Reviews

“Nick Drummond…a droll, middle-aged jazz aficionado…works as a prosecutor for the California Attorney General and is head of a money-laundering task force…A literally explosive first chapter leads into a lengthy flashback that introduces much information and many characters well. Characterizations are intricately detailed and realistic, especially for Drummond, who, when the text begins, has already been tossed out of his home for being a workaholic…Background information on such diverse topics as Glacier National Park, criminal law, authentic Italian cooking, the Holocaust, police procedures, and Father Damien’s Hawaiian leper colony is subtly woven into the text, adding an educational aspect…Brisk, jaunty dialogue adds another dimension to the book’s relationships…In this fast-paced and serious drama, just the right amount of humor is injected in just the right spots…Path to Justice follows a harrowing case from its beginnings to its conclusion in an absorbing way, providing a behind-the-scenes picture of the personalities who work diligently on the side of justice.”
Clarion Reviews
PATH TO JUSTICE
““We’ll take good care of you. You can only be safe when we get Luis and the other two heads of the cartel convicted."
“Nick Drummond, a San Diego prosecutor who heads up a money-laundering task force, finds himself involved in establishing a case against leaders of an international drug cartel. The Baja Norte Familia is brought to Drummond’s attention when a Montana firefighter becomes suspicious of off-road vehicles near the Canadian border, and surveillance of these vehicles reveals a nefarious San Diego accountant to be involved in this dubious activity. Nick and his task force begin building the case against these criminals, even getting an ex-girlfriend of a cartel lieutenant to agree to testify. This proves to be a dangerous proposition, however, as the cartel discovers the witness’s safe house and destroys it, proving that everyone involved in prosecuting the crime family is in danger.
“Nick Drummond, a San Diego prosecutor who heads up a money-laundering task force, finds himself involved in establishing a case against leaders of an international drug cartel. The Baja Norte Familia is brought to Drummond’s attention when a Montana firefighter becomes suspicious of off-road vehicles near the Canadian border, and surveillance of these vehicles reveals a nefarious San Diego accountant to be involved in this dubious activity. Nick and his task force begin building the case against these criminals, even getting an ex-girlfriend of a cartel lieutenant to agree to testify. This proves to be a dangerous proposition, however, as the cartel discovers the witness’s safe house and destroys it, proving that everyone involved in prosecuting the crime family is in danger.
The US Review of Books by Kat Kennedy
PATH TO JUSTICE
“A San Diego prosecutor puts together a case against top leaders of a new but menacing drug cartel in Dutton’s debut legal thriller…A hero who audaciously takes on bad guys, whether in court or out in the field.”
Kirkus Reviews
PATH TO JUSTICE
“No one is above the law in this jargon-heavy legal thriller from former California prosecutor Jim Dutton, who relies on his own experience for realism…There’s a solid action thriller here…”
Blueink Review
PATH TO JUSTICE
5/5
Buy this book! This is a fascinating story of a real life prosecutor. The author (a retired prosecutor) gives the most honest and step-by-step view of a major criminal investigation that I have ever read in a book or seen in a movie.
AMAZON
Brett Weiss
PATH TO JUSTICE
5/5
Path to Revenge had some unexpected turns! Great follow up story and a fast read. Kept me engaged, but I knew how it would end! Can’t wait for part 3.
AMAZON
Barbara Mandel
PATH TO REVENGE
5/5
You won’t regret reading this book! Great book, loved the real life details of the law process and Southern California. Felt like I was watching the trial from the gallery. getting to know the ins and outs of the how the gangs operate had me captivated. Really hit home for me overall, highly recommend
AMAZON
Mac Gorcey Biblowitz
PATH TO JUSTICE
“[Cartel leader] Javier Esquel-Ranchez calls in the hit on Nick [Drummond]… Danger and action follow these two men from California all the way down to Peru as Nick’s crusade against the cartels enters its next thrilling chapter…The action…rattles off from one exotic location to the next, with the possibility of a shootout always within arm’s reach. Giving each of the men on either side of the law an opportunity to function as a principal character gives their showdown tremendous gravity, and the readers may even find themselves hoping against hope for a peaceful resolution. The balance of blockbuster action and measured character development here make for an excellent and suspenseful read to those that can handle the adrenaline.”
The US Review of Books
PATH TO REVENGE
“In this sequel, a United States attorney [Nick Drummond] and a task force pursue a murderous cartel leader in South America…As Dutton’s second installment is directly connected to the preceding novel, Path to Justice (2017), the book hits the ground running. All of the subplots and alternating narrative perspectives…generate a brisk, steady pace. Action takes precedence over the legal battles…Nevertheless, the story delivers surprising effective melodrama, like Nick, separated from his wife, becoming romantically involved with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Ana Schwartz. “A rousing, energetic drug tale sure to spark interest is this legal thriller series.”
Kirkus Reviews
PATH TO REVENGE
“In this complex story about revenge and finding one’s calling, the characters are the stars… In Jim Dutton’s character-driven crime thriller Path to Revenge, a case around a Mexican drug cartel seems like it’s business as usual until the cartel’s leader is killed in cold blood…The opening chapter engages interest by revealing a controversy so huge and messy that it’s hard to choose the more convincing side.”
Clarion Reviews
PATH TO REVENGE
“A United States attorney leads a task force targeting an international human trafficking ring in this third installment of a thriller series.

“Nick Drummond’s Money Laundering Task Force now has its first human trafficking case. A 17-year-old Nepali girl has escaped captivity from a trafficking ring centered in Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California. She provides details on numerous individuals involved, most notably two Americans known as Mister Steve and Mister Rick. These men are linked to a private corporation that owns spas and hotels in the U.S. and other countries. At these businesses are youngsters from places like Nepal and Tanzania forced into sex work or severely underpaid for manual labor. The task force, which includes government agents, gathers intelligence so that Nick can take the fight to court, beginning with a grand jury hearing. Making charges stick will entail someone wearing a wire and facing a culprit with a reputation for violence. Nick hopes to put a lot of people away, even if everyone pleads to a deal. But the attorney himself may be looking to make reparations—he’s still burdened by guilt over a crime he committed years ago. Like preceding series entries, this volume moves at a steady clip. Task force members sometimes find themselves in dangerous circumstances (for example, up against a hidden shooter). Nick utilizes the legal system with skill and promptness: overseeing testimonies, discovery, and motions. With his pithy writing, Dutton distinctly establishes scenes and new characters. In the case of villains Steve and Rick, they seem like typical adventure-seeking men, but the few overt signs of their depravity make them truly horrifying. The story caters to new readers joining the series, but it’s especially edifying for returning fans, who will recognize several characters and subplots. The enjoyable novel ends on a sharp and unexpected note.

“An engaging legal tale with plenty of action, suspense, and courtroom flair.”
Kirkus Reviews
PATH TO ATONEMENT
“In Jim Dutton’s shocking legal thriller Path to Atonement, an attorney confronts the realities of human trafficking.

Nick Drummond, an assistant US attorney, is contacted by Elin…, the fiancée of a man whose death was partially brought about by Nick’s actions. Through Elin, he meets Binsa, a Nepalese teenager who escaped sexual slavery. He also becomes embroiled in the fight to dismantle the human trafficking ring that took Binsa.

“…In the novel’s second half, the characters become dynamic, and their exchanges take on wry wit, helping to leaven the heavy subject matter….Once the legal proceedings begin, the story becomes suspenseful and interesting, portraying human trafficking and its consequences in an authentic manner. The victims suffer from deep and abiding PTSD, but they do not lose the defining traits that make them human and individuals. Their character arcs are satisfying, albeit heart wrenching. They’re treated by Nick and his teammates with kindness and compassion,…The story’s ending is shocking and involves some controversy, but is gratifying.

“The legal thriller Path to Atonement goes inside of courtroom practices to treat its painful subject matter with sensitivity and respect.”
Clarion Reviews
PATH TO ATONEMENT
“It is a world populated by men and women on both sides of the law, those well familiar with the consequences of faulty decisions, and who are distinctly casual about the violence of the entire process. It is a culture of men like Nick, who struggle to make amends for past wrongs and strip themselves of old wounds that their distinct brand of justice has manifested on their souls. It is a tale that hints at the darker possibilities of the criminal mind and the handicaps imposed on law enforcement that restrain them from crossing the line. Ultimately, it’s a compelling story about individuals finding the courage to stop compromising their morals, quit bending their badges, and seek a path towards humility and forgiveness.”
The US Review of Books by Robert Buccellato
PATH TO ATONEMENT
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