Mike Papantonio is a writer, prominent trial attorney and co-host of Ring of Fire, a nationally syndicated weekly radio talk show, along with Robert F Kennedy, Jr and Sam Seder where he is known as ‘America’s lawyer.’ He has written several books including “In Search of Atticus Finch, A Motivational Book for Lawyers,” “Resurrecting Aesop: Fables Lawyers Should Remember” and the Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis’ legal thrillers “Law and Disorder” and “Law and Vengeance.” In his newest novel, “Law and Addiction,” Mike Papantonio pulls back the curtain on America’s deadly opioid epidemic with a legal thriller about greed, corruption and the power of personal conviction.

“Law and Addiction” begins with a Prologue that has Blake Rutledge, in the middle of a drug-induced paranoia attack, becoming another victim of the opioid crisis: “Blake’s lungs slowed to a stop, but his mind didn’t know it.” This was one week before his twin brother Jake’s law school graduation. Upon hearing of Blake’s death, Jake returns to his hometown of Oakley, West Virginia, who many now refer to as “Zombieland” because most of the city has been ravaged by the opioid epidemic. Seeking justice for Blake, he plans to take on Big Pharma but realizing that he is way out of his league, he seeks out famed lawyer Nicholas “Deke” Deketomis for help. Together they join forces but soon death threats, bribes and unlawful property seizures threaten to derail their legal efforts. To discredit Jake, he is kidnapped and unwillingly turned into an addict. He escapes, but not unscathed because now he is faced with his own battle to become clean.

With his latest novel, Mike Papantonio successfully translates the opioid epidemic into a suspenseful legal thriller. The research Deke’s team does to prepare the case develops into a narrative into how the pharmaceutical companies fueled the epidemic and eventually profited from it and it is nothing short of eye opening. As with his other novels, the story has a strong beginning with the Prologue where readers have a front row seat to witness Jake’s suffering and death. The author re-introduces Deke’s legal team, so readers who may be unfamiliar with them are not lost. Regarding the legal jargon and courtroom drama, they are both easy to understand and the fast-paced action flows easily from page to page. The characters are well-developed and relatable and the poetic prose brings a fresh perspective to the storytelling: “skeletal branches from trees reached for him, snagging his clothing.” “Law and Addiction” is a must-read and recommended for fans of smart legal thrillers, but it also has elements of suspense and mystery with some politics mixed in to appeal to most readers. Since Mr. Papantonio uses his real life cases as springboards for his novels, readers can surely look forward to more in this exciting series.

“As I write these words, somewhere in America an individual is dying of a drug overdose. During the next twenty-four hours, there will be at least 115 deaths from the same cause.” – Mike Papantonio (Author’s Note)

*The author received a copy of this book for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.