I write for myself. The book must be authentic, honest, and interesting to me.

Larry Axelrood – 14 October 2023

The Back Flap

One prosecutor risks everything to stop a powerful cabal from stealing justice.

From a single courtroom, one prosecutor’s courageous stand threatens to expose a vast conspiracy and take down some of the city’s most powerful people.

Prosecutor Marisol Cuellar is ordered to facilitate the exoneration of a man wrongfully convicted of murder. Terry Jackson—known as T.J.—has spent nine years in prison for the murder of a young girl, and an exoneration is a key step toward his ability to recover millions of dollars for the wrongful conviction.

At first glance, this exoneration case seems straightforward, but while preparing for the court hearing, Cuellar makes a startling discovery: the evidence is overwhelming that T.J. is indeed guilty. Armed with this information, Cuellar shocks everyone at the hearing by calling key witnesses and bringing forward evidence of corruption at the top of her own office and beyond. She leaves the courtroom that day with her career in jeopardy; soon after, someone tries to kill her, and she’s forced to go underground to survive.

This unprecedented investigation takes the reader through a seamy intersection of crime, law, and politics in Chicago. With the help of a handful of elite cops, Cuellar races to expose the truth and save her career before she can be silenced for good.

About the book

What is the book about?

Stealing Justice is a legal thriller set in Chicago. A prosecutor, Marisol Cuellar, uncovers a plan to fix a murder case to collect millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Despite the risk to her career and possibly her life, she refuses to let the corrupt politicians and unscrupulous lawyers complete their plan to steal justice. The readers travel through the dark side of Chicago and see the intersection of law, politics, crime, and greed. Cuellar teams up with a group of elite cops and a special prosecutor to prevent a child killer and his lawyers from getting rich.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing the book in 2020.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me a year and a half to write.

Where did you get the idea from?

As a former judge, I was inspired by several cases and situations that I observed or imagined.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

There were a few parts that were challenging but that is the fun of creating a good story.

What came easily?

The characters and settings came easily to me as well as the legal situations.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

While my characters are authentic, none of my characters are based on a specific person.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I have always been a voracious reader. While I read a wide array of topics in non-fiction and fiction, I considered writing myself after reading Robert Parker. His books are great but especially relatable.

Do you have a target reader?

I write for myself. The book must be authentic, honest, and interesting to me.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Some writers have a strict process. For me, reading and writing is a comfortable escape and I do it whenever I can.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do not outline but I live with my characters in my mind before I start writing. After I feel like I know and understand my characters, I begin writing.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I edit as I write but always hire an editor when the manuscript is completed. Even after collaborating with my free-lance editor, the editorial staff at Post Hill did a substantial amount of work to produce a finished book.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I listen to a Chicago radio station while I work. They play an electric mix spanning 60 years of music across a wide mix of genres. The station is WXRT and I consider it the soundtrack for my life.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Agents are an interesting group. I have never been able to find an agent that wanted to champion my work.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

It is a pleasure for it to be published by Post Hill Press. They have a huge presence and gravatas in the publishing area while being nimble, responsive, and supportive of me. They have done an excellent job at every point.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Professionally through my publisher.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a media marketing team and I am using social media marketing to promote the book. I have also been on the radio as a guest to discuss my book.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

For aspiring authors, there is an old joke: if you want to make money writing fiction, write ransom notes. If you want to write, do it because you love it.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in suburban Chicago and still live in the area I grew up in suburban Chicago and still live in the area

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am a retired judge currently doing mediations and arbitrations.

What are you working on now?

There is inspiration all around me. It would be great if I could continue to create my stories.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Stealing Justice from Amazon US or Amazon UK.