Cover Image: Trial and Error

Trial and Error

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Member Reviews

Robert Whitlow’s latest book is a legal thriller, one of his specialties. This one does not disappoint. This is a book that will touch you deeply as it deals with domestic abductions and missing persons. The characters are well developed and you will become invested in their lives. I was drawn into the story and it held my attention from beginning to end. What an inspiring story that will have you cheering on Buddy. And Gracie touched my heart with how she physically wrote down prayer requests and then added the date it was answered … no matter how many years had passed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

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Trial and Error is exactly what I would expect from Robert Whitlow. I loved this book and am giving it five stars.

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This is yet another amazing book by this author. It’s very well-written and the pacing of the storyline is excellent. It doesn’t take long for the reader to be caught up in the story. It’s written from a Christian worldview which adds to the pleasure of reading it. Robert Whitlow’s books are always at the top of my reading list. Highly recommend this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my are my own.

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3.5 Stars

Legal thriller is a misnomer for this book. Yes, the main character is a lawyer and there are some scenes in the courtroom or with a judge, but the majority of it takes place outside those settings.
Trial and Error consists of multiple stories that interlock and, while interesting, none of them had me on the edge of my seat. In fact, the ending came together too easily for my liking—too much coincidence and not enough lead up.

That said, both Buddy and Gracie are likable characters. Gracie was hands down my favorite in the book. I loved her faith and the way she so freely shared it as well as her involvement with the girls’ softball team and the relationship she shared with them. She’s committed to being a friend even when it hurts her heart.

All in all, an interesting premise with a lot of moving pieces that held my interest but I would have preferred less happening and more development of one or two of the storylines.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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I love all of Robert Whitlow's books and Trail and Error did not disappoint. The main character, lawyer Buddy Smith , has a reputation for helping to locate missing children. He himself is still searching for his own daughter that disappeared years ago. The characters are authentic and the plot is well paced. An excellent read!
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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I have been a fan of Robert Whitlow’s and his spiritually oriented mysteries for many years. Trial and Error gets 3.5 stars. It’s an interesting story about attorney Buddy Smith who is involved in two cases of missing young women - one a local teen from his small Tennessee town who runs away from her family and the other - his search for his own daughter who was born over 17 years ago to Smith and his young girl friend while both were in high school and who he lost all contact with when his former girlfriend and infant daughter quickly left town. The story held my interest over all, but seemed to progress too slowly. It did offer a general overview of the problem of domestic sex trafficking. I am grateful to Netgalley for an ARC and all opinions are strictly my own.

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Kept me riveted and engaged, immediately suggested it to my father who is a very particular reader. He loved it too and was please as punch.

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This book was not what I was expected. The narrative style was not my cup of tea. It seemed to be an interesting premise and I think other people who pick it up will enjoy it.
Since I did not read the entire book, I am not going to be able to write a full review for it.

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This was an engrossing read for fans of legal stories. There are twists and turns to keep one guessing all the way through. The characters are ingeniously created and I enjoyed each of them.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Buddy Smith was in love with a girl in high school, and from that, they had a daughter. His sweetheart and their tiny baby daughter disappeared, and he has been searching for his daughter for eighteen years. Where is she? What does she look like? Why did her mother feel she had to run and hide? Buddy knew she grew up with a very abusive father.

Buddy accidentally stumbled upon some canceled checks written by his father (who is now deceased) to Amber, his high school sweetheart. The checks were for $10,000 once a year. Imagine the betrayal Buddy felt to realize his father knew all those years where Amber and their daughter were. Why would he do that? Why didn't he tell Buddy when he knew Buddy desperately wanted to find them? Even Buddy's mother was shocked.

Gracie Baylock is clerk of court. She went to school with Buddy, and has had a secret crush on him for many years. A high school girl is missing and Gracie knows Buddy (now an attorney) is the one to help find her.

Mayleah is the new detective in town, and she assists in finding the missing girl. While searching for the teen, Buddy finds leads that may lead him to his own teenage daughter.

Buddy, Gracie and Mayleah all together work towards finding both teenage girls.

I really liked the faith that was in this story. Buddy's experience on his mom's porch felt so real.

I was given an advanced copy by the publisher, Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
Amazon would not post my review. The email said it didn't meet their community standards, or something to that effect. Can anyone possibly tell me why they wouldn't print my review?

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I received a copy of this book from Net Galley to read and review.
Unfortunately, I simply did not like anything in the first ten chapters of “ Trial and Error” by Robert Whitlow.therefore I gave up on it . Usually I ca read trough the slow parts or infelicitous prose, but not this book.
Yes, I knew that he book is published by a Christian book publisher, so I expected and respect the viewpoint. I even thought that I would enjoy the refreshing change of outlook, but there was just no much for my taste. Not to mention that the writing was pedestrian and 5je plot was plodding .
So ,just end by saying - Not for me., but thanks

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Trial and Error is an absorbing, legal suspense. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept hold of it to the end. The plot features multiple storylines that flow smoothly and steadily and are skillfully woven together. The characters are well-crafted and believable. I enjoyed the aptly described Georgia setting. I appreciated the strong faith element illustrating the importance of prayer and living out your faith. This is my first read by this author, and I like his style especially his attention to detail. All in all this is an enjoyable, satisfying read; and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I've been reading Robert Whitlow's books for years, so when the publisher announced 'Trial and Error,' I got really excited!

As per Whitlow's usual, it involves the law and the South (particularly Georgia). :) Never a bad thing. Whitlow does an admirable job at creating a sense of place; I truly felt like I was right in the middle of the action down south. Having been to Atlanta multiple times, I could vividly picture the characters there (and the traffic, haha -- not that I'm one to talk; I live near a city with similarly bad congestion). I loved all the food mentioned, and indeed found myself hungry on multiple occasions!

Whitlow doesn't shy away from tough topics, and "Trial and Error" is no exception in this regard. Thankfully, the read was not too dark, given that (I really wasn't sure at times how deep it would go), and he kept Christ at the center throughout.

Being a baseball fan, I enjoyed the softball storyline and learned quite a bit about the nuanced differences from its more well-known (at least where I'm from) sibling!

A worthwhile read and on par with many of Whitlow's other books. I think I still prefer the "Chosen People" series and some of his earlier releases in particular, but this is still very good!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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If you are a fan of Robert Whitlow's titles you will enjoy this one. It is a bit of a throw back to Whitlow's earlier book. Full of how lawyers, officers of the law and elected officials work together to keep up us all safe.
I love a book that weaves many different threads together to keep the readers guessing along the way. It makes for an interesting read.
Buddy's girlfriend fled shortly after their daughter was born. Many years later he is still looking for his daughter. As he does some searching he finds some answers that changes everything. In between looking for his daughter and being a lawyer, he helps other parents find their missing children.
This one is a book for those looking for their next lawyer book.

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Robert Whitlow's Trial and Error is a great Southern criminal suspense novel. The characters are excellent. The story flows very well, is believable and very enjoyable. Mr. Whitlow's books never disappoint. I highly recommend.

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I have never read anything by this author but look forward to checking out more of his books!

The story begins with Buddy and Sammy in the hospital waiting room awaiting the birth of their babies. Then the story fast forwards 17 years

Buddy is an attorney and also helps families who are searching for their missing kids. He has been searching for his daughter Elise since she was only a couple of days old. Sammy is also searching for his daughter Reagan and they are unsure where she is.

My favorite character was Gracie who is the county clerk and a classmate of buddy. She is extremely selfless and loves the Lord with everything in her!

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

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Overall a REALLY good book! Several subplots happening that weren't related to the main story, but added to the story.

Gracie was a wonderful character. She was such a wonderful woman of integrity and innocence, that became very obvious in one of the primary storylines.

Watching Buddy's character develop was amazing.

I don't want to give away too much about the story, but a lot of emphasis on forgiveness and second chances.

Disclaimer: I did receive the book from the publisher via NetGalley.com but was under no obligation to provide a review.

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When I first read Robert Whitlow, I was impressed by the authenticity of his novels -- not just the legal thriller aspect, but also the journeys and arcs he put his characters through. Over the last two decades, I've read just about everything Whitlow has written. While I've enjoyed watching him stretch himself as a writer, there's still something comforting about him returning to his roots with his latest novel. Trial and Error.

Seventeen years ago, Buddy Smith became a father. He got to spend a few days with his daughter before she and her mother vanished. Buddy's spent the last seventeen years trying to find his daughter, all while building a legal career in his home of Milton County. Buddy's passion is renewed when he finds evidence his father was supporting the mother of his child financially for years but kept it a secret from Buddy and his mother.

Clerk of the court and local softball team coach, Gracie Blaylock is on her own journey. She's been Buddy's friend since high school and she's been praying for Buddy and his family for years. With the introduction of a new sheriff's deputy who specializes in missing persons, could Gracie's prayers be finally answered in ways she does and doesn't expect?

Whitlow's early legal thrillers centered on good people who have to make difficult choices. The one thing that always stood out about Whitlow's novels was the authentic journey his flawed characters go on during the course of the novel. Whitlow does feature the story of a person's conversion, but it's not presented as a moment in which all of that person's problems are swept away. There may be a peace that comes over that person and a new perspective, but it's not like waving a magic wand to make all the issues and problems go away. (I'm looking at you LeftBehind novels).

Of course, part of the secret is that Whitlow gets you to invest in his characters so when the pivotal moment comes, you feel it along with the character. Whitlow also doesn't have everyone magically gets saved on the same timeline. There's a character of a visiting judge who is challenged by Gracie and begins to examine his life, but we don't see a conversion from him. (It may happen off-screen, but Whitlow doesn't tell us one way or the other)

Whitlow's characters shine through as do his legal storylines. There are multiple stories going on and Whitlow expertly weaves them together. I found myself turning the last page of this one feeling fully satisfied with Trial and Error as a stand-alone story but that I wouldn't mind going back to the world of Buddy and Gracie again, should Whitlow be so inclined.

This is one of the best novels Whitlow has written in a long time. Highly recommended.

I received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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So, this was an interesting read for me. I haven't read any of this author's work before. As I was reading, I kept wondering to myself what this book reminded me of. More than halfway though the story I realized it reminds me of a mini-series.

Let me explain. There is SO much going on in this story. It's not cut and dry. Yes, we know who the main characters are, but Trial and Error is bigger than those two main people. There's a mom whose husband kidnaps their son, a girl who has gone missing, a new detective, a man who has been searching 17 years for his baby, a temporary judge who's come to town, and more. I'm telling you, there's a lot going on in this story.

I'll admit, I almost threw the towel in before I was halfway done with the story. * cringe * There were just so many things I didn't understand being added to it. Just every day occurrences or discussions. At least that's how it seemed to me. I was like, "let's get on with the story!" When the momentum started picking up and I got more invested in the story, and as I got towards the end, I think I began to understand why the author added all of that stuff at the front of the book. Now, let's not go crazy because I'm not a deep thinker and I'm not great at analyzing an author's intentions. My 2 cents (for what it's worth) is that he was getting us invested in the people. As the reader we became a part of their lives - part of the mundane. I felt like I understood the town, the people as I headed for the end.

And it was kind of funny, I was rooting for a lot to happen, but in the end, I wasn't so much a huge cheerleader as I was satisfied that mysteries had been solved. That people had peace in their hearts. I wasn't so focused on "ooo will this person end up with that person?" I kind of liked that!

While faith played a role at the beginning of the story, towards the middle and definitely through the end, it comes on like a gentle bulldozer. Yes, I realize that's an oxymoron, but it's true. Gracie runs people over with the truth, but in a gentle, loving way. The aspect I appreciated most on this front is that they prayers Gracie prayed were described, not written out. I LOVED that because I think sometimes a prayer written out doesn't explain to someone who doesn't pray, WHY the person was praying the way they were.

Speaking of Gracie, I really enjoyed her character. She's reserved, but where she feels comfortable, say the softball field or in her office, she's confident and thoughtful. Then there's Buddy. He seems like the town son. Everyone knows him and his family. He's got a law firm that helps families find children because of the loss in his own life. Through him (and his mom, Beatrice) we get a taste of the southern lifestyle. I can see where the author's personal experience comes through in the story.

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A child’s tragic disappearance sizzles alongside the slow burn of a generational secret as Buddy Smith, small town lawyer, works to end a mother’s grief–and to resolve his own. I don’t read nearly as much fiction as I’d like, and Robert Whitlow’s deftly drawn characters and skillful pacing made Trial and Error a true delight. His roots in the legal field help him to write with real credibility, and there’s plenty of local color and southern cooking!


As a mum to four sons of my own, I especially enjoyed Buddy’s relationship with his mother and found myself wishing I could zip down to Milton County for a coffee date with Beatrice Smith!

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