Cara Putman

“So this was what Praecursoria did. Offered terrible hope to those who had none.”

As interested as I am in forensics, legal thrillers have never been on my list of genres to read. It’s not that I have no interest at all in reading fiction from a legal perspective, but more of a time issue and concern over finding an author who would not ruin my first experience and turn me off of the genre before I’d even begun. However, the name Cara Putnam kept coming up in my Christian book groups, show more and finally I decided to take the plunge and see for myself what the buzz was about. And I am so glad that I did, proving to myself that I should not wait so long to step out of my comfort zone in the future!

One of the main points that initially drew me to “Lethal Intent” is the medical aspect. That familiarity made it easier for me to transition to a genre different than what I usually read, but I would like to emphasize that regardless of the reader’s knowledge of medicine or law (or lack thereof), Cara Putnam writes in a way that is easy to comprehend. Any foreknowledge might make for a slightly quicker reading experience, but everything is explained within the text. Furthermore, Putnam accomplishes this without making the reader feel alienated or as if they’re reading a textbook. Due to the fact that this part of the plot deals with revolutionary genetic therapy research and trials, the story, albeit fictional, raises valid and pertinent concerns that are already and will continue to be a major factor in our society. Through the circumstances addressed in “Lethal Intent”, Putnam flags the ethical and legal ramifications concomitant with genetic engineering.

Alongside the legal and scientific features of the plot is a friendship that is turning into romance between two individuals who have each experienced the trauma of difficult pasts and rejection. Lawyer Caroline Bragg takes a job with Praecursoria, a company whose research is on the cutting edge of genetic therapy, unaware that her close friend Brandon Lancaster is an investor. To avoid insider trading, she is unable to discuss her work with him, even when it involves one of the kids from his foster home group for siblings, Almost Home. Something doesn’t seem quite right, but Caroline can’t figure out what the problem might be, and her colleagues don’t seem very forthcoming. Perhaps for good reason.

Complete with discussion questions, “Lethal Intent” provides a thought-provoking, compelling, and at times heartbreaking glimpse into the rapidly developing field of genetic therapies. There is a light but unmistakable Christian element that provides the moral framework for the main characters and a thread of hope throughout challenging and life-changing situations. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys legal thrillers, suspense, medical thrillers, or mysteries, as well as to anyone interested in genetic engineering and the enormous impact it has on everyone involved.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. show less

It is sickening the lengths people will go through to satisfy dark desires, and the ripple effect it has is so far-reaching. This is the thought that stayed with me the entire time I was reading The Targeted. If you know anything about the US Gymnastics abuse scandal that came to light a few years ago, then you will see parallels in this novel, as it also deals with similar abuse.

If you’re wanting a light and airy read, this is not the book for you. This handles tough subjects that hold a show more lot of weight, but it is all handled with the utmost care and respect. I appreciate the author’s bravery for delving as deep as she did into this subject.

You can't help but feel a heaviness while reading, especially when it comes to Chloe. It's clear she has been through it, and my heart went out to her instantly. Heroic Dare always seems to be there when Chloe needs him the most and is a bright spot in an otherwise darker read. Their dynamic is refreshing, and it was nice to see Chloe not have to deal with everything alone.

There was a shocking plot twist that I did not see coming that had me audibly gasping. It was so unexpected and turned the entire story upside down for me.

While a harder read due to the weighty subject matter, I enjoyed this novel. The characters are well fleshed out, believable, and easy to root for. Plus, it has a satisfying ending that was believable and reminds you that there’s always hope, even in the hard..

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

“‘I am always alone.’ He will never leave me or forsake me…
It didn’t matter if people would leave her or let her down. God never would. He promised that, and his promises were true. Always.”

This review may well be one of the hardest I’ve ever written. Because The Targeted by Cara Putman, contains such sensitive and trigger-inducing content that I may have ever read. The legal drama, book three of the Secrets to Keep series, tells the story of the last of three young women show more involved in the legal world.
Very well executed and written with an obvious knowledge of the law, this fictional story becomes very relatable and painful to read. Plus, a second trigger was lying in wait in the form of Cloe’s mom, as we see her fading in and out of reality with her early-onset dementia.

Putman shines a light on how easily abuse can occur between a minor and a trusted adult. Her character, Cloe, is a great example of a groomed victim who, because of age, trust in adults, and negative reaction when she tries to share bits of her story, stuffs it all inside. Without her once beloved older sister, Ginny, who left fourteen years prior, and her mother’s dementia clouded mind, Cloe has learned to become an island onto herself.

Roadblocks occur when she attempts to bring her abuser to justice. Sometimes, Cloe herself is the issue. Sometimes it is others. Can 2nd year law student Dare help her file a complaint years after the event? What happens when the abuser is closer than Cloe is comfortable with? Will she use the community of friends and law resources around her, or will she quietly run away from her memories and hurt?

There’s hope in this story! I could keep reading, hard as it was to be confronted with truths and memories of the past, as I realized Cloe would fight not for herself but for the new crop of gymnasts. She is determined to make a difference. The hardest question keeps her going: “What if by not trying, by staying silent, we’ve all been complicit? We’ve all allowed him to continue his behavior because none of us have taken the risk of saying it has to stop?” Ooh. Rough. Time to take action!

While needing to stay unattached as her legal counsel, Dare realizes his attraction to this brave, strong-though-wounded young gym coach. He looks for ways to help, and prays for her. I loved this line…
“How was it possible that the man morphed more into her hero each time he showed up? It wasn’t so much big, heroic actions as the small, consistent moments of showing up again and again.” That’s how these two and their team hope to win at this terrible loop life has thrown them… start with the small steps, complete each task step by step, until they have solved this case and won. Unfortunately, a big twist occurs and the action becomes very urgent!

In summary, expect a very well-written read with potentially difficult subject matter. I wish there had been a trigger warning at the front of the book. But… knowing what kind of fiction this author writes, I did know she would show how God can bring good out of bad. That makes a hard story worth reading!

I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“He couldn’t change her history, but he could create a different future.” (Dare)

“Remember that sometimes God simply asks us to take the next step. He rarely tells us every part of the journey that’s coming.” - Janae

“Before, this was about me and the past. Now, it’s about the present and protecting my girls, today’s gymnasts.” - Clie

“‘What could I do as a junior man on the team?’
‘Speak up. Believe them. Validate their experience.’” - Dare, Cloe

“Life demanded a decision. Everyone else had to move on, even if she didn’t.” ( Cloe)

“She needed the possibility of more, even if she chose to stay. What she really wanted was the illusion of choice.” (Cloe)

“She knew her strength at one level, but at another level, she was still the girl who had allowed bad things to happen to her.” ( Cloe) show less

“Sometimes you have to do what’s right even when it could cost you everything.”

Stunned! That was my reaction on finishing The Accused, a legal thriller by Cara Putman. A spin on the Amanda Knox case of a few years ago, my heart was in my throat nearly all the way through the book.

Putman starts out by introducing us to the two main characters, Margeaux Robbins and Chase Crandall. Margeaux teaches law at a small college, cares deeply for her students, but has no courtroom experience. show more Chase, conversely, is a burnt-out court-appointed criminal defense lawyer who doesn’t appear to care much about his clients.

When German exchange student Annaliese is arrested for murder of her roommate, she contacts Margeaux, who cannot help…not only is she not qualified for the courtroom, as Chase so quickly points out, but Annaliese won’t confide in Margeaux or anyone.

Each doubting the other’s legal abilities, Chase and Margeaux team up to defend Annaliese in court. Strange, given their mistrust of each other. “I wonder which is more important to the attorney. Justice? Or the truth? Because sometimes they get in the way of each other when we’re trying to live by ‘innocent until proven guilty.’” However, both lawyers begin to see Annaliese as worth defending, although the doubts of her innocence start to creep in. The evidence is invariably confusing and Annaliese won’t talk.

I wasn’t sure I would survive the stress until it was all sorted out. Or if I would like the outcome. I was certainly left slack-jawed at Putman’s ability to create a legal thriller with so many twists and turns.

I like how faith was an integral part of the novel . Margeaux’s past has made her slow to believe God is always with her. Chase has turned away. With the stakes so high, will the two do things their own way or look to God for help?

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“God should never be her last resort, yet he often was.”

“Slowly she sensed his peace flowing into her, reminding her that even when she forgot to turn to him first, he was still working and waiting for her to remember. She was never built to be an island. And even if she was alone, she wasn’t ever alone.”

“Emotion is dangerous in my line of work…I have to keep a tight grip on logic to defend my clients.”

“A simple twist here and another twist there and suddenly constitutional protections disappeared, lost in meaningless legal wrangling.” show less