By Way of Sorrow

Praise for Robyn Gigl and By Way of Sorrow

"Emotionally resonant…Gigl is too astute and compassionate a writer to create cartoon villainy out of anti-trans attitudes…quietly groundbreaking.” —The New York Times Book Review (Sarah Weinman) 

"Readers will find that BY WAY OF SORROW is a compulsively riveting page-turner with a complex heroine, a captivating plot, and no easy answers. It's one of the best thrillers of the year.” —Mystery Scene

"An intelligent and resourceful protagonist with an unusual backstory...Erin's ability to navigate the intricacies of the law is just as fascinating as the subsequent perils she encounters. Gigl, an attorney, offers some enlightening insights into the workings of the legal world." —Publishers Weekly

"Gigl, a transgender lawyer herself, provides provocative insights into the legal system and the challenges of gender identity." —Booklist 
 
“Gigl’s accomplishment here is to parse the serious flaws with the legal system and expose the vulnerability of homeless members of the trans community by way of subtle characterization and seamless plotting. In less skillful hands, we might get melodrama or a polemic; here, we get engrossing originality—and a brilliant point in a larger argument for the benefits of greater representation in our beloved genre.” —Lambda Literary Review
 
"For those of us hungry for characters that look more like us and the we know, most of whom we love, the author provides a moveable feast of very human souls...a page turner extraordinaire.” - Out in Jersey

“With tight, realistic plotting interweaving a murder mystery with insights into transgender issues, By Way Of Sorrow is a promising series debut… I’m looking forward to seeing where Robyn Gigl will go with this series next, and am really glad she’s writing so honestly and entertainingly about trans issues in a field with precious few trans leads.” —Criminal Element
 
“This enthralling series debut features a twisty plot full of surprises and a cast of exciting characters—most notably, tough and
relatable defense-attorney Erin McCabe—all while diving into the mud of corrupt local politics. An original legal thriller that is sure to be among the year’s best!” —Edwin Hill, author of The Missing Ones
 
“Robyn Gigl has delivered a compelling, provocative legal thriller like no other. Topical and fast-paced, By Way of Sorrow grabs you on the very first page with a brutal murder, and then sends you on a twist-filled thrill-ride that doesn’t let up until the startling finale.” —Kevin O’Brien, New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Sister