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.

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!

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.

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 🖤

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

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

Whilst this book Is a satisfactory court drama which I did enjoy ,it somehow manages to lack the heart of a great read
I wasn’t 100% sure that the author had clearly worked out the timeline with the age of the child conceived by rape varying inconsistently .There were other inconsistencies too with the cctv supposedly providing vital evidence only being put up in the building after the I event was supposed to happen .There was also a lot of weight placed on a missing destroyed rape kit not providing dna to implicate the rapist wheb a child had been conceived during this rape and her dna had already proven paternity
The writhing is clear concise and enjoyable to read and as such I was disappointed to not really enjoy it

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)

I was expecting more of a gritty courtroom drama - but this book focussed more on the lawyer Megan on why she was prosecuting the case and her past perceived failures.
The book did not gain traction with me because the main aspects of prosecuting a rape case were things that just came to Megan - (spoiler) getting the rape kit out from storage - learning where the all edged rapist lived if the attack happened there.

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.

This book is a page turner! I only out it down when I couldn't stay awake any longer. It's a story about a female lawyer who, after being fired from a prestigious law firm, takes on the case of what started as financial support for a child to a sexual assault. The mother wanted to file for financial support for her child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, but after filing a report of sexual assault against the father, she is forced into prosecuting or face perjury. Everything with the case goes wrong but they're still able to get a conviction which is great. I feel there were a lot of loose ends that weren't tied up. Why was Justice Tarkington so afraid of Megan as the co-counselor? How convenient that all evidence was destroyed on accident? There was never any finding out if the other woman would testify or if there was any other reports filed.

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.

I really enjoyed this book, even with the tough subject of rape being prevalent throughout the entire story. I always find myself drawn to these sorts of books just because I'm also a survivor of sexual abuse. I read fictional accounts like this book from time to time as a therapeutic outlet, and for me, it works. It might be difficult for me to read depending on how the author framed the main event so to speak, but I always come away from one of these stories with a lighter heart. So I keep reading them. The shock value of the beginning pages is what I really look for in a good book. This one did not disappoint! Within the first few pages, I was flipping the pages faster and faster, and even staying up late just to finish it.

Megan was a very credible lawyer right from page 1. She had built up her career for decades and the hand she was dealt at her law firm was crushing... but it certainly made a tidy path for her to pursue Lucy's case as well as her own. This part of the story was very believable and Woolbert-Maxwell was off to a great start with her story.

You know a book is REALLY good when you simply cannot put it down no matter what you do. I'd find myself putting it down for a moment, rubbing my eyes, then saying to myself, nope... nothing else is important right now, then pick it back up and keep reading, lol. I found myself literally yelling at my computer as I was reading when pieces of evidence in Megan's case met a brick wall. Lucy was such a wonderful victim in that she was totally credible, even after she lied about one element from her past. It almost derailed her entire case, until a totally unexpected person helped.

Tarkington is that typical rich trust fund bad guy that you just love to hate. His attitude towards women in general was just disgusting to read, and even more disgusting when Eric was investigating and tracking down witnesses for Megan's case -- reading what Jack had to say about him at the trial was so gross but totally believable. Sad part is, I have no doubt whatsoever that this very thing has happened in real life to many women before. Men like this do exist but unless it happens to you or to someone you know intimately, the concept doesn't enter your thoughts. His grandfather's interest in the case and going to speak with Megan the way he did just cemented my opinion of the entire Tarkington family as being one of superiority; they think they are above the law and throw money at the problems and poof, they disappear. This time though, that didn't happen.

Where things sort of fell apart for me was with Chief prosecutor Steve Windfield. His entrance into the story was both good and bad. At first, it seemed like he was going to be a great addition to the story, but then he turned out to be extremely unprofessional in his handling of how he talked to Megan about Lucy's case. The thought that entered my mind was "he just raped her again! She said no and still he didn't care, that prick!" Megan was chosen as co-counsel, and then suddenly Windfield disappears from the story entirely... WTH? Megan was CO-counsel, NOT first chair; however, the further into the trial they got, the less and less mentions I saw of Windfield. Megan had taken over the case completely and he was nowhere to be found... no objections, no questions to the witnesses, nothing. It was bizarre. I think that is one area where the author could've improved on things. Windfield was the prosecuting attorney for heavens sake, he can't just NOT be there. ESPECIALLY in a criminal trial case. His being absent so much would've been much more believable if the author had included a motion to have Megan be first chair or have him removed from the case due to conflict... something.

I loved the sweet little looks and brief but charged and electric moments that seemed to happen every so often between Megan and Eric. I found myself really really REALLY hoping they'd kiss... or something! I can't help it, it's that classic "happily ever after" moment that I tend to look for. I will say the author did a superb job tiding up the story at the end. It was just perfect and I was grinning from ear to ear reading the epilogue.

Overall, I'm giving this book 4/5 stars. For the most part, this was an excellent read and it flowed well. The author did a great job telling the story and I might be interested in reading other books she publishes. Thanks to NetGalley and to Marianne Woolbert-Maxwell (author and publisher) for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book for free!

3.5 rounded up
Great debut novel. Well developed characters and interesting twisting storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. First off, let me say this was a quick read. The chapters were short. The book was concise. The main story was that Lucy had allegedly been raped and two years later wanted to press charges against the rapist, who was wealthy and had a very influential family. Megan, the lawyer who was prosecuting, had at one time worked with the grandfather of the rapist. This influential family had been known to “play dirty” if needed. I think I expected action and suspense while the the prosecuting attorney and victim were putting together the trial. Instead, the book was very matter of fact. No tension was generated. The characters weren’t well defined. It fell flat for me and I give it 3 stars.