A Counsel of Death

A brutal murder.

A detective caught between loyalty and truth.

A past that refuses to stay buried.

Detective Sam Chastain never expected a routine case to explode into personal chaos. When his father-in-law becomes a suspect in a gruesome crime, Sam is pulled into a web of betrayal, drowning deaths, and long-suppressed secrets tied to Cici Gurule's family.

As the investigation deepens, trust fractures and danger closes in. The killer manipulates every move, erasing trails and rewriting truth. To survive, Sam and Cici must confront the ghosts of their past—and each other.

A propulsive thriller that explores loyalty, justice, and its cost—perfect for fans of Tana French, Louise Penny, and Nevada Barr.

TIMELESS PRAISE FOR J.J. Cagney

"A wholly absorbing gumshoe tale elevated by an extraordinary detective." —Kirkus Reviews

"Vivid, alluring, and heart‑wrenching… every reason I love mystery." —New York Times Bestseller Darynda Jones

"Written in a clear, distinct style, Padgett uses the prose to elicit tension and emotion and creates a tense, fast-paced story." —The BookLife Prize

"An edge-of-my-seat thrill ride that kept me guessing all the way through." — USA Today Bestseller Allyson Lindt

"The prose is…sublimely concise." —Kirkus Reviews

"I'm pretty giddy that this will be a series! It's packed with a good mystery and the cat and mouse makes it hard to put down." —Next Book Review

"An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series." —Kirkus Reviews