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Southern California Legal Thrillers #1
Presumed Guilty
A wealthy family with DARK secrets. A SHOCKING reveal that you guaranteed won't see coming...Avery Collins is an attorney with the tender heart of a warrior for the wrongfully accused, for one simple reason. She was once wrongfully accused, and spent 7 years in prison for a murder she didn't commit.
Now sworn to protect the indigent accused, she's persuaded to represent Esme Guitierrez, an El Salvadoran refugee who is accused of killing 21-year-old Aria Whitmore. Aria was the daughter of the prominent billionaire hotelier Jacob Whitmore, and was also an aspiring concert pianist and music composer.
As Avery digs further into the case, she realizes that there were some sick games taking place behind the closed doors of the Whitmore mansion, and Avery ends up with more questions than answers.
What happened to Aria's birth mother?
How did Julian Rodriguez, a young schizophrenic man, come to befriend Aria?
And who is sending threatening emails that are filled with facts that are not widely known to the public?
When Avery finds out the answers to these questions, she's shocked. But she also realizes that the big reveal opens up more questions than answers, and the case takes an unexpected turn.
As time runs out to find the true culprit, Avery faces the trial of her life. Amidst an intense media glare, death threats, protestors and stalkers breaking into her home, Avery nonetheless gives this case her all.
Because if she doesn't, her client will end up on death row.
With the lightning speed, twists and turns you've come to expect from a Rachel Sinclair novel, Presumption of Guilt is a legal thriller that is not to be missed! Come and meet your newest favorite badass attorney, Avery Collins, today!
Now sworn to protect the indigent accused, she's persuaded to represent Esme Guitierrez, an El Salvadoran refugee who is accused of killing 21-year-old Aria Whitmore. Aria was the daughter of the prominent billionaire hotelier Jacob Whitmore, and was also an aspiring concert pianist and music composer.
As Avery digs further into the case, she realizes that there were some sick games taking place behind the closed doors of the Whitmore mansion, and Avery ends up with more questions than answers.
What happened to Aria's birth mother?
How did Julian Rodriguez, a young schizophrenic man, come to befriend Aria?
And who is sending threatening emails that are filled with facts that are not widely known to the public?
When Avery finds out the answers to these questions, she's shocked. But she also realizes that the big reveal opens up more questions than answers, and the case takes an unexpected turn.
As time runs out to find the true culprit, Avery faces the trial of her life. Amidst an intense media glare, death threats, protestors and stalkers breaking into her home, Avery nonetheless gives this case her all.
Because if she doesn't, her client will end up on death row.
With the lightning speed, twists and turns you've come to expect from a Rachel Sinclair novel, Presumption of Guilt is a legal thriller that is not to be missed! Come and meet your newest favorite badass attorney, Avery Collins, today!
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2019
978 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 6, 2024
I gave up after 3 chapters. There are too many good books to force read those that aren’t.
April 7, 2019
My impression
No synopsis here, just a reality check. The words on the pages of this book were, in my estimation, a mirror image of the society we live in today. A lack of respect or empathy for immigrants, the homeless, the weak or the mentally ill. The arrogance of the over privileged. But also the dedication of those in pursuit of honesty and justice. Good read. Book 2 is on my calendar of "must reads".
No synopsis here, just a reality check. The words on the pages of this book were, in my estimation, a mirror image of the society we live in today. A lack of respect or empathy for immigrants, the homeless, the weak or the mentally ill. The arrogance of the over privileged. But also the dedication of those in pursuit of honesty and justice. Good read. Book 2 is on my calendar of "must reads".
May 24, 2025
3.5 Stars ⭐️
An enjoyable read, I love legal thrillers / court drama so thought I’d give this a go when it was cheap on kindle. Some words become repetitive and the lack of description depth made it a little linear at times, but the background story and the court drama at the end made up for that.
An enjoyable read, I love legal thrillers / court drama so thought I’d give this a go when it was cheap on kindle. Some words become repetitive and the lack of description depth made it a little linear at times, but the background story and the court drama at the end made up for that.
June 14, 2022
Not as intriguing and mind rattling as the Jackson County Legal Series, but I will read on as I know this authors series tends to get more trickier and intense as certain cases interconnects.
May 16, 2025
Presumed Guilty
What a ride. It was as if all the evidence came together all at once. Each character was written with care. The facts were unbelievable and believable at the same time. It was a bit of a cliffhanger but it really made one think. I enjoyed the court scenes. A good novel that shines a light on what could happen. I recommend it to any one who likes legal novels.
What a ride. It was as if all the evidence came together all at once. Each character was written with care. The facts were unbelievable and believable at the same time. It was a bit of a cliffhanger but it really made one think. I enjoyed the court scenes. A good novel that shines a light on what could happen. I recommend it to any one who likes legal novels.
March 14, 2025
decent
3.5 stars, you knew who did half through the book.😒otherwise it would have been been a quick decent read. Still I would recommend reading next book in series
3.5 stars, you knew who did half through the book.😒otherwise it would have been been a quick decent read. Still I would recommend reading next book in series
February 16, 2024
Does any writer have an editor these days? I delete so many books after reading just a few chapters and this is another that fits in this same class.
"I looked at the ceiling, seeing it was 3 AM." Huh?
"My Harvard Class of 2020 mug was still.on the small table." Considering that this book was published in 2020 and that the speaker had spent several years in jail, are we time-traveling?
"I looked at the ocean and noticed that it was finally starting to get light out. ... and I could smell the strong scent of the strings of seaweed that washed up on the beach." Hmmm. I didn't realize that the olfactory sense was influenced by daylight.
And, finally, "I read the note. 'Have a look at this case if you don't mind. I ran into this client's cellmate when I was in jail'..." A few pages later, we find out this attorney was a well-respected 60-year-old attorney so I can only assume that the note should have read "when I was at the jail." Certainly changes the scene.
"I looked at the ceiling, seeing it was 3 AM." Huh?
"My Harvard Class of 2020 mug was still.on the small table." Considering that this book was published in 2020 and that the speaker had spent several years in jail, are we time-traveling?
"I looked at the ocean and noticed that it was finally starting to get light out. ... and I could smell the strong scent of the strings of seaweed that washed up on the beach." Hmmm. I didn't realize that the olfactory sense was influenced by daylight.
And, finally, "I read the note. 'Have a look at this case if you don't mind. I ran into this client's cellmate when I was in jail'..." A few pages later, we find out this attorney was a well-respected 60-year-old attorney so I can only assume that the note should have read "when I was at the jail." Certainly changes the scene.
June 23, 2025
Oook! So, I decided I wanted to take a break from my memoirs, fantasies and murder mysteries and delve into some legalese. I haven’t read a good legal thriller in a long while. I just so happened to be perusing through Kindle Unlimited and up pops this novel, Presumed Guilty. I loved the premise of the story and couldn’t wait to jump right in.
Unfortunately, I knew early on I was ready to jump out of this story and read the countless others I must read for various publishers. But as my readers know, once I commit to a story, regardless as to how bad it is, I always give every author the respect of their time and this story wasn’t any different.
Avery Collins is a criminal defense attorney looking for her next case. She so happens to stumble across a real beast of a case with the Esme Guitierrez. Ms. Guitierrez is an immigrant from El Salvador seeking a better life in America, only to wind up working for the wealthy Whitmores as their maid. Aria Whitmore, the young 21-year-old musician and the daughter of the billionaire is murdered and the Whitmores, quite naturally, blame Esme because she’s the one who found the young woman. Esme did what any person should do when you find a body is to report it to the police. Apparently, all that ended up doing was causing more suspicion (which made no sense to me) and the obvious person who murdered this young woman had to be Esme, right?
Avery was looking for a case to take on because she enjoyed working cases pro bono. The reason she could afford to do this is because she won a huge settlement with the state for being falsely accused of murdering her best friend, Becky, many years ago and she served seven years in prison due to it. Avery knew all too well how horrible it felt to be accused of something you didn’t commit. She was all too eager to get started with Esme’s defense.
Sounds good so far, right? Here’s where the story went left. What I just relayed to you is about fifty percent of the book. Avery was so hell bent on finding out who falsely accused her of murder that she didn’t put that same energy into helping her so-called client. I understand she was incarcerated for seven years, and I can only imagine how horrible that must have been, but the rest of the story seemed to lean toward finding out who did that and not much with Esme Guitierrez’s case. I wanted so badly to get to the legal part of the story and that never came.
The author continued to berate the reader with stupid mundane things that had absolutely nothing to do with legal proceedings. She glossed over key evidence and great courtroom drama. This is why I love legal thrillers when the author takes the reader through the process. It’s all a part of the lore for me. Do you think the popular show, Law & Order, would still be on the air if Dick Wolf didn’t put the courtroom drama in it? How can you call a book a “legal thriller” when there isn’t any “legal” aspects to the story? This story had so much potential, and I was rooting for the author, Avery and Esme Guitierrez, but unfortunately, I didn’t get much of anything. And, I shouldn’t have been surprised that the ending cliffed the reader, so you must go to book two to find out more about Avery’s false imprisonment. Now the question becomes is it worth my time to go and read it…suffice it to say, most likely not. I’m done with this story.
To read original post, please go to: https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com/2025...
Unfortunately, I knew early on I was ready to jump out of this story and read the countless others I must read for various publishers. But as my readers know, once I commit to a story, regardless as to how bad it is, I always give every author the respect of their time and this story wasn’t any different.
Avery Collins is a criminal defense attorney looking for her next case. She so happens to stumble across a real beast of a case with the Esme Guitierrez. Ms. Guitierrez is an immigrant from El Salvador seeking a better life in America, only to wind up working for the wealthy Whitmores as their maid. Aria Whitmore, the young 21-year-old musician and the daughter of the billionaire is murdered and the Whitmores, quite naturally, blame Esme because she’s the one who found the young woman. Esme did what any person should do when you find a body is to report it to the police. Apparently, all that ended up doing was causing more suspicion (which made no sense to me) and the obvious person who murdered this young woman had to be Esme, right?
Avery was looking for a case to take on because she enjoyed working cases pro bono. The reason she could afford to do this is because she won a huge settlement with the state for being falsely accused of murdering her best friend, Becky, many years ago and she served seven years in prison due to it. Avery knew all too well how horrible it felt to be accused of something you didn’t commit. She was all too eager to get started with Esme’s defense.
Sounds good so far, right? Here’s where the story went left. What I just relayed to you is about fifty percent of the book. Avery was so hell bent on finding out who falsely accused her of murder that she didn’t put that same energy into helping her so-called client. I understand she was incarcerated for seven years, and I can only imagine how horrible that must have been, but the rest of the story seemed to lean toward finding out who did that and not much with Esme Guitierrez’s case. I wanted so badly to get to the legal part of the story and that never came.
The author continued to berate the reader with stupid mundane things that had absolutely nothing to do with legal proceedings. She glossed over key evidence and great courtroom drama. This is why I love legal thrillers when the author takes the reader through the process. It’s all a part of the lore for me. Do you think the popular show, Law & Order, would still be on the air if Dick Wolf didn’t put the courtroom drama in it? How can you call a book a “legal thriller” when there isn’t any “legal” aspects to the story? This story had so much potential, and I was rooting for the author, Avery and Esme Guitierrez, but unfortunately, I didn’t get much of anything. And, I shouldn’t have been surprised that the ending cliffed the reader, so you must go to book two to find out more about Avery’s false imprisonment. Now the question becomes is it worth my time to go and read it…suffice it to say, most likely not. I’m done with this story.
To read original post, please go to: https://www.thesexynerdrevue.com/2025...
February 7, 2020
Excellent, riveting, can't put down book. As I am a fan of legal thrillers, I was thrilled to find a new author in our midst.
I can't find the words to describe my enjoyment of this book. I do not give a synopsis of books, I give reviews, which are my opinions as to the quality of the book. Therefore, I do not want to comment on any particular character or instance as I don't want to give anything away and spoil the reading for others. I can't recommend this book enough. Suffice to say, I have already ordered and received book two and can't wait to get started on it.
One note to the author: Do a little better proofreading than was done in this book. You write a good book, so, do it proud and make sure there are not grammatical and/or other mistakes and omissions in your books.
Good luck and keep writing and, if you keep writing books of this caliber, I will keep reading.
I can't find the words to describe my enjoyment of this book. I do not give a synopsis of books, I give reviews, which are my opinions as to the quality of the book. Therefore, I do not want to comment on any particular character or instance as I don't want to give anything away and spoil the reading for others. I can't recommend this book enough. Suffice to say, I have already ordered and received book two and can't wait to get started on it.
One note to the author: Do a little better proofreading than was done in this book. You write a good book, so, do it proud and make sure there are not grammatical and/or other mistakes and omissions in your books.
Good luck and keep writing and, if you keep writing books of this caliber, I will keep reading.
March 15, 2020
Genre: Law thriller
Perspective: 1st person
Trigger warning: rape
Presumption of Guilt is an interesting law thriller focused on immigration in California in the late 2010s. There are a lot of pop culture references, which makes it easy to read. I found some of the dialogue to be unrealistic, for example, Avery regularly calls someone and talks for almost a page without any response from the other person.
My biggest problem is the use of 23 and Me. The reports do not give the kind of information presented in the book. Not without the other person also doing one. Rather than bending over backwards trying to get the results, it would have been easier to get the suspect's fingerprints and run them.
Perspective: 1st person
Trigger warning: rape
Presumption of Guilt is an interesting law thriller focused on immigration in California in the late 2010s. There are a lot of pop culture references, which makes it easy to read. I found some of the dialogue to be unrealistic, for example, Avery regularly calls someone and talks for almost a page without any response from the other person.
My biggest problem is the use of 23 and Me. The reports do not give the kind of information presented in the book. Not without the other person also doing one. Rather than bending over backwards trying to get the results, it would have been easier to get the suspect's fingerprints and run them.
May 21, 2019
Good story but it's like Lerner
Good story but its always about the white person causing all the problems with this country and it's getting a little old they have their country they messed it up they come tell every body we the bad guys because of the freedom we they need to stand tell and take responsibility for their action in their home country just like we did. We are not perfect no country is but you have to work at it. It would be long when we won't have a nation that's free.
Good story but its always about the white person causing all the problems with this country and it's getting a little old they have their country they messed it up they come tell every body we the bad guys because of the freedom we they need to stand tell and take responsibility for their action in their home country just like we did. We are not perfect no country is but you have to work at it. It would be long when we won't have a nation that's free.
June 26, 2025
The storyline seems great. Unfortunately the execution fell short. I felt like I was scrolling through Twitter/X with all of the present-day political vomit. The author truly wants her political beliefs to be heard. I think if the author reeled it in a bit, this could be a great book. The strong characters and storyline are great but I like to read to take a break from mainstream media and this book did not provide. I really tried hard to enjoy this one but it honestly gave me a headache. It’s unfortunate because I was looking forward to a good read!
February 18, 2024
Far fetched
The dead daughter suddenly becomes a music prodigy at age 14. The father finds a near duplicate to replace his dead daughter. He hires a speech therapist to train the Mexican immigrant to speak just like his dead daughter. He overdoses his wife with LSD and has her committed because she knows the replacement daughter is not her real daughter , but then she never was her actual daughter. And it goes on and on. Way too contrived for me.
The dead daughter suddenly becomes a music prodigy at age 14. The father finds a near duplicate to replace his dead daughter. He hires a speech therapist to train the Mexican immigrant to speak just like his dead daughter. He overdoses his wife with LSD and has her committed because she knows the replacement daughter is not her real daughter , but then she never was her actual daughter. And it goes on and on. Way too contrived for me.
February 22, 2024
This book might have been great.
I really tried to like this book. Unfortunately, only the basics of the story were noteworthy. It was hard to get past the ridiculous number of typograpical errors, missing words, and numerous repetitions and redundancies. Perhaps she has or will develop an Advanced Reader group who will take over the mundane chores that get a new novel to publication.
I really tried to like this book. Unfortunately, only the basics of the story were noteworthy. It was hard to get past the ridiculous number of typograpical errors, missing words, and numerous repetitions and redundancies. Perhaps she has or will develop an Advanced Reader group who will take over the mundane chores that get a new novel to publication.
March 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced book with a great range of characters who were all essential within the story. There were twists and turns and the outcome was great. You knew what you wanted to happen but would it? A brilliant read which was just up my street although I don’t usually read this type of book, I will try more in the future. Obviously book choice and enjoyment is a matter of taste and this suited mine.
May 24, 2019
Excellent story . First rate murder trial book and very satisfying conclusion. I think similar to the old Perry Mason murder trial books of the 1960’s ??? The difference is the background of the female lawyer and her personal reasons to fight for justice for those who cannot afford suitable legal representation. Very interesting characters and thrilling storyline which ends with conclusion of murder trial . Straight after finish I downloaded the sequel to this book to start read immediately as I was so happy with this book .
May 23, 2025
A young lady was framed and spent seven years in prison for a murder she did not commit.
She was released when proof of prosecutor and public defender malfeasance came to light
She received a ten million dollar settlement and became a lawyer
She takes on a murder case that looks like a frame andit takes a couple of interesting twists
She was released when proof of prosecutor and public defender malfeasance came to light
She received a ten million dollar settlement and became a lawyer
She takes on a murder case that looks like a frame andit takes a couple of interesting twists
June 4, 2019
Fantastic mystery
The characters in this book are very likeable. The plot has many twists and turns but the ending will surprise you. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
The characters in this book are very likeable. The plot has many twists and turns but the ending will surprise you. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
July 29, 2019
I don't understand why you have to make a novel a political statement.😕
I don't understand why you have to make a novel a
Political statement😩 would be better if you kept your feelings to yourself
I don't understand why you have to make a novel a
Political statement😩 would be better if you kept your feelings to yourself
November 20, 2019
Didn't vote for Donald?
The author needs to leave her political bias at home. Not all illegal immigrants are nice, misunderstood, oppressed individuals who I !y need a little help........right MS 13?
The author needs to leave her political bias at home. Not all illegal immigrants are nice, misunderstood, oppressed individuals who I !y need a little help........right MS 13?
February 16, 2024
Court drama
Well worth the read. Who can help a young immigrant wrongfully imprisoned? Of course, an attorney who has also Bern falsely accused.... But can she get her name cleared?
Well worth the read. Who can help a young immigrant wrongfully imprisoned? Of course, an attorney who has also Bern falsely accused.... But can she get her name cleared?
February 16, 2024
A good read
An incredible story about a woman, an immigrant, who was being accused of killing her employer's daughter. Avery, a Lawyer, decided to take on her case, Pro Bono. There were many twist along the way. though.
Well crafted characters.
An incredible story about a woman, an immigrant, who was being accused of killing her employer's daughter. Avery, a Lawyer, decided to take on her case, Pro Bono. There were many twist along the way. though.
Well crafted characters.
February 18, 2024
The book was overload of all disturbing things in the headlines (and I noticed it carried over into some of the reviews). I'm stubborn about finishing books I start; if I was bit less compulsive, I wouldn't have finished this one.
February 19, 2024
Presumed Guilty, Book 1
That book started out with a bang and the characters and everyone was great . The story was fast-paced and so exciting and as soon as I get the money I am getting her other books just so exciting.
That book started out with a bang and the characters and everyone was great . The story was fast-paced and so exciting and as soon as I get the money I am getting her other books just so exciting.
April 4, 2024
Fab first book in the series
I loved it. Was a bit of a slow start but it picked up pace well.
I loved how the main character knew what had gone on but as a reader we were still waiting to find out.
I loved it. Was a bit of a slow start but it picked up pace well.
I loved how the main character knew what had gone on but as a reader we were still waiting to find out.
April 7, 2024
DNF at page 50, due to the character of Grayson Jackson, a radio show white supremacist, racist radical. I'm just not going to enjoy reading any story where he and his ilk play a prominent role. Next!
May 15, 2024
In spite of the number of unnecessary errors that would have been noticed by any reasonably competent proof-reader, this was a good read - and showed that blasphemous, and/or crude language is not necessary in order to produce a good novel.
Well worth five stars (in my opinion!)
Well worth five stars (in my opinion!)
May 18, 2025
The Right Stuff
Good characters, solid plot, writing that flows without needless details, that is the right stuff. But I had to take one star off because you would have to read the next book to get the answer to a question in the book.
Good characters, solid plot, writing that flows without needless details, that is the right stuff. But I had to take one star off because you would have to read the next book to get the answer to a question in the book.
July 16, 2019
Presumption of Guilt
This is a very good thriller. There is a lot of suspense which keeps you interested in the book. You don't want to put the book down. I recommend this book.
This is a very good thriller. There is a lot of suspense which keeps you interested in the book. You don't want to put the book down. I recommend this book.
January 4, 2020
Presumption of Guilt
This was an exciting story, mystery galore and so interesting. The judge in the trial gives the Defense unusual freedom to obtain the truth.
This was an exciting story, mystery galore and so interesting. The judge in the trial gives the Defense unusual freedom to obtain the truth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews