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outsmartyourshelf's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Barrister Neve Harper lands the defence case that could make or break her career. Three members of the Darling family (wife Yolanda & teenage children Phoebe & Danny) were killed in a fatal shooting at home & then the house was set on fire. Husband & father Wade, although injured, was the only survivor & he has been charged with three counts of murder. It seems it may be a 'family annihilator' case but is there more to this than meets the eye? Neve ponders this when she learns that the original defence barrister for Wade jumped in front of a highspeed train. On the way home she is approached by a menacing stranger who tells her that she has to throw the case or the truth about her husband's disappearance will be revealed to the police & that her step-daughter Hannah will be killed. Neve now has to weigh up the cost of putting a possibly innocent man behind bars for life or ending up in prison herself.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was one of those books that you just cannot put down. Neve is an intriguing character, she's very clinical in her manner & comes across as emotionally cold or stoic, although she obviously cares about Hannah. She's definitely a morally grey character as she will do whatever it takes to save herself & the few people she does care about even if that means breaking the law she is supposed to uphold. There are also a few moments of dark humour which, juxtaposed against the subject matter, made me laugh out loud in surprise. Most of the plot is not really a surprise if you read a lot of these genre of books, but that didn't spoil anything & the courtroom scenes were great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Verdict: Fast-paced legal thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this, it was one of those books that you just cannot put down. Neve is an intriguing character, she's very clinical in her manner & comes across as emotionally cold or stoic, although she obviously cares about Hannah. She's definitely a morally grey character as she will do whatever it takes to save herself & the few people she does care about even if that means breaking the law she is supposed to uphold. There are also a few moments of dark humour which, juxtaposed against the subject matter, made me laugh out loud in surprise. Most of the plot is not really a surprise if you read a lot of these genre of books, but that didn't spoil anything & the courtroom scenes were great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Verdict: Fast-paced legal thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Simon and Schuster UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
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