Saving Emma

A Novel

By: Allen Eskens

Narrated by: Gary Tiedemann, Matt Godfrey, Saskia Maarleveld, Janina Edwards, Timothy Pabon

A lawyer's race to reveal a wrongful conviction collides with the dark shadow of a murder in his own home in this propulsive and perfectly-plotted thriller from "one of our best crime writers at the top of his game" (William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author).

When Boady Sanden first receives the case of Elijah Matthews, he’s certain there’s not much he can do. Elijah, who believes himself to be a prophet, has been locked up in a psychiatric hospital for the past four years, convicted of brutally murdering the pastor of a megachurch. But as a law professor working for the Innocence Project, Boady agrees to look into Elijah’s file. When he does, he is alarmed to find threads that lead back to the death of his colleague and friend, Ben Pruitt, a man shot to death four years earlier in Boady’s own home.

Ben’s daughter, Emma, has lived with Boady and Boady’s wife Dee ever since that awful night. Now fourteen years old, Emma has been growing distant, and soon makes a fateful choice that takes her far from the safety of her godparents. Desperate to bring her home, and to free an innocent man, Boady must do all he can to investigate Elijah’s case while fighting to save the family he has deeply come to love.

Written with energy, propulsion, and his characteristic pathos and insight, Eskens delivers another pitch-perfect legal thriller that reveals a twisted murder and explores faith, love, family, and redemption along the way.

"Ambitious, absorbing, and deeply satisfying."―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Eskens brilliantly combines legal and personal drama." ―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Superb . . . another Eskens novel to be savored." ―South Florida Sun-Sentinel

©2023 Allen Eskens (P)2023 Mulholland Books

Critic reviews

"Eskens is at the top of his skills."—Oline H. Cogdill, The South Florida Sun Sentinel

"One of our best crime writers at the top of his game."—William Kent Kreuger, New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land and Lightning Strike

Love Eskins but not my favorite

I’m a huge fan of Allen Eskins and had high hopes for it after its prequel The Heavens May Fall. But it fell a little short for me. The religious speak was a bit much and there were too many characters to keep track of in that part of the plot. It also seems like the custody part was wrapped up too quickly at the end. It won’t stop be from reading him. It just wasn’t my favorite.

Average Story, Good Performance

I did find this book entertaining, but the writing is just so-so. A good story, not as good as the previous in the series.

Good mystery with twists

I enjoyed the story and character development having listed to 9 other Allen Eskens books previously.
Fun easy listening.

Another good book

I love his books and I’m looking forward to reading his next book. He’s like the male version of Jodi Picoult.

Another Great Story

AE did it again! Loved this story, another about Broady with Emma’s story weaved in, and a new mystery/case on the side. I should have re-read Broady #1 first, but will do that now and enjoy this one a second time afterward.

Enjoyable, but inaccurate

We can all overlook some twists of fact to enjoy fiction… but the plot includes a “schizophrenic” who communicates consistently (albeit frustratingly), doesn’t display paranoia or physical tics, and is always portrayed as calm. It was a real stretch to try to imagine one psychiatrist, let alone a team, treating this individual as a schizophrenia sufferer.

I do always enjoy books with Bodie. And you can tell Mr. Eskens is a father… Jail-n-Bail? Lilith Cain? I appreciate the dad jokes. It would be funnier if it wasn’t annoying that “Lilith” is a clear reference to evil- this is a bed time story I thought we’d grown out of, as a society that attempts to appreciate women- but the guy who came up with Bodie Sandin can have a pass.

Extraordinary!

I have me holding my breath the entire book! Brilliant and so well written, I love have it is so connected to previous books.

Another great story from Esiins

Great, as expected by such a wonderful author and storyteller. Highly recommend this book to all.

Kept my attention!

I️ always enjoy Allen Esken’s books because of the stories as well as the characters.

Great listen, despite …

I really liked this book - storylines and characters were both well developed and interesting. But the use of multiple narrators - not just for different chapters but within conversations and individual lines of dialogue - was really odd and distracting. I got used to it - but I’m not a fan.