Synopsis
A Kid’s Curiosity … A Parent’s Nightmare
The award-winning author of Anybody’s Daughter is back with an addictive courtroom drama that gives readers a shocking look inside the juvenile criminal justice system. Graylin Alexander is a model fourteen-year-old. When his adolescent curiosity gets the best of him, Graylin finds himself embroiled in a sexting scandal that threatens to ruin his life. Jenny Ungerman, the attorney hired to defend Graylin, is smart, confident and committed. She isn’t thrilled, however, when ex-prosecutor Angela Evans joins Graylin’s defense team. The two women instantly butt heads. Can they put aside their differences long enough to ensure Graylin gets justice? Unbeknownst to Angela, her boyfriend Dre is wrestling with his own drama. Someone from his past wants him dead. For Dre, his response is simple—kill or be killed.
Review
I did not expect this book to enrage me and pull at my heartstrings at the same time.
This is the 3rd in a series and while reading the first two might help understand a few situations a little better, it is fine to read on its own.
You might have heard of sexting and that many teens do it all the time. This book takes a look at that issue and the case where the state of California is charging those teens as sex offenders and in same cases with a felony. If you stop for a moment and think of the long term effects should a 12-17 year old be charged with a felony of possession of pornography, it can be quite startling. Sure not all kids are angels but imagine a seemingly innocent child taken to the extremes because of how a law is being interpreted.
This story kept me on edge because it was hard to know how this was going to turn out. The various twists and turns of the legal system, the parents of the young woman affected and even the underlying story about Dre and his past was enough to keep me on my toes trying to figure out how it might end. I liked how Jenny and Angela came together to defend Graylin and despite some of Graylin’s actions, I felt bad for the situation in which he was placed by over zealous parents and the DA’s office.
I didn’t want the story to end and appreciated the notes from the author at the end to discuss this topic and how it needs to be discussed with your children, no matter their age. I plan to have a discussion with mine!
We give it 5 paws up!
About the Author
Pamela Samuels Young is an attorney and award-winning author of eight legal thrillers. Her most recent courtroom drama, Abuse of Discretion, tackles a troubling sexting case that gives readers a shocking look inside the juvenile justice system. Pamela is also the recipient of an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction for her thriller Anybody’s Daughter. The former journalist received a bachelor’s degree from USC and earned graduate degrees from Northwestern University and UC Berkeley School of Law. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of child sex trafficking, online safety, fiction writing, and pursuing your passion.
It is a VERY important topic, one I never thought about it very much
Thanks for the great review!!! This is an important topic I want all teens, parents and grandparents to discuss.