When sixteen-year-old Hannah Sheraton is arrested for the murder of her stepgrandfather, the chief justice of the California Supreme court, her distraught mother turns to her old college roommate, Josie Baylor-Bates, for help. Josie, once a hot-shot criminal defense attorney, left the fast track behind for a small practice in Hermosa Beach, California. But Hannah Sheraton intrigues her and, when … when the girl is charged as an adult, Josie cannot turn her back. But the deeper she digs the more Josie realizes that politics, the law and family relationships create a combustible and dangerous situation. When the horrible truth is uncovered it can save Hannah Sheraton or destroy them both.
“This story was inspired by a case my husband handled. As a superior court judge he had to sentence a minor to life in prison. It made me wonder how I felt about minors arrested for violent crimes. Are they most vulnerable among us – capable or horrible violence, perceived as adults and yet emotionally still children?” Rebecca Forster
“An enthralling read, with colorful, well-developed characters and the unique atmosphere of the California beach communities.” Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
“Blending complex psychological character portraits with spot-on accurage courtroom drmaa, Forster’s riveting legal thriller keeps the plot twists coming until the last, satisfying page.” – Alafair Burke
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Great
Such a good read I didn’t even want to put it down recommend this book was quite the twist to the plot that keep building.
Definitely a woman’s book. It was drawn out in many portions and could have “cut to the chase” , but it was entertaining.
Excellent story! Couldn’t put it down.
Wow! What a book!
This was the first Rebecca Forster book I read. I received it free on iBooks on my iPad. After finishing it in four days, I immediately ordered the 2nd book, of 7, in the Witness series, “Silent Witness”. I read this book in four days, doing nothing but reading it in my spare time, it was that good. I have not read Grisham or Cornwell in years, …
I got a sample of this book and was hooked on the 1st page, hence ordered the book, I am now on book 3 and have to say its been a long while since one plus books have engrossed my attention as this series has. I will say that these books have cost me a great deal of loss sleep as I can not put them down. I have to find out what the outcome …
Loved it, couldn’t put it down
What’s the last book that made you laugh out loud?
Josie Bates is a feisty single woman with a wicked sense of humor. Although I’m not an attorney, I have found myself identifying with her as we both have a sharp mind and a quick tongue.
I found this book hard to get in to. I did not finish it.
Josie Bates was a hotshot defense attorney who won a difficult case only to have the defendant prove later to have been guilty at the cost of new lives. Shaken by her role in enabling the new tragedy, Bates has withdrawn from criminal defense work, but gets pulled back in when her old college roommate begs her to defend her daughter who is being …
Decent for the price (free). It was an interesting mystery, but very slow (and seemed repetitive) through the middle third of the book. The ending was interesting, but didn’t feel like it was clear if the mystery was resolved or not.
I found this book to be very disappointing
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 …
This is a fascinating book. Plan to read the series by author Rebecca Forster featuring attorney Josie Bates.
This was an excellent realistic book that had me wondering what was going to happen throughout the entire story. Lots of twists and turns along with characters that pulled at your heartstrings, this was a great read!!
I liked this book and will probably read the series
Enjoyed the characters and story.
This poor 16-year-old girl is in for the fight of her life when she is accused of murdering her step-grandfather. When Josie Bates decides to take this case on she is not only saving Hannah from a lifetime in prison but also from a lifetime with no one. Josie is about to turn everyone’s life upside down the more she digs into this case and …
Story of greed and fear of being alone. Good story.