“Taking a deep breath, I shake my head and find Judge staring at me. "Reason number 106 why dogs are smarter than humans," I say. "Once you leave the litter, you sever contact with your mothers.”

American novelist of the late 20th and 21st centuries, Jodi Picoult is known for her emotionally layered legal thrillers that explore moral dilemmas and human complexity. Her work often weaves together multiple perspectives to examine justice, ethics, and the consequences of choices.