A Gripping Legal Thriller That Balances Conscience, Justice, and Grief

The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi is a masterfully written legal thriller that dives deep into the moral and psychological complexities surrounding guilt, accountability, and the blurry lines between right and wrong. Inspired by true events, this novel weaves together emotional depth and courtroom intensity in a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is gripping.

The book begins with the tragic suicide of a young girl named Heather. Her grief-stricken father, Dennis, is convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame and hires Paul Schofield—a down-on-his-luck attorney—hoping for justice. What starts out as a seemingly simple malpractice case slowly unfolds into something much deeper and more ethically fraught. Paul’s transformation from detached professional to emotionally invested advocate is one of the novel’s most compelling arcs, revealing layers of guilt, betrayal, and conscience.

Told from multiple perspectives, the narrative is both intimate and wide-ranging, offering insight into the motivations and internal conflicts of every character. The courtroom scenes are taut with tension, and the pacing balances moments of legal drama with poignant reflections on grief and truth. The writing is sharp and deliberate, with Miranda’s prose capturing both the intellectual rigor and emotional weight of the subject matter.

What really sets this novel apart is its moral ambiguity. Throughout the trial, I found myself constantly questioning where my sympathies lay—was the father right to pursue the case? Should Paul win? The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s precisely what makes it so powerful.

This book is a fantastic blend of psychological depth and legal suspense. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single day. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy thought-provoking fiction with real emotional stakes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

I liked the idea of this book but felt it dragged on for much longer than it needed to! I feel like the book could have been compressed to less pages and still told the same story!

Paul Schofield graduated near the top of his law school class, but due to some idealistic decisions that didn’t pan out the way he thought they would, the small, two-person office he has in his hometown is on the verge of bankruptcy. Enter Dennis and Cindy Zurcher, who have lost their daughter to suicide and want to sue her psychiatrist for negligence. Paul jumps at what seems like a certain win and locks himself into an agreement that will ruin him to break it before finding out the truth, that things are far more complicated than they had been portrayed to him. At this point, however, he has no choice but to continue and hope to pull off what seems like an unlikely legal victory. This is the situation at the beginning of The Edge of Guilt, by David Maraldi.

I enjoyed this book, was sucked in by the case (even though which there are few people to like on either side) and its complexities, and found both Paul and his put-upon wife Wendy, who must put her education on hold to serve as Paul’s secretary when he finds the current one is stealing from him, to be sympathetic characters. I also loved Paul’s firebrand sister Susie. However, the biggest weakness in my view is the portrayal of Dennis, the dead girl’s father, and Ingram, the opposing lawyer, who seem to be rather two-dimensional “bad guys.” Dennis is the classic controlling husband and father, overweight and bombastic, and Ingram, in particular, is almost a caricature of the slimy insurance company lawyer. The standard shortcut these days, even in a case where sex and gender are pretty much nonexistent factors, seems to be to signal that someone is a “villain” by having him size up every woman he meets as a possible sexual partner and to assume that any woman who isn’t interested in him must be gay, which I find a bit boring. People are complex and much more interesting when they hav both good and bad points, but these two aren’t in the least.

Apart from that, however, the case and the trial definitely kept me on the edge of my seat right until the final verdict was delivered, and I will consider reading other books by this author. 3.5 stars.

I received a copy of The Edge of Guilt from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Step into the legal world with The Edge of Guilt. A lawsuit surrounding the death of 15 year old Heather Zurcher, who overdoses. Her parents, mostly her dad, hires a struggling lawyer Paul Schofield to fight this case. Question is, how strong of a case do they have?

The way David Miraldi wrote this book lets you feel what they feel and really makes you think. It gives you a glimpse into the legal world especially behind the scenes of before, during and after a case. The way the characters are written and the storyline brings out all your emotions. It touches on how grief can bring people together, how truths can be buried and everyday moral struggles. It is a slow burn but the ending is so worth it. Once I reached the trail part, I could not put it down. Highly recommend to read if you like legal dramas.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher, for the advance copy for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Book Whisperer for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one day. I loved the storyline and the characters. I thought the characters had great growth. I will be looking for more books by this author as this was the first book I have read by him. I would definitely recommend this book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A young lawyer takes on a medical malpractice suit that is difficult in itself and the client that he represents is even more difficult.

Wow. This was a book that I couldn't put down. I was constantly thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I now want to read the other books by this author that I haven't read before. This was my first by him and won't be my last. Well written and so good!

I received a complimentary copy from netgalley but was not required to read it. All opinions are my own.

The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi was an entertaining courtroom drama. A young girl had committed suicide, by overdose of prescribed medication. Two things had happened: the doctor had performed electro-shock therapy, possibly inappropriate for her age; and he had given her parents medication for her without proper warnings. Primarily because he father was obnoxious, the case had been turned down by other law firms, a fact Paul Schofield was not aware of. Until he tried to get a co-council. He was in deep. He needed the money but he also thought the case had merit, especially when he discovered the doctor had altered the medical file (after her death) to reflect the warning he had (or not) given the parents. It was a tough case and there was a lot going on in addition: possible spousal abuse; malpractice by expert witnesses, his own future in law, and more.

I love courtroom drama; the maneuvering. It kind of bothers me that this is what happens in real life; that it’s more about the maneuvering than justice, but it does make for an entertaining read. Paul was a good guy. That was probably some of the problem. He wanted to do the right thing. He wanted to believe in his clients. Even when the dad acted out in court, he wanted to believe. His wife had had to stop her education in order to be his secretary. He couldn’t afford to pay any one. She was smart and caring and added greatly to the story. It was a good plot, believable. All of the characters were good, even if they were obnoxious. The story flowed well, despite the fact it was told over months. Good read.

I was invited to read The Edge of Guilt by Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #DavidMiraldi #TheEdgeofGuilt

Courtesy of The Book Whisperer and Netgalley, I received the ARC of The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi. This legal drama highlights a medical malpractice lawsuit related to the death of a sixteen year old. Investigating a family under stress, with loss and secrets, attorney Paul Schofield searches for justice and truth during the courtroom trial. Extremely well written, I couldn't stop reading! If this was a series, I would binge watch to reach the conclusion!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC. I am a big fan of legal dramas and this book is that and much more. It's a gripping psychological thriller that presents an engrossing story that provides a great legal read but also folds in issues around guilt, morality and grief. The author's clear expertise in the legal arena adds to its authenticity. I recommend this book if you're looking for a page turner!

Well researched and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and became immersed in the storyline and characters. I will certainly look out for David Miraldi's next book.

When his daughter commits suicide, all this father wants is to know WHY? The answers do not help his grief, nor account for the failure of the mental health community to help his daughter. As he struggles with her death, this father decides the only way to get the truth is to go to court.
David Miraldi's compelling story of a father and his lawyer reminds me of some of John Grisham's early books. Readers are pulled into the story by the first chapter. The search for answers keeps the tension stretching from one character to the next, asking which ones can they trust and how this could have happened? I'd not read any of Miraldi's The Edge Of books. This example of his skills has me checking for the other 3 to add to my TBR list.

Personally, I thought the 'speed' of the story was a bit slow, but it did pick up speed as I went along. I enjoyed how Paul handled the father in this case. I loved the ending!!!! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Nothing grabs you in a legal drama like a dad trying to deal with the death of his kid. He can’t make sense of it, so he does what a lot of people in thrillers do—go looking for “justice,” which pretty quickly starts to look like revenge.

The big issue? One of those golden rules: don’t file a lawsuit if you’re actually guilty. Seriously, it never ends well. Just ask Oscar Wilde. The author’s a civil lawyer, so I’m guessing they’ve seen this kind of mess play out in real life—might even be why there’s a twist late in the book. Still not sure if it totally worked for me.

The real focus is on the dad and the lawyer. They basically take over the whole story, which seems intentional, since most of the other characters barely register. Especially the women. Even the daughter who dies—she barely gets to be a character at all, which felt like a missed opportunity.

Although “The Edge of Guilt” is the fourth volume in a set of true crime thrillers based on legal cases in his small, home town of Lorain, Ohio by attorney and author David Miraldi called “The Edge Of: Crime, Innocence, and Justice,” it is the only one that I have read. I was offered an advanced reader’s copy by Book Whisperer to read and thank NetGalley and Mr. Miraldi for allowing me to read it for free. This book is said to be fiction based on actual events, while the other books in the series are described as narrative nonfiction. I’m unclear as to the difference, not having read the others and not having read anything other than this book regarding the facts referenced in it. My review is voluntary.

Mr. Miraldi is a good writer, and as with most trials, the reader is kept in perpetual suspense, vacillating constantly throughout the book as to what the end result will be. The outcome isn’t known until the very end of the book. Speaking as a retired attorney, this is reality, particularly when a case goes to trial. The way Mr. Miraldi structured the book was very interesting, starting with the facts of the case, moving on to the lawsuit, and concluding with the trial.

What I found most troubling about this book was the lack of ethics on the parts of several attorneys involved as well as a court employee. Each incidence of misconduct sickened me and reinforced stereotypes that give attorneys bad reputations. It’s quite embarrassing. But the lack of ethics isn’t limited to the attorneys. This case involves claims of medical malpractice, and both the doctor accused of negligence and the defense expert repeatedly lied or misled the jury or otherwise acted unethically. It’s a sad commentary on society.

This is a book that I thought I would not like-due to the name mainly. It is a story of heartache, control of loved ones, control of associates, control of the status quo rather than control of ethics, and with all the consequences of what each delivers. Wonderfully written, I did not like the story,,,,,but I loved the ending. A very absorbing read.

The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi is a good legal thriller. In this novel, we are given a glimpse into the machinations of the legal profession before, during and after a case. We also meet some great characters, the Schofields, the Zurchers and Robert Ingram. All of these characters play a vital role in bring the case against a psychiatrist to a conclusion. The legal writing is easy to understand and the reader gets to truly root for the good guys. I enjoyed this book.

I really connected with The Edge of Guilt. It’s a heavy, emotional story that tackles grief and the messy, complicated fight for justice after losing someone you love. The book follows Dennis, a dad whose 15-year-old daughter dies of an overdose. He’s convinced her psychiatrist is responsible and decides to take legal action. Paul Schofield, the lawyer who takes the case, is struggling in his own way, which adds another layer of complexity to the story.

What I appreciated most was how real and raw the characters felt. Dennis’s pain and desperation were so palpable, and Paul’s own struggles made him feel very human and relatable. The book really digs into the ethical gray areas — there aren’t easy answers, and I found myself thinking about what I would do in their shoes.

I will say, some parts were a bit dense with legal stuff and emotional turmoil, which slowed me down a little, but overall it added to the authenticity and made the story feel grounded.

This book definitely made me reflect on how justice isn’t always black and white, and how people cope differently with tragedy. If you’re into legal dramas with heart and real moral questions, this one’s worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a complicated book and it was so interesting working out who was at fault. I just didnt realise that Electric shock therapy is still around and then combined with the after effects of PTSD it makes for a very complicated family life.
The legal system in America is very different to England - I think but then I havent really had any experience with it but it seemed very interesting how the father was shopping around and getting rejected.
The book kept me completely captivated and I had to keep reading.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this review copy.
3.5 stars

This is my first book from the author and his style of writing intrigues me. I will be definitely picking another book from him after this one.
This is a legal thriller (again one of my fav vertical) with a heart.

The story starts with a gut wrenching tragedy - Heather, a fifteen-year-old girl, commits suicide, leaving her father Dennis desperate for to fix the blame on someone. He blames her psychiatrist and hires Paul Schofield, an attorney hoping for a quick result. What unfolds is a deeper and complex legal drama.

The story offers extremely compelling emotional punches which is backed with some good character development, of which Paul’s slow transformation stands out as he moves from being a disengaged lawyer into moral crusader. David's writing has moments of real power and the courtroom scenes connect and grip.

The flip side is the inconsistency in execution which stutters on occasions. Narrative shifts and some tall plot twists make the story laborious. . The story aims to shine a light on burning issues like mental health and systemic failure, the tone seems more suited for the screen and this undermines the focus.

Overall the story is engaging, particularly for fans like me who love legal dramas with overwhelming emotions and moral complexity. The flow may not be perfect but it has enough heart and intrigue to make it worth reading.