This is definitely not your typical James Patterson book. Martha Foster is a single mother of a five-year old who has significant heart health issues. She found an opening for a public defender in Douglas County, Alabama, applies, and she is quickly hired. The Town of Elva provides housing, an office, and that there is really no work. The jail is filled daily by the County Judge Pickens who runs the county and court with a heavy hand. Martha cannot handle what she sees and when she challenges and angers the judge, she, too, finds herself in jail. Martha survives her experience but vows to make things right. It was a really good read.