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Thornton Mysteries #3
Sanctuary
Emma Thornton is back in Sanctuary, C. L. Tolbert’s third novel in the Thornton Mystery Series. This time, she’s agreed to represent a former client accused of killing the leader of a suspicious cult in New Orleans.
James Crosby, the charismatic leader of the Japaprajnas, is found dead one late afternoon, his body draped over an iron fence in the courtyard of the nineteenth-century house where he and several cult members work and live. Although they initially presumed the fall was an accident, police investigators quickly discover that James received a lethal dose of a drug before he was pushed from his office balcony.
The next day the police discover a syringe and a substantial amount of the drug which killed James in Stacey Robert’s bedroom. The nineteen-year-old cult member is brought in for questioning, which leads to her arrest. Emma, who had represented Stacey when she was a sixteen-year-old runaway, agrees to take the case. Convinced that she is innocent, Emma begins an investigation into the cult and its members. Emma’s questions uncover dangerous secrets, illicit activities, and the exploitation of innocent victims. Emma’s suspicions lead her to the killer’s trail and the case’s final resolution.
James Crosby, the charismatic leader of the Japaprajnas, is found dead one late afternoon, his body draped over an iron fence in the courtyard of the nineteenth-century house where he and several cult members work and live. Although they initially presumed the fall was an accident, police investigators quickly discover that James received a lethal dose of a drug before he was pushed from his office balcony.
The next day the police discover a syringe and a substantial amount of the drug which killed James in Stacey Robert’s bedroom. The nineteen-year-old cult member is brought in for questioning, which leads to her arrest. Emma, who had represented Stacey when she was a sixteen-year-old runaway, agrees to take the case. Convinced that she is innocent, Emma begins an investigation into the cult and its members. Emma’s questions uncover dangerous secrets, illicit activities, and the exploitation of innocent victims. Emma’s suspicions lead her to the killer’s trail and the case’s final resolution.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 14, 2022
20 people want to read
About the author
C.L. Tolbert
4 books98 followersCL Tolbert grew up on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, a culturally rich, beachy stretch of land with some of the best sunsets in the country. Early in her career she taught children with learning disabilities before moving on to law school. She spent most of her legal career working as defense counsel to large corporations and traveled throughout the country as regional and national counsel. She also had the unique opportunity of teaching third-year law students in a clinical program at a law school in New Orleans where she ran the Homelessness Law Clinic and learned, first hand, about poverty in that city. The experiences and impressions she has collected from the past forty years contribute to the stories she writes today.
After winning the Georgia State Bar Association’s fiction writing contest in 2010 for a short story entitled Out From Silence, she devoted more time to writing. Retiring after thirty years of practicing law she developed the winning short story into a full scale novel by the same name. A new manuscript entitled The Redemption is currently in development. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and schnauzer Yoda, and visits her two children and three grandchildren as often as possible.
After winning the Georgia State Bar Association’s fiction writing contest in 2010 for a short story entitled Out From Silence, she devoted more time to writing. Retiring after thirty years of practicing law she developed the winning short story into a full scale novel by the same name. A new manuscript entitled The Redemption is currently in development. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and schnauzer Yoda, and visits her two children and three grandchildren as often as possible.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 23, 2022
This book is not so much a legal thriller as it is the story of a law professor helping a young woman accused of murder. There is a tiny bit of suspense near the end but that is not the focus of the plot by far. Some procedural details such as the taking of an affidavit are included but mostly we read of Emma going about methodically getting to the truth.
Tolbert has done a good job of immersing us in the culture of New Orleans. We really get a sense of the spiritual atmosphere in the city. There are also two major issues explored in the novel. One is being sucked into a cult. There is some good information about what makes a religious group an actual cult. Another issue deals with the parent child relationship that would cause a young person to be attracted to the cult atmosphere.
Emma is a good heroine, a law professor with a heart to help others. This is a good novel for readers who like one dealing in legal procedure with an emphasis on the discovery aspect rather than a courtroom aspect. Tolbert's writing style is an easy one to follow.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Tolbert has done a good job of immersing us in the culture of New Orleans. We really get a sense of the spiritual atmosphere in the city. There are also two major issues explored in the novel. One is being sucked into a cult. There is some good information about what makes a religious group an actual cult. Another issue deals with the parent child relationship that would cause a young person to be attracted to the cult atmosphere.
Emma is a good heroine, a law professor with a heart to help others. This is a good novel for readers who like one dealing in legal procedure with an emphasis on the discovery aspect rather than a courtroom aspect. Tolbert's writing style is an easy one to follow.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
September 24, 2022
The lies stack up as fast as bodies in this latest thriller from C.L. Tolbert. Law professor Emma Thornton returns as the tenacious and fearless defender of New Orleans’ downtrodden. An enthralling mystery, Sanctuary explores the seedy underbelly of the Big Easy.
September 19, 2022
After a search by authorities of Stacey's room at a cult temple revealing the murder weapon and drugs, Defense Attorney Emma Thornton takes the case of the, now, homeless teenager. Emma puts herself in danger more than her fiancé, a homicide detective, likes. Their interaction about the case blurs the line more than once about what law enforcement and defense attorneys usually share during an investigation. The high drama never wanes.
I enjoy learning the details about how cults manipulate and gain patrons.
The domestic scenes of Emma's life at home with her two boys and fiancé were recognizable by this mother and added to the story's believability.
I enjoy learning the details about how cults manipulate and gain patrons.
The domestic scenes of Emma's life at home with her two boys and fiancé were recognizable by this mother and added to the story's believability.
September 6, 2022
I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.
In this tale, you will meet some very relatable, vivid characters. This was the first time I’ve been introduced to Emma Thornton, attorney and law professor, along with her significant other Ren and her twin boys, Billy and Bobby. You will also meet Stacey who finds herself in the midst of being accused of a crime - that being the death of James, the leader of the Japaprajnas. You will also meet his wife, Cecelia, and Mira who has a son with James and is also involved with the Japaprajnas.
The Japaprajnas temple is supposed to be a place where people can find, if you will, sanctuary. These folks come from all walks of life, and Stacey’s “job” was to recruit those who were homeless, on drugs, or trying to escape from a bad situation. These folks were put to work either in the massage parlor in the back of the temple or at the smoke shop owned by James and Mira, with the proceeds supposedly going to the temple. Some of the girls were put to work in the back room of said shop and, surprisingly, Moonshine, who manned the front of the store, didn’t know what went on in the back room, or did she? Of course, Moonshine has secrets of her own that she wants to keep buried.
This tale is full of suspicious deaths, drugs, money, a temple that isn’t all it seems, and, to keep things interesting, there are a couple of twists that you won’t see coming. A traditional whodunnit set in the heart of New Orleans.
In this tale, you will meet some very relatable, vivid characters. This was the first time I’ve been introduced to Emma Thornton, attorney and law professor, along with her significant other Ren and her twin boys, Billy and Bobby. You will also meet Stacey who finds herself in the midst of being accused of a crime - that being the death of James, the leader of the Japaprajnas. You will also meet his wife, Cecelia, and Mira who has a son with James and is also involved with the Japaprajnas.
The Japaprajnas temple is supposed to be a place where people can find, if you will, sanctuary. These folks come from all walks of life, and Stacey’s “job” was to recruit those who were homeless, on drugs, or trying to escape from a bad situation. These folks were put to work either in the massage parlor in the back of the temple or at the smoke shop owned by James and Mira, with the proceeds supposedly going to the temple. Some of the girls were put to work in the back room of said shop and, surprisingly, Moonshine, who manned the front of the store, didn’t know what went on in the back room, or did she? Of course, Moonshine has secrets of her own that she wants to keep buried.
This tale is full of suspicious deaths, drugs, money, a temple that isn’t all it seems, and, to keep things interesting, there are a couple of twists that you won’t see coming. A traditional whodunnit set in the heart of New Orleans.
August 27, 2022
Sanctuary. Buy it. You’ll relate to Emma Thornton, the multi-faceted main character. She is one smart woman, who must manage her career as an attorney, teacher, and manager of a low-income law clinic in New Orleans. She is also a single mother raising two boys. And she deftly manages conflict-of-interests with her boyfriend, a New Orleans detective. To prove her client’s innocence, Emma uncovers hidden motives including drugs, love-hate-jealousy, child trafficking, and more. Each character is looking for their own vision of sanctuary – protection from danger or a difficult situation that is provided by a safe place. The plot moves quickly, revealing what each of us is capable of doing to find our sanctuary. You will find it difficult to put this book down. The Emma Thornton books would be a perfect Hallmark Mysteries series. Looking forward to C.L. Tolbert’s next installment.
October 5, 2022
In Sanctuary, book three of the Thornton Mystery Series, author C.L. Tolbert transports the reader back to New Orleans for another intriguing mystery / legal thriller story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.
When nineteen year old Stacey Robert is arrested for the murder of James Crosby, the charismatic leader of the Japaprajnas, she contacts Emma Thornton, a law professor and director of the Homeless Law Clinic at St. Stanislaus Law School in the city, and asks Emma to represent her. Emma had defended Stacey three years ago when the then sixteen year old was arrested for vagrancy along with other homeless youths. Emma agrees to represent Stacey on a pro bono basis, and is determined to prove that Stacey was setup and is innocent of the murder.
Emma's investigation into the murder case takes her into the dark inner workings of the Japaprajnas cult. As Emma digs deeper into the murder investigation, she gets too close to the truth about the secrets, the seedy illicit dealings, and the cult's exploitation of innocent people, even though they supposively espouse their group as a sanctuary. There are some dangerous people who will stop her from learning the truth at any cost. Can Emma help save the wrongly accused teen, or will the dangerous individuals destroy everyone and everything that gets in their way?
Author C. L. Tolbert weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller written in the third person narrative that follows Emma as she tries to get justice for wrongfully accused nineteen year old Stacey Robert. I loved reading this action-packed story. The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, betrayals, deceit, motives, revenge, and clues are uncovered, while unexpected twists and turns, and a surprising conclusion will leave the reader simply stunned. I especially loved how the author used her prior experience as a defense attorney to weave an intense account of the legal investigation that Emma engaged in her pursuit to vindicate Stacey, and bring the true murderer to justice.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the rich description of New Orleans. You can't help but want to visit the Big Easy, the author does an amazing job of describing the famous French Quarter landmark, and the various local streets that she called home for many years.
Sanctuary has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
When nineteen year old Stacey Robert is arrested for the murder of James Crosby, the charismatic leader of the Japaprajnas, she contacts Emma Thornton, a law professor and director of the Homeless Law Clinic at St. Stanislaus Law School in the city, and asks Emma to represent her. Emma had defended Stacey three years ago when the then sixteen year old was arrested for vagrancy along with other homeless youths. Emma agrees to represent Stacey on a pro bono basis, and is determined to prove that Stacey was setup and is innocent of the murder.
Emma's investigation into the murder case takes her into the dark inner workings of the Japaprajnas cult. As Emma digs deeper into the murder investigation, she gets too close to the truth about the secrets, the seedy illicit dealings, and the cult's exploitation of innocent people, even though they supposively espouse their group as a sanctuary. There are some dangerous people who will stop her from learning the truth at any cost. Can Emma help save the wrongly accused teen, or will the dangerous individuals destroy everyone and everything that gets in their way?
Author C. L. Tolbert weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller written in the third person narrative that follows Emma as she tries to get justice for wrongfully accused nineteen year old Stacey Robert. I loved reading this action-packed story. The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, betrayals, deceit, motives, revenge, and clues are uncovered, while unexpected twists and turns, and a surprising conclusion will leave the reader simply stunned. I especially loved how the author used her prior experience as a defense attorney to weave an intense account of the legal investigation that Emma engaged in her pursuit to vindicate Stacey, and bring the true murderer to justice.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the rich description of New Orleans. You can't help but want to visit the Big Easy, the author does an amazing job of describing the famous French Quarter landmark, and the various local streets that she called home for many years.
Sanctuary has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
March 24, 2023
Sanctuary is as colorful, thrilling, and multilayered as its New Orleans setting. The writing is vivid, and the narrative hums with energy, but what stands out most is the author’s sympathetic voice, which brings to life a cast of well-observed and precisely delineated characters.When lawyer Emma Thornton agrees to help a former client fight a murder charge, she risks her own life to ensure justice. and in doing so, she lays bare the many ways in which society fails those who are most in need of sanctuary. Emma's investigation is not without personal cost, and one of the many pleasures of this book is the way Tolbert balances the domestic and the professional elements of her life. Engaged in a deadly battle against a mysterious cult, an underworld of drug dealers, and a tangled web of family relationships, Emma is also a mother, a lover, and a friend. Threaded through the lush descriptions, and giving resonance to the propulsive plot, is a highly developed sense of social justice that echoes beyond the page. Highly recommend.
September 1, 2023
Sanctuary, by C. L. Tolbert, is the third installment in the Emma Thornton series. Set in New Orleans in 1996, the story revolves around a young woman named Stacey Roberts, who has been arrested for of the murder of a man named James Crosby, the leader of a quasi-spiritual cult called the Japaprandas. Broke and without other resources, Stacey contacts Emma Thornton, a law professor with whom she has had a prior relationship. Emma Agrees to represent Stacey pro bono, and quickly finds herself involved in a dangerous game that may very well end not only in Stacey’s conviction, but her own death as well. Author Tolbert, herself a former practicing attorney, hits all the right notes, not only with respect to the several points of law that surround Stacey’s case, but also overall atmosphere of pre-Katrina New Orleans, a city that, like New York and Los Angeles, seems to be a perfect setting for a murder mystery. Sanctuary is a solid read does not disappoint. I recommend it without reservation.
Gregory Stout, author of Lost Little Girl, The Gone Man and Woman in the Wind.
Gregory Stout, author of Lost Little Girl, The Gone Man and Woman in the Wind.
March 8, 2023
A dangerous cult, illegal drugs, deceit and family dysfunction will keep readers turning the pages in this heart-pounding thriller, the latest novel in the Emma Thorton mystery series by CL Tolbert. In Sanctuary, lawyer Emma Thornton takes us on a gripping journey through the shadowy streets of New Orleans as she tries to clear the name of a teen runaway accused of murder. Tolbert’s own experience as a lawyer makes the plot ring real and true while her well-developed characters and vivid descriptions of New Orleans make the novel even more irresistible. I highly recommend Sanctuary and can’t wait to read the next book by this author.
March 16, 2023
When law professor, Emma Thornton, agrees to defend teen runaway Stacey Roberts, who is accused of murder, she finds herself involved with the Japaprajnas cult and the seedy side of illicit drugs, deceit, and death. In this fast-paced thriller C.L. Tolbert paints us a vivid picture of a New Orleans the tourists never see and the people who live in its shadows. It’s a legal thriller not to be missed, filled with twists and turns that will keep you turning pages until the very end.
October 22, 2022
I can't resist a book set in New Orleans as this one. It was a good choice because it's a gripping legal thriller that kept me reading.
Well plotted, good storytelling and fleshed out characters. The descriptions of New Orleans are great and loved them
I want to read other books by this authors.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Well plotted, good storytelling and fleshed out characters. The descriptions of New Orleans are great and loved them
I want to read other books by this authors.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews