Unshackled: A Camille Delaney Mystery

by Amanda DuBois

Camille Delaney returns with another investigation—and this time it’s personal.

Shackled to her bed against the pleas of the medical staff, Charli Zhao gives birth to a beautiful daughter she names Willow. Charli had been transported to the hospital from prison, where she is serving time for a crime she didn’t commit. Within hours of the birth, the unthinkable the newborn is abducted, leaving Charli devastated and wondering if she’ll ever find her child, even after she gets free.

Attorney Camille Delaney isn’t used to the inside of women’s prisons—she works in courtrooms. But when a local legal aid group recruits her to help with a case on the inside, she feels drawn to these women’s stories. They are often so similar—a lifetime of trauma culminating in the heartbreaking and often permanent loss of custody of their children, even after they’ve served their time and gotten clean.

When Camille meets Charli, it’s been years since Willow was abducted, and the case has gone cold. But there’s something about Charli’s story—and Charli herself—that Camille can’t refuse. With the help of her trusted friend and private investigator Trish Seaholm, Camille begins a dogged pursuit to find Charli’s daughter and bring the man who framed Charli to justice. As Camille’s quest for the truth takes her team from Seattle to the San Juan Islands to the mountains of Olympic National Park, she must reckon with a system that routinely dismisses the rights of convicted mothers—and has their children pay the price.

Genres: Mystery

338 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

Amanda DuBois worked as a labor and delivery nurse before becoming a lawyer. She has practiced in the areas of medical malpractice and family law. She founded the DuBois Levias Law Group in Seattle, Washington, where she is actively engaged in litigation, and Civil Survival Project, an organization that teaches advocacy skills to formerly incarcerated individuals. Amanda serves on several boards that support social justice and women’s issues. Her most recent passion is funding her Full Circle Scholarship, which provides tuition assistance at her alma mater, Seattle University School of Law. This scholarship is specifically granted to students whose lives have been impacted by the criminal legal system.

All of the author’s profits from your book purchase will be donated to the Full Circle Scholarship or to individuals or organizations that promote social justice issues. This is the third novel in the Camille Delaney Mystery series.

Reviews

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amandadubois206 for the gifted book

TITLE: Unshackled
AUTHOR: Amanda DuBois
PUB DATE: 02.04.2025

Charli Zhao gives birth to a baby girl Willow -
while a prisoner and shackled to her bed - and her child being abducted. Atty Camille Delaney and her PI Trish Seaholm takes on this impossible cold case for the sake of justice. This was an amazing story and I can tell that DuBois was not only an amazing storyteller, but her experience gives her writing an incredibly personal point of view. I enjoyed this book a lot!

QOTD: Any plans for the weekend?

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unshackled tells the story of Charli Zhao, a pregnant prisoner, who is shackled to a bed while giving birth. Charli gives birth to a girl, naming her Willow. She wishes Willow be given to the biological father, but before this happens, the baby is kidnapped by Charli's husband. By the time Attorney Camille Delaney gets involved it has been a number of years since Willow's abduction.

Author Amanda DuBois does an excellent job of giving the reader information about the subject, the drawback to this is that it stalls the plot. I felt the book was too long and repetitive when discussing the plight of incarcerated women. I realized when I read the Acknowledgements that this is a personal subject for the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Girl Friday Productions, for an ARC. The review is my own.

[Rachel Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a great book. It brought to light a lot of issues women in prison deal with and how hard it is to succeed once released. It also talks in depth of how hard it is for the women to be reunited with their children after prison. There was suspense and even some twists!! The book was a little long and slow in some parts which is mostly due to the research involved to educate the readers. I love how the author created the Unshackle Her Fund to really help those who are affected by this kind of thing, it’s a great charity to support. I hope many people read this book and understand the struggles these women face.

[Star Gater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Girl Friday Productions | Flashpoint for allowing me to read and review Unshackled on NetGalley.

Published: 02/04/25

Stars: 2

Exhausting 450 + pages. "She must reckon with a system that routinely dismisses the rights of convicted mothers—and has their children pay the price." The book is one-sided. I thought the arguments were presented in a juvenile fashion. While the US judicial system is antiquated, there are two plus sides to the prison problems. It's not as if the author carefully chose her arguments, she writes purposefully. The book is repetitive. There is excessive swearing throughout.

Too political and biased.

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5 stars)
“We aren’t bad people in here. We’re traumatised people who society doesn’t care about.” Unshackled is a worthy book, but not necessarily a good one. It’s poorly and tediously written with lots of laboured points and unnecessary detail. It’s very much tell rather than show. Every little thought in the writer’s mind is there on its pages: “She clicked on her local delivery to order Cornish game hens and ingredients for the garlic-lemon sauce.” For example, readers literally do not care how much Camille highlights a journal article, yet we’re told twice in two pages that: “Highlights of every conceivable colour filled the page.” This level of unnecessary and irritating stream of consciousness obscures the story, which isn’t terrible but deeply buried, with a “twist” that didn’t feel believable.

You can see the author was inspired by herself for her lead protagonist, Camille Delaney, a nurse then lawyer. The character is actually hard to like, a white saviour largely oblivious to the plight of others socially different from herself: “Camille has been surprised to discover that Lucia had served sixteen months in prison on a drug charge, but she’d embraced Lucia, along with her background.” Both race and class are at play: “Camille blinked back her implicit bias as she realised the assumption she’d made about this Black woman sitting in front of her.” I think Camille’s most cringeworthy comment was about women in gaol: “They really take pride in their appearance. I had no idea.”

The tedious repetition of facts and statistics relating to women’s incarceration is heavy-handed and unnecessary: “renamed based on research—the trauma-to-prison pipeline”. I get that the book is about the gendered experience of incarceration, which leads to intergenerational trauma and poorer outcomes including the incarceration of future generations, but don’t treat readers like idiots who can’t retain information when told it once. This book was a chore to read, and needed a bloody good edit. Might also want to reconsider the comment about Kamala Harris being the “good old days—when we actually believed women had a chance to lead” as with the fullness of time, it may not date well.

With thanks to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions for sending me a copy to read.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Title: Unshackled
Author: Amanda DuBois
Series: Camille Delaney Mystery #3
Publisher: Girl Friday Books
Genre: Medical- Legal Thriller
Pub Date: February 4, 2025
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up
Pages 462

I knew I wanted to read this knowing nothing about it other than I read and enjoyed the other Camille Delaney Mystery series ~ The Complication, as well as Deliver Them from Evil.

Camille is a former nurse and now a family-practice lawyer. She and her husband Sam, a doctor at the University live in a houseboat with their three daughters (Two daughters are sister they adopted from Korea and the third is a foster daughter).

Charl Zhao had been transported to the hospital from prison, where she is serving time for a crime she states she didn’t commit
She is shackled to her bed against the pleas of the medical staff.
Within hours of Charli giving birth to a beautiful daughter she names Willow. As she start to bond with her baby however knows that she cannot keep her with her in prison. The next of kin is notified and next thing, the baby is kidnapped. He appears her husband who isn’t the baby’s father abducted the baby.
Charli of course is devastated – and gears she will never be reunited with her child when she gets free.

Story was different than the others I read in this series. I always enjoy good courtroom drama and that part did not disappoint. However, I was curious why Ms. DuBois chosen to write a story on this topic.
In her Acknowledgements she tells us that over the years she was able to become friends with women who served time in prison. Through the Freedom Education Project Puget Sound, women in prison were able to take college classes These women as well as other moms in prison inspired as will helped her bring this story to life.
I encourage readers to be sure to read both the Acknowledgement as well as ‘About the Author’.

Thank you NetGalley and Girl Friday Books for this interesting as well informative story.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 4, 2025

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title really tells this story, Unshackled. How can we get the women and children who suffer and fall between the cracks of the justice system, unshackled from this system that seems to be against them? Based on a true story this novel has so many pieces that all collide to give a deep, eye opening look to how women are treated in the justice system. Attorney Camille Delaney has never thought of prisoners as clients, so when she's asked to help offer legal aid on the inside of a women's prison, she jumps at the chance. Hardly believing the stories she is told, Delaney knows she must help these women and one in particular who has a missing child. As Delaney starts to look into Charli's case, she realizes this one has so many things that went wrong she can hardly believe it. Determined to help Charli get out and find her daughter, she does all she can and also gets herself wrapped up in the terrible drug world and how this is a major connection to many of the women in prison. This novel has so much in it and yet it was so well written. You understand how broken the system is and how hard women have to prove themselves once out of prison, in order to get their children back, yet the system won't work with them either. This was at times was a little heartbreaking to read. You feel for these characters and realize that things really need to change. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[TheLisaD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amanda DuBoise’s Unshackled offers a raw and gripping exploration of the turbulent lives of female prisoners and the unique struggles faced by their children. Through powerful storytelling, the book sheds light on systemic injustices while raising awareness about the ripple effects of incarceration on families.

At the heart of the story is a passionate lawyer and her determined friends, whose quest for justice serves as a beacon of hope for those wrongfully accused. Their unwavering dedication adds depth and humanity to the narrative, making readers reflect on the real-world implications of such stories.

The plot is well-paced, with a blend of emotional weight and moments of tension that keep the reader engaged. The action, particularly toward the climax, is riveting, driving home the gravity of the stakes for all involved. The authenticity of the characters and situations makes the story resonate deeply, leaving the impression that this fictional tale could easily mirror real-life struggles.

DuBoise’s ability to craft a narrative that feels both heartfelt and socially significant is commendable. Unshackled is not just a story of resilience and justice but also a call to action—an invitation to consider how society can better support marginalized families.

For readers who value emotionally resonant stories with a purpose, Unshackled is a must-read. It’s a compelling reminder of the power of justice, compassion, and the resilience of the human spirit.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camille Delaney is a former nurse whose now a family attorney who takes the case of Charli Zhao. Charli says shes serving time for a crime she states she didn’t commit.
Many years ago Charli Zhao, was a pregnant prisoner, who was shackled to a bed while giving birth. Charli gave birth to a girl, who she named Willow. She had wishes for Willow be given to the biological father, but before this happens, the baby is kidnapped by Charli's husband. When Camille takes her case it’s been many years since that fateful day. With the help of her trusted friend and private investigator Trish Seaholm, Camille begins a pursuit to find Charli’s daughter and bring the man who framed Charli to justice. The more she digs the more she is shown how the system routinely dismisses the rights of convicted mothers—and has their children pay the price. This book provided a lot of detail about the legal system, on prison daily life, and even drug addiction - the consequences of domestic abuse. It opens your eyes to the system that should be protecting children but then ends up endagering them. It's a story about greed and even corruption, and people who are given medicine to help them are ending up left alone and facing more problems. I enjoyed how this was told in a women's point of view.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

A legal medical mystery, Unshackled (2025) by Amanda DuBois features attorney Camille Delaney. Camille takes on the case of a female prisoner who wants her child to live with the biological father. The problem is that the child was taken six years earlier by the husband who (was the presumed father) kidnapped the child. Whilst visiting the prison, Camille also gets involved in a support group for opiate addiction. The interlaced stories are further enhanced by Camilla’s family's daily life as the hunt for the missing child and anticipated court case reveal issues of mother-child relationships, recovery addiction and rehabilitation. The third book in a series, the narrative has a folksy, preachy feel, which ruins the powerful opening scene and lessens the insights, underpinning the novel. So overall, an average mystery read, with a court case finale showdown, that is a three star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With thanks to She Writes Press and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hard-to-put-down story combines an engaging thriller set on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula with important information about the effects of (prescription and non-prescription) drugs, addiction, and generational trauma. Ms. DuBois manages these latter issues -- clearly dear to her personally -- without being heavy-handed or forced in her characters' stories.

Don't be distracted by reviews that nitpick about too much highlighting or too many ingredients in the evening's meal (I happened to enjoy those details)! Those comments take away from the substance of the book -- a book that invites discussions about bigger issues like incarceration versus treatment for people -- women in particular -- with addiction and the separation of mothers from their young children and the long-term detrimental effects on both.

This is an enjoyable and engaging read while also being an effective introduction to the ways in which our judicial system addresses these all-too-common issues. It naturally leads to opening doors to important conversations and would be a solid choice for book groups or classes of all types.

[Amy Shook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever heard of the school-to-prison pipeline? This book digs even deeper—exposing the trauma-to-prison pipeline that sets so many women up for failure before they even get a chance.
Imagine this: Shackled to a hospital bed, Charli Zhao gives birth to her daughter, Willow. Hours later, the newborn is abducted. And Charli? Still behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit. 💔
Years later, attorney Camille Delaney steps in. She doesn’t normally work inside prisons, but something about Charli’s case won’t let her go. With the help of PI Trish Seaholm, Camille is on a mission: find Willow, expose the truth, and take on a system that steals mothers from their children.
📖 MY TAKE:
NYT called this a "compelling mystery/thriller with a social conscience," and they weren’t lying. This book is packedwith strong female leads, jaw-dropping statistics, and hard-hitting truths about incarcerated mothers. Did you know kids separated from their moms due to incarceration are more likely to end up in the system themselves? The cycle is brutal, and this book doesn’t shy away from it.
If you love a thriller that makes you think, this one’s for you. 🙌

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dramatic, gripping, and emotionally charged, the action starts from the very first chapter and doesn’t let you take a breath!

The story takes us deep inside the walls of a women’s prison, shining light on how the system fails pregnant women or mothers who are incarcerated, affecting the child as well as the mother.

Attorney Camille Delany is called to help with the case of Charlie Zhao, a woman who gave birth while in prison, only to have her baby kidnapped by the baby’s husband. As she digs into the case, it becomes a tangled web of corruption laced with opioid addiction, greed, and the broken justice system.

This story moves quickly and will keep you on your toes, from the confines of prison to courtrooms and even the woods of Olympic National Park. I loved how these women were working to improve the system; it delivered a heartbreaking and eye-opening message.

Please don’t miss the Author’s Note and the charitable fund that has stemmed from this book.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amandadubois206 for a gifted book. #unshackled

[Cheryl D]

Another riveting novel by Amanda Dubois, this book is both an engaging read and a powerful commentary on the flaws of our justice system. Through her storytelling, Dubois sheds light on the systemic injustices that affect individuals, particularly those caught in a system that often fails to serve them fairly. As a reader, I found myself deeply reflecting on how much more needs to be done to address these inequities.

What makes this book even more remarkable is Dubois' commitment to giving back. All proceeds from the book are being donated to help women who have been incarcerated—a cause that further highlights her dedication to social justice. Not only does the book tell a compelling story, but it also serves a greater purpose in supporting women who have been impacted by the justice system.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping read that will not only entertain but also open your eyes to the urgent need for reform in our society. Dubois' writing continues to inspire, educate, and make a real-world impact.

[Kelly Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unshackled, the third book in the Camille Delaney Mystery series by Amanda DuBois, is a non-stop, complex page-turner with a social conscience.
The book, which sees lawyer Camille Delaney embroiled in a cold case that intertwines with the worlds of addiction and its impact on women, straddles a fine line between shining light on the plight of women in the prison system for drug related crimes and preaching on the subject. While at times somewhat repetitive, the underlying mystery of a missing child taken at birth and the framing of that child's mother is heart-wrenching, and the reader learns along with Camille as she navigates a different type of law practice.
The characters are compelling, the storyline full of action, and the book difficult to put down. And just when you think where it's going to go, you end up surprised.
I am thankful to have received an ARC of #Unshackled from #NetGalley.

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unshackled is not an easy read as it provides a lot of detail about the legal system, prison daily life, drug addiction - its motivation and consequences, domestic abuse, and the working of the system that should protect children but ends up endagering them and putting an even wider gap between mothers and their children. It's also a story of greed, corruption, heartbreak and difficulties faced by people who were given medicine to help them be cured but that threw them in a much wider abyss told from the women's point of view. Although men have different motives to drive them to addiction and violence I believe some of them have the same difficulties to adpat to life after prison and to reach their children and family. I'm glad to learn through the press that finally the companies responsible for the Oxy epidemic in the US are now being held responsible and having to pay for their greed.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Kay Smith-Blum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to imagine any woman being forced to give birth while shackled, but Dubois pins us down in this horrific moment with empathy and the reader can’t help but instantly root for this mom. Via the infinitely tireless and clever Camille Delaney, we are drawn in, only to discover this initial injustice is but a subset of so many women face in our criminal justice system. Dubois’s supporting cast of characters jumps on board to right the wrongs. Deeply personal reasons for key character’s doing so, provide further insight into Delaney’s crackerjack team, and the struggles of women, Black and White, against the antiquated mechanisms of the system. Small victories daylight a multitude of systemic pitfalls and the work to do in today’s world. Unshackled will leave you with an understanding of not just injustices that must be rectified, but also holding steadfast to the power of the individual to change the world. An important story to read now.

[Gillian Farago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Flashpoint Publisher and NetGalley for my pre-publication digital copy of this book. It is the first I have read by this author.

I found this a compelling read, though at times I thought the plot a little unbelievable, having said that I do know that life can be stranger than fiction, in terms of coincidences etc! I have been in the periphery of prisons in the UK when I was a social worker, and found it interesting, though very disturbing, to read some ofthe statistics for female prisons in US. I know this must all be factual background information for the story as Amanda DuBois is a lawyer. Charlis story with Camille Delaney representing her and other women in heartbreaking cases is really well written, described and executed. It’s definitely a page turner which I recommend, and I learned a lot from it which is always a bonus.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a socially conscious mystery. It also has some courtroom drama and a look into the women’s prison system.

It is fast moving and has a great cast of strong female characters.

This is the third in the series but I easily read it is a stand alone. And I will be reading the other two books in the series.

The book begins with a female prisoner, Charli, giving birth in a hospital. Her baby is stolen by her husband.

The book fast forwards 7 years. Camille, who is a family lawyer, is part of a legal aid program going into the prison system to help women get parental rights back.
Camille crosses path with Charli there and the mystery begins.
Not only is Charli’s child been missing for 7 years, but Charli was framed for the crime that sent to prison.

This book not only has this mystery, but also shares a lot of interesting facts about the trauma to prison pipeline.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book and give it all the stars for many reasons. It was an incredible mix of legal drama, thriller, police procedural, family drama and more. The Pacific Northwest setting was an added bonus. Camille Delaney is an incredible character! I developed so much respect for her as a kick ass & compassionate attorney, wife, mom, friend, daughter and mentor. Even though this is a series, I read this as a stand alone with no problems but now want to read the others because I am hooked! It’s clear that the author did extensive research and that this book was written with knowledge and also passion on subject matter that was new for me. But her passion has inspired me to continue to learn more and I hope it will inspire many others as well.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an unbiased nor uninformed review as I worked as an RN in Midwest jails for seven years, so I can say that most readers will get an education in things they'd rather not know about but are all too true for too many. The publisher's blurb gives a good hook to join the story, but it is so much more and totally engrossing.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected proof copy from Girl Friday Productions | Flashpoint via NetGalley. Thank you!
Avail Feb 04, 2025 #Unshackled by Amanda DuBois #CamilleDelaneyMysteriesBk3 Girl Friday Productions | Flashpoint #NetGalley #CriminalInjustice #WomenInPrison #Investigations #Dramatic

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen, anytime an author can craft a fantastic story, keep it relevant, AND speak to current socioeconomic issues, I am ALL IN.

The research, coupled with the evident compassion, lets the reader be both entertained and educated.

Yes. Please.

Then, to learn that the author has created a crowdsourced fund (Check out CivilSurvival.org) to help women in similar situations?

Even if this book was GARBAGE, I’d be promoting it.

Thank gawd the writing, characters, and plot are SOLID.

It was so twist-y and turn-y and world-shake-y and heartbreak-y.

I can’t wait to dig into this author’s back catalogue.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel brings the plight of incarcerated women to the foreground and through Charli's experience we can see that the prison system is not always fair or just in it's treatment of women and their children. It's an informative read that is at times frustrating and heartbreaking, yet carries an important message. I enjoyed the author's note and acknowledgements at the end as they gave more context to the story and the author's personal reasons for writing it.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Handcuffed to a hospital bed, wrongly-convicted Charli gives birth to a daughter, who is then kidnapped.
Years later, she meets Camille, a nurse-turned lawyer who becomes interested in her situation and decides to help her, among other things, find her daughter.
This book ticked all the boxes:
Fantastic story? Check.
Sympathetic, yet complicated characters? Check.
Relevant? Check.
Well-researched? Check.
And the end was so satisfying.
But the best part? There are TWO OTHERS in this series.
Can’t wait to dig in.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am happy to support a local author, full stop. This book was a light, entertaining read and I appreciate the elevation of an important social issue re: incarcerated women and their difficulty getting their children back post serving time. The book had too many coincidences, some predictable. (although may be a point about what can happen in a smaller, big city). The bigger turn off for me was the overly gratuitous use of Seattle location specifics when the book would have been tighter without them. Regardless, I'll be checking out her other two "Camille" books.

[S.J. Kadile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful, gripping, and deeply emotional

Reading Unshackled by Amanda DuBois hit me hard. I felt the weight of every injustice, the desperation of mothers losing their children, and the fierce determination of Camille and Charli. The plot threaded legal drama, heartbreak, and raw truth into something impossible to put down.

I finished it shaken, inspired, and wanting everyone to read it. A must read.

[Chelsey Walker-Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unshackled is a thrilling page-turner of a legal thriller and the third installment of the Camille Delaney series. This installment explores the familial and societal impacts of women’s imprisonment through the lens of the opioid epidemic. Loved the Pacific Northwest setting and engaging characters! Highly recommend!

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that requires pauses to fully absorb its depth. It’s a captivating mystery thriller—a genre I absolutely love—but it offers so much more. It’s a poignant exploration of social justice and the brutal reality that women in prison face every day. Gripping, thought-provoking, and truly a must-read.

[Diana Snedeker simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I loved it!! It is fast moving and suspenseful. The author manages to teach about incarcerated women and the problems they face without dragging down the story.

[Jennifer VanSickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and engaging read that challenges the reader's perspective on the drug epidemic and incarceration vs. rehabilitation. This novel is an adept commentary on systemic prejudices wrapped in a thrilling mystery experienced through incredibly compelling characters.