Custody of the State

Meet the author

Editorial Reviews

"Christians who are looking for a fresh, well written, faith based alternative to the hundreds of legal thrillers on the market, should look no further than Custody of the State. Not caught up in the sometimes fluffy pretense of the Christian fiction market, Parshall delivers characters and a story line that are credible, honest, honorable, but above all real.

Chambers is a real character, one who is flawed, as most readers are. He is someone who most Christians can identify with. Simply put, Will Chambers is a man struggling to live by his faith while desperately pursuing liberty in an unforgiving world."
—CBN.com

"Judging by the response to Parshall's first book, there's already an audience eagerly anticipating the arrival of this offering in the legal/suspense genre. Custody of the State will attract anyone who read The Resurrection File, plus John Grisham and T. Davis Bunn fans."
—CBA Marketplace

"The story is well crafted, and the mystery is believable. The book includes courtroom drama, danger in various forms, a conspiracy to overcome, and many other conflicts that will keep readers on the edge of their seats."
—The Baptist Bulletin

"Authentic characters and a believable storyline make Custody of the State gripping and even unnerving reading. The reader wants to cheer for the good guys and hiss at the villains while wishing to help bring justice to the innocent family. Sensitive readers could find the "bad guy," Jason Bell Purdy, abhorrent and sinful lifestyle too uncomfortably vivid. This is a book worth reading if only for a taste of the ugly world out there, and the need for believers to live utterly by faith and stand firm on what is godly."
—Christian Library Journal

"Attorney Craig Parshall, husband of Christian talk show host Janet Parshall, has applied his legal expertise masterfully to fiction writing in his new novel Custody of the State. Parshall keeps readers flipping the pages to discover more about how things will turn out, never giving too much away too soon. And his characters are quite believable, as well."
—Crosswalk.com

"This is a gripping tale depicting every parent's worst nightmare. Characters are vibrant, and the drama plays out to the fullest in this legal novel that is on par with any John Grisham bestseller."
—Romantic Times Magazine

"Struggling new Christian Will Chambers finds his faith tested in this second installment of the series. The state is after a young mother for allegedly poisoning her child. Fearing that she will lose the child and that the boy will die as the result of an undiagnosed condition, she flees, leaving her husband to face the consequences. Will reluctantly takes her case, having to fight all the way to save this family, and a baby's life. Not only is he spiritually challenged, but faces beatings and prison to do what is right. Will's personal life is also in a muddle. His new love, Fiona, has a career that separates them often, and though he wants to marry her, the timing is just never right. Along for the ride are the other characters you met and loved in the last book; Jacki, his secretary, and even Tiny. Christians who want a legal thriller on the order of Turrow or Grisham, but without sordid details, will find their answer here. Will Chambers is an excellent hero, one easily identified with as he struggles along in his journey. He is flawed and questioning, much like most readers, and will be someone with whom even non Christians can find a common chord. In fact, seeing his struggle to faith might win a few converts."
—huntressreviews.com

"Wow. Plain and simple—wow. I loved this book. I was quickly drawn in to the story and the suspenseful nature of the author's writing and found myself unable to put the book down. I continued reading longer and longer each night until I finally finished the book, and was disappointed when it did come to an end. I am now anxious to read more in this series and can't wait to find out what this talented author has available. This is a very entertaining read and one you will surely enjoy."
—Teens4Jesus Library

"Parshall draws from his twenty-seven years as a lawyer to provide authentic courtroom machinations and drama. The reader gets an inside look at the fine points of law and how they can be manipulated to serve the guilty as well as the innocent."
—FaithfulReader.com