In Misconstrue (Cassie Nichols Series Book 2) by Denise Forsythe, Cassie Nichols is in prison serving a thirty-five-year sentence for murdering her husband. She is determined, however, to win her freedom and, most importantly, to gain custody of her son, whom she only held briefly after his birth before giving him up to her former father-in-law to raise. When it appears she may be able to secure her release due to a legal technicality involving one of the jurors at her first trial, she begins to plot her eventual reunification with her son. Unfortunately, two men stand in her way: a former colleague, with whom she had a brief fling years ago, and her former father-in-law, who is determined that Cassie’s son, Lucas, will remain in his custody until he reaches maturity. Cassie, however, is not one to let a few technicalities stand in her way, and she has plans in place to permanently remove these two stumbling blocks from her path to regaining her son.

Misconstrue is a fascinating combination of daily life in a women’s prison, the legal system, and a thriller that just keeps readers guessing as to where the story arcs and plot will go next. Denise Forsythe has penned a wonderful character in Cassie, whose sole focus is getting out of prison and regaining her son. The idea of superfecundation is rare and unusual, although I did recently come across a similar situation in a television thriller. This whole concept gives the story a unique and intriguing twist that leads to some bizarre story arcs, especially those involving Cassie’s nemesis, Ben. Without giving too much away about the plot, I can say that some of the twists are totally unexpected and will give suspense fans real satisfaction. It is a fast-moving, twisty suspense thriller that will surprise and delight readers. This is a great read and one I can highly recommend.

Denise Forsythe’s Misconstrue is a suspense thriller featuring lead character Cassie Nichols, who has been convicted of her husband’s death and is in prison. According to her, the death was unintentional, but she is a model prisoner in the hopes of one day being reunited with her son. She was coerced into signing a shared custody agreement, in which her father-in-law was to care for his grandson. Cassie's lawyer then discovers a legal loophole concerning one of the jurors’ misconduct during the trial, and she is given a shot at parole. Then there's Ben, the child's father, who also wants custody. Cassie is aware of Ben's abusive behavior, but she must proceed with caution because she is considered a convict, and obtaining full custody will be difficult. As the cat-and-mouse game continues, Cassie's plan calls for complete custody, but what happens when that dream starts turning into a nightmare? How far will she go to get what she wants?

A riveting thriller, Misconstrue by Denise Forsythe is the second installment in the series but can be read as a standalone. The writing is captivating, and the interesting cast of characters will make you see prison life from a different perspective, especially if one is innocent or trying to make positive changes. The reader will empathize with Cassie's character in particular because she is strong, dedicated, and has flaws one can identify with. She simply wants to be a devoted mother, and she is willing to use any means to achieve that goal. The story moves at a measured but exciting pace, full of obstacles, curveballs, temptations, and twists, and the reader feels genuinely tense for Cassie's plight. Misconstrue is a rollercoaster ride of suspense, mystery, betrayal, trust, and resilience, and is suitable for readers who enjoy crime novels.

In Misconstrue by Denise Forsythe, Cassie Nichols is in prison, convicted of killing her husband. On the scene at the time was Ben Shaw, a man she loathes, who is also the father of one of her two unborn children. After her incarceration, the Nichols family takes baby Lucas in, yet Cassie is determined to do whatever it takes to regain her freedom and her son. There are prison scenes, court cases, subterfuge, and a secret to cover up, yet Cassie never wavers. She is a heroine as ruthless as Genghis Khan. We follow her story through her legal battles, lies to Ben, who previously stalked her, and is equally determined to get custody of his son. It is a battle of wills, lies, pretence, and misdirection. While Cassie receives support from an unexpected source, there is never a break in the buildup to the climax.

What a roller coaster of a book. In Misconstrue, author Denise Forsythe introduces us to Cassie, as single-minded a heroine as I have ever encountered. She took my breath away. One moment, I was on her side; the next, I was not so sure. Readers will be fascinated by her story, while being uncertain of whom to trust. The pace never lets up, and once started, the book is impossible to put down. The writing is seamless, the action continuous, and the tension is palpable. I really enjoyed this book. It is not a cozy mystery, but a hard, gritty tale that fans of a character-driven narrative will love. I cannot fault the delivery or the outcomes, although in the strict sense, several actions are beyond the law, and there was one scene where I sat up and gasped out loud. Well worth picking up this book and immersing yourself in a great and unusual experience.

Misconstrue by Denise Forsythe is book 2 in the Cassie Nichols series. Cassie is in prison for murdering her husband, but she’ll do anything to get out. There’s a loophole that could see her released, giving her the chance to get back to the son she had to give up to her father-in-law. Her son’s father is trying to get back in her life, back to his son, but Cassie won’t give in so easily. Her father-in-law wants custody, and Ben and Cassie know they have a fight on their hands. Ben makes a proposition that Cassie can’t refuse, but he has no idea that she has different plans for the future. Those plans don’t involve anyone but Cassie and her son. Will she regain her son? And what will the cost be?

I read the first book in this series, Misconception, and Misconstrue is an excellent sequel that continues Cassie’s story. The character development continues from the first book, giving readers the opportunity to get to know them better. This is not recommended as a standalone read, as it won’t make proper sense unless you’ve read the first one. As expected, it’s all go from the first page as Cassie fights to get out of prison and back into her son’s life. It’s full of intrigue and plenty of twists and turns that keep you on your toes, showing you that nothing is ever quite what it seems at first glance. With plenty of suspense, this book will keep you reading from the first to the last page, and it seems like a conclusion to the whole story. I'm not so sure—could there be a final book in the offering? I feel like the full story isn’t told yet. If you’re a fan of good, solid suspense stories, I highly recommend the Cassie Nichols series by Denise Forsythe.