Putman's new legal thriller is exciting from start to finish. The author builds suspense throughout and, just like real life, it's not easy to distinguish the good people from the bad. Some of the characters verge on over-the-top, unbelievable behavior, but overall this story is well-thought-out and incredibly detailed. The author's expertise shines through and adds a tremendous amount of credibility to the story. Danger, adventure and intrigue pour from every chapter.
Hayden McCarthy is working toward partnership in a Washington, D.C. law firm. Her mentor asks her to take on a tricky case involving a murdered young illegal immigrant. The problem? No one will admit that this boy ever existed, much less was murdered. The more Hayden investigates the case, the more roadblocks she encounters. She keeps encountering Andrew, the son of a congressman who has a disdain for attorneys. The two seem well-matched — if they can get past their issues. Can Hayden find justice for the murdered boy, or is she in over her head?

I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining.

Hayden McCarthy is an up-and-coming lawyer in a D.C. law firm. When a partner asks her to cover on an unusual case, she doesn't imagine the mess it will become, or that her very life will be in danger. Beyond Justice is the first book in Cara Putman's Hidden Justice series of legal thrillers. The central case is certainly timely, dealing with a Mexican teenager who died in a detention center for children who were caught crossing the border illegally.



Beyond Justice isn't bad, but it's sort of "by the numbers." The young, up-and-coming, pretty-but-thinks-she's-not damsel. The most-eligible-bachelor, son-of-a-powerful-wealthy-family-but-eschews-the-trappings-of-wealth-and-power hero. The corruptible lawyers. The evil drug kingpin. It was rather predictable, but enjoyable. It reminded me of a crime show on TV. Not terribly original, but with enough good stuff to keep you reading to the end.



Female fans of legal fiction who like their suspense with a very healthy dose of romance, especially the prince charming type, will enjoy Beyond Justice.





Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

I enjoyed reading Beyond Justice by Cara C. Putman. The novel follows Hayden McCarthy, a lawyer who works for a major law firm. Hayden receives difficult, if not impossible, legal cases. Hayden has been given yet another difficult case when the novel begins. This legal case eventually includes murder, office secrets, and betrayal. This is a very suspenseful that I read in one day! I could not put it down. This is certainly a novel that a mystery/suspense fan would love. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I had a hard time putting this one down. A legal thriller full of suspense! Drug cartel had operatives everywhere, who to trust was a constant! I enjoyed how she had to proceed in the case and gather the proof while always watching her back!
I received a copy through the Fiction Guild and NetGalley, a review was not required. My review is voluntary.

Another great book in the series, it continues where the other book left off focusing on a different character. Some questions were answered, while still leaving some unanswered. Cara C. Putman has the ability to wrap a book leaving you satisfied yet still wanting more at the same time.

What better to spend time reading a new series then one filled intrigue, suspense, and a female attorney who doesn’t back down to the big guys. My only regret is that since this was labeled a Christian story, there wasn’t enough reference to the expected religious aspect of the story and its characters.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I really enjoyed this legal thriller/mystery. The case unfolded nicely and the book left off with a hint at the next book. I look forward to reading more in this series. Well done.

3.5 stars
Well, now, there’s an enjoyable legal thriller! I had a very hard time putting this one aside in order to do other things, and it kept gathering steam like a train down a sloped track, so I read all the way to 1 am to finish it! Hayden and Andrew are both really enjoyable characters, and even the legalese is written in a way that is fairly easy to follow. (No simple matter, for those who don’t follow federal legal processes to be comfortable reading details of such a case!)

My main gripe is in the details. Many brands are mentioned, and in some cases it helps bring the scene to life. But there were a number of instances where the improper use of details really pulled me out of the story and even had me popping over to Google a couple times to fact-check (something that should have been done by Putman’s editor.) Here are some details that jumped out at me:
-Using a Lysol wipe on one’s hands is against labeled directions and leaves the hands feeling sticky—not what most artists want to work with.
-Flights from DC to Waco take 4-5 hours, not two, and most flights have a connection in DFW rather than being direct.
-One hour outside Waco is not desert. It’s grassland.
-White Castle is not a Texas thing.
-Brake lines being cut don’t result in the wheels continuing to turn despite the gas pedal not being depressed.
-Hayden is surprised to see deer on a metro Virginia median? Happens all the time.
-Having the police blame a gunshot to a car on a “hunter missing a shot” in February in the city is a big stretch. Hunting seasons end by January, and it’s illegal to hunt within city limits or park limits. Such a shooter would be termed a “poacher” and it would not be dismissed out of hand.

Without all those details being amiss, I probably would have rated it higher because I’d have been all the more absorbed in the story.

Word usage: blonde/blond (both spellings used to describe a woman’s hair; not consistent), discrete used for “discreet” (-ete = separate, distinct; -eet = careful, not drawing attention to)

Thanks to NetGalley for a free review copy. A favorable review was not required.

This was my first novel by Cara Putman and now I’m kicking myself for not reading her books sooner. I loved the well-drawn & engaging characters and the charged Washington, DC setting. The suspense thread, which deals with drug trafficking as well as immigration (both legal and illegal), keeps tensions high throughout, and I really appreciated the spotlight that Putman shines on the people of immigration. A sweet romance is tucked amongst the action and suspense, the perfect amount for readers who prefer more suspense as well as for those readers who can’t imagine reading a book with no kisses (*raises hand unapologetically* lol)

Very fast paced legal thriller! This book could be ripped from today's headlines. Mystery and drama that will keep the reader guessing to the end. Looking forward to the next book in this series.Highly recommended!

Absorbing and fast-paced legal thriller!

"My job is to help his mother discover what happened, peel back the layers of the government's bureaucracy and ensure this doesn't happen to another child."

This is the passionate advocacy of attorney Hayden MCarthy after being assigned a case to investigate the death of a young boy in a Texas juvenile detention center -- Miguel was killed there while trying to get into the USA illegally. His mother wants answers. His younger brother, Jorge, is scared and confused. Shadowy figures on the fringes are looking for something they believe that Miguel secreted out of Mexico -- drug cartel business. Hayden is trying her best to file a petition in the proper court but she isn't getting much support from her firm, Elliot & Johnson, nor is she getting the information she needs about what happened from Gerard Campbell, a partner, nor the mother. And she's trying to sue the US Government!

The action and transpiring events are nonstop as Hayden confronts the obstacles. Meanwhile, her roommate, Emilie, a former law school friend, has introduced Hayden to her cousin, Andrew Wesley. Oh yes, there's a romance here (I admit not my favorite part of a good story) and lots of intrigue as Hayden investigates her case. I really enjoyed the legalese and the development of the case theme told only so well because the author is an attorney. The characters are very interesting and I can't wait to learn more about them. Just so you know, this is also heavy on Christian themes -- which I didn't realize when I requested it, but it was easy to separate that out from the main narrative if it should bother you.

It is a complicated tale with some interesting twists and many side stories developing the characters and further issues central to the themes of immigration and integration. This is the first in a series and I'm lucky because I have the second already queued up and ready to go. Very intrigued and interested to see where it all leads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Inc. for the e-book ARC to read and review.

Hayden McCarthy has devoted her life to serving others by representing them and working for justice as she practices law in DC. Her latest case may prove more dangerous than anyone anticipated. Can she protect her client and herself while getting to the bottom of an illegal alien teen’s murder in a detention center? Add to the complications, her roommate’s handsome cousin is the son of a rising Congressman and he and Hayden are thrown together. The story’s exciting pace and suspense keeps readers hungering for more and to see the case resolved. All opinions are my own.

What a great start to a new legal series by this wonderful author. Using her legal knowledge Ms. Putnam crafts a story full of excitement and suspense, leaving you longing for the next installment.

Beyond Justice was a very readable enthralling Christian fiction book. When Hayden McCarthy is handed a wrongful death case against the government, she wasn’t sure if it was the lucky break she needed to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there. She keeps the case alive through sheer determination and more than a little creativity, but then she's fired by a partner with a vendetta. The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to see either the case—or her—die.
The story reminded me of the legal stories written by some big-name authors and was far superior to some of their recent offerings. Not only was the overall concept good, the details sucked me in and then there was the added love interest to the story. It was clear that she had extensive knowledge of law, courtrooms and the justice system. Just when you think that there is nothing left to be written, someone comes along with an exciting, clean story. I really liked the characters in the story and hope to see more of them in future books by this author.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The comments are my own.

Story of a lawyer caught up in the politics of big law firm. She is assigned an unusual case and faces roadblocks everywhere she turns.

Ok if you like to end a book scratching your head then this is for you. This book makes you think and ponder long after the book closes

This was my first full length novel by Cara Putman but I'm already looking forward to book 2!

I loved that this book used immigration as the focus of the story. I know it is a hot button issue right now especially but since my day job is working with immigrant children as a bilingual ESL classroom assistant I loved it. I really liked Andrew a lot. Especially when I realized that he was helping a young immigrant child. I'm a sucker for a guy who helps others and likes kids!

Hayden has so many wonderful qualities too. I loved how persistent and determined she was. I also loved how she didn't let things get in her way of what she knew to be best and fair. It is actually kind of hard to see a glimpse into the legal world because it is so cutthroat.

I enjoyed watching the romantic relationship build in this story especially through some difficult moments with their day jobs getting in the way.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

I'm somewhat torn on this thriller. On one hand, it's fast-paced, has some interesting characters, and supplies just enough red herrings that you don't figure out the twist too early. On the other hand, one of the main criminals was sorely underdeveloped, despite being one of the narrators, and several seemingly important plot lines just kind of disappeared without being resolved. While I'll probably read the next book in the Hidden Justice series, I hope the rest of the novels focus more on characterization and complete plot points.