Expert Witness

by Karen Knutson

It's mid-November and nurse practitioner Elle Larson is gearing up for another quiet Thanksgiving in Charlotte. Twenty-nine, single, and struggling to keep her geriatric care management business afloat, Elle is eager to please when her mentor, attorney Tommy Sumpter, asks her to do a medical evaluation of an elderly client for his upcoming guardianship hearing. Elle's resolve quickly turns to chaos after she arrives at Charlie Blackwell's mansion and finds him comatose from a fentanyl overdose. When she discovers his missing caregiver's dead body later that morning, what started as a typical day on the job quickly becomes the most difficult case of her career. Now Elle must decide if facing an unknown killer is worth securing a fair trial for Charlie-and saving both of their lives.

Set against the backdrop of mid-1990s Charlotte, North Carolina, this debut novel by nurse practitioner-turned-author Karen Knutson, is equal parts vibrant and chilling; a smartly written mystery that sheds light on elder abuse in America.

298 pages, Hardcover

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Jacob Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining read to say the least. Felt like the author really settled in and delivered a good and intriguing story once the situation was thoroughly set up.

Obviously the dramatic pieces of this are probably pretty rare but the “taking advantage of old people” aspect is kinda sadly super common I would imagine. Makes ya think.

Elle was fun! I liked David and Josh. Peggy was my favorite character for personal reasons.

There is no such thing as “Carolina Blue”.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

So well written with meticulous care on the details of the laws for guardianship and court proceedings. I loved the character of Elle. She was such a lovely young woman with such compassion and vulnerability, so real. The groundwork for the story was laid in the beginning with a slow burn and superb wrap up at the end.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the story and the details but sometimes it felt cheesy

[Eve Sauter]

A suspenseful story unwinds with unimagined twists, one after another. Missing fentanyl patches and drug tampering complicate the work of nurse practitioner Elle Larson. Recruited as an expert witness for a contentious guardianship hearing, Elle carefully navigates the intricate protocols of mental health assessment and its governing laws so she can testify in court. The goal is outsmarting those characters who would abuse her client Charlie Blackwell for power and monetary gain. It's an eye-opener on how medical diagnosis can be corrupted and about those who protect the vulnerable. Elle enjoys her single life, with a lot on her plate. Yet she is driven by her obligation to her elderly client, and in the process, wins a handsome young doctor over to her side...literally. It's a glimpse into the Southern ambiance of 1990s Charlotte, NC, and into what remains of the wealth from the city's little known role in the Gold Rush of 1800. There is never a dull moment in this chilling tale of greed and in the drive a young woman to make things right. Enjoy the read!

[Vast · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only a fun read but is also an educational one. In addition to watching Elle Larson, the main character, do her job, one joins her as she becomes a sleuth to solve a crime related to one of her clients. One learns about patient elder care and the legal requirements related to such care. Some police procedurals are included as the investigation continues and there are also tidbits of Charlotte, North Carolina history thrown in for good measure. I bet most people who receive elder care or have a relative receiving such care, hope that their care giver is someone like Elle who believes that it is her job to take care of her clients in whatever way is necessary. I’m sure Elle’s client list will rise after this crime is solved.

[Katherine Comess · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great summer read! I appreciate that the author has a firm background in the subject matter. Also, living in the South (Virginia), I’m enjoying the references to the Charlotte area. A good whodunnit with a bit of romance, courtroom suspense, and medical jargon…in other words, something for everyone!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping book based on fiction but with reality to the real world. Lots of truth to what we all will face as we age and dependent on others. Hopefully with less drama and circumstances. A great read and thought provoking.

[Stephen E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding summer read that engages from the first page. Addressing a social issue, elder abuse, through a gripping and suspenseful tale of murder, greed and a young professional's evolution.

Don't miss Knutson's debut novel. You'll want more from this talented author.

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