In the neon-glare and grit of 1980s New York—graffiti-streaked subways, squeegee men at stop lights, dive bars and an old-world gentlemen’s club—left-handed lawyer Finnegan Alger has built a routine of chasing trademark counterfeiters and hapless romance—until a deadly crime upends his life. Navy pilots are dying, and Finn stumbles upon the cause. This should be the big break to make his career, but why does everyone press him to look away? A pervasive cover-up forces him to confront more than the ghosts of his childhood tragedy and grudge against the right-handed world. In a city built on ambition and silence, what will one outsider risk for justice—or retribution? "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 "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 "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 William Michael Ried was born on Long Island, graduated from the University of Michigan and Georgetown University Law Center and practices law in New York City. His first novel Five Ferries was a finalist in the 2019 American Fiction Awards for Best New Fiction. In 2021 his second novel Backstory won the New York City Big Book Award for Mystery and a Silver Medal from the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for Adult Fiction, was a semi-finalist for the Kindle Book Award for Literary Fiction, and was named a 2022 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist. His third novel Pandion was named a 2022 Distinguished Favorite Mystery by the NYC Big Book Awards and a Red Ribbon Winner of the 2022 Wishing Shelf Awards, made the 2023 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List, was a semifinalist in the 2023 Kindle Book Awards for Mystery/Thriller, and was awarded Honorable Mention for Mystery/Crime in the 2023 Eric Hoffer Awards. His fourth novel Two Degrees: A Climate Change Novel was awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion, named a Finalist for Mystery/Crime in the 2024 Eric Hoffer Awards, a Finalist for Political Thrillers in the American Fiction Awards, and Distinguished Favorite in the 2024 NYC Big Book Awards. His fifth novel, Wrong Hand Right , was published in 2025. He lives with his wife in Manhattan.