Introduction

From the bestselling author of Earnest and An Unexpected Grace comes a novel about a woman, a dog, and the hope and love that can emerge from tragedy . . .

Two years ago, police officer Andrea Brady fell madly in love with a black-muzzled, slightly rumpled German shepherd who showed up at her house one misty autumn day. Now, with the brave and intuitive Justice as her expert K-9 drug sniffer, she’s found an unbeatable partner. Then the unthinkable happens. A savage attack leaves a teenager dead and Andie trapped in every cop’s worst nightmare. Placed on administrative leave, she’s pursued by media and investigated by a deputy sheriff whose handling of the high-profile case could earn him a coveted promotion.

Haunted by self-doubt, Andie is in danger of losing everything—her career, her freedom, and the critically injured dog who’s her soul mate. But as she finds kind allies in her Puget Sound island community, the road back becomes a journey of healing for both Andie and her canine companion. And Andie learns important lessons about justice—and about Justice—as she struggles to find the courage to forgive herself and reclaim the gift of her life . . .

Praise for the novels of Kristin von Kreisler
 
 
“Kristin von Kreisler deftly spins a tale of human failings and canine devotion.”
—Susan Wilson
 
“In this terrific and uplifting novel, von Kreisler shows how the love between a dog and a person can prove transformative.”  —Modern Dog Magazine

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Excerpt

A Healing Justice

Chapter 1


Andrea turned her patrol car off the highway and started toward downtown. At last Halloween was over, and for a year she wouldn’t have to contend with injured and malicious trick-or-treaters. Now she could concentrate on drug dealers, domestic abusers, and burglars. Not that there were many. Most people were law-abiding in her community of twelve thousand people. No one had intentionally killed anybody since 1965. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Andie’s most urgent question through most of the book is: Did I do the right thing? How would you answer for her? What’s the difference between being justified to shoot and right to shoot?

2. Andie often says that life isn’t fair. Do you agree with her? Does Tom? Was it fair for Andie to be viewed as a criminal suspect? Or for the Vanderwaals to file a civil suit against her?

3. Who is to blame for Christopher’s death? Is it his own fault? Should Andie be held responsible? His parents? His girlfriend? Fate?

4. Shooting Christopher causes Andie great emotional stress. Do you think it’s unusual for a police officer to feel that way? Or should she have considered the use of deadly force as just part of her job? Why is it important for her to acknowledge that she is vulnerable?

5. Is building a wall around herself a good defense for Andie? Would something else have been better or was that all she could do? How does the wall change in the story? And how does her relationship to it change?

Weblinks

»	Author's web site
»	Author's book info
»	Delilah November book club selection
»	Q&A with the author
»	Author bio
»	Publisher's book info

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