Introduction

Ingrid is a former lawyer-turned-nationally-recognized-podcast-host. When Ingrid’s husband, Peter, is found dead, and Ingrid's former friend, Opal, is arrested as the prime suspect, the press quickly seizes on Opal's past as a single mom and stripper. Ingrid's first priority is protecting herself and her son, Drake, from salacious gossip. But when Opal finds herself in need of a defense lawyer, she tells Ingrid she wants to call in a "favor,” and Ingrid returns to the law for one more case. As the trial date looms, Ingrid resolves to do anything to win - anything except tell the whole truth.

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Excerpt

Told from the points of view of Ingrid DiLaurio, a former-lawyer-turned-nationally-recognized-podcast-host of a cleaning/decluttering movement called Too Busy To Die, and Opal Rowen, a former-stripper-turned suburban-nurse-turned-mistress of Ingrid’s husband - IN HER DEFENSE is a legal suspense novel that lives at the intersection of courtroom drama and family saga.

Riversedge, New York, is four express train stops from Manhattan. With its tree-lined Main Street, and quaint ambiance, it is only impersonating a small town. While it’s a place small enough for everyone to know each other’s secrets, few do. The town revolves around the prestigious Riversedge Law Club, where deals are made and cases are resolved and where Ingrid DiLaurio has never once been made to feel welcome.

When Ingrid’s husband, Peter, is found dead, and Opal is arrested as the prime suspect, Ingrid’s first priority is protecting herself and her son, Drake, along with her business, from salacious gossip. When Opal finds herself in desperate need of a defense lawyer, she tells Ingrid she wants to call in a “favor,” and Ingrid reluctantly agrees to return to the law to take on the case.

As the case unfolds, Ingrid realizes quickly that she has taken on more than she bargained for, including Opal’s dark past, a corrupt judge, a blackmailing prosecutor, another dead body, and a black tinted car that follows her everywhere.

It’s clear that both women know more than they are letting on about Peter’s death, but who will tell the truth first?

And is the truth what anyone really wants to hear? view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

1) The first chapter introduces us to Ingrid DiLaurio and Opal Rowen on what seems an ordinary morning. They are two mothers interacting with young sons before school - two women connected to the same man, Peter DiLaurio who’s just been found dead. How did you feel about each woman at the start of the story? Did you feel they were two very similar suburban moms? Did you feel empathy for either, both, or neither woman? How did those feelings change (if at all) as the story progressed?
2) This is a story - among other things - about the layers and complications of female friendship. Do you find it hard to make new friends as we get older? As our kids get older? What are the things you look for in a friend? Are there any non-negotiables? What are they?
3) What do you think about the way Opal treated Christopher throughout the story? From the time they were 10th grade lab partners … to now.
4) How do you feel about the way Opal helped Ingrid launch her podcast business?
5) Ingrid is clearly haunted by her past - by her mother’s death and her father’s neglect afterward. Opal is haunted by her past as well - parental neglect and the discovery of Dean’s betrayal. How does each woman’s past trauma affect their subsequent decisions throughout the story? Do you feel that they made poor choices that led to a continuing cycle of tragedies? Or do you feel that they had limited choices and that their circumstances led to the ensuing tragedies instead?
6) Why do you think Jane sought out Ingrid to help her in her final days?
7) If you were a member of the jury at Opal’s trial, how would you have voted following closing arguments?
8) “Know Thyself,” is the title of a book by Ingrid Bergman’s daughter, Ingrid Rossalini - and a recurring refrain in this novel. Which characters, if any, do you think truly knew themselves by the conclusion?

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