An Engineered Injustice: Philadelphia Legal

After reading the author's first book I knew I had to read this when it was released so I got it yesterday and finished it today. Let me say this now, if you like legal thrillers you have to read this book and the first one, A Criminal Defense. I couldn't put the fist one down and this one was no different and believe it or not I think this one was even better. While it starts a little slow to build the story and characters it quickly picks up the pace as the plot begins to twist and turn on it's way to the end. I hope Mr. Myers has a long career ahead of him as an author because his stories are gripping and his writing style is excellent, I couldn't put down either of his novels when I started them and look forward to many more.

"An Engineered Injustice" puts attorney Vaughn Coburn in the middle of a huge national disaster. His cousin, who he treated as a brother growing up and to whom he owes a massive debt, served as the engineer on a train that crashed and resulted in death and destruction. His cousin Eddy survives but has no recollection of what happened. Worse, the investigation shows him to be at fault. Author William L. Myers Jr. obviously knows his stuff. This is a legal thriller that tackles family loyalties, the ramifications of past mistakes, the difficulties of overcoming those mistakes and the greed of powerful people. Myers mixes it all up in a cauldron of intrigue and tosses in gangsters, lawyers who will do anything to win and a seemingly unwinnable situation for Coburn, who's in over his head. But Vaughn plugs away, trying to find out what to do as the evidence mounts and his cousin looks guiltier and guiltier. I read this in two sittings. I could not put the thing down. And I don't normally read legal thrillers. This just looked interesting. Myers' characters gain depth almost immediately. There's a sequence where Vaughn is at a family picnic, and Eddy's older sister tells him he may in out of his league trying to defend her brother. It's superbly written despite being rather short. It packs meaning. And Myers description of the mob boss as well educated but intensely dangerous also comes off as quite powerful. I was hooked.

It's a mystery. This is not the basis for the book. However, during a particular tense moment,this is a characters thought. It made me laugh. Then I was instantly grounded and back into the story and thegravity of the situation.If you are from the Philadelphia area, you may remember an Amtrak crash which happened a few years back(2015). I think it may have inspired the story. Yet, inspiration is where it stops. The book is fascinating andthe solution intriguing.William Myers, Jr. has become one of my go to authors. This is only my second book but I cannot wait to readmore.What is particularly fascinating is each story is so different with completely new characters. That isn't tosay I would not enjoy hearing more from Erin and Vaughn.These are not sequels or part of a series, each is its own.Should not be missed.

Mr. Myers can write! I was entralled with his first book “A Criminal Defense”. Now a horrific train wreck seems to point to the engineer, the cousin of the main lawyer character, Vaughn. My father was a train engineer and I grew up around trains. Now Vaughn is brought in to defend his cousin, who has a checked past but someone, seemingly, has his life together. Myers has a page-turner that rolls as fast as speeding train. He keeps it focused on Vaughn, his girl friend, and the engineer. But there are also shoddy and fascinating characters. As he unravels his story, bits and pieces of the mystery get shared. Just like his first novel, I was blindsided by parts of the story. It is a fun ride and I am sure, or at least hope, Myers has another book or two in mind. I eagerly await. If he had been still alive, my engineer father would have loved this, too. Take the afternoon off and open the book!

This is the second in a series by the author William L Myers Jr., both take place in Philadelphia and with the same law firm. Both books benefit from the author’s background in law and his familiarity with the topics he is writing about. This book weaves a taut and tense tale about a horrific train accident and the machinations behind the scenes to affix blame, and therefore award dollars, as a result of the event. The book is filled with memorable characters, sometimes overlapping in interests, but often in their own worlds. The ‘story’ behind the accident is a shocker and well worth the build-up. I finished the book in one long afternoon. I just couldn’t put it down.

An Engineered Injustice has references to events in the first book but works perfectly well as a standalone and, if anything, the consequences of past actions help to propel its plot. There are also return appearances for some of the characters from A Criminal Defense, including some particularly unsavoury ones although sometimes even they can have their uses. Having to live with the consequences of past actions is especially the case for lawyer, Vaughn Coburn. Despite his lack of experience with the type of litigation involved, he feels an obligation to his family to clear his cousin Eddy, the driver of the derailed train, against charges of culpability for the crash. Along with a keen sense of justice, Vaughn has personal reasons – a secret buried for sixteen years – why he must succeed: ‘What he owes his cousin is nothing less than victory. And with it, salvation.”What seems an open and shut case of driver error initially, proves to be anything but as Vaughan, with the assistance of some unlikely allies, gradually uncovers a web of corruption and breathtakingly evil intent. The case involves Vaughn going out on a limb like never before, risking his reputation and livelihood.Given the author’s legal background, it’s no surprise the book is full of detail about legal and judicial procedure. The final courtroom scenes during the preliminary hearing of the case are not only convincingly realistic but as tense and thrilling as you could wish for. Will Vaughn’s unconventional ploy succeed? Does justice prevail? You’ll have to read the book to find out and, if you do, be prepared for surprises.An Engineered Injustice is another fast-moving, intricately plotted and compelling crime thriller from the pen of William L. Myers, Jr.

A thoroughly brilliant read from the first to the last page. I thank-you too, for the 300 plus pages, I do so hate a shortbook. I know the characters too, part of the family. I may even enjoy a re-read in a year or so.. Thank you again Mr Myers.

I was a little apprehensive at first when I discovered that this sequel would be from the perspective of Eddy Coburn as opposed to Mick MacFarland from the first book. Despite this I started to read the book and could hardly put it down. A story that really hooks you and is just as good as the first one with many twists and revelations along the way. Overall an excellent read and I can't wait until the third book in the series releases next year.

This is the second book I have read by this author, I thoroughly enjoyed both. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Intend buying any future books by this author. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to anyone wanting a very exciting read.

Really enjoyed reading this book great strong characters all with an excellent part to play. A great setting great detail making you want to carry on reading and not put the book down. The law system is hard to understand but it was very well explained in this book.