Review: Unbridled Injustice

Author: Ellie Boatman

ISBN: 1598000586

It was Charles Dickens who stated in his famous novel Oliver Twist, “the law is an ass,” and perhaps in some cases we have to agree with him. What is even more alarming, however, is when judges are more foolish when they exhibit judicial bias or abuse the broad discretionary powers afforded to them within the family court system. They may even, in certain cases, look the other way when there is an issue of attorney ethics. All this leads to a violation of the due process to which every citizen is entitled in our democratic legal system. Such a denial of justice was experienced by Ellie Boatman Conger, the main character in Ellie Boatman’s first novel, Injustice Unbridled.

Many authors have turned to fiction to provide a beacon of light in understanding the bitter struggles during dark times, and Boatman is no exception, using the genre so effectively to narrate how the judicial system had wronged a woman from Kentucky.

Set in the equestrian community of Lexington Kentucky, the novel tells the story of Ellie, who after a week-long vacation in Florida with close friends, arrives home at the airport only to receive a divorce petition from her husband Roy. This is quite surprising to a woman who believed life couldn’t get any sweeter. After all, she had three wonderful children, a successful husband, a beautiful home and farm that included several prized ponies, and the respect of her hometown social community.

However, not everything is what it seems and, as Ellie says, “sometimes our life is like a sleepwalk. When we finally wake up we have no idea where we are and even less how we got there.”

Shortly after receiving the divorce petition, Ellie finds herself embroiled in very unpleasant and costly court proceedings that could mean her husband loses custody of their children. To further aggravate this dire situation, Ellie regrettably hires a young and inexperienced lawyer, who was not too quick and consequently is outmatched by the unethical tactics and devious behavior of her opponent, who uses every trick in the book. book to make life impossible. for Ellie. Adding a bit more drama to the narrative is the grotesque possibility of child sexual abuse being ignored by a judge, who has his own agenda, and a lazy social worker assigned to the case.

For a first-time author, Boatman shows great confidence in her storytelling skills, though at times the pony show scenes get a bit worn down, slowing down the pace of the novel. However, this hard-hitting narrative is a page-turner not only because of its plot, but also because of the strong message it conveys. Conger gets top marks for her clarity and richness of voice, all of which help the reader empathize with Ellie’s anger and desperation as she battles the sometimes unfair court system to win custody of Ellie. children of her In the end, does justice prevail?