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Emily Calby #2
The Girl in Cell 49B
“A groundbreaking, nail-biting and wondrous legal thriller.” — BestThrillers
“Standout sequel from Dorian Box featuring a fierce female main character, a perfectly planned and paced plot, and a strong sense of theme. ... Emily is a brilliant character ..." — IndieReader (starred review, IR Seal of Approval)
“[A] must-read thriller ... engrossing ... memorable. ... All the right ingredients of emotions, action, corruption, justice, courtroom drama, and gentle romance.” — Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Seal)
Emily Calby disappeared at age twelve, the only survivor of a notorious home invasion. Three years after her terrifying odyssey in The Hiding Girl, she’s safe, living in anonymity with her mentor, ex-gang member Lucas Jackson—before life blows up again on her Sweet Sixteen birthday. Arrested for carrying her birthday gift—an illegal handgun from Lucas—a fingerprint scan shows her to be the missing Calby girl and worse: she’s wanted for murder in another state.
Extradited to a corrupt juvenile prison, Emily struggles to adjust to a new code of survival while battling a vindictive prosecutor willing to resort to any means to convict her. As The Law thwarts her every move, she begins to appreciate its awesome power. She discovers a hidden prison law library and buries herself in the books, casting her destiny.
As she fights for her life in court, the dark secrets behind the prison walls close in. Her cellmate, a spookily prescient drug addict, is in grave danger. So is her first love, a gentle boy sentenced to life without parole. Emily’s desperate to help them, but how can she, when her explosive trial brings one new disaster after another? A legal thriller like no other.
PRAISE FOR THE EMILY CALBY SERIES
“Dark and gritty … an exceptional, heart-pounding story full of raw emotion, deep-seated fear, and an undercurrent of hope and innocence. Deeply atmospheric … without peer in contemporary mysteries/thrillers.” — Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist
“In Emily, Author Dorian Box has created a rarity—a teenage protagonist that is at once sympathetic, vulnerable and largely fearless.” — BestThrillers (Best Psychological Thriller of Year)
“The story that author Dorian Box has created for Emily Calby is nothing short of thrilling, but it’s the masterful interplay of character, setting, and theme, along with the fast pace and high emotional stakes that make this a real page-turner.” — IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction
“A unique mix of hope, shattered innocence, pain, fear, and vulnerability … a great, suspenseful read.” — Readers’ Favorite Medal for Suspense Fiction
“You root for the lead, Emily, and stick with her throughout. Engaged me from the first page. Excellent story. Dark and grisly, yet a lot of hope comes with this one.” — Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense
“Most heartwarming bloody crime I’ve ever read ... Emily’s story is both heart-wrenching in the tragedies that befall her, as well as heartwarming in the people she meets that help her on her way.” — BookishFirst
“[S]tandout sequel from Dorian Box featuring a fierce female main character, a perfectly planned and paced plot, and a strong sense of theme … Emily is a brilliant character; she is the perfect balance of admirable and flawed. ... Every scene is meaningful, which makes the book a true page-turner.” — IndieReader (5 Stars, IR Seal of Approval)
“Once again, I’m floored, breathless, and sleep-deprived from racing through yet another harrowing and heartfelt adventure in the ever-dangerous life of young Emily Calby.” — NetGalley
“Standout sequel from Dorian Box featuring a fierce female main character, a perfectly planned and paced plot, and a strong sense of theme. ... Emily is a brilliant character ..." — IndieReader (starred review, IR Seal of Approval)
“[A] must-read thriller ... engrossing ... memorable. ... All the right ingredients of emotions, action, corruption, justice, courtroom drama, and gentle romance.” — Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Seal)
Emily Calby disappeared at age twelve, the only survivor of a notorious home invasion. Three years after her terrifying odyssey in The Hiding Girl, she’s safe, living in anonymity with her mentor, ex-gang member Lucas Jackson—before life blows up again on her Sweet Sixteen birthday. Arrested for carrying her birthday gift—an illegal handgun from Lucas—a fingerprint scan shows her to be the missing Calby girl and worse: she’s wanted for murder in another state.
Extradited to a corrupt juvenile prison, Emily struggles to adjust to a new code of survival while battling a vindictive prosecutor willing to resort to any means to convict her. As The Law thwarts her every move, she begins to appreciate its awesome power. She discovers a hidden prison law library and buries herself in the books, casting her destiny.
As she fights for her life in court, the dark secrets behind the prison walls close in. Her cellmate, a spookily prescient drug addict, is in grave danger. So is her first love, a gentle boy sentenced to life without parole. Emily’s desperate to help them, but how can she, when her explosive trial brings one new disaster after another? A legal thriller like no other.
PRAISE FOR THE EMILY CALBY SERIES
“Dark and gritty … an exceptional, heart-pounding story full of raw emotion, deep-seated fear, and an undercurrent of hope and innocence. Deeply atmospheric … without peer in contemporary mysteries/thrillers.” — Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist
“In Emily, Author Dorian Box has created a rarity—a teenage protagonist that is at once sympathetic, vulnerable and largely fearless.” — BestThrillers (Best Psychological Thriller of Year)
“The story that author Dorian Box has created for Emily Calby is nothing short of thrilling, but it’s the masterful interplay of character, setting, and theme, along with the fast pace and high emotional stakes that make this a real page-turner.” — IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction
“A unique mix of hope, shattered innocence, pain, fear, and vulnerability … a great, suspenseful read.” — Readers’ Favorite Medal for Suspense Fiction
“You root for the lead, Emily, and stick with her throughout. Engaged me from the first page. Excellent story. Dark and grisly, yet a lot of hope comes with this one.” — Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense
“Most heartwarming bloody crime I’ve ever read ... Emily’s story is both heart-wrenching in the tragedies that befall her, as well as heartwarming in the people she meets that help her on her way.” — BookishFirst
“[S]tandout sequel from Dorian Box featuring a fierce female main character, a perfectly planned and paced plot, and a strong sense of theme … Emily is a brilliant character; she is the perfect balance of admirable and flawed. ... Every scene is meaningful, which makes the book a true page-turner.” — IndieReader (5 Stars, IR Seal of Approval)
“Once again, I’m floored, breathless, and sleep-deprived from racing through yet another harrowing and heartfelt adventure in the ever-dangerous life of young Emily Calby.” — NetGalley
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
644 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Dorian Box
6 books110 followersDorian Box is the pen name for A.J. McClurg, a former law professor. He likes to blend dark themes with heart, hope and humor with a goal of evoking tears and laughs over the same book.
His novels have received awards and honors such as: Writer's Digest Award for Genre Fiction; Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist in Mysteries/Thrillers (twice); IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction; Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense; Best Psychological Thriller of the Year and Finalist, Best Legal Thriller of the Year (BestThrillers); National Indie Excellence Award Finalist; and Readers’ Favorite medals in four different categories (Suspense, Legal Thrillers, Humor, and New Adult Fiction).
At one time or another his books have been Amazon No. 1 Bestsellers in categories such as Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Legal Thrillers, and Women Sleuths (for the Emily Calby Series), and General Humorous Fiction, Humorous Dark Comedy, and Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (for the Danny Teakwell Series).
His nonfiction books include an Amazon Editors’ Favorite Book of the Year. As an academic, he's been interviewed as a legal expert by National Public Radio, the PBS Newshour, and many other sources.
McClurg (or maybe it's Box) lives out his childhood rockstar fantasies singing and playing in Memphis cover bands.
His novels have received awards and honors such as: Writer's Digest Award for Genre Fiction; Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist in Mysteries/Thrillers (twice); IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction; Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense; Best Psychological Thriller of the Year and Finalist, Best Legal Thriller of the Year (BestThrillers); National Indie Excellence Award Finalist; and Readers’ Favorite medals in four different categories (Suspense, Legal Thrillers, Humor, and New Adult Fiction).
At one time or another his books have been Amazon No. 1 Bestsellers in categories such as Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Legal Thrillers, and Women Sleuths (for the Emily Calby Series), and General Humorous Fiction, Humorous Dark Comedy, and Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (for the Danny Teakwell Series).
His nonfiction books include an Amazon Editors’ Favorite Book of the Year. As an academic, he's been interviewed as a legal expert by National Public Radio, the PBS Newshour, and many other sources.
McClurg (or maybe it's Box) lives out his childhood rockstar fantasies singing and playing in Memphis cover bands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
November 22, 2021
This is the second Emily Calby book. I really enjoyed the first book that had Emily on the run and in hiding after her mother and sister were killed when she was 12 years old. She had a lot of misadventures after that. So I was really excited when I got the arc for Target the Girl (book 3). But what about book two? I missed that one completely so I just had to buy it and read it quickly and I am so glad I did! That was freaking awesome!
Emily is now 15 going on 16 and calling herself Alice Black. Lucas, her protector whom we met in book 1 gave her a pistol for protection only she got arrested for carrying it, presumably illegally and is now in juvie awaiting trial for the murder of someone in book 1 (trying to avoid spoilers) even though it was self defence. The prison is horrible and there is much bad behaviour and abuse by the guards but Emily is very smart and gets a job in the library. When she realises there is a law library, even though it is never used, she is delighted and she starts to read. Which is a good thing as her very nice but very sick public defender keels over in court one day and, well, Emily decides to defend herself for the remainder of the trial. It’s obviously not that simple but I can’t say more.
I do enjoy legal thrillers but have to take them in small doses but this book was riveting. I could not put it down and that is due to the wonderful characters that Mr Box has created. Emily herself is so relatable and strong and blunt and has a strong sense of justice and a bit of a saviour complex which does get her into trouble. She has grown a lot, mentally, in the 3 years since we met her. She is also a total badass. Her cell mate Rebecca was haunting and just a bit psychic and very tragic. Lucas (I see him as a bulked up Idris Elba) is a gentle giant who can be deadly (yes I can see the contradiction) but who was always there to pull Emily out of a hole.
These characters were so lively and multidimensional and I could just see them. I was also impressed that a grown man wrote a teenage girl so (I thought) accurately. I vaguely remember being a teenager and I had 2 daughters so I am familiar with that particular beast. The story itself
was perfectly paced and tautly plotted. It was heartwarming yet dark and gritty. The book was, quite simply, an awful lot of fun and I loved it. Off to read to read book 3 now!
Emily is now 15 going on 16 and calling herself Alice Black. Lucas, her protector whom we met in book 1 gave her a pistol for protection only she got arrested for carrying it, presumably illegally and is now in juvie awaiting trial for the murder of someone in book 1 (trying to avoid spoilers) even though it was self defence. The prison is horrible and there is much bad behaviour and abuse by the guards but Emily is very smart and gets a job in the library. When she realises there is a law library, even though it is never used, she is delighted and she starts to read. Which is a good thing as her very nice but very sick public defender keels over in court one day and, well, Emily decides to defend herself for the remainder of the trial. It’s obviously not that simple but I can’t say more.
I do enjoy legal thrillers but have to take them in small doses but this book was riveting. I could not put it down and that is due to the wonderful characters that Mr Box has created. Emily herself is so relatable and strong and blunt and has a strong sense of justice and a bit of a saviour complex which does get her into trouble. She has grown a lot, mentally, in the 3 years since we met her. She is also a total badass. Her cell mate Rebecca was haunting and just a bit psychic and very tragic. Lucas (I see him as a bulked up Idris Elba) is a gentle giant who can be deadly (yes I can see the contradiction) but who was always there to pull Emily out of a hole.
These characters were so lively and multidimensional and I could just see them. I was also impressed that a grown man wrote a teenage girl so (I thought) accurately. I vaguely remember being a teenager and I had 2 daughters so I am familiar with that particular beast. The story itself
was perfectly paced and tautly plotted. It was heartwarming yet dark and gritty. The book was, quite simply, an awful lot of fun and I loved it. Off to read to read book 3 now!
February 10, 2021
This is the second book in the Emily Calby series. I guess technically this could be a standalone, but in book one you learn about the rape and murder of her mother and sister, how she ended up on the run, and how she was taken in by Lucas and trained for self-defense and revenge by Lucas and his girlfriend, who is a boxer.
Three years later, Emily has been living as Alice since she had to hide from the men she managed to escape from. Now, Emily/Alice is arrested for illegally carrying a firearm, and she gets incarcerated--but she's accused of much more than carrying an illegal weapon. It’s an exciting prison/courtroom book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MARCH 1, 2021.
Three years later, Emily has been living as Alice since she had to hide from the men she managed to escape from. Now, Emily/Alice is arrested for illegally carrying a firearm, and she gets incarcerated--but she's accused of much more than carrying an illegal weapon. It’s an exciting prison/courtroom book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MARCH 1, 2021.
June 30, 2021
What a great book. It was definitely a good legal suspense, thriller. Alice is on the run after her family is murdered. She doesn’t have much impulse control and it gets her into trouble… she ends up in detention and the story revolves around that and whether or not she will go to prison or get out. SO GOOD. Definitely kept me holding my breath wondering if the other shoe would drop- something more bad happen or would she get out? And if she did, then what? I haven’t read the first book in the series, but plan to now. Loved it. 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
November 9, 2021
5 Justice Due Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
Well, I knew this would happen. Once again, I did not sleep until 4:58 AM! Sorry, NOT Sorry, at all. I can always sleep but I cannot always have the experience of reading a book that had everything I love. It had a strong theme of what is right and wrong and how gray some of those choices can be, but the main focus of those choices is the fact We Always Have A Choice.
They may not be the ones we want, but in every circumstance we have choices. To have that life lesson so clearly presented hit a serious nerve with me as that is something I was taught as a child and I taught that concept to my children. We do not have to like them, but choices are always there.
This is the next book in the new series by Dorian Box and it shows off his acknowledged talents in the legal world. It shows off his ability to showcase a tough warrior princess of the first-rate. We met her in The Hiding Girl, which I highly recommend reading before this. You can read this without it, as the author gives you backstory and nuggets to bring a reader up to date...But really, do what I did and get the first book, read it, love it and you will not be sorry.
I truly love this book and series. (Yes, I keep repeating myself) It addresses so much that is happening in this world. It does it smartly and in a way where you will become obsessed with these characters. Even when you think you know what is coming, yes...I had some serious understanding of how things could be happening, I still was given a couple of twists to make me a happy camper as I did not see them coming.
I haven't been this invested in a character since The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden, #1) by A.R. Torre (Alessandra Torre) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... or Huntress Moon (The Huntress/FBI Thrillers #1) by Alexandra Sokoloff https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Each of these series had an incredibly strong woman needing to figure things out after a traumatic life experience while young and how they worked through it all and found themselves. These series were more than their face value, looking deeper if you allowed them and this series is doing this as well.
I am editing myself so as not to go into this book on a level I wish I could. I would talk about all of the characters and how well each and everyone had their own legit personality, way of presenting their facts and feelings. I went into this with only the author's blurbs and felt they were enough.
I sense there will be more coming, at least I hope it isn't just magical thinking, something our gal was accused of doing all of the time. Maybe it is, and that type of thinking worked for her, so maybe my sense of more coming will work for me too.
The Hiding Girl (Emily Calby, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Girl in Cell 49B (Emily Calby, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Target: The Girl (Emily Calby, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Diving In, Of Course At A Ridiculous Time, destined to be up all night, AGAIN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She Wasn't Supposed To Have Survived...
She Is Now Smarter And Older, Fighting The Odds...
Unfortunately, Her Sweet Sixteen...
Lands Her Into More Trouble...
Caged And Held For Things...
She Will Have To Overcome...
No Matter How Bad Things Get...
She Always Was Able To Understand...
Knowledge Is Power, Even When Powerless...
So Seek And Find She Does...
An Out Of Date Law Library...
Anything To Assist And Learn...
She Doesn't Have Any Weapons...
After All, She Was Only...
The Girl in Cell 49B (Emily Calby, #2)
A gifted copy was provided by Friction Press Via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * * Spoiler Free
Well, I knew this would happen. Once again, I did not sleep until 4:58 AM! Sorry, NOT Sorry, at all. I can always sleep but I cannot always have the experience of reading a book that had everything I love. It had a strong theme of what is right and wrong and how gray some of those choices can be, but the main focus of those choices is the fact We Always Have A Choice.
They may not be the ones we want, but in every circumstance we have choices. To have that life lesson so clearly presented hit a serious nerve with me as that is something I was taught as a child and I taught that concept to my children. We do not have to like them, but choices are always there.
This is the next book in the new series by Dorian Box and it shows off his acknowledged talents in the legal world. It shows off his ability to showcase a tough warrior princess of the first-rate. We met her in The Hiding Girl, which I highly recommend reading before this. You can read this without it, as the author gives you backstory and nuggets to bring a reader up to date...But really, do what I did and get the first book, read it, love it and you will not be sorry.
I truly love this book and series. (Yes, I keep repeating myself) It addresses so much that is happening in this world. It does it smartly and in a way where you will become obsessed with these characters. Even when you think you know what is coming, yes...I had some serious understanding of how things could be happening, I still was given a couple of twists to make me a happy camper as I did not see them coming.
I haven't been this invested in a character since The Girl in 6E (Deanna Madden, #1) by A.R. Torre (Alessandra Torre) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... or Huntress Moon (The Huntress/FBI Thrillers #1) by Alexandra Sokoloff https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Each of these series had an incredibly strong woman needing to figure things out after a traumatic life experience while young and how they worked through it all and found themselves. These series were more than their face value, looking deeper if you allowed them and this series is doing this as well.
I am editing myself so as not to go into this book on a level I wish I could. I would talk about all of the characters and how well each and everyone had their own legit personality, way of presenting their facts and feelings. I went into this with only the author's blurbs and felt they were enough.
I sense there will be more coming, at least I hope it isn't just magical thinking, something our gal was accused of doing all of the time. Maybe it is, and that type of thinking worked for her, so maybe my sense of more coming will work for me too.
The Hiding Girl (Emily Calby, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Girl in Cell 49B (Emily Calby, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Target: The Girl (Emily Calby, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Diving In, Of Course At A Ridiculous Time, destined to be up all night, AGAIN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She Wasn't Supposed To Have Survived...
She Is Now Smarter And Older, Fighting The Odds...
Unfortunately, Her Sweet Sixteen...
Lands Her Into More Trouble...
Caged And Held For Things...
She Will Have To Overcome...
No Matter How Bad Things Get...
She Always Was Able To Understand...
Knowledge Is Power, Even When Powerless...
So Seek And Find She Does...
An Out Of Date Law Library...
Anything To Assist And Learn...
She Doesn't Have Any Weapons...
After All, She Was Only...
The Girl in Cell 49B (Emily Calby, #2)
A gifted copy was provided by Friction Press Via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
February 14, 2021
The Girl in Cell 49B by Dorian Box. Thanks to @frictionpress and @bookishfirst for the gifted e-Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After Lucas gifts Emily a gun for her sixteenth birthday, she finds herself in a fight she shouldn’t have butt into. She then finds herself locking in a juvenile detention center facing an old murder charge.
I love, love, loved the first book, the Hiding Girl. It was one of my top 12 reads in 2020, so of course I had to pick up the second book following Emily Calby. It did not disappoint. It wasn’t quite as exciting throughout the whole book as the first book was, but it was still as good. This was more of a legal thriller. I also loved that it took place in a juvenile detention center; Orange is the New Black meets.. well, meets Emily Calby. My only wish is that Lucas was in it more, but of course he had to take a smaller role as he wouldn’t really be welcome in the facility. The ending got super exciting, and that was unexpected but so welcome after the legal thrilling was over. Showing sarcastic and intelligent Emily in the courtroom was a smart move! Also, if you have not read the first book, you can still read this, but I’d suggest reading the first just because it’s awesome and you’ll understand the characters on a deeper level.
“Dad always said go for the balls, but Lucas taught me that crushing a man’s trachea is more reliable.”
The Girl in Cell 49B comes out 3/1.
After Lucas gifts Emily a gun for her sixteenth birthday, she finds herself in a fight she shouldn’t have butt into. She then finds herself locking in a juvenile detention center facing an old murder charge.
I love, love, loved the first book, the Hiding Girl. It was one of my top 12 reads in 2020, so of course I had to pick up the second book following Emily Calby. It did not disappoint. It wasn’t quite as exciting throughout the whole book as the first book was, but it was still as good. This was more of a legal thriller. I also loved that it took place in a juvenile detention center; Orange is the New Black meets.. well, meets Emily Calby. My only wish is that Lucas was in it more, but of course he had to take a smaller role as he wouldn’t really be welcome in the facility. The ending got super exciting, and that was unexpected but so welcome after the legal thrilling was over. Showing sarcastic and intelligent Emily in the courtroom was a smart move! Also, if you have not read the first book, you can still read this, but I’d suggest reading the first just because it’s awesome and you’ll understand the characters on a deeper level.
“Dad always said go for the balls, but Lucas taught me that crushing a man’s trachea is more reliable.”
The Girl in Cell 49B comes out 3/1.
February 28, 2021
The second in the Emily Calby series and it’s three years after ‘The Hiding Girl’. With the arrival of her sixteenth birthday, Emily’s quiet life explodes and she is detained for an alleged murder. Life in a juvie prison is wrought with danger as Emily has to fight for justice and various disasters along the way. Having not read the prior book was a disadvantage given the previous character development and background. A dark story with a hero against-the-odds tale and therefore, a three-star rating. As an independent reviewer, my thanks to the author for a copy gratis prior to publication. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.
February 28, 2021
In Dorian Box’s The Hiding Girl, 12-year-old Emily Calby survived a home invasion and became an unlikely vigilante. The Girl in Cell 49B finds Emily on her 16th birthday. She’s on a bus in the Ozarks where she has been living for the past three years with her mentor, ex-gang member Lucas Jackson.
Her birthday present from Lucas? A 9mm handgun. Her freedom ends when she pulls the gun on an abusive biker at a gas station.
Emily finds herself in a hellish juvenile detention center facing charges for felony assault and illegal gun possession. With both parents dead, and Lucas her illegal guardian, she is essentially alone. But when fingerprints reveal her true identity, her crimes in Arkansas are the least of her worries. She is extradited to Louisiana to face murder charges.
To Emily’s surprise, the prosecution is able to present significant surveillance footage that doesn’t bode well for her case. Box pairs her with public defender Paula Dunwoody, who is perpetually hamstrung by poor health and a lack of resources. As Emily endures one disappointment after another, she comes to grips with the stark reality that she will have to save herself.
She arranges to be assigned to work in the prison library. She makes just eighteen cents an hour, but in the process she finds a law library, where she begins arming herself with knowledge that will soon become essential.
Throughout the novel, and especially in the most climactic courtroom scenes, Box manages to straddle the line between dark intensity and humor in this most unusual legal thriller. Emily's wry humor is ever present, but even in its most audacious moments, The Girl in Cell 49B is always believable.
Along the way, numerous storylines regarding Emily’s relationships with those inside and outside the prison are essential to her character arc. But Emily's plight to use the law to defend herself is what makes the novel both rare and truly memorable.
Her birthday present from Lucas? A 9mm handgun. Her freedom ends when she pulls the gun on an abusive biker at a gas station.
Emily finds herself in a hellish juvenile detention center facing charges for felony assault and illegal gun possession. With both parents dead, and Lucas her illegal guardian, she is essentially alone. But when fingerprints reveal her true identity, her crimes in Arkansas are the least of her worries. She is extradited to Louisiana to face murder charges.
To Emily’s surprise, the prosecution is able to present significant surveillance footage that doesn’t bode well for her case. Box pairs her with public defender Paula Dunwoody, who is perpetually hamstrung by poor health and a lack of resources. As Emily endures one disappointment after another, she comes to grips with the stark reality that she will have to save herself.
She arranges to be assigned to work in the prison library. She makes just eighteen cents an hour, but in the process she finds a law library, where she begins arming herself with knowledge that will soon become essential.
Throughout the novel, and especially in the most climactic courtroom scenes, Box manages to straddle the line between dark intensity and humor in this most unusual legal thriller. Emily's wry humor is ever present, but even in its most audacious moments, The Girl in Cell 49B is always believable.
Along the way, numerous storylines regarding Emily’s relationships with those inside and outside the prison are essential to her character arc. But Emily's plight to use the law to defend herself is what makes the novel both rare and truly memorable.
April 29, 2021
I didn't know what to expect from this book as I'd never heard of this author and hadn't read the first book in this series. But I was blown away from the first page! Emily escaped a home invasion unscathed when she was young which killed her mother and her sister. Now living with an unlikely mentor who has taught her survival skills, she's just turned 16 and is arrested for the unregistered handgun that was her birthday present. But when her fingerprints reveal who she really is, she's extradited to a juvenile detention center that's creepy and horrific in its treatment of young women. To add to her problems, the prosecuting attorney seems to have it in for her as she calls Emily a "gutter rat" during the proceedings. This leads Emily to become interested in the law all the while not only protecting other "detainees," but falling in love with a boy incarcerated as well. And this is just the surface story! Box is a fascinating storyteller and probably raised my blood pressure many times as I gasped my way through this book about an amazing and unlikely heroine! Certainly won't be my last by this author; I am hooked!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
February 18, 2021
Emily Calby has been through a lot and come out the other side ferocious. When two men killed her mother and sister, she ran. But three years and several dead bodies later, she's learned everything she needs to know about self-defense, except for what to do when you get arrested for murder.
She's quickly extradited and whisked off to a terrible juvenile detention center, where guards abuse prisoners, and she struggles to find her place. But Emily builds up her list of allies - her cell mate, sensitive, damaged Rebecca; a kind female guard; and her public defender, Paula - and would do anything to protect them.
The murder case had good twists and turns, keeping your interest. I loved how Emily used her intelligence to help further her own case despite the lack of resources available to her. Emily's final actions were a shocking conclusion to this page turner.
This is technically the second book in a series, but it worked just fine as a standalone novel.
Thank you to BookishFirst for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
She's quickly extradited and whisked off to a terrible juvenile detention center, where guards abuse prisoners, and she struggles to find her place. But Emily builds up her list of allies - her cell mate, sensitive, damaged Rebecca; a kind female guard; and her public defender, Paula - and would do anything to protect them.
The murder case had good twists and turns, keeping your interest. I loved how Emily used her intelligence to help further her own case despite the lack of resources available to her. Emily's final actions were a shocking conclusion to this page turner.
This is technically the second book in a series, but it worked just fine as a standalone novel.
Thank you to BookishFirst for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2021
What a pleasant surprise this was!
Emily Calby is a bada**!! What a brilliant character. She was loyal, feisty as hell, and SO funny. The scene where she is a witness on the stand as well as the prosecutor and keeps sitting down/standing up had me belly laughing!
The plot was so gripping and I did guess some of the twists but it didn't detract from my enjoyment at all.
Also, it is worth noting that this was the second Emily Calby book and can easily be read as a standalone. I had not read the previous novel and did not need to- the author did a wonderful job of filling in the gaps.
I hope there will be another book, I want to see what crazy situations Emily manages to get herself into next!
Fantastic book, I would highly recommend.
Emily Calby is a bada**!! What a brilliant character. She was loyal, feisty as hell, and SO funny. The scene where she is a witness on the stand as well as the prosecutor and keeps sitting down/standing up had me belly laughing!
The plot was so gripping and I did guess some of the twists but it didn't detract from my enjoyment at all.
Also, it is worth noting that this was the second Emily Calby book and can easily be read as a standalone. I had not read the previous novel and did not need to- the author did a wonderful job of filling in the gaps.
I hope there will be another book, I want to see what crazy situations Emily manages to get herself into next!
Fantastic book, I would highly recommend.
February 13, 2021
I enjoyed this book about a fifteen year old girl accused of murder and sent to a juvenile detention centre. She is wise for her years and decides to spend her time working in the library and reading law books in the hope that it will help her case.
This is the second book in the Emily Calby series and I don’t think it mattered that I haven’t read the first book because her history was described at the beginning of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Emily Calby series and I don’t think it mattered that I haven’t read the first book because her history was described at the beginning of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2021
Thank you so much to Fiction Press via Bookish First for the digital ARC of The Girl in Cell 49B by Dorian Box! This is an amazing sequel to The Hiding Girl! These are fast paced, intense books, with fun, hope, and an absolutely fierce young woman lead!
Emily Calby is facing the consequences of her actions from one book, even though it was definitely self defense. She is trying to learn about law and the legal system to help in her murder trial, where the prosecutor is an absolutely vile woman. I can just imagine how so many juvenile offenders are shafted by the legal system, but Emily is determined not to be a statistic.
I was getting Orange Is the New Black mixed with Legally Blond vibes from the time spent in the girls juvenile detention center, and liked how Emily reaches out to the other girls to try to help them ... She is such a fierce young lady! The lawyers couldn't have possibly been any different but I ended up really liking Paula, the public defender too.
Once again the book handles some dark topics though like rape, sexual assault, murder, drugs, and the broken legal system
Lucas had me cracking up again too, I wish we could have seen more from him. I seriously love him and all of these characters. Emily has a lot of personal growth in this one too, including her first crush and continuing to grapple with her PTSD and identity. She learns a lot about privilege too.
These books aren't by any means fine literature but they are thrilling, fun, and Box's legal background shines in this one. I devoured it and hope there are more Emily Calby books!
Emily Calby is facing the consequences of her actions from one book, even though it was definitely self defense. She is trying to learn about law and the legal system to help in her murder trial, where the prosecutor is an absolutely vile woman. I can just imagine how so many juvenile offenders are shafted by the legal system, but Emily is determined not to be a statistic.
I was getting Orange Is the New Black mixed with Legally Blond vibes from the time spent in the girls juvenile detention center, and liked how Emily reaches out to the other girls to try to help them ... She is such a fierce young lady! The lawyers couldn't have possibly been any different but I ended up really liking Paula, the public defender too.
Once again the book handles some dark topics though like rape, sexual assault, murder, drugs, and the broken legal system
Lucas had me cracking up again too, I wish we could have seen more from him. I seriously love him and all of these characters. Emily has a lot of personal growth in this one too, including her first crush and continuing to grapple with her PTSD and identity. She learns a lot about privilege too.
These books aren't by any means fine literature but they are thrilling, fun, and Box's legal background shines in this one. I devoured it and hope there are more Emily Calby books!
March 2, 2021
I didn't expect to enjoy this, but I ended up loving it! Instead of just being a thriller like I was expecting, it turned into a legal thriller that really made me think.
My favorite thing about this was definitely the characters. Emily was an amazing main character, I loved her so much. She was an inspiration, and I loved spending time inside her head. Watching her defend herself in the courtroom had me on the edge of my seat, and it was something completely different than I had read before.
Even better is the side characters. Rebecca, Paula, Leslie, and Lucas all had their own distinct personalities, and I loved them. I hate it when books have one dimensional side characters, and this book avoided that so well. Every character was complex, and it was amazing.
I do want to mention that even though this is book 2 in a series, I read it as a standalone. I honestly feel like I preferred that experience, because I came in completely blind to Emily's attitude. I'm not a real fan of thrillers, so I'm not sure how much i would've enjoyed book 1. I may go back and read it, but this read perfectly as a standalone
Id definitely recommend this to fans of legal thrillers! I was caught unaware by several twists, which is something I always love. This was a great book!
Thanks to BookishFirst for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
My favorite thing about this was definitely the characters. Emily was an amazing main character, I loved her so much. She was an inspiration, and I loved spending time inside her head. Watching her defend herself in the courtroom had me on the edge of my seat, and it was something completely different than I had read before.
Even better is the side characters. Rebecca, Paula, Leslie, and Lucas all had their own distinct personalities, and I loved them. I hate it when books have one dimensional side characters, and this book avoided that so well. Every character was complex, and it was amazing.
I do want to mention that even though this is book 2 in a series, I read it as a standalone. I honestly feel like I preferred that experience, because I came in completely blind to Emily's attitude. I'm not a real fan of thrillers, so I'm not sure how much i would've enjoyed book 1. I may go back and read it, but this read perfectly as a standalone
Id definitely recommend this to fans of legal thrillers! I was caught unaware by several twists, which is something I always love. This was a great book!
Thanks to BookishFirst for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
May 16, 2021
Emily’s mother and sister were raped and murdered by two men who broke into their home. Emily escaped by hiding in the woods. So that she wouldn’t go into foster care, a man named Lucas Black and his wife took Emily under their wing. They taught Emily how to protect herself with martial arts, and shooting targets. Lucas had forged documents to give Emily a new identity, Alice Black.
She is at a gas station watching two bikers, as one of them is bullying her girlfriend. Emily says to the guy it’s not her fault; you’re the dumbass who spilled gasoline all over your tank. The first biker goes after her, and all of Emily’s training took over. She was able to put the first biker down by hitting him directly in the throat. Then she pulls the gun out that Lucas had given her. Both back off and she starts to run. Apparently the store clerks called it into the police that a young girl had pulled a gun out on the bikers. The police show up and find the knife and gun that she had hidden in the garbage can. She is then taken into custody by the police. The police find out that there is an arrest warrant out for her arrest from the state where her mother and sister were murdered. She ends up in juvenile detention. What’s life like at the juvenile detention detention center. It’s not all that it seems. The COs are corrupt and abusing the girls. Even the individuals who claim to look out for juveniles can be. Will anything be done to correct this misjustice? Along the way she decides that she wants to work in the prison library, where she begins to study the law books. Emily decides to represent herself during her trial. Will all that Emily has learned from her studying the law books help her? Will Lucas eventually find her and be able to help her in this situation? Great book to show that things are not always as they seem. The plot was intriguing. The character development was very in depth and descriptive. The reader could relate to the protagonist. The antagonist were on a mission to destroy Emily. Will they be able to accomplish this? I really liked this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.
She is at a gas station watching two bikers, as one of them is bullying her girlfriend. Emily says to the guy it’s not her fault; you’re the dumbass who spilled gasoline all over your tank. The first biker goes after her, and all of Emily’s training took over. She was able to put the first biker down by hitting him directly in the throat. Then she pulls the gun out that Lucas had given her. Both back off and she starts to run. Apparently the store clerks called it into the police that a young girl had pulled a gun out on the bikers. The police show up and find the knife and gun that she had hidden in the garbage can. She is then taken into custody by the police. The police find out that there is an arrest warrant out for her arrest from the state where her mother and sister were murdered. She ends up in juvenile detention. What’s life like at the juvenile detention detention center. It’s not all that it seems. The COs are corrupt and abusing the girls. Even the individuals who claim to look out for juveniles can be. Will anything be done to correct this misjustice? Along the way she decides that she wants to work in the prison library, where she begins to study the law books. Emily decides to represent herself during her trial. Will all that Emily has learned from her studying the law books help her? Will Lucas eventually find her and be able to help her in this situation? Great book to show that things are not always as they seem. The plot was intriguing. The character development was very in depth and descriptive. The reader could relate to the protagonist. The antagonist were on a mission to destroy Emily. Will they be able to accomplish this? I really liked this book, and look forward to reading more from this author.
February 17, 2021
Thank you to Bookish First and the publisher for the digital ARC.
After reading a preview of The Girl n Cell 49B, I was interested enough to purchase and read the first book in the series, The Hiding Girl, and then moved on to The Girl in Cell 49B. Although I don't think it is critical to read book one first, it was a highly enjoyable training-for-revenge thriller that definitely gives background/insight into Emily Calby/Alice Black and her connection to Lucas.
For work (and often by choice), I read lots of middle grade and young adult fiction, so it was interesting to see how a teen girl protagonist was handled in a book meant for adults. While the book did not spare Emily's internal struggle with being in juvenile detention and preparing for her first-degree murder trial, her confident and methodical approach made her seem a bit more adult, but to be fair, she had to grow up a lot while on the run.
At first I thought a few of the plot details were a bit far-fetched, such as the guards not noticing a drone near the fence and the HUGE amount of time Emily spent using her phone in her cell without getting caught. However, I reminded myself that these details would seem perfectly fine to move the plot along in an action movie, so I decided just to enjoy the ride.
In all, The Girl in Cell B is a solid thriller. Although marketed to adults, I could also see high school students getting into the action and appreciating the teen characters. And I will definitely read the next book should the author choose to continue the series.
After reading a preview of The Girl n Cell 49B, I was interested enough to purchase and read the first book in the series, The Hiding Girl, and then moved on to The Girl in Cell 49B. Although I don't think it is critical to read book one first, it was a highly enjoyable training-for-revenge thriller that definitely gives background/insight into Emily Calby/Alice Black and her connection to Lucas.
For work (and often by choice), I read lots of middle grade and young adult fiction, so it was interesting to see how a teen girl protagonist was handled in a book meant for adults. While the book did not spare Emily's internal struggle with being in juvenile detention and preparing for her first-degree murder trial, her confident and methodical approach made her seem a bit more adult, but to be fair, she had to grow up a lot while on the run.
At first I thought a few of the plot details were a bit far-fetched, such as the guards not noticing a drone near the fence and the HUGE amount of time Emily spent using her phone in her cell without getting caught. However, I reminded myself that these details would seem perfectly fine to move the plot along in an action movie, so I decided just to enjoy the ride.
In all, The Girl in Cell B is a solid thriller. Although marketed to adults, I could also see high school students getting into the action and appreciating the teen characters. And I will definitely read the next book should the author choose to continue the series.
February 14, 2021
Thank you NetGalley, author Dorian Box, and Friction Press for giving me a free E-book copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
Trigger Warnings: Talk of sexual abuse of minors, attempted sexual assault of a minor, talk of drug use, talk of psychological illnesses.
I was so excited when I heard there would be a second book! This book picks up with Emily Calby/Alice Black three years later. Still on the run, with her father figure Lucas, Emily finds herself in trouble with the police after pulling an illegal gun on a couple of bikers. When Emily finds herself in Juvenile Detention on trial for her life, she needs all the help she can get from those within and without if she want to get back to Lucas! What really might be going on within the walls of the Juvenile Center?
This book was a nonstop action packed book. Emily was her same stubborn yet brilliant self. I really enjoyed the secondary cast of characters that were front and center. Rebecca, her cellmate, Miss Mava (the detention center librarian), some of the correctional officers, and Paula (public defender). While Lucas did not make too many appearances, he still did all he could to help Emily. The book had so many twist and turns especially when it can time for the trial. Emily was no just sitting by and hoping for the best outcome, she took charge and studied the law. Overall, this book was really worth the read! I can't wait to read more books by this author.
4.5 stars
Trigger Warnings: Talk of sexual abuse of minors, attempted sexual assault of a minor, talk of drug use, talk of psychological illnesses.
I was so excited when I heard there would be a second book! This book picks up with Emily Calby/Alice Black three years later. Still on the run, with her father figure Lucas, Emily finds herself in trouble with the police after pulling an illegal gun on a couple of bikers. When Emily finds herself in Juvenile Detention on trial for her life, she needs all the help she can get from those within and without if she want to get back to Lucas! What really might be going on within the walls of the Juvenile Center?
This book was a nonstop action packed book. Emily was her same stubborn yet brilliant self. I really enjoyed the secondary cast of characters that were front and center. Rebecca, her cellmate, Miss Mava (the detention center librarian), some of the correctional officers, and Paula (public defender). While Lucas did not make too many appearances, he still did all he could to help Emily. The book had so many twist and turns especially when it can time for the trial. Emily was no just sitting by and hoping for the best outcome, she took charge and studied the law. Overall, this book was really worth the read! I can't wait to read more books by this author.
March 2, 2021
The Girl in Cell 49B by Dorian Box
Emily Calby #2
Excellent – wasn’t sure how the author would come up with a winner again, but this was equally stunning as book one in the series! This book begins three years after book one ends and we find Emily/Alice sixteen and acting out in a way that sees her end up in big trouble.
What I liked:
* Emily: older, perhaps wiser, damaged, suffering trauma from the loss experienced in book one of the series, finds herself in another difficult situation. I love her tenacity, strength, and resilience as well as her ability to accomplish what she sets her mind to.
* Lucas: still a bulwark and there for Emily no matter what. He didn’t have significant page time, but his presence was “there” and felt throughout.
* Rebecca: Emily/Alice’s cellmate, quiet, abused, a survivor, kind, a good friend to Emily, a survivor. I felt for her and hoped she would come out okay eventually.
* Paula: Emily’s public defender and a good woman.
* The judge hearing the case against Emily – seemed a good man.
* Dulcie: daughter of an evil man – she played a pivotal role in this story.
* CO Longmont and Librarian Mava: two good people in the jail Emily found herself in.
* The way the court case and the story finally worked out.
* The future Emily believes she will focus on
* Wondering if there will be a book three to look forward to.
What I didn’t like:
* Leslie Tierney: prosecutor, vindictive, cruel, all about the win, not a person I admired at all.
* Twiggs and some of his cohort staff at the juvenile prison – users and abusers that had no business in the jobs they held – did like that they were dealt with eventually.
Did I like this book? Definitely
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Emily Calby #2
Excellent – wasn’t sure how the author would come up with a winner again, but this was equally stunning as book one in the series! This book begins three years after book one ends and we find Emily/Alice sixteen and acting out in a way that sees her end up in big trouble.
What I liked:
* Emily: older, perhaps wiser, damaged, suffering trauma from the loss experienced in book one of the series, finds herself in another difficult situation. I love her tenacity, strength, and resilience as well as her ability to accomplish what she sets her mind to.
* Lucas: still a bulwark and there for Emily no matter what. He didn’t have significant page time, but his presence was “there” and felt throughout.
* Rebecca: Emily/Alice’s cellmate, quiet, abused, a survivor, kind, a good friend to Emily, a survivor. I felt for her and hoped she would come out okay eventually.
* Paula: Emily’s public defender and a good woman.
* The judge hearing the case against Emily – seemed a good man.
* Dulcie: daughter of an evil man – she played a pivotal role in this story.
* CO Longmont and Librarian Mava: two good people in the jail Emily found herself in.
* The way the court case and the story finally worked out.
* The future Emily believes she will focus on
* Wondering if there will be a book three to look forward to.
What I didn’t like:
* Leslie Tierney: prosecutor, vindictive, cruel, all about the win, not a person I admired at all.
* Twiggs and some of his cohort staff at the juvenile prison – users and abusers that had no business in the jobs they held – did like that they were dealt with eventually.
Did I like this book? Definitely
Would I read more by this author? Without a doubt
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
April 16, 2021
THE GIRL IN CELL 49B is the second in a series that author Dorian Box created about a 13 year old girl left unmoored and alone after a horrible event. The story picks up three years after the first ended and our protagonist is growing up while plagued by issues related to her trauma. The story of her legal issues is one where she finally begins to find herself, and her strengths, in the midst of chaos. While the story may be a tad overly optimistic, it’s still a very good one. I love these characters and can’t wait to see what happens next. These books are best read in order. But they are definitely worth reading. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 2, 2022
When I read that there was going to be a sequel to "The Hiding Girl" and the plot summary, I was nervous. So much happens to Emily Calby/Alice Black in "The Hiding Girl", that having her return three years later and finding herself back in "life or death" trouble seemed like it was going to be too much (overkill in a sense, no pun intended). I am happy to report my concerns were assuaged. Overall, "The Girl in Cell 49B" struck the right balance. Emily was the same wonderful character as in the first book -- impulsive, stubborn, resourceful, smart, caring, etc. Because Emily spends much of the story in a juvenile detention center or a courtroom, Lucas largely plays a secondary role in the story, but there are moments where he makes his presence known quite effectively. The author has created a great supporting cast in Emily's cellmate Rebecca, other detainees (Lola and Ben in particular), Miss Mava (the detention center librarian), some of the correctional officers, Paula (public defender), Leslie Tierney (hard-nosed prosecutor), and Judge Hanks. As a lawyer who likes the research and learning aspect of the job, I enjoyed Emily using the law library at the detention center to educate herself on the law to assist in her own defense and to try to help other detainees. "The Girl in Cell 49B" was well worth reading.
I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
February 5, 2022
With the non-stop action of real-life drama Dorian Box brings to readers through young Emily Calby . . . who needs the dystopian world of Katniss and Hunger Games to unravel moral conflict? Suffering and injustice is real, along with our own foibles, especially in the world of teens and pre-adulthood. Yet the author reminds the reader that hope, focus, and inner-strength can always persevere. Justice, and freedom can be a tough balancing act in the eyes of the law . . . and the legal system does not always get it right. Through Emily, Lucas and the other characters, younger readers will discover their own sense of purpose moving forward in life while older readers can be reminded of the fire in their bellies that motivated them to achieve their best accomplishments. The Girl in Cell 49B is a highly recommended read, especially for any aspiring attorney or law enforcement officer or for those already working in the law or the criminal justice system. Emily is a superhero character with down to earth grit, finding her moral compass with the magic of her soul (sorry… no radioactive spider bites).
July 4, 2022
Love Emily so much
Emily is such a great character! I love how no matter what she was going through she also always trying to help others! A true role model!
Emily is such a great character! I love how no matter what she was going through she also always trying to help others! A true role model!
February 21, 2021
The Girl in Cell 49B is the story of Emily Calby, aka Alice Black, who has been on the run and in hiding for the past 3 years after a home invasion killed her mother and sister. Alice was the lone survivor in the tragedy. She met and was staying with Lucas, a father-figure type who had been helping protect her. On her 16th birthday, Lucas gave Alice an illegal handgun, which she was later caught with, arrested, and sent to a juvenile detention center. The fingerprints on the gun also prove that Alice is Emily, and she is wanted in another state for murder.
While in juvenile prison, Emily spends her time in the law library trying to avoid as many people as possible, laying low until her trial to remain as anonymous as possible, and trying to learn as much as she can to help herself in her case. Her cellmate, Rebecca, becomes her friend and ally, but also opens Emily's eyes to some of the corruption happing within the juvenile center. Emily is not only fighting for her life inside the courtroom, but she is trying to protect the lives of the other inmates from the imminent danger the center holds.
By the time I was 30% into this book, I was hooked and didn't want to stop reading. I thought Emily was a strong, brave, clever character and she was learning more about herself each day as her trial got closer and closer. I loved that the chapters were pretty short, which I think makes a book go by even faster. I also loved that Mr. Box, a former law professor, used and described law lingo that helped enhance the story and kept the reader in the loop of what was happening throughout the book. This made kind of me feel like I was in the courtroom listening to the testimony.
I really appreciated how full circle the book was at the end. Everything tied together nicely, everything felt finished, and at the same time, I could see (and am hoping for) a third book in the future. This book was full of tension, emotion, and hold-your-breath moments. Very well done.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes legal thrillers. I don't know that I would classify this as YA, even though the characters are teenagers. I feel the content of the story is more for adults, though there was nothing too horrible or graphic that wouldn't be appropriate for a teenager. I just think that the content was heavy.
Trigger warnings to be aware of: rape, attempted rape of a minor, drugs and alcohol, abuse, gangs, mentions of incest. Reader discretion advised.
While in juvenile prison, Emily spends her time in the law library trying to avoid as many people as possible, laying low until her trial to remain as anonymous as possible, and trying to learn as much as she can to help herself in her case. Her cellmate, Rebecca, becomes her friend and ally, but also opens Emily's eyes to some of the corruption happing within the juvenile center. Emily is not only fighting for her life inside the courtroom, but she is trying to protect the lives of the other inmates from the imminent danger the center holds.
By the time I was 30% into this book, I was hooked and didn't want to stop reading. I thought Emily was a strong, brave, clever character and she was learning more about herself each day as her trial got closer and closer. I loved that the chapters were pretty short, which I think makes a book go by even faster. I also loved that Mr. Box, a former law professor, used and described law lingo that helped enhance the story and kept the reader in the loop of what was happening throughout the book. This made kind of me feel like I was in the courtroom listening to the testimony.
I really appreciated how full circle the book was at the end. Everything tied together nicely, everything felt finished, and at the same time, I could see (and am hoping for) a third book in the future. This book was full of tension, emotion, and hold-your-breath moments. Very well done.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes legal thrillers. I don't know that I would classify this as YA, even though the characters are teenagers. I feel the content of the story is more for adults, though there was nothing too horrible or graphic that wouldn't be appropriate for a teenager. I just think that the content was heavy.
Trigger warnings to be aware of: rape, attempted rape of a minor, drugs and alcohol, abuse, gangs, mentions of incest. Reader discretion advised.
February 23, 2021
The Girl in Cell 49B is a story about a girl battling her darkest demons. She has multiple demons: guilt, aggression, and rage. She also has a soft spot for underdogs. Emily has a dark past – her mother and sister were raped and her family home was burned to the ground, nearly killing her in the process. She carries a lot of guilt around because she feels she should have somehow saved her family instead of running away, which ultimately saved her life. After changing her appearance and assuming a new identity and living as Alice for three years, her aggression gets the best of her when she witnesses a nasty bully abusing his girlfriend at a gas station. Unable to stop herself, she walks up to the bully and points a gun in his face. The bully stops his behavior and they drive off but not before the gas station employee reports her to the police and they capture her using the gas station security camera.
This lands her in juvenile jail where the authorities discover, after taking her fingerprints, that she’s the lost girl that disappeared after the horrific home invasion that killed her family all those years ago. She’s also a person of interest wanted in a murder in another state.
Once she’s in juvenile jail, she quickly learns how to navigate the various caste systems and befriends a few underdogs who she feels compelled to try and save. Once her own trial starts, she quickly learns that THE LAW could quickly make or break her and in order to give herself the best chance of surviving a “fair” trial, she begins using the law library in juvenile jail to teach herself how the law works and how she can make it work for her.
This is a story about grit, determination and self-perseverance. This character has had to adapt to a cruel world, learn how to fight and defend herself while somehow managing to keep her sense of self. She’s unusual in that she has a big heart and she can’t stand to see good people being treated unfairly. But she also has a dark side. A side that she finds hard to control and keep under control. Once that dark side of her is unleashed, she can be cruel, dangerous and unpredictable. Emily’s journey is just beginning and she intends to use her new-found interest in the law to help people who can’t help themselves while trying to keep her dark past from destroying her and those she cares about.
This lands her in juvenile jail where the authorities discover, after taking her fingerprints, that she’s the lost girl that disappeared after the horrific home invasion that killed her family all those years ago. She’s also a person of interest wanted in a murder in another state.
Once she’s in juvenile jail, she quickly learns how to navigate the various caste systems and befriends a few underdogs who she feels compelled to try and save. Once her own trial starts, she quickly learns that THE LAW could quickly make or break her and in order to give herself the best chance of surviving a “fair” trial, she begins using the law library in juvenile jail to teach herself how the law works and how she can make it work for her.
This is a story about grit, determination and self-perseverance. This character has had to adapt to a cruel world, learn how to fight and defend herself while somehow managing to keep her sense of self. She’s unusual in that she has a big heart and she can’t stand to see good people being treated unfairly. But she also has a dark side. A side that she finds hard to control and keep under control. Once that dark side of her is unleashed, she can be cruel, dangerous and unpredictable. Emily’s journey is just beginning and she intends to use her new-found interest in the law to help people who can’t help themselves while trying to keep her dark past from destroying her and those she cares about.
April 19, 2021
The Girl in Cell 49B is the second novel in Dorian Box's Emily Calby series. As the series title probably gives away, this is a thrilling mystery series. One worth checking out.
Emily Calby's' whole life changed when she was twelve years old. A home invasion took away the lives of the rest of her family. Then, she was taken away from Lucas Jackson, and for three years, she lived an anonymous life.
When she was sixteen, her life once again was thrown into upheaval. She made a mistake, and it got her arrest. The arrest turned up her history, and suddenly it was revealed that she was the missing Calby girl.
Unfortunately, her problems don't exactly stop there, as this isn't the only result that a fingerprint scan brings up. Emily's life is about to get a whole lot more complicated, as she fights for freedom, safety, and her life.
“Dad always said go for the balls, but Lucas taught me that crushing a man’s trachea is more reliable.”
The Girl in Cell 49B is a dark and daring thriller, one that throws Emily Calby through countless scenarios before it is all said and done. If you're looking for a fast-paced read, then this is the one for you.
I should probably mention that while this is the second novel in the series, I hadn't actually read the first (The Hiding Girl). Despite that, I had no trouble following along. For that reason, I do almost feel like The Girl in Cell 49B could be a standalone novel. Especially for those that are curious but can't wait to give it a try (guilty).
The novel does a great job of getting new readers up to speed – running us through the details of Emily's past. That may be a great refresher for fans that read the first novel, or it may be too much. I'm not certain.
It was interesting to see Emily's life in a juvenile detention center – though naturally, it was still pretty disturbing to read about at times. Still, I was surprised by how many twists and turns Dorian Box managed to sneak into this story. Clearly, I'm going to have to set aside some time and see what happened in The Hiding Girl, if it's anything like the sequel.
Thanks to Friction Press and #BookishFirst for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Emily Calby's' whole life changed when she was twelve years old. A home invasion took away the lives of the rest of her family. Then, she was taken away from Lucas Jackson, and for three years, she lived an anonymous life.
When she was sixteen, her life once again was thrown into upheaval. She made a mistake, and it got her arrest. The arrest turned up her history, and suddenly it was revealed that she was the missing Calby girl.
Unfortunately, her problems don't exactly stop there, as this isn't the only result that a fingerprint scan brings up. Emily's life is about to get a whole lot more complicated, as she fights for freedom, safety, and her life.
“Dad always said go for the balls, but Lucas taught me that crushing a man’s trachea is more reliable.”
The Girl in Cell 49B is a dark and daring thriller, one that throws Emily Calby through countless scenarios before it is all said and done. If you're looking for a fast-paced read, then this is the one for you.
I should probably mention that while this is the second novel in the series, I hadn't actually read the first (The Hiding Girl). Despite that, I had no trouble following along. For that reason, I do almost feel like The Girl in Cell 49B could be a standalone novel. Especially for those that are curious but can't wait to give it a try (guilty).
The novel does a great job of getting new readers up to speed – running us through the details of Emily's past. That may be a great refresher for fans that read the first novel, or it may be too much. I'm not certain.
It was interesting to see Emily's life in a juvenile detention center – though naturally, it was still pretty disturbing to read about at times. Still, I was surprised by how many twists and turns Dorian Box managed to sneak into this story. Clearly, I'm going to have to set aside some time and see what happened in The Hiding Girl, if it's anything like the sequel.
Thanks to Friction Press and #BookishFirst for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
March 31, 2021
The Girl in Cell 49B is a legal thriller that highlights the benefits and pitfalls of a self-defense strategy. Emily Colby has been through a lot with her mother and sister being murdered. It’s left her with PTSD and a bad temper that lands her in jail. The Girl in Cell 49B is the second novel in the Emily Colby series by the author Dorian Box.
Living under the name Allison Black, Emily finds herself in a fight with her pretend stepdad and she decides she is leaving for a while. She goes to a local gas station with the intent of turning around but she ends up getting in another fight and an altercation with the police. She finds herself in jail in another state with no way of letting people where she is. In jail she develops a relationship with some inmates who become her friends and others who are not quite so friendly. Worst of all she goes to court and has to defend herself against a hardnose lawyer who has it in for young offenders.
Despite the fact this is the second book in the series I thought the author did an excellent job of developing a cast of compelling characters. It is a fast-paced interesting story and well worth the read. We learn a lot about the challenges of prison life but also about behaviour in the court room. The difficulties of having to defend oneself in the trial are both interesting and educational.
The author develops the characters so you actually have empathy for their situation. They may not be innocent but they have good reasons for being where they are. The overall story was very fast-paced and compelling leading to a very enjoyable read.
I believe this book is excellent for people who like litigation stories as well as stories about personal development and coping with bad situations. I give this a 5 on 5 and I want to thank NetGalley and Friction Press for providing me with a digital copy of this novel. I am providing this review voluntarily.
Living under the name Allison Black, Emily finds herself in a fight with her pretend stepdad and she decides she is leaving for a while. She goes to a local gas station with the intent of turning around but she ends up getting in another fight and an altercation with the police. She finds herself in jail in another state with no way of letting people where she is. In jail she develops a relationship with some inmates who become her friends and others who are not quite so friendly. Worst of all she goes to court and has to defend herself against a hardnose lawyer who has it in for young offenders.
Despite the fact this is the second book in the series I thought the author did an excellent job of developing a cast of compelling characters. It is a fast-paced interesting story and well worth the read. We learn a lot about the challenges of prison life but also about behaviour in the court room. The difficulties of having to defend oneself in the trial are both interesting and educational.
The author develops the characters so you actually have empathy for their situation. They may not be innocent but they have good reasons for being where they are. The overall story was very fast-paced and compelling leading to a very enjoyable read.
I believe this book is excellent for people who like litigation stories as well as stories about personal development and coping with bad situations. I give this a 5 on 5 and I want to thank NetGalley and Friction Press for providing me with a digital copy of this novel. I am providing this review voluntarily.
April 10, 2021
Emily Calby, the protagonist of Dorian Box’s 2020 novel THE HIDING GIRL, is my favorite youthful heroine in crime thriller fiction. In THE GIRL IN CELL 49B, a sequel to THE HIDING GIRL, Emily has been on the run after levying informal justice on those who murdered her family. On her sixteenth birthday, however, Emily is arrested and her carefully crafted facade is now poised to crumble. Will Emily’s determination and resilience be enough to carry her through the misery of incarceration? That is the question that author Box addresses in this cleverly crafted sequel. As it turns out, there is no reason to fear, because Box makes sure that both Emily’s innate sense of justice and her willingness to advocate, both for herself and others, are on full display. Even better, we watch her gradually develop a sense of self-awareness even when, on occasion, her superior intelligence tends to override her emotions.
Not only is Emily a remarkable feminist protagonist, but Box has created a range of multi-layered secondary characters whose dialogue feels realistic while providing the novel’s necessary exposition. More important, Box seems to have an insider’s grasp of the intricacies of the criminal legal process, which makes the overall story believable and the courtroom scenes exciting. Much as in THE HIDING GIRL, Box weaves the theme of righteousness throughout THE GIRL IN CELL 49B. This keeps us cheering Emily on despite – or perhaps because of – her personal flaws, not to mention her periodic missteps. At the same time, we hope that she will overcome those very miscues and find a way to escape her plight. Box’s ability to create a constant tension between justice and injustice, as defined by different characters throughout the book, provides the kind of nuanced portrayal of right and wrong that is not often encountered in this genre. THE GIRL IN CELL 49B cries out for a third installment in the series, and we hope the author will not disappoint us.
Not only is Emily a remarkable feminist protagonist, but Box has created a range of multi-layered secondary characters whose dialogue feels realistic while providing the novel’s necessary exposition. More important, Box seems to have an insider’s grasp of the intricacies of the criminal legal process, which makes the overall story believable and the courtroom scenes exciting. Much as in THE HIDING GIRL, Box weaves the theme of righteousness throughout THE GIRL IN CELL 49B. This keeps us cheering Emily on despite – or perhaps because of – her personal flaws, not to mention her periodic missteps. At the same time, we hope that she will overcome those very miscues and find a way to escape her plight. Box’s ability to create a constant tension between justice and injustice, as defined by different characters throughout the book, provides the kind of nuanced portrayal of right and wrong that is not often encountered in this genre. THE GIRL IN CELL 49B cries out for a third installment in the series, and we hope the author will not disappoint us.
April 21, 2021
In The Hiding Girl, Dorian Box’s tough and resourceful young protagonist, Emily Calby, flees a horrific murder and spends months on the streets and on the run. Her survival depends on toughness and determination, and the help of a former gang member who recognizes in her shades of his own youth.
In this sequel, she finds herself in trouble again right from the get-go, but it’s trouble of a different kind. An unsympathetic criminal justice system is determined to send her to prison for what readers know was an act of self-defense in book one. Because there were no witnesses, it’s easy for a malicious prosecutor to twist this into a tale of murder, and Emily has the misfortune to have been assigned a particularly nasty prosecutor.
Locked in juvenile prison, without any family on the outside to help her along, she falls back on the only person in the world she can rely on: herself. Assigned to work in the prison library, she begins to teach herself law and slowly pieces together a case that astonishes even her court-assigned defense attorney.
All along, she has to deal with the hardships of prison life, including gangs, violence, bullying, and corrupt guards. Emily’s survival instincts, her determination and internal resources make her stronger than many of the most hardened inmates. Her strong sense of justice compel her to stick up for a weaker inmate, and even to avenge abuses wrought on another at the risk of having to spend the rest of her own life in prison.
What makes this book such a good read is Box’s sympathetic and deeply engaging portrayal of a tough, smart girl determined to beat the odds, even when there doesn’t seem to be a ray of hope anywhere. There’s plenty of action too. If you’re looking for a good thriller with character and substance, this one’s for you.
In this sequel, she finds herself in trouble again right from the get-go, but it’s trouble of a different kind. An unsympathetic criminal justice system is determined to send her to prison for what readers know was an act of self-defense in book one. Because there were no witnesses, it’s easy for a malicious prosecutor to twist this into a tale of murder, and Emily has the misfortune to have been assigned a particularly nasty prosecutor.
Locked in juvenile prison, without any family on the outside to help her along, she falls back on the only person in the world she can rely on: herself. Assigned to work in the prison library, she begins to teach herself law and slowly pieces together a case that astonishes even her court-assigned defense attorney.
All along, she has to deal with the hardships of prison life, including gangs, violence, bullying, and corrupt guards. Emily’s survival instincts, her determination and internal resources make her stronger than many of the most hardened inmates. Her strong sense of justice compel her to stick up for a weaker inmate, and even to avenge abuses wrought on another at the risk of having to spend the rest of her own life in prison.
What makes this book such a good read is Box’s sympathetic and deeply engaging portrayal of a tough, smart girl determined to beat the odds, even when there doesn’t seem to be a ray of hope anywhere. There’s plenty of action too. If you’re looking for a good thriller with character and substance, this one’s for you.
August 29, 2021
All my reviews can be found at: http://jessicasreadingroom.com
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This review will appear on my site on August 31, 2021.
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Three years after The Hiding Girl ended, we pick back up with Emily (aka Alice) on her sixteenth birthday. This day is far from the “sweet sixteen” like most girls have. It is another day where her whole life changes: She is arrested and also finds out she is wanted for murder. She is then put in a corrupt for-profit juvenile prison.
Pochachant prison is our main setting with the courtroom second for Emily’s court case. We see what life is like for Emily at Pochachant as she has to adjust to ‘life on the inside’ dealing with the other detainees (not inmates as they are juveniles) and corrupt correctional officers while also ‘working’ for .17 an hour in the library. There are also boys at the prison, and the genders are only mixed when they are taking GED classes where Emily meets a boy that becomes special to her.
It is a tough life and Pochachant is one of the toughest prisons for juveniles. And then Emily also has to deal with a district attorney who seems to have a personal vendetta against her.
As with The Hiding Girl it just seemed like Box just likes to put our heroine Emily against so many obstacles against her. We get several twists and unexpected angles, some of them just seemed just a little too far fetched for me, which was the reasoning of the four-star rating. I also missed Lucas!
49B is not light on the violence and corruption of the inside of the prison, so same as with The Hiding Girl, this novel might not be for everyone. We do get a conclusion at the end of this novel, but this reader is ready for more!
This is the second in the Emily Calby series and Box is currently working on book three. At this point I am so invested in Emily, I must know what happens with her next! The Girl in Cell 49B could be read as a standalone as her past is mentioned, but I do not recommend it! You MUST read The Hiding Girl to get Emily’s full story with what happened to change the course of her life into what it became.
The Girl in Cell 49B is highly recommended reading after The Hiding Girl! I am ready to see what happens next!
I received an electronic copy from the publisher via Bookish First.
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This review will appear on my site on August 31, 2021.
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Three years after The Hiding Girl ended, we pick back up with Emily (aka Alice) on her sixteenth birthday. This day is far from the “sweet sixteen” like most girls have. It is another day where her whole life changes: She is arrested and also finds out she is wanted for murder. She is then put in a corrupt for-profit juvenile prison.
Pochachant prison is our main setting with the courtroom second for Emily’s court case. We see what life is like for Emily at Pochachant as she has to adjust to ‘life on the inside’ dealing with the other detainees (not inmates as they are juveniles) and corrupt correctional officers while also ‘working’ for .17 an hour in the library. There are also boys at the prison, and the genders are only mixed when they are taking GED classes where Emily meets a boy that becomes special to her.
It is a tough life and Pochachant is one of the toughest prisons for juveniles. And then Emily also has to deal with a district attorney who seems to have a personal vendetta against her.
As with The Hiding Girl it just seemed like Box just likes to put our heroine Emily against so many obstacles against her. We get several twists and unexpected angles, some of them just seemed just a little too far fetched for me, which was the reasoning of the four-star rating. I also missed Lucas!
49B is not light on the violence and corruption of the inside of the prison, so same as with The Hiding Girl, this novel might not be for everyone. We do get a conclusion at the end of this novel, but this reader is ready for more!
This is the second in the Emily Calby series and Box is currently working on book three. At this point I am so invested in Emily, I must know what happens with her next! The Girl in Cell 49B could be read as a standalone as her past is mentioned, but I do not recommend it! You MUST read The Hiding Girl to get Emily’s full story with what happened to change the course of her life into what it became.
The Girl in Cell 49B is highly recommended reading after The Hiding Girl! I am ready to see what happens next!
I received an electronic copy from the publisher via Bookish First.
February 26, 2021
This is the second novel in the Emily Calby series, but can be read as a standalone (which is what I did).
Emily Calby managed to survive the murderers who raped and killed her sister and mother. Now, for the past 4 years, she’s been on the run, living under a fake name with a fake guardian but a real mentor, Lucas Jackson. After getting caught with an illegal handgun, Emily gets carted off to a juvenile jail to await trial for a murder committed three years prior. In order to survive, she must adapt to her new life and the politics of the prison while fighting to prove her innocence.
Thoughts: I really, truly loved this one so much more than I expected to. The summary sounded good, so I decided to pick it up and give it a try. I’m so glad I did! I really loved the look inside a corrupt juvenile detention facility (obviously, I can’t speak for how accurate it may have been portrayed) but regardless, I feel like I learned so much. I also really enjoyed Emily’s character. If you read and enjoyed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, you’ll appreciate Emily. She reminds me of Max in so many ways- badass, smart, and resourceful, among other things. The look inside the justice system was very interesting, and the writing kept me fully engaged. I never once wanted to put the book down and read something else. There wasn’t a high mystery factor, but there was a little, tiny twist at the end.
All in all, I completely recommend this one to fans of the Maximum Ride series and those who enjoy courtroom dramas.
Warnings: Rape, murder, abuse, prison life, mental health issues
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Emily Calby managed to survive the murderers who raped and killed her sister and mother. Now, for the past 4 years, she’s been on the run, living under a fake name with a fake guardian but a real mentor, Lucas Jackson. After getting caught with an illegal handgun, Emily gets carted off to a juvenile jail to await trial for a murder committed three years prior. In order to survive, she must adapt to her new life and the politics of the prison while fighting to prove her innocence.
Thoughts: I really, truly loved this one so much more than I expected to. The summary sounded good, so I decided to pick it up and give it a try. I’m so glad I did! I really loved the look inside a corrupt juvenile detention facility (obviously, I can’t speak for how accurate it may have been portrayed) but regardless, I feel like I learned so much. I also really enjoyed Emily’s character. If you read and enjoyed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, you’ll appreciate Emily. She reminds me of Max in so many ways- badass, smart, and resourceful, among other things. The look inside the justice system was very interesting, and the writing kept me fully engaged. I never once wanted to put the book down and read something else. There wasn’t a high mystery factor, but there was a little, tiny twist at the end.
All in all, I completely recommend this one to fans of the Maximum Ride series and those who enjoy courtroom dramas.
Warnings: Rape, murder, abuse, prison life, mental health issues
Thank you to NetGalley and Friction Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2021
Thank you BookishFirst, author Dorian Box, and his publishing company for providing this advanced copy of this ebook for me to review. The book exceeded my expectations because the cover doesn't match the action, suspense, and drama in the story. I didn't read the first book but I felt like I didn't miss anything from only reading the second book. Maybe it's the same characters and the main crime that is being held on trial in this book occurred in the first book, but I still got enough context that I didn't have to read the first book to understand what was going on. After reading this book, I feel like reading the first book just to find out how Emily got revenge on those two men that murdered her family.
The main points that impressed me the most was the amount of action and interesting characters in the book. The trial that is the main focus of this book actually concludes around 80% through the book and yet there was still action in the last 20% and I didn't see any of it coming! The suspense kept me reading nonstop and racing to find out what is going to happen. I also really like how fleshed out each character is and how the author gave each of them a backstory, no matter how big of a role they played. The one character that I would have liked more backstory for would be CO Longmont because she was so nice to Emily and Rebecca so I would have known more about her.
I still don't really like the cover because it seems like a cheesy true-crime nonfiction book cover. I now understand why a hawk and prison wires are shown, but I think it could have been designed nicer. Don't judge this book by the cover!
The main points that impressed me the most was the amount of action and interesting characters in the book. The trial that is the main focus of this book actually concludes around 80% through the book and yet there was still action in the last 20% and I didn't see any of it coming! The suspense kept me reading nonstop and racing to find out what is going to happen. I also really like how fleshed out each character is and how the author gave each of them a backstory, no matter how big of a role they played. The one character that I would have liked more backstory for would be CO Longmont because she was so nice to Emily and Rebecca so I would have known more about her.
I still don't really like the cover because it seems like a cheesy true-crime nonfiction book cover. I now understand why a hawk and prison wires are shown, but I think it could have been designed nicer. Don't judge this book by the cover!
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