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Framed: A Thriller
She's taking on Big Oil. But when her star witness is arrested for bank robbery, the fight for justice becomes a battle for survival.
Environmental attorney Jo Turner is building the case of a lifetime, suing World Petrol, one of the country's largest refineries, for toxic emissions linked to rising cancer rates along the Houston Ship Channel. Her crucial evidence comes from Dr. Tori Nelson, a respected physician and Jo's college crush, whose research exposes devastating community health impacts.
But just as the lawsuit gains momentum, Tori is arrested for a shocking, high-profile bank robbery. Jo knows it's a setup. Someone is trying to silence Tori to bury the findings that could bring World Petrol down.
As Jo races to prove Tori’s innocence, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy that reaches deeper than she imagined. With Tori's freedom, career, and the lives of an entire community at stake, Jo has a choice: walk away or risk everything.
She's never been good at walking away.
"Original, clever, deftly written, and a simply riveting read...A consummate legal thriller...the stuff of which high-tension movies are made." —Midwest Book Review
"With masterful pacing and a twist that will leave you breathless, Grayhall keeps readers guessing at every turn." —Michelle Cox, author of The Henrietta and Inspector Howard series
Grayhall's prose is clean, precise, and emotionally intelligent. She writes with the clarity of a scientist and the empathy of a novelist." —San Francisco Book Review (5 stars)
Environmental attorney Jo Turner is building the case of a lifetime, suing World Petrol, one of the country's largest refineries, for toxic emissions linked to rising cancer rates along the Houston Ship Channel. Her crucial evidence comes from Dr. Tori Nelson, a respected physician and Jo's college crush, whose research exposes devastating community health impacts.
But just as the lawsuit gains momentum, Tori is arrested for a shocking, high-profile bank robbery. Jo knows it's a setup. Someone is trying to silence Tori to bury the findings that could bring World Petrol down.
As Jo races to prove Tori’s innocence, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy that reaches deeper than she imagined. With Tori's freedom, career, and the lives of an entire community at stake, Jo has a choice: walk away or risk everything.
She's never been good at walking away.
"Original, clever, deftly written, and a simply riveting read...A consummate legal thriller...the stuff of which high-tension movies are made." —Midwest Book Review
"With masterful pacing and a twist that will leave you breathless, Grayhall keeps readers guessing at every turn." —Michelle Cox, author of The Henrietta and Inspector Howard series
Grayhall's prose is clean, precise, and emotionally intelligent. She writes with the clarity of a scientist and the empathy of a novelist." —San Francisco Book Review (5 stars)
- GenresThriller
324 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2026
36 people are currently reading
3390 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Grayhall
4 books94 followersPatricia Grayhall is a retired medical doctor. Her debut memoir, Making the Rounds; Defying Norms in Love and Medicine was an instant success, garnering a starred review in Kirkus Reviews and was among Kirkus' Best 100 Indie Books of 2022.
The memoir won many awards including two first place Best Indie Book Awards, It was also a Reader’s Favorite Award, and Firebird Award first place winner, a Nautilus Award second place winner, and a Nancy Pearl Best Book Award, Golden Crown Literary Award, American Book Fest Best Book Award, and Canadian Book Club Award finalist.
Patricia has published articles in Queer Forty, The Gay and Lesbian Review, The Millions, Lesbian Game Changers, and Seattle Magazine, among others. Podcast and NPR interviews appear on her website.
In 2023, Patricia pivoted to fiction, a pandemic project, publishing a romance novel with her partner, Golden Years and Silver Linings
Her most recent book, is a novel, A Place for Us.
Her current project is a thriller.
Patricia splits her time between Seattle and Vancouver Island, where she and her partner enjoy other people’s dogs, the noisy jostling of seals on the dock, the playfulness of otters, and the occasional sighting of an orca or black bear.
The memoir won many awards including two first place Best Indie Book Awards, It was also a Reader’s Favorite Award, and Firebird Award first place winner, a Nautilus Award second place winner, and a Nancy Pearl Best Book Award, Golden Crown Literary Award, American Book Fest Best Book Award, and Canadian Book Club Award finalist.
Patricia has published articles in Queer Forty, The Gay and Lesbian Review, The Millions, Lesbian Game Changers, and Seattle Magazine, among others. Podcast and NPR interviews appear on her website.
In 2023, Patricia pivoted to fiction, a pandemic project, publishing a romance novel with her partner, Golden Years and Silver Linings
Her most recent book, is a novel, A Place for Us.
Her current project is a thriller.
Patricia splits her time between Seattle and Vancouver Island, where she and her partner enjoy other people’s dogs, the noisy jostling of seals on the dock, the playfulness of otters, and the occasional sighting of an orca or black bear.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 23, 2026
Every good read
From beginning to the end it keeps you guessing and invariably. WRONG.A very good read. I certainly recommend it. As I said a twisted of a tale with lots of ins and outs.
From beginning to the end it keeps you guessing and invariably. WRONG.A very good read. I certainly recommend it. As I said a twisted of a tale with lots of ins and outs.
January 27, 2026
When two college friends reunite to work together, things take a turn that might affect more than their work. Jo Turner, an environmental attorney, came to Texas to both find plaintiffs for her case and work with her college friend, Dr. Tori Nelson. The work Tori is doing in her cancer research could be exactly what Jo needs for her case. They have a complicated past, but are coming together as friends and to work together.
Things take a dramatic turn when Tori is arrested by the FBI for robbing a bank. A conviction could seriously impact the reputation of her research. While Jo is in Texas, she helps Tori secure legal representation, and together they investigate who might be trying to frame Tori. The story is full of surprises, both concerning Tori's case and the mysterious events happening around them.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and the ARC was provided by Hidden Gems.
Things take a dramatic turn when Tori is arrested by the FBI for robbing a bank. A conviction could seriously impact the reputation of her research. While Jo is in Texas, she helps Tori secure legal representation, and together they investigate who might be trying to frame Tori. The story is full of surprises, both concerning Tori's case and the mysterious events happening around them.
This is the first book I have read by this author, and the ARC was provided by Hidden Gems.
January 28, 2026
Suspense, danger, intrigue, and a little romance fill the pages of this medical/legal thriller guaranteed to keep you wondering, OMG, what’s next? Of course, I was emotionally invested in the well-being and legal defense of Dr. Tori Nelson, the dedicated physician who risked it all to treat her patients, while researching the industrial environmental toxins causing so many of them to become sick and die. To further complicate her life, Dr. Tori needs to choose between two potential love interests, and I was torn as to which partner I wanted her to pick! Don’t relax too soon, as Patricia Grayhall has added some exciting twists to this one!
January 28, 2026
Riveting Thriller
This thriller, Framed, will keep you glued to the pages. Fast paced, excellent character development, and a plot that twists and turns throughout the book. The medical and legal material is accurately presented and its obvious that the author did serious research into "Big Oil". Framed is a clever, intriguing thriller that will surprise you over and over again.
This thriller, Framed, will keep you glued to the pages. Fast paced, excellent character development, and a plot that twists and turns throughout the book. The medical and legal material is accurately presented and its obvious that the author did serious research into "Big Oil". Framed is a clever, intriguing thriller that will surprise you over and over again.
January 20, 2026
She is bringing the oil company to justice for deadly emissions which is having devastating consequences on the people near them. The scientist who found them is arrested for murder and she knows they are trying to silence him. It is a fast read so see how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
January 31, 2026
Very good Very good book
I am so glad I read this book this is the 1st for this author I guess couldn't put it down it caught me from day 1Love the storyline the characters were great it kept me up at night I'm so glad I read this book I recommend this book And you will be surprised
I am so glad I read this book this is the 1st for this author I guess couldn't put it down it caught me from day 1Love the storyline the characters were great it kept me up at night I'm so glad I read this book I recommend this book And you will be surprised
January 24, 2026
Framed is a clever romp of a read that’s packed with suspense, romance, and social relevance. Every page pulls you deeper into the ride, and then just when you think you’ve reached the finale, the unexpected ending bowls you over. A captivating story from start to finish.
February 4, 2026
Framed is a well-written, riveting read, and an important subject. I was captured from the beginning by the well-drawn characters as they found their way through relationship challenges and chase scenes to fight corporate greed and do right by their clients. Reader beware: plot twists!
February 16, 2026
This thriller hooked me from page one and did not let go. The character development, plot twists, and social issues woven together captivated me and the big twist at the end blew me away. I highly recommend this book.
January 19, 2026
I enjoy this book. I just had a hard time keeping up with what was happening throughout the story.
January 24, 2026
A thriller to the end
Framed is well written and held my attention until I finished it. Well executed story with great characters. I hope the author continues this as a series
Framed is well written and held my attention until I finished it. Well executed story with great characters. I hope the author continues this as a series
February 3, 2026
A gripping page turner - a brilliant blend of medical and legal thriller with an ending that does not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews