(Reviewed by JD Jung)
#CommissionsEarned
A-list celebrity Aaron Julian has recently been accused of sexual harassment and assault by multiple starlets. According to his accusers, he made sure that their careers would tank if they didn’t comply with his wishes. Add to that, each is represented by premier #METOO attorney, Victor Tabnik. This attorney started his career by being one of the first to represent victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the Catholic Church, so he has a stellar reputation with the public.
Though most consider Aaron to be guilty even before there’s a trial, or any credible evidence, that’s not the worst of his problems. When Tabnik shows up dead, Aaron is the number one suspect.
He soon retains forty-nine-year-old, high-priced defense attorney Raquel Rematti, but can he trust her? Also, can she trust him to tell the truth? Who do we, as the readers, trust? Trust is a big issue in the story, as Aaron learns that close friends can betray you at any time. Fame and ego get in the way of the truth, as well as corruption in the criminal justice system.
Accusation is a quick read that will keep you guessing at every page. As events unfold and evidence piles up, we wonder how Aaron will ever be able to prove his innocence…if, he in fact is innocent.
The characters are fascinating and have depth. Right from the get-go, there’s Aaron’s no-nonsense wife, a world-famous singer. We also meet a young male prostitute, a female porn star and the quiet tall lady with a great dane. Also, let’s not forget the eccentric tech-savvy detective, the overzealous prosecutor, and the racist FBI agent.
Though these colorful personalities give appeal to the novel, there are some which I wanted to see more of and learn more about. Also, there is a twist at the end, and though I somewhat expected it, it would have been nice if it was expanded on.
This is the first novel I have read in Paul Batista’s Raquel Rematti series, so I had no expectations. Though Accusation deals with serious topics such as problems with social media, corruption, and the criminal justice system, the plot isn’t too heavy. It’s definitely worthwhile for fans of crime fiction who simply want to be entertained.
