The Advocate's Oath

The Advocate #15

by Teresa Burrell

Attorney Sabre Brown advocates for children every day in court, but when her young neighbor says she’s terrified because she overhead her parents talking about murder, Sabre has no idea how to help her. As a favor to an old friend, she also agrees to defend a teenage boy accused of killing his stepmother. When she discovers her client was having an affair with the victim, Sabre begins to think he’s guilty. Or is he being framed by his own dad?

With the help of her investigator, JP, and his hacker associate, Lana, they uncover a web of dark secrets and hidden motives, and they realize that events of the past are resurfacing to endanger people in the present. Racing against time, Sabre and her team must put together the pieces of this deadly puzzle before it's too late. Can they unearth the crucial link needed to save both children?

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

ebook

About the author

Teresa Burrell maintained a private law practice where her work focused on abused minors. She has received several awards for her countless hours of pro bono work with children and their families. Burrell has also enjoyed a satisfying career as a teacher, working with children of all ages with diverse backgrounds and special needs. Now in semi-retirement, Burrell continues to educate groups about social issues impacting children and write novels, many of which are inspired by actual cases.

She has written 22 mystery novels: 17 in The Advocate Series, 4 in the Tuper Mystery Series, and one standalone, co-authored with LJ Sellers.

Reviews

[Tonja]

Good plot, but this story needs editing

I have a tougher grading system than most people, as my 5 stars ratings are rare and for astounding works. 3 is average for me, and what I rate most books that are purely for entertainment. I find Ms Burrell's stories entertaining, good for lazy day reading. But this one, while it has a good plot, seems to have a confused time-line. I think it needs editing for continuity, as different scenes seem to have been inserted in the wrong places, like with characters knowing the identity of someone before that person is revealed by the evidence. I came across, I think, 3 places that looked out of order.

[Julie Howard]

I really enjoyed this book, with two captivating case to deal with I couldn't put it down. The two cases are very different but both deal with the endangerment of children. A teenage boy accused of the murder of his stepmother and a younger child, what she over hears has her fearing for her life. Sabre Brown and her boyfriend are working on both cases, like only they can. With charm, wit, cleverness, compassion and quirky sayings. This is just a great series and one that I always look forward to jumping right into. The characters are delightful and the type that if they were real you would want on your side. I really enjoyed the cases but it did jump between the two so you had to be on your toes to keep up.
When Morgan drops the bombshell her best friend thinks her parents killed someone, Attorney Sabre Brown is torn, is it just an active imagination or could the young girl be in danger from the people she should be able to trust the most? Doing something could split up a family but doing nothing could get her hurt. Sabre has to trust the system and do everything she can to help her. At the same time a spoiled rich teenager has been arrested for murdering his step mother, who he had a trouble relationship with. He's not helping himself and with all the evidence pointing at him it looks like Sabre might be defending a guilty client. However as her client she will do everything in her power to give him the best defence and the more she looks into it the more she questions is he actually guilty? Can she help both children?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Louise]

Sabre Brown, Ron Brown, Bob Clark, JP Torn; Conner, Morgan and Dene kids living with them.
Beverly and Harley;
Sabre Brown is defending a teenager, Hudson for killing his step mother Linda Nash;
Kelly Nash - mother;
Morgan's friend, Carter expresses her concern that her parents Barbara and Charles Robinson killed, someone, a neighbor, Mr. Henderson.
Barbara & Charles Robinson killed Linda - didn't want the story of Carter's abduction to come out.
Patti Little, Barbara Robinson and Darby Vander were friends, lived in a group home.
Olivia Little.
Marlene Kettering, housekeeper for Henderson inherited from him. Will have Carter live with her and put the money in trust for her.

[Sam]

As with all the Advocates books this one starts off running. First: Hudson, a self entitled teenage boy is accused of killing his stepmother and Second: a friend of J.P.'s niece Morgan, has confided in her that she is afraid her parents killed someone. Sabre and J.P. have their work cut out for them.

There were so many twists and turns with a very satisfying ending. I love how you get hooked on the first page and then towards the conclusion it just takes off. Since J.P. and Sabre feel like friends it's nice to read the dynamics between them and the kids. And of course there is Bob, Lana and Tuper to help. Another winner for sure. I received this book from the author for an honest review. Thank you Teresa.

[Mrs Claire L Troote]

Great Read

When a child confides in her best friend that they over heard their parents talking about killing someone, it starts a chain of events that sees the 2 little girls out themselves in danger trying to figure it all out without grown ups. When Sabre and JP finally get to know what's going on, they try to disentangle what's fact and what's a child's over active imagination.

What starts out being a quick check into a child's concerns, quickly snowballs into a decades long secret tearing apart several lives and putting more innocent bystanders in the cross hairs. Can Sabre and JP figure out how these cases are connected and get to the bottom of it all whilst keeping everyone safe

[Keith Withers]

Entrancing yet seriously down to earth

What could possibly cause a down to earth young girl to become so obsessed with the actions, of her parents , when she overhears, what she imagines, is the story of their involvement, with a murder. Are there feelings and fears truly possible, or feasible, or has she misinterpreted, the whole scenario. When she confides in her best friend and this, in turn, gets to involve her best friend's carers, a private investigator and his lawyer partner, things start to go awry straight away. Meanwhile a young boy is under scrutiny for the possibility of his involvement with the loopdeath of his mother. How will the the two consecutive dramas pan out in the lives of the two young people and their respective families

[Janie Livingston]

The Advocate’s Oath

The Advocate’s Oath
This is a great book with lots of action! It blends murder, kidnapping, and theft with computer intelligence to solve the murder. Morgan (JP’s niece) has a best friend whose parents seem to be involved in a killing. Their daughter, Carter, overhears them talking about the murder. She and Morgan search for evidence. In the meantime, Hudson, a wealthy, spoiled teen, is accused of the murder and jailed. Sabre and JP work together to solve the crime, even if Hudson doesn’t cooperate with their investigation. A wonderful read!

[Gretchen Rooker]

Intricate plot

Over the last year, I have read these books in order. I’ve enjoyed the continuing characters and the direction their lives have taken. Each book presents a completely different circumstance it requires the child advocacy legal system to act in the best interest of the child.

For this book, I wondered “how does an author think of such a complex plot and intermingling of situation/characters?” Well done!

[Emalea Gravatt]

Imagination or truth?

A teenage from a wealthy family is accused of pushing his step-mother down a flight of stairs where she died. A pre-teen tells her best friend that her parents killed someone, then later said she made it up? Ms. Burrell has delivered yet another page turner. Her experience as a lawyer and child advocate show us a side of life that most of us can't imagine.

[Maryann Forbes]

The Advocate's Oath is author Teresa Burrell's 16th book in the series featuring Sabre Brown, a lawyer and advocate for youth. I have read all of the books and am always ready for the next one to be released as soon as I'm finished with one. Unfortunately I will have to wait for book 17, yet The Advocate 's Oath certainly met all my expectations - another winner-for sure.

[Mary]

Terrific Story

Sabre the child advocate has two children to protect. One is in jail for murder. The other is in Protective Services. JP her detective and live in lover helps her navigate the mysterious information that leads to guilt. The story is heartrending and informative. Read it. Recommended

[Patricia Ann Turner]

What a great series

I have read all 15 of the Advocates books within the last two months and found them very enjoyable I couldn't put them down, I got to finish each one to read what happened next. The stories were great and so real I could see it all playing out in real life situations. JP, Bob, Ron and of Sabre made a great team.

[Victoria H.]

The Amazing Advocate Author

I binge read the entire series! Teresa Burrell Is an amazing author and certainly knows her subject. Her twisting plots are always a surprise and her characters are well-defined. I also enjoyed the humor she could entertwine into her plots and characters. I am very much helping that there will be more books in this series!

[Amy G.]

Unbelievable Ending

This is a great series with wonderful characters. Ms. Burrell weaves a great story with an ending I did not see coming. Another great read in this series. Can't wait for the next installment in the Advocate series.

[Karen Ball]

Complicated, but with a good ending

Just the way I like a good Story! The twists and turns keep you wondering. I like how everything comes together to make a satisfying end to a good story.

[Valerie Wade]

The Advocate’s Oath

I have read all of these books and really enjoy them. Sometimes you don’t know “who dunnit” until the very last chapter and sometimes you know who, but don’t know the connection. Sabre is a child advocate and I have learned a lot about the work they do.

[Charisse Tyson]

As always, a wonderful read!

Teresa never disappoints. As a fellow writer I'm amazed how she continues to crank out great stories about Sabra the child advocate. It's clear she has a lot of personal experience to draw from. I'm looking forward to the P word story.

[Jim E.]

I have read all the books in this series and enjoyed them except for this one. I found it very confusing with the numerous characters, some having 2 names , with some dead. Also the detective sequence by the two nine years was way beyond their ages to execute.

[Elaine Bailes]

I have read all of Teresa Burrell's Advocate series in order and I have enjoyed every one of them to date. I love her characters. After completing the Oath, I now look forward to reading the Phantom and her future books that will be written with the end game being a completion of the series.

[David Merritt]

the best yet

I think this is the very best Advocate book yet. Much nearer to Sabre and JP’s life than distant court cases. Difficult to hide a tear towards the end. Well done Teresa.

[Doris Smith]

Enthralling

Teresa has done a good job of keeping the murder hidden until the end. I am enjoying her entire series and appreciate how her past career makes her story more authentic.

[Ruby D]

Too many characters

By the end it was hard to keep track of all the women involved.

The story would've been better if the two cases weren't connected. It would have been a nice surprise if Sabre & JP were wrong about Carter's parents. Maybe even have to apologize for once!

[Diane]

The books in this series are always a nice easy read. For some reason, this book slightly annoyed me due to at all of the bizarre names given to the characters. As usual the story is a bit far fetched and slightly out of synch with what happens in real life but still a good story.

[Jean Roehrs]

Who’s child is she?

Two little girls play detective, but what they uncover isn’t make believe. Will anyone believe them? Will anyone protect them? And then there’s a young man accused of murder. His attorney has her hands full! Don’t miss this one. A great read. Jean, Arc

[Nancy J.]

Really Stupid Book

This has to be one of the worst books I have ever read. It sounds like a bad attempt from an 8th grader. Lots of dialogue between shallow characters and unrealistic life situations. Wish I had not wasted my money.

[Rick Wells]

Another Good Story in the Advocate Series

Teresa Burrell continues to write entertaining accounts that have unexpected twists and enough suspense to keep the pages turning. it beats what is on TV.

[sharon check]

Girl detectives uncover secrets

Interesting characters but so many and such a tangled plot it was sometimes hard to follow. Two mysteries seemed separate but the,author wove them together at the end.

[marie walraven]

Great reading

It was suspenseful. I enjoyed reading this book. I was not sure who the criminal was until the end.
Thank you

[vicky overfield]

Great book...I just love this series!!!!

I love the characters in this book and the author's writing style brings them to life! You find yourself caring about them!

[Diane Schorr]

Another terrific book from Teresa Burrell.

Loved this story. Twists and turns. Love the dynamics. Morgan and her friend are delightful.
Can't wait for book 16.