Defending Violet

by: Jennifer Louise Jefferson

Published by: Five Star

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Defending Violet is not a light read. It is not really an entertaining read. It is, however, an important and compelling book that everyone should read.

Ginger Rae Reddy is a former criminal attorney who currently practices family law. She’s drawn back to criminal law when a former domestic abuse client, nineteen-year-old Violet, is accused of harming (shaking) her ten-month-old son, Teddy. Teddy is in a local hospital in a coma, and Ginger is building a defense for her client while negotiating a possible plea agreement.

When Teddy dies, the stakes are raised and Violet is facing a murder charge. Ginger believes that AJ, a prison guard and Violet’s boyfriend, is really the person responsible for murdering Teddy, but Violet isn’t talking.

Things are looking dark for Violet, and Ginger continues to dig for answers at the expense of her personal life. She’s been neglecting her professor husband Tommy and stepson Jake–a dangerous behavior as it resulted in a separation earlier in their marriage. Ginger also has a strong attraction to Marco, her investigator (soon to become a lawyer), and that relationship, if not watched could also negatively impact her marriage.

Ginger struggles with the limitations of the legal system as she strives to work with Violet and see justice served. Justice, however, might not look like Ginger wants it to look and she must be able to live with that. But after all, Ginger knows that there is justice and there is mercy–and what if both justice and mercy fail a client? Then the client hits the pavement.

Jefferson’s novel Defending Violet is dark, gritty and deeply disturbing. But it is truth–an ugly truth in our country and in the world. I like Ginger immensely and hope this is just the beginning of a series. I’d hate to think we met and then she’s gone. I loved that Defending Violet is different, not the typical mystery. It’s refreshing.

Armchair Interviews says: Defending Violet is highly recommended.

Author’s Web site: http://www.JenniferJefferson.net