By Way of Sorrow (An Erin McCabe Legal Thriller)

By Way of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl
An Erin McCabe Legal Thriller #1

Thought provoking legal thriller that had me contemplating what it would be like to live life as other than who I am. I have to say that I was compelled to google to learn more and grew a great deal while thoroughly enjoying this wonderful debut novel. It is not always an easy read but it is a brilliant one.

What I liked:
* Erin McCabe: intelligent, professional, good friend, true to self, loves her family, is good at what she does, learns more about herself and grows through this book.
* Sharise: transgender woman accused of murder and Erin’s client – really felt for her.
* Duane Swisher: Erin’s law partner and friend, ex-FBI, supportive, a good person.
* Erin’s show more mother: found her interesting, supportive, a good person, loving, and more.
* The writing, plot and story
* The way the case came together
* The intrigue, twists, and turns
* The glimpse into the transgender person and the issues they might face
* Learning and growing as I googled to find out more
* Being able to hate some of the characters for valid reasons
* Erin’s nephews: smarter and more loving than some of the adults they were related to
* Wondering if perhaps this was the beginning of a series and if so, what will happen next (just saw it IS gong to be a series)

What I didn’t like:
* Knowing that powerful people may act in the negative ways that were described in this story
* The evil people and the evil behavior they perpetrated
* That some people got away with things I wanted them to have to pay for – hope they pay in the NEXT book!

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars show less

Great, great, great book. If someone needs a primer about the transgender world, but in an oblique way, give them this. The characters are great, and the story is solid.

Erin McCabe is a transgender lawyer defending a transgender prostitute charged with murder. There were fewer fully transitioned people among us in 2007 when this story is set, allowing the author to use dialog and common settings, like holiday dinners, to tell us about being transgender. I enjoyed reading it and thought it sounded as believable as any serial killer novel can. I don't understand the title, however.

I found this to be both a well written 'thriller' as well as a message concerning the reality of transgender life. I include myself in those who have no personal experience with the trans community and little understanding of some obstacles they face in general, as well as in a legal situation. Murder, jail, courtroom, and an attorney that knows all too well the difficulties and complex challenges her client faces. While the book is a fictional drama, I felt it is also a teaching tool to enlighten the reader of an issue that so few people understand. There are plenty of difficult moments, scenes that are a bit shocking, and certainly not meant for everyone. It is certainly a unique, fast paced drama.

When ten-year criminal defense attorney Erin McCabe is asked by her law partner to speak to the suspect who was arrested for the alleged murder of the son of a prominent and powerful New Jersey politician and political kingmaker, she has no inkling of the viper's nest she has stumbled into as issues in her personal life are also coming to a head. Ms. McCabe is a transgender woman who had recently transitioned quietly from Ian to Erin, has been estranged from her father and brother since her surgery, and is also coming to terms with her sexuality. Her client, Samuel/Sharise Barnes, is also a transgender woman still undergoing the hormone treatments but not yet transitioned. This legal thriller is a page turner - murders, wire taps, show more political corruption, and a sinister "fixer." show less

I am not such what to think of this first time legal thriller. I liked it and I didn’t like it. It was a good story by a first time author. The characters were well developed and the story was intense. Attorney Erin McCabe is hired to defend a black transgender prostitute who is on trial for the murder of the son of a very prominent New Jersey politician. But was it self-defense and can McCabe and her partner prove it? When bodies start piling up and Erin gets attacked, it does seem somebody has something to hide. The novel also deals with the personal side of Erin who had transitioned a few years earlier and he relation with her family. Definitely, kept the story flowing. I do see the character Of Erin McCabe showing up in future novels.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This book was classed as a Mystery Thriller, a Thriller yes but not really a Mystery the baddies were introduced early on with no great plot twists as such, there were however plenty of murders. Well written and educational for me with regards to the transgender aspect of the story. An atmospheric engaging taut and at times tense page turner. Good characters throughout especially our brave fearless and somewhat vulnerable heroine, I look forward to more.
Recommended.