BOOK REVIEW: BEYOND JUSTICE IS A MASTERFUL LEGAL THRILLER SET IN SAN DIEGO

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Beyond Justice, By Joshua Graham (Dawn Treader Press, 2010, 430 pages.)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

 

September 8, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- San Diego author Joshua Graham has written a riveting and supernatural legal thriller, Beyond Justice, that at times has spiritual overtones. Beyond Justice is the story of Sam Hudson, a reputable San Diego attorney who descends into a hell not of his making after authorities wrongfully convict him of the brutal rape and murder of his wife and daughter.

 

On Death Row, he awaits execution by lethal injection while he agonizes over the fate of his young son Aaron, who was beaten into a coma during the attacks.

 

While incarcerated, Sam fights for his life from the natural and usual elements while his pro bono attorney works frantically on his appeal. It is there that he embraces the faith of his departed wife and begins to manifest supernatural abilities. Those abilities help him save lives – his own and those of his unlikely allies. He also uncovers the true killer’s identity, unlocking the door to his exoneration and reuniting with his son, who is still in a coma. The author describes prison life convincingly in his book, as if he had actually been there as an inmate.


San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Brent Stringer, an award winning journalist and best-selling writer, is one of the central characters in this fictional account of horrific tragedy, faith and redemption. The author describes his book as “more than a mystery novel, but an exercise in faith, understanding, joy and mercy in their purest forms.” I found that to be so in the twists, turns and surprises to be found along the way. There are victims starting with Sam Hudson and his family; the book also implicates society and our criminal justice system.

 

A book worthy of a feature length Hollywood movie, Beyond Justice strikes every chord in the area of mystery, romance between the accused and the one defending him, and heightened suspense. The author meticulously carries us along in this journey, keeping us breathless along the way.

 

Born in Brooklyn, author Joshua Graham holds a bachelor's, master's and doctorate degree from Johns Hopkin University.  He has taught college in West Virginia and Maryland.  After publishing several short stories under pseudonyms, he has drawn high praise from prominent reviewers for his legal thriller novel, Beyond Justice.

 

Set in “America’s Finest City,” San Diego, the book describes landmarks and scenes familiar to those living in our region, such as the San Diego Union-Tribune Newspaper, the San Diego Superior Court Building, the San Diego County Jail on Front Street, and I-15 and the 805 expressways. I, personally, have driven down this 805 freeway numerous times while going to minister to inmates at the George Bailey Center Jail and RJ Donovan Prison. This depiction of these landmarks and surroundings by Graham gives the reader a feel for the community in which these horrific acts occurred, leading them through each scene of this legal thriller.

 

Graham’s fictional novel has elements of cyberspace and internet intrigue; the murder mystery revolves around the murderer accessing and infiltrating the confines of his victims’ computers. Graham has intricately woven together these elements of cyberspace and our criminal justice system in a way that keeps avid mystery readers spellbound.

 

As with most murder mysteries, the least likely of suspects is not revealed until the end of this hypnotizing novel. Graham is brilliant in how he weaves in a love story with faith and religion, in the midst of horrific acts of murder and intrigue. Perhaps that is attributed to the author professing to me his affinity for noted author John Grisham. He is certainly headed in that direction! I have read Robert Ludlum’s The Ambler Warning and The Matarese Circle, and Graham’s Beyond Justice is the best mystery novel that I have ever read.

 

To add to the intrigue in this book, one of the police detectives who seemed absolutely convinced that Sam Hudson was the killer, and seemingly had a vendetta against him, was inadvertently drawn into the case on an intimate level—leading to shocking revelations that reverberate far beyond Sam Hudson and his family, disclosing a serial killer on the loose with a disturbing method to the madness.

 

Once becoming a free man, after a hellish ordeal in prison, Sam’s newfound faith confronts him with the most insurmountable challenge yet. A challenge beyond vengeance, beyond rage, beyond anything Sam believes himself capable of: to forgive the very person who murdered his family, according to his faith. But this endeavor reveals darker secrets than either Sam or the killer could ever have imagined--secrets that hurtle them into a fateful collision course. Beyond Justice has a plot worthy of Hollywood, told by a fantastic author with a deft touch and feel for intrigue! This author added a fitting climax in true John Grisham form.

 

Ironically, Sam Hudson shunned religion while his wife was alive. Yet his newfound faith gives him strength to survive prison and the subsequent ordeals he endures once released. This is a powerful testament to faith and religion, woven into a masterful murder mystery.

 

Dennis Moore is a member of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild. He has written for LifeAfter50 Magazine in Pasadena, California, and the Baja Times Newspaper in Rosarito Beach, Mexico. He is also the President of Bethel A.M.E. Prison Ministry in San Diego, California. Mr. Moore can be contacted at demoore21@sprint.blackberry.net.

 


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Comments

"DARKROOM"

Joshua Graham has followed up on his "Beyond Justice" with his soon to be released "DARKROOM," published by Howard Books/Simon & Schuster, which I am honored to be given the opportunity of writing a review of.

An excellent review, on an excellent book

Dennis Moore is correct in highlighting the central role that faith, and the power of one's beliefs plays in Beyond Justice. Author Joshua Graham shows an exquisite sensitivity to the deep, roiling emotions felt by Sam Hudson, without the book feeling either out-of-touch or overly manipulative.

I concur with Mr. Moore that this book should be highly recommended, and a definite must-read on one's reading list.

- Michael B.

"Beyond Justice"

I am still waiting for this fantastic book to be made into a movie.

7th Annual Diamond Literary Festival "Authors Dinner Cruise"

Barnes & Noble #1 Bestselling author Joshua Graham has been invited to attend the 7th Annual Diamond Literary Festival, "Celebrating Authors Dinner Cruise," on June 3rd aboard the William D. Evans at the beautiful Bahia Resort Hotel in Mission Bay. Joshua Graham will have the opportunity to sign his bestselling book, "Beyond Justice," along with other noted authors. Joshua Graham is the co-host of "Dialogue: Between the lines," an internet radio show for writers.

Diamond Literary Festival of San Diego applauds Joshua Graham

I am in constant awe of Joshua Graham. I can't wait to read and share his book, Beyond Justice. I can see great things on the horizon for this grand writer. It would be an honor to have him share his great work at the Celebrating Authors Dinner Cruise on board the William D. Evans at the Bahia Resort Hotel on June 3, 2011 from 6:30pm -12midnight. We will cruise the beautiful Mission Bay Harbor enjoying good food and glorious music. ALL ARE INVITED to share in the fun. The public will have a chance to meet up close and chat with authors. Writers and authors will have a chance to introduce their book(s) and/or written work and do book signings.

For more information please email: Alice at either alice.jefferson@cox.net or call 619-913-0626

"Beyond Justice" - Joshua Graham

I was honored to be a guest on an internet radio show for writers, which was co-hosted by Joshua Graham, the author of the magnificent book, "Beyond Justice." Mr. Graham is scheduled to be one of the authors at the Barnes & Noble - Grossmont sponsored Authors Event on April 9, 2011, starting at 1:00PM.

Dennis Moore as our guest on DIALOGUE: Between the Lines

Hello Dennis!
We would love to have you as a guest on DIALOGUE: Between the Lines with Susan Wingate & Joshua Graham! Right now we're filling the slate for March. Would you be interested in a March slot? Please say "yes!" :) -Susan.

"Beyond Justice" - Guest on DIALOGUE

Susan, of course! I would be honored to appear as a guest on DIALOGUE, with two of my favorite authors, you and Joshua Graham.

Regards,

Dennis

Beyond Justice

One bang-up review. Fascinating to read in and of itself.

Gary Winters, author of The Deer Dancer.

"Beyond Justice" Joshua Graham - "The Deer Dancer" Gary Winters

Thank you Gary, when I get the opportunity, I hope to write as good of a review for your book, "The Deer Dancer," as I did for Joshua Graham's "Beyond Justice." After I wrote the review for Beyond Justice, the book made it to the Bestseller Lists of Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

San Diego Writers/Editors Guild

I am honored to have as my guest at the next meeting of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild, Joshua Graham, the author of "Beyond Justice," on Monday, September 27, 2010, starting at 630PM. Mr. Graham will be introduced, and get a chance to plug his book, and the internet radio show that he has collaborated with Susan Wingate on, the author of "Easy As Pie At Bobby's Diner."

"Beyond Justice"

Dialogue: Between the Lines with Susan Wingate & Joshua Graham.

Joshua Graham and Susan Wingate collaborate on internet radio to talk about their respective books.

Beyond Justice

Dennis Moore has a subtle way of convincing the reader to go to the book store or online. He provides unforced insight into the world the author has crafted. With his early observation that this book would make a great film, visual images flashed in my head as the review unfolded. I'm looking forward to going to my local book outlet and getting my copy. Darryl Littleton is the author of "Black Comedians On Black Comedy" www.ccomedytime.com

"Beyond Justice"

Those are very kind comments by Darryl Littleton, author of "Black Comedians on Black Comedy," whom I had the pleasure of meeting at a Comedy Club in El Cajon, California. His book, about "How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh," is one in which I also hope to write a review of, is full of the rich history and insight of such comedians as Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Bernie Mac, Moms Mabley, Chris Rock, Dick Gregory, and so many more. Darryl Littleton, in his own right, is one of those comedians that adds to the legacy of black comedians, under the stage name of "D'Militant."

Beyond Justice by Dennis Moore

Mr. Moore did a fantastic job reviewing the book. I live in
the Chicago area. This awesome writing by Mr. Moore really
sparked my interest in this book. His vivid and expressive
details are really great. Chicago is known for some unusual
court cases, especially murder cases, but this review revealed
a different prospective. There have been several wrongful conviction cases here that were later overturned. This
situation reminds me of those cases. Thanks Dennis for a
good review, keep up the good work.

Joshua Graham's "Beyond Justice"

Being from Chicago, as is Ms. Higgins, I am also very well aware of the mis-carriages of justice in the court system there, most notably in death row cases. Somewhat like the fistional character in Joshua Graham's book, Sam Hudson, numerous men in Chicago were later freed, after DNA evidence would indicate that they didn't commit the murders that they had been convicted of. Although "Beyond Justice" is fictional, it is certainly food for thought in everyday and real world occurences. The author is a brilliant storyteller.

Beyond Justice/Book Review

There is nothing like reading a good suspense novel review to draw you into the story. Dennis Moore did just that with his review of "Beyond Justice," by author Joshua Graham. I believe that this book has the makings of a movie, because it has that cat and mice chase feel to it. Sheila L. Jackosn, author of "The Enemy Within," and "Through The Eyes of God." www.sheilaljackson2.com, http://www.facebook.com/sheilalj

So honored

I am completely honored and humbled by this gracious review. That Mr. Moore, as the president of Bethel A.M.E. Prison Ministry in San Diego found authenticity and meaning in my book not only pleases me, but confirms my calling to write books that entertain as much as they inspire.




Thank you, Mr. Moore!



Joshua Graham


www.joshua-graham.com


BEYOND JUSTICE can be purchased at Amazon.com in both Paperback and Kindle version.

It is also available in all ebook formats at Smashwords

Follow Joshua Graham on the BEYOND JUSTICE virtual book tour!


"Beyond Justice"

The author is too kind, and humble, for it is his body of work that makes for a good review.

Regards,

Dennis

Beyond Justice

Dennis serves us up another treasure. This book is one I will no doubt see one day in RD's Select Editions, alongside other top writers of our day.
Linda Loegel

"Bumps Along The Way"

Those are kind words of Linda Loegel, but in my reading of her book, "Bumps Along The Way," for my subsequent review, it is just as worthy of similar accolades.

Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham

Fabulous review for an amazing read. Mr. Graham's writing exquisitely lays out torment and redemption in a fabulous plot. Well done!

"Beyond Justice" author collaborates with Susan Wingate.

It is great that "Beyond Justice" author Joshua Graham and "Easy As Pie At Bobby's Diner author, Susan Wingate, have collaborated on an internet radio show, that airs every Thursday at 10AM. What an innovative concept on their parts, to provide a forum for aspiring authors. I hope to be on their show in the near future, especially after reviewing both of their books.

Beyond Justice "Qualifying Addendum"

In my review of "Beyond Justice," the pull quote; "More than a mystery novel, but an exercise in faith, understanding, joy and mercy in their purest forms," should be properly and appropriately attributed to an upcoming review of the same book in "Suspense Magazine," that the author was so gracious to share with me, among other quotes. Again, a fantastic book, that I am honored to have been given the opportunity to review! Regards, Dennis Moore