Written with Charlotte Stuart
Midnight for Justice
Two mismatched lawyers uncover a long-forgotten military conspiracy…
Career U.S. Navy JAGC officer Lt. Duncan Carmichael and an ACLU volunteer lawyer, Sydney Warren, form an unlikely team defending a young uncooperative sailor accused of a vicious murder on a U.S. Navy base but are thwarted at every turn by the military command.
Fast-forward 40 years: Warren and Carmichael are investigating an insurance claim on a yacht wrecked on northern Vancouver Island when they uncover startling links between their 1978 murder case, a break-in at their law office, and a mass shooting by far-right extremists at a protest rally.
Can they prove that the wreck is connected to a large shipment of contraband military arms stolen at the end of the Vietnam War?
Can two aging lawyers prevent the illegal arms from fueling a violent uprising, or will they be outsmarted by a desperate enemy from their past?
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Accolades for Midnight for Justice
“I really enjoyed Midnight for Justice. The Naval JAG setting provides a nice twist to the ordinary legal thrillers. I was reminded of “A Few Good Men.” Plenty of conflict and sparks between the young woman civilian attorney and the JAG officer assigned to the case. Intrigue at every corner and a big surprise ending. Great read!”
—Ruben D. Gonzales, author of the Black Mountain Mystery series
“Midnight for Justice expertly combines legal drama with high-stakes thriller elements in a narrative that spans decades. Authors Charlotte and Don Stuart bring their extensive knowledge of military and legal proceedings together to create an authentic and gripping narrative that held my interest from cover to cover. Overall, Midnight for Justice is an exceptional thriller that combines sophisticated legal drama with urgent contemporary relevance, making it a must-read for fans of intelligent suspense fiction.”
—Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★
“Midnight for Justice involves murder, an unflinching and risky investigation and, ultimately, a deadly confrontation in the Pacific Northwest. I can still hear gunfire and the sounds of the sea.”
—Mac Logan, Scottish poet and author of the Angels’ Share thriller series
“This is a fast-moving novel, with exciting twists and turns in the court case and an explosive climax. This book is well-written, exciting, and an edge-of-your-seat read. Procedures were simply explained, and it was interesting to take a peek into the inside workings of the US Navy and the comparisons with law practice in civilian legal services. Above all, this is an adventure story full of excitement and relatable characters with an interesting twist at the end. A well-deserved 5 stars.”
—Reviewed by Lucinda E Clarke for Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★
“A gripping legal drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering who exactly the real perpetrators are trying to cover up a sophisticated plot. It is clear from Charlotte and Don Stuart’s narrative that they are well-versed in historical facts about the Vietnam War and weapons. The descriptions of the remote settings along the northern Pacific coast are vivid and authentic. The steadily-paced story is intriguing, maintaining the mystery throughout, unveiling military coverups, and ending in an unpredictable twist. Readers who enjoy murder mysteries and courtroom scenarios with clever plots will find this an invigorating read!”
—Reviewed by Angelique Papayannopoulos for Readers’ Favorite ★★★★★
“A gripping legal thriller that explores the dark intersections of power, corruption and the fight for justice in the military and civilian life. With their trademark sharp prose, Charlotte and Don Stuart have crafted a fast-paced, thought-provoking narrative spanning decades. Perfect for fans of Scott Turow and anyone who enjoys complex, character-driven courtroom drama. An easy five stars.”
—James Rosenberg, author of the Verdicts & Vindication series
“Some novels grip you with their breakneck pacing, others with the richness of their characters or the precision of their prose. Midnight for Justice accomplishes all three, while layering in a masterfully plotted mystery that unfolds over decades. What begins as a seemingly straightforward legal defense case morphs into a conspiracy spanning from the post-Vietnam era to the modern day, tying together murder, military corruption, and extremist violence.
“At the heart of this novel are two legal minds as different as they are compelling. Lt. Duncan Carmichael, a by-the-book U.S. Navy JAGC officer, and Sydney Warren, a fiercely independent ACLU volunteer attorney, are thrown together in 1978 to defend a young sailor accused of a brutal murder on a naval base. Their case is met with stonewalling from the military command, a stark reminder that justice and institutional power rarely align without a fight. Just when you think their battle is behind them, the narrative leaps forward 40 years, and the duo—now seasoned and perhaps wearier—find themselves drawn back into a tangled web of intrigue. An insurance investigation on a wrecked yacht off the coast of northern Vancouver Island unearths chilling connections to their decades-old case, including a break-in at their law office and a mass shooting by far-right extremists. With the stakes now impossibly high, Warren and Carmichael must untangle a conspiracy involving stolen military arms, a cover-up that has festered for decades, and a race against time to prevent those weapons from fueling an imminent uprising.
“What makes Midnight for Justice an exceptional read is the seamless way Stuart and Stuart interweave legal drama with high-octane thriller elements. They know the law and those that practice it, which adds both authenticity and intrigue to the masterful plot. The tension is sharp and the pacing has been well thought out, with brief moments and more action-packed dialogue used to create a sense of urgency and anticipation. But beyond this, Midnight for Justice stands out in the way it will make you think. It is a meditation on the enduring consequences of war, the fragility of democratic institutions, and the moral complexities of seeking justice in a world where the truth is often inconvenient. The characters are brilliant, complex and relatable. As the book progresses, Carmichael and Warren’s camaraderie, mutual respect, and occasional clash of ideologies provide the novel with heart and emotionality.
“A richly detailed, pulse-pounding legal thriller, fans of Scott Turow and John Grisham will find Midnight for Justice to be an unforgettable read.
– Review by Book Excellence