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Zoe Caine Legal Thriller #1

A Time for Justice

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A terrible crime was committed in a facility for troubled youth. When a lawyer decides to unveil it twenty years later, she must fight against her family and city to find the truth…

As a stubborn and quick-witted lawyer, Zoe Caine has been trying to catch her big case for far too long. And the chance presents itself, the moment a traumatized woman begs her to uncover a horrifying injustice committed by the town’s beloved people. An unspoken crime Zoe knows firsthand.

Contemplating whether she should risk her career, Zoe soon learns that nothing remains secret. When the woman is found injured and near-dead, she decides to investigate. Only to find a truth that should have remained hidden away. They were raised in the same abusive facility. Twenty years ago.

The case has turned personal and Zoe knows she only has one chance to make this right. And when people threaten her life, the court is her only hope. Until the corruption that follows…

A Time for Justice is Freya's 1st novel in the Zoe Caine series of blood-pumping legal thrillers. If you are an avid fan of strong female leads, action-packed courtroom drama, riveting characters and mind-blowing murder mystery, then you'll love Freya's intriguing story.

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 29, 2021

176 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

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Freya Atwood

64 books69 followers

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5 stars
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4 stars
107 (32%)
3 stars
39 (11%)
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18 (5%)
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13 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
8 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2022
Pure Rubbish

Not a good read. Characters are ill- defined and monotone, boring and uninteresting. The case Zoe Caine tries is poorly thought out and lacking in knowledge of proper procedure. She would have sought out expert witnesses on child abuse and memory loss, etc. to build her case. The novel is riddled with poor syntax, typos, and generally poor editing. The dream sequences switch irrationally between present and past tense. Did no one proofread this book?
Profile Image for Arlena.
3,480 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2022
Title: A Time For Justice
Author: Freya Atwood
Publisher: F.A.
Series: Zoe Cain Legal Thriller Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"A Time For Justice" by Freya Atwood

My Assessment:
'A Time for Justice' was another excellent read that this author presents. We find that lawyer Zoe Caine got a visit from Rosamund Verity wanted Zoe to take her case against Solemn Acres for abuse, a re-hab facility for the mentally ill. The strange thing about this was that Zoe had once been in this facility, under another name, where she didn't remember much from her time there and was left with some horrible dreams from the incident. When Rosamund is attacked and ends up in a coma, Zoe decides to look into the case because too much was going on...like a fire from the Solemn Acres facility, Rosamund in a coma, and her job asking her to stop investigating over this incident. Along with all of that, Zoe's brother David was having a few problems of his own, and naturally, Zoe was there to help if she could. A long history goes with this Zoe's family, starting with their mom's death, and the father was nothing but an alcoholic that abused his children. This is why Zoe was in [Midhard Institute] now called Solemn Acres facility...her father had her placed there for no definite reason other than he was a horrible abusive person, especially toward Zoe.

As the story moves on, we find Zoe and her assistant Hadijah working hard on the Solemn Acres facility case. Will Zoe be able to find the evidence she 'needs to prove that the patient abuse did happen and be able to bring this former doctor and his staff to justice?' Again, I will say that the judge, lawyers, and courtroom drama will keep your attention following this story. Be ready for lots of entwinement that will go on in this suspenseful legal thriller courtroom drama.

Well, you will have to pick up "A Time For Justice" to see how this author brings it all out to the reader especially providing us with an extended epilogue that lets the reader understand a little more of what all Zoe had gone through with her father and her finally taking a stand to do something that would make her life somewhat better.




1,729 reviews13 followers
January 2, 2022
This latest series will be a definite winner.

The story begins with a visitation to Zoe's office by a client that wants Zoe to look in a mental insttution. As it so happens, this is the same place where Zoe was put into it for a year, and she still has nightmares about it. After learning that this client was taken to a hospital in addition to discovering two police officers had a warrant to search her office give ger a reason to get involved. As she began looking into it and finding it hard to locate information on prior employees and patients, she was offered a promotion, but it would require her to drop the case. Zoe refused and continued her search. One other event happened that also hindered her search and that was the fact that a fire burned down the building.

As the trial was started and Zoe began presenting her case, she felt that the judge was not handling this properly and she seemed to be getting hit hard by the defense cross examination. Things were not looking good and she decided that she needed to go back to the scene of the fire. She had remembered something from her dream and started looking for any evidence.

She located something and once she got the judge to let the evidence in, the defense made a monetary offer which her clients rejected. The entire case eventually came down to one witness and Zoe's assistant found new information.

To learn what the importance of this particular witnes, what Zoe3 found at the destroyed building and what the results and what the trial was all about, then you need to read this book. You won't be disappointed.
Profile Image for DianaRaven.
1,310 reviews8 followers
January 6, 2022
A TIME FOR JUSTICE is the first installment in the Zoe Caine Legal Thriller series by Freya Atwood. The characters are interesting with real human flaws which made the story even more interesting. The suspense is compelling with twists and turns that are sure to keep you turning the pages to find the answers.

Zoe Caine was once a spitfire attorney, now after ten years she's stagnated in her job, no promotions, no exciting legal cases. Family troubles and nightmares from her past have taken away all her passion and drive. She knows it's only a matter of time before she's let go. Then Zoe is handed a thin folder containing some documents from an institution Zoe chillingly recognizes. The stranger asks her to investigate and prosecute the people that own the place, and don't share the file with anyone or it will vanish and the two of them will be in danger. It doesn't take Zoe long to realize that this case will be her big break or cost her job. With her assistant Hadijah’s help, Zoe soon finds the informer is in a coma and may never wake, then the institution burns down. Zoe is told to drop the case, then she is threatened. With her nightmares now coming more frequently Zoe can't drop the case, she needs answers.

This is a good investigative courtroom drama with lots of action and suspense throughout the story. I was drawn into the story from the first page and could hardly put the book down. Now, I can hardly wait to find out more about Zoe Caine and Hadijah.

I did receive an advanced copy from the author. The above is my freely given and honest review.
Profile Image for Ann.
1,117 reviews19 followers
January 23, 2022
Zoe was working on a case for awhile . One morning she was called to a meeting and she thought the worst. But they offered her a better job with a raise and said she did great work with the cases. BUT she had to stop working on the case she was working on at the time, Being it meant to much to her she said no to the jump up in the law firm. When she was younger her dad took her to a institution that was to help people but it turned out to be a horrific place and they treated the patients terribly. So when they went to court she didnt like the judge he didnt give her any breaks he was hard on her. Being that she was at one time in that institution that had recently burnt down and was owned by the mayor but run by other people she had to be careful how she exposed it. She seemed to be losing much of it till her associate got some more information. Would the culpits go scott free , would they have to pay these patients money how and who would the winners be in this case. After all this institution was known to erase these patients memories.
Profile Image for Evelyn Dotson.
2,066 reviews17 followers
January 6, 2022
Zoe and her two siblings come from an abusive family life after they lost their mother. Her older brother moved out and became addicted to drugs, who tried to end his life on multiple occasions. Zoe became an attorney and her little sister; Jessica dated much older men who were like their father. Zoe had a woman come into her office with a file folder that also pertained to her past. She had spent one year in an institution that took a lot of her memories, but the abuse she remembered surfaced more as her nightmares continued. Her firm wants her to drop the case and a promotion hinge on that. Now, Zoe, with the help of her assistant will get to the bottom of things, which are even more twisted than others will hear. What will it do to Zoe and her career? Can she live with the past? What more will come out when the trial occurs? Will justice be served?
Profile Image for Emily C..
323 reviews11 followers
January 5, 2022
While Zoe Caine stresses over finding her footing as a successful lawyer in the legal firm where she works, a traumatized woman visits her, specifically her, to ask for her help, to investigate the disgraceful crime committed at a facility for troubled youth.
As Zoe carries out the thorough investigation, she discovers that her heinous past is creeping up on her.. Would this case make her or break her as a legal practitioner?
The talented Freya Atwood has entwined lots of suspense and action into her legal thriller A TIME FOR JUSTICE, the first novel of Zoe Caine Legal Thriller Series. I highly recommend it to fans of courtroom drama!
I would like to thank Freya for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
279 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2022
Will justice be served?

Zoe was a teenager when her mother died. Her older brother left home and she and her younger sister were left with their dad. He was not a nice man and became worse after the death of Zoe's motber. Eventuallly he placed her in an institution. Now Zoe is older and a lawyer but her past and the horrible things that happened to her in the institution haunt her. One day a woman comes to her office with information and reveals tnat she to was in the institution as well. She asks Zoe to make them pay. Now Zoe is on a mission, can she prove what went on and get justice for all of those that suffered? Read it and find out. This book is well written and the characters are well developed. I love Freya Atwoods work and this book did not disappoint.
Profile Image for Just Read and Imagine.
524 reviews3 followers
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January 27, 2022
As a teenager, Zoe Caine was placed into the Midhart Institute by her abusive father where she suffered even more abuse before leaving the facility. Most of her memories of the time spent at the facility comes in the form of a nightmares and if she doesn’t write the down quick enough, they are gone moments after awakening.
Now a lawyer, she is contacted by Rosamund Verity, another abused patient asking for help. Rosamund gave her a folder with information about the institute when asking for her help which she is reluctant to open. Once she starts looking into the case, she has trouble finding anyone that will help, including the firm for which she works. But…. Once the doors start to open, things start to happen.
Great book! Recommended reading!
966 reviews8 followers
January 5, 2022
Zoe is a lawyer who is looking for a big case to propel her career forward. A woman named Rosamund comes to her about a case of severe abuse that happened to her as many other patients at a mental facility for teens. Her memory was damaged from there but she tries to piece it together. Zoe was in the same facility but doesn’t remember much from her time there. When Rosamund is attacked and put in a coma and police come to search her office she decides to look into it.
I really loved this book. I love the characters especially Zoe. She has a lot on her plate but seems to handle it with strength and courage. I highly recommend this book and this author for legal thrillers.
82 reviews
January 6, 2022
Fascinating

Zoe Caine a lawyer is struggling with day to day life. It’s weighing really heavy on her and disrupting her work. Because of it she’s passed over for great cases and promotions. As a teenager her dad committed her to an insane asylum where she was heavily drugged. One of the patients came to her wanting her to investigate abuse that happened in the asylum. As she takes the case to court so much more horrors come to light. Much has been missing from her memory. It’s a tough case to prove yet she does her best no matter how emotionally damaging it can be to her. A fascinating story. Extremely well written.

Profile Image for Bev.
3,271 reviews98 followers
January 8, 2022
Zoe Caine is just doing what she needs to do to keep her job...kinda. No big cases, no promotions, just stuck in a rut in low-cases. But when a woman comes in and asks her to look into a mental institution, the same one she was in when she was a teenager. Zoe can't help but look into the allegations of abuse. This is big as it is owned by the mayor of the town's family. There are those that want to stop her snooping even after they burnt the place down. But answers must be given to those who seek them. I very good story with great characters. Looking forward to the next installment.
43 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2023
dark story and good read

This book is well written only a few mistakes in the writing ( momentary instead of monetary) not huge problems with that. The story is dark but it was an interesting read. One question for the author is about the extended story offered at the end. I was unable to locate that and would have liked to read it. The end of the book left me feeling there should be a more satisfying ending but I could not find the extension. I would love to read that if possible.
60 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2022
Repressed Pain

When a woman comes to Zoe's office with a file from her stay at a mental facility, it brings up traumatic memories of Zoe's own stay there many years before. As she delves deeper into the story, things start to come back. When the facility is sued in court, witnesses begin to turn and she feels like all is lost. Add to that pressure a family situation and the heat is on. Will Zoe stand up to it ? Will the facts ever come out ?
Profile Image for Sherry Sias.
657 reviews1 follower
January 13, 2022
Another great legal thriller!

Zoe Caine is fighting for justice for the victims of abuse at an institution owned by the mayor. Her law firm tries to bribe her with a promotion and the promise of a serial killer case if she drops it. Having been abused at that same institution, she vows to fight for the former patients. Can she get to the truth? Does she get justice for them all? Find out in this amazing legal thrillers by Freya Atwood.
Profile Image for Martha.
352 reviews7 followers
January 17, 2022
This was a wonderful quick reading mystery. It held my interest and so hard to put down! Zoe Caine is an attorney coming from a complicated upbringing as well as her sister and brother. She was in an institution for a period of time and has constant flashbacks to that time. A woman comes to her about the institution and so begins the tracking of and unearthing of horrific events and the development of Zoe as a stellar attorney.
256 reviews
February 27, 2022
This is only the second book I've read written by Freya Atwood and it was another great mystery. I like how she hooks me in at the very beginning with her writing. I want to know what happens. I want to know the characters. I feel like I have a vested interest in their lives. I root for them. But then, just as the story and the mystery seems to come to a conclusion, there's a twist. It's a twist I did not expect. You will definitely enjoy this book.
10 reviews
January 3, 2022
Great new series!

Zoe Caine and Hadijah, her paralegal, fight for justice for people who were inmates at a local mental hospital. An unexpected client brings her a file about that Hospital from the past. Zoe, coincidentally, was at the hospital and suffered the treatment that her client suffered.
She risks it all to bring the truth out into the open and right a longtime wrong.
5,388 reviews67 followers
January 6, 2022
A Time for Justice

This is another very good story written by this author and it deals with the abuse of patients in a institution Zoe and her assistant worked diligent to prove the former patients get justice The characters are determined even with faulty memory The extended epilogue completes the story with Zoe being clear in her mind
43 reviews
January 12, 2022
Amazing Story

I love Freya Atwood and she did not disappoint with this book. Zoe Caine is a damaged lawyer working to overcome her past. The story line takes us through her past and present by way of a strange lady who seeks her help. A very emotional and sometimes painful adventure. Keep them coming Ms Atwood
4,417 reviews43 followers
January 4, 2022
It’s a good thing that Hadijah is on the ball!!! She outthinks the bad guys every time, doesn’t she??? It is also good that Zoe decided to take the case!!! I enjoyed the case and recommend the book
371 reviews
January 11, 2022
This was an action-packed, edge of your seat read. I felt like I was there with Zoe as she traced and remembered things. Her assistant, Hadijah, was an integral part of the experience and I loved the way Zoe was the underdog fighting for what is right for her and other patients whose parents sent them to a "special facility" to be treated. I felt for the woman who started Zoe on this journey as she was in a coma a day afteer delivering a folder of incriminating evidence about the facility. This was definitely high drama. Love it.

Red Robin
1,056 reviews4 followers
January 9, 2022
Touching story

I have read many of her stories. I found this one to be the most touching that I can recall. It shows some of the abuse people faced in mental institutions in the past. It also shows how messed up their lives can be later.
258 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2022
Best Freya Atwood Book

I have always enjoyed these legal thrillers and this one is the best of Ms. Atwood's offerings. Mixing medical and legal, family and career, past and present and adding the lawyer's personal stake makes for wonderful reading.
15 reviews
January 25, 2022
Not as good as I expected

I thought that a lot of detail seemed left out. It didn't keep me as interested as it could have if there would have been more detail. Over all it was ok but not super exciting.
2 reviews
April 28, 2022
Great book had to stay up until 2

Great read stayed up most of the night to finish would recommend to anyone who loves to read Zoe is a good lawyer would like to read more about her
Profile Image for Renata.
103 reviews
March 8, 2023
There are many legal thrillers written by non lawyers that are great but in my opinion this book isn't one of them. The writing style is on school level. The story itself is simple and just glides over legal issues and case investigation. Overall I just couldn't engage myself into this story.
78 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2022
A great story to read. I very much enjoy lawyer and courtroom action. This author's books are well worth reading.
120 reviews39 followers
January 3, 2022
Keeps you reading

The book was on the short side but that's ok. I really thought a higher up was the doctor until the end. Good ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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