First Book in New Series from Kia Abdullah is a Gripping Legal Thriller: TAKE IT BACK

by Susan Roberts

"She watched her reflection in the empty glass bottle as the truth crept in with the wine in her veins. It curled around her stomach and squeeze tight, whispering words that paused before they stung, like a paper cut cutting deep: colorless at frst and then vibrant with blood." (p. 1)

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

December 2020; St. Martin; 978-1250273017
audio, ebook, print (304 pages); legal thriller

WOW!!  Take It Back is the perfect book to read when you want to add some excitement to your reading life. Be prepared because once you start it, you won't want to put it down.

Zara is a top lawyer in London with her life in two very different areas.  On one hand, she is a well respected and successful lawyer, on the other, she is part of a Muslim family who doesn't understand or approve of her job or her lifestyle. 

"Zara Kaleel had been a planner.  In youth, she had mapped her life with the foresight of a shaman.  She had known which path to take at every fork in the road, single-mindedly intent on reaching her goals.  She finished law school at the top of her class and secured a place on Bedford Row, the only brown face at her prestigious chambers....All her life she was told that if she worked hard and treated people well, she'd get there.  No one told her that when she got there, there'd be no there there."  (loc 26)

She's left the law practice and gone to work for a group that helps women who are sexually abused.  She is given the case of Jodie, a sixteen-year-old girl with facial deformities who is accusing four boys in her class of rape. They are all handsome hard-working young men from immigrant families and they all have alibis for the night of the group rape. Neither Jodie's mom nor her best friend believes her story, and they accuse her of lying. Once the media is tipped off the story causes a great outcry from the immigrant community.

Zara's family begs her not to work on the case because it sends a bad message that a Muslim woman would prosecute four young Muslim men.  But Zara is convinced that she must fight for Jodie and for justice to be done no matter the outcome for her or her community. The Muslim community is convinced that the boys were innocent - why would four handsome young men be interested in a monster like Jodie when they could have anyone they wanted. Who is telling the truth - Jodie who may want revenge against the boys or the boys for taking advantage of a young woman? Will justice be given to the guilty and can it even be determined who is guilty and who is telling the truth?

This book is an intense look at justice, rape, religion, the media, and public opinion.  It was well written and kept the tension high throughout the entire book.  I couldn't put it down once I started and it's a book that I won't soon forget.  I'm excited to find out that this is the first book of a new series and can't wait to read about Zara again.

Buy Take it Back at Amazon

Susan Roberts lives in North Carolina with her husband of over 50 years.  She grew up in Michigan but now calls North Carolina home. Since her travel plans had to be canceled for this year, she is starting to make plans for travel in 2021. She reads almost anything (and the piles of books in her house prove that) but her favorite genres are Southern fiction, women's fiction, and historical fiction. Susan is a top 1% Goodreads Reviewer. You can connect with Susan on Facebook, Goodreads, or Twitter.

Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.