Delayed Justice – Cara C. Putman – Hidden Justice #3 – Thomas Nelson – Published 16 October 2018

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Synopsis

Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.

Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.

My thoughts

Delayed Justice is the thrilling third book in the legal suspense series, Hidden Justice. Like the first two books in the series, Delayed Justice offers a riveting mix of legal drama, romance, strong friendship, faith, personal discovery and suspense. Delayed Justice is particularly stirring and tender as the characters face horrific cases – personal, past and present.

Jamie Nichols works tirelessly as a criminal defence attorney to give a voice to those who don’t have one, fighting against the powerlessness she faced in her own childhood. Now in her adulthood she has decided to press charges against her abuser, but she knows it might bring about fierce retaliation. When she is asked to assist a young girl facing the same horrors she herself faced, Jamie knows she can’t refuse. Even if it means working closely with retired veteran, Chandler Bolton and his Golden Retriever therapy dog.

Delayed Justice takes readers on a journey of healing, of justice and voices standing strong. Delayed Justice and its message of speaking out against sexual abuse, especially when committed by people in positions of power, is incredibly timely. Jamie’s story is powerful and moving, as is the story of the young girl Jamie and Chandler work to help. Delayed Justice explores the heartbreaking process of trialing these cases in the US legal system.

Family, friendship and romance all play important parts in Delayed Justice. Jamie struggles with her relationship with her parents. Launching the case against her abuser gives Jamie a chance to reveal her pain to her parents and to start rebuilding the relationship between them. Fortunately, Jamie has an incredible support system around her (even if she is sometime reluctant to draw upon it). Her friends (many of which are familiar faces from the first two books in the series) bring tension release to the story and very needed support to Jamie. Finally, the romance is a delightful part of Delayed Justice. While Chandler and Jamie do not have a smooth first meeting, it isn’t long before the two are working together and supporting each other through the challenges they both face. The chapter sections written from Chandler’s perspective, which alternate with those written from Jamie’s point of view, also give readers a more in-depth understanding of the pain he has faced and his growing feelings for Jamie.

Jamie undergoes a journey of spiritual transformation in Delayed Justice. Through gentle (and persistent) nudges from her caring friends and frank discussions with Chandler, as well as reconciling the events of her childhood, Jamie is able to move from distrusting and doubting God to entering a firm relationship with him.

At times a little disjointed and heavily dialog focused, Delayed Justice has a complex and layered story but is quick and easy to read. With a constant underlying tension and a spike of action right at the end, Delayed Justice will keep readers hooked to this thrilling tale of justice.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

More information

Category: Fiction

Genre: Christian suspense – legal.

Themes: Sexual abuse, law, lawyers, trial, family, friendship, romance, therapy dogs, PTSD, returned soldiers.

Published: 16 October 2018 by Thomas Nelson.

Format: Paperback, ebook, audiobook. 368 pages.

ISBN: 9780785217916

Find it on Goodreads