Burden of Proof (#2)
New York Times bestselling author Jack Campbell continues his JAG in Space series as a young Legal Officer seeks justice as others try to corrupt it.
Newly commissioned Lieutenant Junior Grade Paul Sinclair is acclimating himself both to his duties aboard USS Michaelson and to his growing relationship with fellow sailor Jen Shen. Both situations require serious consideration. But when a fiery explosion rips through the Forward Engineering section, Sinclair doesn’t think, he acts—leading his people into the fire. And though he and his people survive, others do not.
The brass want answers. Unfortunately, Paul suspects the blame for the disaster lands on a fast-rising officer whose incompetence is covered up by high-ranking connections. Worse still, Shen’s fiercely protective father—a captain of his own ship—exonerates the accused in the initial investigation.
Now, Sinclair must walk a razor’s edge between seeing justice done and watching his entire life go down in flames.
“Absorbing and credible…Outstanding suspense, realism, and characterization…First-rate military SF.”—Booklist
“A rock-solid courtroom drama…[Campbell] builds the story’s suspense expertly…This one will keep you turning the pages with the proverbial bated breath.”—SF Reviews
Reviews
“First-rate military SF. Another absorbing novel. Hemry’s series continues to offer outstanding suspense, realism and characterization, and this book, no less than its predecessor, only ratchets up readers’ appetites for more.”Booklist
“Henry has pioneered a new sub-genre with his superb space ship military legal thrillers. The legal aspects are brilliantly intertwined within a fantastic military science fiction drama that should promote Mr. Hemry to a best selling admiral.”Midwest Book Review
“A nicely understated and very effective novel of investigation and trial, with a convincing military backdrop that doesn’t fall into the excesses of most military SF. With this new series, Hemry has made the transition from potentially interesting to very interesting indeed, as his novels continue to show a steady improvement in plotting and background.”Science Fiction Chronicle
“Very good and ticks all the right boxes.”Fantasy Book Review
“One of the most relevant and intelligent adult drama series being published in SF right now. Delivers on the promise of A Just Determination. A rock solid courtroom drama […] delivers the kind of white knuckle tension that makes legal dramas so popular. Hemry’s decision to wed courtroom drama to military SF has captured lightning in a bottle. He builds the story’s suspense expertly. It all culminates naturally at the court-martial, and in the best tradition, this one will keep you turning pages with the proverbial bated breath.”SF Reviews
“Hemry cements his position as the best writer of legalistic military science fiction working today […] some of the most human, realistic, vibrant characters I’ve ever been introduced to [...] An engrossing, addictive reading experience.”Rambles
“Hemry has come up with a winner. The tension is palpable, the trial scence is well-handled, and the result is a first-rate thriller.”I Love a Mystery
“I enjoyed the book and I look forward to following the future adventures of Paul Sinclair.”SFRevu
“BURDEN OF PROOF is another exciting military legal SF adventure from Hemry. Perfectly capturing the rapid-fire give and take and dramatic arguments of shows like Law and Order and JAG or movies like A Few Good Men, and throwing in the sholid characterization of classic Robert A. Heinlein, the story moves at a fast pace. Once I started reading, I was hard-pressed to put the book down, and I’m left eagerly awaiting the next installment of Paul Sinclair’s career. BURDEN OF PROOF, like each of Hemry’s books to date, is a must for any military SF fan.”SF Site
Awards & Accolades
Locus bestseller list runner up