The Advocate's Ultimatum: Legal Suspense Murder Mystery

The Advocate #21

by Teresa Burrell

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2026

About the author

Teresa Burrell maintained a private law practice where her work focused on abused minors. She has received several awards for her countless hours of pro bono work with children and their families. Burrell has also enjoyed a satisfying career as a teacher, working with children of all ages with diverse backgrounds and special needs. Now in semi-retirement, Burrell continues to educate groups about social issues impacting children and write novels, many of which are inspired by actual cases.

She has written 22 mystery novels: 17 in The Advocate Series, 4 in the Tuper Mystery Series, and one standalone, co-authored with LJ Sellers.

Reviews

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Attorney Sabre Brown is taking a break from being a child advocate, worn down by the work and maybe a belief that what she did didn’t really make a difference in the life of children. A judge hooks her back into the fight with the case of a 15-year-old charged with murder, a 15-year old who won’t deal with anyone but Sabre, and who uses a specific phrase from Sabre’s past that just trips her crazy wire. Even with exhaustion pressing down on her, Sabre steps up to the plate to help this child, while still figuring out how to fix her own life.

I love everything about this series. The author is an attorney/child advocate, so the plots and court dialogue ring with authenticity. There is an excellent balance of work life and home life, and a by now really solid relationship between Sabre, and JP, her investigator/partner. I particularly appreciate Sabre’s relationship with Bob, her co-attorney and longtime friend. The depiction of a friendship between equals is lovely. Sabre is someone I’d want on my side, and to have as a friend.

This series has been picking up thriller elements in the last few books and I like the departure from the traditional mystery lane. Not thrillers in terms of explosions and impractical rescues, but the plot move at a brisk pace and Sabre handles all the things speeding at her with grace and competence.

I highly recommend this series. I have a personal bias to reading them in order, because I have enjoyed watching the relationships between the characters grow and change, but you could read them out of order. The author does a good job of filing in the backstory without whamming people over the head or making the reader feel stupid.

[Big Time Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Advocate's Ultimatum is the latest addition to The Advocate series and it's another winner! The way the plot unfolds is crazy - in the best way - and the ultimatums received by Sabre are hard to ignore for the amazing child advocate attorney. She has to figure out who is trying to dictate terms in this latest installation, but the answer isn't as simple as it seems.

This book is filled with twists and turns, great sleuthing, as always, and such a tense build-up that I found myself reading faster and faster to find out who was behind all the manipulations.

I absolutely love this series and will read every book in the series because it's just that good. This is a series you recommend to friends because you want someone to talk about it with you.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own and happily shared, as always.

[Beth Agejew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to Teresa Burrell’s advocate series. A young girl is arrested for murder and is only willing to speak with Sabre. She says Sabre promised to help her in the past. Sabre can’t remember ever meeting her. What gives? The characters are relatable and entertaining, which makes for a highly readable and enjoyable book. I recommend this book, especially to fans of the mystery/detective genre.


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[Dianne Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Teresa Burrell's latest book in The Advocate's series, The Advocate's Ultimatum. Of all the one's I've read, this one is my favorite. It kept me wanting more, and I could not put it down. The characters, the plot, the suspense, all perfectly organized to keep you involved. If you like true crime, without all the gory details, like I do, then you'll love this one, too. I can't wait for the next one.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn’t compel me to read it quickly. I figured out the bad guy about halfway through. Too much about Bay not revealing information that would help. That definitely showed how frustrating her behavior was, but it went on too long. And calling 13 and 14 year old girls “young women” in this day and age of trump and epstein was insensitive or out of touch.

[Janie Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Advocate’s Ultimatum


A mysterious teen chooses Sabre for her attorney due to a charge of murder. She claims Sabre knows her from years ago; Sabre has no idea who the teen is. Sabre refuses to represent the girl and another attorney is assigned the case. As Sabre and JP search for a true version of the murder, the teen maintains her silence in the face of a life sentence.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one will grab you from the beginning!
Mystery and intrigue don't even begin to describe it. I almost read it in one sitting.

[Mary E. Bagnasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the Advocate books, but this one was full of twists and turns. A long ago case reemerges and what happens next will keep you glued to the book.

[Dianne Biscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a juvenile specifically requests that Sabre help her, she, of course, eventually has to help. Many interesting twists in this one! Good thing JP is at her side!

[Brittany Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teresa knows how to get you hooked into her fictional world of law. From start to finish, you don't know how each character plays a role until you get to the end. A must read!