Heather was only fifteen when she died by suicide. Her father wants justice. The system wants silence.
After his daughter’s tragic death, Dennis is devastated, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. Desperate for accountability, he seeks an attorney to settle the score.
Enter Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who impulsively takes the case, hoping for a quick settlement. But the deeper he digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets, conflicting loyalties, and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. As courtroom tensions rise, relationships fracture, alliances shift, and the line between justice and greed begins to blur.
Inspired by true events, The Edge of Guilt is a gripping legal drama that delves into the gray areas of justice, morality, and grief—captivating readers from the first page and resonating long after the final verdict.
Perfect for fans of Defending Jacob by William Landay, Reversible Errors by Scott Turow, and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, this story blends courtroom suspense with emotional depth and real-world ethical complexity.
David Miraldi is an author, attorney, and artist hailing from Lorain, Ohio. With a career in civil law that spans over four decades, David has dedicated himself to championing the cause of the common man against insurance conglomerates and corporate giants.
A graduate of The College of Wooster (1975), David earned his law degree with honors from The Ohio State Moritz College of Law. Driven by an innate sense of duty, he returned to his hometown to practice alongside his father and brother, serving the community that shaped him.
An author with a flair for narrative nonfiction, David made waves with his debut book, "The Edge of Innocence: The Trial of Casper Bennett," which was crowned the 2018 Book of the Year by the prestigious International Rubery Book Awards. He further cemented his reputation as a storyteller with his sophomore release, "The Edge of Malice: The Marie Grossman Story," earning accolades from Kirkus Reviews as a "superbly crafted nonfiction drama" and receiving a shortlisting by Rubery for its 2021 awards.
Beyond the courtroom and the written page, David's creative spirit finds outlets through photography and music. His evocative photographs often grace local exhibits, and he generously donates the proceeds from their sales to charity. A pianist with eclectic tastes, David composes original pieces and has a predilection for classical, ragtime, and contemporary music. He is also a fitness enthusiast and engages in tennis, swimming, cycling, and gardening.
David shares his life with his beloved wife, Leslee, also a lawyer, and they are the proud parents of three children and doting grandparents to three grandchildren. They continue to make Avon, Ohio, their home.
Moral Reckoning and Phycological Depth The Edge of Guilt by David Miranda is a meticulously crafted narrative that delves into the intricate dynamics of moral responsibility and personal conscience. With refined prose and deliberate pacing, Miranda constructs a psychological exploration of guilt and its enduring impact on the human psyche. The characters are thoughtfully developed, and the novel interrogates themes of accountability, remorse, and ethical ambiguity. This work stands as a poignant and intellectually engaging contribution to contemporary literary fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi was hard to put down. It grabbed me right from the start, and I was able to finish the story in one day. The characters were well-developed, and the story was intriguing with its complex web of grief, justice, and personal betrayal following the tragic suicide of a young girl named Heather. The story is told from multiple perspectives.
Heather's father, Dennis, wants to sue the psychiatrist he blames for Heather's suicide. He hires Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who initially views the case as a chance for an easy win. His journey from indifference to deep engagement serves as a powerful narrative arc, allowing readers to witness his transformation as he unearths the darker realities of the case.
As Paul delves deeper, the ethical dilemmas he encounters become increasingly complex. The story details show the blurred lines between right and wrong, and the courtroom scenes are tense. The supporting characters add depth to the narrative, each bringing their own motivations and conflicts, which only serve to heighten the drama.
The author's writing is sharp and engaging. The pacing is excellent, balancing moments of intense action with introspective reflections on loss and the pursuit of truth. The story is a gripping exploration of what happens when personal tragedies collide with professional ethics and is a powerful story with difficult moral questions.
I would recommend this book. I would read more by this author.
Inspired by true events this gripping legal drama is captivating to no ends. It tells the story of a father devastated by the tragic death of his daughter, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. He seeks an attorney and enters Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney, taking the case….
What a well-crafted story told with a measured prose and efficient pacing while it delves into the human psyche. The more Paul digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. The author’s words reflect the inner turmoil he faces with aplomb. Nicely said and done. The courtroom scenes are filled with tension ….a fine line between greed and justice becomes rather vague…all along the proceedings I stood on the fence undecided if I was on the father side or not, whether I wanted Paul to win or loose the case.
I was hooked from the start; the storyline is captivating and plays with your emotions to keep you engaged till you reach the final verdict. What a wonderful blend of courtroom suspense and ethical ambiguity. The author excelled in bringing to life a case where the areas of justice, morality and grief are conflicting.
Well-done, well-said.
Thank you Book Whisperer for providing this ARC for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
David Miraldi’s The Edge of Guilt is a gripping psychological thriller that deftly explores the boundaries of morality, justice, and human fragility. Set against the backdrop of a high-stakes legal drama, the novel weaves together courtroom tension, personal demons, and ethical dilemmas into a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally harrowing. Miraldi’s background in law lends authenticity to the proceedings, while his sharp prose and nuanced characterizations elevate this beyond typical genre fare.
Content and Themes The novel follows defense attorney Daniel Carver as he takes on the case of a wealthy businessman accused of murdering his wife. What begins as a straightforward criminal defense spirals into a labyrinth of deception, forcing Carver to confront his own ethical boundaries and suppressed guilt over a past professional failure. Key themes include:
Moral Ambiguity: Miraldi challenges simplistic notions of guilt and innocence, presenting characters who exist in shades of gray.
The Burden of Justice: The novel scrutinizes how legal systems can obscure truth as often as they reveal it.
Psychological Unraveling: Carver’s increasing obsession with the case blurs his professional detachment, mirroring the novel’s broader meditation on sanity and perception.
Class and Privilege: The defendant’s wealth and influence cast a shadow over the proceedings, raising questions about who the law truly serves.
Strengths
Authentic Legal Detail: Miraldi’s expertise grounds the courtroom scenes in realism without overwhelming the narrative with jargon.
Complex Protagonist: Carver is a compelling antihero—brilliant but flawed, sympathetic but frustratingly self-destructive.
Pacing: The novel balances procedural methodicalness with thriller-like tension, particularly in its explosive third act.
Atmosphere: A pervasive sense of unease lingers throughout, enhanced by Miraldi’s evocative descriptions of urban decay and claustrophobic legal spaces.
Areas for Improvement
Supporting Characters: Some secondary figures (particularly female roles) feel underdeveloped compared to Carver’s depth.
Twist Reliance: A late-game revelation, while shocking, slightly strains credulity given the novel’s otherwise grounded tone.
Thematic Repetition: Certain moral debates recur without significant progression, occasionally slowing momentum.
Score Breakdown (Out of 5) Legal Authenticity: 4.8/5 (Riveting procedural accuracy with minor dramatic liberties) Character Depth: 4.4/5 (Carver shines; others fade in comparison) Plot Construction: 4.6/5 (Taut until a slightly overstretched climax) Prose and Style: 4.5/5 (Precise if occasionally workmanlike) Psychological Insight: 4.7/5 (Nuanced exploration of guilt and obsession) Overall Rating: 4.6/5
The Edge of Guilt is a standout legal thriller that transcends genre conventions through Miraldi’s willingness to interrogate the human cost of justice. While its supporting cast and climactic twists prevent perfection, the novel’s intellectual rigor and emotional punch make it a memorable read. Fans of morally complex narratives will find Carver’s journey—and Miraldi’s unflinching gaze—impossible to forget.
Acknowledgments Thank you to NetGalley and David Miraldi for providing an advance copy of The Edge of Guilt. This review reflects my sincere engagement with the novel’s provocative blend of legal drama and psychological depth.
The Publisher Says: Heather was only fifteen when she died by suicide. Her father wants justice. The system wants silence.
After his daughter’s tragic death, Dennis is devastated, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. Desperate for accountability, he seeks an attorney to settle the score.
Enter Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who impulsively takes the case, hoping for a quick settlement. But the deeper he digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets, conflicting loyalties, and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. As courtroom tensions rise, relationships fracture, alliances shift, and the line between justice and greed begins to blur.
Inspired by true events, The Edge of Guilt is a gripping legal drama that delves into the gray areas of justice, morality, and grief—captivating readers from the first page and resonating long after the final verdict.
Perfect for fans of Defending Jacob by William Landay, Reversible Errors by Scott Turow, and Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, this story blends courtroom suspense with emotional depth and real-world ethical complexity.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Legal dramas don't come much more grabby than a grieving father trying to wrap his head around his child's death. Failing that, he sets out to get revenge, or as he thinks of it, "Justice."
The big issue is an Eternal Verity: NEVER START A LAWSUIT IF YOU'RE GUILTY. Of what, well, look at Oscar Wilde if you just want a case study of why this is the world's worst idea. The author's a civil lawyer, so no doubt accustomed to lying clients. I'm not all the way convinced that isn't why there's a twist at the latter stages of the story...was that really a good idea is not settled in my mind.
The real characters here are the lawyer and the father. They eat all our attention, seemingly by design as there aren't any female characters including the dead daughter who speak much still less say anything important.
I won't say it was my favorite read of May 2025 but I never rolled my eyes and resisted picking it up. The comps above seem accurate to me. I liked the Landay book pretty much exactly the same intensity as I liked this one, and for similar reasons of moral complexity. If you like courtroom dramas, this definitely makes its bones there; if you're after a solid tale of grief managed poorly, here you go; if you like a surprise ending, the kettle's on in Author Miraldi's story kitchen.
Paul Schofield graduated near the top of his law school class, but due to some idealistic decisions that didn’t pan out the way he thought they would, the small, two-person office he has in his hometown is on the verge of bankruptcy. Enter Dennis and Cindy Zurcher, who have lost their daughter to suicide and want to sue her psychiatrist for negligence. Paul jumps at what seems like a certain win and locks himself into an agreement that will ruin him to break it before finding out the truth, that things are far more complicated than they had been portrayed to him. At this point, however, he has no choice but to continue and hope to pull off what seems like an unlikely legal victory. This is the situation at the beginning of The Edge of Guilt, by David Maraldi.
I enjoyed this book, was sucked in by the case (even though which there are few people to like on either side) and its complexities, and found both Paul and his put-upon wife Wendy, who must put her education on hold to serve as Paul’s secretary when he finds the current one is stealing from him, to be sympathetic characters. I also loved Paul’s firebrand sister Susie. However, the biggest weakness in my view is the portrayal of Dennis, the dead girl’s father, and Ingram, the opposing lawyer, who seem to be rather two-dimensional “bad guys.” Dennis is the classic controlling husband and father, overweight and bombastic, and Ingram, in particular, is almost a caricature of the slimy insurance company lawyer. The standard shortcut these days, even in a case where sex and gender are pretty much nonexistent factors, seems to be to signal that someone is a “villain” by having him size up every woman he meets as a possible sexual partner and to assume that any woman who isn’t interested in him must be gay, which I find a bit boring. People are complex and much more interesting when they hav both good and bad points, but these two aren’t in the least.
Apart from that, however, the case and the trial definitely kept me on the edge of my seat right until the final verdict was delivered, and I will consider reading other books by this author. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of The Edge of Guilt from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although “The Edge of Guilt” is the fourth volume in a set of true crime thrillers based on legal cases in his small, home town of Lorain, Ohio by attorney and author David Miraldi called “The Edge Of: Crime, Innocence, and Justice,” it is the only one that I have read. I was offered an advanced reader’s copy by Book Whisperer to read and thank NetGalley and Mr. Miraldi for allowing me to read it for free. This book is said to be fiction based on actual events, while the other books in the series are described as narrative nonfiction. I’m unclear as to the difference, not having read the others and not having read anything other than this book regarding the facts referenced in it. My review is voluntary.
Mr. Miraldi is a good writer, and as with most trials, the reader is kept in perpetual suspense, vacillating constantly throughout the book as to what the end result will be. The outcome isn’t known until the very end of the book. Speaking as a retired attorney, this is reality, particularly when a case goes to trial. The way Mr. Miraldi structured the book was very interesting, starting with the facts of the case, moving on to the lawsuit, and concluding with the trial.
What I found most troubling about this book was the lack of ethics on the parts of several attorneys involved as well as a court employee. Each incidence of misconduct sickened me and reinforced stereotypes that give attorneys bad reputations. It’s quite embarrassing. But the lack of ethics isn’t limited to the attorneys. This case involves claims of medical malpractice, and both the doctor accused of negligence and the defense expert repeatedly lied or misled the jury or otherwise acted unethically. It’s a sad commentary on society.
The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi was an entertaining courtroom drama. A young girl had committed suicide, by overdose of prescribed medication. Two things had happened: the doctor had performed electro-shock therapy, possibly inappropriate for her age; and he had given her parents medication for her without proper warnings. Primarily because he father was obnoxious, the case had been turned down by other law firms, a fact Paul Schofield was not aware of. Until he tried to get a co-council. He was in deep. He needed the money but he also thought the case had merit, especially when he discovered the doctor had altered the medical file (after her death) to reflect the warning he had (or not) given the parents. It was a tough case and there was a lot going on in addition: possible spousal abuse; malpractice by expert witnesses, his own future in law, and more.
I love courtroom drama; the maneuvering. It kind of bothers me that this is what happens in real life; that it’s more about the maneuvering than justice, but it does make for an entertaining read. Paul was a good guy. That was probably some of the problem. He wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to believe in his clients. Even when the dad acted out in court, he wanted to believe. His wife had had to stop her education in order to be his secretary. He couldn’t afford to pay any one. She was smart and caring and added greatly to the story. It was a good plot, believable. All of the characters were good, even if they were obnoxious. The story flowed well, despite the fact it was told over months. Good read.
I was invited to read The Edge of Guilt by Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #DavidMiraldi #TheEdgeofGuilt
My thanks to NetGalley for this review copy. This review is my honest opinion and based on my reading the book. 3.5 stars
This is my first book from the author and his style of writing intrigues me. I will be definitely picking another book from him after this one. This is a legal thriller (again one of my fav vertical) with a heart.
The story starts with a gut wrenching tragedy - Heather, a fifteen-year-old girl, commits suicide, leaving her father Dennis desperate for to fix the blame on someone. He blames her psychiatrist and hires Paul Schofield, an attorney hoping for a quick result. What unfolds is a deeper and complex legal drama.
The story offers extremely compelling emotional punches which is backed with some good character development, of which Paul’s slow transformation stands out as he moves from being a disengaged lawyer into moral crusader. David's writing has moments of real power and the courtroom scenes connect and grip.
The flip side is the inconsistency in execution which stutters on occasions. Narrative shifts and some tall plot twists make the story laborious. . The story aims to shine a light on burning issues like mental health and systemic failure, the tone seems more suited for the screen and this undermines the focus.
Overall the story is engaging, particularly for fans like me who love legal dramas with overwhelming emotions and moral complexity. The flow may not be perfect but it has enough heart and intrigue to make it worth reading.
Okay, The Edge of Guilt? Whew. This one grabbed me by the moral compass and wouldn’t let go.
It kicks off with heartbreak—Heather, just fifteen, dies by suicide. Her father wants justice. The system wants it to go away quietly. Enter Paul Schofield, a low-key disaster of an attorney who signs on thinking he’s just filing some paperwork… and ends up in a courtroom rollercoaster full of secrets, ethics, and high-stakes tension.
Miraldi’s writing? Clean, compelling, and just gritty enough to make you feel like you’re eavesdropping on real legal drama. The pacing? Chef’s kiss—no dragging, just a steady unraveling of the truth. And the character development? Let’s just say I went from “Paul, what are you doing?” to “Paul, I get you” real fast.
If you love courtroom showdowns, moral gray areas, and stories that make you question everything, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect a neat little bow—this book’s got teeth.
Thank you to Book Whisperer for providing this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.
Step into the legal world with The Edge of Guilt. A lawsuit surrounding the death of 15 year old Heather Zurcher, who overdoses. Her parents, mostly her dad, hires a struggling lawyer Paul Schofield to fight this case. Question is, how strong of a case do they have?
The way David Miraldi wrote this book lets you feel what they feel and really makes you think. It gives you a glimpse into the legal world especially behind the scenes of before, during and after a case. The way the characters are written and the storyline brings out all your emotions. It touches on how grief can bring people together, how truths can be buried and everyday moral struggles. It is a slow burn but the ending is so worth it. Once I reached the trail part, I could not put it down. Highly recommend to read if you like legal dramas.
Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher, for the advance copy for an honest review.
There’s definitely a compelling story in Edge of Guilt, but I couldn’t stick around long enough to see if it finds its footing—this one just wasn’t for me.
Odd shifts from first to third person pulled me out of the narrative, and the pacing never quite smoothed out, some wildly implausible plot turns—like the medical records subterfuge, which felt like a low-budget Mission: Impossible with lawyers meant I really struggled to engage with this.
That said, I do think this could work well as a limited series. The melodrama would play well onscreen. But for a book “inspired by true events” this felt overly dramatic and took away from the overarching theme of the book which I felt should have been the importance of mental health.
I made it to 25%, hoping it would settle. But in the end, I was rolling my eyes more than turning pages and had to conclude I’m not the audience for this.
Heather was only fifteen when she died by suicide. Her father wants justice. The system wants silence.
After his daughter’s tragic death, Dennis is devastated, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. Desperate for accountability, he seeks an attorney to settle the score.
Enter Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who impulsively takes the case, hoping for a quick settlement. But the deeper he digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets, conflicting loyalties, and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. As courtroom tensions rise, relationships fracture, alliances shift, and the line between justice and greed begins to blur.
From the outset, I was engrossed in this legal thriller, which unfolds in parts and maintains tension until the verdict is announced. The author's decision to employ a court proceedings format was a notable aspect that I appreciated.
This grabbed me from start to finish! The story was intriguing and complex, containing a mixture of grief, justice, family trauma & personal tragedies.
The story is told from multiple povs, and is about the tragic suicide of a young girl called Heather.
Heather’s disgusting father Dennis wants to sue the psychiatrist for his daughter’s suicide but struggles to find an attorney who believes he has a case.
Paul, an attorney struggling with hospital bills and other financial difficulties accepts the case but the ethical dilemmas he encounters are complex. The courtroom scenes are written beautifully, I felt like I was in the room.. super tense, sharp and engaging. The story is powerful and shows the difficulty when faced with moral questions
I recommend this! Was kindly gifted this arc from NetGalley
When his daughter commits suicide, all this father wants is to know WHY? The answers do not help his grief, nor account for the failure of the mental health community to help his daughter. As he struggles with her death, this father decides the only way to get the truth is to go to court. David Miraldi's compelling story of a father and his lawyer reminds me of some of John Grisham's early books. Readers are pulled into the story by the first chapter. The search for answers keeps the tension stretching from one character to the next, asking which ones can they trust and how this could have happened? I'd not read any of Miraldi's The Edge Of books. This example of his skills has me checking for the other 3 to add to my TBR list.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the "THE EDGE OF GUILT" Wow sit back & devour this psychological thriller, full of intense drama, guilt, secrets revealed, emotional turmoil, justice, greif, angst, suspense, hooking you to the end. Dennis Zurcher & hus wife Cindy are greif stricken by their 15yr.old daughters suicide & he blames her psychiatrist. Dennis hires Paul Schofeild to take the psychiatrist to court wanting justice for his daughter. When they start looking into the psychiatrist they uncover secrets & other things that shakes Dennis, also causing tension in the courtroom. Will Dennis & Cindy get the justice they want for their daughters suicide a must read to see what happens.
Paul is a good but struggling attorney and is in desperate need of a good case as he’s about to lose his home. Dennis and his wife, Cindy, come to Paul’s office after being turned down by many other lawyers. Their teenage daughter committed suicide shortly after being in the care of a psychiatrist. Her father is determined to bring a malpractice suit against the psychiatrist and receive a large cash settlement. Paul believes this is his chance to save his practice and his home even though he doesn’t like his client.
This is a novel based on true events that includes grief, greed and courtroom drama.
This novel had me hooked from the start! The author does an amazing job of developing both the characters and storyline! I love legal thrillers and this one did not disappoint- it’s very evident that the author took the time to thoroughly research the court process and translate it into both a relatable and engaging form for the reader!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece of work Thank you Net Galley, David Miraldi and Book Whisperer for allowing me to review this advanced copy of A Deafening Silence. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review.
This was a complicated book and it was so interesting working out who was at fault. I just didnt realise that Electric shock therapy is still around and then combined with the after effects of PTSD it makes for a very complicated family life. The legal system in America is very different to England - I think but then I havent really had any experience with it but it seemed very interesting how the father was shopping around and getting rejected. The book kept me completely captivated and I had to keep reading.
With my own sense of justice wavering between what my brain tells me is right, and therefore lawful, and what my heart tells me is right, and therefore the morality that strongly guides my conscience, this was a book that was an emotional struggle for me! I couldn’t put it down! Thank you for a book that pulled emotions in so many directions. That’s when I know an author has achieved greatness. The story, characters, pace, struggles, everything was real.
This is the 3rd book I've read by this author in 2 weeks. If I hadn't had other obligations, I'd have read these page turners in days! David Miraldi is a fabulous writer who knows his stuff and presents it in such a delightful way I was hard pressed to put these books down. My greatest disappointment is not knowing when he will release another book. Until he does, I will be anxiously waiting for his next work. I do hope it's soon. Excellent books, each one!
Courtesy of The Book Whisperer and Netgalley, I received the ARC of The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi. This legal drama highlights a medical malpractice lawsuit related to the death of a sixteen year old. Investigating a family under stress, with loss and secrets, attorney Paul Schofield searches for justice and truth during the courtroom trial. Extremely well written, I couldn't stop reading! If this was a series, I would binge watch to reach the conclusion!
Wow. This was a book that I couldn't put down. I was constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I now want to read the other books by this author that I haven't read before. This was my first by him and won't be my last. Well written and so good!
I received a complimentary copy from netgalley but was not required to read it. All opinions are my own.
Edge of Guilt is the latest courtroom drama by Miraldi. Unlike his earlier books, this one isn't based on an actual case, but rather around various possible situations. It definitely reads as if it's true though, especially with the local locations included. Fast paced, wonderfully multifaceted. Highly recommend!
Sadly, I can’t finish this book. The main character turned me off of the story from the first chapter. They were the most unlikable people I was ever introduced to in a story. I read some of the reviews from people who loved it and I’m happy they enjoyed it, but I just couldn’t go beyond the first few chapters.
Excellent legal story. If you like courtroom battles and/or medical drama, this is the book for you. It’s an easy read and will keep you glued to the story. Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to real this book in exchange for an honest review.
Personally, I thought the 'speed' of the story was a bit slow, but it did pick up speed as I went along. I enjoyed how Paul handled the father in this case. I loved the ending!!!! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.