I can't resist a book set in New Orleans as this one. It was a good choice because it's a gripping legal thriller that kept me reading.
Well plotted, good storytelling and fleshed out characters. The descriptions of New Orleans are great and loved them
I want to read other books by this authors.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

It's that most engaging of treats, a big, fat, intelligent thriller. It is a first-rate crime novelist's ability to lead his readers up the garden path….

A gripping thriller that starts on simmer and builds to a boil.

In Sanctuary, book three of the Thornton Mystery Series, author C.L. Tolbert transports the reader back to New Orleans for another intriguing mystery / legal thriller story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

When nineteen year old Stacey Robert is arrested for the murder of James Crosby, the charismatic leader of the Japaprajnas, she contacts Emma Thornton, a law professor and director of the Homeless Law Clinic at St. Stanislaus Law School in the city, and asks Emma to represent her. Emma had defended Stacey three years ago when the then sixteen year old was arrested for vagrancy along with other homeless youths. Emma agrees to represent Stacey on a pro bono basis, and is determined to prove that Stacey was setup and is innocent of the murder.

Emma's investigation into the murder case takes her into the dark inner workings of the Japaprajnas cult. As Emma digs deeper into the murder investigation, she gets too close to the truth about the secrets, the seedy illicit dealings, and the cult's exploitation of innocent people, even though they supposively espouse their group as a sanctuary. There are some dangerous people who will stop her from learning the truth at any cost. Can Emma help save the wrongly accused teen, or will the dangerous individuals destroy everyone and everything that gets in their way?

Author C. L. Tolbert weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller written in the third person narrative that follows Emma as she tries to get justice for wrongfully accused nineteen year old Stacey Robert. I loved reading this action-packed story. The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, betrayals, deceit, motives, revenge, and clues are uncovered, while unexpected twists and turns, and a surprising conclusion will leave the reader simply stunned. I especially loved how the author used her prior experience as a defense attorney to weave an intense account of the legal investigation that Emma engaged in her pursuit to vindicate Stacey, and bring the true murderer to justice.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the rich description of New Orleans. You can't help but want to visit the Big Easy, the author does an amazing job of describing the famous French Quarter landmark, and the various local streets that she called home for many years.

Sanctuary has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/10/sanctuary-by-c-l-tolbert-vbt-book.html

This book is not so much a legal thriller as it is the story of a law professor helping a young woman accused of murder. There is a tiny bit of suspense near the end but that is not the focus of the plot by far. Some procedural details such as the taking of an affidavit are included but mostly we read of Emma going about methodically getting to the truth.

Tolbert has done a good job of immersing us in the culture of New Orleans. We really get a sense of the spiritual atmosphere in the city. There are also two major issues explored in the novel. One is being sucked into a cult. There is some good information about what makes a religious group an actual cult. Another issue deals with the parent child relationship that would cause a young person to be attracted to the cult atmosphere.

Emma is a good heroine, a law professor with a heart to help others. This is a good novel for readers who like one dealing in legal procedure with an emphasis on the discovery aspect rather than a courtroom aspect. Tolbert's writing style is an easy one to follow.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.