When sixteen-year-old Hannah Sheraton is arrested for the murder of her step-grandfather—the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court—her devastated mother turns to an old friend for help: Josie Baylor-Bates, a former high-powered criminal defense attorney now running a quieter practice in Hermosa Beach. Although Josie left the fast-paced legal world behind, Hannah’s case draws her in. When the teen is charged as an adult, Josie can’t walk away. But as she delves deeper, Josie uncovers a tangled web of politics, family secrets, and legal complexities. The truth she ultimately reveals could either exonerate Hannah—or destroy them both.
Rebecca Forster shares:
“This story was inspired by a real case my husband presided over as a superior court judge. He once had to sentence a minor to life in prison, and it made me question how I felt about juveniles involved in violent crimes. Are they society’s most vulnerable—capable of unspeakable acts, judged as adults, yet still children emotionally?”
Praise for the novel:
“An absorbing story with vivid, well-drawn characters and the distinctive flavor of California’s beach towns.” — Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
“Forster delivers a gripping legal thriller, rich with psychological depth and sharp, realistic courtroom drama. The twists don’t stop until the final, satisfying page.” — Alafair Burke
