Angel's Advocate (Beaufort & Company Mystery, #2)

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Angel's Advocate (Beaufort & Company Mystery #2)

by Mary Stanton (Goodreads Author)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 411 ratings · 61 reviews

Money's been tight ever since Bree Winston Beaufort inherited Savannah's haunted law firm Beaufort & Company along with its less-than-angelic staff. But she's finally going to tackle a case that pays the bills representing a spoiled girl who stole someone's Girl Scout cookie money. But soon enough she finds that her client's departed millionaire father needs help too....more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published June 2nd 2009 by Berkley (first published April 2nd 2009)

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May 04, 2010 The Flooze rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, owned, urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2010, glutton_for_punishment

I can't decide whether I like this series. The concept of Celestial Courts and a lawyer tasked with reducing the afterlife sentences of sinners is an interesting one. The dead contact Bree with cryptic messages. From there, she investigates their murders and also finds the mitigating circumstances that should lessen their time in purgatory or free them from the clutches of Hell. It holds a good deal of promise.

Unfortunately, I still haven't taken to Bree. Her vicious temper makes it difficult to...more I can't decide whether I like this series. The concept of Celestial Courts and a lawyer tasked with reducing the afterlife sentences of sinners is an interesting one. The dead contact Bree with cryptic messages. From there, she investigates their murders and also finds the mitigating circumstances that should lessen their time in purgatory or free them from the clutches of Hell. It holds a good deal of promise.

Unfortunately, I still haven't taken to Bree. Her vicious temper makes it difficult to see her succeeding in any of her current roles: earthly lawyer, investigator, or celestial advocate. She lacks the patience to gain the trust of those she interviews, and she's very quick to take offense. She usually has a reason to be miffed, but I fail to see how constantly displaying her ire is advantageous. I wouldn't be able to take her seriously for long, and I can see why Detective Hunter is so frequently exasperated with her.

Bree's lack of finesse also doesn't help when it comes to evaluating clues. There were several staring her in the face from early on, but she was too riled up about her offended sensibilities to logic them out until the end of the story. Since these clues were provided by her "spirited" client, I don't understand why they didn't warrant immediate research compared to chatting with her earthly client's friends. Yes, both aspects were necessary to solve the case. However, everything would've been much clearer had she concentrated on these hints first.

Stanton strives to make Savannah and its environs a part of the story; frankly, she's working too hard at it. Instead of making the city come alive, her varied architectural descriptions only slow down the flow of the narrative. It's one thing to make me understand which homes are richly appointed and which are of a lower echelon. It's quite another to describe everything down to the type of flooring in the foyer. My eyes glazed over during these passages as I begged for the action to start up again.

The mystery itself was resolved suddenly, and not through any talent of Bree's. She has a way of tumbling into danger and tripping over the answers--a plot device that irks me. Why plant clues throughout the text if the heroine is just going to stumble blindly into the solution?

The overarching theme of a malevolent force gunning for Bree would be far more intriguing were it explained with as much detail as her client's decor. Bree is kept in the dark about most aspects of the system she's working within and it's frustrating. Her excuse of being too well-mannered to ask in-depth questions is tiring. If some nasty, greasy, foul spirit was banging down my door, I'd certainly demand some information! The excuse that her helpers are not allowed to do anything but guard her and nudge her in the right direction is all well and good, but I think the girl should be more insistent about learning what she's up against. She has an entire library of reference material concerning this new career and I don't think she's cracked a single tome. In short, I don't like it when heroines allow themselves to be swept up in the tide, flailing and floundering their way clear. Willful ignorance is not a virtue.

I own the next book in the series so I will certainly read it. For me to continue past that, I'd better see some thrilling action and shocking discoveries in Avenging Angels.(less)

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Aug 06, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-paranormal-fiction, favourite-series

The second book in the Beaufort & Company series was just as entertaining as the first!

The characters - quirky and charming every last one of them! - get further developed in this second installment, particularly Bree and her angelic employees, whom we get to know much better in this case.

The case itself is interesting and challenging, with lots of clues and opportunities to try to figure out what's going on and who did what to whom. As with the first book, Bree is working on two parallel, b...more

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Jan 19, 2011 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, 100-books-2011

I enjoyed that book a lot.
The second case of Brianna Winston-Beaufort (poor girl with such a looong name^^) is catching from page one on. While I was near wanting to shake Lindsey, I knew right at the start that this family was crazy like something- which lead to a terrible + crazy life for the youngest...
I also liked those Pendergast-attacks- two of my new favourite characters were intrduces (yes, I'm talking about Bellum and Miles; great names, I'll keep them in mind!), Sasha was great again a...more

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May 10, 2010 Marsha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Bree Beaufort, attorney at law has decided to take on the case of a living client this time. 17 year old Lindsay Chandler, a spoiled rich kid has mugged and stolen the cookie money from a girlscout. To make matters worse, Bree discovers that Lindsay recently deceased father, Probert Chandler may not have died from a car accident as originally suspected. Now she has two cases to solve, one is a lower court and one in the higher court of the Celestial Sphere. Additionally, someone or something is...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Nancy rated it 5 of 5 stars

In this Beaufort & Company Mystery, attorney Brianna Winston-Beaufort accepts the case of a young woman accused of ripping off a Girl Scout selling cookies. But the girl’s troubles are minor compared to those of her recently deceased father, whose condemned soul pleads for Brianna's assistance in celestial court. Was he murdered like he hinted, or did he die in a car crash as everyone believes? Did he become aware of shady goings-on among his associates, or was he a part of them? And how doe...more

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Sep 08, 2010 Melinda VanLone rated it 3 of 5 stars

Book 2 in this series. I'm still enjoying the premise, and I feel like the writing is coming together a bit better. The conversations are still somewhat stilted and I don't think the main character is developed enough. As a lawyer I still say she should be asking more questions about her unique circumstances. She did, however, do a bit more of that in this book than the first one so that's something. The mystery itself was good, clues were left in all the right places and at the end was satisfyi...more

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May 03, 2011 Karen rated it 5 of 5 stars

was sick today so got to listen to this and finish it in one day. Mary stanton is an interesting and entertaining author. she combines a mortal law practice with the after-life as her heroine bree beauford handles both the living and the dead. her ghostly clients are looking to appeal their eternal sentences because of situations that were not appearant during there mortal lives. this usual leads to a mortal client who was somehow involved. i havae read two of her books and have thotoughly enjoy...more

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Jan 15, 2011 Nikki rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, mysteries, books-set-in-georgia

This was a very enjoyable light read to begin the New Year. The second in a series set in Savannah, it's a fun mix of fantasy (protagonist Bree is an attorney for the restless dead), humor, and Southern charm. I do feel that the plot became rather convoluted toward the end, but the engaging characters and setting made up for those deficiencies, as they often do for me -- your results may differ. Stanton appears to be setting up some future conflicts and romantic entanglements for her protagonist...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Ellen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Good read for teens and elderly, March 26, 2013

This review is from: Angel's Advocate (A Beaufort & Company Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)
This was my first book in the Mary Stanton A Beaufort & Company Mystery series.

I found it quite light hearted and fun but not to be taken too seriously. By that I mean compared to an established mystery series.
It's a good read if you want to fill in time between your favorite authors.

I would recommend this book for teens/YA and the elderly.

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Feb 16, 2013 H Lynnea rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: audio-available

I rarely rate books as one star. Most books have enough to recommend them that, even if I didn't care for them, they deserve at least a couple of stars. But the flaws in this book were so sufficient as to make finishing this a trial instead of an enjoyment.
I like the concept of this series - the idea of a celestial court, where a soul condemned can file and appeal or ask for a retrial. It's a neat concept. And the fact that the main character, Brianna "Bree" Winston-Beufort, is a lawyer in the "...more I rarely rate books as one star. Most books have enough to recommend them that, even if I didn't care for them, they deserve at least a couple of stars. But the flaws in this book were so sufficient as to make finishing this a trial instead of an enjoyment.
I like the concept of this series - the idea of a celestial court, where a soul condemned can file and appeal or ask for a retrial. It's a neat concept. And the fact that the main character, Brianna "Bree" Winston-Beufort, is a lawyer in the "temporal realm" as well means the potential for some interesting legal cases in the living world. Unfortunately, that potential isn't fulfilled in this book. The living people Bree is working for are mostly uninteresting, and lack complexity. The case that she tries to build for her deceased client is poorly-fleshed out - lacking in details, it loses much of its appeal. Add that to the unnecessary complication of dealing with a dead spirit rising from the grave to harry her, and this book is a mess. It gets bogged down in too many details of the wrong kinds of things (why would we care that Bree salts the egg, separates out the bacon, and then eats the black olives from her salad?).

Another issue is that the author throws in details that can't be correct. As a non-spoilery example: This book was published in 2009, and Bree is mentioned as being 29 years old. She goes to visit her family home, and goes up to her old room, which still contains some of her things. "Copies of her best-beloved childhood books were still there: Lad: A Dog; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy; and a whole slew of Anne of Green Gables." Philip Pullman's The Amber Spyglass, third book in the Dark Materials trilogy, was published in 2000. When the main character would have been 20. Hard to call that a best-beloved book of childhood.

The other huge issue is a spoiler:
(view spoiler)

So, for all of those reasons, I cannot recommend this book.(less)

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Nov 25, 2012 Vickie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: listened-to

I already look forward to the next book in this series, AVENGING ANGELS, due out next month (YAY). Bree is a good strong character who finds herself in the position to work with angels and assist those who need some intermediaries to get them out of areas of Hell and possibly into Heaven or at least in a better circle of Hell. She has some great assistants aiding in her good fight, a dog, a couple of legal aids, a cool landlady...all of whom are angels of dubious goodness.
The office is set in a...more

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Jun 05, 2009 Literary Feline rated it 3 of 5 stars

I did not hesitate to jump right into Angel's Advocate upon finishing Defending Angels. In the second book of the series, Bree's aunt asks her to take on the defense of a rather unruly teenager, Lindsey Chandler, who assaulted and stole the money of a Girl Scout. Bree isn't sure how she can help--or if she'll be able to do much for the child, but she agrees to at least give it a try.

As it turns out, someone else needs her assistance as well. Lindsey's father died in a car accident four months be...more I did not hesitate to jump right into Angel's Advocate upon finishing Defending Angels. In the second book of the series, Bree's aunt asks her to take on the defense of a rather unruly teenager, Lindsey Chandler, who assaulted and stole the money of a Girl Scout. Bree isn't sure how she can help--or if she'll be able to do much for the child, but she agrees to at least give it a try.

As it turns out, someone else needs her assistance as well. Lindsey's father died in a car accident four months before.Probert Chandler was a man who had lived a modest life despite his wealth. He had been found guilty of serious charges in the Celestial Court, however, and had filed for a retrial and Bree is his designated attorney. Bree has her hands full. Lindsey is out of control, and her mother does not know what to do with the child. Not to mention the long list of suspects who may be embroiled in some sort of trouble related to Mr. Chandler and his business. And does it relate to Lindsey and all the trouble she manages to find her way into? Bree has quite a knot to untangle in order to find the truth.

If that wasn't enough, it appears two bodies have disappeared from the cemetery surrounding Bree's office, and the murderers' spirits are out to stop Bree. Someone isn't happy she picked up where her uncle left off.

Angel's Advocate was just as exciting and fun as the first book in the series. The reader is reacquainted with old characters and meets a slew of new ones, each of them interesting. I could just picture Belli and Miles, Bree’s most recent guardians, crammed into the back of Bree's car everywhere she went. And, of course, I was happy to see Sasha by her side.

In preparation for writing this series, the author did extensive research into the subjects of angels and early Christianity. The foundation of the Beaufort and Company series is built loosely on 11th and 12th century medieval theology, which was influenced by the world's major religions of the time: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The author also drew on Chinese religions as well. I found this especially fascinating and admit it makes the series even more appealing to me. Mary Stanton has created an intricate and detailed world that I am looking forward to exploring further with each novel.

Bree has an interesting back-story that is threaded throughout each of the novels and most likely will continue in future books. So, while each book can stand well on its own, there are personal story lines that carry over and might be best read in order.

Despite the somewhat frivolousness of the novels, they do have a darker side. The more I delve into the "cozy" sub-genre, the more I am discovering how wrong my early conceptions were. Charlaine Harris, Clea Simon and now Mary Stanton are among the authors who have shown me the light. I like edge to my mysteries and The Beaufort and Company mysteries certainly contain that.(less)

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Apr 19, 2011 Deanna rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 15, 2011 Kb rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: No one

Unfortunately I couldn't get into it. I didn't like any of the characters, I thought that the story was dragged kicking and screaming through to the finish- Ms. Stanton must have found this book a terror to write and complete. It was in a nut shell a waste of my money. Bree was a character that I could not get close to - the brief mention of her rages left me cold. Her tears over the potential loss of her dog Sasha again - cold. Her banter with Sam Hunter - why oh why bother. Her relationship wi...more

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Jan 03, 2011 Cheryl rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-edition

I too can't tell whether I like these or not ... I must like them on some level because I just started the 3rd one. I think it's that I don't dislike them. And honestly, I'm not crazy about the detective either but the mysteries are well thought out, the other characters are interesting (I honestly like Antonia better than Bree....) and the whole Celestial Courts thing is kind of compelling in a way. So, I'm reading #3 before I decide whether it's time to continue to fish or cut bait ....

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May 25, 2012 Stephanie Wnetrzak rated it 2 of 5 stars

Better than the first, but still awkward and in need of some basic fact checking. Finally figured out part of what was wrong with the tone...it's a Yankee's version of what they think the South should be after having read Gone With the Wind too many times. Savannah is obviously Old South, but it's not 1895 for crying out loud! Not a bad concept overall but simply not well executed. I think I'm done with this series.

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Sep 20, 2009 Jing rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 12th-grade

A lawyer is pulled into a case, in which, a teenager has stolen money from a child. Little does she know, the event is one of the series of event that connects to a supposingly solved cased which was thought to be an accident. As she goes deeper into the case, she realizes others are also onto her, some who would be willing to help or obstruct her from the grave.

At first when i read this book, i found it kind of boring due to the amount of things, characters that they had to squeeze into the p...more

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Oct 16, 2011 JoLynne rated it 3 of 5 stars

There is a lot to like about this book. It's fresh, original and funny. Its whole premise: sometimes even dead people need a lawyer.

This book went a step further: sometimes even an unlovable, spoiled teenage girl needs a break.

I liked those themes, and I loved the southern setting. I found it bogged down a little in the middle, though. Still, the ideas were fun enough, I'll give the series another go before I'm done.

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Jun 25, 2012 Faithann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Faithann by: Karen Spor

Shelves: 2012

Book 2 in the Beaufort & Company Mystery series, it was just as good as the first one! This time Bree's temporal client is a 17 year old girl who steals the cash box from a girl scout selling cookies. Her spiritual client is the girls' father who dies 4 months prior to the theft. This book had me guessing from start to finish as to who was guilty of what and how. It also answered a few more questions about the mystery surounding Bree herself.
On my way to the library to pick up the third book...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Jenny Delandro rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels-fantasy, mystery

I liked this story

Bad girl needs defending but it turns out she is actually the good girl who is misunderstood

the good girl and the bad girl's friend(and everyone's fvorite Madison ) turns out to be very bad girl(running drugs in disguise of band concerts and advocating the killing of a woman) and the doting family physician, in reality killed his 'best' friend.

Bree seems to be getting some control over her wind (too hard to explain)

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Mar 05, 2011 Christine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another wonderful and exciting page turner from Stanton. I love the creative premise of this series. The characters are new and fun, always a delight. The story lines in the first two books I have read are very creative--not run-of-the mill at all. LOVE this new series! I have just started the third book and am very excited to see where it goes.

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Jan 14, 2011 Kindle-aholic rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I really enjoyed Book #1 in this series. This one was not as much fun - probably because her human client is a bratty teenager, and the main character does some sketchy things. You can see where the stress of living in the real world and dealing wth the heavenly realm is starting to have an effect. It was stilla good read.

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Jun 21, 2010 Heather Tisdale rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed it. It was better than book 1 since there was more too it. There's still some gaps with the action sequences.
I like her growing relationship, but I'm not sure if anything will come of it. I'd like to read book 3 next, but I have to finish some library books first so I'll get to it as soon as possible.

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Apr 11, 2012 Eero rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: angels, crime, detective

Kirjassa on hauska idea, laki firma jonka tehtävänä on edustaa syntistensieluja kun he yrittävät vedota minkä takia eivät kuulu helvettiin. Mutta kirjoitus tyyli ei ole kaikkein mukaansa vetävin ja kirja keskittyy maanpäälisiin asioihin ehkä turhankin paljon.

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Mar 24, 2013 "Jeff" rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just finished the second in this unusual mystery series and I am completely hooked. They are so clever and enjoyable. I'm now a fan of the "Beaufort & Company" mysteries. Time to find the third one.

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Mar 15, 2012 Penny rated it 4 of 5 stars

More high jinks from my favorite lawyer are packed into this quick read. It’s a comedy more than spooky though you might meet the occasional evil spirit. There are far more angels around than bad spirits.

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Apr 20, 2012 Cynthia Wong rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another good book! I liked this story. So many twists I couldn't figure out who was the bad guy. Quick easy read, I highly recommend to all. For those who are not exactly mystery readers, you will like this book.

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Aug 16, 2011 Kitty Tomlinson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Bree defends a teenager accused of robbing a girl scout of her cokie money, which ties into the murder of her millionaire father. Another supernatural thriller.

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Apr 30, 2010 Denise rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoy this series by Mary Stanton. The concept of a modern day lawyer working with Angels to defend the recently deceased is creative and entertaining. You can't help but become a fan of the characters!

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Sep 16, 2011 Rita rated it 5 of 5 stars

this book is a joy to read, i have read all of them and could keep reading if only more would come .

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About Mary Stanton

Mary Stanton was born in Florida and grew up in Japan and Hawaii, after which she returned to the United States and received a B.A. in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Minnesota.

Stanton’s career as a fiction writer began with the publication of her first novel, The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West, in 1984. A beast fable similar in tone and theme to Watership Down, it was pub...more Mary Stanton was born in Florida and grew up in Japan and Hawaii, after which she returned to the United States and received a B.A. in Philosophy and Literature from the University of Minnesota.

Stanton’s career as a fiction writer began with the publication of her first novel, The Heavenly Horse from the Outermost West, in 1984. A beast fable similar in tone and theme to Watership Down, it was published in the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. The sequel to that novel, Piper at the Gates, appeared in 1989. She sold her first mystery to The Berkley Publishing Group in 1994.

In all, Stanton has written nineteen mystery novels, two adult fantasy novels, eleven novels for middle-grade readers (including the successful series, The Unicorns of Balinor), and three scripts for a television cartoon series, Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders, as well as edited three short story anthologies. Her nonfiction articles on horse care and veterinary medicine have appeared in national and regional magazines.

Stanton's newest series, The Beaufort & Company Mysteries, was launched in December 2008 with the publication of Defending Angels. Set in Savannah, Georgia, the paranormal mysteries chronicle the adventures of Bree Winston-Beaufort, a young lawyer who inherits her uncle's law firm and its deceased clientele, whom she represents in appeals before the Celestial Court.

The second book in the series, Angel's Advocate, was published in June 2009, followed by Avenging Angels in February 2010.

Mary also publishes the Hemlock Falls and Dr. McKenzie mysteries under the name Claudia Bishop. See the Claudia Bishop web site for more information.

Stanton’s interests outside writing have remained consistent over the years. She is a horsewoman, a goat aficionado, an enthusiastic (if inept) gardener, and a fan of gourmet food, but not an expert. She has developed a writing program for teens and middle grade readers that has had considerable success in schools.

Stanton has been a dedicated reader all her life, with particular emphasis on biography, history, veterinary science, medicine, psychology and current affairs. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America. (less)

More about Mary Stanton...

Books by Mary Stanton

The Road to Balinor (Unicorns of Balinor, #1)

Sunchaser's Quest (Unicorns of Balinor, #2)

Defending Angels (Beaufort & Company Mystery, #1)

Valley Of Fear (Unicorns Of Balinor, #3)

Shadows Over Balinor (Unicorns Of Balinor, #8)

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