BlueInk Review

In this legal novel, attorney David Chartier receives a call while relaxing with his family in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s from his long-time client Jean, who has been arrested for killing her husband, John. Jean has been a battered wife for the last three years, ever since John suffered a head injury in a car crash. Subsequently, John started drinking heavily and became increasingly abusive and violent.

Chartier is convinced that Jean shot John in self-defense and didn’t intend to kill him. His difficult task is to collect pertinent evidence and build a case that will keep the emotionally and physically fragile woman out of prison. He intends to show that Jean suffered from spousal abuse syndrome and only shot John because she was beyond terror and in fear for her life.

Goodreads Review

Susan Baranoff rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: adult-biographies-and-autobiographi, adult-psychology

A fictionalized account of a real trial from the pen of a local Munising, Michigan lawyer writing under a pseudonym. This book details the 1984 trial of a woman accused of murdering her abusive husband. It is a primer in exactly how a trial works and the kinds of things trial attorneys should do in thinking about and preparing for a case. Should be on the required reading list for every 1st year law student in the country. It should also be the basis of Continuing Legal Education for anyone who works in a Domestic, Family, or Criminal Court

Louise rated it liked it
Shelves: first-reads

I received this book free through Goodreads.
A real eye opening account of a very destructive marriage, with historical domestic abuse and a terrible outcome.
This book walks you through the work of the attorney and the whole trial and a shocking ending.

Nancy Shepherd rated it really liked it
Recommends it for: adults, people interested in the workings of our judicial system
Recommended to Nancy by: Goodreads
Shelves: forensics, true-crime, domestic-abuse

I received my copy of this book free through Goodreads. Written by a trial lawyer and based on an actual trial, this is the story of a battered wife who acted out of absolute terror. The author takes us through the trial, right up to the verdict and its aftermath.
All of that being said, I must take issue with whoever edited this. In a couple of places, the author switched from third person to first, using “I” and “we” when obviously the whole narrative is told in third person. Other errors were a distraction from an otherwise well-written story.

Barbara Andrews rated it really liked it

Very interesting look at what can happen in a abusive marriage where the wife kills the husband. This shows the legal proceedings like you are sitting in the courtroom and ends in tragedy. Received this book from Goodreads First Read.