This was my first experience with this author’s work, and I found it thoroughly entertaining. I’ll definitely be exploring more of her books. Her writing style is immersive and descriptive without being bogged down by excessive details. The fast-paced narrative and short chapters made it easy to follow and hard to put down—I finished the book in just a few days. I became deeply invested in the family, especially the main character, TJ.

I adored TJ as our male protagonist. As the black sheep of the family, he’s treated accordingly, bearing the weight of a dark past filled with poor choices. Despite this, he has taken full responsibility for his mistakes and paid his dues, both literally and figuratively. Now an ex-con, TJ works at his family’s law firm as the “unofficial investigator,” being the only non-lawyer in the family. He also battles alcoholism, striving to stay sober. I admired how he owned up to his past and acknowledged his struggles. It was heartbreaking at times to see how others, especially some family members, treated him. TJ’s wit, charm, and authenticity made him an incredibly likable character.

I appreciated how the story featured a compelling main plot alongside an intriguing subplot. In the primary narrative, TJ’s brother frantically pulls him aside, fearing he accidentally killed one of their clients—an accountant he had confronted with proof of embezzlement. This sets off a thrilling journey to unravel the mystery.

Meanwhile, TJ’s sister Gabby seeks his help in bringing justice for her dying plaintiffs—prisoners who were experimented on by a large pharmaceutical company decades ago. These heartbreaking stories are based on real-life events. Don’t miss the author’s note at the end, where she explains her research and findings.

This was my first venture into a legal drama/mystery, and I was initially hesitant due to my dislike for tedious courtroom scenes and excessive legal jargon. However, I found it engaging, compelling, and gripping. I became deeply attached to the family, finding their personal stories as captivating as their cases. The legal cases were interesting too, and thankfully, there weren’t any overly detailed courtroom scenes. The legal language was straightforward and easy to follow, thanks to the author’s legal background and expertise.

While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I did find that the middle dragged a bit. The beginning pulled me into the story, and the end featured thrilling action sequences that left my heart racing. Despite the slower middle, the book overall was a great read. It had some fantastic twists and turns that kept me engaged throughout. Definitely recommend!