I just love this author's books. They are always written with such intricate knowledge of the subject and the story comes alive with realism. I loved the subject of immigration and how the author gave details of what someone goes through to come to the United States. Sometimes people get lost in the red tape and this leads us to a non stop action filled story that keeps readers on the edge of their seat.

Hayden has just won a case that everyone said she couldn't win. She is tough as nails and I love her compassion for her clients . When she receives a new case, things don't add up for her. It seems every time she tries to get answers , she is stopped, scared away or lied to. Why did a young boy die while in a detention center? His mother believes he was killed and the government was involved. Can you imagine taking on the government and accusing them of killing a young boy who just wanted to have a better life?

I did like Anderson and thought he was perfect for Hayden. Anderson has his own problems with a father who has his eyes set on a more powerful influence in the political world. Does Andrew support his father's political views? I did like that Andrew worked with helping immigrants and how that intertwines with Hayden's battle to find justice for a young boy and his family.

The author has strong characters that are determined to fight for what they believe in. There is some very intense scenes that bring this story to a high caliber thriller. I loved the faith that several characters had and never deterred from it even in the midst of danger. Will Hayden find the answers she needs before more people die? Get ready for a book that is filled with lies, secrets, drugs and a story that delivers a powerful ending.

I received a copy of this book from The Fiction Guild and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

Beyond Justice is the first of Cara Putman’s books that I’ve read and it won’t be the last. The storyline was intriguing. I’d never known about the immigration detention holding areas used for juveniles. She did a great job of explaining the information and keeping my interest with a fascinating story.
A sweet boy caught between his crimelord father and desperate mother is murdered for information that could save or destroy his family. Hayden is a conscience attorney dragged between doing the right thing and her insane employers. The who-done-it in this legal thriller is twisted and unsuspecting. It’s a page turner of a book!
I found Beyond Justice to be story worth sharing and will be adding more of Cara Putman’s books to my to-be-read pile. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishers, NetGalley and the Fiction Guild for the opportunity to read Beyond Justice.

If you like suspense, you will love Cara Putman's, Beyond Justice. This is my first novel by Ms. Putman and it was hard to put down. She has definitely mastered the art of seat of your pants, can't wait to find out what happens next. I hope to see many more stories from her in the future.

From Amazon:

Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she's just been handed doesn't destroy her first.


Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It's why she became an attorney and why she's so driven in her career. When she's assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn't sure if it's the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.


Further complicating matters is Andrew, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a Congressman, and Hayden's currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?


The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation would indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?


"Cara Putman's expert legal mind shines in Beyond Justice as she weaves a gripping, suspenseful tale of intrigue that takes on one of the hardest issues of our time. Hayden McCarthy is one feisty heroine that doesn't let anything get between her and the truth." —Jordyn Redwood, author of the Bloodline Trilogy and Fractured Memory

About the author:

Cara C. Putman
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Biography
Since the time I could read Nancy Drew, I have wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 I attended a book signing at my local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, is history. There I met Colleen Coble. With prompting from my husband, I shared my dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, I've been writing award-winning books with the count currently at 25.

In addition to writing, I am a homeschooling mom of four, attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, active in women's ministry, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband, and my kids. I graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), George Mason Law School, and Purdue University's MBA program.

I was given this book by NetGalley.com for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

I would give this book a 4.2. This is a review of an advance copy provided by Net Ga;;eu fpr a faor revoew/ I enjoyed ths book especially for the legal setting and attention to detail. The story is well paced and very engaging though the suspense seemed just a bit less gripping than some of the more graphic violence styles I have read..

Beyond Justice is a riveting story with just the right blend of suspense and romance. Elements of law, immigration, politics, and conspiracy create an exciting backdrop, the author also provides authentic characters and legal depth that doesn't go over the average reader's head.

Hayden McCarthy is a talented, passionate, up-and-coming attorney. She has small town roots yet exudes big city confidence in the courtroom. Hayden applies intelligence and savvy to each case, always thinking outside the box yet never crossing the line into questionable ethics. She might have started out as the girl-next-door but now she's a legal force to be reckoned with.

Although Hayden is committed to a precarious case, she draws strength from the support and encouragement of her friends and even likeminded strangers along the way. This story has a well-balanced vibe. Yes, there is evil in this world but there is also good, hope, and love. Well done! I'm looking forward to future books in this series.

A brilliant lawyer, on the fast track to all of her dreams, becomes embroilded in a drug cartel case and risks it all to bring down the corruption rampant in her world.

I couldn't put this book down. It had a bit of everything - mystery, suspense, romance, and a bit of humor. I enjoyed every character & look forward to reading more from this author. In case you couldn't tell I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.*

As much as I love a good suspense and thriller, I really have not tried out many books in the way of a legal thriller. They just do not always appeal to me as much for whatever reason. However, Cara Putman is an author that I trust to spin a wonderful story and I figured I would give her latest, Beyond Justice, a try.

At first, I wanted to like the story but I was struggling. The book had all the marks of what would be a great tension-filled story. There was a murder and so many questions surrounding it. There also seemed to be a cover-up as well as a guy caught between doing what someone more powerful said and doing what he thought was right. But, at the beginning, this novel was filled with a lot of legal lingo and for me, it was bogging this story down.

I decided to keep trying to move forward in the book, and I was well rewarded. The story took over and just as I had hoped, tension oozed from the pages and I was hooked. By the end, I was blown away by this book with its intertwining storylines and well-developed characters.
Beyond Justice is a book that I would recommend with the caveat of being aware of pushing through the beginning of the book. Because by the end, I think you’ll think it was well worth it.


**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

This book is intense, and riveting. I appreciated all the in-depth aspects including the legal terms, which I tend to understand rather well. The characters were interesting, and I had not problem getting sucked into the story. It's a clean, well written book that didn't disappoint. I am so glad I didn't miss this book. It's also the first time I have read this author.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

Hot off a big courtroom win, up-and- coming lawyer Hayden McCarthy is tapped for a clandestine,high priority case. The more questions Hayden asks, the more threats, death,oddities at the law firm, and other strange coincidences surround  the bizarre case. 

Beyond Justice is a very fast paced legal thriller by Cara Putman. The characters, whether Miguel,whom the reader sees for only moments, or Mrs. Rodriguez, Andrew, Emilie,Jorge, and Hayden;are all so believable in their fear,faith, and actions.

I especially liked the tenacity I saw in characters. Each of the above players in this drama holds onto what he/she feels each is called to do,regardless of the cost.

And costly it is. Jobs, hidden secrets, security, safety, even life itself. Nothing is sacred to el jefe,who is determined to recover damaging information.

I thought Director Snowden well-named,although "Snowdem" might have been even better!

Good writing often includes quotables. A few:
 "Anywhere there is a void, evil likes to take a foothold.”
"If only her butterflies would fly in formation."

A truly fascinating study of human nature's best vs. worst, with acknowledgement that faith in God is our ultimate foundation.

I gratefully received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I am freely leaving my review. All opinions are solely my own responsibility.

This is a great legal suspense book. Enough twists and turns to keep you reading. The heroine is Hayden McCarthy who has just won a big case. She gets a new case relating to the death of an illegal immigrant. There is very little actual courtroom drama—more of the work that a lawyer does outside the courtroom and a trial. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and to see what happens to Hayden and Andrew.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Cara Putman has a books published in a range of genres, including a legal textbook. Given that background, I guess it was only a matter of time before she moved from historical fiction and contemporary romance into legal thrillers.

I hope Beyond Justice is the beginning of a long series. Beyond Justice is the story of Hayden McCarthy, associate attorney in a major Washington law firm who has just been assigned a new case: the death of a Mexican teenager in government custody.

But the case isn’t going as planned. The victim’s mother barely wants to talk to her. His brother is afraid of something. Her boss is hiding something. Hayden talks her roommate into helping with some undercover research, and then there is Andrew, her roommate’s handsome cousin, who seems to be hanging around a lot … and who seems to have ties to her case.

Yes, there is a developing relationship with Andrew, but the focus of the story is squarely on the legal investigation. This does leave the romance a little undercooked, but it’s a legal thriller, not a romantic suspense novel.

And Beyond Justice is the perfect legal thriller—great characters, lots of action, plenty of twists and turns, and enough legalese to set the scene without it starting to sound like reading a court transcript.

Recommended for fans of John Grisham and Robert Whitlow.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Cara Putnam has a winning series started with Beyond Justice. This is a page turner that is filled with lots of action and suspense. Hayden McCarthy is an associate working for a large law firm in the DC area of Alexandria, Virginia. As the book starts out, she has won a hard court case and this puts her into position to be given a case to handle by one of the partners, Gerard Campbell. The case is a suit brought by the mother of a young man who immigrated from Mexico illegally and was murdered while in a Texas youth detention center in custody of the US government. As Hayden works on the case, she finds that there is really very little information that she can gather. When she confronts Gerard, he brushes her off and appears to be hiding something from her concerning the case. The mother also seems to be hesitant to say much. Hayden keeps hitting dead ends while the more she digs, the more strange things happen. Her roommate Emilie Wesley is a friend from law school that works in the area of journalism and lends her hand to help Hayden. Andrew Wesley, Emilie's cousin, works at a center helping children who have immigrated to this country to have a safe place to go after school. Andrew and Hayden become friends as Hayden's client has another son who goes to Andrew's center. They are drawn to each other and find that they need to work together to figure out what started out small turns into a bigger issue than first appeared. There seems to be a cover up and someone has those involved afraid. Both of the two rely on their faith to get them through a difficult time.
I highly recommend Beyond Justice for a fast paced suspenseful read. I look forward to Emilie's story next and am already wondering who else has a story in the big cast of characters from this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the book in exchange for an honest review.

As a long time fan of legal series I can honestly say this is one of the most exciting well crafted legal thrillers I have ever read ! Its non stop action with the authors long time knowledge of the law and courtroom drama. . I love the protagonist, Hayden McCarthy who is determined to fight for justice as she is to succeed as a attorney. As a women attorney in a firm of males she has to make her way by standing out winning no matter what the cost. She takes on a case that ends badly and she is fired.. Once she is fired she has a determination of steel to find justice for the client and herself. while finding out how to start over with her law career. Justice is a theme here as our protagonist and her clients are in a race for their lives.
I loved this well crafted taunt legal drama as it unfolded into outstanding plot after plot throughout. It is legal fiction at its best as the author presents each character and weaves justice into the thrilling story. I was a highly enjoyable read that I highly recommend. I look forward to the next by this fine author. Thank you to the publisher and author for the advance reading copy. One of the best books I have read in 2017 by far. Well Done ! .

Recently, I have read quite a few good mysteries and legal thrillers. Unfortunately, this was not one of them.

I felt a lot of the story's action was contrived and sometimes didn't make sense.

I really had to force myself to stick with this book...it seemed to drag on and on. All the ruminations of, in particular, the main character belabored the story. And, I found her insecurity annoying. Guess I have just read too many novels featuring strong, independent characters to find this one appealing.

Ms. Putnam is the new Grisham! Beyond Justice was truly enjoyable - the characters, the plot, the inner workings of politics, law, and the justice system were fantastic. I look forward to reading more of her books!

This is the first Cara Putman book I have read in a while, and I think her writing voice is much stronger now than before. Ditto the way she describes all the lawyer terminology. I have very little knowledge of the law and legal system, but I didn't feel the need to look up any terms--they were explained quite well.

Once this book got going, it was good. But it felt like it took a very long time for the narrative to take off. I'm really not sure why it felt so slow in the beginning, but it took quite a while for me to get into. Hopefully future books in the series will move more quickly.

Thank you to NetGalley for a review copy.

One of the best books I have read. Got my interest from page one through to the end. Highly recommend.

Wow!!!

I love legal thrillers and this one ranks up there with the best of them.

The cover gives the reader a hint at the journey Hayden is about to start. She is given a case from her boss that could be ripped from the headlines. I can't think of a news outlet or social media site where someone won't be addressing immigration. Regardless of your opinion it's a hot topic of discussion. Hayden's case is basically that a immigrant crossed our borders without correct documentation, was detained and later died at the facility where he was detained. Now the first question for her is, was the US responsible to provide for his safety during this time? Morally is a different question all together. I really liked how when Hayden started her investigation into the case she looks are every possible loop hole and angle. She is a determined young woman and has great morals and intuition. She has a tough exterior that covers up her soft heart.

Andrew is a "golden" boy so to speak. He comes from a very political family, but has little use for politics. He feels he's been used as a pawn most of his life in the political arena. He currently works with legal immigrants to acclimate to living in the US. He has a good heart and generally wants to help people. He loves his family and is very loyal. He has dreams like everyone else of one day having a family, but finding the right girl just hasn't happened yet.

The plot is engaging and offers some spine tingling moments with the twists and turns. It's full of suspense and turmoil. If you like inspirational suspense then this book is perfect for you.


**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cara Putman at her finest. Loved this story. Have shared it w/ all of my reading friends.