Review: The Right to Remain: A Jack Swyteck Novel

The Right to Remain: A Jack Swyteck Novel by James Grippando
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 20th novel in this series, but it can be read very easily without reading the others.

I have never really had an interest in legal thrillers. They tend to be too political. I have firm thoughts about authors who bring their political beliefs into their writing.

This book was perfect! This is my first Jack Swyteck novel, but it won't be my last! Thank goodness I have 19 past books to read.

Jack Swyteck is a Defence lawyer. He has just gotten one of the most frustrating cases of his life. He needs to defend someone accused of murder. His client won't talk...at all. Not to protect himself, explain what happened, talk about his past, nada! This person takes the 5th Amendment, and they take it very literally.

The courtroom scenes were gripping, intense, and sometimes frustrating.

Meanwhile, we also have two different issues that may result in arrest: one involving Jack's friend and co-worker, Theo, and another involving a very rich Political Fanatic named C.J.

I do believe that I will be reading this entire series.

*ARC was supplied by the publisher Harper/Harper Collins, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss.

View all my reviews

Summary: "In this thrilling novel from bestselling author James Grippando—the twentieth in his revered series—legendary criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck takes on a twisty, difficult case that becomes one of the most complex in his illustrious career.

Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck must contend with a unique problem. His client, Elliott Stafford, indicted for murder, has gone silent. Not just silent in asserting his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination—Elliott refuses to speak. He won’t talk to the judge, his girlfriend, or even the attorney fighting for his life. There seems to be no medical or psychological reason for his silence. He has, as Jack puts it, “chosen to become his own worst enemy.”

To some, it’s an act of protest against a broken criminal justice system. Jack doesn’t buy it. Undeterred by the hoopla and calls to walk away, he keeps his client and tries his best to save Elliott from himself. As he digs for facts, Jack discovers a much more disturbing reason for Elliott’s silence. Virtually everything Elliott told Jack before the indictment is proving false, including Elliot’s criminal history, family turmoil, and secret past. As Jack plunges deeper, he comes to believe that Elliott isn’t trying to hide his own guilt. He may be protecting someone else—and the stakes could not be higher.

With plenty of courtroom action, scenes in which “Grippando’s years of experience shine brightest” (New York Times), The Right to Remain is one of the most thrilling entries yet in this hugely popular series that keeps going strong."