Conspiracy of Lies


Fiction - Thriller - Legal
314 Pages
Reviewed on 10/17/2023
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography


After graduating from the University of Texas law school, Mr. Rachlin embarked on his over thirty-year career as a board-certified civil trial attorney by serving as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge, Wm. McRae, Jr., President John F. Kennedy’s first appointment to the federal bench.

From there Mr. Rachlin served as an Assistant Florida Attorney General. One of his first cases was to file suit in Washington D.C. and obtain a permanent injunction against then President Nixon and his administration, compelling them to release funds previously designated to Florida for the cleanup of neighboring waters.

Early in private practice, Mr. Rachlin assisted in the criminal defense of John Ehrlichman, Assistant to President Nixon, for his role in the infamous Watergate break-in. Throughout his career Mr. Rachlin has represented clients accused of having ties to foreign espionage, racketeering, and bank fraud. One such case led to the making of the motion picture, Donnie Brasco.

During his career in law, Mr. Rachlin, in his position as Adjunct Professor, and has taught at universities in both Florida and California.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, which serves as the setting of CONSPIRACY OF LIES, Mr.

Rachlin currently lives in Idaho.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite

When Jake Dalton, a lawyer in Miami, had left his well-paying job four years ago at a prestigious law firm in the city to venture into Personal Injury law, he didn’t know that money would be a problem. Now, his sick son’s bills were overdue. He could barely afford to pay for the house mortgage, let alone his small family’s bills. As if on cue, Jake receives an offer to represent Thomas Tifton, an ex-military accused of trafficking drugs into the US. Despite his disdain for criminal law, Jake can’t turn down the case because of the fat cheques that came with it. With a prosecutor who seems hell-bent on destroying him and a client who is as innocent as his unreliable story, Jake’s life, marriage, and career are on the line as he finds himself neck-deep in trouble with the Mexican Santolisma cartel. Get yourself Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy of Lies to know more.

If you are looking for a mystery legal thriller laced with a gripping tale of blackmail, money laundering, drug trafficking, courtroom drama, action, crime, love, betrayal, deceit, and murder, among much more, Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy of Lies is a must-read for you. Rachlin clearly has a knack for exceptional storytelling. A tangled web of mystery is spun around the spell-binding plot. The mind-blowing plot twists, the ingenious cliffhangers, and the edge-of-the-seat suspense all had me hooked to this page-turner. The evocative depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life. The scenes were made tremendously dramatic, highlighting the wit accompanying the storyline. The well-crafted cast’s complex traits were juxtaposed and their emotions were cleverly brought out. This made them authentic and easy to connect with. Jake is a savvy, shrewd, daring, risk-taking character who will move heaven and earth for those he loves. Conspiracy of Lies is a magnificent piece of work. I loved it. I’m looking forward to reading more of Rachlin’s work, perhaps a second installment or sequel to this terrific story.

Alma Boucher

Conspiracy of Lies is a legal thriller by Richard S. Rachlin. Jake Dalton’s son is treated at the Miami Children’s Hospital for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, and the bills are stacking up. Tommy Tifton and Bruce are on their way to Key Largo and must make an emergency landing in Miami. Tommy and Bruce were arrested on charges of cocaine trafficking and spent the weekend at the federal correctional facility. The US magistrate set a cash bond of one million dollars, and the feds held onto the plane. If the government can prove the aircraft was involved, there is no chance of getting it back. When Jake accepts the case, he unknowingly places himself in the sights of the CIA and a cunning federal prosecutor who is desperate to keep their connections to the Santolisma cartel secret.

Richard S. Rachlin planned and executed a brilliant plot in Conspiracy of Lies. It was a page-turner, and I was riveted throughout. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what to expect next. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could. I could not put it down; I was too afraid I would miss something. The characters were brilliantly developed and authentic. They could have been anyone I know. My favorite character was Jake. He was an honest man and did not hide his flaws. The story was very interesting and had my attention from the start. I was kept guessing until the end, and I was not disappointed. It was much more than I expected.

Jennie More

Conspiracy of Lies by Richard S. Rachlin is the thrilling story of a Miami lawyer named Jake who runs a practice with his loyal companions; Isora, his secretary, and his best friend, Lenny, who serves as his investigator. Though Jake has his own business, the wife of his dreams, and two beautiful children, he is struggling to make ends meet with his sick child, Drew, as medical bills are piling up. His insecurity about whether he can make his wife, Elena, happy and give her the life she deserves adds to the pressure to succeed. As a result, Jake dabbles in gambling and eventually enters the territory of criminal law, with a promise that it pays better, despite the commitment to his Colombian wife to steer clear of defending criminals, given her horrific experience in her home country. In a desperate attempt to hold onto everything he holds dear, Jake might lose it all when he takes on a case destined to break him.

Conspiracy of Lies by Richard S. Rachlin is a riveting, complex, and exciting story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I was watching a live courtroom thriller play out before me. Rachlin perfectly constructed the characters with unique traits that maintained my intrigue and allowed for a fast-paced and gripping momentum. The narrative is meticulously detailed with every character and their actions coming together to reveal the truth. I am impressed by how Rachlin managed to tie together the various parts of the story into a cohesive whole that made sense while being concise in the storytelling. I loved reading this book; it was a fascinating and exhilarating read.

Essien Asian

Jake Dalton’s foray into personal injury litigation is not going as smoothly as he had hoped. His son’s burgeoning medical bills serve only to increase the pressure on him to cater to the needs of his family. When he falters at the end of another case that does not go as he had expected, he is accosted by an old acquaintance who hands him a seemingly straightforward case. Get an Iraqi war veteran out of hot water with the Feds and go home with a lovely retainer to boot. Little does he know that he is walking into a web of deceit, lies, and betrayal as his supposed allies turn on him in the worst way imaginable in Richard S. Rachlin’s Conspiracy Of Lies.

Richard S. Rachlin’s plot is based on a down-on-his-luck lawyer who gets a raw deal when he comes up against government agents who have no intention of playing fair. Though the bulk of the hard-hitting activity in Conspiracy Of Lies comes up in the courtroom, Rachlin is good enough to save a few appetizers for the readers who prefer fisticuffs and gunfire in a good story. His characters are very well crafted. Jake’s struggles with the effects of his choices on his family are translated expertly onto paper as his once solid plan begins to unravel at the seams while Tommy’s presentation of his motivations deserves an Oscar for strategic thinking. What sets this legal thriller apart from others in the same genre is Rachlin’s exquisite style of storytelling. It will suck you in so quietly that by the time you realize you're hooked you will not want to put this novel down. Conspiracy Of Lies is an excellent blend of courtroom drama and subterfuge.

Tracy Traynor

Conspiracy of Lies by Richard S. Rachlin is a gripping legal suspense thriller. Jake Dalton needs money and quickly. His young son has been referred to a clinical trial not covered by health insurance. When all his hopes and hard work are dashed after a client takes a deal on her personal injury case, Jake does the one thing he promised his wife he would never do—he takes on a criminal case involving drugs. Tommy Tifton swears he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and that the US Customs has made a mistake. Jake sets out to prove his innocence, but as events unfold, his belief in his client begins to fade. Things go from bad to worse as the prosecutor, Crawford Richter, seems hell-bent on jailing not only Tommy but Jake as well.

Conspiracy of Lies is an absorbing and riveting read from beginning to end. Richard S. Rachlin blends real courtroom drama with intense scenes of home life and case investigation that keep the book moving at a quick pace. The dialogue is real, the courtroom scenes enthralling, and the outcome anything but certain. The author’s richly developed characters are vivid and believable, especially the protagonist who has the right mix of likability, with faults that get him into trouble. Rachlin expertly ratchets up the suspense as the plot builds to a tension-filled punch ending. I am sure that readers, like me, will be hoping this is the first in a series. Richard S. Rachlin knows his law. I wasn’t surprised when I learned that he graduated from law school and went on to do over thirty years as a board-certified civil trial attorney; his rich legal history flows through the pages giving its stamp of authenticity. Very highly recommended to readers who enjoy intelligent courtroom dramas.

Vicky G


This book is incredible! I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I love legal thrillers and this is such a fun, breezy read that combines the best of a legal drama and a murder mystery. I was left guessing what would happen until the very last page.

The story is about Jake, a brilliant defense attorney who is framed for a crime he didn’t commit and has to clear his name while his life and marriage crumble around him. Jake is funny and relatable but is dealing with issues that keep challenging his skills and ethics. Jake’s adversaries are former friends turned enemies and the excitement of seeing how these people would interact with each other kept me turning the pages.

The characters are all well-developed and multifaceted, each with their own motivations and secrets. Elena, Jake’s wife, is relatable and strong-willed and their struggles and triumphs add depth to the narrative. All the characters are memorable and interesting and the interactions between all of them, for example between Jake and his former clients and partners are nuanced, adding multiple layers to the story.

The legal aspects of the novel are portrayed realistically and accurately. Sometimes legal thrillers sacrifice realism for drama but this book had both aplenty! The courtroom scenes are intense and compelling, providing a fascinating glimpse into the strategies and tactics employed by both the defense and the prosecution.

One of the standout features of this book is the intricate plot. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the pacing is excellent, ensuring that the story never drags.

There are moments where I want to learn more about a character but the story is so fast paced it moves on to the next story beat. I guess that’s something to look forward to in the sequel! I’m really impressed that this book was written by a new author. It was a super enthralling legal thriller and as a fan of the genre I can’t wait to see more.