Today it’s a review double header as Mandie and I both share our thoughts on the debut legal thriller from Jim Ross, Hawk’s Justice. Our thanks to publisher Simon & Schuster who provided early copies via Netgalley. Here’s what it’s all about:
Release Date: 05 November 2026
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
About the Book
A KILLER IN THE COURTS
When High Court judge William Ryland is found dead inside the Royal Courts of Justice, it seems like a tragic accident.But young, high-flying lawyer Tom Hawk suspects there’s more to his death than meets the eye. When he takes over Ryland’s final case – a battle between two Russian billionaires – he’s thrust into a murky world of deception, where nothing is quite as it seems…
AN INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACY
Inside the courts, the body count begins to rise. And as evidence disappears, Hawk finds himself wrapped up in a much darker game: one that goes to the very heart of the justice system.
A MAN WHO BREAKS THE RULES
When tensions arise between Hawk and the beautiful but uncompromising Detective Inspector Kate Black, he realises that he’ll have to take the law into his own hands – but at what cost?
Murder and intrigue combine in this fast-paced adventure, set against the iconic landscape of legal London.
My Thoughts
I do love a legal thriller, and it’s always a plus to have a new author to turn to as well, so Jim Ross’s new thriller, Hawk’s Justice, makes for an intriguing and exciting combination. And, I’m happy to say, it makes for some pretty thrilling reading too. Tom Hawk is exactly the kind of character I enjoy spending time with, and Jim Ross has created a setting here that has left me very keen to read more.
Now, I’m not going to lie. When Tom Hawk is first introduced to readers, I found him perhaps a touch dour. It was only for a fleeting scene or two in which it seemed as though he was the kind of man who liked to go it alone, reluctant, or perhaps begrudging is a better expression, in accepting the presence of a new assistant. But any concerns in this area are soon dispelled, and whilst he can come across as rather straight laced on occasion, his personality soon shines through.
Hawk is a character with a very strong sense of justice, an unwavering moral code that is set to withstand the most insistent of pressure to compromise his belief for the ‘sake of the greater good’. Whether the ‘greater good’ is truly that great or that good, is something explored over the course of the book, and also something you can judge for yourself. He meets his professional and intellectual match in DI Kate Black, intellectually and I liked how she took no nonsense from him in the pursuit of her own investigation. The author has created a clear spark here between the two that really works and adds that romantic frisson that helps round out the story.
The story offers a good blend of the often perplexing processes of the British justice system, as well as tense action as the sense of threat grows not just between the warring factions in the case that Hawk is engaged to preside over, but as a direct attempt to ruin the reputation and credibility of Hawk himself. Hawk is a hands on kind of guy, so naturally we will find him in difficult situations of his own making, but it all adds to the pace and the intensity of the action. This is no straightforward court based legal thriller, and whilst a lot of what happens does take place within the hallowed halls of The Old Bailey, it is not exclusively about the court case. Suspicious deaths, including the one that opens the book, take us, and Hawk, far beyond the courts at times.
If you’ve come looking for a straight up courtroom drama, this isn’t that book. But it is a great, legal based action thriller, with an intriguing premise, a determined and exciting lead character and – warning to readers here – the kind of ending that leaves you shouting both ‘what the heck’ and ‘when’s the next book?’ in quick succession. Yep. It’s a bit of a cliffhanger here, and one that will have readers hanging waiting for what comes next. Thankfully, books two and three are already up for preorder so we don’t have too long to wait to find out. A great debut thriller I can happily recommend.
Mandie’s Thoughts
From the moment I heard that James Ross was writing a book and it was available for pre order it was quickly added to my list. Hawk’s Justice is the first in the Tom Hawk series (books 2 & 3 are already available to pre order – and yes, I have them on order). Hawk finds himself taking over a case that was originally assigned to Judge William Ryland who was found dead after an apparent accident. The very nature of the case makes Tom wonder if there is more to this than everyone thinks and the more, he digs the more certain he is that something is not right.
Tom Hawk comes across as someone who plays by the rules and expects those around him to do the same. He takes his job very seriously and he won’t compromise his beliefs no matter what the circumstance or who might be trying to pressure him into a certain course of action. At times this can make him seem unapproachable, but when a member of his team findsthemselves in a potentially career ending situation, he takes matters into his own hands to resolve the problem. His frustrations over the way the case is heading has him conducting his own investigations much to the annoyance of the detective in charge investigating the death of Judge Ryland and as they butt heads there is also a definite spark between them as well as a grudging respect. With the body count rising I was wondering just who would be left standing at the end and that included Hawk.
His team are loyal but that does not mean they don’t question some of his actions and call him out when they don’t agree with him. What I loved about this book is the mix of the legal and investigative elements to a case and watching Hawk try to take on both despite being warned about how his actions could ruin his reputation and his career tell you almost as much about the man as any backstory could. We do learn about some of what makes him tick and what led him to his current career and it goes some way to explain why he makes the choices he does.
With action from start to finish and an ending that has you wanting to know what’s next for Tom Hawk this is a brilliant debut novel. I am sure that it won’t be long before others like me will be not so patiently waiting for book 2.
About the Author
James Ross studied law at King’s College London and was called to the Bar in 2006. He practised as a barrister in the courts around England and Wales for 20 years, specialising in financial services law. In his spare time, he edited murder mystery novels written by his wife, Louise, which went on to sell millions of copies worldwide under the penname ‘LJ Ross’.
He started writing his own debut novel Hawk’s Justice on a train, travelling back from court. James now writes full time as ‘Jim Ross’ and lives with his wife and two children in Northumberland.
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