Against All Odds is the fourth book in the Chance Cormac Legal Thriller series by award-winning author Richard A. Danzig. It explores relevant issues like the wrongful imprisonment of immigrants, cyberbullying, grief, faith, and healing.
Table of Contents
Review
Against All Odds by Richard A. Danzig takes us on a rollercoaster journey, full of highs and lows. The fourth book in the Chance Cormac Legal Thriller series, Against All Odds explores a number of real-world issues like the wrongful detention of immigrants, cyber bullying, gaming, grief, loss, and healing.
Brilliant attorney Chance Cormac has lost his faith. Sally, his first love and the mother of his goddaughter, Melody, has married a cancer-stricken James, Melody’s biological father. This, combined with JR’S death, has deeply affected Chance. He has wrapped up his law practice, stopped writing books, and given his beloved dog, Tort, to Justice. However, he has not stopped practicing law. He now represents those who are illegally detained by the government. This brings him in contact with Dr. Lyla Abda. A humanitarian and pediatrician, the Lebanese Dr. Abda is a fellow at Yale University Hospital. One day, she is taken in by federal immigration agents. Despite Chance’s best efforts, she is transferred to an overseas prison. Chance does not give up. He vows to have her released one way or another. On the other hand, John’s condition is deteriorating. This is taking its toll on Melody. Upon Sally’s advice, she agrees to go to a dance with an older boy named Cole. This decision has dire consequences. With Chance no longer near her, Melody struggles to grapple with grief and the changes in her life. We also have Justice working for Frank Fogarty, an excellent criminal defense lawyer. Their latest clients are Kayce and Blaine, Ivy League graduates and investment bankers who left Goldman to create their own business called STAB LLC. Now, they are being indicted for manipulating esports gambling. However, there is much more to this than they initially let out.
Will Chance be able to save Dr. Abda? What happened to Melody at that dance? Will she be able to come to terms with her grief and turn her life around? What is actually going on with Kayce and Blaine? Will Frank and Justice be able to help them, while keeping themselves safe? Most importantly, will Chance find his faith again?
Richard A. Danzig’s Against All Odds is a book that stays with you long after you finish it. Danzig is an excellent storyteller. He weaves in various plotlines to present one solid tale. Though we jump through various perspectives, we never once feel disoriented. Everything is presented in a cohesive manner. Told mostly through the third-person point of view, we get enmeshed in each plotline. I love the chapters told through Melody’s first-person point of view. It made me feel like I was one with her. Chance’s pilgrimage on the Camino Francés left a deep impact on me. His interactions with Dom Nicholas, Daniel, and Paula taught me a lot of life lessons.
Danzig masterfully crafts the characters in his novels. We get an insight into Dr. Lyla Abda’s childhood. This makes her plight all the more painful for us. I love how Danzig sheds light on the issue of wrongful imprisonment of immigrants through her story. James is a great father. The way he tries his best to make things right for Melody during his last days is admirable. I cannot begin to fathom Melody and Sally’s pain. Melody is a great girl. It was a pleasure meeting her in the previous book. In this book, she has to grow up too fast. The loss of James, combined with the cyberbullying and Chance’s absence, takes a heavy toll on her. Her healing journey is super relatable. Justice and Frank are amazing. I loved their interactions with Kayce and Blaine. Both Blaine and Kayce are very entertaining. Their constant references to popular culture brought a smile to my face every time. However, there is no doubt that they were in over their heads and thought too highly of their own intellects. Now, let’s talk about Chance. From his disillusionment with faith and law to his journey of finding his way, everything is vividly portrayed.
I truly enjoyed reading Against All Odds by Richard A. Danzig. Anyone interested in legal thrillers with a dash of faith, action, and adventure will love this book. I highly recommend it.
About the Author
Richard A. Danzig is an attorney based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He writes the Chance Cormac Legal Thriller series, which currently includes four novels.
Book Details
- Title: Against All Odds
- Author: Richard A. Danzig
- Genre: Thriller
- Theme: Legal, Political, Grief, Loss, Cyberbullying, Faith, Love, Healing, Action, Adventure
- Publication Date: May 1, 2026
- ISBN or ASIN: B0GSYY978V
- Number of Pages: 291
- Minimum Audience Age: 13
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 1
- Religious themes: 3
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 2
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 2
- Other adult themes: 2
Rating
- Content: 5 stars
- Writing Style: 5 stars
- Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
- Uniqueness: 5 stars
- Editing: 3 stars
- Other factors: 5 stars
- Overall: 4.67 out of 5 stars
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