Theodore Boone series is a good read for young readers and adults alike, giving the young a taste of what life holds out there even as they are looking out and growing within their own circumstances, and reminding adults of how the young live, think, feel, and are affected by the life around despite the protective parents - and sometimes because of parents being not so protective.
The Accused begins with a murderer going missing when he is supposed to go to trial since his first trial for murder was declared a mistrial, and his whereabouts being a mystery discussed while another mystery begins - Theodore Boone is attacked surreptitiously and subsequently accused of crimes he did not, would not ever consider committing. But the law goes by evidence, not by the faith and knowledge of everyone around him, and he must find ways to prove his innocence.
In the process there is a reminder that decent people often are clueless while those on the fringe might be far more useful given right heart and bright mind. Here uncle Ike is the one who provides keys while Boone's mother is clueless in spite of being a key factor in the persecution of her son by unknown persons.
