John Gastineau

The Judge's Brief John Gastineau

Complex characters drive the story with emotionally charged and revealing dialogue... Gastineau never fails to keep readers on their toes, and the final pages will fly by as readers eagerly search for answers... An exciting whodunit that will keep readers guessing until the very end.-Kirkus Reviews



A loud gunshot on a quiet day in rural Holoce County. That's how it begins. Randy Grable, a young man, who returned home to farm with his father, is killed by a sniper shot to the head while working the fields on his tractor. The entire countryside is outraged. Who would commit such a violent crime?



Allen Pierman, the prosecuting attorney, must find out whether he wants to or not. With the help of his best friend, Sheriff Joe Calkins, and the victim's sister, Kay Grable, Pierman starts his investigation. Pierman and Calkins clash over their investigative methods, but Pierman is sure he is on the right track.

As Pierman digs deeper into Grable's life, he meets old friends-and a few foes. In a small town, everyone knows each other's business, and no one forgets a thing. Old grudges and surprising secrets will come to light before the truth behind Grable's death-and others'-is finally revealed.