God Knows No Heroes

Crime Mysteries by Norman Shabel

Fiction - Mystery - Murder
485 Pages
Reviewed on 09/30/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

God Knows No Heroes by Norman Shabel is a gripping, murder mystery/courtroom drama that will appeal to all aficionados of crime or true crime stories. Set in tiny Summit County, disgraced former prosecutor Joshua Ryan is hired to defend a well-respected and loved local rabbi, Carl Rubin, accused of murdering his wife of twenty-five years. Ryan must go up against his former boss, the slippery and cunning County Prosecutor Roger Leary, son of a former feared State Senator. Not only is Leary corrupt but it seems he has most of the county’s law enforcement agencies and trial judges in his pocket. Leary’s appointment as the prosecutor is ending, and with a governor who despises him, he knows he needs to win a big, high-profile case to ensure public opinion will force the state to renew his tenure. Prosecuting a capital case with such a well-known religious figure is just what he needs and he will do whatever it takes to ensure a conviction. 

God Knows No Heroes is a pulsating story that will sweep readers from quiet Summit County to the dangerous streets of Israel and involve the highest echelons of Israeli politics and intelligence. Author Norman Shabel has created the perfect character in Joshua Ryan, a former high-flyer in the legal world who has almost been crippled by his poor decisions and fall from grace. Ryan needs this case to re-establish his credentials in the legal fraternity and the human race. The highlight for me is the courtroom drama, where, with every odd seemingly stacked against him, Ryan has to battle to potentially save a man from the death penalty or at least the rest of his life behind bars. It was stunning to witness the extreme arrogance of the prosecutor as he openly instructed the judge on what to do in his own courtroom. The fact that it didn’t matter to Leary that he would undoubtedly lose on appeal, he needed the win here in this court to cement his legacy and continue his employment as County Prosecutor, was evident throughout. The story arc that took place in Israel was exciting, and fast-paced, and gave the plot depth and breadth that lifted it out of the ordinary murder mystery tale. I appreciated the overarching theme of Ryan’s tale: that nobody is beyond redemption and that mistakes of the past need not dictate or determine success professionally and personally in the future. This was an enthralling read that twisted and turned relentlessly. I highly recommend it.

Angelique Papayannopoulos

Norman Shabel's God Knows No Heroes is another captivating crime thriller featuring defense attorney Joshua Ryan. As a down-and-out lawyer, Ryan can redeem himself by taking on a high-profile case with sensitive implications. It has been reported that Rabbi Carl Rubin, a highly respected member of his community and a prominent member of the Israeli political scene, is accused of killing his wife, and the evidence against him is damning. Against the advice of Ryan, who has agreed to defend him, the rabbi takes a routine visit to Israel, escalating the situation further. As an international chase ensues, the unscrupulous prosecutor Leary and his corrupt detectives are playing dirty to get their agendas accomplished. To make matters worse, the judicial system is just as malfeasant. The odds are stacked against Ryan, and even his life is at risk. A shocking turnaround in forensic evidence and secrets revealed from a past generation builds up to an explosive trial.

Norman Shabel has created another masterful piece of crime fiction with God Knows No Heroes. This legally savvy author cleverly weaves a storyline that will keep the reader guessing from beginning to end. A fast-paced, intricate action plot is complemented by rip-roaring courtroom scenes. Vivid character development creates vibrant action scenes where heroes and victims display realistic and dramatic emotions. The action scenes are equally intense, immersive, and detailed. God Knows No Heroes is an exhilarating race against time full of twists throughout, and a corrupt and dark law enforcement department at every turn. The storyline has it all: action, murder, suspense, corruption, and revenge, leading up to a gripping trial. This novel will appeal to crime thriller enthusiasts who appreciate action and courtroom scenes.

Danelle Petersen

God Knows No Heroes by Norman Shabel is a riveting story about a man caught in a vicious cycle of pain. Life had never been easy for Joshua Ryan. As a child, the divorced and disgraced former assistant prosecutor suffered horrible abuse at the hands of his father, and those wounds have never healed. Now Josh is attempting to make a clean break and pick up the pieces of his life after the accident that changed his life forever. He longs to regain the same level of success he once had, but the case he takes on is not as cut and dried as he'd hoped. For one, his client and the husband of the murder victim, Rabbi Rubin, is the only suspect, and new evidence keeps piling up. However, it doesn't deter Josh; Rabbi Rubin is innocent and Josh is determined to prove it. But first, he needs to face a few demons of his own.

Dark in tone, God Knows No Heroes is a heart-wrenching and disturbing read. Well-versed in the law and its constitution, Norman Shabel offers a convincing story and noteworthy plot, with realistic and well-developed characters who all contribute neatly to the storyline. Josh as the main character was not without his flaws, but his redeemable qualities such as his ethical and resilient manner more than made up for his shortcomings. The relevant topic of child abuse will appeal to many, and readers might even find hope in Josh’s story. Overall, it was a powerful and entertaining read that I enjoyed immensely. I recommend this intense novel to fans of crime dramas.

K.C. Finn

God Knows No Heroes by Norman Shabel follows down-and-out lawyer Joshua Ryan, who is given a chance at redemption when he is hired to defend Rabbi Carl Rubin. Rubin's wife has been found strangled, and Rubin, with his influential ties to the Israeli political scene, is the prime suspect. As Ryan delves into the case, they navigate from Summit County to Jerusalem and Paris, evading corrupt prosecutors and their enforcers. The courtroom drama unfolds in a shocking conclusion, challenging both Ryan and Rubin’s quest for redemption. This mystery novel intertwines intense legal battles with international intrigue and suspense.

Author Norman Shabel’s intricate plotting and multi-layered narrative make for a really compelling legal drama packed with international intrigue. I was really impressed with the detail and clear research that has gone into this novel, and the deep understanding of legal procedures and courtroom dynamics enhances the story's authenticity and makes the struggles of the characters all the more relatable and realistic because of how credible everything feels. The story never feels dry though, even with this level of technical detail, because Shabel’s ability to transition between various global settings shows his impressive world-building for much-needed richness, glamor, and excitement in the narrative. The gripping courtroom scenes and unexpected twists offered some intense, fast-paced mysteries that interlock with one another as each clue is skillfully unveiled, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from cover to cover. Overall, I’d certainly recommend God Knows No Heroes to fans of gripping mystery thrillers everywhere.

Divine Zape

God Knows No Heroes by Norman Shabel is an intriguing crime mystery with memorable, elaborately drawn characters. Rabbi Carl Rubin's wife, Eleanore, a wealthy woman, is found murdered in her kitchen. Rubin becomes the prime suspect, and to clear his name, he enlists the services of Joshua Ryan, a former lawyer struggling to rebuild his reputation after a series of personal and professional setbacks. This case could make or destroy Ryan. The rabbi must avoid the detectives of a cruel prosecutor as he moves from Summit County to the narrow alleys of Jerusalem and Paris. The narrative increases in tension, culminating in a courtroom drama with an unexpected twist and a denouement that no one saw coming.

Norman Shabel’s suspenseful novel is the perfect read for fans of crime thrillers. Crafted in gorgeous writing, it features conflict that is multi-layered and complex. The most obvious conflict is the murder of Eleanore Rubin, which is the central plot point. The investigation into her murder leads to a series of conflicts and tensions between the characters. There are internal conflicts within the characters, particularly Joshua Ryan, who struggles to accept his past mistakes and find redemption. The characters are fully fleshed out. The protagonist, Joshua Ryan, is multifaceted, with positive and negative traits skillfully woven throughout the story. The supporting characters are also well-written, with distinct personalities and motivations. The detectives, particularly Lieutenant Mathias, are memorable. God Knows No Heroes captures the atmosphere and culture of the locales, particularly the sense of exclusivity and privilege that comes with living in some neighborhoods. With multiple plot twists, suspense, and intrigue, this story delivers everything readers want in a winning crime thriller.