Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson

After decades of turning out plutonium for the arms race, the Hanford Nuclear Facility has long been shuttered, though its deadly legacy cannot be fully contained. The men who guard the facility from sabotage or monitor its buildings for radiation leaks are told the risks are under control. They believe it, until the worst happens: a thunderous explosion in the dead of night.

Two workers, lifer Poppy Martin and new hire Kieran Mullaney, believe themselves lucky to survive the blast. But as the debris is cleared, they discover their safety is not assured. Dead ends and closed doors halt their efforts to discover what really happened--and what radiation may have poisoned them. When stalling and threats force them into the hands of experienced trial lawyer Ryan Hart, they learn that theirs is no ordinary lawsuit. There is something still hidden in the desert of eastern Washington, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to make sure it never sees the light of day.

My Review:
Attention, Hollywood . . . what an action film this would make! This legal thriller keeps the reader taking deep breathes while flipping pages. Short chapters keep the pace. I'm so glad it is a work of fiction, but even so, it could be true! (shudder)

The characters are believable. A father and daughter's strained relationship is nicely woven into the plot. This alone would make the book a worthwhile read. My favorite character is Poppy Martin, a blue collar family man who experiences the explosion.

I enjoyed the courtroom scenes. The author is an attorney and knows how to bring courtroom drama to life.

I noticed one small error on page 331, the recused judge's name is used. However, with such a compelling story, most readers will not let it hinder their reading.

Thank you to Amy Green at Bethany House for my copy.

If you would like to read the first chapter, click here.

If you would like to buy a copy, click here.