Fatal Trust is a standalone legal thriller by Todd M. Johnson.  The story takes place in modern day Minnesota.  The author does not spend a great deal of time waxing poetic over the location, but it is not important to the plot.  The plot focuses on characters and circumstances.

Initial impressions of Ian Wells, the male protagonist, are unimpressive.  He seems to be a person who is ambitionless and not especially observant.  The story leads the reader on a path of discovering Ian’s true motives and personality while developing the plot of a strange request involving a trust fund.  Ian’s relationship with a friend from college is also explored.

Somehow the author manages to weave in some legal issues without bogging the story down in legalese.  Todd Johnson also develops an intriguing and yet mysterious and ultimately dangerous plot.  Mysteries, art thefts, romance, and danger keep this story moving.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Bethany House Publishers

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None 

Violence/Gore:  Report of a man being tied up, hearing gunshots and blood being splattered, dead body mentioned; a bar fight erupts and shoving ensues; a person is shot with a gun, but not killed, blood mentioned; report of a child being threatened that his Mom’s throat will be slit if he divulges information. 

Sex/Nudity:  Non-married characters kiss and embrace; it is mentioned that a person had a child from a mistress.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of parent, murder, theft.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adults consume alcoholic beverages; report that a teen is selling prescription drugs that others use to get high.