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Price of Justice (The Jason Scarsdale Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Alan Brenham (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 199 ratings
His focus is on solving the murders—until the unthinkable happens…

Recently widowed, Austin Police Detective Jason Scarsdale works to solve the murders of two pedophiles, while trying to be both mother and father to his five-year-old daughter. During his investigation, Scarsdale is forced to navigate between the crosshairs of two police commanders out to get him. Drawn to Austin Police Crime Analyst, Dani Mueller, who has also suffered tragedy, Scarsdale fights both his attraction and his suspicions that something just isn’t right…

She is hiding a secret, one that could not only cost her a job—it could end her life…

Dani hides a deadly past. After her daughter was brutally murdered, Dani exacted her revenge then changed her name and fled to Austin. But if her secret ever gets out, she knows there is no place she can hide from the murderer’s vicious family.

Pulled into a web of malice and deceit, Scarsdale and Dani discover the value of breaking the rules. Then just when they thought things couldn’t get worse…they do.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Jason Scarsdale Series
  2. Print length
    348 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    August 26, 2023
  5. File size
    1.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Brenham's fast-paced police drama juggles a number of narrative lines and disparate characters . . . The entire cast of characters--good and evil--is well-constructed and realistic, while the action-packed ending grows organically out of their varied personalities. So too does the emotional ending, which chooses intelligence over sentimentality. A gripping, fast-moving and emotionally charged drama centered on well-drawn characters with genuine motives."
Kirkus Reviews

From the Author

I've done a lot of writing in my life both as an attorney and as a police officer.  Now I wanted to try writing crime fiction books. It was a very rewarding experience and I learned a lot about writing mysteries and thrillers in general.The finished product was Price of Justice.

Told from the point of view of a grieving Austin police detective working within the framework of the law to stop pedophiles, and the viewpoint of a police crime analyst/mother out for her form of vigilante justice and revenge against the same pedophiles. The book deals with their mutual attraction and how each changes the other. It also asks the question whether taking justice into your own hands is ever justified.

It's a powerful mystery/police procedural novel about the capacity of the human spirit to overcome tragedy and come out the other side to happiness in a world that doesn't allow success to happen easily. The reader will empathize, love and root for both the detective and the mother.
 I tried to keep the book an interesting and easy read by creating some memorable and likeable characters, and some not so likeable. This detective thriller was great fun to write. Lots of suspense. When I let the characters tell the story, instead of forcing it, I was pleasantly surprised at how it ended.  It's a good suspenseful mystery filled with some interesting themes. Read the reviews to find out why so many other readers agree. With a limited time sale on, I hope you will give Price of Justice  a look. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CGPVL81Y
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brenham Publishing (August 26, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 26, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 348 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 199 ratings

About the author

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Alan Brenham

Alan Brenham

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Alan Brenham is the pen name of Alan Behr. He worked as a Texas law enforcement officer for over twenty years and as a criminal prosecutor and later criminal defense attorney for over twenty-five years. Today he lives in Texas with his wife, Lillian, where he's working on his eleventh novel.

His first crime novel, Price of Justice, won several awards including best in police/crime fiction. It also became a top 100 international bestseller. A second novel, Cornered, was released on July 13, 2014. Rampage, a sequel to Price of Justice, was released on July 4, 2015. His fourth book, Game Piece, was released in October 2018. A fifth novel, Hidden Intentions, was released on December 3, 2020. His sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth novels have now been published.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
199 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot engaging and realistic, with fine tension-building throughout. The writing is clever and educates readers, while the characters are well-developed, with one review noting the rich detail about their mental and emotional states. Customers appreciate the book's intelligence, with one review highlighting its in-depth understanding of law enforcement, and consider it a high-class thriller worth its Kindle price.

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36 customers mention "Plot"36 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a realistic and fast-paced thriller with a compelling storyline that effectively builds tension throughout.

"...is very clever, and all the characters are fully fleshed out and relateable. I really enjoyed reading the background stories of the main characters...." Read more

"...Overall, Price of Justice is a fast paced story with intricate and well developed characters who will bring a lot of suspense and mystery that will..." Read more

"...of the plot only suggests the degree of intensity of this challenging and tense drama...." Read more

"Predictable but easy reading. I like the ending, and would read this author again. I don't have anything else to say." Read more

27 customers mention "Story quality"27 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's writing, finding it clever and educational, with one customer noting how it makes the story feel very real.

"...Each chapter opens with an insightful and relevant quote. The writing is very clever, and all the characters are fully fleshed out and relateable...." Read more

"...Overall, Price of Justice is a fast paced story with intricate and well developed characters who will bring a lot of suspense and mystery that will..." Read more

"Predictable but easy reading. I like the ending, and would read this author again. I don't have anything else to say." Read more

"...He captures both well and his writing educates you while also entertaining you...." Read more

18 customers mention "Character development"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one customer noting how the writer captures their emotions beautifully, while another mentions the rich detail about their mental and emotional states.

"...The writing is very clever, and all the characters are fully fleshed out and relateable...." Read more

"...Price of Justice is a fast paced story with intricate and well developed characters who will bring a lot of suspense and mystery that will keep..." Read more

"...And the characterisation is even better, with the writer managing to express the feelings and emotions of the characters enough to make you strongly..." Read more

"...There were characters I could relate to, who grabbed my heart at their first introduction and didn't let go even when the story ended...." Read more

9 customers mention "Value for money"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a well-written crime thriller, with one customer noting it's not overly graphic in its depiction of violence, and another mentioning it's worth the Kindle price of $2.99.

"...I enjoyed reading Price of Justice tremendously especially since before I read this, I also finished a great thriller...." Read more

"...The book is well worth the small $2.99 Kindle price. You'll have an enjoyable few days digesting the story. Enjoy!" Read more

"...It is not a plain story selling blood and suspense only...." Read more

"Alan Brenham's 'Pride of Justice' is a particularly gritty crime thriller...." Read more

8 customers mention "Intelligence"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of law enforcement, with one customer noting its in-depth understanding of police work, while another mentions the author's correct use of police protocol.

"...gives him a special insight to write novels about crime and the intricacies - both positive and negative - of..." Read more

"...His research is excellent on police procedure and his study of human nature is without flaw...." Read more

"“Price of Justice” has all the makings of a great detective story and Brenham has the skills to pull it all together...." Read more

"...Alan also has a very in depth understanding of law enforcement that gave him the ability to really open the eyes of the reader...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • rocket7001
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling, suspenseful, and exciting!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Jason Scarsdale is a widowed police detective. He struggles to raise his young daughter while he is solving two murder cases. He is wracked with guilt over the death of his wife, Charity. Charity had asked Jason to make a run to the store, but he was reluctant to go, not wanting to interrupt the football game he was watching. So Charity went by herself and was killed in an accident during the short trip.

    Jason is assigned to a case involving the abuse and murder of a young girl named Amy. Police analyst Dani Mueller is assigned to help him on the case. Jason and Dani form a strong and instantaneous bond. This friendship quickly carries over into their personal lives as well.

    Dani is originally from Germany. Her own daughter was raped and murdered, and the perpetrator was set free. Not only that, he shamelessly bragged about his crime, going into great detail to describe what he had done. Dani can't take it anymore and ends up killing him. She flees the country to escape her crime. Dani soon sets out on a mission of revenge, swearing to make the murderers she is chasing suffer.

    Jason soon discovers her secret and is conflicted. His daughter is already becoming attached to her. Dani's past could very easily threaten the case as well as his job. He can't condone killing, but deep down, he also knows Dani is a good woman. Before he has much time to ponder, however, his life is once again turned upside down after Dani is abducted. From there, you will be at the edge of your seat as you are drawn into an exciting and suspenseful set of events.

    Each chapter opens with an insightful and relevant quote. The writing is very clever, and all the characters are fully fleshed out and relateable. I really enjoyed reading the background stories of the main characters. The emotional and heart-wrenching back story really adds to the depth of the characterization and makes the story feel very real.

    The pacing is superb. You will be drawn into the story almost instantly. The plot thickens with every development, and you will be intrigued as you try to keep up with all the twists and turns. The momentum continues right up to the last pages. The ending is also very open-ended. There is enough closure to make for a satisfying ending, but enough possibilities to allow for a sequel. I certainly hope there will be a sequel, but if not, I will thoroughly enjoy rereading this book.

    What I enjoyed most was how the writing told a thrilling story. The author guides you along the path, but the writing really engages the mind. Half the fun is imagining the possible scenarios as you read. After you finish, you will want to read it again and again. I highly recommend Price of Justice to anyone looking for an interesting and exciting read.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Grace
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good choice for a thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A string of killing and offenses makes detective Jason Scarsdale's day interesting to say the least. With the lost of his wife, he struggles to make ends meet to be the best dad to his daughter Shannon and a good detective in Austin. He is good at his job but work politics and crime will always be a b*tch. He is in the middle of everything that threatens his career as well as the people he cares and loves. Up to what length will Scarsdale do to protect everyone before it's too late?

    I enjoyed reading Price of Justice tremendously especially since before I read this, I also finished a great thriller. I was actually hesitant to start a Price of Justice because it may be out shadowed by the prior novel I finished but I was greatly surprised at how much I liked this novel. The story, characters, pacing and ending was amazing. You can really see the talent that Brenham brought to the table and in my opinion he can really deliver a novel that is packed with goodness. The main story held my attention but what really made everything work I believe was the subplots. I think my only issue in the story was Shannon's instant connection with Dani. I just felt that it was "pushed" too much just to make a connection with Jason and Dani but to be honest the relationship side of the story is not really noticeable for it to impact my overall opinion of the book.

    Ending was open ended which I love. I am hoping that there's a sequel to this, if there is I would read that one too! Overall, Price of Justice is a fast paced story with intricate and well developed characters who will bring a lot of suspense and mystery that will keep you from turning page after page.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Grady Harp
    5.0 out of 5 stars `There is no way out of the desert, except through it.'
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Alan Behr, a criminal law attorney and former police officer in Austin, Texas, takes on the moniker Alan Brenham for this, his debut novel. Working in both criminal prosecution and defense (as well as an on the ground police officer) gives him a special insight to write novels about crime and the intricacies - both positive and negative - of the criminal justice system. It also allows him scrutiny of the `good cop/bad cop' conundrum that steps beyond the writings of most other authors less exposed to the realities of our justice system. Couple these facts his natural bent for writing and the result is a debut novel of great promise.

    We meet Austin Police Detective Jason Scarsdale as he is seriously considering suicide: he is a recent widowed, distraught, and challenged by a job that seems too close for extending. A telephone call from his sister places his five year old daughter Shannon in this frame of mind and Scarsdale realizes his reason for living is grounded in his love for his daughter - a particularly poignant fact as his current case load is dealing with the murders of two pedophiles - including the death of 9-year-old Amy Crowell. Joining him is police crime analyst Dani Mueller (also known as Karla Engel) whose own daughter was raped and murdered by a pedophile and they form a formidable team. Not surprisingly a bond forms between Scarsdale and Mueller, with Mueller forming a particularly close relationship with the Scarsdale's own young daughter. Each has troubled ways of dealing with criminals, an opportunity to examine the motives of potential, if not realized, police brutality, especially as the plot includes the abduction of Scarsdale's daughter and the kidnap of Mueller, leaving a wounded Scarsdale to pick up the pieces of his shattered life. How these elements factor into the resolution of the plot only suggests the degree of intensity of this challenging and tense drama. It begs the question police must face - whether taking justice into your own hands is ever justified.

    For those who love police/crime novels this is one of the best, and it certainly suggests that Alan Brenham has found his niche. Grady Harp, January 14
    2 people found this helpful
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  • peter schmidt
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Predictable but easy reading. I like the ending, and would read this author again. I don't have anything else to say.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 30, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This book begins in a really dark place with the lead character, Detective Jason Scarsdale alone, in his car, contemplating blowing his brains out.

    It is only five weeks since his wife was killed in an automobile accident and he blames himself. All that really saves him is his five year old daughter Shannon. She needs her daddy to help her get through these troubling times and he needs her too.Some of the conversations they have, early on in the story really tug at the heartstrings.

    The main bulk of the story revolves around Scarsdale and his partner Sean Harris trying to convict a pedophile and break the ring he is a part of. Someone in the police department seems to be leaking information to the suspect so he always seems one step ahead. Can they crack the case before Scarsdale is removed from duty?
    Helping them is Dani Mueller, a police crime analyst but she has a secret that could threaten the case and lose Dani her job.

    The characters of Jason and Dani are really well written. They both have a sadness in their life - Jason, the loss of his wife and Dani the brutal abuse and murder of her young daughter. They meet through work and although Shannon instantly falls for Dani (as only a young child can) it is to the authors credit that Jason and Dani are not thrown together as a romantic sidebar to the story. The attraction is there but both are wary, for their own reasons and attraction is really as far as it goes.

    Towards the end of the story things really hot up with threats to all and a race to save lives and break the case.

    The story ends in a much better place than where it started and, I must say, I cared about the characters enough for that to please me immensely.
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  • Andy S
    4.0 out of 5 stars Generally good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Generally a good read, obvious early on who the CEO is, but the ending is pretty poor with the 'used' researcher just guilty luggage (?) Coming clean on her breach of trust. Brought the book to 'as if' ending. Should have ended with a not so rushed finish.
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  • D Jameson
    5.0 out of 5 stars good book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Again my daughter was in charge of my books and she put this one on my tablet and so far it's good
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  • denzil
    3.0 out of 5 stars Okay
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Couldn't get on with this book, wasn't very interesting to me, very slow, didn't read to the end, might suit someone else
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  • BridgetMD
    2.0 out of 5 stars Too bitty!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Reads like a 12 year old's creative writing attempt at a murder mystery with everything thrown to the mix including paragraphs of German! Why?? Am wondering if I should bother finishing it.
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