HOSTILE WITNESS: A Josie Bates Thriller

✍ Scribed by Forster, Rebecca

• Book ID: 108998726
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 176 KB
• Series: Witness 1
• Category: Fiction

✦ Synopsis

When sixteen-year-old Hannah Sheraton is arrested for the murder of her stepgrandfather, the chief justice of the California Supreme court, her distraught mother turns to her old college roommate, Josie Baylor-Bates, for help. Josie, once a hot-shot criminal defense attorney, left the fast track behind for a small practice in Hermosa Beach, California. But Hannah Sheraton intrigues her and, when the girl is charged as an adult, Josie cannot turn her back. But the deeper she digs the more Josie realizes that politics, the law and family relationships create a combustible and dangerous situation. When the horrible truth is uncovered it can save Hannah Sheraton or destroy them both.

"This story was inspired by a case my husband handled. As a superior court judge he had to sentence a minor to life in prison. It made me wonder how I felt about minors arrested for violent crimes. Are they most vulnerable among us - capable or horrible violence, perceived as adults and yet emotionally still children?" Rebecca Forster

"An enthralling read, with colorful, well-developed characters and the unique atmosphere of the California beach communities." Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

"Blending complex psychological character portraits with spot-on accurage courtroom drmaa, Forster's riveting legal thriller keeps the plot twists coming until the last, satisfying page." - Alafair Burke

Review

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome book! , January 4, 2012

By

Patty (CORVALLIS, OREGON, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: HOSTILE WITNESS (legal thriller, thriller) (The Witness Series,#1) (Kindle Edition)

This book was so well written. It kept me guessing up to the end. I recommend it to anyone who loves a great mystery with romance.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comment

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic thrill ride , January 4, 2012

By

L. Smith (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: HOSTILE WITNESS (legal thriller, thriller) (The Witness Series,#1) (Kindle Edition)

This book had it all. Everything I enjoy in a legal thriller was in this story. Characters who tug at both your heart and your mind. Courtroom scenes that produce great drama and insight. Twists and turns galore. Fights that are NOT over the top. Family drama as well as legal drama. I am very glad that I took the time to read the sample...then download and finish the whole thing!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse | Permalink

Comment Comment

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i am now a big fan!!! , January 3, 2012

By

shopper "shopper" - See all my reviews

This review is from: HOSTILE WITNESS (legal thriller, thriller) (The Witness Series,#1) (Kindle Edition)

i never thought id become a fan of rebecca forster.. i mean i was a loyal john grisham, dean koontz and richard north patterson.. now im going to add up her books to my collection!

From the Author

I love this book because I feel the characters so strongly. Josie, Hannah, Archer and all their beach crew are as alive to me as if they lived in Hermosa Beach on the Strand. I didn't know how special they would become when I wrote Hostile Witness though. It was never meant to be the beginning of a series. The editor who originally published this book suggested that I continue on, and I'm so glad she did. This book was inspired by a case my husband had (he's a judge). He had to sentence a sixteen-year-old boy to life in the adult prison for a horrendous murder. I started to wonder how I felt about teenagers being tried as adults and that one thought led me down many roads. I am particularly intrigued by Hannah's relationship with her mother and Josie. I hope you will be, too.