Clear and Convincing Evidence by H.C. Helfand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Just like the unfamiliar world of titles pulled me into Abby Fischer’s life in the first book of the Arcadia Chronicles, the controversy of the work of the public defender’s mental health unit captured my attention in the sequel.

In book one, “Fee Simple Conditional”, Abby navigates through the maze of land records in “Dependable Title” office, run by an eccentric boss, surrounded by no less eccentric colleagues. Seemingly the most boring job in the world – going through heaps of books and papers, faded with time listing which land plots and property belonged to whom – turns out to be a life-changer for Abby. Who could have thought that you could find love searching the titles?

Book two “Clear and Convincing Evidence” lulls the reader with the descriptions of Abby’s family bliss only to make a plunge into the icy water.

It is by pure coincidence that Abby’s first experience as a lawyer happens to be at the public defender’s mental health unit. Almost until her graduation from law school, she wasn’t even sure she wanted to pursue a legal career. Not in her wildest dreams could Abby imagine being a knight in shining armour for the mentally challenged patients of a crumbling psychiatric hospital. If you think surprises end here and you’ll keep reading about sad cases where a public defender’s loss actually means a victory for a client, you couldn’t be more wrong. A bombshell hits when Abby and her husband David expect it the least. And what an uplifting, heart-wrenching, unpredictable turn their established and calm life is about to take!

What I truly appreciate about this series is the way H.C. Helfand has managed to portray Abby. The author doesn’t draw a picture of someone perfect, standardly so if you will, with a shy nature, big generous heart, but still widely likeable since she behaves according to the rules accepted in society. In truth, these rules apply only to book/movie/tv series characters. For some reason, probably to widen the audience, main characters are all ‘made’ similar. Abby isn’t like that. I think I wouldn’t like her if I met her. She does have a big, generous heart, but she is also reserved and rather ‘dry’, so what lies beneath that cold façade not many people would bother to uncover. Yet, in the books, the author shows the readers who Abby really is. Her honesty, her ability to stay true to her principles, and her strength. It might seem she is unable to love deeply, but, with her immersive writing, H.C. Helfand leads the reader to realise the real depth of Abby’s love for her husband and her family.

"But that was life, wasn’t it? He had learned the lesson many times over—treasure the good, overcome the bad." Abby’s husband David has seen the good and the bad aplenty in his life. He loves Abby and sees in her what others don’t see – and that is probably the sign of true love. Again, not the one promoted by mass media. It isn’t perfect or cloudless. It is like life itself according to David and H.C. Helfand – when you consciously and subconsciously treasure the good in someone, overcoming the bad together.

“Clear and Convincing Evidence” by H.C. Helfand is a wonderful story, blending the mundane and the extraordinary in the most satisfactory way. It kept me turning the pages, for I simply had to know what was in store for Abby and David. And now, I’m looking forward to the next book.



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Clear and Convincing Evidence