I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Mediator
by Robert Bailey
Series: Max Ringo #1
Series Rating:
Published by Thomas & Mercer on May 12, 2026
Setting: Alabama
Genres: Legal Thriller
Pages: 343
Format: Audiobook, Kindle, Paperback
Source: the Publisher
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Rich Justice and The Boomerang comes a gripping thriller about a disgraced lawyer facing the legal battle of her life as she tries to redeem herself—and save her son.
Max Ringo was once a courtroom star at an elite law firm. Then a car accident left her addicted to painkillers, and her life dissolved into shambles. Now fresh out of rehab and making a comeback as a mediator, she gets her shot at redemption when she is appointed to handle a high-stakes divorce.
But as Max begins negotiations between the two notorious power players, the trap is already sprung. The husband kidnaps her teenage son, Nathan, and gives her a chilling ultimatum: settle the case on his terms…or the boy dies.
Over three relentless days, Max must resolve a cutthroat legal battle while pursuing a covert mission to rescue Nathan. She’ll risk everything—her career, her freedom, her life—to beat a ruthless adversary at his own game. Even when a shadowy syndicate enters the fray and bodies start to drop, only one thing matters. She must bring her son home, whatever the cost.
The Mediator by Robert Bailey is addictive and vindictive.
Will Max Ringo effectively mediate the high-profile divorce and get her life back?
Max Ringo
Our main character is Max Ringo. She went from being a star trial attorney to an oxy addict, hitting rock bottom, to completing rehab, to mediating cases while trying to get her law license back, and reentering her son’s life. Let’s say that she is a highly flawed individual with great promise. She has hidden strength, and her character growth throughout the story is inspiring. I really couldn’t find anything about her that I didn’t like. Max is humble. I think she is going to really get things turned around.
The Mystery
The story is set in Alabama, near a large military base. Many parts of the mystery come together at the end. There is a huge plot twist, so prepare yourself. It was hinted at, and I know I briefly thought about it, but didn’t see the significance at the time. Anyway, Max is hired to mediate a divorce with lots of money and property at stake. She has read all of the background information and is ready, then the plaintiff, who is an attorney representing himself, has Max’s son kidnapped. The plan is that Max will be so determined to get her son back that she will make the mediation go in his favor.
I am not sure if Perry Strassburg or Dagger Richardson is the bigger baffoon. I felt completely sorry for Stephanie. There are other characters who are heavily involved, but my favorite is the Colonel. Again, Mr. Bailey gives us true characters with warts and all.
Five Stars
My rating for The Mediator by Robert Bailey is five stars. The story stuck with me, and I kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading. I highly recommend this book to all you thriller readers out there.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Mediator by Robert Bailey.
Until the next time,
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About Robert Bailey
Robert Bailey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE BOOMERANG, the Jason Rich series, the McMurtrie and Drake legal thrillers, the Bocephus Haynes series, and the inspirational novel, THE GOLFER’S CAROL.
Beloved by readers around the world, Robert’s books are imbued with a keen sense of justice and a profound understanding of what drives people to commit the worst crimes and fight hardest for those they love, gained from his decades as a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.
Robert is the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he loved stories, especially those about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.
Robert obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in North Carolina. Law School at the University of Alabama followed, where Robert made Law Review, competed on the school’s trial team, and managed to watch every home football game.
He lives in Huntsville with his wife, kids, and beloved menagerie of pets.
^ author bio is from his website
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2026 Cloak and Dagger JEN
- 2026 Goodreads RC JEN
- 2026 Medical Examiner Mystery RC JEN
- 2026 Six Shooter RC JEN
- 2026 Thriller RC
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