First time hearing of or reading from this author and definitely not the last. The writer takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with Dennis and Paul.
Dennis a father mourning the loss of his daughter while out seeking justice for her death and Paul the struggling lawyer who takes on the case.
Miraldi's characters were well developed and relatable. Fantastic job on the pacing. The storyline grabbed and held my attention tightly with me on the edge of my seat from the start all the way to the end.

Thank you Netgalley, David Miraldi and Book Whisperer for the ARC. This review is the opinion that of my own.

Real Rating: 3.25* of five

The big issue is an Eternal Verity: NEVER START A LAWSUIT IF YOU'RE GUILTY. Of what, well, look at Oscar Wilde if you just want a case study of why this is the world's worst idea. The author's a civil lawyer, so no doubt accustomed to lying clients. I'm not all the way convinced that isn't why there's a twist at the latter stages of the story...was that really a good idea is not settled in my mind.

The real characters here are the lawyer and the father. They eat all our attention, seemingly by design as there aren't any female characters including the dead daughter who speak much still less say anything important.

I won't say it was my favorite read of May 2025 but I never rolled my eyes and resisted picking it up. The comps above seem accurate to me. I liked <a href="https://expendablemudge.blogspot.com/2013/04/todays-review-posts-for-6-april-2013.html">the Landay book</a> pretty much exactly the same intensity as I liked this one, and for similar reasons of moral complexity. If you like courtroom dramas, this definitely makes its bones there; if you're after a solid tale of grief managed poorly, here you go; if you like a surprise ending, the kettle's on in Author Miraldi's story kitchen.

This is a detailed and utterly fascinating legal thriller which covers so many moral and ethical questions, making you think about your own position on them. I really liked the pacing - there’s a lot going on but the author doesn’t sacrifice character development for the sake of moving the plot along more quickly than is needed. Really well written and a terrific read.

Heather was only fifteen when she died by suicide.
Her father wants justice.
The system wants silence.

After his daughter’s tragic death, Dennis is devastated, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. Desperate for accountability, he seeks an attorney to settle the score.

Enter Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who impulsively takes the case, hoping for a quick settlement. But the deeper he digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets, conflicting loyalties, and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. As courtroom tensions rise, relationships fracture, alliances shift, and the line between justice and greed begins to blur.

From the outset, I was engrossed in this legal thriller, which unfolds in parts and maintains tension until the verdict is announced. The author's decision to employ a court proceedings format was a notable aspect that I appreciated.

There’s definitely a compelling story in Edge of Guilt, but I couldn’t stick around long enough to see if it finds its footing—this one just wasn’t for me.

Odd shifts from first to third person pulled me out of the narrative, and the pacing never quite smoothed out, some wildly implausible plot turns—like the medical records subterfuge, which felt like a low-budget Mission: Impossible with lawyers meant I really struggled to engage with this.

That said, I do think this could work well as a limited series. The melodrama would play well onscreen. But for a book “inspired by true events” this felt overly dramatic and took away from the overarching theme of the book which I felt should have been the importance of mental health.

I made it to 25%, hoping it would settle. But in the end, I was rolling my eyes more than turning pages and had to conclude I’m not the audience for this.

Okay, The Edge of Guilt? Whew. This one grabbed me by the moral compass and wouldn’t let go.

It kicks off with heartbreak—Heather, just fifteen, dies by suicide. Her father wants justice. The system wants it to go away quietly. Enter Paul Schofield, a low-key disaster of an attorney who signs on thinking he’s just filing some paperwork… and ends up in a courtroom rollercoaster full of secrets, ethics, and high-stakes tension.

Miraldi’s writing? Clean, compelling, and just gritty enough to make you feel like you’re eavesdropping on real legal drama. The pacing? Chef’s kiss—no dragging, just a steady unraveling of the truth. And the character development? Let’s just say I went from “Paul, what are you doing?” to “Paul, I get you” real fast.

If you love courtroom showdowns, moral gray areas, and stories that make you question everything, this one’s for you. Just don’t expect a neat little bow—this book’s got teeth.

Thank you to Book Whisperer for providing this advance copy via NetGalley for my honest, voluntary review.

#TheEdgeOfGuilt #NetGalley

such an emotive read on all levels. you are taken right into this book for all many an angle. you are hearing and feeling for many of the characters involved.
it was hard to put down and i think its testament to the writing that those of us who know nothing about law, kept us captivated and wanting to know as much as we could. but also kept it to digestible component for those of us who dont have a clue about the working of making cases and the courtroom. i felt the realness in it more than i ever do from usual thriller or fiction books.
it felt so unfair to be reading this. knowing this cant be the only case such high levels of injustice and wrong doing is going on with. and this isnt just a book. this must be real cases. real children. often sadly the most vulnerable being taken advantage of or not treated right. and in this case it ends with the death of a young girl. and i felt so bad for her. and for her parents who are left to keep fighting for her amongst all that pain.
watching Paul the attorney work was so interesting and as he delves deeper you almost feel like you are right there alongside him revealing the darker structures to the systems we put all or trust in, and in this case a human child's life.
a brilliant book. im really glad i got the chance to read it.

This was great. As someone who studied law, but decided to not go into practising this was a refreshing read. It reminded me of the lawyers that I would look up to and also the ones that are the reason I chose to not pursue that career. It was a great reflection on how flawed a legal system can be, but also how it can be risen above.

I love legal thrillers and this is one tense story. Paul Schofield, a young, broke attorney fears he's made the mistake of his life when he takes on a case for Dennis and Cindy Zurcher to sue for malpractice over the death of their 15 year old daughter, Heather who died after getting electric shock treatment and medication not suitable for children. Paul does not like medical cases and he is more worried on learning the Zurchers had approached many other attorneys without luck. My first legal novel by Miraldi and I will be looking the others.

A Legal thriller

Inspired by true events this gripping legal drama is captivating to no ends. It tells the story of a father devastated by the tragic death of his daughter, convinced that her psychiatrist is to blame. He seeks an attorney and enters Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney, taking the case….

What a well-crafted story told with a measured prose and efficient pacing while it delves into the human psyche. The more Paul digs, the more he uncovers buried secrets and ethical dilemmas that shake him to his core. The author’s words reflect the inner turmoil he faces with aplomb. Nicely said and done. The courtroom scenes are filled with tension ….a fine line between greed and justice becomes rather vague…all along the proceedings I stood on the fence undecided if I was on the father side or not, whether I wanted Paul to win or loose the case.

I was hooked from the start; the storyline is captivating and plays with your emotions to keep you engaged till you reach the final verdict. What a wonderful blend of courtroom suspense and ethical ambiguity. The author excelled in bringing to life a case where the areas of justice, morality and grief are conflicting.

Well-done, well-said.

Moral Reckoning and Phycological Depth

The Edge of Guilt by David Miranda is a meticulously crafted narrative that delves into the intricate dynamics of moral responsibility and personal conscience. With refined prose and deliberate pacing, Miranda constructs a psychological exploration of guilt and its enduring impact on the human psyche. The characters are thoughtfully developed, and the novel interrogates themes of accountability, remorse, and ethical ambiguity. This work stands as a poignant and intellectually engaging contribution to contemporary literary fiction. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily

This novel had me hooked from the start! The author does an amazing job of developing both the characters and storyline! I love legal thrillers and this one did not disappoint- it’s very evident that the author took the time to thoroughly research the court process and translate it into both a relatable and engaging form for the reader!


I thoroughly enjoyed reading this piece of work
Thank you Net Galley, David Miraldi and Book Whisperer for allowing me to review this advanced copy of A Deafening Silence. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review.

Teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, young attorney Paul Schofield needs one of those cases that will relaunch his legal career and help him to climb back from the brink of financial ruin. When blustery, angry and abusive Dennis shows up with his meek, younger wife Cindy, Paul is still not sure if he should take on this case. Heather, the couple's 15-year-old daughter died by suicide after multiple rounds of Electric Shock therapy prescribed by the psychiatrist who was treating her. Demanding that Paul take the case and win him some "big money" Dennis is Paul's largest stumbling block to winning this case. Along the way, Paul realizes how corrupt the insurance companies, doctors and their attorneys are; willing to continue these "treatments" due to the outrageous fees they will each collect. Going up against the insurance company's older and more experienced attorney, Paul must rely on his instincts and help from family and friends to stand a chance of winning this case.

Fast paced and engaging, I enjoyed the suspense of waiting for the verdict -just as did the characters in the courtroom. Characters are well drawn, and described so perfectly that readers will be able to picture each of them in the courtroom. An eye-opening look into the prep work done by attorneys and just how far they are wiling to stretch the law to fit their side of the case. Excellent!

Written like a John Grisham legal thriller (which is why I chose it), and it didn't disappoint. Story around a teenager treated for depression with electroconvulsive shock therapy who subsequently dies and a medical malpractice suit is brought against the treating physician. Ethical dilemmas are explored, which added realism.

Fascinating read! Impossible to put down. Mesmerizing story that continually pulls the reader in. Five stars and two thumbs-up!

The Edge of Guilt by David Miraldi was hard to put down. It grabbed me right from the start, and I was able to finish the story in one day. The characters were well-developed, and the story was intriguing with its complex web of grief, justice, and personal betrayal following the tragic suicide of a young girl named Heather. The story is told from multiple perspectives.

Heather's father, Dennis, wants to sue the psychiatrist he blames for Heather's suicide. He hires Paul Schofield, a struggling attorney who initially views the case as a chance for an easy win. His journey from indifference to deep engagement serves as a powerful narrative arc, allowing readers to witness his transformation as he unearths the darker realities of the case.

As Paul delves deeper, the ethical dilemmas he encounters become increasingly complex. The story details show the blurred lines between right and wrong, and the courtroom scenes are tense. The supporting characters add depth to the narrative, each bringing their own motivations and conflicts, which only serve to heighten the drama.

The author's writing is sharp and engaging. The pacing is excellent, balancing moments of intense action with introspective reflections on loss and the pursuit of truth. The story is a gripping exploration of what happens when personal tragedies collide with professional ethics and is a powerful story with difficult moral questions.

I would recommend this book. I would read more by this author.

#TheEdgeofGuilt #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book. I thought the overarching message of the case in this book is an important one. Mental health is a VERY important issue yet despite the strides forward being made, too often there is still stigma attached to seeking help. I worked for years in the Mental Health field, many of my clients were children and adolescents. Miraldi did a good job showing how many things can affect an individual’s mental health. However, the author also showed how doctors must be held accountable for any mistakes they may make, especially when it causes harm, or in this case, the death of a patient. It is obvious while reading The Edge of Guilt that Miraldi is an attorney in addition to being an author. I appreciated the knowledgeable way he approached the court scenes especially.

Miraldi successfully built the plot and kept it moving at a perfect pace, rotating chapter views between characters. I was really rooting for certain characters throughout. A part of me might have liked if we got one from the teen who died…maybe a short one telling what she was thinking/feeling her final day before she took the pills. This could be added as an extra chapter at the end, so, along with the characters, don’t have that insight until after the verdict.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and felt it was well written, I would recommend it to others.