Survivor's Guilt

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"A groundbreaking series...razor-sharp, compulsively readable courtroom scenes." - The New York Times Book Review "Another barrier-breaking thriller from a voice missing too long from the mystery chorus." - The Los Angeles Times Book Review The New York Times Best Mystery Novel in a Series 2022 | The Los Angeles Times Best Crime Novels Winter 2022 | LAMBDA Literary Most Anticipated LGBTQIA+ Literature | CrimeReads Most Anticipated and Best Crime Fiction Of 2022 | SheReads Best Mystery Books Coming in 2022 Perfect for fans of Laura Griffin and Lisa Unger, Attorney and LGBTQ+ activist Robyn Gigl tackles the complexities of gender, power, public perception, and human trafficking with a ripped-from-the-headlines plot in this powerful legal thriller featuring a transgender attorney at its center. 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 learns that Ann, like herself, 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, they 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, Erin and Swish work tirelessly 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, greed, and murder. Soon, a quest to see justice served becomes a desperate struggle to survive . . .

Reviews

Praise for Survivor's Guilt

A groundbreaking series Erin is trans, one of precious few in crime fiction now stands to become a definitive one. Gigl is especially gifted at writing razor-sharp, compulsively readable courtroom scenes, something that sinks many legal thriller authors. The New York Times Book Review

[Survivors Guilt is] another barrier-breaking thriller from a voice missing too long from the mystery chorus. The Los Angeles Times Book Review

Topically relevant, edgy, and riveting, this series is one to watch. Rooting for a trans protagonist in a position of power is thoroughly refreshing and inspiring. Heres to more Erin McCabes. Library Journal

Robyn GiglsSURVIVORS GUILTis so good that it may end up counting among this years standouts. A groundbreaking series is poised to become a definitive one. The New York Times Book Review

StunningGigl delightfully flips the usual terms of the genre with a murder victim readers are quickly drawn to hate and a murderer whom they will be rooting for. Her takes on big questions of justice, revenge, and the nature of victimhood will resonate with many. Publishers Weekly,STARRED REVIEW

"Another great merger of legal mystery and psychological thriller." CrimeReads


Praise for Robyn Gigls Erin McCabe Legal Thrillers

Among this years standoutshair-raisingthrillingly complexa groundbreaking series poised to become a definitive one. The New York Times Book Review (Sarah Weinman) on Survivors Guilt

StunningGigl delightfully flips the usual terms of the genre with a murder victim readers are quickly drawn to hate and a murderer whom they will be rooting for. Her takes on big questions of justice, revenge, and the nature of victimhood will resonate with many. Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW for on Survivors Guilt

"Another great merger of legal mystery and psychological thriller." CrimeReads on Survivors Guilt

"Emotionally resonantGigl is too astute and compassionate a writer to create cartoon villainy out of anti-trans attitudesquietly groundbreaking. The New York Times Book Review onBy Way of Sorrow


"Readers will find that BY WAY OF SORROW is a compulsively riveting page-turner with a complex heroine, a captivating plot, and no easy answers. It's one of the best thrillers of the year. Mystery Scene onBy Way of Sorrow

"An intelligent and resourceful protagonist with an unusual backstory...Erin's ability to navigate the intricacies of the law is just as fascinating as the subsequent perils she encounters. Gigl, an attorney, offers some enlightening insights into the workings of the legal world." Publishers Weekly onBy Way of Sorrow

"Gigl, a transgender lawyer herself, provides provocative insights into the legal system and the challenges of gender identity." Booklist

Gigls accomplishment here is to parse the serious flaws with the legal system and expose the vulnerability of homeless members of the trans community by way of subtle characterization and seamless plotting. In less skillful hands, we might get melodrama or a polemic; here, we get engrossing originalityand a brilliant point in a larger argument for the benefits of greater representation in our beloved genre. Lambda Literary Review onBy Way of Sorrow

A nuanced and beautiful story of standing up for whats right, against all odds. CrimeReads onBy Way of Sorrow

With tight, realistic plotting interweaving a murder mystery with insights into transgender issues, By Way Of Sorrow is a promising series debut Im looking forward to seeing where Robyn Gigl will go with this series next, and am really glad shes writing so honestly and entertainingly about trans issues in a field with precious few trans leads. Criminal Element onBy Way of Sorrow

Author Bio

Robyn Gigl, the author of the Erin McCabe legal thrillers, is an attorney, speaker and activist who has been honored by the ACLU-NJ and the NJ Pride Network for her work on behalf of the LGBTQ community. Appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the Court's Committee on Diversity Inclusion and Community Engagement, she's practiced law for more than 40 years, representing clients in state and federal courts. She also is active in the New Jersey State Bar Association where she is a member of the Women in the Profession Section and a Past Chair of the Bar's LGBT Rights Section. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Garden State Equality, NJ's largest LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Organization. A frequent lecturer on diversity issues, she lives in New Jersey and can be found online at RobynGigl.com or on Twitter @RobynGigl.