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A Casey Cort Legal Thriller #1
Qualified Immunity
Sylvie Fox writing as Aime Austin presents this Casey Cort legal thriller.
Sheila Harrison Grant is the first African American woman ever nominated to the federal bench in Cleveland. But when her thirteen-year-old daughter Olivia shares a family secret with a well-meaning guidance counselor, she sets the wheels in motion to feed a partisan senate’s opposition, threatening her mother’s position…and both of their lives.
Once an ambitious young law student with promise, Casey Cort made the mistake of crossing a classmate from a prominent and influential family. Now she works as an unfulfilled, faceless cog in a broken legal system.
When fate gives Casey a second chance, she has to set aside her lack of faith in justice and find the strength to fight for those with nowhere else to turn.
In this first novel of the Casey Cort series, Aime Austin—a former trial lawyer in Cleveland—weaves a tale that blends the best of today’s top legal thrillers with the heart and soul of women’s fiction, in a story ripped from real-world headlines.
Sheila Harrison Grant is the first African American woman ever nominated to the federal bench in Cleveland. But when her thirteen-year-old daughter Olivia shares a family secret with a well-meaning guidance counselor, she sets the wheels in motion to feed a partisan senate’s opposition, threatening her mother’s position…and both of their lives.
Once an ambitious young law student with promise, Casey Cort made the mistake of crossing a classmate from a prominent and influential family. Now she works as an unfulfilled, faceless cog in a broken legal system.
When fate gives Casey a second chance, she has to set aside her lack of faith in justice and find the strength to fight for those with nowhere else to turn.
In this first novel of the Casey Cort series, Aime Austin—a former trial lawyer in Cleveland—weaves a tale that blends the best of today’s top legal thrillers with the heart and soul of women’s fiction, in a story ripped from real-world headlines.
353 pages, ebook
First published November 17, 2014
645 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Sylvie Fox
27 books185 followersSylvie Fox is the USA Today bestselling author of smart women’s fiction. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Budapest, where she enjoys yoga, knitting, farm-to-table cooking, and life with her son. When she’s not writing, her nose is stuck in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 14, 2024
3.5 ⭐
“I was tired of being right. I’d rather be rich.”
😮Raises the question of whether there’s ever a good choice between a child staying in a dysfunctional family or playing the lottery with foster care.
😮Gives readers admiration for all raised in either background who turn out whole and resilient.
I was gifted this novel (the first in the series) with no obligation to provide a review.
“I was tired of being right. I’d rather be rich.”
😮Raises the question of whether there’s ever a good choice between a child staying in a dysfunctional family or playing the lottery with foster care.
😮Gives readers admiration for all raised in either background who turn out whole and resilient.
I was gifted this novel (the first in the series) with no obligation to provide a review.
August 22, 2021
QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, now titled JUDGED by the fabulous Aime Austin and a killer series: (Casey Cort Series #1) is a “must-read” intriguing new series that crosses several genres with a razor-sharp leading lady: Women’s fiction, legal, crime, drama, mystery, racial and social injustice, contemporary, and humor—assured to blow you away.
A compelling yet realistic portrayal—a riveting firsthand account of the injustices of our legal and social system, and its horrific repercussions. Frightening--the events in the novel could happen to any parent or household in today’s world, at the hands of an unfair system.
Am pleased to introduce this newfound author which I am loving!
Qualified Immunity (JUDGED) is a crime fiction legal suspense drama filled with racial issues, insights, and human dynamics, told from three POVs, making for a heartwarming and emotional read, as we hear from three different generations of strong women.
Judge and Mother: Sheila Harrison Grant is the first African American woman ever nominated to the federal bench in Cleveland. She has had to work ten times harder than any white person, or man in order to become a law partner and later a federal judge. She is a single mother, intelligent, sophisticated, self-assured, with a high-stress job, and enjoys a few drinks at home in the evenings to unwind. Shelia is not a part of (Mommies and Muffins), as her job always came first.
She tends to be late picking up her thirteen-year-old daughter, from school and events, due to her career; however, loves her even though they are not BFFs. She cannot afford to be soft, as she has worked too hard to escape her poor background to achieve her status. She wants the best for her daughter and expects her to make good grades, and believes education and hard work is the way to make it in today’s world. She also holds a secret, scandalous.
Daughter: Olivia, age thirteen, having recently moved to a new school and neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks, in order to for her mom to become a judge and leave the prestigious firm (another story here) a good one. She has no current relationship with her dad, as he has never paid child support and has had no contact since the grandmother died. Olivia does not fit in at the new school, is bullied, and has no friends. Her mom is pretty strict, has high expectations, and does not feel the need to buy her new hip clothes so she can fit in—yet her mom has an expensive new car. Her grades are poor as she is too focused on trying to please her mom, and worrying how to fit in with the peers at school. She thinks her mom has a drinking problem, and she cannot talk to her about her world--her teen concerns with clothes, friends, grades, and school.
Casey Cort: Now in her thirties, once an ambitious young Caucasian law student, with a promising career, made the mistake of crossing a classmate from a prominent and influential family (she told the truth). She found herself blacklisted, jobless, no boyfriend, and rather than a successful law career she has worked so hard to attain--now she finds herself with hefty student loans, and an unfulfilled and poor struggling attorney working on a case by case basis as a public defender, fighting a broken and injustice legal system, dealing with juvenile and family services. She currently has no money to pay her rent and a “not so bright” future as an attorney (she does have some cool friends).
Readers get to experience the sad yet realistic meaning of “Qualified Immunity” as many hide behind this law. When the book opens, Judge Grant is presiding over a case before her, from Assistant County Prosecutor representing the Department of Children and Family Services. A young lady Precious is suing the county for a huge amount of money for pain and suffering and specialized counseling.
The County wants to dismiss the complaint, stating the county is “immune” from liability because none of the social workers were indifferent to her care, as anytime there was a problem she was just moved to a new placement (Nine times, beaten and sexually abused at more than one county placement).
Later, Shelia and Casey’s world collide, when an overzealous new young school counselor develops a girls group at Olivia’s school, where the girls are urged to share their concerns (confidentially), and becomes the beginning of a nightmare for both mother and daughter. However, fate gives Casey a second chance, to find the strength to fight for those with nowhere else to turn.
I LOVE crime legal thrillers with social workers and attorneys who fight the system and racial injustice; to defend the less fortunate and not afraid to fight corruptions and politics and risk their lives (even if they have to cross the lines, in order to protect the welfare of their client, to escape the bureaucracy).
Sadly, child welfare continues to be an area of social work practice that is fraught with periodic public controversy due to the persistence of child abuse and neglect in our society and the tragic results when appropriate intervention is lacking. Social workers in child protection agencies are often involved in making discretionary decisions about removing children from their families to protect them from harm. In some instances parents challenge the agencies’ child removal decisions in court, usually by filing a claim in federal court for a violation of civil rights under certain laws; however, it takes time and chances are slim in winning. What happens to the child during this time is heartbreaking.
On a positive note, when Judge Shelia and Casey get together, it is intense and humorous, as Casey is street smart and knows her way around the juvenile court and social services; whereas Shelia can be intimidating with years of experience as an attorney and a Judge; however, she is brought down a few notches when her prestigious position is of no help with this less than desirable unfair legal system. Love these two together and hope we meet up with them again in future books!
First, loved the front cover, which initially attracted me to request from NetGalley. Second, my favorite genre. Next, Sylvie Fox delivers a first-class page-turner, combined with her professional expertise in this area as a former trial lawyer in Cleveland – making for a powerful delivery. Well-drawn, likable and relatable characters, skillful plot planning with numerous obstacles, twists, and turns, making for a heartfelt human interest story and one which will stay with you long after the book ends.
QUALIFIED IMMUNITY reminds me of Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain (another favorite author, who writes about a social worker who goes outside the law to protect her client from sterilization in the South in the sixties) and my other favorite author, Terry McMillan with her style, sass and humor. In addition fans of Amy Hatvany and Lisa Scottoline will enjoy. If you enjoyed this one, would encourage you to read Bryan Stevenson's latest, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption(non-fiction), A Story of Justice and Redemption.
So guys, here you have it, a mix of all. Buy, Read, and Love. You will be hooked and anxiously wait for the next in the series. You are going to love Casey and all her mess.
Qualified Immunity I find this subject intriguing. “Qualified immunity balances two important interests—the need to hold public officials accountable when they exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from harassment, distraction, and liability when they perform their duties reasonably.”
We continue to read stories of cases of random people making a call to social services with an ax to grind, and the county removes a child without even investigating the home or the parents; to later learn it was all bogus and in the interim, lives are damaged.
READ ALL BOOKS IN THE SERIES. THERE ARE 10 with new titles and covers. All 5 Stars. Love this series and author!
Book Blog Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Top Books of 2014
A compelling yet realistic portrayal—a riveting firsthand account of the injustices of our legal and social system, and its horrific repercussions. Frightening--the events in the novel could happen to any parent or household in today’s world, at the hands of an unfair system.
Am pleased to introduce this newfound author which I am loving!
Qualified Immunity (JUDGED) is a crime fiction legal suspense drama filled with racial issues, insights, and human dynamics, told from three POVs, making for a heartwarming and emotional read, as we hear from three different generations of strong women.
Judge and Mother: Sheila Harrison Grant is the first African American woman ever nominated to the federal bench in Cleveland. She has had to work ten times harder than any white person, or man in order to become a law partner and later a federal judge. She is a single mother, intelligent, sophisticated, self-assured, with a high-stress job, and enjoys a few drinks at home in the evenings to unwind. Shelia is not a part of (Mommies and Muffins), as her job always came first.
She tends to be late picking up her thirteen-year-old daughter, from school and events, due to her career; however, loves her even though they are not BFFs. She cannot afford to be soft, as she has worked too hard to escape her poor background to achieve her status. She wants the best for her daughter and expects her to make good grades, and believes education and hard work is the way to make it in today’s world. She also holds a secret, scandalous.
Daughter: Olivia, age thirteen, having recently moved to a new school and neighborhood on the wrong side of the tracks, in order to for her mom to become a judge and leave the prestigious firm (another story here) a good one. She has no current relationship with her dad, as he has never paid child support and has had no contact since the grandmother died. Olivia does not fit in at the new school, is bullied, and has no friends. Her mom is pretty strict, has high expectations, and does not feel the need to buy her new hip clothes so she can fit in—yet her mom has an expensive new car. Her grades are poor as she is too focused on trying to please her mom, and worrying how to fit in with the peers at school. She thinks her mom has a drinking problem, and she cannot talk to her about her world--her teen concerns with clothes, friends, grades, and school.
Casey Cort: Now in her thirties, once an ambitious young Caucasian law student, with a promising career, made the mistake of crossing a classmate from a prominent and influential family (she told the truth). She found herself blacklisted, jobless, no boyfriend, and rather than a successful law career she has worked so hard to attain--now she finds herself with hefty student loans, and an unfulfilled and poor struggling attorney working on a case by case basis as a public defender, fighting a broken and injustice legal system, dealing with juvenile and family services. She currently has no money to pay her rent and a “not so bright” future as an attorney (she does have some cool friends).
Readers get to experience the sad yet realistic meaning of “Qualified Immunity” as many hide behind this law. When the book opens, Judge Grant is presiding over a case before her, from Assistant County Prosecutor representing the Department of Children and Family Services. A young lady Precious is suing the county for a huge amount of money for pain and suffering and specialized counseling.
The County wants to dismiss the complaint, stating the county is “immune” from liability because none of the social workers were indifferent to her care, as anytime there was a problem she was just moved to a new placement (Nine times, beaten and sexually abused at more than one county placement).
Later, Shelia and Casey’s world collide, when an overzealous new young school counselor develops a girls group at Olivia’s school, where the girls are urged to share their concerns (confidentially), and becomes the beginning of a nightmare for both mother and daughter. However, fate gives Casey a second chance, to find the strength to fight for those with nowhere else to turn.
I LOVE crime legal thrillers with social workers and attorneys who fight the system and racial injustice; to defend the less fortunate and not afraid to fight corruptions and politics and risk their lives (even if they have to cross the lines, in order to protect the welfare of their client, to escape the bureaucracy).
Sadly, child welfare continues to be an area of social work practice that is fraught with periodic public controversy due to the persistence of child abuse and neglect in our society and the tragic results when appropriate intervention is lacking. Social workers in child protection agencies are often involved in making discretionary decisions about removing children from their families to protect them from harm. In some instances parents challenge the agencies’ child removal decisions in court, usually by filing a claim in federal court for a violation of civil rights under certain laws; however, it takes time and chances are slim in winning. What happens to the child during this time is heartbreaking.
On a positive note, when Judge Shelia and Casey get together, it is intense and humorous, as Casey is street smart and knows her way around the juvenile court and social services; whereas Shelia can be intimidating with years of experience as an attorney and a Judge; however, she is brought down a few notches when her prestigious position is of no help with this less than desirable unfair legal system. Love these two together and hope we meet up with them again in future books!
First, loved the front cover, which initially attracted me to request from NetGalley. Second, my favorite genre. Next, Sylvie Fox delivers a first-class page-turner, combined with her professional expertise in this area as a former trial lawyer in Cleveland – making for a powerful delivery. Well-drawn, likable and relatable characters, skillful plot planning with numerous obstacles, twists, and turns, making for a heartfelt human interest story and one which will stay with you long after the book ends.
QUALIFIED IMMUNITY reminds me of Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain (another favorite author, who writes about a social worker who goes outside the law to protect her client from sterilization in the South in the sixties) and my other favorite author, Terry McMillan with her style, sass and humor. In addition fans of Amy Hatvany and Lisa Scottoline will enjoy. If you enjoyed this one, would encourage you to read Bryan Stevenson's latest, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption(non-fiction), A Story of Justice and Redemption.
So guys, here you have it, a mix of all. Buy, Read, and Love. You will be hooked and anxiously wait for the next in the series. You are going to love Casey and all her mess.
Qualified Immunity I find this subject intriguing. “Qualified immunity balances two important interests—the need to hold public officials accountable when they exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from harassment, distraction, and liability when they perform their duties reasonably.”
We continue to read stories of cases of random people making a call to social services with an ax to grind, and the county removes a child without even investigating the home or the parents; to later learn it was all bogus and in the interim, lives are damaged.
READ ALL BOOKS IN THE SERIES. THERE ARE 10 with new titles and covers. All 5 Stars. Love this series and author!
Book Blog Review:
#JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Top Books of 2014
January 11, 2020
Qualified Immunity #2 - I was so hooked by the first book I read by this author, I purchased the second. This book starts years after the first book ends. While this one was a bit slow due to laying the foundation for the storylines, this story is substantial, rough and shows the mistakes and truth of Child Services. The author weaves a tapestry full of sorrow, strength, sacrifices, mistakes and hope and determination.
The characters run the gamut from caring, loving, dereliction in duty, self-serving, all the good and the bad traits. Some that tug at your heartstrings and some you want to slap onto next week.
While the editing is a bit lax, maybe software write overs not caught when proofing, this book is worth the time invested to read. 4*
The Common Pleas Lawyer #1 - This is my first read by this author and I am hooked. I found the storylines realistic and interesting. They weave a well thought out foundation with an exceptional character and several support characters. The story is set in the late 90s.
She is intelligent, ethical, hard working and striving to improve much in her life and help others. She is also naive when it come to her heart. The reader sees the dastardly (rat) b@$t@#ds at work but she perseveres throught it all with dignity and self respect. She is a real example of a strong, independent woman.
While her life implodes from doing the right thing, she is able to rise from the ashes. I found this book on Booksprout and I purchased the second book. 5*
The characters run the gamut from caring, loving, dereliction in duty, self-serving, all the good and the bad traits. Some that tug at your heartstrings and some you want to slap onto next week.
While the editing is a bit lax, maybe software write overs not caught when proofing, this book is worth the time invested to read. 4*
The Common Pleas Lawyer #1 - This is my first read by this author and I am hooked. I found the storylines realistic and interesting. They weave a well thought out foundation with an exceptional character and several support characters. The story is set in the late 90s.
She is intelligent, ethical, hard working and striving to improve much in her life and help others. She is also naive when it come to her heart. The reader sees the dastardly (rat) b@$t@#ds at work but she perseveres throught it all with dignity and self respect. She is a real example of a strong, independent woman.
While her life implodes from doing the right thing, she is able to rise from the ashes. I found this book on Booksprout and I purchased the second book. 5*
January 3, 2015
I got this book for free from librarything.com giveaway
The book overall wasn't bad. Although the first around 50 pages were boring and didn't make sense due to not necessary long introduction to characters, after that the story took a faster pace and got interesting. It was an easy read appropriate for the evenings, when I didn't want to think a lot but wasn't after some totally cheap literature either.
What made this book just a 3 star book was that I couldn't accept the message provided in the book. It was told and presented that the story was about hard working afro american woman, who Works hard to become a judge and injustices of the court system. C'mon - the book was actually about drunkard mom, who cheats her husband and neglects her daughter and gets away with it just because she is Black and she is judge. I mean - do I really have to forgive someone just because of his/her colour of the skin? Should I feel pitty for that woman even if she lies chronicaly and doesn't admit her own faults? I don't think so. Besides this book teaches us to ignore court orders just because you think they are not right. Of course there are not worst form of ruling than the democracy, apart from all the other forms. What's the moral of that?
The ending also ruined the story as the main character just disappeared from the last sections. Meaning: all the fuss about someone who is not important enough to appear in the last 50 pages of the book. Also toleration of the kidnapping wasn't the thing I would like to see at the end.
So my verdict would be - read it if you want an easy read, but try not to take this book seriously.
The book overall wasn't bad. Although the first around 50 pages were boring and didn't make sense due to not necessary long introduction to characters, after that the story took a faster pace and got interesting. It was an easy read appropriate for the evenings, when I didn't want to think a lot but wasn't after some totally cheap literature either.
What made this book just a 3 star book was that I couldn't accept the message provided in the book. It was told and presented that the story was about hard working afro american woman, who Works hard to become a judge and injustices of the court system. C'mon - the book was actually about drunkard mom, who cheats her husband and neglects her daughter and gets away with it just because she is Black and she is judge. I mean - do I really have to forgive someone just because of his/her colour of the skin? Should I feel pitty for that woman even if she lies chronicaly and doesn't admit her own faults? I don't think so. Besides this book teaches us to ignore court orders just because you think they are not right. Of course there are not worst form of ruling than the democracy, apart from all the other forms. What's the moral of that?
The ending also ruined the story as the main character just disappeared from the last sections. Meaning: all the fuss about someone who is not important enough to appear in the last 50 pages of the book. Also toleration of the kidnapping wasn't the thing I would like to see at the end.
So my verdict would be - read it if you want an easy read, but try not to take this book seriously.
March 10, 2015
Qualified Immunity is a portrayal on how broken our Department of Children and Family Services really is. Many children suffer abuse at the hands of foster parents, sometimes worse in the hands of the foster parents than the parents that are struggling with issues such as drug use, crime, etc. However, there are good qualified foster parents and it is a good thing to acknowledge. That being said, reading this intense prose will bring out the “Where is the justice” out of you and hopefully bring to light that all of us can help to keep kids safe.
The main two protagonists have similarities in their fight to be where they are. Casey who is a lawyer/advocate for families those are in the Department of Children and Family Services. She is underpaid, underappreciated, and under a lot of stress. She got railroaded earlier in her career which ruined much more than her working conditions, but her life. However, she is a fighter and sometimes she is the only one fighting when it is fighting for the families that want their children back.
Shelia an upcoming judge and the first black woman judge to be appointed has her own past that she has fought thru as well. She is accused of neglect/abuse of her daughter Olivia and loses her daughter abruptly to the system. Shelia is a fighter as well. Fighting to keep her position as Judge, keep her daughter, and fighting to keep her secrets safe. She appoints Casey to help her and between the two of them, attempt to beat the system.
This is one of those reads that will not leave you empty but on the edge of your seat.
A special thank you, Penner Media
and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The main two protagonists have similarities in their fight to be where they are. Casey who is a lawyer/advocate for families those are in the Department of Children and Family Services. She is underpaid, underappreciated, and under a lot of stress. She got railroaded earlier in her career which ruined much more than her working conditions, but her life. However, she is a fighter and sometimes she is the only one fighting when it is fighting for the families that want their children back.
Shelia an upcoming judge and the first black woman judge to be appointed has her own past that she has fought thru as well. She is accused of neglect/abuse of her daughter Olivia and loses her daughter abruptly to the system. Shelia is a fighter as well. Fighting to keep her position as Judge, keep her daughter, and fighting to keep her secrets safe. She appoints Casey to help her and between the two of them, attempt to beat the system.
This is one of those reads that will not leave you empty but on the edge of your seat.
A special thank you, Penner Media
and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
January 24, 2019
A Terrific Legal Drama
What a page turner, which delves into the foster care system, questioning who benefits the most: the children, the biological parents, the foster parents, the courts or the counties, where money talks and more money prevail. The backdrop is Northern Ohio. Sheila Harrison Grant is the first African American woman nominated as a federal judge, but the story becomes even more gripping when Casey Cort, a struggling lawyer, comes into the picture, along with relatable, authentic, and descriptive characters, exposing some shocking revelations, envy, bigotry, snobbery, bullying, secrets and lies, betrayal, and manipulation, leading up to a bombshell ending. It’s a well-written story that provides some important messages: loose lips sink ships; folks who come over as your confidant do not always have your best interest at heart, and always tell the truth and you’ll never have to tell a lie. I can certainly identify with the character Casey when clients come up with outrageous reasons for not paying you. Although the narrative is fiction, if you work or plan to work in the foster care system, this book is a must-read.
What a page turner, which delves into the foster care system, questioning who benefits the most: the children, the biological parents, the foster parents, the courts or the counties, where money talks and more money prevail. The backdrop is Northern Ohio. Sheila Harrison Grant is the first African American woman nominated as a federal judge, but the story becomes even more gripping when Casey Cort, a struggling lawyer, comes into the picture, along with relatable, authentic, and descriptive characters, exposing some shocking revelations, envy, bigotry, snobbery, bullying, secrets and lies, betrayal, and manipulation, leading up to a bombshell ending. It’s a well-written story that provides some important messages: loose lips sink ships; folks who come over as your confidant do not always have your best interest at heart, and always tell the truth and you’ll never have to tell a lie. I can certainly identify with the character Casey when clients come up with outrageous reasons for not paying you. Although the narrative is fiction, if you work or plan to work in the foster care system, this book is a must-read.
August 30, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. I did not post this review as soon as I finished the book because I wanted to see if my negative review was due to my biases. But it has been a few days and my opinion seems stronger.
NOTE: SPOILER ALERTS BELOW!!!
BACKGROUND: I practiced family law (including CPS cases) for years and was very infuriated at the way black parents (not even those who are young, with limited education and poor) and their children were treated in the court system and in the foster care system. I know the anger and heartache and despair. The author wanted to write about a social issue and prove her point however, this is not the story. And she is not the right author. As a black woman reader I have found it is difficult for nonblack authors to capture nuances of being black and this author has so many stereotypes and one dimensional characters in this story that it is either biased or a failure of knowledge or just tone deaf: ex. kool aide, red kool aide - note not all of us drink kool aide; the foster parents who wanted to adopt and paid a social worker yet did not have money to fix the house; Casey wondering if rats nibbled on the child's toes; giving the lower class black people 'ghetto' names. And the black woman shamed for having ambition ("it was all those grandiose schemes that had gotten me in trouble in the first place") instead of being a stay at home mom. Keith's girlfriend who believes food solves all and has considerable bulk and a deep bosom to comfort Olivia and empties her Christmas club account to come up with the money to pay a worthless black lawyer The shyster black male lawyer who has the horrible secretary and mentions civil rights leaders and who is a disgrace to the legal profession. And the woman lawyer Sheila initially contacts whose booming voice during a phone call informs everyone within 500 feet that she will take Sheila's money and not help her despite being a referral from Peyton.
SPOILER ALERTS!!!!!!! SPOILER ALERTS!!!!
REVIEW: One, the way the child is treated by the teacher and counselor but the author does get right the expectations of lesser performance - but I doubt a 12 year old would hear Alison's speech and think "don't mess up the numbers" most likely she would realize the casual racism of the counselor and not trust her. Or that the child of a judge attended a mostly black lower income school that did not provide a top education. Yes, black professionals reside in neighborhoods that are diverse income but they usually do not send their children to lower performing schools. Regarding Olivia, the mention of her hair initially then "good hair" then having a foster mother straightening her hair and using Afro-Sheen -- note to author: mentioning this product shows a lack of even looking at the ethnic hair care aisle. The hair makes no sense especially when it is confirmed (what I expected) regarding the child's parentage. Moreover, I doubt Olivia would think her mom is a single mother, i.e., divorcee =/= single mom.
Second, why would a successful, ambitious career woman who is had been a partner at a law firm for 19! 19! years live in two bedroom apartment and only move there -- from a lower income neighborhood -- when she became a judge (most likely at a lower salary). Only when she becomes a judge does she realize they need to "change the way we live our lives" by moving to the suburbs and driving a lexus?? Yes, Sheila is a horrible mother. She drinks. She forgets to pick up her daughter. She gets her daughter clothes from kmart/goodwill/salvation army or from her former partners. She's moody. She's an angry, defiant black woman. She has an interracial affair while married. She lies to everyone. Everyone. Further, as the affirmative action hire she f#cks up a big case royally. She harps on her daughter's weight and food choices while not appearing to have fresh or healthy food in the house, not wondering why her daughter is a compulsive eater and then at the end is no longer denying Olivia "the food which is her only comfort". Worse when she learns of Olivia's rape she 'nodded, her face stricken as realization dawned". Yes, while "the gentle shaking of her wool clad shoulders SUGGESTED THE MOTHER was crying", and she had an angry outburst in court but no scream? No anguish? The detachment. Damn even with everything that happened she still cannot be a loving or even warm mother. And if "that strength I'd gained during my short-lived time on the bench" gave her courage at the end that woman is hopeless.
Third, black lawyers and black people know regardless of the administration diversity is not a priority for or from nonblack people.
Fourth from the case assigned to the judge we know what will happen to her daughter.
Fifth, Casey. The white savior. No. no no. Casey could not save herself and we know she cannot save her clients (even with the ending where she presumably would have won the case).
SO WHAT THE AUTHOR GETS RIGHT. The statistics on black parents and children being targeted by the system and forced into subsubpar foster care and suffering horrific harm. The politics. The lack of concern of social workers and foster parents. The down right disregard for children's safety from social workers and foster parents. That the rapist boy will most likely not be charged. Peyton who to save himself and the law firm does not acknowledge his daughter (he is told when he and his wife come to the hospital to congratulate Sheila and Keith) and we never find out how he feels about Olivia's rape - or if he knows - by the other foster child. That black children are often misdiagnosed with ADD and forcibly medicated. The racism of the white students. The pervasive racism of and by social workers and the court system. That anyone can make a call to CPS and your child can be removed from your home and as a parent you have limited rights or recourse. How no one recognizes Sheila despite her using her maiden name when as a judge she used a hyphenated maiden-married name and she is hired as a middle aged black paralegal at a presumably large law firm in Philadelphia without a background check due to Peyton's reference.
NOTE: SPOILER ALERTS BELOW!!!
BACKGROUND: I practiced family law (including CPS cases) for years and was very infuriated at the way black parents (not even those who are young, with limited education and poor) and their children were treated in the court system and in the foster care system. I know the anger and heartache and despair. The author wanted to write about a social issue and prove her point however, this is not the story. And she is not the right author. As a black woman reader I have found it is difficult for nonblack authors to capture nuances of being black and this author has so many stereotypes and one dimensional characters in this story that it is either biased or a failure of knowledge or just tone deaf: ex. kool aide, red kool aide - note not all of us drink kool aide; the foster parents who wanted to adopt and paid a social worker yet did not have money to fix the house; Casey wondering if rats nibbled on the child's toes; giving the lower class black people 'ghetto' names. And the black woman shamed for having ambition ("it was all those grandiose schemes that had gotten me in trouble in the first place") instead of being a stay at home mom. Keith's girlfriend who believes food solves all and has considerable bulk and a deep bosom to comfort Olivia and empties her Christmas club account to come up with the money to pay a worthless black lawyer The shyster black male lawyer who has the horrible secretary and mentions civil rights leaders and who is a disgrace to the legal profession. And the woman lawyer Sheila initially contacts whose booming voice during a phone call informs everyone within 500 feet that she will take Sheila's money and not help her despite being a referral from Peyton.
SPOILER ALERTS!!!!!!! SPOILER ALERTS!!!!
REVIEW: One, the way the child is treated by the teacher and counselor but the author does get right the expectations of lesser performance - but I doubt a 12 year old would hear Alison's speech and think "don't mess up the numbers" most likely she would realize the casual racism of the counselor and not trust her. Or that the child of a judge attended a mostly black lower income school that did not provide a top education. Yes, black professionals reside in neighborhoods that are diverse income but they usually do not send their children to lower performing schools. Regarding Olivia, the mention of her hair initially then "good hair" then having a foster mother straightening her hair and using Afro-Sheen -- note to author: mentioning this product shows a lack of even looking at the ethnic hair care aisle. The hair makes no sense especially when it is confirmed (what I expected) regarding the child's parentage. Moreover, I doubt Olivia would think her mom is a single mother, i.e., divorcee =/= single mom.
Second, why would a successful, ambitious career woman who is had been a partner at a law firm for 19! 19! years live in two bedroom apartment and only move there -- from a lower income neighborhood -- when she became a judge (most likely at a lower salary). Only when she becomes a judge does she realize they need to "change the way we live our lives" by moving to the suburbs and driving a lexus?? Yes, Sheila is a horrible mother. She drinks. She forgets to pick up her daughter. She gets her daughter clothes from kmart/goodwill/salvation army or from her former partners. She's moody. She's an angry, defiant black woman. She has an interracial affair while married. She lies to everyone. Everyone. Further, as the affirmative action hire she f#cks up a big case royally. She harps on her daughter's weight and food choices while not appearing to have fresh or healthy food in the house, not wondering why her daughter is a compulsive eater and then at the end is no longer denying Olivia "the food which is her only comfort". Worse when she learns of Olivia's rape she 'nodded, her face stricken as realization dawned". Yes, while "the gentle shaking of her wool clad shoulders SUGGESTED THE MOTHER was crying", and she had an angry outburst in court but no scream? No anguish? The detachment. Damn even with everything that happened she still cannot be a loving or even warm mother. And if "that strength I'd gained during my short-lived time on the bench" gave her courage at the end that woman is hopeless.
Third, black lawyers and black people know regardless of the administration diversity is not a priority for or from nonblack people.
Fourth from the case assigned to the judge we know what will happen to her daughter.
Fifth, Casey. The white savior. No. no no. Casey could not save herself and we know she cannot save her clients (even with the ending where she presumably would have won the case).
SO WHAT THE AUTHOR GETS RIGHT. The statistics on black parents and children being targeted by the system and forced into subsubpar foster care and suffering horrific harm. The politics. The lack of concern of social workers and foster parents. The down right disregard for children's safety from social workers and foster parents. That the rapist boy will most likely not be charged. Peyton who to save himself and the law firm does not acknowledge his daughter (he is told when he and his wife come to the hospital to congratulate Sheila and Keith) and we never find out how he feels about Olivia's rape - or if he knows - by the other foster child. That black children are often misdiagnosed with ADD and forcibly medicated. The racism of the white students. The pervasive racism of and by social workers and the court system. That anyone can make a call to CPS and your child can be removed from your home and as a parent you have limited rights or recourse. How no one recognizes Sheila despite her using her maiden name when as a judge she used a hyphenated maiden-married name and she is hired as a middle aged black paralegal at a presumably large law firm in Philadelphia without a background check due to Peyton's reference.
March 22, 2020
Poignant story and interesting (with a surprising) conclusion...a preview of the 2nd book following 1st, I’ll skip reading it - there’s only one but that’s one unnecessary sex reference ... I do not appreciate (or need) those kind of descriptions but realize there are those who do...
Well performed by Dan McGowan.
Well performed by Dan McGowan.
October 12, 2015
What a compelling story this was and how sad I felt for the little girl Olivia. At the same time it made me so angry about the system for child welfare, knowing that this is common practice in a lot of countries. Why is it that nobody seems to listen or take a real interest in what the child wants? Ripping it away from home, school and her normal life and, in this case, put her in abusive foster care? Obviously this book got a hold of me.
Storywise I was a bit disappointed at how the book ends, leaving a lot of storylines unfinished. It felt like the author wanted to wrap things up quickly instead of working to a climax. Describing the character and ambition of the mother through this book, I found the ending a bit unlikely. Nevertheless I applaude the author for giving the failing child welfare system the attention it deserves, in order to hopefully make it better.
Storywise I was a bit disappointed at how the book ends, leaving a lot of storylines unfinished. It felt like the author wanted to wrap things up quickly instead of working to a climax. Describing the character and ambition of the mother through this book, I found the ending a bit unlikely. Nevertheless I applaude the author for giving the failing child welfare system the attention it deserves, in order to hopefully make it better.
June 18, 2015
Fascinating story that has a lot of depth. You have several story plots that are intertwining throughout. I was most intrigued with Olivia, she is a young teen who captured my heart. A gritty look into the legal system and the personal lives it effects.
This is not ordinarily the type of book I would pickup however I was hooked. If your looking for a book that you can just immerse yourself in for awhile you found it. Great read.
This is not ordinarily the type of book I would pickup however I was hooked. If your looking for a book that you can just immerse yourself in for awhile you found it. Great read.
December 11, 2015
Shocking story, beautiful written! First some light reading, before I'll read the second Casey Cort novel. But I definitely want to read more!
Thank you, Sylvie Fox, for giving me a chance to read this!
Thank you, Sylvie Fox, for giving me a chance to read this!
September 15, 2019
Good
This book is one that is a way to show how the foster parents can be a very bad experience for children in there care.
This book is one that is a way to show how the foster parents can be a very bad experience for children in there care.
May 13, 2021
This is the 1st story in this series. In this book, Casey Cort is struggling to make ends meet as aa lawyer. She was the victim of doing the right thing against someone who family had wealth and were major contributors to the college and the surrounding city.
Her main source of income was acting as a lawyer for poor families who were fighting to keep their children. Many of the families did not have money so she got assigned cases by the court at a fee of $250. This forced to live where she needed to stretch every penny she made. A case of a daughter being taken by the department of child services brought her a paying client who was attempting to get her daughter back. Here she was able to spend the necessary time to develop a strong case.
To discover what reason the daughter was taken, the hurdles needed to met to have the daughter returned, and how little effort was necessary for someone's child to be taken, then you must read this book. The ending will surprise you.
Her main source of income was acting as a lawyer for poor families who were fighting to keep their children. Many of the families did not have money so she got assigned cases by the court at a fee of $250. This forced to live where she needed to stretch every penny she made. A case of a daughter being taken by the department of child services brought her a paying client who was attempting to get her daughter back. Here she was able to spend the necessary time to develop a strong case.
To discover what reason the daughter was taken, the hurdles needed to met to have the daughter returned, and how little effort was necessary for someone's child to be taken, then you must read this book. The ending will surprise you.
July 14, 2023
A story of a black women named Sheila and her daughter Olivia. Sheila worked as a lawyer who took cases mostly of the Childrens Protection Services. She was one of the first black women to get a job in that area. Olivia was a teen and didnt like her school and her grades werent good. So school decided to put her in this group where they could tell or ask questions and they would try to help them out, was suppose to be confidental.One day she was mad at her mom and she talked to this classes teacher. Long story short they put Olivia into foster care. The story tells how she fought to get her daughter back. The only thing I didnt like about it at first it seems it kept repeating how she was a poor black woman and repeated all her issues about it alittle to much for me.
June 21, 2023
Accurate
Sheila Grant is an abusive alcoholic mother, and her portrayal in "Judged" is 100% accurate. When her 13 year old daughter is taken into custody by the county, their nightmare begins. As bad as Grant treated Olivia, foster care was much worse. The interactions, brief as they are after Olivia is in foster care, are absolutely true-to-life. So, the book is chilling and horrifying and a little nauseating, and it's written by someone who has intimate knowledge of all aspects of Olivia's situation.
I would have given five stars, but there were more typos and errors than I like. If I ignore those, the book gets five full stars.
Sheila Grant is an abusive alcoholic mother, and her portrayal in "Judged" is 100% accurate. When her 13 year old daughter is taken into custody by the county, their nightmare begins. As bad as Grant treated Olivia, foster care was much worse. The interactions, brief as they are after Olivia is in foster care, are absolutely true-to-life. So, the book is chilling and horrifying and a little nauseating, and it's written by someone who has intimate knowledge of all aspects of Olivia's situation.
I would have given five stars, but there were more typos and errors than I like. If I ignore those, the book gets five full stars.
August 21, 2024
Casey Cort is a lawyer from Cleveland trying to keep her practice afloat. A federal judge Sheila Grant is seeking Casey's help in juvenile court. Sheila's 12-year old daughter Olivia has been sent to foster care for abuse. Casey must prove to the court of Sheila's innocence to get Olivia back to Sheila for being falsely accused for child abuse. Casey faces a system that disregards justice, she must navigate the complex legal and personal challenges to protect her client. This story has a gripping plot that explores the world of political corruption. I really enjoyed this fantastic legal thriller novel.
August 26, 2023
This story was short but very profound! A young man and woman have been married for almost five years! The story itself was a bit dark and scary at first! It's the story about a young13 year old girl! Mom is a judge! A new counselor at school hears the young girl about some problems at home! Long story short is the girl is picked up by child custody and kept away from her mother! While in custody the girl is abused! Mom finally gets the girl back! If you like to read stormy stories, this one is for you!
July 29, 2019
This book caught me up in the first few pages and kept me glued to the pages! I could not put it down! I work with kids who have behavior issues, some of them are in foster care and it breaks my heart. Loved this book and hope others read and become informed about what is really going on in the juvenile court system.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2019
This book grabbed my attention from the description and held it until I read the book. It's a definite page turner, plenty of suspense and intrigue, a story line that grabs your attention and will hold it from the first page to the last page. I'm definitely going to have to read the previous book in the series as this has become a series that's grabbed my attention.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 6, 2023
FRUSTRATING
This is so sad and so frustrating, and difficult to explain without giving away spoilers. It highlights the frustrations of both African Americans living in the United States and the terrible injustices that can occur within the Child Protection Services. The book needs an additional edit as it jumps from first person to third and the ending was very sudden and a little inconclusive, leaving several loose ends.
This is so sad and so frustrating, and difficult to explain without giving away spoilers. It highlights the frustrations of both African Americans living in the United States and the terrible injustices that can occur within the Child Protection Services. The book needs an additional edit as it jumps from first person to third and the ending was very sudden and a little inconclusive, leaving several loose ends.
August 30, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book but thought the ending was disappointing. It came upon me so quickly I actually checked back to see if I had accidentally double tapped and missed something.
Such a shame as the storyline was interesting and the characters were well formed.
As a side note, I dislike the practice of having so much padding at the end, editors notes, what’s next etc, that the actually story ends at 86% read.
Such a shame as the storyline was interesting and the characters were well formed.
As a side note, I dislike the practice of having so much padding at the end, editors notes, what’s next etc, that the actually story ends at 86% read.
July 29, 2019
This book is a real page-turner as it explores the legal and social systems. It is frighteningly realistic yet very interesting to read. The characters are well written and well developed. This fast-paced legal thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as you are taken into the world of Casey Cort.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2019
Almost a cliffhanger
Hate books with no real ending. If I had wanted to use my imagination to figure out the final, I would have purchased a children's game. Don't waste your time. Lots better novels out there. Are the answers in the next book? Not buying it to find out. Will never read this author again.
Hate books with no real ending. If I had wanted to use my imagination to figure out the final, I would have purchased a children's game. Don't waste your time. Lots better novels out there. Are the answers in the next book? Not buying it to find out. Will never read this author again.
July 8, 2022
great book
I could not put this book down. It is so very true to life. Great writing. I was so proud of the mothers accomplishments, and yet felt so disappointed that as much as she truly loved her daughter, she was too wrapped up in herself to show the love & nurturing every child needs. Looking forward to next book in series..
I could not put this book down. It is so very true to life. Great writing. I was so proud of the mothers accomplishments, and yet felt so disappointed that as much as she truly loved her daughter, she was too wrapped up in herself to show the love & nurturing every child needs. Looking forward to next book in series..
January 9, 2023
Not much Casey Cort, but more like the Sheila Grant series, which looks like it continues into the second book. No likable characters except for Olivia. I just felt like the emotions were held back in this, considering the seriousness of this story. If this is what goes on in the courts, this is awful. Some political jabs, which is never my thing. The ending was abrupt.
November 17, 2023
This is the first book in a series, but I didn't realize it was a series at first! I read one of the books later in the series, liked it, and got this one.
There are a number of characters to keep up with, and I got a little lost sometimes. I thought briefly about not finishing it but I knew everything would straighten itself out.
I have the second book in the series ready to read now.
There are a number of characters to keep up with, and I got a little lost sometimes. I thought briefly about not finishing it but I knew everything would straighten itself out.
I have the second book in the series ready to read now.
September 3, 2019
Cliff Hanger
This book was listed as a mystery, but it is a novel with a predictable storyline as characters. I seriously dislike authors who require buying their next book to read the ending. Overall not worth the time.
This book was listed as a mystery, but it is a novel with a predictable storyline as characters. I seriously dislike authors who require buying their next book to read the ending. Overall not worth the time.
February 18, 2020
Oops...
Although I really enjoyed the plot and characters here...
I was a bit frosted at the way the author suddenly ended the book.
Even if the characters happen to pop up in some future book....their exit in this one could have happened more slowly....more naturally.
Although I really enjoyed the plot and characters here...
I was a bit frosted at the way the author suddenly ended the book.
Even if the characters happen to pop up in some future book....their exit in this one could have happened more slowly....more naturally.
April 11, 2020
Book 2 of a series that continues to Book 3. The book ends like the end of a chapter. Still 5 stars because of the thought provoking issues discussed in the book. Right and wrong are sometimes very gray areas with tremendous consequences.
Read
April 24, 2021 Nice plot
This book has a good storyline and plot which could have made an excellent book. Something is missing. There are so many grammatical errors that it seems like the book was never proofread.
This book has a good storyline and plot which could have made an excellent book. Something is missing. There are so many grammatical errors that it seems like the book was never proofread.
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