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Wrongful Conviction Mystery #3
Wrongful Conviction
"Suspicious Evidence
Life in prison. That's what Leland Booker got for killing his wife and daughters 40 years ago. But did he really?
When Adam Bennett, an eager and doggedly determined third-year law student, reopens the case, his impassioned conviction that the real killer remains free shakes up a world of questionable characters. It also wins over the reluctant help of lawyer Cate Stokes, former babysitter for Leland's girls.
As the pair dig for legal loopholes armed with scattered leads, the case drags empathic and pensive Cate into a past littered with secrets and a present full of confessions, suppressed evidence and dead witnesses.
Full of riveting twists and turns, Kendall Road tackles the racially biased realities of a justice system gone wrong while keeping readers guessing till the very end in this fourth masterpiece by Janet Heijens.
Life in prison. That's what Leland Booker got for killing his wife and daughters 40 years ago. But did he really?
When Adam Bennett, an eager and doggedly determined third-year law student, reopens the case, his impassioned conviction that the real killer remains free shakes up a world of questionable characters. It also wins over the reluctant help of lawyer Cate Stokes, former babysitter for Leland's girls.
As the pair dig for legal loopholes armed with scattered leads, the case drags empathic and pensive Cate into a past littered with secrets and a present full of confessions, suppressed evidence and dead witnesses.
Full of riveting twists and turns, Kendall Road tackles the racially biased realities of a justice system gone wrong while keeping readers guessing till the very end in this fourth masterpiece by Janet Heijens.
- GenresFiction
295 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
2092 people want to read
About the author
Janet Heijens
4 books21 followersJanet Heijens is the author of the Wrongful Conviction Mystery Series including SPANISH POINT, SNOOK WALLOW, CASPERSEN BEACH and WRONGFUL CONVICTION.
Detective Lalo Sanchez returns in SPANISH POINT to solve another Wrongful Conviction Mystery. Once again he partners with retired Lawyer, Cate Stokes, to prove their client, Jez Landon - currently serving time in Florida's infamous Lowell Women's Prison - is innocent of murdering her pimp. Armed with very few clues, Lalo and Cate are determined to find justice for Jez. A dark look at the underbelly of human trafficking and abuse, SPANISH POINT delivers a surprise ending that has become the signature style of Ms. Heijens' novels.
Pinnacle Book Award winning SNOOK WALLOW transports Heijens' readers back to South Florida where the death penalty is the law of the land and drug-dealing traffickers abound. Earning a Starred Kirkus Review, Heijens keeps readers guessing until the last page is turned.
In CASPERSEN BEACH, an innocent man is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a small child. Years later, as a homeless woman lay dying, she confesses to knowing who murdered the little girl. With another child's fate hanging in the balance, Cate and Lalo rush to find the real killer.
WRONGFUL CONVICTION, the prequel to Heijens' other three books, exposes flaws in a racially biased legal world. Cate Stokes attempts to clear a wrongfully convicted man who is serving a life sentence for killing his wife and two children. With a myriad of twists and turns, WRONGFUL CONVICTION premiers a cast of characters who won't soon be forgotten.
Ms. Heijens lives with her husband, Pieter in Sarasota, Florida
Detective Lalo Sanchez returns in SPANISH POINT to solve another Wrongful Conviction Mystery. Once again he partners with retired Lawyer, Cate Stokes, to prove their client, Jez Landon - currently serving time in Florida's infamous Lowell Women's Prison - is innocent of murdering her pimp. Armed with very few clues, Lalo and Cate are determined to find justice for Jez. A dark look at the underbelly of human trafficking and abuse, SPANISH POINT delivers a surprise ending that has become the signature style of Ms. Heijens' novels.
Pinnacle Book Award winning SNOOK WALLOW transports Heijens' readers back to South Florida where the death penalty is the law of the land and drug-dealing traffickers abound. Earning a Starred Kirkus Review, Heijens keeps readers guessing until the last page is turned.
In CASPERSEN BEACH, an innocent man is sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a small child. Years later, as a homeless woman lay dying, she confesses to knowing who murdered the little girl. With another child's fate hanging in the balance, Cate and Lalo rush to find the real killer.
WRONGFUL CONVICTION, the prequel to Heijens' other three books, exposes flaws in a racially biased legal world. Cate Stokes attempts to clear a wrongfully convicted man who is serving a life sentence for killing his wife and two children. With a myriad of twists and turns, WRONGFUL CONVICTION premiers a cast of characters who won't soon be forgotten.
Ms. Heijens lives with her husband, Pieter in Sarasota, Florida
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 14, 2015
I won Wrongful Conviction by Janet Heijens from Goodreads.
In her novel, Wrongful Conviction, Janet Heijens transitions smoothly back and forth in time as the protagonist, Jean Jankowski, revisits painful and confusing memories in an effort to help find the truth in an old murder case. Readers are instantly drawn into the story and into the characters' lives and secrets. Those secrets affect Jankowski throughout the novel, leading to a surprising, yet satisfying, ending.
Wrongful Conviction is a great mystery for readers who enjoy solving the puzzle along with the protagonist. Readers who favor mysteries with an emphasis on character will also appreciate this well-crafted whodunit.
I look forward to more Jean Jankowski mysteries.
In her novel, Wrongful Conviction, Janet Heijens transitions smoothly back and forth in time as the protagonist, Jean Jankowski, revisits painful and confusing memories in an effort to help find the truth in an old murder case. Readers are instantly drawn into the story and into the characters' lives and secrets. Those secrets affect Jankowski throughout the novel, leading to a surprising, yet satisfying, ending.
Wrongful Conviction is a great mystery for readers who enjoy solving the puzzle along with the protagonist. Readers who favor mysteries with an emphasis on character will also appreciate this well-crafted whodunit.
I look forward to more Jean Jankowski mysteries.
October 4, 2025
I had read a book by this author previously and really enjoyed it, so I bought another in the series at the local bookstore in Venice, Florida. The protagonist is the same as the previous book I read, lawyer Cate Stokes. The book is a great mystery as I was not able to guess who was the murderer. It involves a 30 year old case and a college student who looks at the case as part of a class project. It's an easy, enjoyable read. This book was set priamrily in the northeast, but involved a trip to meet with a witness in Venice, Florida. I preferred her previous book, which was set 100% in Florida, but this was still good and I would read more of her series.
August 22, 2023
Wrongful conviction. Circumstancial evidence. 40+ years time. Errors in judgment. Possible? This mystery kept me reading and reading and reading! The twists, turns, and results were unexpected.
December 7, 2016
An excellent debut novel by Janet Heijens. The characters were well crafted. Her main character, Jean Jankowski, was immediately likeable. The story line was engaging and well plotted. Plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Can't wait for her next book.Wrongful Conviction
January 9, 2016
Fun mystery!
Relatable characters you can bond with. If you like Iris Johansen, Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell, Janet Evanovich, or the like, this will not disappoint. My only "criticism" is a couple parts that seemed to drag a little. Minor drawback. Have fun with this one!
Relatable characters you can bond with. If you like Iris Johansen, Mary Higgins Clark, Patricia Cornwell, Janet Evanovich, or the like, this will not disappoint. My only "criticism" is a couple parts that seemed to drag a little. Minor drawback. Have fun with this one!
November 6, 2015
This is a first book from the author and I am excited to see more. She creates a very believable lead character and the plot has a satisfying twist or two. But I most appreciate her writing, which draws the reader in, builds suspense, and keeps you interested long after you should have gone to sleep. Highly recommend this!
November 13, 2023
Critical praise from Kirkus Reviews for Wrongful Conviction. "A high school teacher's world goes haywire when a law student probes a 30-year-old case. Heijens premiers a rare heroine who's both gritty and reflective. Here's hoping for a series."
September 20, 2015
I liked the narrator of this book, a high school chemistry teacher, teams with a law student to examine the conviction of the father of the girls she babysat for one summer. Interesting ending - not expected but logical. Kept me reading!
December 12, 2015
interesting twists, but I couldn't get over the fact that the heroine initially neglected to tell the police about a break-in, which she should have realized could be important--so I never identified with her.
June 11, 2017
Carefully constructed and well written. Lots of red herrings as the story evolves. Really felt engaged with the narrator and Adam, the college kid investigating earlier murders for a class. Can't wait to start her next book, Snook Hollow.
September 15, 2015
Excellent book! The end totally took me by surprise. Hope Janet has more to come
October 6, 2015
Great read. Suspenseful and interesting. Keeps you guessing. I hope there is more to come!
February 1, 2016
Excellent debut novel. Wonderful characters and well developed story. Hope this is the beginning of a long series.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews