
Book Description
Assistant DA, Jenna James took an oath to uphold the law, administer justice, deter crime and ensure the safety of the community. Her job isn’t easy, but it has always been black and white—criminals versus victims. Now she is the victim, and the very system she’s fought to uphold is suddenly corrupt, the lines between good and bad are blurred and her world has turned upside down. She’s always known that world existed—a world of power so immense that a single phone call can result in people disappearing or political offices being vacated, a world where doctors are available at a moment’s notice. She’s never been part of that world—never wanted to be. The body count is rising, and unless she finds proof beyond a reasonable doubt against a corrupt former federal judge, and a notorious criminal defense attorney, it will continue to rise.
My review
'Beyond a Reasonable doubt' is the first in a series featuring bright prosecutor, Jenna James. Though it's tagged as a legal thriller, the actual courtroom scenes are very few and short. I was glad of this as I was afraid it contained a lot of legal jargon, but thankfully this wasn't the case.
All characters in this book are very realistic and strong. The good ones are very likeable, while the baddies couldn't be more repulsive and loathsome.
Judge William Elkins is a scumbag. He's rich, powerful and corrupt. Working closely with Marcus Dade, an even more corrupt lawyer, he took bribes from criminals in order to let them go in court. Witnesses against their 'clients' simply disappeared. His son Michael is in a relationship with Jenna James.
When the judge's wife dies suddenly, Jenna smells something fishy and is suspicious. Escorting their son Jordan from prison to see his mother, Jenna's life is put in mortal danger. The judge will stop at nothing to keep his secrets under cover. As the bodies pile up, Jenna knows that she's in their list too, but in order to put the judge behind bars, she must find evidence that's beyond a reasonable doubt. Will she make it on time before she's silenced for ever?
This book is very well written with realistic dialogue. It is a very fast-paced thriller in which the action never ceases. It kept me on the edge of my seat reading and reading to find out what will happen next. The way the book ends is a good indicator that we'll see more of Jenna James in the future.