What do you think?
Rate this book
Innocence Unit #1
Grain of Truth
An eighteen-year-old girl and her boyfriend ease their way into her darkened house. They tiptoe down the hallway, stepping over the blood spatter of her parents’ murder scene, never noticing. When they discover the bodies and call the police an hour later, they are prime suspects in the killings, and they are eventually convicted.
But they are innocent.
They have been trapped in prison for twenty-five years.
Until now.
The newly formed Conviction Review Unit has the power to overturn wrongful convictions. Heading up the unit is Elke Lawrence, former prosecuting attorney, running from a dark and painful past. She is joined by Detective Iain Hudson, who only trusts physical evidence, and former defense attorney Frankie Hart, whose passion is freeing the innocent.
But as the CRU begins to investigate the case, malice surfaces from those hell-bent on making sure some secrets stay buried. The unit must overcome every obstacle, every threat. They must uncover the truth.
But they are innocent.
They have been trapped in prison for twenty-five years.
Until now.
The newly formed Conviction Review Unit has the power to overturn wrongful convictions. Heading up the unit is Elke Lawrence, former prosecuting attorney, running from a dark and painful past. She is joined by Detective Iain Hudson, who only trusts physical evidence, and former defense attorney Frankie Hart, whose passion is freeing the innocent.
But as the CRU begins to investigate the case, malice surfaces from those hell-bent on making sure some secrets stay buried. The unit must overcome every obstacle, every threat. They must uncover the truth.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2017
968 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
About the author
V.J. Chambers
104 books463 followersV. J. Chambers writes about being inexplicably attracted to the dangerously alluring. Her works span mundane settings and fantastic ones. She writes about serial killers, cult leaders, werewolves, witches, for-hire assassins, zombies, space pirates, and regular everyday people.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
She lives in Shepherdstown, WV, with her boyfriend Aaron and their cat Isis.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
August 24, 2020
A very different procedural
Elke was a prosecutor but after her husband was arrested for selling drugs, she was transferred to head a new unit determining whether or not innocents were wrongly convicted. The unit consisted of four people, Frankie, a former defense attorney with whom Elke did not get along, Iain, an autistic detective, and Amos a gay young man who was a paralegal. The story goes into the case of a young couple who have spent twenty-five years incarcerated for the cold blooded murder of her parents as well as the lives of the four protagonists. It is easy, good reading. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.l
Elke was a prosecutor but after her husband was arrested for selling drugs, she was transferred to head a new unit determining whether or not innocents were wrongly convicted. The unit consisted of four people, Frankie, a former defense attorney with whom Elke did not get along, Iain, an autistic detective, and Amos a gay young man who was a paralegal. The story goes into the case of a young couple who have spent twenty-five years incarcerated for the cold blooded murder of her parents as well as the lives of the four protagonists. It is easy, good reading. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.l
January 5, 2018
Elke Lawrence has been shipped off to head the newly formed Conviction Review Unit. A 25 year old case with questionable evidence seems like the easy win they need to get good PR. However, bringing the case back to light only attracts more negative and deadly attention.
Grain of Truth presents an in depth mystery that highlights procedural parts of law in an interesting way. I’m not very familiar with this genre so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
The beginning was a bit slow for me. The initial case didn’t quite grab my interest. The characters were what really kept me reading. They were all so different and flawed. I enjoyed getting to learn more about them and seeing how they interacted.
The second part of the book picked up the pace and amped up the stakes considerably. I looked forward to reading it each day. The mystery took on a whole new level with the added suspense.
The ending ties up everything nicely without any lingering questions. The story didn’t come across as overly dark, violent, or graphic to me. These are two things I always take into consideration when looking at mystery books.
I enjoyed reading Grain of Truth and had fun watching the characters sift through the past to find the truth.
Grain of Truth presents an in depth mystery that highlights procedural parts of law in an interesting way. I’m not very familiar with this genre so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
The beginning was a bit slow for me. The initial case didn’t quite grab my interest. The characters were what really kept me reading. They were all so different and flawed. I enjoyed getting to learn more about them and seeing how they interacted.
The second part of the book picked up the pace and amped up the stakes considerably. I looked forward to reading it each day. The mystery took on a whole new level with the added suspense.
The ending ties up everything nicely without any lingering questions. The story didn’t come across as overly dark, violent, or graphic to me. These are two things I always take into consideration when looking at mystery books.
I enjoyed reading Grain of Truth and had fun watching the characters sift through the past to find the truth.
December 22, 2021
The Innocence Unit or formerly known as the Conviction Review Unit (CRU for short) in Haven Hills is being established. Elke Lawrence, a former prosecutor now held in disgrace as she had believed her husband Felix to be innocent will be the team lead. Joining Elke is Frankie Hart, a former defense attorney, Detective Iain Hudson, an officer that meticulously trusts the evidence, and Amos Bradley, a gay executive assistant who likes to bring light and joy to whatever situation he finds himself in. The new team begins as strangers with review of a 25-year old murder case of a doctor and his wife ending in conviction of the daughter and her boyfriend. As the individuals investigate the old case each team member struggles with different aspects of their personal life and one wonders if they can become a collaborative team adding to the daily drama of each day's goals.
Investigative crime fiction that was riveting, page-turning, and shares a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes of law enforcement and the painstaking processes required to release the innocent wrongly convicted. At the end of every criminal trial there is hope that every aspect of an investigation was completed correctly and that justice has been served. This novel brings to light that sometimes justice gets it wrong.
A powerful introduction to a writer that is new to me and I wouldn't hesitate to read more of novels.
For more information: https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exo...
Investigative crime fiction that was riveting, page-turning, and shares a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes of law enforcement and the painstaking processes required to release the innocent wrongly convicted. At the end of every criminal trial there is hope that every aspect of an investigation was completed correctly and that justice has been served. This novel brings to light that sometimes justice gets it wrong.
A powerful introduction to a writer that is new to me and I wouldn't hesitate to read more of novels.
For more information: https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exo...
March 1, 2021
Predictable
An assistant district attorney is shunted to a conviction review unit after her husband is convicted of a crime. She leads a group of misfits including an autistic detective, a defense attorney stressed by financial problems and an autistic son and a gay administrative assistant weathering a break up. Their first case generates hostility from the police and prosecutors but they persevere. Personal problems, threats and a serial killer can't stop them.
This was an okay story. It was predictable. The doers were easy to identify. Who is the baddie, a woman with a secret, one of the victim's potential love interest, or some neo nazi podcasters? None of the characters is especially likable although the autistic detective comes out on top. Okay read
An assistant district attorney is shunted to a conviction review unit after her husband is convicted of a crime. She leads a group of misfits including an autistic detective, a defense attorney stressed by financial problems and an autistic son and a gay administrative assistant weathering a break up. Their first case generates hostility from the police and prosecutors but they persevere. Personal problems, threats and a serial killer can't stop them.
This was an okay story. It was predictable. The doers were easy to identify. Who is the baddie, a woman with a secret, one of the victim's potential love interest, or some neo nazi podcasters? None of the characters is especially likable although the autistic detective comes out on top. Okay read
March 22, 2021
Elke Lawrence was a prosecuting attorney but after her husband was arrested for selling drugs and she defended him only to find out he was guilty they evidently didn't want her there anymore and transferred her to head the newly formed conviction review unit (CRU). This book is about the first case that they chose to solve these are cases that are old that they suspect might not have been closed properly. It is a slow steady story They end up investigating and finding the truth behind what really happened which in the end sets two people free from prison that have been there for 25 years. The ending of the story doesn't leave you hanging. I enjoyed this book, it is well written and it was very interesting following along while they reinvestigated a crime that took place 25 years before. The characters in the story are a great mix of quirky personalities. And there is even a touch of autism added to the story. It's always great to get in inside view to people on the spectrum. There is much we can learn through that view. A great investigative thriller!
September 20, 2025
If they are innocent who did it?
Elke, a prosecutor, Frankie a defense attorney, Iain an autistic detective and Amos their gay executive assistant are the full staff of the Haven Hills Conviction Review Unit. They want their first case to be one that will leave a positive impact on the public. At Ian's suggestion they choose a 25 year old murder case where the convicted are the 18 year old daughter and her boyfriend of an Indian Doctor and his white wife. The crew get to work identifying possible suspects and digging into alibis and lives from over two decades ago. They run into obstacles at every turn, and their lives are upended with their investigation. They even have pressure from the original investigators to drop their case. This is a very well-written mystery with a diverse group of people that make a great ensemble cast. I am looking forward to reading the Innocence Unit book 2. If you enjoy well- crafted stories with likeable characters and twists and turns I think you will like Grain of Truth by V. J. Chambers.
Elke, a prosecutor, Frankie a defense attorney, Iain an autistic detective and Amos their gay executive assistant are the full staff of the Haven Hills Conviction Review Unit. They want their first case to be one that will leave a positive impact on the public. At Ian's suggestion they choose a 25 year old murder case where the convicted are the 18 year old daughter and her boyfriend of an Indian Doctor and his white wife. The crew get to work identifying possible suspects and digging into alibis and lives from over two decades ago. They run into obstacles at every turn, and their lives are upended with their investigation. They even have pressure from the original investigators to drop their case. This is a very well-written mystery with a diverse group of people that make a great ensemble cast. I am looking forward to reading the Innocence Unit book 2. If you enjoy well- crafted stories with likeable characters and twists and turns I think you will like Grain of Truth by V. J. Chambers.
July 15, 2018
A Different Type of Mystery
As an assistant DA Elke had enjoyed putting away the bad guys. After her husband was discovered to be a drug dealer and after she fiercely defended him only to learn he truly was guilty did her career crumble. She was offered a new job in a different district as the head of a unit to find and correctly identify people wrongly convicted and set them free.
With an eclectic team of a defense attorney, a police detective with personal and social difficulties and a paralegal they set out to right a wrong. This entertaining and fast moving story had all the elements of a suspenseful murder mystery with the added suspense of proving innocence of the wrongly convicted.
As an interesting aside the paralegal, who was gay, was kidnapped by a serial killer who targeted gays and murdered them. Fortunately the team was able to rescue him.
Altogether an exciting and entertaining read.
As an assistant DA Elke had enjoyed putting away the bad guys. After her husband was discovered to be a drug dealer and after she fiercely defended him only to learn he truly was guilty did her career crumble. She was offered a new job in a different district as the head of a unit to find and correctly identify people wrongly convicted and set them free.
With an eclectic team of a defense attorney, a police detective with personal and social difficulties and a paralegal they set out to right a wrong. This entertaining and fast moving story had all the elements of a suspenseful murder mystery with the added suspense of proving innocence of the wrongly convicted.
As an interesting aside the paralegal, who was gay, was kidnapped by a serial killer who targeted gays and murdered them. Fortunately the team was able to rescue him.
Altogether an exciting and entertaining read.
May 30, 2018
This is a story of new beginnings for the main character. As a lawyer, Elke Lawrence has been appointed to head up a new division within the justice system. With only a minimal staff, a police detective registering on the autism spectrum, another lawyer with whom she has always been on the opposing side, and an eager young assistant, taking on their first case is going to be difficult. The entire police department and public opinion is that the perpetrators of the crime have been in jail for the past 25 years. Elke and her department are convinced that the real victims are the two people now jailed. Elke runs into stiff obstruction as she tries to find the truth. As the case moves forward, each member of Elke's team brings unique talents to the group. I look forward to seeing what comes next.
February 12, 2023
The recently established Conviction Review Unit needs a leader & finds it in former prosecutor Elke Lawrence. Her team consists of Frankie Hart a former defense attorney, Iain a detective whose autism enables him to see things in a different way & Amos a paralegal. J
Elke & her team are amazing. Each character is given a rich story.
The first case that the team investigates is a 25-year-old case. A teen and her boyfriend were convicted of killing her parents and both have been in prison since. As the CRU investigates they are faced with obstacles. Threats are warning them of the case. Roadblocks are erected to keep old evidence from being investigated. Personal lives are messy.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were compelling. I liked how they went about reviewing the old case. I would read more in this series!
Elke & her team are amazing. Each character is given a rich story.
The first case that the team investigates is a 25-year-old case. A teen and her boyfriend were convicted of killing her parents and both have been in prison since. As the CRU investigates they are faced with obstacles. Threats are warning them of the case. Roadblocks are erected to keep old evidence from being investigated. Personal lives are messy.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were compelling. I liked how they went about reviewing the old case. I would read more in this series!
May 21, 2020
Elke's life took a downturn when her husband went to jail. Frankie has an autistic son. Iian is an autistic detective. Amos is gay. These four make up the newly formed CRU, case review unit. No one is pleased with the case they pick. The detective is sure they are innocent. Saanvi and her boyfriend Kevin have had twenty five years taken away from them having been found guilty of murdering her parents. Threats to Elke and Amos. But is the threat to Amos from those that don't want the case reopened or is it something else. Grain of Truth kept me up reading till the end when I was three quarters finished. V.J. Chambers starts a series with this book. Also interesting is how these four learn to work together.
July 2, 2022
Found the book compelling but slightly far fetched. Enjoyed the collection of characters and diversity of them. Not the usual format so it made an interesting change. Couldn’t figure out Amos apart from his role as coffee maker and general run about, surely he would want a greater role with his qualifications. The arrogance and personality’s of the police detectives was frustrating. They sounded like young detectives but having been around 25 years ago and reached the level of detectives they would be in their 60s!!!
Not very convincing.
Certainly good entertainment and light reading.
Not very convincing.
Certainly good entertainment and light reading.
January 8, 2018
Very good book about a three-person case review unit set up to look over old cases for wrongful convictions. I really liked the characters and the writing is very good. If I have a quibble, it's that it ended rather abruptly without addressing the resistance from the police and DA's offices because of the case they selected. But I had a hard time putting it down once I started reading it, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 18, 2018
Really good read
I actually finished reading the book a few days ago, but wasn’t able to review then. Such a good book. The only thing keeping it from higher stars for me was the overly explained emotions of the main character and one member of her team. It started to feel like whining and while that’s realistic in the circumstances it became very annoying. The ending was very simplistic and quick, but regardless I still enjoyed the book.
I actually finished reading the book a few days ago, but wasn’t able to review then. Such a good book. The only thing keeping it from higher stars for me was the overly explained emotions of the main character and one member of her team. It started to feel like whining and while that’s realistic in the circumstances it became very annoying. The ending was very simplistic and quick, but regardless I still enjoyed the book.
January 21, 2018
I enjoyed reading about Elke Lawrence and her Conviction Review Unit. When the evidence in a double homicide suggests that the two persons in prison for the crime are innocent, things start moving and get dangerous. There is suspense and mystery in this story which is done very well. Will CRU be able to prove the innocence of the couple behind bars and who is trying to keep that from happening? You will need to read the book to find out.
May 27, 2018
A Good Story
I will not post spoilers in any review. The story here is simple and straight forward with one big twist. It is a 'get to know' the reoccurring characters novel also. It does those things well. What it needs badly is editing. I don't know how many readers the author had to preview the book, but more were needed. I have seen worse spelling, but not as many incomplete or erroneous sentences. A good editor should easily find these mistakes.
I will not post spoilers in any review. The story here is simple and straight forward with one big twist. It is a 'get to know' the reoccurring characters novel also. It does those things well. What it needs badly is editing. I don't know how many readers the author had to preview the book, but more were needed. I have seen worse spelling, but not as many incomplete or erroneous sentences. A good editor should easily find these mistakes.
January 22, 2018
This is the first book I've read by this author and I thought it was good. The beginning was a little slow for me but it did pick up as the story went on. The main character did get a little annoying at times. The storyline contained some good mystery and suspense. I would read another book by this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is my honest review.*
*I voluntarily reviewed this book. This is my honest review.*
May 21, 2018
Very satisfying read
Three people with personal problems reluctantly form a team to seek justice for people wrongly convicted of crimes. They grow to care for each other and to solve their problems. And they do a wonderful job in proving innocence. You will come to care about them, too, and to cheer them on.
Three people with personal problems reluctantly form a team to seek justice for people wrongly convicted of crimes. They grow to care for each other and to solve their problems. And they do a wonderful job in proving innocence. You will come to care about them, too, and to cheer them on.
May 24, 2018
This is a really great book to read because it covers a new area of crime and policing I hadn’t read about in this way before. It introduces great characters with background and lives that can mess up for them. The plot was terrific and it also had some other diversions going on throughout the story that were all tucked away nicely at the end of the book. It was really an enjoyable read.
July 12, 2018
Great writing, a feel-,good result
Happy to have read this book and I look forward to more in the series. I love the idea of The Innocence Unit. The new unit is up and running with a rewarding result - and a bonus - under its belt.........and we the readers have some fascinating reads in store.
Happy to have read this book and I look forward to more in the series. I love the idea of The Innocence Unit. The new unit is up and running with a rewarding result - and a bonus - under its belt.........and we the readers have some fascinating reads in store.
August 16, 2018
4.5 stars
Oh my! This was a good crime read. I actually didn't think it was who it was. I love being thrown for a loop. And adding some scary excitement in the mix is never bad. The characters of the CRU get in sync and they are gonna make one hell of a team. I can't wait to dive into the next book.
Oh my! This was a good crime read. I actually didn't think it was who it was. I love being thrown for a loop. And adding some scary excitement in the mix is never bad. The characters of the CRU get in sync and they are gonna make one hell of a team. I can't wait to dive into the next book.
January 18, 2020
Sometimes people are just blind
Two young people have spent twenty five years in prison for killing the parents of the girl. A newly formed group set out to go over closed files and chose this case. It was intense in all the threats from someone who wanted them to leave it alone.
I enjoyed reading this book and will find more books to read by this author.
Two young people have spent twenty five years in prison for killing the parents of the girl. A newly formed group set out to go over closed files and chose this case. It was intense in all the threats from someone who wanted them to leave it alone.
I enjoyed reading this book and will find more books to read by this author.
January 29, 2020
This book was good. Actually very good.
I started reading this book because I liked the idea of it, but I was soon sucked into the mystery of the murder and the drama of the characters lives. This author uses very realistic characters that seem real. I will be waiting on pins and needles for the next one.
I started reading this book because I liked the idea of it, but I was soon sucked into the mystery of the murder and the drama of the characters lives. This author uses very realistic characters that seem real. I will be waiting on pins and needles for the next one.
July 4, 2020
I found myself liking this book more than I thought I would. The new CRU unit. Insists of a small staff, each with their own problems and baggage and it was fun to watch them slowly begin to trust each other and come together as a team to prove the innocence of two wrongly convicted people. I liked that there wasn’t a love interest/angle to the book too.
April 14, 2022
An enthralling book, with the usual twists and turns to keep you guessing who the perps. are. The introduction to this book is the formation of the CRU unit with Elke put in charge, and although a very small unit the four individuals chosen fit very well together. All together an excellent read, and would like to read the next in the series.
January 27, 2023
Grain of Truth
Great read! Characters and storyline was awesome. Elke got sent to another state and police department, her job was to undo the ones that were convicted but were innocent. Her and her crew had a lot to do and all really against them. You’d be surprised what all happens and if they could get their job done. A definite must read!
Great read! Characters and storyline was awesome. Elke got sent to another state and police department, her job was to undo the ones that were convicted but were innocent. Her and her crew had a lot to do and all really against them. You’d be surprised what all happens and if they could get their job done. A definite must read!
April 4, 2025
Like Amateur Professionals
For a legal office, this one is certainly operated in a haphazard manner. Nobody seems to be aware of police procedure, they end up lucky that they produce a solution that frees the wrongly convicted. Other than some redundancy, the storyline is entertaining making for a fairly fast read.
For a legal office, this one is certainly operated in a haphazard manner. Nobody seems to be aware of police procedure, they end up lucky that they produce a solution that frees the wrongly convicted. Other than some redundancy, the storyline is entertaining making for a fairly fast read.
February 14, 2018
This was a good First book to a series I know I'm gonna love, seems like the whole town wanted to keep this double murder underwrapps however you start digging into a case and well you maybe just find the real truth and more. I received this Free and voluntarily chose to review.
May 24, 2018
Starts s?low, but like a snowball downhill!
Very good story,good cast fit, language? Not bloody violent action! Good laqyer tale! Very good ending! I reccomend taking the time to read and enjoy!!!
Very good story,good cast fit, language? Not bloody violent action! Good laqyer tale! Very good ending! I reccomend taking the time to read and enjoy!!!
May 28, 2018
Couldn't put this down
A new author to add to my favourites I really enjoyed this book a new team put together to investigate injustices of supposed silver cases it's different and I liked it . Book 2 has been purchased
A new author to add to my favourites I really enjoyed this book a new team put together to investigate injustices of supposed silver cases it's different and I liked it . Book 2 has been purchased
June 1, 2018
Ok
I guess I enjoyed this book,I liked the characters and storyline.
Something about it that you would think about the story wasn't quite believable.
O guess also well that ends well.
I guess I enjoyed this book,I liked the characters and storyline.
Something about it that you would think about the story wasn't quite believable.
O guess also well that ends well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews