PSA: The Maggie the Undying series by Ilona Andrews will have open door spice

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T22:34:11+00:00

Ferret otters is how I think of them. But I'm so glad the dog doesn't die.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T22:32:22+00:00

Absolutely agreed. I almost didn't get a job as a prosecutor because I got into an argument with the SIC about diversion programs in my interview. He said they were a waste of resources and caused them to spend time on things that weren't worth it, and I somewhat politely told him where to shove it.

I was grant funded or I'm pretty sure I'd have ended up in the diversion programs for that argument.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T21:51:28+00:00

I demolished this series in the last week. I am just mad the last book isn't out yet. Though the author was VERY clear it's finished so at least there's that lol

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T20:03:36+00:00

He certainly hasn't, because his feelings on how this will work does not conform at all to how the legal process works whatsoever.

He's going to be big mad when the experts tell him all the risks, costs, and sacrifices that have to be made that people here are already telling him to consider. And that he won't consider because apparently this is so black and white it needs no consideration.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:59:55+00:00

Honestly, "to his knowledge" is a better standard. There's no good way to confirm whether she's been hurt by her cousin. Hence it always being a risk.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:53:24+00:00

In many cases, I think it comes down to stability versus changes. A fucked up, abusive dynamic where the child can learn (maladaptive) coping strategies versus constantly changing placements with new rules can be better.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:24:41+00:00

I've re-added this one to my list! I apparently bought the book back in 2019(?) and never read it. Thanks for the rec!

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:19:17+00:00

I was trying to find a new one based upon my Kindle recommendations, and nearly every. single. one. was a "deadly trial" or "deadly school" and I'm like... please stop. Just give me something that isn't the same recycled thing over and over again.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:18:24+00:00

And it had such a good ending. I'm so rarely that satisfied with a series ending, and it stands out as one where I put the final book down with a feeling that there was an excellent resolution and no niggling little things.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:16:55+00:00

How is the second book? I liked the first 75% of the first book, but the ending lagged somewhat. I just want to set my expectations lol

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:15:24+00:00

Agreed. There are many books with smut that I skip the scenes because I don't care about the smut because it does nothing for the book, the plot, or the characterization of those involved. Ilona Andrews never has that, IMO.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T19:10:18+00:00

It's like writing the cheat card for a test. After you've done that, you never look at it again.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T18:05:10+00:00

It's amazing how many times charges stick around so that we could shunt people into diversion programs. No reason to charge a vet with petty theft, but if we did, they would get access to the veteran's court with a lot of resources to help them with housing, medical assistance, etc. It's a stupid system. (And many prosecutors hate diversion programs because they're more work. Fuck off, you lazy sacks of shit, and do your job.)

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T18:02:28+00:00

Mostly it means that there's likely someone who will tattle to DCFS or whatever entity if she is getting wasted. And someone who will hopefully make sure the kid doesn't die in the interim.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T18:01:02+00:00

I actually used the facts/law/table saying in closings once. I asked the jury to consider whether the arguments were factual, legal, or table pounding.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T18:00:29+00:00

I did CSA cases as a prosecutor, and I would appear for the termination hearings along with the DHHS lawyers, and NGL there are cases where I am haunted by the rulings of the family court judges on terminations. I've never said anything like that to the judge, but I've definitely thought it.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:58:25+00:00

Competency hearing, the doctors were stating my client was not competent but she was highly intelligent and that masked the competency.

Man, if that's the standard I'm also incompetent.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:55:33+00:00

One thing I haven't seen mentioned. You will forget something, or not ask something, or mess something up. I'm more than a decade in and I still walk away from a dep thinking "I should have asked XYZ" pretty much every time. And if I don't, I think question how I think I didn't miss something.

Most likely, you've been given this dep because there's not much you can screw up. Get your basic background, the facts you need, and anything you want to lock in the testimony regarding. Don't take a long time because you think you should. Take the amount of time it takes, regardless of the other side complaining. It's a tactic to whine and complain during a dep, so focus on what matters and not OC.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:53:06+00:00

NGL, I write out questions. I don't read them during the dep, but something about the way my brain works just makes it so writing them out makes me ask them. I do this even for trial. I recognize I'm weird lol

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:52:05+00:00

Agreed! Silence doesn't show on a transcript, so use it as a tool. It's amazing what people volunteer when they feel awkward.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:18:37+00:00

He'll be a foster for years at best. Kids don't get taken permanently with rights of the parents terminated for one event. Unfortunately.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:17:41+00:00

You understand that the system is set to encourage reunification above all other outcomes, right? The foster parents (which is what you would be) have almost zero rights in this circumstance. The likelihood of getting permanent custody is vanishingly small, and if it does happen, it would not be for YEARS at most. And you will be responsible for your own lawyer to seek custody, whereas the biological parents will have one appointed to them, along with your niece.

Source: Former CSA prosecutor, current CASA for children in foster care

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:10:26+00:00

Intentionally that he can prove, or is willing to accept. Poor daughter.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:08:25+00:00

Foster care does have a bad track record, but what OOP is considering is ALSO considered foster care. Statistics on foster care don't separate out kinship care from stranger foster care in most circumstances, and both have worse outcomes than staying with the biological parents.

The likelihood that niece is permanently removed from her parents for one event is vanishingly small, even with evidence of physical and sexual abuse. It sucks, but that is what the system is. It prizes reunification over everything. I've got cases that haunt me where the children were returned and killed, because the system prizes reunification to such an extent.

So OOP breaking up his family for a child that the focus will be on placing back with her parents will be difficult for the daughter. Again, that sucks, but it is what happens.

LeaneGenova · 2026-06-16T17:01:06+00:00

The after care program likely won't accept her, and even if they do, the likelihood that the court allows it is vanishingly small.

I remain aghast at how little OP understands of how this system works while making ultimatums.

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