Praise for Wrong Hand Right
Editorial Reviews
"A character-rich legal thriller of uncommon ambition—smart, absorbing, and surprisingly heartfelt. A taut, well-written thriller with a riveting conspiracy that stretches from flea markets to fighter jets." ~ Kirkus Reviews
"A sharply drawn, atmospheric thriller, Wrong Hand Right delivers a gripping blend of legal intrigue, conspiracy, and character depth. Finnegan Alger, odd, wounded, unforgettable, anchors a story rich with humor, tension, and 1980s New York grit. William Michael Ried crafts a super clever, surprising mystery that keeps readers guessing and fully invested to the final page." ~ The International Review of Books
In Ried's gripping 1980s legal thriller, the tense choreography of the raids and the cutthroat politics of the firm create a legal world feels both authentic and theatrical." ~ Booklife Review
"A cleverly plotted crime thriller packed with twists, turns - and a little dry humour. Highly recommended!" ~ The Wishing Shelf Book Review
"Riveting, original, exceptional, deftly crafted and an inherently fascinating read from start to finish, an extraordinary blend of legal thriller and conspiratorial urban crime fiction. Showcasing author William Michael Ried's extraordinary storytelling style as a novelist, "Wrong Hand Right" is especially and unreservedly recommended." ~ Midwest Book Review
Reader Reviews
This new thriller by William Ried had me walking and running right along with its protagonist through Manhattan as he looked for justice, love and escape! With the aid of a theater troupe he might have found it all. I feel that there is a movie here! ~ Amazon
My favorite thriller of the year! William Michael Ried masterfully transports you to the gritty, neon-soaked New York City of the 1980s, a setting that feels as vivid and alive as the main character. The plot is a relentless, twisting ride where every answer leads to a deeper, more pervasive cover-up. Ried’s pacing is perfect; I was constantly guessing and couldn't put the book down. I actually finished it in a weekend. ~ Amazon
A gripping and emotional story... brought back great memories from my early years working and going to school in Lower Manhattan. ~ Amazon
This novel is so much more than a mystery; it's a look at ambition, retribution, and the ghosts of the past. The writing is taut, clever, and cinematic. I love a smart, fast-paced thriller with a uniquely compelling protagonist and a deep sense of place, this is certainly that and more. Wrong Hand Right is the kind of novel you'll be thinking about long after you turn the final page. ~ Amazon
A thoroughly enjoyable twist and turn thriller. ~ Amazon
An excellent legal thriller with plenty of suspense, wonderful, realistic characters, and all of the elements that courtroom fans look for and enjoy. Mr. Ried also pulls off the perfect Perry Mason moment, which is the hallmark of a great legal drama. ~ Goodreads
The story was gripping and real. It was an easy read and moved quickly to an exciting finish. It introduced a large cast of interesting characters, all who played important roles in the big reveal at the end. ~ Amazon
Wrong Hand Right vividly captures the gritty, lived-in feel of 1980s New York. The outsider lawyer’s viewpoint adds depth, and the subtle tension around power and cover-ups makes the story feel real and grounded. A smart, character-driven crime novel I highly recommend. ~ Goodreads
A sharp, atmospheric thriller that drops you straight into the gritty pulse of 1980s New York. William Michael Ried builds a world of graffiti-tagged subways, smoky bars, squeegee men, and quiet corridors of privilege an era where ambition and silence often walk hand in hand. Ried balances legal intrigue, moral tension, and character depth in a way that keeps the pages turning. Finn’s internal struggle between the ghosts of his past and the daunting truth he uncovers adds a strong emotional layer to the plot. His outsider status makes him easy to root for, especially as he risks everything in a city where power often decides what truth gets buried. ~ Goodreads
This is a smart, tightly woven thriller with a strong sense of place and time. Fans of legal suspense, atmospheric noir, and character-driven mysteries will find Wrong Hand Right especially satisfying. ~ Goodreads
A gritty coming-of-age novel set in 1980s New York City that blends atmosphere, moral tension, and character growth. The NYC setting feels authentic and lived-in, from downtown lofts and bookstores to the unexpected sense of community found in an old theater group. Wrong Hand Right is an engaging read for anyone who enjoys ethically driven fiction with a strong sense of place. ~ Goodreads
Ried captures the pulse of 1980s New York City in all its grit, danger, and fleeting beauty, a world that feels both raw and intimate. The story follows characters caught between survival and redemption, people who make mistakes but still reach for a better version of themselves. What makes this novel stand out is its honesty: it doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle, yet it allows compassion and hope to shine through. Ried’s prose has rhythm and authenticity; you can almost hear the sounds of the city behind every scene. It’s the kind of story that lingers after you’ve turned the last page. ~ Goodreads
Excellent fast-paced thriller that captures a Manhattan from a different era. Interesting premise for a deadly crime/mystery. Really enjoyed the driving, terse dialogue combined with intricate plot that propels this complex story - couldn't put it down..... ~ Goodreads
What struck me most was the book’s emotional depth beneath the thriller surface. The plotting is intricate, but Ried’s prose keeps the story grounded in character and place. I was constantly aware of the moral questions the book raises: What does justice really mean in a city that rewards silence? What is the cost of ignoring truth to protect oneself or others? The narrative delivers its revelations with precision and emotional resonance, uneasy because the questions it asks about power, corruption, and human morality linger long after the story ends. ~ Goodreads
Wrong Hand Right is a thrilling, intelligent, and profoundly human story. I haven’t been this absorbed in a story in a long time, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves crime, complex characters, and a city that feels alive on every page. ~ Goodreads