Hayden is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious DC law firm . . . If the case she’s just been handed doesn’t destroy her first. Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain that follows when justice is not served. It’s why she became an attorney and why she’s so driven in her career. When she’s assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn’t sure if it’s the … if it’s the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership–or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.
Further complicating matters is Andrew Wesley, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a congressman, and Hayden’s currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?
The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case–or her. Logic and self-preservation indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?
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This first book in the series set the standard for what people will come to expect from the author: solid and relatable characters, a timely (almost prescient) storyline and excellent pacing. An enjoyable read all around!
This book had a little too much legalese for me. (I know, it is a legal thriller, but just sayin’ —) Other than that, it was a good book with lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing how it could possibly resolve.
I received this copy from The Fiction Guild. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own. This story was about all that is going on with immigration, also how one young man trying to get away from his father’s cartel had to come into the country through a coyote and got caught. But was murdered while under US care because of possible bad people working through the government. But Hayden is given the case from her law firm and is filing a wrongful death lawsuit. But little did she know what she was up against. Loss of life of two people, almost getting killed her self and getting justice. He roommates cousin works with immigrant kids and his father is a Congressman, but he wants to help. I love the story and look forward to see where each of the characters go.
I really enjoyed this story of intrigue and romance. The depth of feeling that the story brought to the issues of immigration and children was outstanding and relevant. I’ve never considered myself a fan of legal thrillers, but I love the way this author pulled me right into that world. at my website.
I’m now a new fan of legal thrillers. I’ve read a couple that to me weren’t impressive, but this author hit it out of the ballpark with this heart pounding.-page turning novel. It keeps you engrossed without being over the top and the subject is current and grabs your heart for justice to be found for this young man who doesn’t have a voice. Hayden is believable as a determined lawyer who puts it all on the line to seek justice for her clients. Does she have room in her life for a new romance? Well you will have to read to find out. You meet her friends in this novel and wonder what their stories are. I look forward to book two to find out who is the heroine in it. This is well written with characters that grow and are well developed that you can connect with. Add the faith element and you have a winner.
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Guild. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
This was my first foray into a legal suspense book and it certainly won’t be my last. Cara Putman masterfully creates a story that kept me totally engaged in the events that were unfolding. Given just enough details to keep me guessing and provide suspense, I raced through this book.
Lawyer Hayden McCarthy is assigned a nearly impossible wrongful death case of an illegal immigrant teen. We as the readers are given some details, but not enough to actually know what is truly happening. The twists and turns of this plot made me feel like I was on a n emotional roller coaster. One minute I was elated because I figured out some point and the next minute I was bewildered or tense as something new would happen.
Andrew Wesley was just the man that Hayden could feel comfortable with and understood her passion and desire for justice. He, too, has this drive to see wrongs made right. Hayden and Andrew are a powerful and faith-filled couple who I greatly admired. When things got dangerous they both relied on God to help them through it.
With Ms. Putman’s legal expertise I was able to see the court system in operation. I appreciated that she didn’t use legalese that would detract from the story, but seamlessly explained things as they were occurring. This is the first in the Hidden Justice series. While it can be a stand alone, there are several of Hayden and Andrew’s friends that I hope to learn more about in future books.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This novel held my interest throughout with very tense situations and admirable characters. Very revealing about inadequacies in the caretaking of illegal immigrant children. I appreciated the look into that side of the problem of illegal immigration. Well written novel with no unwelcome language or explicit sexual scenes. Thank you, Cara Putnam for being a wonderful author that can be trusted.
I enjoy a good romantic suspense that is different and doesn’t read like every other one out there. I have read plenty of romantic suspense to know that the story can be taken two different ways. I have seen some authors who rely highly on the romance side, whereas, I have read some authors who rely heavy on the suspense side. So it depends on that author and what they want more in their story. As for Cara Putnam, I believe she wanted to side with the suspense side more.
With Cara Putnam’s Beyond Justice, she didn’t rely on the typical hero and heroine professions of law enforcement. Instead, she took a lawyer and a Senator’s son, who creates political cartoons. It was refreshing to see something else, and I believe Putnam did a good job at creating these two characters. Both of these characters really didn’t change or have a dark moment that I had to see them work through. As for the legal profession of Hayden, Putnam uses her own knowledge of the courtroom, which shined in her heroine. Hayden is a strong, confident woman who knows what she needs to win this case, and she will stop at nothing to seek justice for her clients.
Majority of the story focused on allowing Hayden to solve the case she was handed by her boss. A dead Mexican son as he crossed into America. The Mexican drug cartel stories have been overdone and usually have the same predictable ending. Putnam did not. She took a different route and showed how far the drug cartel can reach into our American culture. It made me shiver as I thought of how it could reach to my small town. Putnam does include the typical putting the heroine’s live in danger with someone chasing her and getting closer as Hayden grew closer and closer to the truth. But . . . there were moments where the story slowed down a lot. Many conversations showing Hayden’s thought process that I felt could have been peeled back a little.
Being a romantic suspense novel, I expected some type of romance between the hero and heroine, but Putnam uses the romance as a side note, really a glimpse among the suspense. Not demanding the complete plot. What romance happens on the pages, I think, should be deleted because the romantic ending doesn’t really match the romance in the rest of the story.
On a final note, I did enjoy the story and believe that fans of Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon, and Brandilyn Collins will enjoy Beyond Justice. I think the audience to read Beyond Justice should be mature enough to handle the information presented. I wouldn’t want to scare some kids into thinking that this happens around them all the time.
I received a complimentary copy of Cara Putnam’s Beyond Justice from Thomas Nelson Publishing, and the opinions stated are all my own.
Wonderfully riveting & inspiring
It took me ten (TEN!) chapters to get into this book, and yet, I never became invested in the characters. I can’t quite pinpoint what exactly is wrong with this book; it’s not poorly written, it just doesn’t seem driven. The mishaps and murders were lacking in the shivers-down-my-spine element, and so was the chemistry/romance aspect. I found myself wishing that the main character would be killed off in a spectacular and unexpected way, just to hasten the end of the book.
Beyond Justice by Cara Putman is a legal suspense thriller. I was afraid that this would be another book full of legal talk but it wasn’t. Cara gave enough information so that you could follow the court proceedings but you were not overwhelmed. The suspense level was not very high as you were mainly trying to figure out who was hiding what, instead of a lot of action. Overall, I liked the book and would recommend it.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.