Showing posts with label legal mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label legal mystery. Show all posts

Saturday, August 01, 2026

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Guilty By Association (Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries, #2) by T.G. Wolff

Guilty by Association by TG Wolff Banner

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION

by TG Wolff

July 13 - August 7, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Guilty by Association by TG Wolff

The Rizk Brothers Legal Mystery Series 

Family values are great for campaigns. Family baggage isn't.

His twin is the last person Miami Detective Seth Rizk expects to defend him at an internal affairs hearing that could end his career. As the interim attorney general for Indiana, Jakob has to keep his reputation clean as he campaigns for the permanent seat.

While waiting for the ruling, Seth returns to Indiana to repay a debt posthumously. The retired cop who once helped solve the Rizk family’s greatest tragedy was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The trail leads straight into a luxury rehab facility where, posing undercover, Seth discovers fraud, theft, ambition—and a motive worth killing to protect.

But Seth’s sins in Miami follow him north, and Jakob is caught in the storm. His campaign team issues an ultimatum: cut ties with your brother or lose the election. With enemies closing in, the twins must decide which bond is stronger: family, justice, or survival.

Perfect for readers of smart mysteries, legal intrigue, and brotherly chemistry.

Praise for Guilty by Association:

"I was pulled into this story and felt like I was right there with all the characters and I love the way the twins interact with each other."
~ Bookbub Reviewer

"There is so much drama and intrigue, making for an entertaining and enjoyable story. The characters are wonderful and so genuine. I find the interactions between the twins, their dad, Jakob’s wife and his staff to be fun to read. The book ended on a zinger and I can’t wait for book 3. I highly recommend reading it and give it 5 stars."
~ Bookbub Reviewer

"If you enjoy engaging sound plots with relatable characters who are involved in complex investigations, then Guilty by Association is the book for you. Because of the cliffhanger ending I can hardly wait for book three."
~ Bookbub 5⭐ review

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery; Legal Mystery, Whodunnit
Published by: Tule Publishing
Publication Date: April 22, 2026
Number of Pages: 324
ISBN: 9781972451007 (ISBN10: 1972451006)
Series: The Rizk Brothers Legal Mystery Series, Book 2
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub | Tule Publishing

The Rizk Brothers Legal Mystery Series

MURDER ON SITE by TG Wolff, cover
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub | Tule Publishing
Guilty by Association by TG Wolff
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub | Tule Publishing


Read an excerpt:


Seth

Wednesday. Late afternoon.

Sitting on the rooftop of Wallace Investigations in the shade of a canopy, Seth reflected on his afternoon. He’d seen everything the South Bend PD had on the Jameson case. It was both what he expected and disappointing. But, he realized, if there had been the proverbial smoking gun, he wouldn’t be here now.

Or maybe that voicemail to Butch was the smoking gun. Without it, Declan Jameson’s death would have been ruled accidental, and life would have moved on.

While Stanton had welcomed him on the team, Seth had to run his own investigation, separate and unofficial. Top of Seth’s list were Jameson’s children, Danielle and Sean. If he were lucky, Jameson talked to one of them about what he thought stunk.

He dialed the number for Danielle in the police report. After five rings, it rolled to voicemail. Not a surprise. In the day and age of spam calls, he was one of the many who only answered numbers he knew. Well, his phone knew. Seth long ago stopped knowing phone numbers beyond his and the one that rang in the house where his father still lived.

He left a message for Mrs. Tolbert and then dialed the woman who had reported Jameson missing.

She picked up on the second ring. “Hello?” The female voice was soft, almost melodic.

“Mrs. O’Connell? My name is Seth Rizk. I am conducting a secondary investigation into Declan Jameson’s death. How are you today, ma’am?” He asked the question to give the woman time to digest the mouthful he’d just given her.

“I’m fine, thank you for asking.”

“I would like to meet with you to talk about Captain Jameson.”

“Who is it?” a nosy voice asked grumpily in the background.

“My nephew,” Mrs. O’Connell said away from the phone, then came back to the speaker. “I would love if you visited. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.”

“Ma’am? Did you hear what I said?”

“Of course. Tomorrow afternoon? That would be fine. You’re welcome to join us for lunch, if you don’t mind eating with a crowd of sophisticated, older ladies.”

“I would love to join you for lunch. I’ll be there at noon, Mrs. O’Connell. Or should I call you Aunt Morrighan?”

“Yes, that would be best,” she said. “Oh, it’s been such a long time since I’ve had someone to, er, talk to. You know, family. Do you have any news?”

“About Captain Jameson’s death? More questions than answers, but there are a few things I can share.”

She laughed, the sound forced and brittle. “Oh, that brother of yours. He always was a troublemaker.”

No, Jakob was the good brother. Not that she knew.

“I really can’t wait to hear what kind of trouble you’ve been making,” she said, her voice cracking.

Seth heard the real stress behind the faked banter. “I can come now. I’m in the city and can be there in twenty minutes.”

“No, no. Things are the same around here. It will be nice to have a break in routine …”

“Seth, Aunt Morrighan. I’ll see you at noon. You have my number—don’t be shy about using it.”

“Wonderful, see you tomorrow, Seth.” She ended the call.

“Color me intrigued,” Seth said to the pigeon walking around the roof. “The woman was intimidated by someone. Maybe the same someone who shot Jameson up with heart meds. This ought to be an interesting visit. Hold that thought,” he said as his screen showed the daughter’s name. “Seth Rizk.”

“Hello, this is Danielle Tolbert. I’m returning your call?” The question held more than a little distress.

“Thank you for calling, Mrs. Tolbert. My condolences on your loss. I met your father a long time ago. I’m one of the many who respected him.”

Not Jakob. Whatever his problem was.

“Thank you.” Her voice broke.

“I want to speak with both you and your brother, tomorrow if possible.”

She sniffled. “Why do you want to talk to Sean? He lives in Nashville, Tennessee and just came back home when Dad went missing. He doesn’t know anything.”

“With investigations, you just never know when the smallest, off-hand comment holds the key to the entire puzzle. I know this is hard.”

“Why isn’t the South Bend PD handling my father’s case? He worked for them for more than thirty years. He trusted them and wouldn’t like it if they were pushed aside.” Even in her grief, Danielle wasn’t rolling over for him.

“No one has pushed anyone aside. I spent the morning with Detective Stanton. If you prefer, I can see if he’s available to join us.”

A pregnant pause followed.

“No. It’s all right.” She didn’t sound as if it was. “As long as he knows you’re meeting with us, it’s okay. Sean is staying with us. Could you come by the house in the morning? Maybe nine thirty?” When Seth agreed, she ended the call with little courtesy or fanfare.

Seth sat with his elbows on his knees. He would have his hands full tomorrow. He would have to be strategic interviewing the grieving family. In his experience, the doors of cooperation could slam shut quickly. For an instant, he contemplated tagging Stanton. She obviously trusted him. But Seth wanted to get his own impressions. Stanton would be his backup plan, in case he did end up shut out.

The trip to Seven Families, to see Morrighan O’Connell, had to be solo. Walking in with a known cop could shut mouths he needed open.

Briefing the detective after would be good enough for now.

“Well,” he said to the pigeon, “since I’m not going anywhere soon …” He opened the cooler, pulled out a Bud, and leaned back in his chair.

***

Excerpt from Guilty by Association by TG Wolff. Copyright 2026 by TG Wolff. Reproduced with permission from Tule Publishing. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

TG Wolff

TG Wolff has never been able resist a good puzzle. With an engineer’s mind for logic and a lifelong love of mysteries, she crafts whodunnit stories that challenge readers to outsmart her detective. Her books are filled with quirky characters, red herrings, and—because she firmly believes solving (fictional) murders should be fun—a healthy dose of humor.

TG earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in civil engineering, learning early to see every problem as a mystery and each solution as the answer the result of asking the right questions. That same curiosity drives her fiction, where nothing is ever accidental and every detail counts.

When she’s not plotting fictional crimes, TG is a mystery reader and reviewer, and the co-creator / co-host of the whodunnit mystery podcast Mysteries to Die For. A Cleveland, Ohio native, she now lives in northeast Indiana with her husband and two sons, where dogs and mysteries are always welcome.

Catch Up With TG Wolff:

TGWolff.com
Mysteries to Die For Podcast
The Tule Group
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @TG_Wolff
Instagram - @TG_Wolff
LinkedIn
Facebook

 

Review:

5 stars!

The brothers join forces once again to solve a murder at an exclusive rehabilitation retreat. 

Guilty by Association is the second exciting book in author TG Wolff’s action-packed, full-of-heart Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries, and it is a riveting tale of intrigue, betrayal, and danger, with a doozy of a cliffhanger finish. When the retired police detective who investigated their mother’s murder dies under suspicious circumstances, the Rizk brothers join forces to dig deeper and discover the truth. 

Only weeks have passed since the brothers reunited in book one, and Seth has returned home to Miami to face an internal affairs board regarding his assault on a crooked coworker. He’s surprised when Jakob, who is the interim Indiana Attorney General, appears at the hearing as his advocate. But even after Jakob’s masterful performance, they’ll have to wait almost two weeks before the board makes their recommendations to find out if Seth still has a career with the Miami Police Department. With time on his hands, Seth agrees to accompany Jakob back to Indianapolis and work for him as a special investigator and look into retired Captain Declan Jameson’s death at the exclusive rehabilitation facility where he’d gone to recover from a car accident. 

The story is fast-paced and complex, with a lot going on under the surface at the rehab facility besides their old friend’s death. Complicating Seth’s inquiries is the shocking arrival in the area of the disgruntled and very angry vice detective he’d pounded on back in Miami, as well as the pressure of Jakob’s struggling campaign for the permanent Attorney General seat. Jakob’s initial success and popularity are being challenged by his former boss and her state senator backer, who are pulling out all the dirty tactics they can to beat him, including using Seth’s troubles to damage his reputation. 

I enjoyed Seth’s undercover story of being the nephew of one of the rehab facility’s permanent residents, who happened to be in a developing relationship with Declan Jameson. His hiring by the facility director to teach yoga classes led to a lot of fun scenes. Seth’s investigation yields positive results, and there are some good red herrings to rule out before the reveal of the actual murderer. Their showdown has a great twist, but that doesn’t hold a candle to the didn’t-see-that-coming cliffhanger ending. 

I recommend GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION to readers of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.



Tour Participants:

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Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Guilty As Charged: I Want To Win

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for TG Wolff. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION by TG Wolff | Gift Card

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Saturday, June 27, 2026

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Alive by Proxy (Proxy Legal Thriller, #3) by Manning Wolfe

Proxy Legal Thriller Series by Manning Wolfe Banner

PROXY LEGAL THRILLER SERIES

by Manning Wolfe

June 8 - July 17, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

Alive by Proxy: Proxy Legal Thriller Series by Manning Wolfe

ALIVE BY PROXY

 

Can attorney Quinton Bell hang on to his new life, as he hides in plain sight, in this lawyer-on-the-run suspense thriller?

Alive By Proxy takes readers on a heart-pounding ride through the life of a criminal defense attorney whose world was wiped out by the very client he tried to save. After faking his own death and stepping into the life of his deceased best friend, Quinton walks a razor-thin line every day to keep his past buried and his future intact.

When Houston Wildcatters linebacker Marcus Hale is charged with the brutal murder of his agent, the case detonates into a media firestorm. As the defense digs deeper, the murder case opens into something darker with buried secrets, dangerous leverage, and hidden lives that refuse to stay in the shadows.

As the courtroom battle intensifies, so does the danger beyond it. Unseen eyes track Quinton’s every move. Old ghosts stir. The identity that has kept Quinton alive begins to feel more fragile than ever.

Every witness, every revelation, and every step closer to the truth threatens to expose both Quinton and his client. Will Quinton find a way out, or will he forever be a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse?

Praise for the Proxy Legal Thriller Series:

"A riveting read that expertly teams courtroom drama and legal maneuvering with imminent danger, spine-tingling suspense, a touch of romance, and non-stop action. Talk about an adrenaline rush!"
~ Reedsy

"Can a woman write a thriller book that leaves you going, 'Wow, how did I ever miss this author before?' Yes, she can. Fist bumps and high fives to author, Manning Wolfe on this fantabulous thriller!"
~ Forgotten Winds

"I love the whole book! From beginning to end, it was a roller coaster ride! From New York to Texas, With incredible character development, and plot twists from beginning to end! Looking back, there were subtle clues, but not until the very end was there a resolution. I would highly recommend this book!"
~ Susan Riley, Amazon Customer

"Manning Wolfe just put herself on my list of must-read authors!"
~ John Ellsworth

Book Details:

Genre: Legal Thriller
Published by: Starpath Books, LLC
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Number of Pages: 327
ISBN:9781944225629 (ISBN10: 1944225625)
Series: Proxy Legal Thriller Series
Book Links: Amazon | KindleUnlimited | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Proxy Legal Thriller Series

Dead by Proxy: Proxy Legal Thriller Series by Manning Wolfe
DEAD BY PROXY
Book 1
Amazon | KindleUnlimited | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub
Hunted by Proxy: Proxy Legal Thriller Series by Manning Wolfe
HUNTED BY PROXY
Book 2
Amazon | KindleUnlimited | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub


Alive by Proxy: Proxy Legal Thriller Series by Manning Wolfe
ALIVE BY PROXY
Book 3
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Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

Lightning slashed the Houston sky, illuminating the street for a fraction of a second before plunging it back into darkness. Rain hammered the pavement, pooling in gutters and rising fast. The bayous were already swollen, their muddy currents surging over the banks, consuming roads, homes, yards, everything in their path.

Daniel Price stood at his townhouse window, watching the water creep up his driveway. The power had gone out over an hour ago, leaving him in the dim glow of a flickering candle. A sharp knock at the door made him turn.

He wasn’t expecting anyone, especially at this hour and in this weather.

Another knock. Louder this time.

Urgent.

He unlatched the door and pulled it partially open.

A figure in a dark blue, rain-soaked poncho stood on the threshold.

“Jesus, you’re soaked,” Price said. “Get in here.”

The blade flashed in the candlelight.

Chapter 2

On the 610 Loop, Quinton Bell hustled into his office and dropped down behind his large wooden desk. He’d finished a hearing in the downtown courthouse and had hurried to get back to his office before rush hour hit.

The Law Office of Quinton Lamar Bell had only been open for about a year, and he was already turning away clients.

But Quinton Bell was not his real name.

It was Byron Douglas.

When Quinton opened his Houston office, he thought he was the only person alive who knew he had faked his own death in New York and stepped into the life of his dead best friend. He had taken the face, the name, and the future of Quinton Bell.

Now he lived each day alive by proxy, hiding in plain sight.

The phone rang.

Cassidy West was calling from jail.

Her client, Houston Wildcatters linebacker Marcus Hale, was being questioned for the murder of Daniel Price.

Chapter 3

Sheryl Benton sat in the dimly lit viewing room, her hands folded tightly in her lap. On the other side of the one-way glass, five men stood shoulder to shoulder in matching gray sweats.

Marcus Hale stood in slot number three.

Officer Gere’s voice was calm. “Take your time, Mrs. Benton. If you recognize anyone, just tell us.”

She leaned forward, uncertainty settling into her chest.

“Third from the left,” she finally whispered. “Maybe.”

That one word changed everything.

Behind her, Detective Clive Broussard stiffened.

And in the corner, Quinton Bell adjusted the cuffs of his tailored suit and watched the lineup begin to tilt toward disaster.

***

Excerpt from ALIVE BY PROXY by Manning Wolfe. Copyright 2026 by Manning Wolfe. Reproduced with permission from Manning Wolfe. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

MANNING WOLFE

MANNING WOLFE, an award-winning author and attorney residing in Austin, Texas, writes cinematic-style, smart, fast-paced thrillers and crime fiction. Manning was recently featured on Oxygen TV’s: Accident, Suicide, or Murder.

  • Manning's legal thriller series features Austin attorney Merit Bridges, including Dollar Signs, Music Notes, Green Fees, Chinese Wall, and Killer Weed.
  • Manning's new Proxy Legal Thriller Series features Houston attorney Quinton Bell and includes: Dead By Proxy, Hunted By Proxy, and Alive By Proxy.
  • Manning is co-author of Killer Set: Drop the Mic, and twelve additional Bullet Book Speed Reads.
  • As a graduate of Rice University and the University of Texas School of Law, Manning’s experience has given her a voyeur’s peek into some shady characters’ lives and a front-row seat to watch the good people who stand against them.

    Catch Up With Manning Wolfe:

    ManningWolfe.com
    Amazon Author Profile
    Goodreads - @manningwolfe
    BookBub - @ManningWolfe
    Instagram - @manningwolfe
    X - @ManningWolfe
    Facebook - @manning.wolfe
    YouTube - @starpathbooksllc1763
    Pinterest - @manningwolfe
    BlueSky - @manningwolfe.bsky.social
    TikTok - @manningwolfe

     

    Review:

    5 stars!

    Quinton Bell defends a pro football player accused of murdering his agent. 

    Alive by Proxy is the third book in veteran author Manning Wolfe's riveting Proxy Legal Thriller series, and the suspense in this one is killer! Houston Wildcatter lineman, Marcus Hale, accused of murdering his agent one dark and stormy night, proclaims his innocence and retains Quinton Bell to defend him. But Quinton's past is just about to catch up with him, as someone who knows his true identity leaves him taunting notes and souvenirs, which soon escalate to more deadly hints. Quinton must decide whether to stay the course and do what he can for his famous client or cut and run for his life once again. 

    In this latest case, Byron Douglas has settled into his new persona as Quinton Bell, the identity and life of an old friend who died, and has built a thriving law practice with an eminently competent and dependable staff and loyal colleagues. He's moved into his work-in-progress fixer-upper home in Houston and regularly visits the Bell family home in Galveston, but he still feels like he's being watched. He's not wrong. With his anxiety pinging off the ceiling, he manages a thorough trial prep while convincing his client to come clean about the awful secrets he's keeping. 

    The descriptions of Houston are vivid and transport the reader to the humid, sauna-like city that is the largest in Texas. Quinton's trips to Galveston and, later, through north Texas to the casino across the Red River paint a picture of the state's size and the region's diversity. The long nighttime drive from Oklahoma south back to Houston captured the reality of the journey and the feelings of remote isolation and empty darkness. 

    The plot covers the defense's careful investigation of the murder before trial and the suspense of the courtroom proceedings. The author underscores the role of the defense attorney, regardless of the client's guilt or innocence. The appearances by the individual who is watching Quinton are creepy and full of tension. He so easily becomes invisible, able to quickly and quietly melt away out of sight. The author does a wonderful job building suspense throughout the story, and the scenes with the watcher had me on the edge of my seat. 

    I recommend ALIVE BY PROXY to readers of legal mysteries, thrillers, and courtroom dramas.



    Tour Participants:

    Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

    Click here to view the Tour Schedule

     

     

    Reasonable Doubt You’ll Want To Miss This? None.

    This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Manning Wolfe. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
    Proxy Legal Thriller Series by Manning Wolfe | Gift Card

    Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

    Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

    Monday, April 06, 2026

    Book Review: Murder on Site (Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries, #1) by T.G. Wolff

    Murder on Site (The Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries Book 1)Murder on Site by T.G. Wolff
    My rating: 5 of 5 stars

    Great characters and an intriguing murder mystery land this book on my list of top books of the year!

    Murder on Site is the first book in veteran author TG Wolff's new Rizk Brothers Legal Mysteries series, and I couldn't imagine a better start. With a host of great characters working together to solve a baffling murder, I happily read this book in one sitting, riveted by its pages.

    The main characters, the titular Rizk brothers, Jakob and Seth, are twins and, though physically alike, personality-wise are as different as night and day. However, both are called to lives of service, Jakob as a prosecuting attorney and currently the interim attorney general for the state of Indiana, and Seth, a Miami police detective, back home in Indianapolis for the funeral of Harrison Stanley, the previous AG and a father figure to the brothers, especially Jakob. Harry had died while he and Jakob were playing golf, and Jakob was really struggling with his sudden passing.

    Jakob assumes the position of interim AG at the governor's behest until a new one can be elected, and he faces intra-departmental competition and sabotage from his former supervisor, Jessica Hartley, and a state senator who's in her corner. As Jakob settles in, a former colleague calls for advice on a difficult case. The family of a woman whose body was found on the construction jobsite where she worked as an inspector is pressuring his office to charge the only suspect in her murder immediately. The case against the man is extremely weak, with little evidence truly tying him to the murder. Unfortunately, the family is politically connected to the same state senator already causing Jakob grief. Jakob needs help to find the killer and find them fast, so he turns to Seth, who has his own struggles, personal and professional, he needs to face back in Miami. Together, they function like a machine as they conduct a solid investigation. With few clues to start with, it is up to Seth to open new, productive lines of inquiry and, perhaps, prompt some forgotten observations or answers to previously unasked questions from potential witnesses.

    The plot is well-paced, with details of the case, the twins' backstories, and other exposition seamlessly woven into the narrative. While the subject, a tragic murder, is serious, the author works quite a bit of humor into the story through dialogue. I laughed out loud several times at snarky comments, clever comebacks, and even at attorney Andrew Rosenfelt's name. Having worked in a city engineering department for almost two decades, I found the construction elements relatable and familiar, and the setting perfect for intrigue.

    I recommend MURDER ON SITE to readers of mysteries, especially those who enjoy a legal or construction setting.

    I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

    View all my reviews