and the DA. The plot is well-developed and progresses at a comfortable pace.

Book Review: The Midwest Lawyer by Peter Kirkland

Peter Kirkland’s The Midwest Lawyer is a gripping legal drama that delivers suspense, emotional depth, and a vivid portrayal of small-town complexities. Centered around the trial and defense of an accused murderer, the novel masterfully maintains tension right up to the final pages, keeping readers eagerly turning the page.

The story kicks off with a compelling twist—an accidental shooting that uncovers a weapon tied to a long-forgotten cold case. From there, Kirkland skillfully weaves a narrative that explores both the legal intricacies of the case and the social undercurrents of a close-knit community. The accused, Troy, finds himself at the center of a storm, charged with child endangerment and murder. While the accusations are not entirely surprising, they are handled with nuance and insight.

However, one element that felt somewhat exaggerated was the portrayal of the prosecutor. Cast as cold and politically motivated, their character occasionally strays into caricature. Although this depiction serves to heighten the drama and underscore the importance of the child's testimony, it may have been a touch heavy-handed.

Despite that, the evolving discovery of evidence is one of the novel’s strongest aspects. Each new revelation is thoughtfully placed and adds to the suspense, culminating in a surprising—if slightly implausible—ending that still feels satisfying and well earned.

Beyond the courtroom drama, The Midwest Lawyer excels in its depiction of family dynamics and small-town relationships. Kirkland paints a realistic picture of a community where everyone is connected and secrets are hard to keep. A standout character is Auntie El, whose humor and eccentricity provide much-needed levity, making her a delightful addition to the story.

Overall, The Midwest Lawyer is a strong start to what promises to be an engaging series. It’s a well-paced legal thriller grounded in human emotion and community tension. I wholeheartedly recommend it and look forward to seeing where Kirkland takes us next.

A legal thriller, The Midwest Lawyer (2025) by Peter Kirkland introduces former Chicago prosecutor, Margaret ‘Maggie’ Gallagher. Maggie has moved back to her small childhood hometown of Kerry, Ohio and starts her own law practise. Her first major trial is that of a childhood friend, Troy indicted for endangering a child. The case gets complicated when Troy is also charged with the murder of the local high school coach a year earlier. Similarly, another of Maggie’s cases is also compounded with additional vehicular manslaughter charges. Her clients in both cases aren’t telling her everything, yet she must somehow defend these cases. Meantime, Maggie has to deal with her own family tensions and the struggle of fitting-in her former childhood hometown. The beginning of a new legal drama series, with a smart, likeable lawyer that has a three and a half star read rating. With thanks to Relay Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

The Midwest Lawyer by Peter Kirkland - legal thriller series book 1.
I really enjoyed this book!
A compelling courtroom drama that grabbed me despite a slow start.
The characters are well developed, particularly protagonist Maggie, whose thoughts and feelings added depth to the story and helped me understand the court lingo.
I found the plot twists engaging, and the narrative flowed nicely.
I liked how the author seamlessly wove in court terminology through Maggie's perspective.
The dynamic between the two female lawyers was a highlight, showcasing their skills and determination in the courtroom.
The story also explored themes of love, family, and the impact of political power on justice, tackling the issue of unjust convictions with nuance.
This was a was a great read, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this.
Thank you to NetGalley, the Peter Kirkland and Relay Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I like legal thrillers and enjoyed The Midwest Lawyer. Maggie returns to her hometown and takes on a case where a childhood friend is accused of murder. The authors writing is good and engaging, the story flows well and the plot line is well thought out. The characters are mostly likeable and portrayed well. I especially like the court room and trial parts that are very realistic and believeable. Is Troy guilty of what he is accused of? What is he hiding? Maggies investigation and the glimpses into her personal life really come together well here and add more depth to the story and its characters. This is my first read by this author and I'll definitely want to read the next book. If you like legal thrillers you'll enjoy this and I'd recommend it.

4 stars

3.5 stars
I am a sucker for a legal thriller, especially those set in the US. There’s something fascinating about the US legal system and how its portrayed in pop culture. This one as a solid and gripping. I really liked Maggie. She’s tenacious but trying to have a better work/life balance since moving back to her hometown from Chicago. I also liked that the slices of her home life with her teenage son and husband felt realistic and not overdramatised. For once its good to see a husband portrayed as genuinely concerned for her wellbeing, but not getting angry for her having the temerity to be dedicated to her career.

At times, however I did find it a bit slow at times, especially since we already knew that the case was about a cold case, instead many chapters devoted to the shooting event. I also found the church-y bits, like when Maggie’s new friend says she’ll pray for her, and when Maggie starts praying, really jarring and also a bit ick. It felt out of place. The other thing that bugged me was her cousin’s wife was referred to as ‘Patrick’s wife, even by her own mother in law, Maggie’s aunt El, who says ‘Patrick’s wife had to go to the store’! Huh?

Apart from that I am very much looking forward to the next book.

Thanks to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Alongside James Chandler, Peter Kirkland is making a name for himself in portraying lawyers working in small town America who are up against the odds facing seemingly insurmountable odds but somehow manage to prevail - much to the readers' delight.

The heroine of this new series, Maggie Gallagher is no exception as returning home after working as a prosecutor she hangs out her shingle and becomes a defence lawyer, pretty much learning on the job.

She faces defending an old friend from her childhood who is accused of a heinous murder. Her adversary, the district attorney and prosecutor plays by her own rules yet Maggie prevails through her sheer doggedness and legal kills.

The book is also about life in small town America which is sympathetically portrayed.

This is an excellent book by a highly skilled story teller and is heartily recommended.

I am a fan of legal thrillers. I have read so many of them over the years. I have totally fallen for Maggie and her small town law services!! I enjoyed this book so very much. I finished it literally in one setting. I loved how it is numbered book number one as now. I can look forward to book number two. Definitely going to be on my watchlist. You will not go wrong as a lover of legal thrillers if you pick this book up.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

book one in a series about a woman lawyer

maggie gallahger has moved back to her hometown with her family and started up her practise, its a move that hopefully will get her back with her extended family and also may be a safer haven for her after the attacks on herself just for doing her job

her childhood friend though has been arrested when a gun is shot in his home and one of his sons is injured and its not long before maggie exerts her right as his lawyer

have to say i thoroughly enjoyed reading this one... love a good courtroom drama and this one had all the elements in it to keep you engaged reading it.... loved the added elements of danger when people start to take sides

will be keeping an eye out for more from this author

This book was archived before I could read it. But I’ll find it and listen. But heard good things. I’m giving ⭐️⭐️⭐️Thanks NetGalley

I love a good courtroom drama, and The Midwest Lawyer by Peter Kirkland does not disappoint. I had a hard time putting this one down. I am looking forward to the next Maggie Gallagher Thriller!

Legal thrillers are a personal favourite. I loved how this book combined the complexities of the legal system with the nuances of small town life.
This book explores several themes including justice, loyalty and familial relationships. The characters are well developed and the plot is intricate. It was a real page turner for me.