When a popular college student is murdered, her international roommate, Anneliese, becomes a prime suspect. But law professor Margeaux Robbins doesn’t believe that the quiet, lonely German girl in her class is the killer.
Chase Crandall is a burned-out defense attorney ready to extricate himself from the grind of criminal law. After he loses a client to tragedy, he’s ready for an in-house corporate position.
When Chase is assigned to Anneliese’s case, Margeaux is horrified. She doesn’t want him to provide legal counsel—not after what happened to his past client. And not with the evidence incriminating Anneliese.
Despite their mutual misgivings, the lawyer and professor pair up to find the killer and prove Anneliese’s innocence. Will they be able to untangle the mystery—and navigate their growing interest in one another—before the wrong person is charged with murder?
About the Author
Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She is a clinical assistant professor in law and ethics at Purdue University’s School of Business. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. She loves bringing history and legal romantic suspense to life.
An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska, George Mason University School of Law, and Krannert School of Management, Cara left small town Nebraska and headed to Washington, D.C., to launch her career in public policy.
Cara is an author chasing hard after God as she lives a crazy life. She invites you to join her on that journey. She’s currently writing her 41st book with more on the way. Please check out her website to learn more about her books and read first chapters. (Goodreads)
My Review
“What situation would she walk into?
She didn’t know, so she couldn’t what-if during the drive, playing out and preparing for different scenarios. Instead, she wondered what it would take to save a client from terrible accusations. She’d had no criminal cases during her short stint in private practice. Most of the stories she told her students involved other people. Other lawyers morphed into the hero, and she remained the onlooker.”
Margeaux Robbins loves the law – from behind the podium anyway. As a law professor, she loves instructing and sharing scenarios. But when a student finds herself accused of a crime she swears she didn’t commit, Margeaux agrees to help. She isn’t quite sure that she trusts the assigned defense attorney, Chase Crandell to represent the student well. So she reluctantly joins the legal team. Perhaps nothing is as it seems.
A well-written legal defense book includes enough information about the case without so many details that can bog down readers who are not in the legal profession. This is a fine line to walk, and the author does it brilliantly. I feel like I had an unofficial education about some of the procedures and aspects of developing a defense for a reluctant client.
Two friendships are important to Margeaux – Janae and Chloe. They provide a support system to her and know her story. Janae is featured in the first “Secrets to Keep” book, The Vanished. I would recommend reading that book first because it connects to the characters, but this book could be read as a stand-alone title.
Margeaux overcame a complicated situation. That part of her story plays a role in this book. When the truth comes out, healing begins.
The faith element is strong in this book. The romance element is understated. Parts are suspenseful, but the real emphasis is on the relationships and on the legal aspects.
I really enjoyed this book! So glad I was able to read an early copy on a launch team. I planned on reading this book no matter what. All opinions are my own.
Author Reviews
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