Imperfect Justice Review

Posted by abakersp in Mystery/Suspense / 4 Comments

Every now and then I find myself diving into a suspenseful thriller. One that will keep me on my toes, have me clinging to my husband, and watching my back constantly. Why? Because I love them. They are filled with action, surprise, and have me turning the pages so fast that I’m surprised I’m not burning the edges of them. You know why else I like them? They are great conversation starters.

Example: I was reading Imperfect Justice on my lunch break the other day. My coworker  looked at the back and told me it wasn’t really my kind of reading. In other words, she didn’t think it was Christian because it wasn’t Amish or a sweet romance. So I got to tell her that yes there are suspenseful novels in the Christian world. Now, I didn’t go into great detail, as she was short on time, but I planted a seed. Here’s the thing – Christians have stuff happen to them just like non-Christians. Sometimes it is creepy, sometimes it is scary. The difference is how we respond to these things. And Cara Putnam certainly knows how a Christian character should respond – not always perfect, but still by relying on God.

About the Book
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THE POLICE SAY THE WOMAN WAS A MURDERER. EMILIE WESLEY KNOWS THEY CAN’T BE TALKING ABOUT HER CLIENT . . . CAN THEY?

To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie’s belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister—right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene’s letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in a race to save Kaylene’s surviving daughter, Emily and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl—and find a future for themselves in the process?

My Perspective

I’m a big fan of Cara Putnam. She knows exactly how to draw a reader in and hold their attention. She knows how to weave a suspenseful story, full of action, surprises, and yes a little romance. And the romance is light, so if you are looking for some sort of Hallmark story, this really isn’t for you. But if you are looking for a real page turner that will have you biting your fingernails, stop right there and start reading!

Let me share with you the last sentence of the first chapter. You’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when I tell you Cara draws the reader in like a pool of water in the middle of the Sahara!

“She won’t be meeting you at court. She’s headed to the morgue, suspected of shooting her daughters.”

Wow. That is not a sentence you want to hear everyday, and yet it was the perfect way to end that chapter. Quite frankly, it was also the beginning of the end of having any sort of time to do anything for me. I was too busy reading. And let me just tell you that so many things got in the way of that – work, family, school, life! I’ve already decided that when the third installment of this series comes out, I am going to take time off from everything, and simply allow myself to read it in one sitting.

Emilie is such a wonderful character. She’s strong, driven, stubborn, and determined. There is also this slight vulnerability that comes out throughout this story that took her character to the next level. Introducing Reid into her life was the icing on the cake. I so badly wanted their love to blossom right away…at first. But then I realized had it played out any differently it would have taken the focus off the suspense. Bravo Ms. Putnam for holding back and not making these two characters fall madly in love with each other after the very first meeting. The dynamic would have changed completely, and honestly I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much!

Overall this suspense packed book is one that will surely leave you wanting more! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Cara C. Putman

Since the time I could read Nancy Drew, I have wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 I attended a book signing at my local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, is history. There I met Colleen Coble. With prompting from my husband, I shared my dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, I’ve been writing award-winning books with the count currently at 25.

In addition to writing, I am a homeschooling mom of four, attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women’s ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband, and my kids. I graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), George Mason Law School, and Purdue University’s MBA program. You can learn more about my books at http://www.caraputman.com.

 

What book have you read recently that kept you on the edge of your seat?

4 responses to “Imperfect Justice Review

  1. Kay Garrett

    Thank you for your “Imperfect Justice” review. It has reaffirmed my desire to read this book. It’s definitely on my TBR list.

  2. Love your review!!! I, too, loved this book so much. I love that you will take a day for yourself when book 3 comes out so you can read. I often tell my husband that I need to do that!

  3. Thank you so much, Jessica. Delighted that you enjoyed Emilie’s story. Can’t wait to see what you think of Jaime’s. Here’s hoping you can get that day to read! I start edits on that book later this week.