This is book #2 in the Thornton mysteries I have not read the first one but plan to do so now. This story was very well written with a clever plot. I liked the characters and their complexities and the setting of New Orleans.
Many thanks to Level Best Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

In The Redemption, book two of the Thorton Mystery Series, author C.L. Tolbert transports the reader to New Orleans for an intriguing mystery / suspense / crime and legal thriller / story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.

After two men are murdered on the grounds of the Redemption housing projects, sixteen year old Louis Bishop is arrested and charged as an adult with two counts of murder in the first degree, a capital case that could involve the death penalty. Emma Thornton, a law professor and director of the Homeless Law Clinic at St. Stanislaus Law School in the city agrees to represent him.

Emma's investigation into the murder case takes her into the dark and seedy part of New Orleans, where drug dealers and corrupt police run the show with their illegal dealings, and the residents of the Redemption housing projects are too scared to talk to her about that fatal night. As Emma digs deeper into the murder investigation, she gets too close to the truth about Louis' family secrets and seedy illegal dealings, and some innocent victims are murdered after talking to her. There are some dangerous people who will stop her from learning the truth at any cost, including threatening her family. Can Emma help save the wrongly accused teen, or will the corrupt individuals destroy everyone and everything that gets in their way?

Author C. L. Tolbert weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller written in the third person narrative that follows Emma as she tries to get justice for wrongfully accused sixteen year old Louis Bishop. I loved reading this action-packed story. The reader will be easily drawn into this well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, betrayals, deceit, motives, revenge, and clues are uncovered, while unexpected twists and turns, and a surprising conclusion will leave the reader simply stunned. I especially loved how the author used her prior experience as a defense attorney to weave an intense account of the legal investigation that Emma engaged in her pursuit to vindicate Louis, and bring the true murderers to justice.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed the rich description of New Orleans. You can't help but want to visit the Big Easy, the author does an amazing job of describing the famous French Quarter landmark, and the various local streets that she called home for many years.

The Redemption has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-redemption-by-cl-tolbert-vbt-book.html

This is the second book in the Thornton Mysteries but the first that I have read. Let me assure you that your enjoyment will not be spoilt by not reading the first in the series.

Emma Thornton is a law professor and director of the Homeless Law Clinic at St Stanislaus Law School in New Orleans. When a 16 year old homeless boy, Louis is arrested following the murder of two men in the Redemption, a New Orleans housing project, Emma agrees to represent him. She selects several of her students to help in the case. This involves investigating Louis, his family and his relationships with others – and the intrigue surrounding life in the projects where drugs, corruption, police brutality and gangs, violence and murder are rife.

What did I like about the book? It was well written and easy to read. It had colourful characters really well defined and interesting. It kept me involved in the action.

What didn’t I like? This is difficult to formulate; Emma is just too good to be true. A good detective, brave, a single mum, a team player, a great mentor to her students and clever. What didn’t work for me is that she continually prevented her students from getting too involved because they would be in danger (fair enough), but it was OK for her to put herself, and her children in danger! However, such is fiction – but it just dented the shine on the book for me. I still enjoyed it but it didn’t sparkle for me. Perhaps it is just my jaded viewpoint. Is it worth a read? It certainly is. Do I recommend it, I certainly do.

Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.

Sometimes, authors of mysteries and thrillers let relationships suffer as they focus on plot. Not here. The care taken to draw a clear picture of the homeless teen and his relationship with the lead protagonist really pays off. Even without the strong plot line, I would have kept reading just to see where the two characters landed. An interesting, clever book.