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The Public Pretender
Maeven Dayne loves all of her kids and most of them love her, but she must choose between them: the juvenile defendants at work or her sons at home. On her last day at work, a juvenile probation officer she despises drags a weeping young girl before an irritated judge for an unscheduled hearing. Maeven can’t resist the girl’s pitiful pleas for help and decides to intervene.
While defending this girl, she discovers people are profiting from imprisoning innocent kids in juvenile placement facilities, but whom? A juvenile psychologist who tries to expose the kids-for-cash scheme is murdered, but he’s left clues. When her oldest son is arrested and detained on false charges, her husband receives a message proposing an offer: Maeven quits her job and the case or they lose their son. Her husband insists that she choose their son. The problem? She won’t sacrifice one for the other.
While defending this girl, she discovers people are profiting from imprisoning innocent kids in juvenile placement facilities, but whom? A juvenile psychologist who tries to expose the kids-for-cash scheme is murdered, but he’s left clues. When her oldest son is arrested and detained on false charges, her husband receives a message proposing an offer: Maeven quits her job and the case or they lose their son. Her husband insists that she choose their son. The problem? She won’t sacrifice one for the other.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2011
17 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 14, 2012
Maeven Dayne is a public defender, working mostly in the juvenile court system. The book starts with Maeven giving her notice, to take a position less stressful than working in the heavily flawed juvenile justice system. Maeven doesn’t yet know just how corrupt that system is. On her last day she witnesses a juvenile being tried, that wasn’t on the schedule without representation or parent, after having been sitting in Juvie without a court date for a period longer than acceptable by law. Her probation officer is up to something fishy, and Maeven steps in, to protect the juvenile, Jasmine. Unable to turn her back on a scared child in need, Maeven pursues justice for Jasmine. In the process she uncovers corruption in the probation department, the public defender’s office and the court. Friends become enemies. Enemies attempt to use Maeven’s only family to silence her.
I was really excited for the chance to review this book. I’m pursuing a criminal justice degree myself, and it was interesting to read about so many of the inner workings of the justice system and how all branches work together. I don’t know much about juvenile justice, so I enjoyed reading about the juveniles in this book and the importance of public defenders.
M.D. Cliatt is an excellent writer, who weaves a story so gripping that it’s hard to stop reading until you reach the very end. Her characters are well developed and very relatable, especially Maeven who is a strong female lead who manages to balance career and family. This book is a worthy read and I give it 4 stars.
I was really excited for the chance to review this book. I’m pursuing a criminal justice degree myself, and it was interesting to read about so many of the inner workings of the justice system and how all branches work together. I don’t know much about juvenile justice, so I enjoyed reading about the juveniles in this book and the importance of public defenders.
M.D. Cliatt is an excellent writer, who weaves a story so gripping that it’s hard to stop reading until you reach the very end. Her characters are well developed and very relatable, especially Maeven who is a strong female lead who manages to balance career and family. This book is a worthy read and I give it 4 stars.
February 14, 2012
I really liked this book. When I first started reading it I didn't think I would like it but I end up really liking it. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat and once I got to the last few chapters I couldn't put it down so I stayed up late just to find out how it all ended. I love the characters and I found that they were super relate able and I could see them being real people. I hate books where there is no way that the characters could ever be real people because of how the author writes about them.
I would recomend this book to any who likes thrill/mystery books.
FTC-I received this book for free in return for my review. The opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine. I received no other compensation for this review.
I would recomend this book to any who likes thrill/mystery books.
FTC-I received this book for free in return for my review. The opinions expressed in this post are 100% mine. I received no other compensation for this review.
June 10, 2017
Maeven is a Public Defender. Something is happening that she doesn't know about.....
She is about to quit to go into academia, when a girl (Jasmine) is brought to trial without the procedures being completed (no notice to PD's office, etc.). While Maeven gets Jasmine off, the officer goes and arrests the mother, so that Jasmine would have to go back into detention.
Eventually, Maeven's own family is threatened and dragged into the court system.
The tension in the story was palpable and I did not want to set it down (but I had to at points because work!). The only hole I had in the story was the absence of a foster-care system, which might have undermined the corruption just a little as they would have tried to reunite Jasmine with her grandmother and great-uncle.
She is about to quit to go into academia, when a girl (Jasmine) is brought to trial without the procedures being completed (no notice to PD's office, etc.). While Maeven gets Jasmine off, the officer goes and arrests the mother, so that Jasmine would have to go back into detention.
Eventually, Maeven's own family is threatened and dragged into the court system.
The tension in the story was palpable and I did not want to set it down (but I had to at points because work!). The only hole I had in the story was the absence of a foster-care system, which might have undermined the corruption just a little as they would have tried to reunite Jasmine with her grandmother and great-uncle.
February 3, 2018
This was a Kindle download. I had an extremely difficult time getting into this book. The premise was well thought out. The story line made sense. Not sure if it was the writing style or the editing that seemed to throw me off balance. Even in the climax of the story when lots of things were happening all at once, I just couln't get excited about it. I put this down multiple times but I kept getting emails from GoodReads asking to update my progress. I finally decided to just plow through the last 40% and I'm glad it is over. I liked the second half beter than the first half. Kind of wish the author had not spent so much time introducing the characters and just gotten right into the story. Putting aside my issues with the plot holes
February 4, 2020
The Public Pretender
This was such a great storyline. It makes you wonder if this type corruption is going on. The heroine Maeven the public defender goes above and beyond for her young clients. This dedication leads to the misfortune that follows her around. The good guys always finish last, although it doesn’t start out that way. Loved this book.
This was such a great storyline. It makes you wonder if this type corruption is going on. The heroine Maeven the public defender goes above and beyond for her young clients. This dedication leads to the misfortune that follows her around. The good guys always finish last, although it doesn’t start out that way. Loved this book.
March 3, 2020
Suspenseful, good flow, hard to put down.
July 15, 2015
This was excellent! A very indepth look at life inside the Public Defender's office and the business of trying children for various crimes and offences. In this, an honest Public Defender who is rapidly burning out on the stresses of trying to do her job honestly in the face of overwhelming odds, takes on the criminally corrupt officials who are doing everything in their power to thwart justice for power and money and privilege. In the process, she finds her own son taken into custody on drummed up charges in an effort to get her to throw a case and compromise her own integrity. There are moments where the action is so tense that it seems like there is no way out for this hapless Public Defender and her family. The threats escalate until it is not just a question of morality and right but one of life and death. Really gripping, and lots of fact filled tidbits that only someone who has personal experience of this sort of system will truly understand.
March 10, 2012
From me, three stars is pretty good. My average is a tight fisted 3.29, so a three star rating puts this novel in Jeffery Deaver land…
Well imagined characters, a good but predictable plot and some first rate dialogue make this novel a quick, fun read. Fewer than a dozen editing errors show the author’s attention to detail. With the exception of cardboard cut-out antagonists and occasional descents into melodrama, this book compares well to any work of commercial fiction.
I only see one novel on this author’s list. If this is a first effort, it is darn good and I can easily imagine the author’s next book on a shelf at B&N.
Well imagined characters, a good but predictable plot and some first rate dialogue make this novel a quick, fun read. Fewer than a dozen editing errors show the author’s attention to detail. With the exception of cardboard cut-out antagonists and occasional descents into melodrama, this book compares well to any work of commercial fiction.
I only see one novel on this author’s list. If this is a first effort, it is darn good and I can easily imagine the author’s next book on a shelf at B&N.
January 18, 2015
Good fast paced legal mystery
The author has jamb packed this book with nail bitting suspense. While proving that in the end good always prevails over evil and corruption just when you think all hope is gone. In the process the author does a stellar job of describing the murders and corruption in detail so well you can imagine yourself right in the middle of the storyline.
You won't regret the time you spend on this book.
The author has jamb packed this book with nail bitting suspense. While proving that in the end good always prevails over evil and corruption just when you think all hope is gone. In the process the author does a stellar job of describing the murders and corruption in detail so well you can imagine yourself right in the middle of the storyline.
You won't regret the time you spend on this book.
June 6, 2012
I loved this book! Maevan is a juvenile lawyer who bleeds her kids to the point of destroying her family. She uncovers corruption within the department that places all she cares for in jeopardy. Will she give up on her family to save her other children or fight the battle?
June 19, 2014
This book had the potential to be really great. Unfortunately, the book wasn't well written. The author stumbles in places and the editing was poor. However, I really liked the characters and was rooting for them.
July 29, 2014
Don't waste your time
Don't waste your time
It's been years since a book was so bad I couldn't finish it. Couldn't get past 53 per cent. It just didn't get any more entertaining so I finally just stopped.
Don't waste your time
It's been years since a book was so bad I couldn't finish it. Couldn't get past 53 per cent. It just didn't get any more entertaining so I finally just stopped.
December 1, 2015
OK, Spoiler alert---She marries the doctor, the little girl lives and all is well in the little Irish town. But, if you don't figure the out from the fist few pages, you haven't read this genre before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2015
Justice
Excellent book, explores behind-the-scenes difficulties with the justice system. Too many people are justifying barely legal practices to soothe their consciences and take in large amounts of money for themselves.
Excellent book, explores behind-the-scenes difficulties with the justice system. Too many people are justifying barely legal practices to soothe their consciences and take in large amounts of money for themselves.
November 14, 2012
I hope you enjoy the characters and the plot. It felt like an emotional whirlwind writing it. I cried, laughed and got mad. I hope you do too.
September 6, 2012
It was a little lengthly but had a good plot. I enjoyed reading it. Goes to prove the lengths people will go for money.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews