Teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, young attorney Paul Schofield needs one of those cases that will relaunch his legal career and help him to climb back from the brink of financial ruin. When blustery, angry and abusive Dennis shows up with his meek, younger wife Cindy, Paul is still not sure if he should take on this case. Heather, the couple's 15-year-old daughter died by suicide after multiple rounds of Electric Shock therapy prescribed by the psychiatrist who was treating her. Demanding that Paul take the case and win him some "big money" Dennis is Paul's largest stumbling block to winning this case. Along the way, Paul realizes how corrupt the insurance companies, doctors and their attorneys are; willing to continue these "treatments" due to the outrageous fees they will each collect. Going up against the insurance company's older and more experienced attorney, Paul must rely on his instincts and help from family and friends to stand a chance of winning this case.

Fast paced and engaging, I enjoyed the suspense of waiting for the verdict -just as did the characters in the courtroom. Characters are well drawn, and described so perfectly that readers will be able to picture each of them in the courtroom. An eye-opening look into the prep work done by attorneys and just how far they are wiling to stretch the law to fit their side of the case. Excellent!

Written like a John Grisham legal thriller (which is why I chose it), and it didn't disappoint. Story around a teenager treated for depression with electroconvulsive shock therapy who subsequently dies and a medical malpractice suit is brought against the treating physician. Ethical dilemmas are explored, which added realism.

Fascinating read! Impossible to put down. Mesmerizing story that continually pulls the reader in. Five stars and two thumbs-up!

The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi was hard to put down. It grabbed me right from the start, and I was able to finish the story in one day. The characters were well-developed, and the story was intriguing with its complex web of grief, justice, and personal betrayal following the tragic suicide of a young girl named Heather. The story is told from multiple perspectives.

Heather's father, Dennis, wants to sue the psychiatrist he blames for Heather's suicide. He hires Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who initially views the case as a chance for an easy win. His journey from indifference to deep engagement serves as a powerful narrative arc, allowing readers to witness his transformation as he unearths the darker realities of the case.

As Paul delves deeper, the ethical dilemmas he encounters become increasingly complex. The story details show the blurred lines between right and wrong, and the courtroom scenes are tense. The supporting characters add depth to the narrative, each bringing their own motivations and conflicts, which only serve to heighten the drama.

The author's writing is sharp and engaging. The pacing is excellent, balancing moments of intense action with introspective reflections on loss and the pursuit of truth. The story is a gripping exploration of what happens when personal tragedies collide with professional ethics and is a powerful story with difficult moral questions.

I would recommend this book. I would read more by this author.

#TheEdgeofGuilt #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the overarching message of the case in this book is an important one. Mental health is a VERY important issue yet despite the strides forward being made, too often there is still stigma attached to seeking help. I worked for years in the Mental Health field, many of my clients were children and adolescents. Miraldi did a good job showing how many things can affect an individual’s mental health. However, the author also showed how doctors must be held accountable for any mistakes they may make, especially when it causes harm, or in this case, the death of a patient. It is obvious while reading The Edge of Guilt that Miraldi is an attorney in addition to being an author. I appreciated the knowledgeable way he approached the court scenes especially.

Miraldi successfully built the plot and kept it moving at a perfect pace, rotating chapter views between characters. I was really rooting for certain characters throughout. A part of me might have liked if we got one from the teen who died…maybe a short one telling what she was thinking/feeling her final day before she took the pills. This could be added as an extra chapter at the end, so, along with the characters, don’t have that insight until after the verdict.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and felt it was well written, I would recommend it to others.