
The Key to Justice
A Marc Kadella Legal Mystery, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Randal Schaffer
-
By:
-
Dennis Carstens
About this listen
I try to create a story that is entertaining, interesting and most importantly, thought provoking. I want to create something that gives the listener a legal, moral or ethical dilemma to think about. In doing so, as in real life, I may not have every little detail wrapped in a nice, neat bow at the end. However, I do believe the listening experience is well worth the ride.
A serial killer is on the loose in Minneapolis and the head of the investigation, Minneapolis police Lt. Jake Waschke, is feeling the pressure to find him. To make matters worse, the killer strikes again, this time across the river in St. Paul, and his victim is the daughter of a prominent politician.
Just when the investigation seems to be going nowhere, the police catch a break when the killer strikes yet again, except this time there is a witness who gets the police, including Jake Waschke, chasing the killer through the streets of Minneapolis. During the chase Jake gets a good look at him and realizes his problems are only beginning when he recognizes the man and realizes he must do whatever is necessary to protect him.
A patsy is found and an arrest is made. The patsy's fate is placed in the hands of criminal defense lawyer, Marc Kadella, when the brother of the accused turns out to be a former client of Marc's. The case has heat and publicity far beyond anything Marc has ever dealt with and he tries to beg off. He knows he is over his head with a case of this magnitude and also realizes it could destroy his practice and drive him into bankruptcy. The brother convinces Marc to take the case playing on their past relationship, guaranteeing payment of his fees and Marc's own belief that the man is innocent.
As the case progresses, Marc, aided in the investigation by a stunningly beautiful private investigator, becomes more and more convinced his client is being framed. But, unless he can uncover who is framing him and, more importantly, why, an innocent man is going to take a very serious fall, and Marc will be helpless to prevent it.
The Key to Justice is a work of fiction that the author undertook to give a more realistic view of the practice of law and what a lawyer goes through than is usually found in most legal thrillers. It is not an easy way to make a living but it can be very rewarding though not always easy on the soul and the lawyer's private life. Whether the lawyer practices on his or her own, in a small firm or, maybe especially, a large firm to which you almost become enslaved, though well compensated, it can be a demanding, all-consuming, pressure-filled way to make a living.
©2012 Dennis Carstens (P)2016 Dennis CarstensListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Southern Lawyer
- The Southern Lawyer Series, Book 1
- By: Peter O'Mahoney
- Narrated by: Bradford Hastings
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After more than twenty years away from the law, Joe Hennessy is forced back into the courtroom. Trying to save his vineyard after years of drought, Hennessy returns to practice in Charleston, South Carolina–the city he walked away from after the murder of his ten-year-old son. When one of South Carolina's most powerful men is charged with possessing stolen artwork, Hennessy steps forward to defend him. But as Hennessy digs into the evidence, as he navigates the truth, he finds that the criminal charges are only the start of their problems…
-
-
Enjoyed it
- By Rick 73000 on 05-11-23
By: Peter O'Mahoney
-
Defending Innocence
- A Legal Thriller Filled with Gripping Courtroom Drama (Small Town Lawyer, Book 1)
- By: Peter Kirkland
- Narrated by: J J Hosenfeld
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Defense attorney Leland Monroe lost it all: his big-city job, his reputation, and, worst of all, his loving wife. Now he’s back in his hometown to hit restart and repair the relationship with his troubled son. But the past is always present in a small town. Leland returns to find his high school sweetheart hasn’t had the easiest of lives - especially now that her son faces a death sentence for murdering his father.
-
-
Small Town Lawyer
- By Robert Cronin on 07-15-22
By: Peter Kirkland
-
The Joe Dillard Series Box Set, Part 1: Books 1-4
- The Joe Dillard Box Sets
- By: Scott Pratt
- Narrated by: Tim Campbell
- Length: 31 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Books one through four in Scott Pratt's iconic Joe Dillard series are offered in a bundle. An Innocent Client, In Good Faith, Injustice For All, and Reasonable Fear.
-
-
in all truth, I only read a couple chapters.
- By Julie Lattimer on 10-14-22
By: Scott Pratt
-
Lethal Defense
- Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller Series, Book 1
- By: Michael Stagg
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Attorney Nate Shepherd left a big firm to go out on his own. He sees nothing but opportunity when an out-of-town lawyer wants to hire him as local counsel on a high-profile murder case. Though his family worries that the case hits too close to home, Nate joins the defense team. When circumstances force him to take on a bigger role, Nate ignores his family’s fears and throws himself into his client’s defense.
-
-
Outstanding legal thriller
- By Wayne on 04-07-21
By: Michael Stagg
-
Time of Justice
- Mara Brent Legal Thriller Series, Book 1
- By: Robin James
- Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This trial should be a slam-dunk. A faceless powerbroker has other ideas.... Small-town prosecutor Mara Brent must be tough as nails to succeed in her male-dominated profession. But she harbors a soft spot for the victims who rely on her courtroom skill, especially the wheelchair-bound rape survivor she’s known since her first day on the job. So when her friend’s unsolved case reopens with a DNA match and an arrest, she’s determined to finally bring a monster to justice.
-
-
This one’s a WOW!!!!
- By shelley on 05-04-20
By: Robin James
-
Out of Nowhere
- By: Sandra Brown
- Narrated by: Kyf Brewer, Sandra Brown
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a Texas county fair, children’s book author Elle Portman is enjoying a rare night out with her favorite cowboy: her two-year-old son, Charlie. But just as they’re about to head home, the unthinkable happens: a shooter opens fire into the crowd, causing widespread panic to erupt all around them. Also caught in the melee is corporate consultant Calder Hudson. When he wakes up in the hospital, he's told he's lucky. Others didn't fare we well, which instills in Calder a furious determination to get justice.
-
-
Hope you like a lot of sex
- By Candace P. Skurnik on 08-10-23
By: Sandra Brown
-
The Southern Lawyer
- The Southern Lawyer Series, Book 1
- By: Peter O'Mahoney
- Narrated by: Bradford Hastings
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After more than twenty years away from the law, Joe Hennessy is forced back into the courtroom. Trying to save his vineyard after years of drought, Hennessy returns to practice in Charleston, South Carolina–the city he walked away from after the murder of his ten-year-old son. When one of South Carolina's most powerful men is charged with possessing stolen artwork, Hennessy steps forward to defend him. But as Hennessy digs into the evidence, as he navigates the truth, he finds that the criminal charges are only the start of their problems…
-
-
Enjoyed it
- By Rick 73000 on 05-11-23
By: Peter O'Mahoney
-
Defending Innocence
- A Legal Thriller Filled with Gripping Courtroom Drama (Small Town Lawyer, Book 1)
- By: Peter Kirkland
- Narrated by: J J Hosenfeld
- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Defense attorney Leland Monroe lost it all: his big-city job, his reputation, and, worst of all, his loving wife. Now he’s back in his hometown to hit restart and repair the relationship with his troubled son. But the past is always present in a small town. Leland returns to find his high school sweetheart hasn’t had the easiest of lives - especially now that her son faces a death sentence for murdering his father.
-
-
Small Town Lawyer
- By Robert Cronin on 07-15-22
By: Peter Kirkland
-
The Joe Dillard Series Box Set, Part 1: Books 1-4
- The Joe Dillard Box Sets
- By: Scott Pratt
- Narrated by: Tim Campbell
- Length: 31 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Books one through four in Scott Pratt's iconic Joe Dillard series are offered in a bundle. An Innocent Client, In Good Faith, Injustice For All, and Reasonable Fear.
-
-
in all truth, I only read a couple chapters.
- By Julie Lattimer on 10-14-22
By: Scott Pratt
-
Lethal Defense
- Nate Shepherd Legal Thriller Series, Book 1
- By: Michael Stagg
- Narrated by: George Newbern
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Attorney Nate Shepherd left a big firm to go out on his own. He sees nothing but opportunity when an out-of-town lawyer wants to hire him as local counsel on a high-profile murder case. Though his family worries that the case hits too close to home, Nate joins the defense team. When circumstances force him to take on a bigger role, Nate ignores his family’s fears and throws himself into his client’s defense.
-
-
Outstanding legal thriller
- By Wayne on 04-07-21
By: Michael Stagg
-
Time of Justice
- Mara Brent Legal Thriller Series, Book 1
- By: Robin James
- Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This trial should be a slam-dunk. A faceless powerbroker has other ideas.... Small-town prosecutor Mara Brent must be tough as nails to succeed in her male-dominated profession. But she harbors a soft spot for the victims who rely on her courtroom skill, especially the wheelchair-bound rape survivor she’s known since her first day on the job. So when her friend’s unsolved case reopens with a DNA match and an arrest, she’s determined to finally bring a monster to justice.
-
-
This one’s a WOW!!!!
- By shelley on 05-04-20
By: Robin James
-
Out of Nowhere
- By: Sandra Brown
- Narrated by: Kyf Brewer, Sandra Brown
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At a Texas county fair, children’s book author Elle Portman is enjoying a rare night out with her favorite cowboy: her two-year-old son, Charlie. But just as they’re about to head home, the unthinkable happens: a shooter opens fire into the crowd, causing widespread panic to erupt all around them. Also caught in the melee is corporate consultant Calder Hudson. When he wakes up in the hospital, he's told he's lucky. Others didn't fare we well, which instills in Calder a furious determination to get justice.
-
-
Hope you like a lot of sex
- By Candace P. Skurnik on 08-10-23
By: Sandra Brown
-
The Good Client
- Mitch Turner Legal Thrillers, Book 1
- By: Dan Decker
- Narrated by: Eric G. Dove
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Criminal Defense Attorney Mitch Turner is awoken in the middle of the night by a message from his nerdy law school employee Timothy Cooper begging Mitch for help. Uncertain about the problem from Timothy's cryptic texts, Mitch Turner slips into his suit and heads over to visit Timothy, unable to imagine any reason why Timothy would be calling for help at such a late hour. Mitch arrives to find the police at Timothy's apartment and learns that Timothy's roommate was murdered.
-
-
"One bullet, one body, no burglary."
- By Norma Miles on 04-07-22
By: Dan Decker
-
Misjudged
- Sam Johnstone, Book 1
- By: James Chandler
- Narrated by: James Anderson Foster
- Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sam Johnstone was hoping for renewal when he took a job at a boutique law firm in rustic Wyoming. The mountains and streams of the West would be a refreshing, quiet place to start over after years of war and turmoil in his personal life. But after a local woman is brutally murdered, Sam realizes that things aren’t so quiet in this rural American town. The accused is one Tommy Olsen, a known delinquent who had been sleeping with the victim. Sam is repulsed by the crime and wants nothing to do with the case but meets with Tommy to make sure he has legal representation.
-
-
Educational
- By Deborah Michaels on 08-21-21
By: James Chandler
-
The Jailhouse Lawyer
- 2 Complete Novels
- By: James Patterson, Nancy Allen
- Narrated by: Megan Tusing
- Length: 14 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In picture-perfect Erva, Alabama, the most serious crimes are misdemeanors. Speeding tickets. Shoplifting. Contempt of court. Then why is the jail so crowded? And why are so few prisoners released? There’s only one place to learn the truth behind these incriminating secrets.
-
-
Worst book I have bought in 5 years
- By tmpusfugit on 09-22-21
By: James Patterson, and others
-
Trial and Error
- A Legal Suspense
- By: Robert Whitlow
- Narrated by: Matt Godfrey
- Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Buddy Smith built his law practice around tracking down missing children. After all, he knows the agony of being separated from a child. Not long after his daughter’s birth, her mother took her and ran away. Buddy hasn’t seen either since. Gracie Blaylock has known Buddy her entire life, and now that she is clerk of court for the county, their paths cross frequently. When Gracie hears that a teenager is missing, she knows Buddy is the one for the case.
-
-
This ain’t much of a mystery.
- By nfdunne on 06-01-22
By: Robert Whitlow
-
Special Circumstances
- Mike Daley/Rosie Fernandez Legal Thriller, Book 1
- By: Sheldon Siegel
- Narrated by: Tim Campbell
- Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Meet Mike Daley. Ex-priest. Ex-public defender. And as of yesterday, ex-partner in one of San Francisco's most prominent law firms. Today he's out on his own, setting up practice on the wrong side of town. Then his best friend and former colleague is charged with a brutal double murder, and Daley is instantly catapulted into a high-profile investigation involving the prestigious law firm that just booted him. As he prepares his case, Daley uncovers the firm's dirtiest secrets.
-
-
Narrator RUINS This Book
- By MattMerr on 11-07-17
By: Sheldon Siegel
-
The David Wolf Mystery Thriller Series: Books 1-4
- By: Jeff Carson
- Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins
- Length: 28 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you love mysteries with action, suspense and a touch of humor and romance, then the David Wolf series is for you.
-
-
Plenty of good listening with four books in one!
- By shelley on 07-22-18
By: Jeff Carson
-
Justice Redeemed
- Darren Street, Book 1
- By: Scott Pratt
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two years ago, Darren Street made a name for himself as the man who rooted out corruption in the district attorney's office. Now the hotheaded young lawyer is in the public eye yet again - this time, accused of murder. Jalen Jordan retained Street for what seemed to be a minor traffic violation, but when evidence turned up linking Jordan to the death of two boys, Street wanted out of the case.
-
-
Power In The Hands of Dishonest Prosecutors
- By R. Pontiflet on 04-01-16
By: Scott Pratt
-
Jury Master
- By: Robert Dugoni
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
David Sloane is the best wrongful death attorney in San Francisco. He's a lawyer who can make juries do anything. But despite his professional success, he's plagued by a nightmare of a childhood he cannot consciously remember. When he receives a package from a White House confidant who then turns up dead by apparent suicide, the contents reveal a history he never could have imagined.
-
-
Action! Action! Action!
- By Nancy on 04-03-07
By: Robert Dugoni
-
A Case of Redemption
- By: Adam Mitzner
- Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A high-profile attorney in the middle of a leave of absence following a personal tragedy is drawn back into the legal arena amidst a media firestorm when he agrees to represent a popular rap artist accused of brutally murdering his pop star girlfriend. With its powerful voice, pause-resisting tension, and strong cast of characters, Adam Mitzner’s novels are reminiscent of such best-selling authors as Scott Turow and John Grisham.
-
-
I Don't Agree With the Reviews
- By Elizabeth on 05-30-13
By: Adam Mitzner
-
The Hallows
- By: Victor Methos
- Narrated by: Alexander Cendese
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ruthless defense attorney Tatum Graham has been living large in Miami, but when his recently acquitted client claims another victim, Tatum has a crisis of conscience. Disillusioned, he heads to his small Utah hometown for a simpler life...but that’s not what he finds. Soon after he arrives, Tatum’s childhood crush offers him a job at the county attorney’s office and assigns him a murder case.
-
-
Narration was distracting.
- By Critter Mama on 04-18-20
By: Victor Methos
-
Losing Faith
- By: Adam Mitzner
- Narrated by: David Marantz
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Aaron Littmann, the chairman of one of the country's most prestigious law firms, has just been contacted by a high-profile defense attorney whose client is Nikolai Garkov, a Russian businessman arraigned on terrorism charges for pulling the financial strings behind recent treasonous acts. The attorney informs Aaron that Garkov is looking to switch representation and will pay $100,000 just to take the meeting.
-
-
Could not suspend disbelief.
- By Will on 06-25-15
By: Adam Mitzner
-
The Neon Lawyer
- By: Victor Methos
- Narrated by: Nick Podehl
- Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With money and hope in short supply, newly minted attorney Brigham Theodore decides it’s time to lower his standards. He joins a seedy fly-by-night firm in Salt Lake City out of desperation. After he loses his first case - a speeding ticket - he’s convinced his career is over. But to his shock, his boss hands him a slightly more complex case: capital murder.
-
-
HERE'S THE DEAL
- By John on 02-02-15
By: Victor Methos
What listeners say about The Key to Justice
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jo
- 04-01-24
The humor among seriousness
I love crime stories. True and slightly made up. Either way it all fascinates meme this is one of the best work I’ve heard in a long time. You can tell Dennis spent a lot of time and energy making the story come together with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge off their seat waiting to see what happens next. Plus anything that can get me to laugh is a plus since that is a hard task to accomplish. I can’t wait to read more.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Pete the Dog
- 10-13-16
Horrible, horrible narration
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
I liked the story, but the narrator is laughably bad. Just horrible.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
The main character had the most annoying voice of all. The other voices were just variations of that voice. No range.
Was The Key to Justice worth the listening time?
Yes - if you can ignore the narrator
Any additional comments?
I liked the story, but the dialogue between the main character and his girlfriend AND the dialogue from the female detective could have certainly benefited from a woman's touch.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cherise Knapp
- 11-22-16
Entertaining
I found this book entertaining, but it did seem to drag on a bit in the middle. The narrator saves the book with his sexy voice though. Call me! Xoxo
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 05-09-24
Couldn’t put it down
It was interesting from start to finish. Hard to believe it is the author’s first novel.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Steven
- 04-02-17
Amazing book!
Great book & narrator! It's a must listen. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone 👍
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- The Gal
- 06-11-23
I’m going to try Audio because of this book
Good story. Bit predictable, but twisty and kept my attention all the way through. Read it. I think you’ll like it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Victoria
- 10-11-16
Didn't Do It for Me
What would have made The Key to Justice better?
Serious editing. The language in this book did not flow well at all.
What could Dennis Carstens have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
Carstens wanted to show that the legal profession is more dull than glamorous, and he succeeded. The plot should have been much tighter.
How did the narrator detract from the book?
The sentences were not easy to read, and the narrator did not help. He did give different voices to different characters, but his reading of descriptive sentences and the "he said" and "she said" were painful to hear.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- Amazon Customer
- 02-11-18
The key to justice
Well kind of interesting, however where is book two? Not nice to be unable to complete the story
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!