Betrayal of Justice (A Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Book 2)

By: Mark M. Bello
Publisher: 8Grand Publications
Publication Date: November 2019
ASIN: B07ZY9YLK4
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor
Review Date: March 5, 2020

It would be so nice to say that we “look back on” religious persecution, bigotry, prejudice, a political administration that likes to rule from the shadows, etc., when I review this book. Unfortunately, these morally wrong vices are still very much a part of America today. But this is one author who has done a great job of spotlighting these issues, and still allowing readers to see that justice can, and does, prevail.

Mixing just enough action with a great character, Zachary Blake (who was introduced in the first book of the series, Betrayal of Faith), with great forensics scenes and a plot that maintains thrills and intrigue throughout, you’ll soon see this is one series you definitely want to jump on board with.

Now on to Betrayal of Justice - Ronald John is the President of the United States. Elected by running under the campaign promise to “make American pure again,” he proves quite quickly upon taking over the Oval Office that he’s not only a bigot, but his definition of “pure” is not what the voters originally thought. In essence, he’s working hard to become the next Hitler instead of the man who’s supposed to run a free country.

Enter Arya Khan. Living in Dearborn, Michigan, which has a high percentage of Muslims, Arya is one of those good, decent people who should not be corralled in with the bad ones. Translation: Just because you see or hear of a Muslim terrorist, doesn’t mean all Muslims are terrorists. This is a fact you’d assume all people understand, especially in the present, but under an evil administration opinions can be altered.

A white supremacist firebombs a mosque in Dearborn. Unfortunately, for Arya, she witnesses the brutal murder of this terrorist and, instead of being horrible, actually goes to the man and tries to help him. Why? Because she has morals. What happens to her for her decency? Arya is charged with the man’s murder, and high-profile attorney Zachary Blake enters her world.

Now arrested for murder, there seems to be no hope in sight because the local police act like this is an open-and-shut case. Because she’s Muslim? Oh, you’ll have to read to find that out. But as the investigation proceeds, a white supremacist group is unveiled, as well as an administration wanting to prove they’re right when it comes to their beliefs that “those people” are not one of “us.” The president has many plans, such as implementing a “Muslim ban” which would stop travel and immigration to the U.S. from various Muslim countries, and allow America to hunt down and deport illegal Muslim immigrants, while trying to get citizens to hate the legal immigrants as well. There even comes a point, based upon a new law, when the president works to throw Arya’s parents out of the country based on the sole fact that they raised a murderer.

Zachary, who worked hard to redeem himself in the first book, must now go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest, most powerful people in the U.S. in order to see that justice prevails. Readers who have a need to support a character who has been dealt a vicious hand and are wrongly persecuted, will love this book. And even if the first one hasn’t been read, this works as a standalone and is so good it will have you going back to see what Zachary Blake did the first time around. Be careful, though. Do not classify this in your mind as being another political book, or a “terrorist” book, because it is so much more than that.

Quill says: Zachary Blake proves, yet again, to be an attorney with courage, power, and the strength to right the wrongs of this world.

For more information on Betrayal of Justice, please visit the author's website: www.markmbello.com

Author Interview