Survivor's Guilt by Robyn Gigl

It is pretty rare these days to find myself starting a new series. Simply put, I have more books to read than I have time to. Committing to a series usually means I'm neglecting too many other books. Every so often, though, I find a series that I can't help but read. Robyn Gigl's debut novel By Way of Sorrow is the kind of thriller that perfectly combined a riveting plot with even more captivating characters. When I read the book last year, I didn't know that it would mark the start of a series featuring lawyer and transgender woman, Erin McCabe. When Gigl's publisher offered me a copy of the second novel to feature the character, I couldn't help but accept it. 

On the heels of a high-profile case, Erin McCabe's professional life couldn't be better. Business at her small practice is booming, and she has been able to accept the kinds of cases that really appeal to her. On the personal front, Erin is making progress too. Her father and brother had a tough time accepting her coming out, but thanks to her ever-supportive mother and a pair of rambunctious and accepting nephews, the men in her family are beginning to come around. When we last saw Erin, she had just begun a new relationship with Mark, a man who seemed to love her for exactly who she is. Mark's family has been less accepting. Unwilling to be a wedge between him and his loved ones, Erin has decided to break things off with Mark. With this relationship in limbo, she fears she may never find happiness again. Instead, Erin resolves to bury herself in her work. Erin is in luck because her next big case is about to present itself. 

The death of businessman Charles Parsons seems like a pretty open and shut case. At first glance, the death looked like a suicide, but new evidence revealed it to be a murder. There's a recording of the death in which Parson's seems to reveal his killer as his child. His adoptive daughter Ann is picked up and shortly thereafter confesses to the crime. Erin is brought into the mix when one of the detectives on the case begins to have second thoughts about the conviction. It is revealed that Ann is also a trans woman, and the detective hopes that she'll be willing to open up to Erin about what happened. Erin is hesitant at first but soon begins to find too many pieces of the puzzle that simply don't add up. She convinces Ann to rescind her guilty plea and takes on the task of defending her in a trial. 

I was enamored by the way Robyn Gigl empathetically presented the struggles of her characters in By Way of Sorrow. I'm happy to report that the same care is applied to her heroes in Survivor's Guilt. While the case on the surface level may seem extremely similar to the one presented in the first book, there's enough to differentiate the two to make it feel fresh. The personal turmoil of Erin McCabe combines with that of her professional life in a way that makes the story extremely well-rounded. I couldn't put this one down! If I have any complaint, it would be that the villains in the book are almost comically evil. There's no doubt who the bad guys are, and they fall into just about every stereotype you'd expect a villain to have. This can be a bit jarring, especially when contrasted with the deep care that Gigl takes to ground her main character in reality. Still, I more than enjoyed reading this book and wouldn't be upset if McCabe makes another appearance soon. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads

(2022, 5)

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 3, 2022 and is filed under ,,,,,,. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.

18 Responses to “Survivor's Guilt by Robyn Gigl”

  1. I know what you mean about not wanting to start any new series; I'm like you, I already have way too many books I want to read. But some series are just too good to pass up. Like this one. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Plus at only two books, this one isn't too taxing haha.

      Delete
  2. It is wonderful to find a new series to love even with an overflowing TBR. I do like mysteries with an ongoing personal arc continuing throughout. I'd be rooting for Erin's happiness. This sounds like a great series!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This series has been a pleasant surprise to me. I hope she writes more!

      Delete
  3. Is this more a series of books featuring the character, or are there continuing storylines? I cannot commit to series any longer, but I like where a character gets new adventures without the stories being dependent on each other, you know?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one has some references to the case that happened in the first book, but I think you'd be okay to just read either as a standalone.

      Delete
  4. The premise for this book sounds like a good one. Thanks for letting us know about it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I should follow your lead and quit starting new series. I'm already in the middle of a bunch of them! I love series, though, as they let me really get to know a setting and its characters. I enjoy watching it all develop as time goes by. I'm glad you found a new one to love!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've pretty much abandoned series too.

    This one appeals to me though, because thrillers are iffy - because I can't make an emotional connection anyone and I'm usually not as interested in the case lol

    But Erin sounds like an interesting character and the story covers both her professional and personal life.

    I'll check if I have the first book on Libby or Hoopla.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This thriller definitely leans on the characters to draw you in. I think you'd enjoy it.

      Delete
  7. It isn’t often that i find myself in a position where i have a series I can’t help but read — usually, I feel like I am about to dive into a swimming pool, and it will either be wonderfully pleasant or a shock to the system in the worst way 😏 This series sounds fantastic, and Erin and her world sound intriguing — i like the balance of personal and professional. It’s not often i find thriller writers can balance those two aspect properly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. Balancing the character work with the thrills makes this series stand out from the rest!

      Delete
  8. I love finding a new series to emerge myself in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too. The problem is that I rarely have the time to actually devote to them haha.

      Delete

Powered by Blogger.