It has been said that justice is blind. The truth is irrelevant. All that matters is what you can prove in court.

This was a legal thriller that was almost “ripped from the headlines” in these days of MeToo! It hooked me in from the start.

Aaron Julian is a super celebrity actor who has fought his way to the top from a rough upbringing in the Bronx. He has been married to the enigmatic black singer who goes by the single name of Veda for three years. Aaron gets a call from his manager, Lawrence Jenkins, in the middle of one night to warn him of a coming sh*t storm as six women have accused him of inappropriate behaviour and of sabotaging their careers when they didn’t consent to his advances. The news will hit the media in time time for breakfast.

The women have engaged the services of attorney Victor Tabnik who rose to fame by winning huge compensation payouts for victims of the Catholic Church abuse scandal. Before then he was an unknown small time lawyer. Lawrence has engaged the well known and ruthless Raquel Rematti to represent Aaron who denies the allegations against him.

Things get more serious when Victor Tabnik is murdered that night during an assignation with a pretty young man in Central Park. Now things get complicated as the very weird NYPD Detective Joe Paradiso, who has a personal vendetta against s*x offenders, starts to mess with the evidence and witnesses. Things are not looking good for Aaron.

It was very well plotted with believable characters who were easy to like or dislike. Aaron came across as genuine and his lawyer is someone I would like to have on my side if I ever needed it. Some of the people who should have known better behaved appallingly.

The scales of justice tip first one way then the other and back again as allegations and fabricated evidence are thrown out. Personal vendettas blind some of the players. I was never sure where this one would land. I thought it was really well done until the last couple of pages. I didn’t like the ending even though it was predictable but I thought it was unnecessary and it dropped my rating from 4 to 3 stars. Many thanks to Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

I quite enjoyed reading this book, it was reasonably fast paced. Not a fan of the main character, but that was okay. Good book worth a read.

I love courtroom dramas and this book was no exception. I loved the premise and the narration did it justice. And while the characters were interesting and nuanced, I could not really relate to them.

Legal cases have always fascinated me and this is both a new author and series. This is the third in the Raquel Rematti series, I had not read the first two. It is a rather short story and easily read as a standalone. The plot is based around the timely #MeTooMovement. This is an adult novel and as such contains graphic subject matter.
Aaron Julian is an established and recognizable actor. His wife, Veda, is equally renowned, beautiful and is a famous pop singer. Lawrence Jenkins is Aaron's longtime manager and publicist. Without any warning Larry calls Aaron in the wee morning hours to inform him that he will be the lead story that day. It will not be for his acting ability, he's being accused of sexual harassment by several women going back many years.
Victor Tabnik is the opposing attorney representing these women. Larry suggests that Aaron retain the prominent Raquel Rematti to represent him. There are many good supporting characters in the case including Detective Joe Paradiso, Clair Southwood the Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Raquel's investigator, Dan Lee.
The evidence in the case seems solid, but is it? There are many women who accuse Aaron of similar behavior over a period going back years. Are they just failed actresses out for revenge?
There is murder, cover-ups, betrayal, lies, tainted evidence, crooked cops, and twists I didn't predict. For such a short book it really packs a punch and weaves together the plot and characters seamlessly. Thought provoking and timely subject, I would recommend.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Paul Batista and Oceanview Publishing for the advance digital copy of Accusation, a Raquel Rematti thriller. These are my thoughts and opinions alone, given voluntarily.

Defense lawyer Raquel Rematti returns in this perfect legal thriller by Paul Batista.
A two a.m. phone call quickly changes the life of popular actor Aaron Julian when his lawyer informs him that he is being accused of sexual harassment by a several young actresses. Within hours. The actresses and their attorney will break the story on television. Aaron and his pop singer wife Veda are determined to fight the charges amidst the unfolding stories and each revelation that surfaces. Lawyer Raquel Rematti is smart, crafty, wise and produces great moments of drama in the courtroom.
The author weaves the elements of the #MeToo era into a gripping, eye opening read with an ending that will stun the reader.
Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you NetGalley, Paul Batista and Oceanview Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

The ending of Accusation was good. Unfortunately, that is all I can say about the book. I had such a hard time liking or even connecting with any of the characters. Luckily, this was a short read because I might not have finished it if it were any longer.

#Accusation #NetGalley

Popular actor Aaron Julian lives a good life with a home in Manhattan's famed Dakota apartment building. His wife of three years, Veda, is a popular singer. Their relationship is tested when Aaron is accused by multiple women of affecting their careers after he made a play on them. Finally, a porn actor clams rape.
Author Paul Batista is having his day on the MeToo movement, and I have to say it disappointed me. The writing is nothing special, the plot contrived, the ending an outrage. He does create interesting characters, especially Raquel, the dancing attorney. It used to be that the only way gay characters could get portrayed was if they ended up dead. Batista continues that sad tradition here.
The women who start the story with their career complaints are quickly forgotten as the story moves on to the rape complaint. It was a shock to see Batista set up a corrupt assistant US Attorney as this was so hard to believe. The novel ends with poor resolution of its subplots, and a twist that is too contrived.
Accusation is a quick read, thankfully.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley and Oceanview Publishing for the eARC.
This legal thriller is very much of this time, #MeToo, celebrities in trouble, the justice system and social media.
Aaron Julian is accused of sexual misconduct. It's a nightmare for him, being one of the most revered and loved actors in the world, but his popular singer wife stands by him. Raquel Ramatti, the powerful attorney, takes his case, and what follows is a very believable and turbulent time for everyone involved.
Raquel is a great character and I absolutely loved the New York City setting as I lived there for several years.
For a fairly short book, this story packed quite a punch and the ending...wow! Definitely recommended!!