Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Mediator by Robert Bailey Narrator: Ann Marie Gideon
Series: Max Ringo #1
Published by Brilliance Audio on May 12, 2026
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 343
Length: 9 hours, 38 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
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 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.
Robert Bailey has become an author I always try to read. I was thrilled to find this new Max Ringo series connects to the Jason Rich series. Max has had a rough time. She was a very successful lawyer. Until she was in a car accident and had many injuries, getting addicted to pain killers. She is just out of rehab. She is divorced, has lost most custody of her teen son and is starting a new job.
Max is working now as a mediator. This case is a contentious divorce. The husband, and father of the wife are in business together and have huge egos. Both have money problems and are in over their heads. One of them kidnaps her son, who she is caring for since his dad is out of town, to blackmail her into getting things settled their way.
Max has to deal with the battling parties, their lawyer, and worry about the condition of her son. She has just started to build trust in having some custody and doing well at a new job and this is a train wreck. But Max is made of strong stuff and has some good friends. She is incredibly smart at handling the case details and learns more than the parties want her to know.
Things are coming down to the wire and she is still trying to settle the case. I was relieved to find she had some friends helping her. The ending is clear, with a shocking betrayal for Max. I loved this and can’t wait for more.
Narration:
This narrator was new to me. I really liked her portrayal of Max Ringo and all the emotion and suspense. Her performance was really storytelling. All the voices were comfortable in tone for the characters, whether male or female. I was able to listen at my newer 1.75x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Robert Bailey
Robert Bailey is the bestselling and award winning author of the McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers series, which includes The Final Reckoning, The Last Trial, Between Black and White, and The Professor, as well as the Bocephus Haynes’ series, which debuted with Legacy of Lies. He is also the author of the inspirational novel, The Golfer’s Carol.
Robert was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he’s 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.
For the past twenty-one years, he’s been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville. He and his wife, Dixie, have three kids.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
Great review, Anne💜 Now I’m sorry I gave this a pass!
yes I really loved it and it was very fast paced and intense.
This sounds exciting! I would like to try this author. Lovely review!
It is exciting. I would read the Jason Rich series first for that world and character development but you wouldn’t have to.
I love come-back stories like Max’s and her new case is a big challenge, too.
It was exciting. I was also happy with the connection to another of his series.
Exciting!!! I am curious. I’ve been on a murder mystery kick.
I like the genre because there is exciting actions and details but the ending is usually a solution. I like solutions in this crazy world.
Things looks good Anne. I have the other series on my wishlist.
I’d read the other series first for the connection but I loved this.
Max sounds like a flawed but likeable character. What a tense situation!
yes it was fast paced and rather intense.