Free of Malice

By: Liz Lazarus

Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya

Loosely based on the personal experience of author Liz Lazarus, Free of Malice is an addictive audiobook full of drama and suspense with unexpected twists.

In Atlanta, main character Laura Holland, a rising journalist, endures a night of terror when she is attacked in her home in the middle of the night. "I remember seeing the diamond of my engagement ring sparkle in the dim night as he thrashed his head. This was the only time I caught a glimpse of his dark face, with my fingers in his mouth. He did not seem human, but like a rabid beast attacking me in the night." Although she fights off the would-be rapist, his parting words are a threat to return. At the urging of her husband, Laura undergoes therapy to recover from the trauma, learning about a relatively new technique called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) used for PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) patients. But just when the listener feels a sense of where this book is headed - the story of a woman healing - the plot veers in a new direction.

Though Laura did not own a gun at the time, she wishes she could have shot her attacker as he fled. When she learns that her actions might not have been deemed self-defense, her journalistic instincts are kindled. Laura decides to write a hypothetical legal case, which plays out the events of that night had she shot and killed her assailant. She enlists the help of a young, black attorney, Thomas Bennett. Though Thomas proves to be clever in the rules of the criminal justice system, his striking resemblance to her attacker does not go unnoticed. As the two work together to develop the case, Laura's discomfort escalates, particularly when Thomas seems to know more about that night than he should. Could he possibly be her assailant or is Laura being hyper-vigilant? Reality and fiction soon merge as her real-life drama begins to mirror the fiction she's trying to create.

©2016 Liz Lazarus (P)2018 Liz Lazarus

well written & well researched story

very well researched & written story about a crime victim, sleuthing, & court proceedings. It really shows the emotional & psychological tricks the mind plays in trying to cope with a traumatic event.

What a great thriller nov

I was pleasantly surprised with all the twists and turns in this story and never guessed who the attacker was till it was revealed. I had a hard time putting this book down. I love the narrators style. Until this book I had only ever heard her in cozy mystery books and I must say she delivered well in this thriller. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

GREAT LISTEN!

Such an interesting plot! This will strike the hearts of women who know it is their job to be the protector (of themselves and their families). But we all get complacent – we don’t use the tools at our disposal such as alarms; we don’t listen to our “sixth sense”. Such is what started the plight of Laura Holland, who by trade is a journalist. What she ended up doing was amazing and will keep you in suspense till the end. Ms. Lazarus brings to the forefront Laura’s journalistic desire for a great story. She shows some of the possible outcomes of a self defense shooting. She also employs a very interesting therapy technique for trauma victims. She shows what it happens to us in a traumatic situation. Our body/senses often fail us. She covers what the legal ramifications would be if you had a gun and if you didn’t. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you on the edge of your seat and thinking! I was pointing my finger at everyone for a bit! I would recommend this book highly!

A Book Every Women Should Read

Our book club picked Free of Malice by Liz Lazarus and we are so glad we did. I had a hard time putting the book down wanting to know what was going to happen next. I highly recommend this book!

Awesome book!

This was a really awesome book. I enjoyed reading free of malice. I was completely surprised and really thought that the attacker was Thomas. I recommend that anyone who likes to read mysteries read this book.

Self defense - a must read

A mystery book, but this book is actually a study of what is needed BEFORE someone decides to use a firearm for protection. Everything from selecting something that you can actually use to understanding 'use of force' considerations and all the way to what to expect from the justice system if you had to use serious force to protect yourself. Having been a law enforcement officer for 41 years as well as a use of force instructor even more years, too often I see novice persons show up for class with equipment that is not suited for the user. This book is a primer for the whole self defense spectrum, wrapped in a mystery who-done-it.

Kept me guessing

Was a little hard to get into at the beginning but so glad I stuck with it! just kept getting more and more interesting. Lots of food for thought in having a gun for self defense and possible ramifications I had never considered. I LOVED it!

A real life story of struggle

Well written and definitely worth the listen. This strike me as a tell written from personal experience in our modern world.

A great thriller

Liz Lazarus is a new author to me although I have listened to a couple of cozy mystery books narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya before.

Free of Malice was an interesting listen, particularly since I understand that it was loosely based on the personal experience of Liz Lazarus.

This book is full of twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end and I was taken by surprise by the direction Free of Malice took on occasion.

Ms. Araya did a great job narrating this thriller and she kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to second guess what was coming next.

This was such an interesting premise and I really had a hard time stopping myself from listening throughout the night. I was absolutely sure I knew where the book was going to go but again I was surprised by Ms. Lazarus.

Loved it!

Our family listened to it on the way to Thanksgiving and even my teenagers got involved in the story.