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Robin James
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First Degree (Cass Leary Legal Thriller Series Book 7) Kindle Edition

by Robin James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 6,625 ratings

This lawyer is her client’s last hope, and her town’s worst nightmare.


When a popular cheerleader winds up dead in a ditch, the case lands in defense attorney Cass Leary’s own backyard. Her niece’s boyfriend Cole is charged with first degree murder and the whole Leary family jumps to his defense. The evidence against him is as thin as the ice on Finn Lake. But an overzealous prosecutor and a rookie detective seem determined to see Cole go down for this no matter what.

Just as she’s about to crack the case, new evidence emerges that convinces Cass her client’s being framed. Cass’s dogged determination to defend him could upend the police department and ruin careers. But if she doesn’t uncover the truth, the real killer could strike again.

Can Cass bust open this conspiracy before another innocent girl dies?

First Degree is the seventh standalone book in a spine-tingling series of legal thrillers. If you like compelling courtroom dramas, strong female characters, and mind-bending plot twists, then you’ll love Robin James’s page-turning story.
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  1. Book 7 of 14
    Cass Leary Legal Thriller Series
  2. Print length
    362 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 26, 2020
  6. File size
    3.8 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 14 books in this series.

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08P7XQ2J7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Robin James Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 26, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.8 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 362 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 7 of 14 ‏ : ‎ Cass Leary Legal Thriller Series
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 6,625 ratings

About the author

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Robin James

Robin James

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Robin James is an attorney and former law professor. She's worked on a wide range of civil, criminal and family law cases in her twenty-year legal career. She also spent over a decade as supervising attorney for a Michigan legal clinic assisting thousands of people who could not otherwise afford access to justice.

Robin now lives on a lake in southern Michigan with her husband, two children, and one lazy dog. Her favorite, pure Michigan writing spot is stretched out on the back of a pontoon watching the faster boats go by.

Join Robin James's Legal Thriller Newsletter to get updates on her latest releases and author news. http://www.robinjamesbooks.com/newsletter/

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
6,625 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's unexpected plot twists and find it the best in the series so far, with each installment getting better. They appreciate the character development, with the author spending time to develop them, and praise the writing, with one customer noting it's an excellent mystery/courtroom writer.

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Plot twistReadabilityCharacter developmentWriter quality
88 customers mention "Plot twist"83 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot twists, describing it as a top-notch thriller with many unexpected turns that create a powerful ending.

"...Main character is very complicated, but likeable. Well defined family dynamic. Story is tightly written . Recommend highly." Read more

"As usual, Ms James has done it again. A very good legal mystery...." Read more

"This was a great ‘who done it’! Big surprise ending. I’m really hooked on this series and Robin James writing ." Read more

"Lots of twists and turns, hard to put down! It did not end as I thought it was going to" Read more

64 customers mention "Readability"64 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with several noting it's the best in the series so far and that each installment improves upon the last.

"...Main character is very complicated, but likeable. Well defined family dynamic. Story is tightly written . Recommend highly." Read more

"I've read all 7 books and they just keep getting better and better...." Read more

"This is a good read, bout it got really good with the twists and turns. There were slow parts, but I'm glad I kept reading...." Read more

"...I didn’t see it coming. This was a great book. I think it may have been one of the best. I’ve read of Robin cooks. Thanks for a delightful weekend." Read more

18 customers mention "Character development"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the author spends time developing them.

"...And if you read the series from the beginning, you know the characters so well they feel like family. BUT, she needs a better editor...." Read more

"...Robin spends time to develop her characters making the reader feel like they truly exist...." Read more

"Caught me off guard ! Excellent characters I really didn’t expect the ending! Can’t wait to read the next one." Read more

"Excellent detailed character development. Energetic trial dialogue. Great ending! Really didn’t see it coming. Just when you think it’s over.." Read more

14 customers mention "Writer quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's writing style, describing it as fantastic and a well-written addition to the series that keeps readers spellbound.

"Enjoy this series because of the consistent high quality of the writing. Main character is very complicated, but likeable...." Read more

"...Cass is a great attorney but Ms James is a fantastic writer!!! Five stars in every book of the series in my opinion!!!" Read more

"...this good, then Ms. James is coming into her own a an excellent mystery/courtroom writer." Read more

"Yet another well written addition to this series...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, good story and well formed characters
    Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoy this series because of the consistent high quality of the writing. Main character is very complicated, but likeable. Well defined family dynamic. Story is tightly written . Recommend highly.
    Helpful
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  • JaneK
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As usual, Ms James has done it again. A very good legal mystery. And if you read the series from the beginning, you know the characters so well they feel like family.

    BUT, she needs a better editor. So many times she uses "got" when the word should be "gotten". " Had got" should be "had gotten". You use “gotten” when referring to a process of “getting” something. It's a little thing but it bothers me that she doesn't use correct grammar and her editor didn't catch it.
    Helpful
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  • Polly
    5.0 out of 5 stars good mystery!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This was a great ‘who done it’! Big surprise ending. I’m really hooked on this series and Robin James writing .
    Helpful
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  • S. Luke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Lots of twists and turns, hard to put down! It did not end as I thought it was going to
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  • Joasia1431
    5.0 out of 5 stars Each book gets better and better!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've read all 7 books and they just keep getting better and better. I thought that I had this one figured out and the ending was a wild plot twist I didn't anticipate happening. My mind was blown. Can't wait for book 8.
    Helpful
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  • ThrillerReader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book...better thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good read, bout it got really good with the twists and turns.

    There were slow parts, but I'm glad I kept reading. Didn't see the ending coming!
    Helpful
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  • Utah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't see the ending coming
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I look forward to getting up every morning to read books from this thriller series written by Robin James; First Degree being my favorite thus far.
    Robin spends time to develop her characters making the reader feel like they truly exist. I find myself cheering for the main character's success in the courtroom while having a deep respect for her loyalty to her family.
    In First Degree, the main character reveals more of her willingness to walk in "shades of gray" to protect those she loves. These gray shades provide the twists and turns that make this series so addicting.
    Helpful
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  • Patricia Elliott Johnston
    5.0 out of 5 stars Never saw it coming!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This novel has the most unexpected plot twists! I’ve read 7of Robin James’ books and I get surprised every time!
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ann Campbell
    5.0 out of 5 stars great books
    Reviewed in Canada on January 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve read up to #7. I have not been able to put them down. If you haven’t started this series, you need to. I’m heading over to #8.
    Report
  • Mike Oliver
    5.0 out of 5 stars First class
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    The author never disappoints you really never can work out whats coming even she leaves you clues !! brilliant series.
    Report
  • Krishnakumar Khandelwal
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good story streched too far
    Reviewed in India on May 14, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    A good engaging story with great legal angles. The lagnguage could be more on formal side while narrating events and characters.
    Report
  • LN
    4.0 out of 5 stars Love the series
    Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I've been enjoying Robin James books for a while now. The stories are all engaging, the characters are believable, and the resolution is usually surprising and always satisfying. I would recommend the whole series.
    Report
  • emma fraser
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind knowingly brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely brilliant, did not want to put it down! and the twist at the end , my mind was blown.
    Report

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