Audiobook Review: Supreme Justice by Max Allan Collins

Supreme Justice
Author: Max Allan Collins
Narrator: Dan John Miller
Series: Reeder and Rogers Thriller (Book 1)
Publication: Brilliance Audio (July 1, 2014)
Length: 7 hours and 18 minutes

Description: After taking a bullet for his commander-in-chief, Secret Service agent Joseph Reeder is a hero. But his outspoken criticism of the president he saved—who had stacked the Supreme Court with hard-right justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, amp up the Patriot Act, and shred the First Amendment—put Reeder at odds with the Service’s apolitical nature, making him an outcast.

FBI agent Patti Rogers finds herself paired with the unpopular former agent on a task force investigating the killing of Supreme Court Justice Henry Venter. Reeder—nicknamed “Peep” for his unparalleled skills at reading body language—makes a startling discovery while reviewing a security tape: the shooting was premeditated, not a botched robbery. Even more chilling, the controversial Venter may not be the only justice targeted for death...

Is a mastermind mounting an unprecedented judicial coup aimed at replacing ultra-conservative justices with a new liberal majority? To crack the conspiracy and save the lives of not just the justices but also Reeder’s own family, rising star Rogers and legendary investigator Reeder must push their skills—and themselves—to the limit.

My Thoughts: This excellent thriller introduces former Secret Service agent Joe Reeder who took a bullet for his President but then lost his job when he made his negative opinions about that President to apparent. Now he runs his own investigations agency. 

Joe is called in to work on a taskforce by the leader who is an FBI Agent and his best friend when a Supreme Court Justice is murdered. This is the first time in US History that a Justice was targeted. At first, the death looks like a botched robbery. But when a second Justice is murdered, it soon becomes apparent that someone wants to change the composition of the Court. These two murdered Justices were both strongly Conservative, and the President who will appoint their successors is a Liberal Democrat. 

Joe works with FBI Agent Patti Reeder who is the partner of the best friend who appointed Joe to the taskforce. She isn't sure what to think of Joe who has an unparalleled ability to read people and crime scenes. 

The story was fast-paced and filled with tension. I especially enjoyed the quotations by various famous people who are buried at Arlington National Cemetary which is a place Joe frequents when he needs to think. 

Dan Jon Miller did an excellent job of the narration. His characters all had distinctive voices and he handled the pacing well.

I bought this one June 3, 2023. You can buy your copy here.