And Justice for Mall: A Jersey Girl Legal Mystery Book 4

By E.J. Copperman

Severn House Books

October 2022



Review by Cynthia Chow



As the head of the law firm Seaton, Taylor, Evans and Wentworth’s criminal justice division, Sandy Moss taking on Riley Schoenberg as a pro bono client shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, that would be ignoring the fact that Riley is eleven years old, the recent heiress of 4.7 million dollars, and it’s her father whom she wants Sandy to represent. The same father who was convicted of murdering her mother, and oh yes, admitted after the trial that he was indeed guilty. Somewhat conned into pursuing the case, Sandy agrees to interview Jack Schoenberg, which soon has her learning that something was indeed hinky about the murder case. Helen Nestor’s invention of the ImagiNails manicure system made her and her company a fortune, and while circumstantial evidence and an obvious motive got Jack convicted for the murder of his wife, there are enough questions remaining to grant him an appeal. While previous cases have somehow managed to put Sandy in an alarming number of perilous situations, it’s disappointing Riley that truly had Sandy worried.



When not being outmaneurvered by a tween and a reluctant client, Sandy attempts to house hunt with soon-to-be-live-in-boyfriend Patrick McNabb. It’s proving to be about as challenging as one would expect, considering that Patrick is the celebrity star of his own television series and they have very differnent expectations of reasonable lifestyles. The debate over the number of essential bathrooms (who needs 7?) is overshadowed by Patrick’s real estate agent Emily Webster, the ex-fiancée awaiting trial for having attempting to kill both Patrick and Sandy. While Patrick has a very forgive-and-forget attitude towards his exes, Sandy is definitely going to be watching her back. And front. It’s not her safety that is jeopardized though when Riley receives texts from someone claiming to be her mother, which leads to a police-supervised metting in a mall with a grenade-wielding kidnapper. Now in a race to rescue Riley while also hopefully proving Jack’s innocence in court, Sandy must juggle real estate shopping with her investigation into Helen, her family, and her million-dollar business.



This fourth in the Jersey Girl mystery series contains all of the humor and wry observations one expects by the author E.J. Copperman/Jeff Cohen. Sandy and Patrick’s relationship somehow still works despite their differences, with them both accepting the absurdities of their partner’s profession. That Patrick’s Disociative Identity Disorder television character somehow grows a mustache when changing personalities is acknowledged but not questioned, and Sandy supports Patrick’s attempts as one of the (many) producers attempting to insert a wisp of realism into the show.. Sandy’s best friend Angie has become Patrick’s executive assistant overseeing his other personal assistants, which means that she is able to organize his life in addition to being an apprentice to a private detective. This ensures that Sandy and Angie engage in any number of legal and questionable investigative activities, all for the good and in service of justice. Glimpses into Patrick’s life on the television set are brief but rewarding, especially for those who delight in these peeks into the entertainment business. Sandy’s very Jersey-Girl opinions are always sharp and witty as she pokes through the brittle LA façade of glamour and wealth, making this another outstanding blend of legal drama and California satire.

This is the fourth Jersey Girl mystery series and the first I've read. The characters were engaging, and there was a bit of humor running through the book, even in dangerous situations. The plot was interesting and the mystery had some twists and turns and was fun to figure out.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.

I love Sandy; she’s sassy, snarky, and a really focused attorney/investigator. The mysteries are always intriguing and keep you guessing. I enjoy learning about different legal issues and the way Sandy navigates them. The characters are likeable and lots of fun. I’m not a fan of the romance aspect of this series but do like the cameos of returning characters. Recommended for fans of Stephanie Plum who want her to be smarter.

Yet another legal tangle for our feisty heroine, Sandy Moss, to solve. It could so easily be full of fraught, angsty emotions – after all there isn’t anything at all funny about a pre-teen with a murdered mother desperate to get her convicted father out of prison. But somehow, Copperman’s protagonist manages to make almost all the situations she gets herself in genuinely funny – without diminishing the upset surrounding said situations.

Young Riley certainly tugs at our heartstrings – though not because she breaks down and weeps. She’s had a hard time of it since her mother’s death and doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve. I found her tough front particularly poignant, given that children of her age shouldn’t have to be so streetwise and wary of their emotions. So when she does crack, it’s a big deal and I thought Copperman dealt with her character really well, having spent time with children of her age who have also suffered a similar lack of love.

As for Sandy, she is also house-hunting with the love of her life, gorgeous actor Patrick McNabb. It rapidly gets very complicated, as Sandy is frankly overwhelmed with the outlandish luxury that Patrick is accustomed to, yet she also is mindful that he’s got a lot of stuff that needs room. So they need to find somewhere large enough for their needs, but not too large and overblown – and she’s also aware that if she finds something that she wants, Patrick will immediately agree to it whether he likes it or not. I found this sub-plot endearing and a bit of light relief when events take a sudden, darker turn. Perhaps it’s Copperman’s gift of making sure there are lighter moments while the rest of Sandy’s investigations are getting dangerous that keeps the humour coming, without it appearing crass or insensitive.

I thought the denouement worked well and that the main murder mystery was successfully tied up. There’s a possible cloud on the horizon regarding Sandy’s happiness that I may have spotted… I’m hoping I’m wrong. But I can’t wait to dive into the next book, anyway, because there’s bound to be tension and adventure, alongside Sandy’s lovely dry humour. Recommended for fans of legal murder mysteries with a splash of ironic humour. While I obtained an arc of And Justice for Mall from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

This was a fun mystery about a Jersey girl navigating Los Angeles (which is super confusing, I will give to her, even with GPS). I have not read the first three books in this series but it is something I will consider adding to my TBR pile.

Sandy Moss gets conned by an 11-year-old millionaire into looking into her father's murder case pro bono. This young lady is 11 going on 44. Sandy starts finding all kinds of questionable issues with the evidence and the first trial. She starts going down a rabbit hole to get to the truth, even at the cost of her own safety.

I would give this five stars but I felt some of the text was rambling at times. I loved all the sarcastic comments and astute observations (my favorite was "he looked like he came from a corporate vending machine") but they became so innumerable I just wanted to get on with the story at times.

I would definitely consider other books by this author given their writing style as I appreciated the acerbic wit and biting comments, many of which had me laughing out loud.

My favorite Jersey Girl is back under the cerulean sky of Southern California with a baffling case involving a smart young millionaire, his murdered mother and his jailed father accused of the crime...

But because nothing is as straightforward as it seems with Sandy mayhem ensues and the reader will be kept in stitches for a few hours...

EJ Copperman is back with a hilarious new addition to his marvellous Jersey Girl Legal Mystery where once again family lawyer Sandy Moss, her best friend and her glamorous TV actor boyfriend get involved into a story full of madcap, danger and ridiculous situations.

A "murder comedy" full of twists and turns, slapstick humor and laughing out loud moments that should definitely keep readers in stitches for a few hours....

Many thanks to Severn House and Netgalley for this terrific ARC

Sandy Moss, a transplanted New Jersey attorney now residing Los Angeles, always expects the unexpected and her latest case is no exception. Riley Schoenberg is a determined eleven-year-old. She is convinced Jack, her convicted father, did not murder her mother and she wants Sandy to prove it. Mostly out of curiosity (and to get Riley out of her office) Sandy takes on the pro bono case only to find out that Jack now insists he’s guilty of the crime.

And Justice for Mall is the fourth book in the Jersey Girl Legal Mystery series. It’s a romp through Hollywood (via Sandy’s actor boyfriend), the legal system, and the heart and mind of a pre-teen and her father (Riley, in particular, is a hoot). Filled with a variety of characters with humor to match, this book is entertaining and fun. I enjoyed spending time with Sandy, her best friend, Angie, boyfriend Patrick, and the people that populate their lives.

As the story unfolds it does become somewhat confusing, as all the relationships among the characters and suspects are revealed. And, the aside comments sometimes go a bit overboard, thus distracting from the plot. However, it is a good book to read when you are in the mood for a mystery with laugh-out-loud moments. Can’t wait for the Jersey girl’s next adventure.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Life in Hollywood may seem like it’s all about celebrities and red carpet events, but for Jersey Girl turned Hollywood family lawyer Sandy Moss, it’s more about private investigators and court dates. And in And Justice for Mall, the fourth Jersey Girl Legal Mystery by author E. J. Copperman, Sandy takes a case that’s far from glamorous.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

Sandy is a lawyer in California, and is employed by 11 year old Riley, who is desperate to prove her imprisoned father's innocence - he has been found guilty of murdering Riley's mother, but did he really do it? Can Sandy keep herself and Riley safe whilst trying to find out the truth?

I enjoyed the way the book is written, with the character of Sandy talking to the reader. I think US audiences may understand more of her references than this UK reader did, but there was still enough to keep me amused (Sandy's boyfriend Patrick being British definitely helped - I could hear his accent in my head!)

This is the fourth book in the series, the first I've read. I didn't feel I needed to have read the previous before this one, it works as a standalone.

E.j Copperman mysteries are always a lot of fun and solid. This is the best one so far and I thoroughly enjoyed since the first pages.
A quirky cast of characters, a solid mystery, a bizarre situation. I was hooked and the plot kept me guessing.
A highly entertaining story that I strongly recommend
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

In E. J. Copperman's And Justice for Mall, attorney Sandy Moss acquires a new client - sassy eleven-year-old Riley Schoenberg - who wants to get her dad out of prison. Her father is serving time for murdering his wife and has admitted to the crime. Riley is not so sure. Throw in defective products (and coverups), prison escapes, kidnapping and two murders - and the reader won't be bored. With Copperman's sense of humor (Yes, I noticed and loved that nod to Aaron Judge), be prepared for chuckles as Sandy juggles her professional life, her relationship with TV actor Patrick McNabb and the search for a house they both will love.

And Justice for Mall is the 4th in the Jersey Girl Legal Mystery series. This is my first chance to read this author's work and want to read more. I will be recommending this book.

Thanks to the publisher Severn House, E. J. Copperman and NetGalley for this ARC.

And Justice For Mall by E. J. Copperman is an engaging entry into the cozy mystery genre. Sandy Moss, an attorney, can’t resist a challenge or a plea for help. So when eleven year old Riley walks into her office asking for her assistance, she agrees to take the case pro bono then discovers that Riley is a millionaire.

This was a fun romp that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters were quirky yet interesting and likable. The many suspects and red herrings had me guessing and changing my mind until the final pieces fell into place. (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) A well-written whodunit that is sure to please.

Another fine addition to this series.
Fun characters and an interesting whodunit.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Sandy just can't get away from crime, no matter what she does. She's moved to California from New Jersey and switched to family law but still. Now she's got Riley in her office and the kid has persuaded her to look into her mother's mother. Sure. her father said he did it but Riley doesn't think so and now neither does Sandy. Copperman has a great ear for dialogue, especially between Sandy and whoever she's talking with- and in this latest in the series, the wordplay between Sandy and Riley is fun. There's a charm to these novels that goes beyond the mystery because of the supporting cast. No spoilers from me as to who did it but there are a few twists along the way. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read that will satisfy fans of the series and be just fine as a standalone.

Entirely too full of itself and I hated the characters and the setting immensely. Nothing about this book worked for me and I did not finish it.

Sandy and Riley have some great dialogue together and their interactions remind me a lot of the mother and daughter characters in the author’s Haunted Guesthouse series. It’s a fast paced story, full of twists and turns with a side of self deprecating humour. With a large cast of original, eccentric secondary characters, I was utterly hooked right from the first chapter. I didn’t think anything could top the Haunted Guesthouse series, but this one just might!

When an eleven-year-old begs Sandy Moss to get a new trial for her father, the LA family lawyer has no idea what she’s getting into. Riley Schoenberg is as shrewd as any street-smart Jersey kid, and she certainly cons Moss, a former New Jersey prosecutor who should know better. Riley has Sandy running all over LA in E.J. Copperman’s And Justice for Mall.

When Sandy admits to her boss that she took Riley’s case pro bono because she couldn’t bill an eleven-year-old, Sandy’s boss laughs. Riley Schoenberg inherited 4.5 million dollars when her mother, Helen Nestor, died. And, Riley’s father confessed that her killed his wife. So, maybe Sandy can get a new trial, but it won’t help when Jack Schoenberg insists he killed his wife.

No case is normal for Sandy Moss. Why would her client get a phone call from her dead mother wanting to meet Riley at the mall? Although the police have the entire scene scoped out, Sandy’s still uneasy and she and her actor boyfriend, Patrick McNabb, are both at the scene. Sandy’s intention is to protect Riley. But, if the police can’t protect Riley against a woman with a grenade, how is a lawyer supposed to stop her? Sandy can’t even check with Riley’s father to learn who would want to kidnap an eleven-year-old. The same day Riley is kidnapped, Jack and his friend, “Uncle Pete”, break out of prison.

This is the fourth Jersey Girl Legal Mystery. If you’ve read any of the previous ones, the cast of characters is familiar, including Patrick, Sandy’s best friend, Angie, who moved from Jersey to help her friend, and ended up staying to be Patrick’s assistant, and Detective Lieutenant K.C. Trench, who seems to have no sense of humor, but occasionally finds Sandy’s actions funny. Then, there’s Patrick’s ex-girl friend, a realtor who tried to kill Sandy. Now, add a manipulative pre-teen millionaire to that mix.

It always seems as if Sandy is spinning her wheels, but she manages to put all the clues together in another outrageous mystery, And Justice for Mall.

Unexpected Problems…
The fourth entry in the Jersey Girl Legal Mystery series and an unexpected client for Sandy brings equally unexpected problems. A pre-teen millionaire can’t bring her that much grief surely - can they? It seems so - Sandy is about to get a run for her money. Pacy and entertaining with a well developed cast of eccentric characters, consistently witty dialogue and a swiftly moving storyline. A worthy addition to this enjoyable series.

Sandy Miss is prepping for a client meeting when a tweenie walks into her office and asks her to represent her father. Turns out Dad was arrested for killing her Mother and she wants Dad out of jail. to get the girl out of her office, Sandy agrees to do it pro bono. Hey, she just wants to be ready for her client meeting.

Sandy soon finds out the young girl is quite a wealthy as an heiress…oh and that Dad says he’s guilty of the murder. What’s a girl to do? in sandy’s case, she’s going to figure out what happened and what’s going on…even if she’s missing out on the billable hours.

I really enjoyed the authors previous New Jersey based series and was hesitant to try the new one as it lands in California. I’m just sorry that I waited this long. You can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the girl! I will catch up on the first few books and be ready dive into the next one in this series!

I wasn’t as impressed with this as I wanted to be. The writing was okay, the storyline was good but not spectacular. All in all, this book was very “meh” to me. It didn’t have me wanting to pick up the rest of the series.