The Deposit Slip

Erin Larson has run out of options. While clearing out her father’s safe deposit box in the wake of his death, she found a slim piece of paper. It was a deposit slip from the local bank in the unimaginable amount of ten million dollars. However, the bank has denied any record of the deposit, forcing her into a bitter lawsuit--a legal battle that has led to intimidation and threats and driven her first lawyer to withdraw. When Jared Neaton receives the call about Erin's case, he has problems of his own. Having recently left the shady ethics of big firm practice to make his fortune, he has been exhausted, financially and personally, by a heartbreaking trial loss. With bills piling up, Jared immediately recognizes the case for what it is: a “breakthrough” case. The kind that could put his career back on solid ground--or end it. Jared must decide whether to take Erin’s case, betting his faltering career on nothing more than a thin sheet of paper. It would mean a journey back to his own hometown of Ashley, Minnesota, a place he had resolved to leave forever. Jared soon learns that it will also mean a struggle extending far beyond the courtroom--with much more at risk than money. This is Todd Johnson’s debut novel and it is fabulous! I loved everything about this book, from the story to the characters to the theme of forgiveness. There is a line near the end of the story that reads: “And by allowing people like Mrs. Huddleston, Verne Loffler-and even his son-a chance to heal the only way he knew how: by giving them the opportunity to forgive him.” This has stuck with me and is something I’m “chewing on” quite a bit. Thanks to the author for writing such a thought provoking and insightful book chock full of golden nuggets like this. There are many engaging characters in this story that you come to care about who demonstrate selflessness, love and what it means to be a true friend. Some characters made very poor choices and later come to realize how wrong they were and try and make it right-make amends to not only their friends and family but to the outside world as well. The mystery/drama is well plotted, neither going to slow nor at a lightening pace speed, just right in my opinion. The plot is believable and puts “everyday people” in a situation and asks the question “What would I do”? This is a book well worth your time. I will be looking to read more from this author. "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".