Survivor's Guilt

Written by Robyn Gigl

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin

Robyn Gigl’s unique protagonist, transgender attorney Erin McCabe, returns in a fascinating and timely legal thriller that delves into the dark world of human trafficking by the rich and powerful …

At first, the death of millionaire businessman Charles Parsons seems like a straightforward suicide. There’s no sign of forced entry or struggle in his lavish New Jersey mansion—just a single gunshot wound from his own weapon. But
days later, a different story emerges. Computer techs pick up a voice recording that incriminates Parsons’ adoptive daughter, Ann, who duly confesses and pleads guilty.

Erin McCabe has little interest in reviewing such a slam-dunk case—even after she has a mysterious meeting with one of the investigating detectives, who reveals that Ann, like Erin, is a trans woman. Yet despite their misgivings, Erin and her law
partner, Duane Swisher, ultimately can’t ignore the pieces that don’t fit.

As their investigation deepens, Erin and Swish convince Ann to withdraw her guilty plea. But Ann clearly knows more than she’s willing to share, even if it means a life sentence. Who is she protecting, and why?

Fighting against time and a prosecutor hell-bent on notching another conviction, the two work tirelessly—Erin inside the courtroom, Swish in the field—to clear Ann’s name. But despite Parsons’ former associates’ determination to keep his—
and their own—illegal activities buried, a horrifying truth emerges—a web of human exploitation, unchecked greed, and murder. Soon, a quest to see justice served becomes a desperate struggle to survive …

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705052488

Robyn Gigl

Robyn Gigl is an attorney who has been honored by the ACLU-NJ for her work with the transgender community. Robyn lives in New Jersey, where she continues to practice law by day, and work on her next Erin McCabe novel by night. Fortunately, she has a very boring social life. 

Reviews for Survivor's Guilt

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Survivor’s Guilt by Robyn GiglErin McCabe Legal Thriller #2Great addition to the series – Enjoyed it from beginning to end! What I liked: * Erin: attorney, transgender woman, athletic, intelligent, takes on tough cases, in law partnership with Swish, loves her family, conflicted on a few things but becoming more secure in each book* Swish: Erin’s law partner, ex-FBI, basketball skills, intelligent, family man, supportive, professional, gets sucked into some crazy cases with Erin* Mark: Erin’s boyfriend, supportive, loving, there for Erin, finally managing to get through some of Erin’s walls* Peg: Erin’s mother, loving, wise, gives good advice, there for Erin through her transition and afterward* The family aspects of the story and how people in families react to LGBTQIA issues* Ann: both of them in the story were compelling, strong, capable* The Rojas siblings: close even after they separated young* Detective Kluska and what he did to assist a potentially innocent person* The sleuthing and how it was done* The storyline and how it played out* That it paralleled what is happening in the news – at last in some ways* That the evil characters who got away for too long with unspeakable evil were eventually thwarted* The way all the threads were tied up in the end with more than one having a happy endingWhat I didn’t like: * Everyone and everything that I was meant to dislike* Knowing that the abuses mentioned in this book are all too real in everyday lifeDid I enjoy this book? YesWould I read more in this series? YesThank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ARC – This is my honest review.4-5 Stars

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Survivor’s Guilt, the second book in the Erin McCabe Legal Thriller series, has many moving parts and author Robyn Gigl more than satisfactorily joins them all together into an exciting, fast-paced, not-to-be-missed story. It’s a mystery, a thriller, a courtroom drama, and a story about a transgender woman trying to balance family, friends, and career while defending a controversial client who has brought danger to her front door.The mystery is complex, with twists and turns and connections you won’t see coming. The courtroom scenes feel authentic, providing a glimpse into the hijinks, hazards and restrictions lawyers must contend with and operate under. The story is full of characters that aren’t what they seem – really aren’t what they seem. The suspense builds and builds and builds. And, importantly, the ending makes sense.On a personal level, Erin is still learning to navigate life after her transition from Ian McCabe to Erin McCabe. Still a successful attorney with the same law firm and law partner, but her family has displayed varying degrees of acceptance, and Erin hasn’t quite gotten to the point of loving herself enough yet to fully allow others to love her. Author Gigl does an amazing job of portraying the emotions, fears, and the real, everyday insults and slights Erin has to endure without making the fact she is a transgender woman the central point of the story, or making Erin appear strident, resentful or unlikeable. Erin is who she is, this is her life, and it’s expertly blended into the story. Gigl is a transgender woman herself and I’m sure her experiences and insights have made this the compelling book it is, but all that is behind the scenes and what we have here is just a fascinating page turner with a main character you want to know better. Side note: the locations in New Jersey – Freehold, Red Bank, Asbury Park, Monmouth County – are familiar to me and perfectly described so that I felt I was there.Thanks to Penguin Random House and Between the Chapters Books for providing an advance copy of Survivor’s Guilt for my honest review. I was not expecting the ARC and it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. I had not read the first book in the series, By Way of Sorrow, before reading this one but you can be sure I will do so. Survivor’s Guilt works as a standalone, but Erin McCabe is such a fascinating character and Robyn Gigl such an excellent writer that I don’t want to deny myself another great read. And hopefully this series is just getting started. I recommend this book without hesitation, and all opinions are my own. #BetweenTheChapters! #ANERINMCCABETHRILLER