It Started As a Novelette Series
I originally published The Murder Lawyer (TML) as a serial fiction series, and each “episode” was approximately 40 – 60 pages long.
Why Did You Call the Novelettes “Episodes”?
Way back in the beginning, I called the novelettes episodes because I wrote the individual parts like a television series. Each of the parts focused on one defendant’s story and a part of their trial, but the novelettes had to be read in order because of the main characters’ story arcs. Do you like the Law & Order franchise or How to Get Away With Murder? While my book series isn’t exactly like these television shows, if you like this style of storytelling, you’ll LOVE this series.
Also, if you enjoy stories by John Grisham, Robin James, Lisa Scottoline, and other authors who write legal, you’ll enjoy TML.
TML Is a Different Type of Legal Drama
I wanted to write a legal drama that wasn’t procedural. I wanted to write something that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like being a criminal defense attorney, in the courtroom, and at home. TML is about a young criminal defense attorney, Luna, and her family. At its heart, like all my novels, it’s a book about family and the choices we make to protect the ones we love.
The World Isn’t Black and White
Have you ever wondered why people do the things they do? Those bad criminal actions that destroy lives and break apart families and seem indefensible. It’s in our nature to classify actions into good vs. evil categories, and some actions are inherently evil. I believe this. However, I also believe that sometimes decent people do horrible things for reasons we don’t understand. I wrote this series as a way to explore heinous acts and try to understand the reasons why people choose murderous actions. I believe that the more we understand and empathize with people, the closer we are to finding justice for all.
“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.” Eleanor Roosevelt
This quote is one of the motivating factors for writing this series.
I Always Intended for TML to Be a Novel
Although each part, up to a certain point, deals with an individual case and a part of the legal process, I always meant for this novelette series to be a complete novel. It’s a big book. Over 400 pages, but don’t let that number intimidate you. My readers tell me it’s a fast-paced, thrilling read you could get done in a weekend by the pool, on the beach, or even on your living room couch.
Do I Have a Background in Criminal Law?
This is a question I get a lot. Readers want to know how factual these stories are. Well, let me start by saying the book is a FICTION book. It’s not meant to be procedural. I do have a background in criminology. It was my college major. Also, I worked as a legal advocate for abused women many years ago at a domestic violence shelter. The trial parts are written as factually as possible per my research and knowledge of Missouri law, but please remember this is FICTION (notice I keep bolding this word?), not a true-crime drama.
The legal aspects of this series are sped up and dramatized for entertainment value and time’s sake. Look, I love the law, and those who know me well know that I liken being in a courtroom to being in church. I respect the spirit of the law and its quest for justice. That being said, real law – not fictional law – is incredibly boring and slow-moving. Why would I subject you to that? If that’s more your speed, I suggest ignoring my book and enrolling in law school. I won’t be offended. I’ll actually be quite jealous. 🙂
Bottom line – I wrote this book to entertain you, introduce you to great characters you can root for, and give you the backstories of people who end up charged in our justice system.
How Do I Buy the Book?
You can buy The Murder Lawyer anywhere you like to buy ebooks or paperbacks. It’s available at: Amazon * Apple iBooks * Barnes & Noble *Books-a-Million * Bookshop * Google Play * IndieBound * Kobo
Check out early reviews of The Murder Lawyer on Goodreads