I like the characters. The story was unique, although disturbing to me as an adoptee. Too many stereotypes about adoptees! The end was predictable. I finish a book in a day if it hooks me. This one didn't. I'm not sure why since I really like the characters. I'd read another in this series hoping that it hooked me better than this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book - another good one by Marcia Clark!

This is the second in the Samantha Brickman series and I liked this one even better than the first. Marcia Clark is really good at giving life to these characters as well as creating a mystery with many layers that will keep you guessing and intrigued. Plus, I love Sam's wit and a few of Marcia's notes thrown in...like in this book how she talks about how women are judged by their clothes!

The main character in this book is Cassie - a teenage girl whose entire adopted family is brutally stabbed, sparing her. Sam is in charge of defending her once evidence comes out that Cassie may have been the killer.

Don't want to say too much because I may spoil the fun for others. Suffice it to say that this is another great mystery/legal book with great characters in the mix. Highly enjoyable!

This is book two in the Samantha Brinkman legal suspense series. This is a fabulous read as are all of the authors books.. She has crafted a fascinating protagonist that is intelligent, educated and brilliant at her career as a ruthless defense attorney in a small firm of three attorneys. She is looking for billable hours as she takes on the case of a teen who's family has been attacked and stabbed. Only one family member has survived the attack and is in dire condition. Samantha is sympatric with the girl and begins to investigate on her own . As she does she clashes with the police detectives assigned to the case.
The sleuth is well crafted with many surprises along the way. I was entranced and could not put this book down as each clue led to many more. The characters are very richly drawn, each adding to the story with depth and clues. This author has a wonderful engrossing writing style that envelopes the story, grows more rich and leads the reader to cheer along the way. I found it fascinating from beginning to end. . I highly recommend Moral Defense for your reading enjoyment.. Thank you for the advance reading copy which did not influence my review.

Another great read by Marcia Clark. Lots of action and excitement from beginning to end. I really loved the parts that had me laughing my butt off. Definitely recommended.

Been thinking about how to review Moral Defense. I came into the book with a dislike for the legal thriller genre. But It has been a while and Marcia Clark is new to me. Finding a new author is like panning for gold. The gold doesn't show up as often as we'd like and there's always the possibility of it being Pyrite. Moral Defense is Pyrite for me.

I will own up to the fact that my preconceived bias against the genre may be a work to a greater degree than I think.

Plus Side: Marcia Clark does write well. She can turn a phrase as well as many of the authors I like. The interactions between the characters is written with a sense of reality. Her hatred of L.A. Traffic is depicted accurately. The dialog flows naturally. The pacing is good, the reality of a lawyers caseload is shown. So from this standpoint I enjoyed what I read.

Down Side: I really don't like the Sam Brinkman character. As I got to the middle of the book what jumped into my mind in regards to Sam is the phrase "Moral Turpitude". Case in point, Sam gets a client a plea deal, which is what she should be doing as his lawyer. But then she alters the detention facility her client is going to, thereby guaranteeing his death. There is more to this part of the storyline but she feels she has served justice. Maybe she has, but is it her place to play by two separate guidelines. This type of behavior plays out a few times in the story. Which is one of the reasons I don't like legal thrillers. I'm not a bad person for getting my client exonerated if I then make them pay for the crime anyway. If the story was written with her conflicted about what she does, then maybe. But Sam is not conflicted at all. The blood on her hands doesn't seem to bother her at all. In fact she seems to be pleased with herself.

I will likely try another Marcia Clark book but not one of the Samantha Brinkman series.

I wish to thank the Author, the Publisher, and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for this honest review.

This is the 2nd book in this series. Marcia Clark, of O. J. Simpson fame, writes a nice suspenseful book about the lawyer, her juvenile client, her somewhat shady cop father and a nice cast of minor characters. I do not rehash plots, since everyone else feels the need to, I just tell it like it is. I was a bit surprised that the lawyer, Samantha, had such questionable ethics but a good heart. In the end, she redeems herself, but seems as shady as her father, who she met as an adult and is still finding her way around him. I do love her office staff. All in all a good read and worth it with all the plot twists. So read it already!

Cassie's case was going to get to me the way no other case had. Not even Dale's. And an overly invested lawyer makes for a lousy lawyer. One who can't see the weaknesses in the case.

Samantha Brinkman has her plate full on this one. Running for time for her own neck and fighting for the life of a teenager who has been accused of killing her foster father and brother. Her foster mother is in a coma from a brutal attack. What led to the killing of this family in what America would call normal but is it? The case becomes personal when Samantha learns that her client has been living the same nightmare that she has. Is this what lead to her killing her family. But as she digs further in the case with her comrades Michelle and Alex, she only comes up with more questions and confusion. With twists and turns to the very end, you don't know what to believe or who to trust.

Samantha's character has gumption and grit. She is like a dog with bone, she keeps at it until she finds what she needs to help her client and for some justice to her past. Samantha's father plays a different role from the last book, as they learn how much alike they are when it comes to their jobs. Her pretty much talking smack on the police force and her father part of it makes for coming to Jesus moment at times. I like the relationship as they discover more and more that they are on the same team.

The ending is a promise for a new one on the horizon and I have a feeling her father is going to be more of a player on this one. It promises to be more of where do you draw the line which so far that is what is at the core of who Brinkman is. Makes it intriguing.

With the author's background (who can forget OJ Simpson), you get in the mind of a lawyer and the area of grey matter. Looking forward to the next one..

A Special Thank You to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.