Victim of the Defense

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Pub Date 27 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 21 Oct 2021

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Description

At the age of fifty five, attorney Megan O'Reilly has practiced law for over thirty years. After all her hard work and dedication she is on track to be made a partner at the large powerful D.C law firm where she works. The firm was founded by Arthur Tarkington, currently a United States Supreme Court justice. When the day comes for her to be made partner she is given shocking and devastating news.

After being blindsided by her law firm, Megan who has a background in criminal prosecution specializing in sex crimes, meets a young woman who has been raped by a powerful, high profile man in D.C. The victim, Lucy Hatfield, is a nonpracticing attorney and the mother of a gravely ill young child. For her own personal reasons that are unknown to anyone else, Megan agrees to help Lucy pursue litigation against her rapist.

The story unfolds at a breakneck speed with Megan and Lucy facing endless obstacles in their effort to help Lucy's daughter and to be champions for women everywhere to find their voices and stand up against rich powerful men who sexually assault and abuse them.

Victim of the Defense is a page turner with unforeseen twists and turns. It's a book you will not be able to put down.

At the age of fifty five, attorney Megan O'Reilly has practiced law for over thirty years. After all her hard work and dedication she is on track to be made a partner at the large powerful D.C law...


Advance Praise

" Riveting! I couldn't out it down! GREAT book!- D. Williams

I haven't read a book I have enjoyed so much. I couldn't put it down! - J. Weber

 A John Grisham book with a feminist twist! Love it! T. Wayne"

" Riveting! I couldn't out it down! GREAT book!- D. Williams

I haven't read a book I have enjoyed so much. I couldn't put it down! - J. Weber

 A John Grisham book with a feminist twist! Love it! T...


Available Editions

ISBN 9798527927276
PRICE US$4.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 24 members


Featured Reviews

“Victim of the Defense” is a debut novel by Ms Woolbert-Maxwell. In the beginning of the book, Megan O’Reilly, our main character, works at a big law firm and is expecting to be made partner. However, she’s blindsided by, instead of being made partner, being let go. While in a coffee shop, she’s approached by Lucy, a victim of rape, who initially wants monetary help for her daughter’s medical costs. From there, the story progresses into some unforeseen twists and turns. This was a very quick read; having short chapters helped emphasize this quick pace. At first I wondered how the Megan’s discrimination case was going to work along Lucy’s case, but all is resolved in the end. I did like some of the issues that arose, making Lucy’s case harder to prove - including some technology issues (I wondered if something had been tampered with, as another character suspected) and how money really can help uncover things people really want to stay hidden. I don’t know if this will turn into a series or not, but I would read another book by Ms. Woolbert-Maxwell, the highest praise I can give an author. As a note, my electronic version of this book had a number of formatting errors (dialogue missing quotation marks or having improper quotation marks and a few spelling errors), that I hope will be fixed by the release date of the book.

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would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fantastic book

oh my word you can read books all your life but then one comes around and it stops you dead in your tracks and you are immediately sucked into this world that the author has created, and this book victim of the defense does just that

this is not just any old rape case, this is a prominent man from a very wealthy family who stands accused of the most heinous of crimes, and the lengths that the defense goes to is shocking...

at times you go through a multitude of feelings and at times you have to ask yourself is this really the first book by this author...its outstanding

one of the best courtroom dramas i have read in a long time

cant wait to see what else this author writes and i will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors books. she is going places

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This book grabbed me and did not let go until the end. I don’t think I have ever read a book so fast and I’m a pretty fast reader! I started this book last night and immediately picked it back up this morning. I loved everything about it. It was written with such detail and care that you could imagine the entire book like a movie playing right before your eyes! Absolutely fantastic read!

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Victim of the Defense, by Marianne Woolbert-Maxwell, does a wonderful job at dealing with important, timely issues in a way that will hold the reader's interest. The lead players are a good mixture of strong female protagonists, good guys and, of course, a few creeps.
Megan O'Reilly has been a lawyer for 30 plus years. After so many years of dedication, she believes that she is about to be made partner at the well known law firm that she works for. Instead she is forced out. Feeling betrayal by the law firm, she decides to use her background in prosecuting sex crimes to help Lucy, who's been raped by Craig, a high profile lawyer. She's the mom of a desperately sick little girl without the means to get her the best medical help available. Megan decides that she must help Lucy to sue her rapist. She ​and Lucy face ongoing obstacles as they work together to help Lucy's daughter and try to encourage women everywhere, to use their voices against the abusers of the world.

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I really enjoyed reading this, it was fast paced and the tension was good. I liked it more than I expected too.

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I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The main character was very likeable and believable, the writing was good and the story flowed really well and it grabbed my attention right from the start and held it all the way through. I found this to be a good, easy and fairly short read although I’m not sure I’d describe it as a thriller. I really enjoyed reading of the trial and courtroom scenes and liked the twists here. I thought the book ended well, and hope there will be another book to follow on from this one.

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Victim of the Defense is a wonderful story with Megan O’Reilly who works at a large law firm. She has been working with a new young attorney. Megan is not a fan of the man, but his grandfather is a Supreme Court Justice and Senior Partner of the firm. As she finishes his training, she hopes to be asked to become a partner in the firm as is cutomary. However, instead of being made partner, she is being let go due to the firm "downsizing." While in a coffee shop, she’s approached by Lucy, a victim of rape, who initially wants monetary help for her daughter’s medical costs. Lucy will name that man she says raped her as the grandson and the attorney of the firm she was recently let go. The case will end up going to trial instead of a monetary resolution.The story will have many twists and turns before the verdict is revealed.

This was a fabulous read. This is a rollercoaster ride as the story builds until the verdict. I highly recommend this book.

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Great book for anyone who loves a crime thriller. The female lead characters are strong and inspirational.
Attorney Megan O'Reilly is the main character in this story. We initially learn of her current job which she is quickly fired from unlawfully. This leads her back to her original passion in law, prosecuting sex crimes.
This firing leads Megan to meet Lucy Hatfield. Lucy has been raped by a high profile man in DC. Together they decided to take on this man. Both are put through horrible scrutiny and question themselves throughout. They show strength, passion, and determination that is inspiring. Watching them challenge the system and fight for what is right makes this book a fast page turner!

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What an excellent debut by Marianne Woolbert-Maxwell who has gone on my list of authors to look out for. The story was told at pace yet leaving nothing out that was needed. I loved Megan and Eric and can only hope they may make a reappearance in a future book. I’m sure this is likely as this book would be the perfect spring board for a series.

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This was really powerful hence why I’m giving it 5 stars. I think topics where people with a lot of power are let off lightly and loosely it really feels good when they’re brought up in books and given much attention. Megan is a lawyer and after being side lined by her very own firm, she meets a woman who was raped by someone powerful and respected. I think the thing with this book and why it touched me so much is it’s very haunting to see how many people we see as nothing but average, hiding extremely foul and vile secrets. These are just a few examples added into the book but it’s always important to keep aware. This was extremely powerful and hauntingly brilliant and I will definitely keep an eye out authors other works and anything published in the future absolutely.

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I can't deny it was a great read.
The story takes a dive into the world of lawyers and legal problems. The various facets of Defense system and the minds that are ruling the entire scene.
The story highlights around Megan a person whom I would call a super hero here. Lucy who is a character in need of help and Craig Tarkington is what felt most interesting to read as a flawed character.
The story is a good read if you want your mind to go around the situation and solve a puzzle which otherwise is very hard to even look at.
This book would really be good if accompanied by a hot coffee and some curse words. (Just kidding)

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This was a great read, I really enjoyed it although I think some questions were left answered
This was a different book then I usually read it, (it was a legal drama) and but even so I thought it was very entertaining

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Victim of the Defense by Marianne Woolbert-Maxwell. BooksGoSocial, 2021.

Expecting to be offered a partnership after ten years with a prestigious DC law firm, Megan O’Reilly looks back on her legal career - ten years as a deputy prosecutor winning hundreds of rape cases, more than any of her colleagues, and before that clerk for the DC law firm’s founding partner, now a Supreme Court Justice. Five months later, unemployed at fifty-five, she is suing the firm for age discrimination on behalf of herself and four other women similarly let go. A young woman approaches her in a coffee shop and asks for help getting financial support from her toddler’s father.

With its highs and lows, twists and turns, this compelling story is an emotional rollercoaster as Megan tackles both cases, with most of the book devoted to prosecuting the rape case. Writing style, character development and the linear plot make easy to connect with and care about Megan and winning the case.
There is a great deal of uncertainty, tension is high, expected evidence goes awry, a key witness disappears, and none of this is the worst that happens.

This is a really good book!

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Victim of the Defense for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #VictimoftheDefense #NetGalley

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I absolutely love a legal suspense/courtroom drama, and I had the pleasure of being gifted this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book may be difficult to read for some as it explores the tough subject of rape, and gives a very real account of the brutal behaviour victims are often subject to by Defense attorneys throughout the trial process. But honestly, despite this, this book is spectacular and gives every person that has sadly experienced sexual assault hope, hope for justice 🤍

Get ready to take off on a rollercoaster of emotions. I felt sad and angry when reading about the despicable way Lucy was treated by the defense, I felt despair when Megan and Eric hit brick wall after brick wall with evidence that would support Lucy’s case, making it harder to prove (I began to wonder if some sort of evidence tampering had went on seeing as the defendant is from a wealthy and powerful family, or if coincidences did happen. I certainly made my own conclusions 👀), but I also felt delight and complete joy. The ending made my heart so happy 💛 it also leaves the door open for this book to be the first in a series (I’m so hopeful for this!🤞🏼)

The short, snappy chapters made this a quick read. You just gotta keep turning those pages! However, I felt the chapters towards the start/middle of the book were a bit jittery, jumping from one time period to another, which caused a bit of confusion until I clicked on to what was happening. This made the book a 4 rather than 5 star read for me. This improved as the book progressed and the story flowed seamlessly. I also wondered what happened to Winfield, the prosecutor who hired Megan as co-counsel. I thought he would’ve been in the courtroom whilst Megan was slaying those dragons, but there wasn’t any mention of him after they put the case together (not complaining, I wasn’t his no. 1 fan!) This didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book at all, it’s an incredible debut.

Victim of the Defense; I could not think of a more perfect title for this book. Please don’t ever stop writing Marianne 🖤

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Engaging and well written, reminded me strongly of John Grisham novels before he gained fame and fortune. Easy recommendation to my picky reader family and friends.

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At the age of fifty five, attorney Megan O'Reilly has practiced law for over thirty years. After all her hard work and dedication she is on track to be made a partner at the large powerful D.C law firm where she works. The firm was founded by Arthur Tarkington, currently a United States Supreme Court justice. When the day comes for her to be made partner she is given shocking and devastating news. This is truly an unstoppable read! And I loved every minute of it!

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Victim of the Defense has a theme that never gets old, most unfortunately. Women continue to be relegated to a second plan when competing against men in spite of competence, there is gender, age, and ethnicity bias in the private and public sectors. The other main issue is the sex offenses against women, it's always difficult to report, to be listened and have a case appropriately taken to court. This story, although it has some inconsistencies, grabbed my attention from the beginning.

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