The Advocate: An S.O.B. Legal Suspense Novel

It takes a special personality to not only choose a career working with children in need, but to stick with it as long as the main character has in The Advocate. Teresa Burrell manages to show the inside of a juvenile court room/system enough to illustrate that world while telling the rest of the story. The reader is drawn into what appears to be a more typical case, but what is actually a complex, nothing is as it seems situation. I originally bought the book see what Echelon Press ([...]) had to offer as an independent publishing company. Believe me, they have some excellent authors.

I originally decided to read this book because I enjoy a good legal thriller, "good" is an under statement. I am a very busy person, between work and school I don't always find much time to read, but with this book, there was no time I didn't attempt to get a few pages in. This book grabs you by the heart and takes you on an emotional, intense ride. The characters are easy to relate to and you never forget a single one. Each person plays an important roll in the amazing story of Juvenile Attorney Sabre Brown. Along with an amazing plot, the story is intelligent and easy to read, Teresa Burrell does not go over the top with legal jargon that might take away from the story or make it harder to understand. She shows through her writing that she knows her way around a court room, unlike the other legal thrillers that are like every other TV show or movie about a court room. Teresa Burrell left me flipping through the pages faster than I could read them.

I read this book in about two days. It kept me interested and the characters stayed with me when I finished it. The story itself is gripping and I found myself wanting to know more about Sabre and her life. For me, that's what really makes a book enjoyable or not. I look forward to more tales of Sabre and hope that some of the other characters will find their way into new stories - Det. Carriage, for one. Thankfully, we won't have Gaylord in any more books (I hope!). He was just creepy enough to give me nightmares. Ms. Burrell did a fantastic job of creating tension without being obvious and that kept me on my toes late at night. Well done. In all, an enjoyable read.

Need a break from stories about ivory tower law firms and want to get down and dirty in the streets? My wife is a legal thriller junkie and told me it was the best novel she read in years. I do not usually read her type of books but told her I would see how I liked it. Well I did not like it, I loved it and finished the book in three days. The story tugs on your heart while you are on the edge of your seat, stange combination, but it works and works well.

Juvenile Court attorney Sabre Brown is contented with her life especially her work protecting children from people who might harm them. The only negative in her life is her brother Ron who remains missing having disappeared without a trace. Currently, she is working a case involving ten year old Alexis Murdock and two years old Jamie Smith; both are staying at the Jordon Receiving Home while the police investigate their respective parent Gaylord Murdock and his battered pregnant girlfriend Peggy Smith. Peggy initially blames Gaylord for hitting her, but quickly changes her tune when she realizes she will have to press charges. Gaylord obeys court orders determined to prove he is a fit father so he can regain custody of Alexis. When Sabre talks with Alexis, the frightened tweener asks if she must go home. That question leaves Sabre wondering if Murdock is the upright citizen he claims to be. Someone is also harassing Sabre. Calls with no voice on the other end at any time night or day; items in her home are misplaced or lost; and a bat was tossed into her office through the mail slot. Finally she finds a lizard in her bed with all her doors and windows shut. Sabra discovers Peggy has a daughter Honey who has goes missing yet no police report is filed. She fears what happened to Honey will happen to Alexis and Jamie once they go home, but the law is on the side of Gaylord, so far. Readers will admire dedicated Sabre, a strong advocate of protecting the young as she deals with adult predators to prevent them from abusing children. Not always easy as the law can be on the side of the beast; still she goes the extra kilometers to try keeping the kids safe. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action though the assault on Sabre adds suspense, but also detracts from a great legal thriller as the lives of children are at stake. Harriet Klausner