Accused by Cara Putnam is a delightful lawyer procedural murder mystery. The story involves a foreign exchange student from Germany. While studying in America, her roommate is murdered, and she is put on trial for murder. The story features a lawyer professor who spends all day teaching the lawyer concepts to future lawyers and an attorney who is working as an attorney but struggling in his personal day-to-day profession of paying his bills. They come together to try to figure out what happen. Putnam does a good job at throwing readers into the behind the scenes of what it takes to research and dive into the evidence of a murder trial. Personally, I would have like to have seen even more details in this aspect. I believe she did not want to throw a full-blown manuscript of the case as a case notes for the reader, but I wanted more gritty process to capture my attention. There was a glaring obvious element that I notice that Putnam did not research. I kept waiting for it to grace the page of the story, but it never came up. Too much watching the Crime television shows. As for the plot, it was interesting to see how these two characters dove into the research and getting a little bit of the court proceedings. I liked that aspect of the novel. Of course, the verdict is what kept me glued to the page. Not really much romance, which I highly was grateful for. Overall, Accused by Cara Putnam was a good brief look into the world of a lawyer and the court proceedings on a murder case that will keep readers invested into the life of the poor foreign exchange student.

I received a complimentary copy of Accused by Cara Putnam through Kregal Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Another super good Cara Putnam story. The Accused is book 2 in the Secrets to Keep series. Definitely edge of your seat mystery suspense you won’t want to put down.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from the author and Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Wow! This book has a lot of twists and turns. Some suspense and a slight bit of romance near the end. Lots of drama. Check it out!

4.5 Stars

Well, I decided I’d just take a peek at the first page of this book, and next thing I know I’m halfway through with no intention of putting it down! I was hooked from the first page, and the tension and suspense kept me flipping pages until I was done.

Chase and Margeaux are both compelling characters that drive the story forward. Chase’s protective instincts and the way he cares for his clients made him an instantly likable character and one I wanted to know more about. Margeaux’s desire to not only teach her students, but care for them well and connect with them redeemed what could have been an annoying know-it-all character with book knowledge in a world where experience is king.

Combined with the mystery and the intrigue of pursuing justice from the “other” side of the table to what’s normal, this book is one suspense lovers don’t want to miss!

*I removed a half star because the story ends a bit abruptly and leaves several threads that were woven in throughout the story dangling. Nothing major, but enough to be frustrating. The relationship development for a romantic suspense was also too light for me, making this feel more like a legal thriller with a subplot of romance, creating a feeling of being cheated upon finishing it.

I received an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love a good court drama and this one fulfilled all the parts needed. Compelling, entertaining and full of twist.

Cara Putman never fails to deliver intriguing suspense reads that will keep me on the edge of my seat--- and this one was no exception. This one truly felt like it could have been taken directly from the headlines, with some definite similarities to the Amanda Knox case. Despite the similarities, it is still very much a unique story all its own. It was a story that kept me guessing through to the end, which is what I love to find in a suspense read! I don't personally tend to read many books that centers around the court case quite so much, but I actually found I really enjoyed that. I think the author's experience with law really came through in this story and made me appreciate it even more. I loved Chase and Margeaux's characters and how well they worked together to prove Anneliese's innocence, despite their own personal issues. The romance between them was a great slow burn and really took a backseat to the suspense aspects of the story... but worked perfectly for them. If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, this is definitely one you'll want to add to your TBR.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.