Grace McCreary swears she tried to stop her sister-in-law from jumping from her penthouse balcony but the police have a different take on the situation. They arrest Grace for murder which puts her brother, Senatorial candidate Matthew McCreary, in a spotlight he doesn't relish. Nor is he thrilled when Grace seeks out his former lover, Josie Baylor-Bates, to act as her defense attorney.Josie, who has sworn off rich clients, agrees to defend Grace but even she isn't sure why. She swears she believes in the woman innocence but in her heart she wants to prove that Matthew made a mistake letting her go.Stepping back into the world of privilege and power, forced to face her feelings for a man she once loved, Josie is determined to win this case - even if she looses everything she holds dear.
Rebecca Forster began writing on a crazy dare and found her passion.
Now with over 40 books to her name, she is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling thriller author. Rebecca likes hands-on research and is a graduate of the DEA and ATF Citizens Academies. She is an avid court watcher, has taken numerous weapons courses, and even landed by tail hook on the USS Nimitz to make sure she has lived what she writes.
Rebecca is married to a Superior Court judge and is the mother of two grown sons. She resides in Southern California
This was my least favorite of the three I've read so far. Something about all the women in this series - they annoy me. Too dependant, needy, weird, off. I could handle it in the first two books, but it was hard to deal with in this one.
Forster has outdone herself with her third novel in the Witness series. The mystery and suspense of the whodunnit of Forster novels will keep you flipping pages relentlessly, but it's the intricate heart, depth, and realism of her characters (flaws and all) that makes Forster such a special writer. Josie Baylor-Bates, the heroine, seems to find herself in one extremely personal case after another. Privileged Witness is no exception.
Privileged Witness reunites Josie with her first love, Matthew McCreary, a rising politician whose sister (one that he always told Josie was dead) is accused of murdering his wife. Josie finds herself facing secrets from her past as she puts herself on the front lines of defending McCreary's sister.Privileged Witness explores previously uncharted depths in Josie, making this - in my opinion - the "richest" of the first three Josie Bates-Baylor series. Josie's decisions aren't always likable or admirable, but I can understand her motivations. Forster could have easily given Josie a "hero's ending" and ride the wave of a likable character, but to her credit, she takes personal risks with Josie which makes for a truly absorbing read.
If you've read the first two novels, you'll know that Josie moved to Hermosa Beach some time ago to escape the down-and-dirty world of Public Defender in order to pursue a quiet, community lawyer lifestyle. She gave up high-profile (and high-income) criminal defense cases after a client she got acquitted went out and murdered someone else. Despite her best intentions, she continually finds herself embroiled in intensely personal, high-profile cases, such as this one which, among other things, will help determine the next Senator of California. As usual, Josie doesn't know what she's getting into at first. When Grace McCreary comes to ask her for help, Josie is lead to believe that the cops are suspicious of Matthew's possible involvement in his wife's death. When Grace is arrested for murdering Matthew's wife, Josie's dumbfounded. Things go swiftly downhill from there, as Josie is constantly blindsided by truths her client's family neglected to mention to her, the political maneuvering going on behind the scenes to save McCreary's crumbling senatorial campaign from ruin, a whole snake pit of McCreary family secrets, and her dangerous tendency to sometimes think with her heart rather than her head in this case.
Josie is not the right defender for Grace as she is so emotionally invested, she blindly charges ahead without seeing the yawning pit waiting for her. Her latent feelings for her former lover, Matthew, color some of her actions and decisions - and she's not the only one who stands to get hurt as events unfold. We find Archer silently dealing with the idea of Josie's former lover and potential feelings that she has for him. Josie and Archer are still struggling with the relationship wounds left by Josie's previous case where Archer was accused of murder and secrets about his deceased step-son and wife were revealed. Hannah fears abandonment by Josie and acts out with intense teenage angst and wisdom beyond her years. There's also a mad, cowardly, sore loser of a wife-beater out there threatening revenge against his ex-wife and her lawyer, which puts Josie as well as those closest to her in danger. Forster works this second storyline into the novel extremely well. It adds another layer to an already tense atmosphere.
Only the most remarkable of women could hold up under all the strain Josie faces from all directions over the course of this novel. There are a lot of things going on all at once here, and the drama of so many fateful characters takes precedence over the legal aspects of the crime itself. You won't find a shocking courtroom climax at the end of this story, as it's far too tragic to end in such a commonplace manner. Forster is really expanding the boundaries of her fiction with this effort, and the result is her most memorable novel of the first three in the series.
Josie Baylor-Bates is sucked into another case by another client who doesn't seem to want to be of much help, and to complicate things, the client is the sister of a long-ago lover. To make matters worse, the client is accused of killing that former lover's wife, her sister-in-law. Or was it a suicide?
If that's not confusing enough, Josie's being stalked by a man she'd sued in civil court for beating his wife nearly to death. All of this while juggling a romantic relationship and her role as guardian for a troubled teenager.
It does keep the book moving, with plenty of action and intrigue. Rebecca Forster can write, no doubt about that. From her ability to create believable characters (though the stalker was a bit one-dimensional) to her sentence-level descriptions, Forster can pull a reader in and keep that reader engaged. Even when that reader might have such a good guess about what's being withheld that the big reveals aren't really as shocking or surprising as they should be.
I was hoping to read this series all the way through, but the opening of the next book (included in the last pages of this one) just doesn't interest me, and the one after that doesn't either. It seems Forster might have found a garden to nurture, with plots planted around Josie's friends and family, but a little of that goes a long way with me. Maybe I'll find another title in the series that's more legal drama (again) than familial thriller.
I liked this one a lot. I like Josie's character and I love watching her relationship with Hannah develop. I think the only complaint I have with this is how the secondary story with Kevin O'Connel just kind of died out and didn't really resolve.
All in all a good read. Less predictable and more of a page turner than the last two!
Book was part of the Book Bunny group reading challenge.
1. Grace's appearance takes Josie by surprise. Is Josie's reaction to Grace understandable? What does Grace symbolize for Josie? Is her anger really directed at Grace? Herself? Matthew? Does anyone ever get over a first love?
I think Josie was in shock more than surprised. I probably would have asked for some type of proof that Grace really was Matthew's sister. Yes, I felt the reaction was understandable. Who wouldn't act that way? Grace symbolizes a piece of an unanswered past for Josie. Her anger is more directed at herself for being taken for a fool than anything. But some of that anger is directed at Matthew. Someone she loved that lied to her about everything. No, we never really get over our first true love.
2. Once Josie sees Matthew, old feelings are rekindled. Does Josie betray Archer on any level? Is Josie jeopardizing all her personal relationships by accepting Grace's case? Was her decision ever about Grace or always about proving something to Matthew?
Yes, I feel that Josie betrayed Archer on an emotional level. Then with the kissing and fondling. Josie showed she still had some feeling for Matthew. I feel Josie was jeopardizing her profession by accepting Grace's case. Seems like there is some law/ethics being pushed beyond the limit. Seems like Josie was trying to prove to Matthew he screwed up when he broke off the relationship. I felt Josie was trying to prove to Matthew that she was smarter than he thought she was. That she would figure out the truth to the puzzle and that threatened him.
3. Matthew appears tortured by the consequences of his choices. Is his guilt a result of remorse, honest compassion for Grace, or concern for his career? Is it possible to rationalize anything including a crime as heinous as incest?
Matthew was only concerned about how everything that happened would interfere with what he wanted. He was not concerned with anyone else but his own agenda. As for the incest, not it cannot be rationalized. He could have found a willing female to use. He knew what he was doing was wrong but that did not stop him and he did not care how screwed up that made Grace. He never showed any remorse or guilt over what he done. He always tried to blame someone else for his actions.
4. Michelle and Grace were extraordinarily close. We’re they drawn together because they were flawed and weak, or because they cared about one another? Do women feed off one another in unhealthy ways while men accept their own flaws and move on?
Michelle and Grace were drawn together because they were flawed and week. I do not think they cared about each other. They said the words but I did not really mean them. I felt they were trying to please Matthew instead of pleasing their shelf. Some women feed off each other but men do the same thing also. All sexes/genders pull the ole 'poor pitiful me' act. They are looking for sympathy, for someone to feel sorry for them. Each gender/sex is able to see their own flaws and move on if the person desires. Some people just able to move on better than others.
5. Hannah and Billy try to help Susan O’Connel, but they are too late. Was Josie to blame for what happened to Susan? Was Hannah correct that Josie had become obsessed with the McCreary's?
Josie was partly to blame for what happened to Susan. She kept pushing Susan off and putting her problem on the back burner. It seemed like Josie won, and that was all she was interested in achieving, then Susan was not important to Josie. Yes, Hannah hit the nail on the head so to speak about Josie and the McCreary's. Josie saw an opportunity to prove herself to Matthew and everything else was forgotten. She was quickly pulled back into the fame and money aspect of life then nothing else mattered.
6. All the women in this story are abused. Was it always a man abusing a woman? Which of the characters were heroic? How did they manifest their heroism? Who was the most tragic character and why?
No men do not always abuse women. Some women abuse each other as in Grace and Michelle or Josie and Hannah. Yes, I feel that Josie abuses Hannah. Not physical abuse but Josie does not fully provide Hannah what she needs. Josie is not the best person to take care of Hannah. Hannah needs someone that is willing to allow her to be a kid. Someone who will allow Hannah to make mistakes and be there for her to pick up the pieces. Josie breezes in and out of Hannah's life like a leaf in the wind. Hannah and Billy were heroic. Each putting someone else before anything else. Each of these kids was willing to go above and beyond what was ask to show they care about the other person. Susan was the most tragic character. She put all her trust in Josie and was passed over by money, fame and possibly fortune.
It's not that I don't sympathize with Josie Bates, but I knew that representing Grace McCreary was a very bad idea. I had an inkling about the kind of relation Grace had with her brother, and that it wasn't healthy. Even Josie quickly regretted taking on a case of another rich, spoiled woman, but as astutely observed by Det. Babcock, Josie has integrity, and once she has committed to represent a client, she sees it through, respecting her client's rights to legal representation, whatever they have done. In this case, Grace is the sister of Matthew McCreary, a man Josie once considered her friend and lover, when she was younger, and more ambitious. But the life of the rich and entitled is full of secrets and lies, and ugly secrets for that matter. That's why Josie left L.A. to concentrate on a more deserving clientele and quieter life. What I like best about the Josie Bates books, is the family she created for herself on Hermosa Beach, where she practices law for the more regular people, together with the elderly Faith. I like how Archer is a constant and steady companion, and Hannah, the sixteen year old girl, becoming the daughter she never had. Those people are more captivating than any high-flyers in L.A. For sure, Josie is magnificent in the courtroom, but I do hope she chooses more carefully before taking on another client in the next book.
This is the 3rd in the series about Josie Bates, who is a criminal lawyer. Her and her boyfriend, Archer, are still together, but right now he is in Mexico taking a break.
In this one, Josie is contacted by Grace McCreary, who just happens to be the sister of a man she dated for several years, Matthew. He is married and is pursuing a career in the polictical arena. Grace contacts Josie as Matthew's wife, has jumped out of their apartment building and is dead. The police are investigating, but Grace thinks they might try to pin her death on Matthew. Josie is quite surprised, as when she dated Matthew, he told her that his parents and his sister were killed in an automobile accident.
Yes, Hannah, is still living with Josie. She is still doing her art and is sometimes involved in the cases Josie is handling. The book really starts out with a bang, as her client, Susan, has sued her husband for beating her up and divorce. She has won the case with a large monetary settlement. The husband is not happy and has threatened to kill Susan and also go after Josie. So Josie is watching her back.
When she gets a call from her new client, Grace. Grace has been arrested for the murder of Matthew's wife. Now, Josie must figure out what is going on and who or if anyone is involved in the "suicide" death of Matthew's wife.
From Follett: Grace McCreary swears she tried to stop her sister-in-law from jumping from her penthouse balcony but the police have a different take on the situation. They arrest Grace for murder which puts her brother, Senatorial candidate Matthew McCreary, in a spotlight he doesn't relish. Nor is he thrilled when Grace seeks out his former lover, Josie Baylor-Bates, to act as her defense attorney. Josie, who has sworn off rich clients, agrees to defend Grace but even she isn't sure why. She swears she believes in the woman innocence but in her heart she wants to prove that Matthew made a mistake letting her go. Stepping back into the world of privilege and power, forced to face her feelings for a man she once loved, Josie is determined to win this case - even if she looses everything she holds dear.
My favourite instalment of Josie Taylor-Bates so far. I am slightly biased because I love Hermosa Beach and its surrounding areas, it's a special place to my wife and me.
I love how Rebecca Forster creates characters and describes each scenario in a believable way, better than any other author I think I've read.
This is like all the others in the saga but with extra twists and turns. I wouldn't say it was an edge of your seat thriller, it's classier than that. I'd liken it more to John Grisham's style but with an air of south California beach climate. I am saving the next one for my tenth anniversary trip to California in August where I can read them in situ!
I had read this book a while back, but reread it because the author was going to be at a book festival I was attending. I love the main character, who is athletic, intelligent, and determined. The plot was well written, with twists and turns that caught me off-guard. The characters were layered and real. I particularly enjoyed Hannah, Josie's young charge. That inclusion of family and youth added a nice dimension to the story. This book reminded me of why I like this author - and now I'm going to go back and read the ones I've missed.
I am reading this series because I bought the first four books as a bundle. This was book number three and it is more of the same. Josie is an incompetent lawyer who does nothing to win her cases. There is always something that happens to find the guilty person. It is never through the cleverness of the lawyer. These books all have a lot in common, including fat shaming and having female murderers which is statistically improbable. It is fine for mindless reading to pass the day, but there aren’t any surprises and not enough suspense to make you keep reading until the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So thankful I found Rebecca Forster! The third book in the Witness series was tight. With ex-boyfriends, political aspirations, family secrets and murder, how can you go wrong?
Forster knows how to build characters, set a breakneck pace and keep the surprise ending full of twists!
On to the fourth book in the series!
Phillip Tomasso Author of the crime novel, YOU CHOOSE
"Privileged Witness" is another enjoyable installment in the series. I appreciate Rebecca Forster's writing style. Her characters are interesting and the plots intriguing. This story was particularly engaging and involved a couple of twists I did not anticipate. I intend to continue with #4 and beyond...
I really enjoyed the first three books and will no doubt continue to read the rest. For me the fact that osie and Archer are always second guessing their relationship is irritating. Josie comes across as a strong woman as well. And yet at times seems so unsure of herself. Nevertheless I am still purchasing and enjoying. Thank you
Another fine story by Rebecca Forster. There are a number of twists in this tale. The protagonist, Josie Bates, makes a few mistakes in this one. Guess that makes her human. Wonderful writing, which draws the reader in, almost smelling and seeing the story evolve. I’m really enjoying this series. I have no problem recommending this book.
Josie Bates is an old friend by now, but her adventures grow ever more disastrous, and we worry about her. The author has drawn this story in ever-mounting tension which keeps the reader engaged and hopeful of a resolution. The plot twists hold off the resolution. A great read!
Out of the three, this was not my favorite. She skips around too much from character to character. I actually got confused at times as to who was doing what. She is a superb writer that can make a scene come alive. Generally, her books are excellent.
Once again Rebecca Forester is amazing. Josie Bates is the most amazing, blunt, hard ass, volleyball champion, vocalist attorney that I’ve read about. The dedication to her clients & loved ones is a force to be reckoned with, if you ever think of harming them. Loving this series!
This series gets better with each book. The main character, Josie Bates, is well developed and engaging. The locations are realistic and the plots are plausible, complex, and thought provoking. Looking forward to the next book.
An engaging courtroom trial, inside the court and out. Who and what are we to believe? Several surprises. I won the book in a contest. I am so glad I did. Intriguing and captivating drama. Family issues, blood related or not. I am eager to read more about the cases of Josie Bates.
Ms. Forster surprises the reader with her characters’ twists & turns in dealing with the emotion we call love. Certainly a roller coaster in this third book of the series. Good read.
I really enjoyed the book, but I knocked one star, once again, because all of the grammatical errors that just threw me off and didn’t let me read in peace. How come the first book was so well written and the second and third seem not to have been proofread.