Rebecca Forster

I've never read a legal thriller, and this was a nice diversion from my usual historical fiction and women's fiction genres.
The fast paced courtroom drama, family dysfunction and suspenseful twists made this novel a fascinating and quick read. Josie Bates, for the most part, is a flawed and unlikable protagonist. But, she's interesting enough to make me want to know more of her story.
This book was the perfect change of pace I was looking for. I'll definitely be coming back to read the rest show more of the series. show less

- but a superior one. Not so much a whodunnit as a whydunnit (or, as later becomes apparent, whynotdunnit) the plot follows the efforts of a defense attorney committed to doing the best for her client no matter what the cost to herself, the client or anyone else. The courtroom drama is handled expertly, although, for this reader, the delay of any forensic evidence until the last act strained the patience. Though the dialogue is well done, the characters and their relationships are from show more straight from central casting and the Ladybird Book of Writing for Dummies, but then that's not what we read this stuff for. A real page turner, the denoument is more satisfying than surprising. show less

I got this as a free book off of Amazon.

It's been a while since I've read a page turner-- one that I had to stay up late reading just to race to the end. This was one of those novels. From the initial meeting of Linda, a past roommate with an intriguing proposal, to meeting her defendant, Hannah and to revealing the rest of the ragtag band of screwed up characters, they were all fascinating characters. I loved the fast paced courtroom drama-- I definitely have a soft spot for those. I loved show more the dramatic moment near the end when Josie is building her case... and gets an unexpected result.

Most of all, I really liked Josie. She is a character with staying power. Strong, passionate but emotional and caring-- someone who resonates like Erin Brokovich. She's someone I would want defending me. And what's more, my first instinct when I finished the book was to pick up more books by Rebecca Forster!

This is a thrilling ride that no one should miss out on. show less

Lauren Kingsley, assigned as the lead prosecuting attorney for the hottest case to hit L.A. in years, believes her hard work in the U.S. Attorney's Office has finally paid off. Lauren doesn't realize she is simply a pawn in a political game of chess. Following a rash of bombings across the country, the IRS complex in downtown L.A. becomes the next target. Innocent people die, and the elusive Independent Militia is blamed. The police luck out with eyewitnesses, physical evidence, and the show more quick arrest of two Militiamen. The U.S. Attorney's Office should look like demigods. Except for one small problem. The Fourth Amendment clearly guards against unreasonable search and seizure, but the arresting officer fails to follow standard police procedures. The public doesn't care about insignificant details like maintaining individuals' rights-they want the bombings stopped and the guilty parties brought to justice. The judge assigned to the case is a personal friend of Lauren's. Seizing this opportunity, the U.S. Attorney assigns her as the lead prosecutor in the hopes that Lauren's personal relationship with the judge will sway him to allow the evidence to stand. But Judge Wilson Caufield is a man of the law. In his courtroom, there is no venue or deference shown the lawyers pleading their cases before him. While Lauren struggles to build a case, FBI agent Eli Warner begins to investigate Judge Caufield. During his investigation, Eli stumbles across something that raises his suspicions. Does the esteemed judge have skeletons in his family closet? show less