What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie Mack Motown Mystery #4
Judge Me When I'm Wrong
When a guilt-ridden client has an unexpected change of heart, the Mack team’s careful preparation for his grand jury testimony is blown to smithereens. Now, Charlie and Gil must pull out all the stops to defend him from his new enemies and the estrangement of his father. Meanwhile, Charlie reports for jury duty and unwittingly begins to unravel a disturbing plan to alter the outcome of a crime lord’s conspiracy trial. Before she knows it, Charlie’s dangerous meddling lands a bull’s-eye squarely on the intersection of her personal and professional lives, putting all that she holds dear in jeopardy.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2019
10 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl A. Head
13Ìýbooks262ÌýfollowersShe/Her. Introvert, solver of puzzles, righter of fictional wrongs. I write the Anthony Award nominated Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series-two-time, Lambda Literary Award Finalist, Goldie Winner. Jeopardy Clue in February 2025,
Time's Undoing, published by Dutton Books and based on a true story, is a finalist for the L.A. Book Prize, Anthony, Agatha, and Strand Critics Award.
Time's Undoing, published by Dutton Books and based on a true story, is a finalist for the L.A. Book Prize, Anthony, Agatha, and Strand Critics Award.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 28, 2020
At this point when I pick up a book written by Cheryl Head I know that I am going to enjoy it and Judge Me When I'm Wrong is no exception. In this installment Mack finds trouble while serving on jury duty while her team also working on a case involving a young man and the rape of a young woman at a college frat house. Of course, this being a Head book we also get continuing insight into how Mack is coping with growing and changing complex meaningful relationships among the main characters. The only thing missing was an appearance on page of Mack's mother. I love the way that Head has Mack navigating her relationship with her mother and how her mother deals with Alzheimer's while fighting to retain independence and dignity.
I save books by Head for when I want to read something I know that I will enjoy and had been saving this one for a long time, but book five is out and I can now save that one for when I need another good read or I when can no longer resist picking it up!
Where you can find me:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Group: The Black Bookcase
I save books by Head for when I want to read something I know that I will enjoy and had been saving this one for a long time, but book five is out and I can now save that one for when I need another good read or I when can no longer resist picking it up!
Where you can find me:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Group: The Black Bookcase
October 12, 2019
What could be better than devouring the newest installment in the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery Series? For me, there's nothing better than that except for my favorite chocolate fudge cookies. By now I'm sure that everyone knows that I'm a huge mystery fan and I felt as though this author wrote this story just for me because Charlie was called to do jury duty and I'm on jury duty right now! This novel is definitely spicing up my monotonous days at the courthouse because every time I have a tea or lunch break in between, I am always whipping out my kindle to find out what Charlie is up to next! Who would have thought that money laundering crime bosses, slick attorneys, shady jury members and a private eye who is a firm believer in the judicial system would become the highlight of my late night adventures? After reading this riveting mystery, I'm really excited to read the next book in this awesome series!
August 26, 2024
There was a better alt. than what was followed.
June 9, 2021
Lovers of all things legal will adore this smart and insightful detective novel about a Detroit private eye struggling to balance her thriving practice with the dread of jury duty. Of course, what would normally be a few infuriating weeks of civic boredom turns into a tensile case of juror tapering that leaves Charlene “Charlie� Mack conflicted.
As founder of Mack Investigations, Charlie feels compelled to follow the clues to their source, but the moment she acts on her hunches, people around her get hurt. To make matters worse, while she is stuck in court, her partner Gil Acosta faces static as he attempts to untangle the story behind a college rape that’s been pinned on the son of a local judge. The juxtaposition of the two legal battles highlight the story’s themes of integrity and family while merging together the best of the crime genre—the heart of a private detective tale with the tension of a legal thriller.
Author Cheryl A. Head does an excellent job of adding real-world complexity to both dilemmas by ensuring that each major character makes a decision that will forever alter the course of their lives. New fans will appreciate the novel’s diverse cast and old fans will be happy to see how those characters grow over the course of the tale, including a surprise promotion for one of Mack Investigation’s smartest mainstays. Grab this novel and its sequels today. The short chapters and sharp writing make it the perfect beach read to devour over the course of a weekend.
As founder of Mack Investigations, Charlie feels compelled to follow the clues to their source, but the moment she acts on her hunches, people around her get hurt. To make matters worse, while she is stuck in court, her partner Gil Acosta faces static as he attempts to untangle the story behind a college rape that’s been pinned on the son of a local judge. The juxtaposition of the two legal battles highlight the story’s themes of integrity and family while merging together the best of the crime genre—the heart of a private detective tale with the tension of a legal thriller.
Author Cheryl A. Head does an excellent job of adding real-world complexity to both dilemmas by ensuring that each major character makes a decision that will forever alter the course of their lives. New fans will appreciate the novel’s diverse cast and old fans will be happy to see how those characters grow over the course of the tale, including a surprise promotion for one of Mack Investigation’s smartest mainstays. Grab this novel and its sequels today. The short chapters and sharp writing make it the perfect beach read to devour over the course of a weekend.
July 21, 2020
Haiku
...
Hamm the shelter dog
Oh must your life be so hard
Fortunate for love
.
.
.
Broken teen finds strength
So much eating of junk food
Knowledge is such pain
.
.
.
But come back to love
Denial is for the jury
Of the last decade
...
Hamm the shelter dog
Oh must your life be so hard
Fortunate for love
.
.
.
Broken teen finds strength
So much eating of junk food
Knowledge is such pain
.
.
.
But come back to love
Denial is for the jury
Of the last decade
February 3, 2020
Can't go wrong with Detroit! Or can you?
This was my first foray into the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series and will not be my last. From the opening introduction of the main characters, I felt like I already knew the people. Or, at least knew of them. The main characters, Charlie, Gil, Don, and Judy in particular, were fully developed, able to walk right off the pages and continue life in 3D. Their personal lives were as involved as my own. In fact, I was more appreciative of my own after reading about their baggage.
The storylines were eventful and thoroughly constructed. There are two stories being told in this book � the gang rape of a college girl and a corrupt businessman corrupting a jury. Both storylines are amazingly engaging and unpredictable in how they would be resolved. I really enjoyed the action, the fast pace of the story, the diversity of characters, and the feeling of life evolving.
I was hoping to get more of the character of Detroit, the city itself woven into the story. The series is after all named “A Charlie Mack Motown Mystery.� How about a little more about Detroit and Motown in the next book, please? Also, on the constructive feedback end, there was a minor level of stereotyping � the thugs were young black males, the crooked business owner was a white male, there was also a corrupt jury and an undercover FBI informant - all so mainstream they are “blah.� Still, I was drawn into the story.
What did not interest me in the least was the dog-napping. It added little to the story. In fact, the stakes would have been higher if the partner had been nabbed instead of the dog. I hope the author did not feel she had to add furry animals to the story to capture interest or sales. The book is well-written and can stand on its own without artificial devices.
As stated, I am glad I invested my precious reading time in this book. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
This was my first foray into the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series and will not be my last. From the opening introduction of the main characters, I felt like I already knew the people. Or, at least knew of them. The main characters, Charlie, Gil, Don, and Judy in particular, were fully developed, able to walk right off the pages and continue life in 3D. Their personal lives were as involved as my own. In fact, I was more appreciative of my own after reading about their baggage.
The storylines were eventful and thoroughly constructed. There are two stories being told in this book � the gang rape of a college girl and a corrupt businessman corrupting a jury. Both storylines are amazingly engaging and unpredictable in how they would be resolved. I really enjoyed the action, the fast pace of the story, the diversity of characters, and the feeling of life evolving.
I was hoping to get more of the character of Detroit, the city itself woven into the story. The series is after all named “A Charlie Mack Motown Mystery.� How about a little more about Detroit and Motown in the next book, please? Also, on the constructive feedback end, there was a minor level of stereotyping � the thugs were young black males, the crooked business owner was a white male, there was also a corrupt jury and an undercover FBI informant - all so mainstream they are “blah.� Still, I was drawn into the story.
What did not interest me in the least was the dog-napping. It added little to the story. In fact, the stakes would have been higher if the partner had been nabbed instead of the dog. I hope the author did not feel she had to add furry animals to the story to capture interest or sales. The book is well-written and can stand on its own without artificial devices.
As stated, I am glad I invested my precious reading time in this book. I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
May 7, 2024
t is a year after the events in Book 3. In the opening, Charlie and Gil meet the parents of an accused rapist. The father is a judge, the son, a promising university basketball player, accused of first-degree sexual assault, the victim, a young woman who attended a fraternity party. Despite being called for jury duty and removing herself from the case, Charlie, ever the observer, begins to suspect jury tampering might be happening. The research done is so precise, a reader might suspect Head has a secret law degree. She knows the ins and outs of our justice system. Head's characters are no Mary Sues or Stus. High achievers all, they are also sometimes blind to their more irritating behaviors. Charlie frequently believes she is invincible. This time that trait has put all the people she loves in peril. Will Mandy ever forgive her?
Very highly recommended for YA through Adult. Violence and discussion of sexual assault are main plot points. Will serve as an excellent choice for book clubs.
Very highly recommended for YA through Adult. Violence and discussion of sexual assault are main plot points. Will serve as an excellent choice for book clubs.
July 10, 2023
Just finished the audiobook version of this novel. Stephanie Weeks does an excellent job voicing these characters - and there are a lot to keep track of. My only complaint (which is not her fault) is that it would be helpful to have longer breaks or a low key chime or something when the narrative changes location. It happens a lot in this book, and the narration just rolls right along - it can be confusing.
I really enjoyed the complexity of this story. There was the case that the agency was investigating as well as a complicated situation that arose around the trial that had Charlie on the jury. Then add to this some personal emotional issues. And a dog too. Great story telling!
I really enjoyed the complexity of this story. There was the case that the agency was investigating as well as a complicated situation that arose around the trial that had Charlie on the jury. Then add to this some personal emotional issues. And a dog too. Great story telling!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2020
you'll love and fight for these characters
This is a suspense-filled book that doesn't disappoint. You will come to care for the characters and genuinely worry when things don't go their way. If you're familiar with Motown, you will also love the sites, sounds, and quirkiness of the characters. Get to know Head's characters. You'll find yourself pulled in and wanting more. I can't wait to read the next installment. And my book club friends are excited, as well!
This is a suspense-filled book that doesn't disappoint. You will come to care for the characters and genuinely worry when things don't go their way. If you're familiar with Motown, you will also love the sites, sounds, and quirkiness of the characters. Get to know Head's characters. You'll find yourself pulled in and wanting more. I can't wait to read the next installment. And my book club friends are excited, as well!
October 16, 2020
Curiosity gonna kill Charlie one of these days
Recalling the rape culture stories like the Steubenville, Oakland Homecoming & the Stanford Swimmer rape cases to name a few, Mack Investigations is on the case!
This is a wonderfully written, beautifully developed, powerfully portrayed, transparently honest, thoroughly enjoyed� unapologetically critical, undeniably necessary�
PROUDLY #METOO!!!
Recalling the rape culture stories like the Steubenville, Oakland Homecoming & the Stanford Swimmer rape cases to name a few, Mack Investigations is on the case!
This is a wonderfully written, beautifully developed, powerfully portrayed, transparently honest, thoroughly enjoyed� unapologetically critical, undeniably necessary�
PROUDLY #METOO!!!
December 21, 2021
I continue to enjoy the Charlie Mack books. They are classic investigator books with heart and suspense.
October 17, 2019
A Winner!
Washington DC author Cheryl A. Head has stated that her career as a writer, television producer, filmmaker, broadcast executive, and media funder ‘has taken me to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. I'm an ardent observer and listener, always trying to connect the dots, and now is the time to marry my experiences with the craft of writing, and the art of storytelling. Much of what I write focuses on the themes of diversity (in its broadest sense), acculturation and tolerance. Sometimes with a bit of danger and always with a lot of humor, food and music. I've written (the highly awarded) ‘Long Way Home: A World War II Novel�, short stories about families and other relationships and I've completed the first installment of a detective series called The Charlie Mack Mysteries � ‘Bury Me When I’m Dead� - which brings lesbian private investigator, Charlene Mack to life as she grapples with her sexuality, solves a missing-person case, and cares for her mother with early onset Alzheimer's.� Now following the success of her first three Charlie Mack novels, Cheryl brings us the further adventures of Charlie Mack in JUDGE ME WHEN I’M WRONG. Originally from Detroit, Cheryl has an affinity for the flavor and history of Motown and she uses that very well in this third installment of her series. She writes with great skill and has that ability to relate quality mystery with hefty dollops of humor that make the book ring to the last words.
‘When a guilt-ridden client has an unexpected change of heart, the Mack team’s careful preparation for his grand jury testimony is blown to smithereens. Now, Charlie and Gil must pull out all the stops to defend him from his new enemies and the estrangement of his father. Meanwhile, Charlie reports for jury duty and unwittingly begins to unravel a disturbing plan to alter the outcome of a crime lord’s conspiracy trial. Before she knows it, Charlie’s dangerous meddling lands a bulls-eye squarely on the intersection of her personal and professional lives, putting all that she holds dear in jeopardy.�
That is the plot outline, but the pleasure of Cheryl’s book is immersing yourself in the fever-pitch drama she writes with such finesse. For this reader this Book 4 of this series is her finest (they each get better and better!). While all of the four books are excellent, this one shoots like a rocket - it is exhilarating. Highly Recommended.
Washington DC author Cheryl A. Head has stated that her career as a writer, television producer, filmmaker, broadcast executive, and media funder ‘has taken me to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. I'm an ardent observer and listener, always trying to connect the dots, and now is the time to marry my experiences with the craft of writing, and the art of storytelling. Much of what I write focuses on the themes of diversity (in its broadest sense), acculturation and tolerance. Sometimes with a bit of danger and always with a lot of humor, food and music. I've written (the highly awarded) ‘Long Way Home: A World War II Novel�, short stories about families and other relationships and I've completed the first installment of a detective series called The Charlie Mack Mysteries � ‘Bury Me When I’m Dead� - which brings lesbian private investigator, Charlene Mack to life as she grapples with her sexuality, solves a missing-person case, and cares for her mother with early onset Alzheimer's.� Now following the success of her first three Charlie Mack novels, Cheryl brings us the further adventures of Charlie Mack in JUDGE ME WHEN I’M WRONG. Originally from Detroit, Cheryl has an affinity for the flavor and history of Motown and she uses that very well in this third installment of her series. She writes with great skill and has that ability to relate quality mystery with hefty dollops of humor that make the book ring to the last words.
‘When a guilt-ridden client has an unexpected change of heart, the Mack team’s careful preparation for his grand jury testimony is blown to smithereens. Now, Charlie and Gil must pull out all the stops to defend him from his new enemies and the estrangement of his father. Meanwhile, Charlie reports for jury duty and unwittingly begins to unravel a disturbing plan to alter the outcome of a crime lord’s conspiracy trial. Before she knows it, Charlie’s dangerous meddling lands a bulls-eye squarely on the intersection of her personal and professional lives, putting all that she holds dear in jeopardy.�
That is the plot outline, but the pleasure of Cheryl’s book is immersing yourself in the fever-pitch drama she writes with such finesse. For this reader this Book 4 of this series is her finest (they each get better and better!). While all of the four books are excellent, this one shoots like a rocket - it is exhilarating. Highly Recommended.
October 18, 2019
A Winner!
Washington DC author Cheryl A. Head has stated that her career as a writer, television producer, filmmaker, broadcast executive, and media funder ‘has taken me to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. I'm an ardent observer and listener, always trying to connect the dots, and now is the time to marry my experiences with the craft of writing, and the art of storytelling. Much of what I write focuses on the themes of diversity (in its broadest sense), acculturation and tolerance. Sometimes with a bit of danger and always with a lot of humor, food and music. I've written (the highly awarded) ‘Long Way Home: A World War II Novel�, short stories about families and other relationships and I've completed the first installment of a detective series called The Charlie Mack Mysteries � ‘Bury Me When I’m Dead� - which brings lesbian private investigator, Charlene Mack to life as she grapples with her sexuality, solves a missing-person case, and cares for her mother with early onset Alzheimer's.� Now following the success of her first three Charlie Mack novels, Cheryl brings us the further adventures of Charlie Mack in JUDGE ME WHEN I’M WRONG. Originally from Detroit, Cheryl has an affinity for the flavor and history of Motown and she uses that very well in this third installment of her series. She writes with great skill and has that ability to relate quality mystery with hefty dollops of humor that make the book ring to the last words.
‘When a guilt-ridden client has an unexpected change of heart, the Mack team’s careful preparation for his grand jury testimony is blown to smithereens. Now, Charlie and Gil must pull out all the stops to defend him from his new enemies and the estrangement of his father. Meanwhile, Charlie reports for jury duty and unwittingly begins to unravel a disturbing plan to alter the outcome of a crime lord’s conspiracy trial. Before she knows it, Charlie’s dangerous meddling lands a bulls-eye squarely on the intersection of her personal and professional lives, putting all that she holds dear in jeopardy.�
That is the plot outline, but the pleasure of Cheryl’s book is immersing yourself in the fever-pitch drama she writes with such finesse. For this reader this Book 4 of this series is her finest (they each get better and better!). While all of the four books are excellent, this one shoots like a rocket - it is exhilarating. Highly Recommended.
Washington DC author Cheryl A. Head has stated that her career as a writer, television producer, filmmaker, broadcast executive, and media funder ‘has taken me to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. I'm an ardent observer and listener, always trying to connect the dots, and now is the time to marry my experiences with the craft of writing, and the art of storytelling. Much of what I write focuses on the themes of diversity (in its broadest sense), acculturation and tolerance. Sometimes with a bit of danger and always with a lot of humor, food and music. I've written (the highly awarded) ‘Long Way Home: A World War II Novel�, short stories about families and other relationships and I've completed the first installment of a detective series called The Charlie Mack Mysteries � ‘Bury Me When I’m Dead� - which brings lesbian private investigator, Charlene Mack to life as she grapples with her sexuality, solves a missing-person case, and cares for her mother with early onset Alzheimer's.� Now following the success of her first three Charlie Mack novels, Cheryl brings us the further adventures of Charlie Mack in JUDGE ME WHEN I’M WRONG. Originally from Detroit, Cheryl has an affinity for the flavor and history of Motown and she uses that very well in this third installment of her series. She writes with great skill and has that ability to relate quality mystery with hefty dollops of humor that make the book ring to the last words.
‘When a guilt-ridden client has an unexpected change of heart, the Mack team’s careful preparation for his grand jury testimony is blown to smithereens. Now, Charlie and Gil must pull out all the stops to defend him from his new enemies and the estrangement of his father. Meanwhile, Charlie reports for jury duty and unwittingly begins to unravel a disturbing plan to alter the outcome of a crime lord’s conspiracy trial. Before she knows it, Charlie’s dangerous meddling lands a bulls-eye squarely on the intersection of her personal and professional lives, putting all that she holds dear in jeopardy.�
That is the plot outline, but the pleasure of Cheryl’s book is immersing yourself in the fever-pitch drama she writes with such finesse. For this reader this Book 4 of this series is her finest (they each get better and better!). While all of the four books are excellent, this one shoots like a rocket - it is exhilarating. Highly Recommended.
January 23, 2020
Great.
I loved Judge Me When I’m Wrong. Love reading about Charlie Mack, her partners, and her cases. Enjoyed this book.
I loved Judge Me When I’m Wrong. Love reading about Charlie Mack, her partners, and her cases. Enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.