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The Forbidden Trilogy #1
Forbidden Room: Book 1 of The Forbidden Trilogy
Fifteen years ago, in a mansion on Long Island, fourteen-and ten-year-olds Sara and Davey “Soldier Boy” Goldstein discover their parents shot to death. Murder? Suicide? Was that Uncle Charlie running from the scene? The children refuse to speak to the police and the crime is never solved. Flash forward to the present and Sara – now an adult and the heiress to a very large fortune - is accused of killing Uncle Charlie. Soldier Boy has disappeared. New attorney Michael Tucker has few clients, yearns to be like his famous grandmother and cannot afford to move out of his parents’ home. When Sara hires Michael, he gets the chance to defend an innocent person, a beautiful lover and notoriety like his grandmother. But is it more than he bargained for? Is Sara innocent or is she really a murderer? Forbidden Room, a murder mystery, begins in the courtroom on the last day of Sara’s murder trial. The foreperson reads from the verdict form. “In The People of New York vs. Sara Goldstein, the defendant is found….” Sara awakens in a hospital room where she was taken after fainting. Michael is by her side. Court is in recess until the following day. The verdict has not yet been announced. Told from the points of view of both Sara and Michael, Forbidden Room unfolds in complicated layers until the verdict is pronounced and Uncle Charlie’s murderer is revealed.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2013
33 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 2, 2013
Wow, wow, this book was excellent! I bought it for 99 cents on my Kindle, searching for a book that sounded good. This author has great talent and hope something this good she will create soon. I highly recommend this book!
January 2, 2017
Captivated my attention immediately and propelled me to keep reading. The momentum of the mystery kept me engaged and left me looking forward to Book 2 in this trilogy. Would recommend this to anyone who wants a good book to read.
June 19, 2013
Great Mystery Plot
This is a mystery with many twists and turns so that although it should be simple to determine the murderers, it is not. The main characters, Michael Turner, an attorney, and Sara Goldstein each have a chapter alternately through the book, thereby giving the reader an insight into their thoughts and also their past actions. When Stevie Goldstein was a young boy, his mother gave him a beautiful glass carousel of four horses and he was admonished to keep them perfect forever. He later became most interested in toy trains and all of these items were kept in a special room in their Long Island mansion, from which his children, Sara and her four-year younger brother were forbidden to enter. Consequently, the children called it the “forbidden room.”
Steve Goldstein married a beautiful woman, Cassandra, an incurable alcoholic. She never took care of her children. In fact the children constantly hid in their closet because of continuous fights between their parents, with their father attempting to get the mother to stop drinking and she becoming very violent, throwing her drinking glasses at him and threatening to kill him. Both children wanted most in the world to have the attention and love of their mother. Because she failed in this, they turned to their nanny, Bianca, who devoted her life to these children, even into adulthood. When Sara was fourteen, her brother discovered her standing over their parents who were both covered in blood and dead. As he was entering the room, he saw their Uncle Carrara running from the house. Steve had a bullet lodged in his temple and the mother had taken two bullets to her stomach area, probably causing her to linger in pain for over an hour. The police were never able to solve the crime.
David, who Sara also called Soldier Boy because he spent most of his time holed up in his bedroom playing war games with his toy soldiers, was a genius, and as a result was enough of a nerd that he was rejected at school. Sara was popular, but when she became of college age, she had no particular desire for a certain profession and she got a degree in education and taught fifth grade. David joined the Marines when he became an adult and was wounded during a training session when other Marines died as a result.
The story opens with Sara having been arrested and charged with the murder of her Uncle Carrara after his body had been found in the woods by two boys. Since Carrara was CEO of the company after his brother’s death, Sara accused him of malfeasance and Sara was the easiest for the police to center on and they arrested her. She got out on a million dollars cash bond and set out to find a good defense attorney. She ran into Michael Tucker, a new defense attorney with no paying clients, and decided to hire him. He was the nephew of a famous female defense attorney, Gertrude Tucker, who was well know not only as an attorney but for being involved in many things. Michael only took the case because Gertrude promised to guide him, which she did although she was dying of lung cancer. Throughout the story, Gertrude teaches Michael how to view his client as the trial progresses and eventually Michael becomes too engrossed in Sara.
Every chapter seems to have a twist and I enjoyed this story more than many I have read recently. I recommend it for those who like a well-written mystery even more than John Grisham these days as they now all begin to sound alike.
This is a mystery with many twists and turns so that although it should be simple to determine the murderers, it is not. The main characters, Michael Turner, an attorney, and Sara Goldstein each have a chapter alternately through the book, thereby giving the reader an insight into their thoughts and also their past actions. When Stevie Goldstein was a young boy, his mother gave him a beautiful glass carousel of four horses and he was admonished to keep them perfect forever. He later became most interested in toy trains and all of these items were kept in a special room in their Long Island mansion, from which his children, Sara and her four-year younger brother were forbidden to enter. Consequently, the children called it the “forbidden room.”
Steve Goldstein married a beautiful woman, Cassandra, an incurable alcoholic. She never took care of her children. In fact the children constantly hid in their closet because of continuous fights between their parents, with their father attempting to get the mother to stop drinking and she becoming very violent, throwing her drinking glasses at him and threatening to kill him. Both children wanted most in the world to have the attention and love of their mother. Because she failed in this, they turned to their nanny, Bianca, who devoted her life to these children, even into adulthood. When Sara was fourteen, her brother discovered her standing over their parents who were both covered in blood and dead. As he was entering the room, he saw their Uncle Carrara running from the house. Steve had a bullet lodged in his temple and the mother had taken two bullets to her stomach area, probably causing her to linger in pain for over an hour. The police were never able to solve the crime.
David, who Sara also called Soldier Boy because he spent most of his time holed up in his bedroom playing war games with his toy soldiers, was a genius, and as a result was enough of a nerd that he was rejected at school. Sara was popular, but when she became of college age, she had no particular desire for a certain profession and she got a degree in education and taught fifth grade. David joined the Marines when he became an adult and was wounded during a training session when other Marines died as a result.
The story opens with Sara having been arrested and charged with the murder of her Uncle Carrara after his body had been found in the woods by two boys. Since Carrara was CEO of the company after his brother’s death, Sara accused him of malfeasance and Sara was the easiest for the police to center on and they arrested her. She got out on a million dollars cash bond and set out to find a good defense attorney. She ran into Michael Tucker, a new defense attorney with no paying clients, and decided to hire him. He was the nephew of a famous female defense attorney, Gertrude Tucker, who was well know not only as an attorney but for being involved in many things. Michael only took the case because Gertrude promised to guide him, which she did although she was dying of lung cancer. Throughout the story, Gertrude teaches Michael how to view his client as the trial progresses and eventually Michael becomes too engrossed in Sara.
Every chapter seems to have a twist and I enjoyed this story more than many I have read recently. I recommend it for those who like a well-written mystery even more than John Grisham these days as they now all begin to sound alike.
February 27, 2015
THE FORBIDDEN ROOM BY Joanne Lewis offers a story of conflicting loyalties and dangerous deceptions that quickly engage the reader in a psychological murder mystery that revolves around wealthy Sara Goldstein, a fifth grade teacher standing trial for the murder of her uncle Charlie. Defense attorney Michael Turner is young, relatively inexperienced and quite smitten with his client, having become involved in a personal relationship with her against the continuous admonitions of his grandmother, a famous female jurist who is a pro when it comes to navigating the judicial system.
The narrative opens with Sara fainting in the courtroom just as the verdict is about to be read and waking up in a hospital room. Michael informs her that the reading of the verdict has been postponed until the following day and in the meantime the reader is taken back over the events of the past fifteen years in Sara's life - which involves the childhood of Sara and David (she calls him soldier boy), the FORBIDDEN ROOM of the title where Sara's father keeps his collection of antique trains and carousel horses, their parents tempestuous relationship, and the murder of her parents, an event that has left she and her brother the beneficiaries of a very large fortune.
Both Michael and Sara share in explaining the whys and wherefores of this complex tale from their alternating perspectives. As layer upon layer of the story is peeled away, the threads of their individual stories converge. With all of the past details revealed, the reader is whisked backed to the courtroom where the verdict is read and the question of Sara's guilt or innocence is answered.
While the story is not extraordinary, it is enjoyable and one you can knock off on a lazy afternoon.
The narrative opens with Sara fainting in the courtroom just as the verdict is about to be read and waking up in a hospital room. Michael informs her that the reading of the verdict has been postponed until the following day and in the meantime the reader is taken back over the events of the past fifteen years in Sara's life - which involves the childhood of Sara and David (she calls him soldier boy), the FORBIDDEN ROOM of the title where Sara's father keeps his collection of antique trains and carousel horses, their parents tempestuous relationship, and the murder of her parents, an event that has left she and her brother the beneficiaries of a very large fortune.
Both Michael and Sara share in explaining the whys and wherefores of this complex tale from their alternating perspectives. As layer upon layer of the story is peeled away, the threads of their individual stories converge. With all of the past details revealed, the reader is whisked backed to the courtroom where the verdict is read and the question of Sara's guilt or innocence is answered.
While the story is not extraordinary, it is enjoyable and one you can knock off on a lazy afternoon.
November 7, 2014
Your life with your family is anything but perfect. Your mother is an alcoholic and,often times, days and nights are spent hiding from your mother and her drunken rages. The cacaphony of sounds that reach the Forbidden Room make you and your little brother tremble, but the silence (when it happens) is almost worse.
One day you come home and find your parents shot to death. It looks like your uncle is seen running away from your house. You shield your little brother and promise to protect him forever.
Meet Sara- now an adult and charged in the death of her uncle. She is being represented by Michael Tucker who has never tried a murder case before. Michael breaks one of the cardinal rules of being a lawyer. He loves the idea of defending someone he whole-heartily believes is innocent and then his heart takes over and he falls head-over heels in love with her.
The story opens as the verdict is about to be read. Follow Sara and Michael as they recount their experiences of how they got to where they are now. Is Sara really innocent? Will the jury find her guilty? Sometimes the truth is more complicated than you think.
One day you come home and find your parents shot to death. It looks like your uncle is seen running away from your house. You shield your little brother and promise to protect him forever.
Meet Sara- now an adult and charged in the death of her uncle. She is being represented by Michael Tucker who has never tried a murder case before. Michael breaks one of the cardinal rules of being a lawyer. He loves the idea of defending someone he whole-heartily believes is innocent and then his heart takes over and he falls head-over heels in love with her.
The story opens as the verdict is about to be read. Follow Sara and Michael as they recount their experiences of how they got to where they are now. Is Sara really innocent? Will the jury find her guilty? Sometimes the truth is more complicated than you think.
March 7, 2014
A 3.5 stars really from me.
A story of three unexplained deaths occurring in a wealthy family. With plenty of twists and turns this story will leave you wanting to carry on reading longer than you should in order to find out the outcome.
At times the writing can be a little confusing and stilted in the way it swaps and changes between the perspective of Sara the daughter of the wealthy couple who die first and Micheal her Attorney. As the transition between perspectives isn't always easy to realise who is doing the explaining.
Saying that though I did enjoy the story and found the relationship that developed between Sara and Michael to be a little contrived and predictable to be honest and not entirely professional. I almost knew all the way through that he was heading for a fall in some ways.
This was a freebie kindle read and I will read further work by this Author.
A story of three unexplained deaths occurring in a wealthy family. With plenty of twists and turns this story will leave you wanting to carry on reading longer than you should in order to find out the outcome.
At times the writing can be a little confusing and stilted in the way it swaps and changes between the perspective of Sara the daughter of the wealthy couple who die first and Micheal her Attorney. As the transition between perspectives isn't always easy to realise who is doing the explaining.
Saying that though I did enjoy the story and found the relationship that developed between Sara and Michael to be a little contrived and predictable to be honest and not entirely professional. I almost knew all the way through that he was heading for a fall in some ways.
This was a freebie kindle read and I will read further work by this Author.
May 16, 2014
3.5 stars. I liked this book, but some things are really nagging at me. Why was the room forbidden? Also, the ending was really abrupt and a bit of a let down. The swapping of viewpoints and the change in time in the middle of chapters was confusing at times. Although I did enjoy reading Soldier Boy's and Michael's viewpoints. I remember looking at my Kindle and seeing I was at the 97% mark and thinking a lot of things still needed to be wrapped up. I liked Michael's character, the courtroom proceedings, and the overall feel of the book. Overall I think I will try another book by this author in the future.
September 28, 2013
The description interested me so I thought I'd read it. On reading it I realized I couldn't put the book down. I just kept reading because I had to know what happened next. Such a great book from a great author. I will be reading more of her work. It was like watching one of those crime shows but reading it and you're apart of it. And you're collecting clues and trying to figure out who did what and who was involved. I loved this book. I can honestly say it is now one of my favorite books.
July 2, 2015
I liked it better than a three
I would have given this story a five had there not been so much redundancy in it. The plot was great. The cast of characters believable and likeable. Many twists and turns. It will keep you guessing as you figure Who the real murderer is. Then make you doubt your own powers of insight.
I would have given this story a five had there not been so much redundancy in it. The plot was great. The cast of characters believable and likeable. Many twists and turns. It will keep you guessing as you figure Who the real murderer is. Then make you doubt your own powers of insight.
August 23, 2013
AN OK READ BUT I HAPPEN TO LIKE COURT ROOM DRAMA. I DID FIGURE OUT THE GUILTY PERSON EARLY IN THE BOOK SO I WAS NOT SURPRISED AT THE ENDING. FOR ME I DIDN'T LIKE THE SADNESS OF THE CHARACTERS, DON'T REALLY LIKE WHEN A BOOK MAKES ME FEEL SAD LIKE THAT
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January 8, 2014Why forbidden?
I liked this book. I don't get the sneaker obsession @ all and what it has to do with anything. And why was the room forbidden??? Strange. I do hope she writes another book explaining it.
I liked this book. I don't get the sneaker obsession @ all and what it has to do with anything. And why was the room forbidden??? Strange. I do hope she writes another book explaining it.
March 20, 2014
Great book
wow, truly loved this book could not put it down. Definitely didn't want this book to end. Not very good at writing reviews but this book will keep you wanting more. Just can't wait to find out what happens next!
wow, truly loved this book could not put it down. Definitely didn't want this book to end. Not very good at writing reviews but this book will keep you wanting more. Just can't wait to find out what happens next!
June 9, 2013
Boring
November 27, 2013
A really interesting and enjoyable read but the end really disappointed me.
Received through Goodreads First Reads.
Received through Goodreads First Reads.
August 29, 2013
Great mystery but more than a mystery. Characters who easily engage the reader. Loved reading this book.
September 28, 2013
The characters are fairytale flat and unrealistic.
May 23, 2020
Quick mystery. I wasn't able to get into this one.
March 15, 2014
Great story with a good twist!
March 26, 2014
Liked the twist at the end of the book. Easy read!
June 13, 2014
This was such a good story but I'm so disappointed in the lack of connection between the story line, the forbidden room, and the horses......i must have missed something.
January 23, 2016
Looking forward
Future books in this series would be a treat! Forbidden Room is a great mystery. Looking forward to a sequel.
Future books in this series would be a treat! Forbidden Room is a great mystery. Looking forward to a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews