Under Color of Law

A Casey Cort Legal Thriller #2

by Aime Austin

The Brody family destroyed her. Now they want her back.

Losing the most high profile case of her career ironically made Casey Cort a winner. Well-heeled clients now knock on her door, and Tom Brody, her rich ex-boyfriend, wants her back. But entry into the upper echelon comes at a price.

The newest assistant United States attorney, Miles Siegel, has set his sights on nailing a public figure he believes to be corrupt: Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Eamon Brody. But Brody’s brothers, one the presiding judge of the county, the other the state attorney general, aren’t about to let that happen.

When Casey gets retained by single mom Claire Henshaw, to wrest custody from her son’s irresponsible father, Casey handles her first case before the controversial judge . . . and learns something that will force her to make the hardest decision of her life.

In this installment of the Casey Cort series, Aime Austin—a former trial lawyer in Cleveland—weaves a tale that blends the best of today’s top legal thrillers with the heart and soul of women’s fiction, in a story ripped from real-world headlines.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Aime Austin is the author of the Casey Cort and Nicole Long legal thriller series, weaving sharp social commentary into gripping crime fiction. Born in Brooklyn, Aime graduated from Smith College and Cornell Law School before practicing family and criminal law in Cleveland, Ohio. She now splits her time between Los Angeles and Budapest, writing thrillers, hosting the podcast A Time to Thrill, and interviewing brilliant women creators. When she’s not chasing down a plot twist, you’ll find her in a yoga pose, with knitting needles in hand, or lost in a good book. Aime is a 2025 recipient of the Mystery Writers of America Barbara Neely Scholarship.
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Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay read.

Bought this book because authors were female. Written in the first person, jumps from female character to male character, confused me. Corrupt judge in family court, taking advantage of desperate mothers. Powerful rich family doing everything to cover up. Don't recommend this book.

[Judy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thank you to Penner Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this exciting series, with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Top 50 Books of 2015 "Best Witty Suspense Legal Crime Political Series."

SCORE . . . Sylvie Fox, rocks! UNDER COLOR OF LAW, (Casey Cort series #2), Fox returns for the second installment delivering a TOP SHELF scandalous, witty, highly charged, suspense crime legal thriller series. In a perfect book world, this is my favorite genre..."PLEASE DO NOT STOP WRITING!"

Trouble finds Casey Cort, wherever she goes; a former trial lawyer in Cleveland who works for herself, trying to attain some decent paying clients to pay her rent, and repay her mega student loans and credit cards balances. She is flawed but oh so smart, savvy, witty and a hardworking attorney; she cannot catch a break. A former whistleblower having lost her bright promising future legal career, her rich boyfriend, and her status, while trying to do the right thing, up against a powerful influential political family.

From QUALIFIED IMMUNITY (Casey Cort #1) a 5 star highly recommend, Casey returns after a high profile case, and now ex-boyfriend wants her back, (yes, the jerk who caused her disaster of a career); dropping her years ago like a hot potato; however, just maybe she can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Finally she steps into some real cases, ones besides the loser juvy deadbeats; a second chance at happiness?

However, money, greed and power comes with a price for everyone concerned, from her clients (mothers) fighting for justice in an abusive legal system, while trying to retain custody of their children, keeping them out of foster care, and away from dead beat dads; Can Casey look the other way in her own personal life, or is she forced against her will like the other mothers?

This powerful political family once again is standing in her way; a Judge using his power for sex, a prostitution ring, the FBI, and an ex-with a hidden agenda . . . and to make things even more interesting the cases are connected with dual storylines, and an intriguing new assistant US attorney, Miles Siegel (yum . .loved his character).

Miles wants to nail the Brody’s and possibly a new love interest for Casey, if he can tear her way from dollars signs and a future she desperately desires. She has some tough moral choices, of right and wrong; however, doing the right thing has not worked out so well for her in the past, and she does not want a repeat performance.

Casey has guts (even though at times she had me worried), with the help of her witty friends; God, you have to love her and root for her. The scene with Casey and Judge Eamon Brody still has me laughing out loud; besides being a talented writer, and storyteller, Fox could be a stand-up comedian.

In addition to the wit, humor, drama, intensity, suspense, legal writing, and highly charged social issues and abuse addressed; with Fox’s legal background she knows her way around the courtroom; well-developed flawed and quirky characters, and if you love good women’s fiction, and legal crime thrillers get ready for an engaging and satisfying ride.

If Janet Evanovich can create the Stephanie Plum Series from #1-21 and still going, I am in for the long haul for Casey Cort and her own savvy and sassy "Lulu" . . . You had me from Qualified Immunity (A Casey Cort Book #1)..and SHE is back after Judge Grant- talking "high profile cover-up, corruption, racial injustice, and politics. And oh, so sweet getting skinny and sexy, a new man, kicking ass and taking names." Keep them coming!

OMG, You are killing me, keeping us all dying in suspense with the cliffhanger ending...I am traveling, and stopped at Panera Bread; as was dying to plug in my e-reader to charge so could finish the book. Hope your fingers are flying across the keyboard writing #3 Casey Cort, before the end of 2015. Bring down the entire Brody clan for good, keep the sizzle with Casey/Miles, more fun from both sets of parents, lovable gay neighbors, maybe more from Judge Grant and her daughter, and as always bring on Lulu!

THANK YOU! Was delighted with a New Year surprise to see my name at the beginning of the book with a blurb from my review of Qualified Immunity . . . "flattered to be chosen as one of the reviewers".

JDCMustReadBooks

Casey Cort #1
Qualified Immunity

Casey Cort #3 Nov 2015
In Plain Sight

[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy of Under Color of Law. I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I must admit that I had a bit of "buyer's remorse" after requesting this this book, wondering if I really wanted to add it to my "to read" list. But it kept my attention and Fox does a really good job developing a good story that raises some important social issues about power and corruption. It's the story of Casey -- a young lawyer struggling to make a living in Cleveland -- and a number of other characters caught up in the controlling web of a powerful legal family in Cleveland. It's essentially a legal drama with some romance thrown in. For me, The best part is Fox's skilful depiction of the complex socio economic and racial context in which her characters function; it reads as written by someone who understands the legal complexities and power dynamics of the world the story takes place in. Although it was part of the story -- so it's perhaps an unfair criticism -- the part of this book I struggled with was that Casey and Claire -- another female lawyer protagonist -- were not very strong characters. They were depicted as struggling with weight issues and other insecurities -- and ultimately had to be rescued by a man... I like my female protagonists in mysteries and legal dramas to be flawed but strong. But again this was mostly a very good read and I expect there are many readers out there who would really enjoy this book and not be fussed by Casey and Claire's flaws.

[Betty Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casey, Cort, a young lawyer, who seven years ago was dropped by her rich boyfriend, Tom Brody, was subsisting in children's court working with women trying to get their kids out of the system. One day she was approached by former boyfriend, wanting her to come to a party at his place. His uncle, Eamon who was also a judge in Juvenile Court approached her and offered her a case that was very costly where she would make good money, she just need to come to his office. While there she dropped the cross pen that was given to her by her parents. So she went back to his office to find it only to find the judge with a young black woman bare from the waist down, having sex with her.

Meanwhile, Mile Siegel a district attorney was determined he was going to take the Brody family down because of the crooked things they had done, to show favoritism to the family. He needed Casey's testimony to break open the case. Should she testify against the family that in which she was hoping to marry?

Read the story. It is interesting how one family was involved in so much corruption. See if they were finally a to take the Brody family down. See what Casey found out about the man she was going to marry. It's a great story that you will truly enjoy.

[Sherri Geisler Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book but it took me a bit as I didn't realize at first it was being told from different character points of view. Once I realized that and managed to figure out who was who I really got into it and enjoyed it. I like law fiction and look forward to more from this author. Will be going back to check out the first in this series since I didn't start there. The author does give a heads up as to who is talking at te beginning of each chapter you just have to pay attention to what it says. Not something I usually do which is why it took me a bit lol I love the topics she covers about male/female relationships at work, mothers with little money fighting to keep their children, and even skin color as an issue. Overall a good book

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jodi Pomerleau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casey had at one time been engaged to Tom Brody, a young lawyer from a powerful family. When the engagement ended, so did Casey's law career. She lost her position at a high stakes firm and had to go into private practice handling mostly custody cases. Seven years later, she reconnects with Tom and her career takes off again.....However, she has also learned that Tom's uncle, a judge, is trading sex for favourable custody arrangements. With one of her clients, she has to decide if she is willing to trade her new found success for justice. I didn't love the characters in this book. Claire comes across as conniving and needy. Miles was shallow and self serving. Tom is skeevy, and his uncle creepy. I did like Casey for all her flaws, her gay neighbours and Lulu. I think that is what saved this story

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome story and wonderful characters. I do prefer books with endings or if cliffhangers, so stated but the book is really good and if you do not mind waiting for the next (I want it to hurry) then this is a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[carrie hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read so many books recently that finally trying to recall some is hard. All I can say is the ones I have read have been amazing and there are so many fantastic writers out now that makes reading so enjoyable. The twists and turns in each book and the depth of action and research involved makes me glad I'm reading again.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting legal thriller

Multidimensional characters and a race for answers to questions involving corruption and relationships keeps this story moving at a brisk pace. Each chapter is written from a different character’s view. Writing first-person perspective in this way effectively puts the reader in the front seat for the entire ride. I highly recommend this book.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under Color of Law is a good legal mystery that grabs your attention and holds it. Strong characters, a great story line with the right amount of suspense and mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Loraine MacGinness · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read

A light easy read, helps if you know the characters from her previous books. More about the judges unusually. If true no one is safe or can rely on the law.

[Aime Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brody family destroyed her.
Now they want her back...

[Nancy Giardenelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

I could not put this down! Very good story all together...great characters , very good ending. Cannot wait for next book.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Money and power

This book was a look inside the world of money and power. Or, should I say the abuse of money and power?

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast Read

I read this book very quickly, for me! Fast paced, lots of edge of the seat parts, and some very creepy characters! Loved it.... did not want it to end!

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well put together

The author has developed an extensive and exciting plot of corruption to go with a interesting group of characters making this hard to put down

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book that lost a star because of a cliffhanger.

[Linda Zelinsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several books in this series and have found the last few chapters to be the most entertaining. Aime leaves her readers with cliff hangers that make you want tofu d out what’s next.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who do you trust

A judge who asked favours a family who thought they were untouchable and a gullible lawyer who couldn't see the truth in front of her eyes

[Elizabeth Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book and concept but needs work.

This was my first book of Sylvie Fox's. I think if I had read book one of this series first, I don't think I would have been so confused in the beginning of this book.

The different views she adopts with the characters do lend to some of the confusion. However, once you get to know the characters they are intriguing and this style of writing is necessary to complete the whole picture of the book.

There were times when I found myself feeling like I had missed a piece of necessary material. I felt this way especially toward the end of the book.

There are also some missing words and grammatical errors in my copy on my kindle.

Despite some of my issues with the book, I did enjoy reading it. The characters feel real and the actual story line plausible.

I personally would not run out and by a copy of this book as a must. With that said, I would still like to read more from Sylvie Fox in the future.

Disclaimer: “I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review”.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows how some people abuse their power over others in the court system. It shows a human side to lawyers, and what some have to go through to try and help their client. You have mothers that will do anything they can to keep their children out of the foster system, and that's where the abuse of power comes in. I liked this story. The book goes from one character to another and it does get confusing at times.

[Suzan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given this audio book to give an honest review. I tried hard to like this book but it is just not for me. The narrator was OK not outstanding but it was the writing style that just disappointed me.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really tried to like this book, but I simply couldn't get into it at all. The author's writing style just isn't for me.