The Advocate's Conviction

The Advocate Series, Book 3

By: Teresa Burrell

Narrated by: Laurel Schroeder

Sabre Orin Brown's clients keep disappearing. With seemingly no connection between the cases, Sabre enlists the help of her southern PI friend, JP, and her best friend, Bob, to find each of them - before it's too late. In her race against the clock, Sabre must determine whether contemporary horrors are being buried in the shadow of dark traditions - or if it's something else at work. A conspiracy years in the making, secrets hidden for decades, and the twisted work of a mysterious society have all come together in the ultimate test of the strength of Sabre's conviction.

©2011 Teresa Burrell (P)2014 Teresa Burrell

I'm Hooked!

I'm really enjoying this series. just finished this one and already ordered the next one in the series. Liked the performance on this one more the previous one. I confess I can sometimes guess what's coming but other times not. Like the theme if child advocacy. Hope the main character's dedication is the norm.

I Am Hooked on this Series.

Would you listen to The Advocate's Conviction again? Why?

As with most mystery/thrillers it probably doesn't warrant a second listen. I am ready for the next one in the series.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I listened to the entire recording in a 24 hour period.

Which scene was your favorite?

The interactions between Sabre, Bob and JP are fun.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I felt sorry for Mama T.

Any additional comments?

The series involves the Juvenile Court system. It's a bit of fresh air from the barrage of legal thrillers and courtroom dramas.

Advocates Conviction

Would you consider the audio edition of The Advocate's Conviction to be better than the print version?

I still prefer to read the book but the audio version is good if you are traveling by car or want to listen to something different from music.

What other book might you compare The Advocate's Conviction to and why?

I haven't read any other books like the Advocates Conviction to compare it to. W

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite part was when they finally caught the judge and social worker.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Who knows what goes on behind court room doors??

Any additional comments?

I've read Ms. Burrell first two books. Now I have listened to the 3rd book and look forward to the others that follow. I met Ms. Burrell at the Victorville CA Barnes and Noble when she was promoting her first book The Advocate she signed my book and was very pleasant. We had a nice conversation so reading her books have meant more to me since we have actually met. Also the fact they take place in San Diego a place my husband I have spent a lot of time at, so I can relate to all the places she talks about and it makes it more intriguing to read for me. I feel she is a very good author and story teller!

horrible narrator!

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Laurel Schroeder?

Horrible narrator! It really affected my enjoyment of the book – definitely not fair to the author.

Not Your Ordinary Lawyer Mystery

"The Advocate's Conviction" (2012) is Book 3 in Teresa Burrell's "Advocate" series. The series isn't a clichéd lawyer series with a hard boiled criminal lawyer whose cynicism is rivaled only by her drinking. Sabre Orin Brown is a court--appointed children's lawyer, and this series isn't "attorney-porn" (Attorney-porn: one case at a time; lots of time to strategize and plan; a great jury;,and everyone but the bad guy likes the lawyer.) Sabre has lots of cases at the same time; she gets stressed out and annoyed; she needs help and asks for it; her cases are always in front of Judges, some of whom are real jerks; and sometimes her clients hate her.

Burrell has always been great at plots, and "The Advocate'a Conviction" is the best yet: it's tautly woven, keeps-you-guessing-til-the-end good, and surprisingly plausible. Burrell sometimes writes dialog like the attorney she is. Some of the characters use vocabulary that is much better than their education.

Sabre represents children from two very different families torn apart by alcohol and drugs. Both run away after getting involved in the juvenile justice system. The contrast between the two families is stark. One family desperately wants to stay together - and the other? The situation was so horrible, it's surprising that the child wasn't removed earlier. Or, at least it seems surprising.

Burrell is great at subtly engendering sympathy even for secondary/supporting characters. It's a neat way to make Sabre's world more complex and real.

Burrell's been trying out different narrators. Laurel Schroeder seemed a little too clipped, fast and mechanical in the first part of the narration. About halfway through, she seemed to relax and understand the characters.

[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]