(Reviewed by JD Jung)
I’m always drawn to crime thrillers that combine a captivating murder case with characters who feel like real people, and Good Lookin’ certainly kept me turning the pages.
Oakland attorney Joe Turner has never lost a case that resulted in an innocent man going to prison, but this time he isn’t so sure. His client, 19-year-old Stephan Moore, is accused of shooting a rival gang member. Although Stephan doesn’t appear to be an actual gang member, he was there when the murder happened, and his car was used. The problem is that no one is willing to testify—and Stephan refuses to talk because he fears that “snitching” could put his mother and brother in danger.
Turner, who takes cases from the public defender’s office to make ends meet, is also struggling with his own insecurities, particularly when it comes to romantic relationships. Like many crime thriller protagonists, he is far from perfect, which makes him all the more interesting.
The story also shifts back to 2009, where twin boys in foster care endure relentless bullying at school and abuse at home. As I read, I kept wondering how their heartbreaking story would connect to Turner’s murder case. Eventually, the two storylines intersect in a way that brings everything together.
While the novel touches on familiar themes—flawed protagonists, troubled pasts, drinking, and bad luck in love—the storytelling kept me engaged. I especially appreciated how well-developed the supporting characters were; I understood their motivations rather than seeing them simply as background figures.
A gripping legal thriller and genuine page-turner, Good Lookin’ is a difficult book to put down.